Feed aggregator

Andrew Cuomo, who has entered the race for New York City mayor, launched a campaign ad on Wednesday that paints him as a direct counterforce to President Trump—just hours after reports surfaced of a Justice Department investigation into his conduct.

The ad showcases a sequence of well-known political figures who have clashed with Trump and are now under federal scrutiny, concluding with Cuomo himself, who is reportedly being investigated over testimony he gave to Congress regarding his handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

“If Donald Trump doesn’t want Andrew Cuomo as mayor, you do,” the ad boldly proclaims.

The video doesn’t shy away from recalling Attorney General Letitia James, whose findings in a harassment inquiry led to Cuomo’s departure from the governor’s office in 2021.

According to a New York Times report on Tuesday evening, the Department of Justice initiated a criminal investigation last month into whether Cuomo misled Congress about the number of nursing home fatalities in New York during the early stages of the pandemic.

{Matzav.com}

OpenAI has recruited Jony Ive, the designer behind Apple’s iPhone, to lead a new hardware project for the artificial intelligence company that makes ChatGPT. OpenAI said it is acquiring io, a product and engineering company co-founded by Ive, in a deal valued at nearly $6.5 billion. Ive became renowned for a meticulous design aesthetic that shaped the cultural zeitgeist during a 27-year career at Apple, which he left in 2019. He did his most influential work after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs returned to run the company in 1997, where the two forged a partnership that would hatch a succession of game-changing products like the iPhone. The new OpenAI deal now thrusts Ive at the vanguard of AI — a technology driving the biggest industry shift since the iPhone’s arrival. The company hasn’t said exactly what product they will be making but it will likely be some kind of “physical AI embodiments” that bring generative AI chatbot technology out of computer screens into another form, such as through a car or a humanoid robot, said Gartner analyst Chirag Dekate, adding that it is too early to know for sure. OpenAI said its CEO Sam Altman had been “quietly” collaborating since 2023 with Ive and his design firm, LoveFrom. In a joint letter posted on OpenAI’s website Wednesday, Ive and Altman said it “became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company.” That’s when Ive co-founded io with three others about a year ago. OpenAI said it already owns a 23% stake in io from a prior collaborative agreement signed late last year. It says it will now pay $5 billion in equity for the acquisition. OpenAI said Ive will not become an OpenAI employee and LoveFrom will remain independent but “will assume deep design and creative responsibilities across OpenAI and io.” Both OpenAI and Ive’s design firm are based in San Francisco. Leading the new io division for OpenAI will be longtime executive Peter Welinder, who led robotics research in the startup’s early years and more recently has been vice president of its “new product explorations” team that delves into hardware, robotics and other early stage research. Altman, 40, can only hope his still-blossoming partnership with the 58-year-old designer, works out as well as the mind-meld between Jobs and Ive. When he started his own firm, Ive derived the LoveFrom name from a Jobs’ observation that one way to hail humanity is by “making something with a great deal of care and love.” Ive also chose to base LoveForm located in a historic part of San Francisco, located just near bars and cafes that were once frequented by such Beat Generation luminaries as “On The Road” author Jack Kerouac and “Howl” author Allen Ginsberg. OpenAI is headquartered about two miles away. Founded nearly a decade ago as a nonprofit research laboratory dedicated to safely building better-than-human AI for humanity’s benefit, it remains controlled by a nonprofit board of directors even as Altman, its co-founder, has increasingly pushed it toward commercializing ChatGPT and its other inventions. It’s not clear if Altman’s collaboration with Ive began before or after Altman’s short-lived ouster in November 2023. Altman earlier this month said OpenAI was abandoning plans to drop its nonprofit governance structure but is […]

In a landmark decision that redefines the future of kosher finance in America, Newrez—one of the largest and most prominent mortgage companies in the United States—has officially adopted a Heter Iska, granting borrowers across the country access to Halachically compliant financing. This breakthrough not only places Newrez on the growing list of kosher-certified lenders but also signals a massive leap forward in aligning the U.S. financial system with Torah values—making it easier than ever for observant Jews to pursue business opportunities and homeownership without compromising on Halacha. The announcement follows months of confidential coordination between Newrez’s senior leadership and the KFI, coupled with a widely supported petition that called on Jewish-owned banks and mortgage companies to step up and implement Heter Iska. “This marks a watershed moment for the Jewish community,” said a senior KFI spokesperson. “After years of advocacy, we are seeing our vision come to life: that a Heter Iska becomes the standard, not the exception. With a powerhouse like Newrez leading the way, the path is now open for others to follow.” The Heter Iska now adopted by Newrez is more than just Halachically valid—it meets the highest standards, built to withstand both spiritual scrutiny and commercial rigor. In an industry historically seen as inflexible and resistant to accommodation, this move sets a bold precedent. For frum borrowers, entrepreneurs, and investors, this signals a new era: one where meaningful financial opportunities and uncompromised religious observance can truly go hand in hand. As the kosher finance revolution gains momentum, the KFI reports that additional lenders are already in discussions to follow suit. Stay tuned. The future of Torah-aligned banking is here. Heter Iska K-751 must be signed by all parties, in accordance with the provided instructions, and returned to BrigadeSupport@Newrez.com. To obtain a copy of the Heter Iska, please visit: www.newrezwholesale.com/heter-iska/. Visit the Kosher Bank Directory for more info.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a press briefing from his office in Yerushalayim—the first time in six months that he has done so.

He opened by asserting that Israel is operating according to a comprehensive wartime strategy, and emphasized that there are still at least 20 hostages known to be alive.

He made clear that while Israel is open to halting combat temporarily if it would enable the safe return of the hostages, it will not scale back military pressure. “If there is a chance for a temporary ceasefire to bring back hostages, we are ready for it.”

Nonetheless, he affirmed that the campaign against Hamas will continue without letup. “Operation Gideon’s Chariots began three days ago. Ask the residents of Sderot and the Gaza envelope—their houses are shaking from the force of the IDF’s fire.”

Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military is steadily taking control of more areas throughout Gaza. “Our forces are seizing more and more territories in Gaza. At the end, all of the territories in the Gaza Strip will be under Israeli security control.”

On the subject of humanitarian relief, the Prime Minister said that Israel is making efforts to avoid a large-scale crisis. “We need to prevent a humanitarian crisis. I hear from the close friends of our country: ‘We will give the support, including in the Security Council, but there’s one thing that we won’t accept: we will not accept a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.’”

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu remarked that Israel is working closely with the United States regarding efforts to reach an agreement that will block Iran from further enriching uranium. “We are in full coordination with the US and hope that there will be a deal that will prevent Iran from enriching uranium. Israel maintains the right to defend itself against the regime that seeks its destruction.”

He acknowledged that a portion of the aid entering Gaza does fall into Hamas hands. “10% of the aid trucks that go in are seized by Hamas.”

When questioned about the danger military operations may pose to the hostages, Netanyahu responded that their safety is a top priority and that efforts to secure their release are constant and multifaceted. “We are working not to harm the hostages, and we are investing a lot of effort to get the hostages out. The military and diplomatic pressure and trickery will bring results.”

A reporter asked whether he had prior knowledge that members of his team had been communicating with Qatari officials. Netanyahu firmly denied this. “I didn’t know, and there is a big lie here; they say that I got a huge fortune from Qatar. Whoever says that will be sued. I’ve attacked Qatar, and others from the Shin Bet praised Qatar. Yonatan Urich encouraged me to attack Qatar. I don’t want to list all the people who get money from Qatar. I didn’t get a cent. I know that you don’t stop echoing this propaganda.”

Addressing the allegation that his government’s approval of Qatari financial transfers to Hamas may have played a role in enabling the October 7 massacre, he pushed back, saying the recommendation came from Israeli security agencies and that the funds were earmarked for civilian infrastructure. “The money that was transferred to Hamas was done so by the recommendation of the Shin Bet and Mossad. The money was used for sewage and electricity. The Qatari money is not what led to October 7th. The terrorists attacked us with flip-flops, Kalashnikovs, and pickup trucks—that costs pennies.”

{Matzav.com Israeli}

Explosions were heard on Wednesday afternoon as warning sirens blared throughout Ashkelon, a city along Israel’s southern coastline. According to the IDF, a missile fired by Islamic Jihad militants from northern Gaza was successfully intercepted. There were no injuries reported in the incident.

A military spokesperson stated: “Following the sirens that sounded in the Lakhish area, one projectile that was identified crossing into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip was intercepted by the IAF. No injuries were reported.”

As night fell, sirens were triggered once again in the border communities of Netiv Ha’asara and Zikim, situated within the Gaza envelope.

In response to these alerts, the IDF issued another statement: “Three projectiles were identified from the northern Gaza Strip. The projectiles did not cross into Israeli territory and fell in the Gaza Strip; no injuries were reported.”

Earlier in the day, Israeli forces, relying on intelligence from both the IDF and the ISA, continued their campaign targeting terrorist factions operating in Gaza. These operations, part of the ongoing Operation Gideon’s Chariots, aim to destroy infrastructure used by terror groups and to neutralize operatives involved in attacks.

One such strike led to the killing of Mohammad Shahin, a Nukhba operative affiliated with Hamas’s East Jabaliya Battalion. The IDF confirmed Shahin had taken part in the October 7th massacre, during which terrorists crossed into Israeli territory and carried out a horrific assault.

Throughout the past 24 hours, Israeli aircraft targeted and struck over 115 locations linked to terrorist activity in Gaza. The IDF confirmed that among the destroyed targets were rocket launchers, operational facilities, underground tunnels, active terrorist cells, and other strategic assets used by terror groups.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Navy collaborated with ground forces to execute additional strikes against terrorist positions in northern Gaza, continuing the multi-pronged assault against militant infrastructure.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an unusual move, a private individual, a former IDF soldier, filed a libel suit on Wednesday against Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan over his outrageous statements he made on Tuesday, including that “a sane country does not kill babies as a hobby,” Yisrael Hayom reported on Wednesday. The man behind the lawsuit is Roni Golan, a resident of Tel Mond, a former paratrooper and a father of IDF soldiers. “As a father of soldiers, I didn’t sleep all night, especially since one of my soldiers was hit by three RPGs and survived by a neis,” he explained. “I decided to prepare a statement of claim and submit it myself, without involving, chalilah, any political or legal factor.” Golan is suing the former major general for 38,900 shekels in the Kfar Saba small claims court. “The lawsuit is filed in good faith and out of immense pain,” he wrote. “The plaintiff is an ordinary citizen, a reserve paratroops soldier and commander, and serves as a voice and platform for all those who cannot make their voices openly heard.” Golan clarified that the purpose of the lawsuit is “first and foremost” to urge the Attorney General and the State Attorney’s Office to open a criminal investigation and file an indictment against Yair Golan. “All IDF soldiers and security forces heroes are at risk of being  arrested anywhere in the world on malicious allegations of war crimes, and the defendant, as a major general in the IDF, contributes to false evidence and to helping our enemies and those who seek our harm to file an indictment for war crimes for no wrong done.” “The defendant endangered and endangers all the soldiers and  war heroes, and the only risk that the defendant took was a calculated risk in order to strengthen himself and his political power, and to speak to his base and nothing more, and all this, as mentioned, on the wounded and bleeding back of the State of Israel, on its brave soldiers.” He noted that Golan did not bring a shred of evidence for his claims, “and slandered all the IDF soldiers and the State of Israel in particular.” Golan wrote that he is filing the lawsuit on behalf of “the security forces who cannot defend themselves, their uniforms, and their good names. This lawsuit is also filed on behalf of the fallen heroic IDF soldiers, who gave their lives for the security and defense of the homeland, and cannot defend themselves and protect their good names, and on behalf of all the dear bereaved families of the war’s fallen, who sacrificed what was most precious to them.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A former New York state trooper pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges that he shot himself then falsely claimed he was wounded by an unknown gunman on a Long Island highway, prompting a regionwide search. Thomas Mascia agreed to serve six months in jail, followed by five years probation and continued mental health treatment as he formally changed his not guilty plea during a court appearance in Nassau County court in Mineola. He also agreed, as part of his plea deal, to pay $289,000 in restitution for the overtime costs for officers during the three-day search for a nonexistent suspect. The 27-year-old West Hempstead resident had been charged with official misconduct, tampering with evidence and falsifying documents. He became a trooper in 2019 and resigned in January after being suspended without pay while state police launched a criminal investigation into the shooting. Mascia’s parents, Dorothy and Thomas, also pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing an illegal firearm, which was found during a search of the family’s home. Mascia claimed he was shot in the leg on Oct. 30 by a driver parked on the shoulder of the Southern State Parkway, about a mile from his home. Instead, prosecutors say, he staged the scene of the alleged shooting by scattering shell casings, then shot himself at a park, stashed the .22-caliber rifle, drove back to the highway and called for backup. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said after Wednesday’s hearing that “one of the most disturbing parts” of the case was that he intentionally set in motion a potentially dangerous search. Mascia described the fictitious driver as a “dark-skinned” man wearing a balaclava that exposed only his eyes. He also claimed the suspect fled in a car bearing temporary New Jersey plates heading toward New York City. “If someone had been stopped that fit the description? Who knows what would have happened?” the district attorney said. “It’s just a frightening thought.” Donnelly said the ruse was an apparent bid to gain sympathy from a former girlfriend and that state police are also looking into an accident Mascia was involved in while serving as a trooper upstate. During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecutors asked the former trooper a series of questions confirming the sequence of events. “You knew this was a lie and chose to do it anyway?” Jared Rosenblatt of the district attorney’s office asked at the end of the questions. “Yes,” Mascia replied in a low voice. The former trooper and his parents didn’t respond to reporters as they left the courthouse with their lawyers. They’re scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 20. The family had appeared in court earlier this month to change their pleas, but the judge at the time halted the proceedings after Mascia said he did not feel well mentally. Jeffrey Lichtman, Mascia’s lawyer, said after the hearing that his client was suffering from an undiagnosed mental health problem at the time of the shooting and is now being treated. “While this is a dark day for him, he is happy to put this in the past and move forward with his life,” he said. “He apologizes to anyone affected by his lapse in judgment and hopes his community will forgive him.” (AP)

Former New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia admitted Wednesday to shooting himself and falsely claiming he was attacked on a Long Island highway in October. He’ll serve six months in jail, five years of probation, and continue mental health treatment.

Israeli military officials have confirmed that the terrorist responsible for the deadly shooting near Bruchin, which claimed the life of Tze’ela Gez, has been killed. Additionally, two other individuals were taken into custody by the Shin Bet for questioning.

The targeted operation unfolded last Shabbos when soldiers from the IDF’s Ephraim Brigade, working on intelligence provided by the Shin Bet, carried out a sweep in the village of Burqin, not far from the site of the attack. During the search, a man approached the troops, shouting in Arabic and carrying a suspicious bag. Believing their lives were in danger, the soldiers responded with lethal force. None of the soldiers were harmed.

Further investigation conducted by the Shin Bet, along with IDF personnel and the Judea and Samaria District Police, identified the attacker as Nael Samara. He had a history of terrorism-related offenses, having served time in prison for ties to Hamas. He was released in 2010 and was briefly held again in 2019 for posting inciting material on social media.

The contents of the bag confirmed his intentions—it held an M16 rifle and other arms linked to the shooting. Police forensics teams gathered the weapons as part of their efforts to trace anyone else involved in the attack.

As the investigation widened, several more individuals suspected of being connected to the same terror network were apprehended by Israeli forces. Authorities believe the group is responsible for at least three other recent shootings in the region, including an incident in March near Ariel where an Israeli civilian sustained moderate injuries.

Tze’ela Gez was critically injured while riding in a car with her husband, Chananel. The couple had been en route to the hospital as she neared the end of her pregnancy with their fourth child. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries. Doctors performed an emergency C-section to save the baby, who remains in critical but stable condition. Chananel suffered only minor wounds and was released from the hospital later that day.

Yesterday morning, after Shacharis at the Gez residence, a rare and emotional naming ceremony was held for the infant. Due to his fragile state, a bris was not performed. The name “Ravid Chaim” was given, a name that had been chosen by Tze’ela before her death. After the name was announced, those present joined together in singing Shir LaMa’alos.

The family has asked the public to continue davening for the newborn: Ravid Chaim ben Tze’ela.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi on Wednesday ordered that the Palestinian who spat on an IDF officer on a Ramat Gan bus on Sunday be designated as a security prisoner. The move is unusual as the charges against him are criminal. The video below shows the suspect, a 24-year-old resident of the town of Huwara, a notorious hotbed of terrorism in the northern Shomron, being transferred to an unnamed security prison. The suspect was transferred to Israel Police overnight Sunday after he surrendered himself to the IDF’s Civil Administration on Sunday evening. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

After the resumption of aid to Gaza, the first trucks carrying flour shipments have reached selected bakeries in Gaza.

The Lakewood Vaad has released a public endorsement urging Orthodox Jewish voters to participate in the upcoming June 10 primary elections — and to do so decisively. While the Vaad typically refrains from engaging in primary contests, a newly released letter declares that this year is “different,” calling the outcome of the governor’s race “CRUCIAL” to the future of the kehilla. Read the full story on Lakewood Alerts.

A Hezbollah operative was killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon’s Aitaroun earlier today, the IDF says. This is the third member of the terror group killed by Israel in Lebanon today.

Hamas leader Mohamed Sinwar, whose elimination was confirmed by the IDF on Wednesday, was considered a top target by the Shin Bet and IDF due to his involvement in planning dozens of attacks against Israel and the IDF, his senior role in planning and executing the October 7 massacre, his hawkish stance in the war against Israel, and his staunch refusal to advance hostage release deals, Maariv reported on Wednesday. Sinwar, like other senior Hamas figures, resided in compounds where hostages were being held, using them as human shields. More and more released hostages have testified that they were held near senior Hamas officials, primarily the brothers, Mohamed and Yahya Sinwar. In the weeks before the elimination, Sinwar hardened his position, vehemently opposing the advancement of negotiations, leading to a crisis with other senior figures in the organization. At the same time, Trump administration officials began to act “over Sinwar’s head,” holding talks with senior Hamas figures abroad, who ordered Sinwar and his men to release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. According to sources in Gaza, this order unnerved Sinwar, and he was furious that he was forced to carry out the order. According to the report, that’s when he made the mistake that may have cost him his life, a mistake that also appears to have led to the collapse of Hamas’s military wing. Sinwar requested to hold a secret meeting with all senior officials. The meeting took place in a tunnel under the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, parts of which housed the headquarters of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade. No hostages were being held in the vicinity, and Israel identified a window of opportunity for action. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz quickly acted to approve an attack plan, which included aerial bombardment using dozens of munitions on the tunnel entrances, ending the life of the arch-terrorist and other senior terrorists. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa found themselves at odds during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, with tensions flaring over Trump’s claims of “genocide” targeting white farmers in South Africa.

In an unusual moment in the Oval Office, Trump ordered the lights lowered and played a series of video clips on a TV monitor to back up his assertions. Ramaphosa appeared caught off guard and commented that he hadn’t previously seen the footage. The origin and authenticity of the videos were not disclosed.

Trump also displayed what he described as media clippings highlighting violent incidents involving white Afrikaner farmers.

“I don’t know, all of these are articles over the last few days, death of people, death, death, death, horrible death,” Trump said.

Trump alleged that white South Africans are being forced to flee the country due to targeted violence and discriminatory laws.

“This is sort of the opposite of apartheid. What’s happening now is never reported. Nobody knows about it,” he said.

Ramaphosa responded firmly, pointing out that the speeches shown in the clips represented fringe views, not the official position of the South African government. He said that while crime is a real issue, the victims are predominantly Black South Africans.

“There is criminality in our country. People who do get killed, unfortunately, through criminal activity are not only white people, majority of them are Black people,” Ramaphosa stated.

He urged Trump to listen to the South African people to gain a more accurate understanding of the situation. Ramaphosa also rejected the assertion that Afrikaners face genocide.

“I would say if there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here, including my minister of agriculture,” Ramaphosa said. “He would not be with me. So, it’ll take him, President Trump, listening to their stories, to their perspective.”

Ramaphosa attempted several times to shift the dialogue toward trade relations and investment opportunities, which he said was the real focus of his visit. Trump, however, repeatedly circled back to the issue of white South Africans and alleged persecution.

When asked directly what he expected Ramaphosa’s administration to do, Trump responded, “I don’t know.”

Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and advises President Trump, attended the meeting and has previously echoed the “white genocide” narrative. He remained silent throughout the exchange but stood nearby as the conversation unfolded.

“Elon is from South Africa. I don’t want to get him involved,” Trump said. “That’s all I have to do. Get him into another thing. But Elon happens to be from South Africa.”

“This is what Elon wanted,” Trump added with a laugh.

Last week, dozens of Afrikaners arrived in the United States after having their immigration requests expedited under a February executive order from Trump titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa.”

The executive directive accused the South African government of implementing policies that allowed it to “seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation” and described this as a “shocking disregard of its’ citizen rights.” The order mandated a halt to U.S. aid to South Africa and called for efforts to “promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees.”

South Africa’s land reform policy—cited in Trump’s order—is intended to address historic injustices rooted in apartheid. The law allows for land expropriation when deemed in the public interest, typically with compensation determined through negotiation or judicial decision. Legal scholars say the law aligns with widely accepted eminent domain practices.

Ramaphosa has previously argued that the Afrikaners coming to the U.S. do not meet the established criteria for refugee status, which require a credible fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.

Critics have questioned Trump’s focus on Afrikaners at a time when his administration is imposing strict limits on migrants from other nations, such as Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Haiti.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, defending the White House’s policy in Senate testimony on Tuesday, stated, “I think those 49 people that came strongly felt they were persecuted, and they passed every sort of check mark that needed to be checked off. The president identified it as a problem and wanted to use it as an example.”

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia challenged the administration’s rationale, calling the idea of systematic persecution of Afrikaner farmers “completely specious.” He also pointed out the historical irony that the U.S. had previously denied entry to Black South Africans during apartheid.

Rubio replied, “I think that the United States has a right to allow into this country and prioritize the allowance of who they want to allow it come in.”

{Matzav.com}

The Army on Wednesday started loading up some of the tanks that will take to the streets of the nation’s capital during the 250th anniversary celebration of the service next month, which will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. The event has grown extensively in scope and size since Army planners started working on a festival two years ago to mark the day and have now added a military parade — which President Donald Trump had unsuccessfully tried to do during his first term. The Army’s anniversary celebration is set for June 14, which also happens to be Trump’s birthday. It will include concerts, fireworks, NFL players, fitness competitions and displays all over the National Mall for daylong festivities. The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend and that putting on the celebration will cost an estimated $25 million to $45 million. Here’s what to expect during the all-day festival and 6 p.m. parade: The tanks and armored vehicles The Army was putting 28 M1 Abrams main battle tanks onto rail cars at Fort Cavazos in Texas on Wednesday. The tanks weigh more than 60 tons apiece and will take about nine or 10 days to travel by rail to Maryland, where they will be loaded onto trucks to be driven into Washington, D.C. and offloaded at a staging area near the Lincoln Memorial. On the day of the parade, those tanks as well as 28 tracked Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 28 wheeled Stryker combat vehicles, four tracked M-109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and other towed artillery will maneuver to the start of the parade route just off the National Mall. They will travel toward the White House, driving over thick metal plating to protect the streets at some parade points where the vehicles make a sharp turn. The Army said it’s also planning some additional asphalt work and putting new rubber padding on the tanks’ metal tracks to try to minimize street damage. The influx of soldiers More than 6,700 soldiers will travel from bases around the country to participate in the parade and festival and spend June 11-15 housed in two nearby federal buildings, sleeping on cots and having packaged military meals ready-to-eat, or MREs, for breakfast and lunch. They will get a hot meal for dinner and a $69 per diem to buy additional food as they want, Army spokesman Steve Warren said. They will be forming units that represent each of the nation’s major conflicts, starting with the Revolutionary War. For each conflict, 60 soldiers will wear period uniforms supplied by an event company representing that war and be followed by 400 soldiers from their same base in present-day uniforms. Not all of the soldiers participating will be in the parade — or even on the ground. For instance, Col. Anne McClain, an Army astronaut currently serving on the International Space Station, will participate. At the end of the parade, the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team will jump over the White House, landing near Trump to present him with a folded flag, and 250 new recruits or reenlisting service members will be sworn in to the Army by Trump. The aircraft and helicopters buzzing overhead More than 50 helicopters and aircraft representing different wars will fly over the city — pairing […]

Rachel Hanan, the 2025 valedictorian of Touro University’s Lander College for Women (LCW) in Manhattan, has always been drawn to science and medicine. Growing up in Great Neck, Long Island, she was fascinated by anatomy diagrams in medical textbooks, and how the human body works in synchrony. Her early passion evolved into a clear sense of purpose during her years at LCW, where she majored in biology as part of the Medical Honors Pathway program, and emerged as a leader inside and out of the classroom. Rachel chose LCW because of its distinctive blend of rigorous academics, personal support, and values-based education. “I wanted a school where I could pursue my passion for science while staying connected to my Jewish values and traditions,” she said. Having taken part in Touro’s Medical Honors Pathway, which provides a direct pathway to medical education for highly qualified students out of high school, Rachel will begin her next chapter in July as a medical student at New York Medical College. She credits both her academic studies and her hands-on experiences at Touro with preparing her for this step. As an intern in a Mount Sinai research lab, Rachel explored how modified mRNA—the same technology used in COVID-19 vaccines—could be applied to treat other conditions, such as heart disease. She also had the opportunity to work at a Columbia University research lab where she looked at ways a virus called HPIV3 evolves, transmits and infects cells—research that was published in a microbiology journal that named her as one of the authors. But one of the most transformative experiences of her college career came through volunteer work at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where Rachel discovered how powerful human connection can be in a clinical setting. “I developed essential skills, such as communication and teamwork, by collaborating with nurses, patient care advisors, and fellow volunteers,” she said. “The most impactful aspect of my volunteering, however, was the meaningful conversations I had with patients. I recall spending over half of one shift with a single patient who shared the highlights of her life, from her hometown to her career as a correctional officer. This experience deepened my understanding of patient care and reinforced my commitment to supporting those in need.” In five years, Rachel envisions herself as a resident physician in a field where she can make a meaningful impact. She hopes to continue combining patient care with research and global health perspectives, a doctor, she said, who treats “the whole person, not just the condition.” Her time at LCW included a memorable bioethics trip to Thailand with fellow students and faculty. Led by a professor of biology, the group visited hospitals, laboratories, and the Ministry of Health, where they explored how cultural values influence healthcare policy. “Religious ideals heavily influence healthcare laws in Thailand,” Rachel said. “This experience showed the nuanced relationship between culture, ethics, and healthcare.” “Rachel is highly intelligent, articulate and she blends commitment to Torah values with high academic aspirations.  She is a role model for all of us.  I look forward to her future successes and to learning about the many contributions she will make to her future patients and the Jewish community,” said Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike, Dean, Lander College for Women. Outside the classroom, Rachel has embraced campus life with enthusiasm. A […]

Despite sending call-up orders to over 24,000 Charedi men since last summer, the IDF has seen only a small fraction – 5% – begin the enlistment process. In a tense session of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s Subcommittee for IDF Human Resources, Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb revealed that just 1,212 Charedi men have begun the initial stages of enlistment, despite thousands receiving formal draft notices. Of the 2,399 who were sent immediate call-up orders, 545 failed to appear by their mandatory reporting date. Military protocol deems any individual who ignores three draft notices a “draft evader,” triggering an automatic arrest warrant. While such warrants are rarely enforced, the individual becomes subject to a tzav 12 — a legal status barring them from leaving the country and exposing them to arrest at any police encounter. Already, 964 Charedim from the first wave of draft notices have been declared draft evaders, and 1,366 have warrants issued against them. Tayeb noted that among those receiving notices, about half were under the age of 20, 40% were aged 20 to 23, and the remaining 10% were over 23. So far, 411 men have been delayed at Ben Gurion Airport due to enlistment status issues, with 43 physically barred from leaving the country. “The security situation requires very significant manpower,” Tayeb told the committee. “We are carrying out enforcement actions… there was a policy of increasing punishment.” Still, committee members accused the military of stalling on enforcement. “The army is dragging its feet to the point where it does not want to recruit Charedim,” charged former IDF deputy chief of staff Dan Harel. MK Elazar Stern, a former IDF manpower chief and now committee chair, added, “There is no progress on the issue of recruiting Charedim.” The IDF recently launched a Military Police operation aimed at locating and detaining individuals who ignored draft orders, though no Charedi arrests were made. That operation provoked outrage among Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Charedi coalition partners, who have warned that continued pressure on the yeshiva world could topple the government. Tayeb maintained that the IDF is constrained by limited resources and competing wartime priorities, but acknowledged the need for more targeted sanctions if the state is serious about Charedi conscription. “The sanctions that exist today are very sparse,” he said. “If the state is willing, it can deny certain government services to those who do not serve.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)