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Thousands of people from around the world seeking a uniquely messy thrill spent one wild hour flinging bushels of overripe tomatoes at each other during Spain’s “Tomatina” celebration Wednesday. The mother of all food fights painted a packed central street in the eastern town of Buñol deep red as revelers squished, smashed and hurled 120 tons of the overripe fruit. Tarps covered the building fronts as an estimated 20,000 people showed no quarter amid screams and laughter. Every article of clothing and pretty much every inch of bare skin and hair ended up covered in a pulpy mush, with many wearing white shirts that quickly were stained pink. Thumping music gave the event the vibe of a rave. Organizers wearing green shirts slowly opened a path for trucks loaded with the tomatoes to bring in the ammunition. Buñol, with a population of around 10,000, was one of the towns affected by devastating floods in eastern Spain beginning Oct. 29, 2024. That is why this year’s slogan is “Tomaterapia,” or “Tomato Therapy” in English. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the tomato tossing that party lore says began in 1945 for local children. Since then “Tomatina” has grown to an eye-catching event that now draws a significant international crowd and only has been skipped twice due to the pandemic. A left-wing political party backed an initiative by local residents to fly Palestinian flags and a banner against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza during this year’s “Tomatina.” The only guideline during the free-for-all is to squash each tomato before throwing to reduce its impact. Even so, some participants opt to wear protective goggles and earplugs. For those worried about the waste, organizers say the tomatoes are grown specifically for “Tomatina” and not edible anyway. This year’s supply hails from a town over five hours away. A cannon shot tells participants the battle is over. As the adrenaline drains, partiers use communal showers to clean up while workers hose the crimson slurry off the streets. (AP)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeing a surge in support among Democrat voters, positioning himself as a leading contender in the 2028 presidential primary, according to a new Morning Consult poll published on Tuesday.

The survey revealed that 19% of Democrats and left-leaning independents now back Newsom, marking an increase of 8 percentage points since the previous poll conducted in June, The Hill reported.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s 2024 nominee, continues to lead with 29% support, though that figure reflects a 7-point decline compared to the March survey. The poll also showed that 22% of respondents selected “someone else,” while Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, registered 9%. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., followed with 6% support.

Among other potential candidates, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro earned 4%, while Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker both stood at 3%. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear came in at 2% each, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore received 1%, according to the findings.

The poll attributed Newsom’s sharp rise to stronger backing from Generation X voters, where his support climbed by 19 points, as well as notable gains among men and white voters, each up 15 points, the survey found.

{Matzav.com}

Patrick Bet-David reveals the flood of death threats and backlash he received after interviewing Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu. The PBD Podcast crew discuss censorship, bots, media bias, Gaza, and the importance of open dialogue with leaders—even when it sparks global outrage.

WATCH:

Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), addressed a press conference on Tuesday after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Iran was behind at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia: the arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue and the burning of a kosher café in Sydney. A Sky News Australia reporter asked Burgess whether Israel’s Mossad had a hand in exposing Iran’s involvement in the attacks. “We work with foreign partners,” Burgess responded and refused to elaborate. Sky News anchors later speculated, “Well, who else would it be? Certainly Israel, maybe the U.S. There aren’t many others. No doubt they tipped off our intelligence service.” Mossad has previously provided intelligence to numerous countries, particularly in Europe, about Iran’s role in antisemitic attacks on their soil. In the wake of the findings, Australia expelled Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi—its first expulsion of a foreign ambassador since World War II—and closed its embassy in Iran. Following the decision, the government urged Australians in Iran to leave immediately. “Foreigners in Iran, including Australians and dual Australian-Iranian nationals, are at a high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest,” the warning stated. The government also issued its highest-level travel advisory for Iran: “Do not travel.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Over 50 consultants at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) have called on Ireland to stop using medicines manufactured by Israel if “viable alternatives” exist due to Israel’s alleged “genocide,” The Irish Times reported over the weekend. According to the report, Israel’s Teva Pharmaceuticals, which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of generic and specialist drugs, is one of the largest suppliers of generic medications to the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland’s publicly funded healthcare system. Rep. Randy Fine (R.-FL) responded to the report by stating, “If Ireland wants to start treating their people with Palestinian medicines, that’s their right.” “Oh, wait…” Last week, a furor arose in Italy after a doctor and nurse, employees of a public hospital, filmed themselves throwing Teva drugs in the garbage. The video, published on social media, drew outrage from Italians. Ynet quoted the comments of several Italian social media users, with one calling the video “a national disgrace,” writing: “This is not free expression—it’s fanaticism. Anyone who throws away life-saving drugs should not wear a medical uniform.” Another added, “I hope you never need one of Israel’s life-saving medical inventions.” A third wrote, “We pay taxes for these drugs, and they treat them like garbage for social media likes.” In the wake of the public ire, the Southeast Tuscany Health Authority said that it opened an internal inquiry and “reserves the right to take all necessary steps to protect its reputation and the professionalism of its staff.” It stressed that the filming of the video was carried out in the public hospital without approval. The doctor and nurse later published a second video apologizing for their actions and claiming that they didn’t actually throw out any medications but had placed free samples, including supplements and wipes, in the garbage can and then immediately removed them. “It was a symbolic gesture for peace,” they said. “We never intended to hurt anyone or involve our employer. We are truly sorry.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration intends to pursue the death penalty for individuals convicted of committing murder in the nation’s capital.

The president revealed the plan during a White House Cabinet Meeting, explaining that the policy would apply specifically to homicide cases in Washington, D.C. “If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington, DC, we’re going to be seeking the death penalty. And that’s a very strong preventative, and everybody that’s heard it agrees with it,” he said. “I don’t know if we’re ready for it in this country, but we… have no choice.”

Trump clarified that while his administration will enforce this policy in D.C., each state will ultimately need to make its own decisions regarding the issue.

His remarks came as D.C. recently experienced a 12-day stretch without any homicides, a period that followed Trump’s decision to federalize law enforcement in the capital. That streak appeared to end Tuesday morning when a man was killed in what authorities believe was a shooting, according to The Hill.

Since the federal intervention began on August 11, Trump’s crackdown on violent crime in Washington, D.C., has resulted in striking outcomes. In the 11 days following his order to take control of local law enforcement, from August 11 to August 22, carjackings fell by 83% compared to the 11 days prior, from July 31 to August 11.

During that same time frame, motor vehicle thefts dropped by 37%, robberies decreased by more than 50%, homicides fell by 50%, assaults involving dangerous weapons declined by 32%, and overall crime in the city went down by 14%.

Trump also stated on Friday that his administration is evaluating similar federal crackdowns in other cities facing high crime rates, including Chicago. “And after we do this, we’ll go to another location, and we’ll make it safe also. We’re going to make our country very safe. We’re going to make our cities very, very safe,” Trump said. “Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent.”

He added, “We’ll straighten that one out, probably next. That’ll be our next one after this, and it won’t even be tough. And the people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come. They’re wearing red hats just like this one.”

{Matzav.com}

Steep U.S. tariffs on a range of Indian products took effect Wednesday, threatening a serious blow to India’s overseas trade in its largest export market. President Donald Trump had initially announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods. But earlier this month he signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff due to India’s purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the U.S. on its ally to 50%. The Indian government estimates the tariffs will impact $48.2 billion worth of exports. Officials have warned the new duties could make shipments to the U.S. commercially unviable, triggering job losses and slower economic growth. India–U.S. trade relations have expanded in recent years but remain vulnerable to disputes over market access and domestic political pressures. India is one of the fastest-growing major global economies and it may face a slowdown as a result. Sectors to be impacted by US tariffs Estimates by New Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative suggest labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewelry, leather goods, food and automobiles will be hit hardest. “The new tariff regime is a strategic shock that threatens to wipe out India’s long-established presence in the U.S., causing unemployment in export-driven hubs and weakening its role in the industrial value chain,” said Ajay Srivastava, the think tank’s founder and a former Indian trade official. The U.S. has for now exempted some sectors such as pharmaceuticals and electronic goods from additional tariffs, bringing some relief for India as its exposure in these sectors is significant. Exporters fear losses Puran Dawar, a leather footwear exporter in northern India’s Agra city, says the industry would take a substantial hit in the near term unless domestic demand strengthens and other overseas markets buy more Indian goods. “This is an absolute shock,” said Dawar, whose business with the U.S. has grown in recent years. Dawar’s clients include the major fashion retailer Zara. Dawar, who is also the regional chairman of the Council for Leather Exports — an export promotion body — said the U.S. should understand that the steep tariffs will hurt its own consumers. Groups representing exporters warn that new import tariffs could hurt India’s small and medium enterprises that are heavily reliant on the American market. “It’s a tricky situation. Some product lines will simply become unviable overnight,” said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations. Modi vows not to yield to US pressure The tariffs come as the U.S. administration continues to push for greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy sectors. India and the U.S. have held five rounds of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, but have yet to reach a deal. That’s largely because New Delhi has resisted opening these sectors to cheaper American imports, citing concerns that doing so would endanger the jobs of millions of Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed not to yield to the pressure. “For me, the interests of farmers, small businesses and dairy are topmost. My government will ensure they aren’t impacted,” Modi said at a rally this week in his home state of Gujarat. Modi said the world was witnessing a “politics of economic selfishness.” A U.S. delegation canceled plans to visit New Delhi this week for a sixth round of trade talks. India plans local reforms to cushion the blow from […]

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As new COVID-19 variants continue to circulate globally, health professionals are alerting the public to a distinctive symptom tied to these strains: a painful “razor blade throat,” which patients describe as an intense, stabbing sensation.

Across the United States, COVID-19 cases are steadily increasing and are projected to hit their highest levels in September as schools reopen. According to the CDC, infections are already climbing in 36 states.

Dr. Matthew Lokant, an infectious disease specialist at West Virginia University School of Medicine, explains that aside from the sharp throat pain, the most common symptoms linked to the newly emerging Stratus and Nimbus variants include headaches, body aches, fatigue, fever, and congestion. He noted that while patients frequently report severe throat discomfort, this particular symptom does not mean the illness is inherently more dangerous than previous versions of the virus.

For those who fall ill, doctors advise taking immediate steps to manage the infection. Get tested as soon as possible — current COVID-19 tests are still effective at detecting these variants. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and herbal teas. If you test positive, speak with your healthcare provider about available treatments such as Paxlovid. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience trouble breathing, chest pain, or signs of severe dehydration.

People who fall into higher-risk groups, including seniors, those with chronic conditions, and individuals with weakened immune systems, are strongly encouraged to contact their doctor right away if any symptoms appear.

To reduce the risk of infection during this surge, experts recommend practical precautions: wearing a high-quality mask such as an N95 in crowded indoor environments, washing hands frequently, and steering clear of close contact with individuals who are sick.

Specialists emphasize that actual infection numbers may be higher than what official reports indicate. “I would encourage everyone to treat it as if there is a summer surge,” says Dr. Sarah Whitley Coles, assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “Because we expect that there will be, or that we’re in the beginning of one, and to take necessary precautions.”

While the latest variants don’t appear to cause more severe illness overall, the painful “razor blade throat” has become a signature warning sign — a reminder to get tested quickly and take care of yourself if symptoms develop.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of the mekubal Rav Alter Dovid Chaim Stern zt”l, who was niftar in Laniado Hospital in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, at the age of 93.

Rav Stern’s health had deteriorated in recent weeks.

Rav Stern was born in the city of Serdahely, Slovakia, on 22 Teves 5692 (1932), to his father, Rav Yisroel Zechariah Stern, a noted baal chessed and owner of the legendary Dagan flour mill on Sokolov Street in Bnei Brak, and his mother, Rebbetzin Chaya Sarah Leah. From a young age, he displayed a remarkable diligence in Torah and a deep sensitivity to others.

He learned in some of the most prestigious yeshivos of the time, including Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, Chevron, and Ponovezh, where he absorbed Torah from the great roshei yeshiva of the generation. During this period, he formed a close bond with the famed Ponovezher mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein, and was counted among those privileged to enter the home of the Chazon Ish, developing a lasting connection with the gadol hador.

Upon reaching marriageable age, Rav Stern wed his first wife, Rebbetzin Sarah Gitel, daughter of the famed tzaddik and miracle-worker Rav Chaim Moshe Mandel, whose modest home on Raavad Street in Bnei Brak drew countless Yidden seeking brachos and yeshuos.

From his youth, Rav Stern was renowned for his boundless generosity and compassion, constantly assisting others in need. Coming from a wealthy family, he invested heavily in acts of kindness, eventually losing his entire fortune because of the immense sums he poured into helping others.

More than sixty years ago, he established the Chazon Ish – Beis Avrohom charity fund, one of the earliest and most impactful in Eretz Yisroel. Dedicated in memory of the Chazon Ish, the fund became a lifeline for countless struggling families, distributing unprecedented amounts of financial assistance. All of this was done quietly, behind the scenes, with the utmost sensitivity and discretion, so as never to embarrass a recipient.

Over the decades, Rav Stern played an instrumental role in founding numerous Torah institutions throughout Eretz Yisroel, including Yeshivas Ofakim and Yeshivas Be’er Yisroel, the latter established in memory of his revered father-in-law, Rav Mandel. Through these institutions and his personal guidance, he influenced and inspired generations of bnei Torah.

Throughout his life, Rav Stern became renowned not only for his tzidkus but also for his insightful counsel and powerful brachos, which were sought after by Yidden from across the world. His home became a place where people of every background arrived seeking guidance, healing, and salvation, and countless stories abound of the yeshuos that came about through his heartfelt tefillos.

He maintained a particularly deep and lifelong connection with the hidden mekubal, Rav Yehuda Ze’ev Leibowitz, in whose memory he hosted an annual seudas hilula and whose kever he faithfully visited each year at the Bnei Brak beis hachaim.

In Teves 5775 (2015), while visiting the United States, Rav Stern collapsed and was hospitalized in critical condition. Following the advice of leading mekubalim, he was given the additional name “Alter,” and, through great chasdei Shamayim, he miraculously recovered. Yet tragedy struck in his personal life with the passing of his esteemed son-in-law, Rav Ze’ev Rosenthal of Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak.

In Kislev 5782 (2021), Rav Stern entered into his second marriage with Mrs. Bransdorfer, the widow of the gaon Rav Aharon Bransdorfer, in a small, private wedding attended only by close family members and confidants.

Despite his advanced age, Rav Stern continued his lifelong dedication to tefillah and yeshuos, frequently traveling to Meron, often multiple times a week, to daven at the kever of the Rashbi on behalf of both the klal and prat. He was known as a “melumad b’nissim,” a man who experienced open miracles in his lifetime, and countless individuals testified to the salvations that came about through his brachos and tefillos.

In recent weeks, his condition worsened, and despite the fervent tefillos of thousands, his pure neshamah has returned to its Maker. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of Torah, chessed, and kedushah, carried on by an illustrious family of talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah who follow in his ways. Among them are his son Rav Meir Yosef Stern, Rosh KollelImrei Yosef and head of Mosdos Rav Mandel; his son Rav Aharon Yitzchok Stern, Rav of Kehillas Ziv Yehuda in Kiryat Herzog; his son Rav Nachum Shlomo Ozer Stern, Rosh YeshivasBe’er Yisroel in Bnei Brak; his son Rav Yehuda Dov Stern; and his son Rav Shmuel Stern, Rosh Kollel in Beit Shemesh. He is also survived by his daughters, who are married into the distinguished Goldreich, Rosenthal, and Shapira families, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who continue his path.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Immigration advocates gather like clockwork outside Seattle’s King County International Airport to witness deportation flights and spread word of where they are going and how many people are aboard. Until recently, they could keep track of the flights using publicly accessible websites. But the monitors and others say airlines are now using dummy call signs for deportation flights and are blocking the planes’ tail numbers from tracking websites, even as the number of deportation flights hits record highs under President Donald Trump. The changes forced them to find other ways to follow the flights, including by sharing information with other groups and using data from an open-source exchange that tracks aircraft transmissions. Their work helps people locate loved ones who are deported in the absence of information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which rarely discloses flights. News organizations have used such flight tracking in reporting. Tom Cartwright, a retired J.P. Morgan financial officer turned immigration advocate, tracked 1,214 deportation-related flights in July — the highest level since he started watching in January 2020. About 80% are operated by three airlines: GlobalX, Eastern Air Express and Avelo Airlines. They carry immigrants to other airports to be transferred to overseas flights or take them across the border, mostly to Central American countries and Mexico. Cartwright tracked 5,962 flights from the start of Trump’s second term through July, a 41% increase from 1,721 over the same period in 2024. Those figures including information from major deportation airports but not smaller ones like King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field. Cartwright’s figures include 68 military deportation flights since January — 18 in July alone. Most have gone to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The work became so demanding that Cartwright, 71, and his group, Witness at the Border, turned over the job this month to Human Rights First, which dubbed its project “ICE Flight Monitor.” “His work brings essential transparency to U.S. government actions impacting thousands of lives and stands as a powerful example of citizen-driven accountability in defense of human rights and democracy,” Uzrz Zeya, Human Rights First’s chief executive officer, said. The airlines did not respond to multiple email requests for comment. ICE is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which would not confirm any security measures it has taken. La Resistencia, a Seattle-area nonprofit immigration rights group, has monitored 59 flights at Boeing Field and five at the Yakima airport in 2025, surpassing its 2024 total of 42. Not all are deportation flights. Many are headed to or from immigration detention centers or to airports near the border. La Resistencia counted 1,023 immigrants brought in to go to the ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington, and 2,279 flown out, often to states on the U.S.-Mexico border. “ICE is doing everything in its power to make it as hard as possible to differentiate their contractors’ government activities from other commercial endeavors,” organizer Guadalupe Gonzalez told The Associated Press. Airlines can legally block data The Federal Aviation Administration allows carriers to block data like tail numbers from public flight tracking websites under the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed program, or LADD, said Ian Petchenik, a spokesman for FlightRadar24. “Tail numbers are like VIN numbers on cars,” Gonzalez said. Planes with blocked tail numbers no longer appear on websites like FlightRadar24 or FlightAware. The tracker page identifies these them as “N/A – […]

Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Tuesday that Qatar is still waiting for Israel’s response to a proposed ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip, which Hamas has reportedly accepted.

During a press conference, Al-Ansari explained that Israel needs to clarify whether it has any objections to the plan, which was presented through mediators from both Qatar and Egypt.

On August 18, Hamas notified the mediators that it had agreed to a 60-day truce in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages in two stages, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners currently being held in Israel.

Following that development, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu authorized an IDF operational plan aimed at gaining control over Gaza City. He underscored that Israel’s objective is to secure a broader agreement that would ensure the simultaneous release of all Israeli hostages.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ismail Maslamani, identified as an expert on Israeli affairs, claimed during an interview on Hamas’s television channel that Netanyahu is deliberately avoiding direct ceasefire talks. He also alleged that disagreements have emerged between Israel’s political leadership and its military command regarding the terms of the proposed deal.

Maslamani further argued that Netanyahu’s ultimate aim is to remain in power for his entire four-year term and that he is relying on U.S. backing to push for a more comprehensive agreement.

{Matzav.com Israel}

SpaceX launched the latest test of its mega rocket Starship on Tuesday night and completed the first-ever deployment of a test payload — eight dummy satellites — into space. After just over an hour coasting through space, Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean. Starship blasted off from Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site in south Texas, just after 6:30 p.m. It was the 10th test for the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket, which SpaceX and NASA hope to use to get astronauts back on the moon. NASA has ordered two Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s ultimate goal is Mars. No crew members were aboard the demo launch. The test also included the successful return of the craft’s Super Heavy Booster, which splashed down in the Atlantic after testing a landing-burn engine sequence. The Starship itself continued to orbit the Earth — passing from daylight in Texas through night and back into daytime again — ahead of the planned splashdown. Before the craft hit the waves, its engines fired, flipping its position so it entered the water upright with the nose cone pointed upward. The successful demo came after a year of mishaps. Back-to-back tests in January and March ended just minutes after liftoff, raining wreckage into the ocean. The most recent test in May — the ninth try — ended when the spacecraft tumbled out of control and broke apart. SpaceX later redesigned the Super Heavy booster with larger and stronger fins for greater stability, according to a company post on the social platform X this month. The first Starship exploded minutes into its inaugural test flight in 2023. SpaceX’s first batch of Starlink satellites were launched in 2019 from a Falcon rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral. (AP)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that customs duty revenues generated from President Donald Trump’s tariffs could exceed $500 billion annually, noting a significant spike from July to August and predicting an even larger increase in September.

Speaking during a White House Cabinet meeting, Bessent explained that his earlier projection of $300 billion in yearly tariff collections had been too conservative.

“We had a substantial jump from July to August, and I think we’re going to see a bigger jump from August to September,” Bessent said. “So I think we could be on our way well over half a trillion, maybe towards a trillion-dollar number. This administration, your administration, has made a meaningful dent in the budget deficit.”

These additional revenues are expected to help offset the budget shortfalls caused by the Republicans’ tax-cut and spending package passed earlier this year. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the bill will increase the federal deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade.

Driven by Trump’s tariffs, U.S. customs duty collections in July surged by nearly $21 billion compared to the $7 billion collected in July 2024, nearly matching the $20 billion jump seen in June. Higher tariff rates on nearly all major trading partners officially took effect on August 7.

According to a U.S. Treasury report released Monday, as of August 22 the government had already brought in $29.6 billion in combined customs and excise taxes during August, equaling the total collected for the entire month of July. As of July 22, the combined figure stood at $7.8 billion, though daily customs duty revenues can fluctuate significantly.

Bessent also highlighted the Congressional Budget Office’s recently updated forecast, which now projects that Trump’s tariffs could cut federal deficits by $4 trillion over the next ten years. “And I would expect that that number could go up from here,” Bessent added.

This updated projection represents an increase from the CBO’s June estimate, which predicted that tariff revenues would reduce deficits by $3 trillion over a ten-year period.

{Matzav.com}

As armed National Guard troops patrol the nation’s capital as part of an unprecedented federal takeover of Washington’s police department, handling crime is now a relative strength for President Donald Trump, according to the latest AP-NORC poll. Americans are generally not happy about the Republican president’s handling of issues like immigration and the economy but are more positive about his tough-on-crime approach, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Indeed, the vast majority of Americans, 81%, see crime as a “major problem” in large cities — a concern Trump has seized on as he has deployed the National Guard to the District of Columbia and threatened to expand that model to cities across the country. And his overall approval rating has increased slightly, from 40% in July to 45% now. But the poll shows there is less public support for federal takeovers of local police departments, suggesting opinions could shift over the coming weeks or months, depending on how aggressively Trump pursues his threats. For now, many Republicans in particular feel extreme action needs to be taken, even as statistics show violent crime is down in Washington and across the nation following a coronavirus pandemic-era spike. “About damn time that somebody did something,” said Charles Arnold, 87, a lifelong Republican who lives in San Diego. Arnold, a retired electronics technician and veteran who served in the Navy, said that it had been jarring to see the National Guard being used for domestic law enforcement on U.S. soil but that the action seemed to be necessary. “That’s not what the armed forces are for. They shouldn’t be there. They shouldn’t have to be there. The police should be allowed to police,” he said. “I detest the thought that it needs to be done.” Handling crime is a strength for Trump About half of U.S. adults, 53%, say they approve of Trump’s handling of crime, the poll finds. That’s higher than his approval rating on the economy, immigration and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine — which are in line with his overall approval rating. Trump’s approach on crime is similarly popular among white and Hispanic adults, with roughly half in each group saying they approve of the way he’s handling the issue. Black adults, however, are substantially less likely to say they’re on board with Trump’s approach to crime, with just 27% in favor. Trump also garners much stronger support from independents on crime than on other issues. Roughly half of independents approve of his handling of crime, compared with about 3 in 10 who approve of his handling of the economy, immigration and the Russia-Ukraine war. Most think crime is a ‘major problem’ for large cities There’s broad agreement among Americans that crime is a significant issue in large cities, even with incident numbers in decline. That belief is especially pronounced among Republicans, nearly all of whom see crime as a significant problem in large cities. Roughly 7 in 10 independents and Democrats agree. Americans who live in urban areas are also more likely to say crime is a “major problem” in their own communities. They include Tiana Parker, 30, a liberal Democrat who lives in the suburbs of Seattle. Parker is dismayed by what Trump is doing in Washington, D.C. — and his presidency overall — but nonetheless calls crime “a major problem.” “I […]

Cracker Barrel announced on Tuesday that it is abandoning its new logo redesign after widespread backlash, a reversal that came just hours after President Donald Trump urged the company to restore its classic branding.

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘old timer’ will remain.”

The reversal comes after days of intense criticism across social media, culminating in Trump stepping in on Tuesday and advising the company to return to its original design.

“Cracker Barrel should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday.

“They got a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity if they play their cards right. Very tricky to do, but a great opportunity,” he continued, adding that it’s time to “Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER again.”

Trump’s remarks immediately boosted the company’s market performance, with Cracker Barrel’s stock surging more than 6%. This came after the company’s value had dropped by roughly $100 million following last week’s rollout of the controversial logo.

“Remember, in just a short period of time I made the United States of America the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World. One year ago, it was ‘DEAD.’ Good luck!” Trump added.

The Southern-themed restaurant chain, famous for its biscuits, grits, and rustic charm, had recently shifted away from its iconic aesthetic. Cracker Barrel swapped its traditional wood-filled décor for a cleaner, whitewashed look, cut back on decorative items, and even removed fan-favorite mascot Uncle Herschel from its logo.

Trump weighed in on the dispute just one day after Cracker Barrel issued an apology for its rebranding strategy, saying, “we won’t always get everything right the first time, but we’ll keep testing, learning and listening to our guests and employees.”

Meanwhile, a video featuring an animated version of Uncle Herschel went viral on Tuesday, racking up over 600,000 views on X. In the parody, the character sings a tune mocking the company’s decisions with the refrain: “Go woke, go broke.”

“Why, oh why, do brands insist on committing to suicide? Cracker Barrel, you coulda left me on the logo and just let it ride,” the Uncle Herschel lookalike sang.

The viral clip also called out other companies criticized for “woke” marketing choices that led to major financial hits.

“Calvin Klein said being morbidly obese was cool,” the character sang.

“Greedy banks lecturing me about DEI. Are they for real? Some whackjobs named Ben and Jerry want me to boycott Israel.”

“It’s enough to make you reach for a beer, but Bud’s woke too. Next they’ll call it the Queen of Beers, guess this Bud ain’t for you.”

{Matzav.com}

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is set to lead a “large meeting” at the White House on Wednesday focused on Gaza.

According to Witkoff, the session will center around developing a “very comprehensive plan” that addresses the “day after” scenario once the current conflict comes to an end.

In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Witkoff discussed the administration’s approach to the future of the Gaza Strip, efforts to bring the war to a conclusion, and the ongoing push to secure the release of hostages.

Witkoff emphasized that “Hamas understands that they can have nothing to do with the government going forward. Those are terms of the Israelis and they’re terms of President Trump as well.”

When Baier asked whether Israel should be taking any different actions and what gives him confidence about a resolution, Witkoff responded, “Well, we think that we’re going to settle this one way or another, certainly before the end of this year. Hamas is now signaling that they’re open to a settlement. The Israelis, when they announced this operation, also announced at the same time that they were funding $600 million of aid to go into Gaza.”

He added, “And in addition to that, they also announced that they were open to continuing discussions with Hamas. So it’s not a maximalist approach on the Israelis’ part. They’re indicating that they have accommodations to make if Hamas decides to make them.”

Witkoff further urged Hamas to act humanely toward the hostages. “And we’ve suggested, by the way, that Hamas can begin by feeding the hostages, by giving them medical attention, by letting the Red Cross in, by doing the humane thing. The President is a humanitarian. That’s what he wants to see.”

{Matzav.com}

Denmark’s foreign minister had the top U.S. diplomat in the country summoned for talks after the main national broadcaster reported Wednesday that at least three people with connections to President Donald Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland. Trump has repeatedly said he seeks U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, a vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. He has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island. Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. Danish public broadcaster DR reported Wednesday that government and security sources which it didn’t name, as well as unidentified sources in Greenland and the U.S., believe that at least three Americans with connections to Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory. One of those people allegedly compiled a list of U.S.-friendly Greenlanders, collected names of people opposed to Trump and got locals to point out cases that could be used to cast Denmark in a bad light in American media. Two others have tried to nurture contacts with politicians, businesspeople and locals, according to the report. An influence operation is an organized effort to shape how people in a society think in order to achieve certain political, military or other objectives. DR said its story was based on information from a total of eight sources, who believe the goal is to weaken relations with Denmark from within Greenlandic society. DR said it had been unable to clarify whether the Americans were working at their own initiative or on orders from someone else. It said it knows their names but chose not to publish them in order to protect its sources. The Associated Press could not independently confirm the report. “We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement emailed by his ministry. “It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead.” “Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable,” Løkke Rasmussen said. “In that light, I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the U.S. chargé d’affaires for a meeting at the Ministry.” Cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland “is close and based on mutual trust,” he added. The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service responded to a request for comment by saying it believes that “particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds” that could aim to create divisions in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland. It said it “assesses that this could be done by exploiting existing or fabricated disagreements, for example in connection with well-known individual cases, or by promoting or amplifying certain viewpoints in Greenland regarding the Kingdom, the United States, or other countries with a particular interest in Greenland.” The service, known by its Danish acronym PET, said that in recent years it has “continuously strengthened” its efforts and presence in Greenland in cooperation with […]

A man who posed for years as a Chareidi Rav in Israel, officiating at chasunos and conversions and selling mezuzos, was exposed as a Christian missionary by the Yad L’Achim organization on Tuesday. The organization issued a statement that a man calling himself Ariel Katzenberg has been serving as a Rav for years while simultaneously performing Christian baptism ceremonies and converting Jews to Christianity. Katzenberg, who also delivered Torah shiurim, regularly marketed himself to newcomers to Israel, offering to produce documents proving their Judaism or “conversion” to Judaism for tens of thousands of shekels. He managed to produce documents with forged seals of well-known Batei Din, some claiming that the newcomers had undergone giyur in Israel approved by the Rabbanut. According to Yad L’Achim, Katzenberg first began posing as a Rav in Bnei Brak but was exposed as a fraud and fled to northern Israel, to Migdal HaEmek, Harish, and Tiveria. Yad L’Achim finally exposed Katzenberg by obtaining video footage showing him performing baptisms and presenting it to the police along with the forged documents he presented to Batei Din and demanding an investigation. “We demonstrated to the courts that the documents had been forged, and they were shocked,” says Rabbi Shimon Abergel, field coordinator for the organization’s counter-missionary department. Yad Achim did not provide details of Katzenberg’s background, but from past reports, it appears that his original name is Gonzalo Cabral and he grew up in Argentina. He moved to Israel as a young man and formed a relationship with an elderly Jewish woman, telling her (falsely) that his parents cut him off and he’s all alone in the world. The woman took him into her house and treated him like a son. Cabral took advantage of his relationship with the woman to portray himself as a Jew, using her distinctly Jewish name. He later changed his name again to Ariel Katzenberg. His background of infiltrating the Chareidi community many years ago explains how he was capable of posing as a Rav and delivering shiurim. Yad L’Achim did not explain why it took so long to expose Katzenberg, but it is possible that he underwent giyur in Israel, and until now, they lacked evidence that he was acting as a Christian missionary on the side. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Russia’s invading forces have broken into an eighth region of Ukraine, a Ukrainian military official said Wednesday, seeking to capture more ground in their three-year war of attrition as U.S.-led peace efforts struggle to gain traction. Some Russian troops have entered the villages of Novoheorhiivka and Zaporizke in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, a major Ukrainian industrial center next to the Donetsk region where fierce fighting has been taking place, Victor Trehubov, spokesman for local ground forces, told The Associated Press by phone. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed earlier this month that its forces had taken the two villages. But the Russians have not entrenched or built fortifications there, and fighting is continuing in the villages, Trehubov said. Ukrainian troops are under severe strain as they try to hold back Russia’s bigger army. Military analysts say there is no sign of a looming collapse of Ukrainian defenses and note that Russian forces have been unable to take major towns and cities, but their slow slog through rural areas keeps Ukraine under pressure. The front line, where tens of thousands of troops on both sides have been killed, snakes along roughly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) of eastern and southeastern Ukraine, which borders Russia. Russian forces are already in the Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Russia illegally seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014, and now occupies about a fifth of Ukraine. Western leaders have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet in peace efforts and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian troops move deeper into Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump bristled Tuesday at Putin’s stalling on an American proposal for direct peace talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said Friday he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled. Ukraine has accepted U.S. proposals for a summit with Putin and a ceasefire. Russia has also balked at U.S. and Western plans to establish postwar security guarantees for Ukraine, which fears another Russian invasion in the future even if a peace deal is clinched now. The possible security guarantees being worked out by Western officials could include the deployment of European troops in Ukraine. But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Wednesday that soldiers from NATO member countries would be unacceptable for Moscow. Ukraine is trying to disrupt Russia’s war effort by striking infrastructure behind the front line with ling-range drones. Gas stations have run dry in some regions of Russia after they struck refineries and other oil infrastructure in recent weeks. Russia, meanwhile, is continuing its campaign to cripple Ukraine’s energy supply ahead of the bitter winter by wrecking the power grid with repeated attacks. Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said Wednesday that Russia struck energy and gas infrastructure in six regions of the country. (AP)