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U.S. production of crucial components in electric vehicles, smartphones and fighter jets is set to expand rapidly in the coming years, as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to build up the critical mineral industry in the United States to work to break the chokehold that China has on the global supply chain. The federal government is pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into American companies, has made an agreement with one firm to set a minimum price for some U.S.-produced critical minerals, and has launched an investigation into foreign-made supplies. “This is the Manhattan Project moment for rare earths,” said Joshua Ballard, CEO of USA Rare Earth, which plans next year to start making the rare-earth magnets that appear in many products. The White House has made it a priority to revive the domestic critical minerals industry, which is proving urgent after Beijing leveraged its near-monopoly on the products to force the U.S. to the negotiating table during a trade war. President Donald Trump said this week that China “intelligently went and they sort of took a monopoly of the world’s magnets,” but he expressed confidence in securing supplies because the U.S. has “much bigger and better cards.” “We’re going to have a lot of magnets in a pretty short period of time. In fact, we’ll have so many, we won’t know what to do with them,” he said as he hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Critical minerals have been tied to national security Industry insiders, analysts and lawmakers have warned for years that America’s dependence on China for critical minerals — a list of 50 minerals that includes 17 sought-after rare-earth elements — is a national vulnerability. The hard-to-pronounce elements are needed in smartphones, wind turbines and robots as well as missiles, submarines and fighter jets. “Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers’ mineral production,” an executive order from Trump declared in March. It was not until Beijing rolled out export restrictions on several rare earths in April — leading to a temporary halt of Ford’s electric vehicle production — that “the problem that for over a decade seemed far away hit close to home,” said Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Trump said Monday that he could charge 200% tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing does not export magnets to the U.S. but noted “that’s perhaps behind us.” Instead, he said he could withhold airplane parts to ground China’s American-made Boeing jets. When asked about the leverage, Guo Jiakun, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said Tuesday that Beijing “follows the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation” in dealing with the U.S. “We hope the U.S. will work with us to jointly promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of bilateral ties,” Guo said. The critical minerals industry welcomes support The Pentagon is investing $400 million in rare-earth producer MP Materials. It gave the U.S. company a $150 million loan this month, has promised to ensure every magnet made at its massive new plant is bought and set a minimum price for its neodymium and praseodymium products for a decade. “It looks like we’re going to finally do something to address that issue and make these projects a reality,” said Mark Smith, CEO of NioCorp, an American company working to raise $1.2 billion to produce […]

Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch issued a stern warning to school principals across Israel who have publicly called for an end to the Gaza war, stating that “we will not allow politics to be brought into the schools,” according to Israeli media reports on Wednesday.

Kisch also said that these school officials would be summoned for questioning.

His comments came after a video was released earlier in the day, featuring dozens of principals from across the country urging an end to the fighting and demanding an agreement to secure the release of the approximately 50 hostages still being held.

“In these days, silence is not possible,” read one of the central messages displayed in the video.

This marked the second video released by a group of school principals and educators. In a statement accompanying the clip, they wrote, “Out of an educational and moral responsibility, we call for an end to the war and the immediate return of all the kidnapped.”

They further emphasized that their stance aligns with the principles laid out in the State Education Law and Israel’s Declaration of Independence. “This is what the State Education Law instructs and the Declaration of Independence states: ‘To develop an attitude out of respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democratic values, the observance of law, culture and views of others, and to continue educating in the pursuit of peace and tolerance in relations between people and countries.'”

“These days, silence is not possible. We join our fellow school principals and our commitment to the values of love for humanity and human dignity,” the educators continued. They made it clear in the video that they have no plans to back down and will continue to voice their opinions publicly.

“We will continue to publicly express our ethical and moral position in accordance with the provisions of the State Education Law and the values of the Declaration of Independence.

“We will not stand by in the face of abandoning the hostages, the risk to soldiers’ lives, and in the face of hunger and the severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza,” the principals declared. “Therefore, we call for an end to the war and the return of the hostages immediately. It is our professional and moral duty to speak out, to protect the sanctity of human life, and to preserve the Jewish and humanist values that are the root of our work. We are here to educate for humanity, hope, and life.”

Last month, five university presidents sent an appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to address what they called the “terrible problem of hunger prevailing in Gaza, which is seriously harming those who are not involved, including children and infants.”

Kisch responded by asserting that Hamas bears full responsibility for the situation in Gaza, dismissing claims of a “starvation campaign” as propaganda, and insisting that Israel is mindful of the welfare of civilians in the territory.

In their letter, the leaders of Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University, the Open University, the Weizmann Institute, and the Technion called for greater military and humanitarian efforts to alleviate the crisis and prevent harm to innocent civilians, “regardless of the heavy responsibility of Hamas and other factors.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Susan Monarez, the newly appointed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was forced out Wednesday after just weeks in the job, following a tense standoff with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the administration’s shifting coronavirus vaccine policy, according to multiple officials who confirmed her departure with The Washington Post. Monarez, a longtime government scientist nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in July, resisted pressure from Kennedy and administration lawyers to endorse rolling back federal approvals for certain COVID-19 vaccines without first consulting her advisers, people briefed on the conversations said. Her reluctance drew the ire of Kennedy, who urged her to resign for “not supporting President Trump’s agenda,” one official said. Monarez initially refused and sought support from Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the Senate health committee chair who played a pivotal role in her confirmation after extracting assurances about protecting vaccine access. Cassidy privately pushed back on Kennedy’s demands, according to three people familiar with the discussions, escalating tensions inside the administration. Kennedy grew more frustrated after learning Monarez had turned to the senator, and administration officials ultimately gave her an ultimatum: resign or be fired. By Wednesday evening, HHS confirmed in a post on X that Monarez was no longer leading the CDC. “We thank her for her dedicated service to the American people. @SecKennedy has full confidence in his team at @CDCgov who will continue to be vigilant in protecting Americans against infectious diseases at home and abroad,” the agency wrote. Public health advocates had viewed Monarez as a potential counterweight to Kennedy, who founded an anti-vaccine group before taking office and has long been a controversial figure for his claims about vaccine safety. Kennedy has denied being anti-vaccine, telling senators during his confirmation hearings earlier this year that he was only seeking additional evidence on effectiveness. Still, critics feared his influence could limit vaccine access, concerns that intensified Wednesday when the CDC announced it had signed off on updated coronavirus vaccines but restricted eligibility to seniors and people with health risks, a sharp break from previous recommendations that all Americans six months and older receive annual shots. The White House declined to comment on Monarez’s departure. Cassidy’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump nominated Monarez after withdrawing his original choice, former Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), who faced criticism for linking vaccines to autism. During her confirmation hearings, Monarez emphasized her belief in rigorous scientific evidence and the importance of vaccines in protecting public health. Her ouster comes as the Trump administration continues to question federal vaccine data and dismantle prior recommendations. The CDC is expected to issue new guidance soon on who should receive coronavirus shots, a decision that could affect tens of millions of Americans. The agency has already been under strain following an Aug. 8 shooting at its Atlanta headquarters, when a gunman angry over the coronavirus vaccine opened fire, killing a police officer and forcing hundreds of employees into lockdown. Monarez’s abrupt exit adds her to a growing list of Trump administration officials with short-lived tenures. The White House recently reassigned IRS Commissioner Billy Long after disputes over immigrant data access, and Trump replaced national security adviser Michael Waltz after a misstep involving a journalist and sensitive […]

On any given Sunday, the massive American Dream mall in New Jersey allows visitors to hit an indoor ski slope, surf an artificial wave, ride roller coasters — or shop for a new outfit at dozens of big-name retail stores. One of those things is a problem, argues a new lawsuit against the massive entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford – and it isn’t the thrillseekers. American Dream, the suit from officials in nearby Paramus contends, is running afoul of a county law that has long prohibited the sale of nonessential items such as clothing, appliances and furniture on Sundays. Such “blue laws” date back centuries in New Jersey and were originally rooted in religion. But modern proponents say they offer a welcome break for locals from traffic and noise in a region near New York City that’s teeming with shoppers throughout the week. Officials in Paramus, a major shopping hub that boasts three large malls and miles of strip malls, say nearly every other retail store in the county is closed to shoppers on Sundays. That was originally the plan for American Dream when it opened in 2019, adjacent to MetLife Stadium, where the NFL’s Jets and Giants play. Retail stores would close on Sunday, while the theme parks in the mall would remain open — but a report by NorthJersey.com in January says retailers there had also been opening their doors the extra day for nearly a year. “These businesses, with the encouragement and support of the mall’s ownership and the acquiescence of the other defendants here, have violated the law hundreds if not thousands of times since January,” argues the lawsuit filed in state Superior Court. A statement from American Dream argued that Bergen County’s blue laws don’t apply to the complex, because it sits on state-owned property. “The lawsuit is a meritless political stunt driven by private competitors’ interests,” the statement says. But Paramus Mayor Christopher DiPiazza said that American Dream had “promised on record” that it would follow the county’s blue laws once it opened. A transcript from a 2011 public hearing shows Tony Armlin, then the vice president of development and construction for mall owner Triple Five, saying the laws “prohibit our ability to have retail activities on Sundays,” which he said would restrict the impact of traffic. Jim Tedesco, the executive of Bergen County — which is also named in the suit — said in a statement American Dream’s operators had “personally assured” him that they would keep retailers shut on Sunday before the mall opened. “They broke that promise,” he said. “Their decision to operate retail on Sundays not only violates state statute, it gives them an unfair advantage over every other business in Bergen County that is following the law.” The suit also names East Rutherford, whose mayor did not return a request for comment, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The NJSEA and the state attorney general’s office declined comment because they don’t discuss pending litigation. New Jersey’s blue laws initially were far stricter and enforced statewide. They banned not just business operations but also leisure activities and nonessential travel, with proponents arguing the state and the nation had a moral obligation to protect the Sabbath from commerce and recreation. While most New Jersey counties no longer […]

The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that construction on the long-awaited $7 billion redevelopment of Penn Station is set to begin by the end of 2027.

“Crumbling infrastructure, bleak and dirty architecture, unnavigable hallways and no inviting spaces for families with kids – the current state of Penn Station is unacceptable,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a statement.

This announcement comes after the Trump administration reassigned leadership of the project, placing Amtrak — which owns Penn Station — in charge, effectively removing the MTA from its oversight role. In its statement, the administration said the MTA, which manages the New York City subway system, “proved it was incapable of delivering major infrastructure on time or on budget.”

To support the project’s planning stages, Amtrak will receive nearly $43 million in federal funding. The grant will cover early-stage work, including selecting a master developer, obtaining permits, and completing preliminary engineering.

Andy Byford, who previously served as the president of New York City Transit and earned the nickname “Train Daddy,” has been appointed to lead the redevelopment effort. According to the statement, Byford will officially begin the process of seeking a master developer on August 28. He was brought on earlier this year as a special adviser to Amtrak’s board to oversee the transformation.

The statement added that the formal solicitation process will kick off by late October 2025, with a master developer expected to be chosen by the end of May 2026.

The overhaul plan was first launched by Andrew Cuomo but was modified in 2021 under Governor Kathy Hochul. The updated vision includes replacing the current station with a 250,000-square-foot, single-level facility featuring expanded amenities, retail options, mixed-income housing, and other improvements.

The Trump administration has also been pushing to regain control over other critical transit hubs along the Northeast Corridor. Earlier on Wednesday, Duffy revealed that the administration is working to reclaim management of Washington’s Union Station — a historic rail center located near the U.S. Capitol — citing significant deterioration at the landmark facility.

{Matzav.com}

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday that his department is taking management of Union Station, the main transportation hub in Washington, away from Amtrak, in another example of how the federal government is exerting its power over the nation’s capital. Duffy made the announcement in a statement before he was to join Amtrak President Roger Harris at Union Station for the launch of the NextGen Acela, the rail service’s new high-speed train. The secretary said Union Station, located within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol, had “fallen into disrepair” when it should be a “point of pride” for the city. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost,” Duffy said. Duffy’s words echoed President Donald Trump, who said last week that he wants $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington as part of his crackdown on the city. The Republican president has sent thousands of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officials into Washington in a bid to fight violent crime that he claimed had strangled the city. Local police department statistics show that violent crime in Washington has declined in recent years, but Trump has countered, without offering evidence, that the numbers were fudged. National Guard troops have been on patrol inside and outside of Union Station after Trump launched the anti-crime effort earlier this month. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were shouted down by opponents of the federal intervention when they visited with troops there last week. During Wednesday’s train unveiling, Duffy will also talk about what the administration is doing to turn Union Station into a world class transit hub, according to a Transportation Department news advisory. Duffy had pressed Amtrak about crime at Union Station in a March letter to its chief operating officer and requested an updated plan on how it intended to improve public safety there. (AP)

Israel Police issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday evening for Jay Footlik, a U.S.-based lobbyist with ties to Qatar.

The warrant will only be enforced if Footlik travels to Israel. Authorities requested that he come to the country for questioning after the U.S. government declined to allow Israeli investigators to take his deposition abroad.

Footlik is accused of being involved in funneling payments to Eli Feldstein while Feldstein was serving as an advisor to the prime minister. He is also believed to have worked alongside Srulik Einhorn on initiatives aimed at promoting Qatari interests.

In connection with the ongoing “Qatargate” investigation, opposition leader Yair Lapid provided testimony to police earlier in the day.

During his questioning, Lapid explained to investigators how the Prime Minister’s Office is supposed to function under proper guidelines. He stressed that “it is wrong, dangerous to national security, and against all procedures or laws that Netanyahu’s advisors received hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Muslim state supporting terrorism while working in the office.”

Lapid also shared details of a meeting in Paris regarding the release of hostages. According to him, the discussion was facilitated by Footlik and involved direct negotiations with Qatari representatives.

As part of the broader investigation, police and Shin Bet officials are examining claims that Feldstein and Yonatan Urich, both advisors to the prime minister, allegedly accepted funds from Qatar while serving in Netanyahu’s office, in exchange for advancing Qatari objectives.

Authorities have raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the possible implications for national security stemming from these alleged dealings.

Feldstein and Urich were taken into custody earlier in the investigation but were later released to house arrest under strict supervision. Recently, the Central District Court in Lod overturned a Magistrate’s Court ruling and determined that Urich would remain barred from working with Netanyahu as part of his restrictive conditions. Another individual under investigation is Israel Einhorn, who previously served as an advisor to the prime minister.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump led a policy discussion at the White House on Wednesday focused on the war in Gaza, joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Jared Kushner, who previously served as Trump’s Middle East envoy, according to a senior White House official.

The official explained that Trump, along with Blair, Kushner, and top administration advisers, examined a wide range of issues connected to the Gaza conflict, including increasing food aid, efforts to free hostages, and strategies for the region’s future once the fighting ends.

Describing the gathering, the official characterized it as “simply a policy meeting,” noting that sessions like these are a regular part of Trump’s decision-making process.

Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, played a central role in shaping Middle East policy during Trump’s first term. Blair, who served as the UK’s prime minister during the Iraq war in 2003, has also remained heavily involved in regional diplomatic efforts.

The White House meeting was hinted at earlier by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff during an appearance on Fox News’ “Special Reporting with Bret Baier” on Tuesday, where he previewed the discussions.

During last year’s presidential campaign, Trump pledged to swiftly resolve the war in Gaza, but seven months into his second term, a permanent settlement has proven elusive.

Trump began his term overseeing a temporary ceasefire that lasted two months, but hostilities resumed as Israel returned to battle Hamas. Despite several rounds of negotiations, efforts to secure the release of hostages have so far been unsuccessful.

“President Trump has been clear that he wants the war to end, and he wants peace and prosperity for everyone in the region. The White House has nothing additional to share on the meeting at this time,” a second White House official said.

{Matzav.com}

A watchdog investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith over his prosecutions of President Donald Trump is based on an “imaginary and unfounded” premise, Smith’s lawyers wrote in a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday. The letter marks the first response by Smith and his legal team to news that the Office of Special Counsel, an independent watchdog office, had launched an investigation into whether Smith engaged in improper political activity through his criminal inquiries into Trump. The attorneys told Jamieson Greer, the acting head of the office, that his investigation into Smith was “wholly without merit.” “Mr. Smith’s actions as Special Counsel were consistent with the decisions of a prosecutor who has devoted his career to following the facts and the law, without fear or favor and without regard for the political consequences, not because of them,” wrote Smith’s lawyers, Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski. The Office of Special Counsel, which is totally distinct from the Justice Department special counsel position that Smith held for more than two years starting in November 2022, confirmed the investigation following a request from Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who asked it to examine Smith’s activities for potential violations of the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity. Cotton had alleged that Smith sought to interfere in the 2024 presidential election through his prosecutions and sought to effectively fast-track the cases toward resolution, including by asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on a key legal question before a lower court had a chance to review the issue. But Smith’s lawyers say that argument is contradicted by the facts and note that no court ruling or other authority prohibits prosecutors from investigating allegations of criminal conducts against candidates for office. Politics, they say, played no part in the decision to bring the cases. “A review of the record and procedural history demonstrates the opposite — Mr. Smith was fiercely committed to making prosecutorial decisions based solely on the evidence, he steadfastly followed applicable Department of Justice guidelines and the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and he did not let the pending election influence his investigative or prosecutorial decision-making,” Smith’s lawyers wrote. “The predicate for this investigation,” they added, “is imaginary and unfounded.” Smith, who was appointed special counsel under the Biden administration, brought two cases against Trump, one accusing him of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the other of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Both were brought in 2023, well over a year before the 2024 presidential election, and indictments in the two cases cited what Smith and his team described as clear violations of well-established federal law. Both cases were abandoned by Smith after Trump’s November win, with the prosecutor citing longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the indictment of a sitting president. (AP)

President Donald Trump released a forceful statement on Wednesday, demanding that legal charges be brought against billionaire George Soros and his son, Alexander, over what he claims is their role in funding violent demonstrations across the United States.

“George Soros, and his wonderful radical left son, should be charged with RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) because of their support of violent protests, and much more, all throughout the United States of America,” Trump wrote in a social media post. He further accused Soros and his network of deliberately stirring up chaos, declaring, “Soros and his group of psychopaths have caused great damage to our country!”

Trump’s comments reflect ongoing concerns among conservatives about Soros’s widespread influence through the Open Society Foundations (OSF), an organization that has funneled significant sums into progressive initiatives nationwide. OSF has provided funding for numerous advocacy groups and NGOs involved in areas such as immigration reform, criminal justice policies, and campus-based activism.

Critics have also highlighted OSF’s ties to organizations accused of promoting anti-Israel agendas. Reports from NGO Monitor indicate that Soros-linked funding has supported groups involved in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, as well as other organizations operating in Judea and Samaria. Opponents argue that these entities have played a role in undermining Israel’s international standing and fostering connections with parties hostile to the Jewish state.

Investigative findings have additionally pointed to financial links between OSF and J Street, a Washington-based advocacy organization frequently criticized for its policy positions within Israeli political discourse. In the sphere of student activism, Soros-backed funds have been tied to groups organizing pro-Palestinian protests, some of which have drawn backlash for their rhetoric and confrontational tactics.

In his statement, Trump also issued a pointed warning to Soros’s “crazy, West Coast friends,” saying, “Be careful, we’re watching you!” He concluded by underscoring that Americans would no longer tolerate attempts to destabilize the nation, declaring, “We’re not going to allow these lunatics to rip apart America any more, never giving it so much as a chance to ‘breathe,’ and be free.”

As of publication, neither George Soros nor representatives of the Open Society Foundations have issued a public response to Trump’s remarks.

{Matzav.com}

Minneapolis officials confirmed that at least two children were killed and more than a dozen others wounded on Wednesday after a gunman opened fire during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota.

Law enforcement sources told Fox News the suspect may have gone by two names — Robin Westman and Robert Westman. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the shooter, described as being in his early 20s and dressed in black, specifically targeted the Mass, which was held during the first week of the school year for students.

“During the Mass, a gunman approached on the outside on the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in the pews at the Mass. Shooting through the windows, he struck children and worshipers that were inside the building,” O’Hara said. “The shooter was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”

Chief O’Hara added, “Two young children, ages eight and 10, were killed where they sat in the pews. Their parents have been notified. Seventeen other people were injured, 14 of them being children,” noting that “the coward who fired these shots ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his grief, saying, “There are no words that can capture the horror and the evil of this unspeakable act.

“We are a Minneapolis family. But to everybody out there, do not think of these as just somebody else’s kids. Those families are suffering immense pain right now. Think of this as if it were your own. Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce that we can muster,” he said.

Authorities confirmed that there is no longer any danger to the public. The Minneapolis Police Department issued a statement assuring residents that “there is no active threat to the community at this time” and “the shooter is contained.” A law enforcement source confirmed to Fox News that the suspect, whose name has not yet been officially released, is deceased.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the tragedy, stating, “I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School” and “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”

Hennepin Healthcare reported on X that it is treating victims of the attack, while Children’s Minnesota Hospital confirmed that six of the injured children are receiving care.

Video footage from the scene captured heartbreaking moments as parents rushed to escort their children away from the school. Local residents told Fox 9 they heard so many rounds of gunfire that they initially assumed the noise was construction work, possibly someone roofing a nearby home.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “DHS is monitoring the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.”

“We are in communication with our interagency partners, and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. I am praying for the victims of this heinous attack and their families,” she added.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed that agents “are responding to reports of an active shooter situation at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis,” according to the agency’s St. Paul office.

President Donald Trump commented on the incident, saying he has been “fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Annunciation Catholic School serves students in grades K-8 and had only just started its school year on Monday, Fox 9 reported.

{Matzav.com}

In a rare and unprecedented gathering, three members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel of America traveled to Washington, D.C. today for a private meeting with Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, to discuss the increasingly sensitive issue of the proposed draft law and its potential impact on the Olam HaTorah worldwide.

The delegation included Rav Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir Brooklyn, Rav Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore; and Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. All three are members of the Moetzes.

The meeting, which lasted close to an hour, took place at the Israeli Embassy and was arranged through the initiative of R’ Shlomo (Sol) Werdiger, chairman of Agudas Yisroel of America.

At the heart of the conversation was the legislation regarding yeshiva bochurim being drafted into the IDF, an issue that has sparked widespread opposition from the chareidi community both in Israel and abroad. The roshei yeshiva strongly emphasized that the Torah world in the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Klal Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel, united in its commitment to safeguard the spiritual integrity of bnei Torah.

Ambassador Leiter, himself a shomer Torah u’mitzvos, warmly welcomed the rabbonim and expressed deep respect for their leadership. In a personal moment during the discussion, Leiter shared that his father had been a close talmid of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel.

The roshei yeshiva left their yeshivos at the very start of the Elul zeman in order to address what they view as an existential threat to the foundation of Torah life in Eretz Yisroel.

Due to the highly delicate nature of the discussions, no further details were disclosed regarding specific policy requests or proposals. However, Ambassador Leiter expressed gratitude for the delegation’s involvement and assured them that communication would remain ongoing as developments unfold.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. regulators approved updated COVID-19 shots Wednesday but limited their use for many Americans — and removed one of the two vaccines available for young children. The new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are approved for all seniors. But the Food and Drug Administration narrowed their use for younger adults and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity. That presents new barriers to access for millions of Americans who would have to prove their risk — and millions more who may want to get vaccinated and suddenly no longer qualify. Additionally, Pfizer’s vaccine will no longer be available for any child under 5, because the FDA said it was revoking the shot’s emergency authorization for that age group. Parents will still be able to seek out shots from rival drugmaker Moderna, the other maker of mRNA vaccines, which has full FDA approval for children as young as 6 months. But the company’s Spikevax vaccine is only approved for children with at least one serious health problem. The revamped vaccines target a newer version of the continuously evolving virus and are set to begin shipping immediately. But it could be days or weeks before many Americans know if they’ll be able to get one, with access dependent on decisions by federal health advisers, private health insurers, pharmacies and state authorities. The new restrictions — previewed by FDA officials in May — are a break from the previous U.S. policy, which recommended an annual COVID-19 shot for all Americans 6 months and up. The approach reflects heightened skepticism about the ongoing risks of COVID-19 and the need for yearly booster shots from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, both outspoken critics of wide-scale vaccinations. “The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three,” Kennedy wrote on social media. Novavax’s shot is only open to people 12 or older, not younger children, and under the same risk-based restrictions as are now in place for the Moderna and Pfizer options. It’s the nation’s only traditional, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. Coverage questions and access issues are unresolved The limits “can’t help but create barriers to vaccinations” and cause confusion for patients, doctors and pharmacists, said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccines expert. Some medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have objected to the new limits, saying they may block vaccine access for families who want to protect their children. Last week, the group offered its own recommendations for kids, saying annual shots are strongly recommended for children ages 6 months to 2 years and advised for older children. In his post Wednesday, Kennedy said the shots will be “available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors.” But Americans are likely to confront a number of logistical hurdles. Insurers typically base their vaccine coverage decisions on the recommendations of a panel of advisers to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but some say they will also look to medical professional groups, including the American Medical Association. Earlier this year, Kennedy replaced the entire CDC panel, naming several doctors and researchers who have repeatedly questioned the safety of commonly used vaccines and ingredients. The panel is expected to meet in September, but no agenda has been released. Depending on the panel’s advice, Americans under age 65 could be expected to […]

Maran Rabeinu Rosh HaYeshiva Rav Dov Landau shlit”a With a personal brocha which he himself signed: “Here is my request for the campaign For the sake of the 94 orphans Who are about to get married bs”d in the month of Elul Arranged by the very important institution, Kupat Ha’ir. There’s no need to expound at length about its importance And how very necessary it is Praiseworthy are all those who give Of their money and their time And a brocha of kesiva V’chasima tova To those who contribute to this great mitzvah” To donate >>>

Freed hostage Keith Siegel opened up about how his experience in Hamas captivity brought him closer to his Jewish roots during an emotional interview on Kol Barama Radio Wednesday morning.

“I was held in captivity with Gali and Ziv Berman from Kibbutz Aza; we shared a special bond. I also met Omri Miran and Matan Angrest after more than two months; his wounds still hadn’t healed. We experienced abuse, but we became stronger together,” Siegel said.

Reflecting on his spiritual journey, Siegel admitted that his connection to Judaism had been distant when he was younger. “As a teenager, Judaism didn’t speak to me, but in captivity, I reconnected,” he shared.

He explained how, despite the harsh conditions, he rediscovered tefillos and blessings he had once known. “Some prayers I remembered from my childhood, and we taught each other some of the verses and blessings. I said Shema Yisrael every day and made blessings over my food. Since my release, I’ve continued this spiritual strengthening,” he said.

Siegel also revealed that, like many other freed captives, he faced ongoing pressure from his captors to abandon his faith. “I was moved through 33 places—tunnels, schools, apartments, even stairwells—and throughout the entire period, they tried to convince me to convert to Islam,” he recalled. “They told me to repeat phrases I didn’t understand. But the more they pushed me to become a Muslim, the more it strengthened my feeling that I am part of the Jewish people, who have endured so much suffering.”

He said that the strength he drew from Jewish history and collective resilience became a source of hope in the darkest moments. “I drew great strength from all the Jews who suffered through the generations. That’s when I began to bless and pray — and it really gave me strength.”

Throughout his captivity, Siegel said, the sense of solidarity and support from the people of Israel gave him hope. “I’m fighting for my four friends [still held captive], and not just for them, but for all the hostages. The rallies and campaigns that were held in Israel, I saw when I was in Gaza and it helped to know that I wasn’t forgotten. That also strengthens the families who need support.”

Siegel concluded with a heartfelt plea to the country’s leadership: “I hope the voice of the majority reaches the Prime Minister and decision-makers. We have a chance to save lives and bring the fallen to a proper burial.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal appeals court has slammed the door on 9/11 families and embassy bombing victims hoping to seize billions from Afghanistan’s central bank, ruling that the money is off-limits despite the Taliban’s role in global terror. In a 2-1 decision Thursday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) cannot be forced to hand over $3.5 billion sitting frozen at the Federal Reserve in New York. The court cited sovereign immunity protections—even though the Taliban now controls Afghanistan. The ruling is a gut punch for families of nearly 3,000 Americans murdered on September 11, 2001, and the 224 killed in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. For years, victims have fought to use Afghan state assets to collect on judgments against al-Qaeda and its allies. Judge Jose Cabranes, writing for the majority, said that on August 15, 2021—the day Kabul fell—there was no evidence the central bank was working for the Taliban. That technicality shielded the bank’s funds, even though the Taliban swiftly installed its own leadership after taking power. Circuit Judge Richard Sullivan blasted the ruling in a fiery dissent, saying it “defeated Congress’s clear intent” to make any and all terrorist-linked assets available to victims. He argued Afghanistan no longer qualifies as a foreign state under the law, meaning its central bank should not be protected. Lawyers for the families were left stunned, declining immediate comment. President Joe Biden previously froze $7 billion of Afghan assets in the U.S., setting aside half for humanitarian aid while victims’ groups sought to claim the other half through the courts. Thursday’s ruling leaves them empty-handed—for now. The fight is not over. With the case destined for the Supreme Court, victims are preparing for one last shot at the billions they say should be used to hold Afghanistan accountable for harboring and enabling terrorists. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Accused MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia will not be deported to Uganda until at least October, according to a ruling issued by a federal judge on Wednesday.

US District Judge Paula Xinis, appointed by President Barack Obama, scheduled an evidentiary hearing for October 6, CNN reported.

The ruling comes after Judge Xinis temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s effort to deport Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, to Uganda until he has the chance to challenge his removal in court.

The decision to pause the deportation followed just hours after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Abrego Garcia at their Maryland field office. This occurred shortly after his release from a Tennessee jail last week, where he had been facing human smuggling charges.

Earlier in June, the Trump administration deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador along with 260 other suspected MS-13 members after President Trump invoked the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act, enabling federal authorities to carry out rapid deportations without holding formal hearings.

However, according to a Justice Department official, his removal at that time was carried out despite an “administrative error.”

Court filings also reveal that Abrego Garcia, who entered the US illegally in 2011, was offered a separate deal: he could avoid being sent to Uganda and instead be deported to Costa Rica if he admitted to smuggling undocumented migrants. The arrangement stemmed from a 2022 incident in Tennessee, where he was pulled over during a traffic stop while driving eight passengers in a car that had no luggage.

“They’re holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick,” his attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, said Wednesday outside the ICE field office in downtown Baltimore after his client’s latest arrest.

“They’re weaponizing the immigration system in a way that’s completely unconstitutional.”

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump has a message for critics who think turning the U.S. government into a major stockholder of Intel is a “socialist” move: More is coming. “I will make deals like that for our Country all day long,” the president posted on Truth Social after critics piled on, adding later about future ownership stakes, “I want to try and get as much as I can.” One possible target: defense contractors, whom Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC Tuesday were ripe for the picking given the U.S. government is a big customer. Free-market conservatives were already wary of Trump’s tendency to interfere in corporate decision-making by, for example, telling Apple where it should make iPhones, or even demanding a cut of Nvidia’s sales of chips to China. But the Intel move is a startling defiance of Republican orthodoxy that says governments shouldn’t try to pick corporate winners and losers and risk messing things up as owners by rewarding executives for politically smart but financially stupid decisions. The U.S. government is getting a 10% stake in Intel through the conversion of billions in previously granted government funds and pledges, making it one of Intel’s largest shareholders. “If socialism is government owning the means of production, wouldn’t the government owning part of Intel be a step toward socialism?” Republican Sen. Rand Paul said in a post on X. “Terrible idea.” Scott Lincicome, a Cato Institute trade expert, says Intel could end up making decisions now to please Trump even if they’re impractical, say, by going ahead with plans to open a long-promised chipmaking factory in Ohio. And even short-term gains from government ownership, such as more companies buying Intel semiconductors, will hurt business in the end by saddling those companies with inferior chips. “Intel might simply gain customers from folks that are looking to stay on Trump’s good side,” he said. “But innovation requires ruthless competition, an endless drive for an advantage — and now they might accept a disadvantage because they need the political win.” Many Republicans remained silent on the issue, prompting others to suggest they are free market hypocrites. “For so many of my self-described true conservatives, you’re going to have to explain to me how this reconciles with true conservatism and true free-market capitalism,” Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told CBS in an interview. “I don’t see it.” Early last year, the Biden administration agreed to provide Intel with billions of dollars in funding under the CHIPS Act for it to build semiconductor manufacturing factories around the country, part of a plan to produce 20% of the world’s most advanced chips in the U.S. by 2030, up from zero at the time. Trump argues that he got the Intel stake for free by converting $11.1 billion of funding into the equity stake. He also notes that Intel shares shot higher after he struck the deal Friday, handing a big win to U.S. taxpayers. “I love seeing their stock price go up, making the USA RICHER, AND RICHER,” Trump posted Monday morning before the stock trading began. “More jobs for America!!! Who would not want to make deals like that?” The price of Intel stock fell slightly both Monday and Tuesday, and investors have reason to be cautious. In a filing to its investors after the deal was announced, […]

A new report released by Kan News on Wednesday evening reveals that Israel once explored the possibility of transferring control of Mount Dov and the Shebaa Farms to Syria in exchange for Damascus agreeing to withdraw its claims to the Golan Heights.

Mount Dov, situated on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, has been under Israeli control since 1967 and formally placed under Israeli sovereignty following the Golan Law in 1981. The territory is contested by both Lebanon and Syria. Because it does not directly border Syria, the proposed arrangement would have turned it into a Syrian exclave within Israeli-held territory.

According to the report, the proposal was part of an American-brokered initiative during past negotiations between Israel and Syria. Those talks, however, were halted after violent clashes between Sunni militias and Syrian government forces resulted in the massacre of Druze civilians in the Suweida region. Despite the breakdown, the report indicates that both sides have not entirely ruled out the possibility of resuming discussions in the future.

The report further states that Israeli officials reviewed the domestic political ramifications of such a territorial concession, which would legally require either approval through a national referendum or support from a majority of Knesset members.

Kan News also quoted a source close to the Syrian government, who suggested that while Mount Dov and the Golan Heights could eventually be addressed together under a comprehensive security agreement, the matter is not currently part of the discussions. According to the source, “There are currently more pressing matters such as Jabal al-Druz. Mount Dov needs to be solved as part of the drawing of borders between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.”

The source left open the possibility that the Mount Dov issue could later become linked to the broader debate over the Golan Heights. Another individual familiar with the negotiations told Kan News that the subject is not currently on the table and would only be revisited at a more advanced stage of talks.

{Matzav.com Israel}