Countless incredible nissim have occurred daily in Israel amid potentially deadly heavy barrages of rockets, drones, and missiles fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon for over a year. An especially astounding neis occurred on Tuesday morning when an explosive drone fired by Hezbollah scored a direct hit in the yard of a kindergarten in Nesher, a city near Haifa. No siren sounded beforehand. Nevertheless, no one was injured as the teacher and children were in the bomb shelter, possibly because the teachers heard the sirens from afar. Videos of the impact site show how the drone damaged the kindergarten’s yard, adjacent to the bomb shelter. The Israel Fire and Rescue Authority stated: “After searches, the drone was located in the yard of a kindergarten. There are no casualties at the scene and no fires. The fact that the kindergarten staff rushed and moved all the children to a protected space resulted in no injuries.” Following the incident, the IDF said that although sirens sounded in other areas near Haifa, Akko, and the Galil, no siren was sounded in Nesher and they are investigating the incident. Before the drone hit, sirens sounded for many long minutes in the Galil as the IDF tracked several drones that entered Israel from Lebanon. The incident lasted for 20 minutes, an unusually long time, before the IDF announced that the incident had ended. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit has released the names of four soldiers who were killed in combat in the northern Gaza Strip: – Staff Sergeant Orr Katz, 20, from Ma’ale Adumim, served as a combat medic with the 92nd Battalion, Kfir Brigade. – Staff Sergeant Nave Yair Asulin, 21, from Carmit, served with the 92nd Battalion, Kfir Brigade. – Staff Sergeant Gary Lalhruaikima Zolat, 21, from Afula, served with the 92nd Battalion, Kfir Brigade. – Staff Sergeant Ofir Eliyahu, 20, from Holon, served with the 92nd Battalion, Kfir Brigade. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President-elect Donald Trump is starting to fill key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign. Here’s a look at who he’s selected so far. Susie Wiles, chief of staff Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Wiles has a background in Florida politics. She helped Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with the president-elect. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. Wiles was able to help keep Trump on track as few others have, not by criticizing his impulses, but by winning his respect by demonstrating his success after taking her advice. Tom Homan, ‘border czar’ Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump’s policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to “run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Elise Stefanik, United Nations ambassador Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump’s staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy Miller, an immigration hardliner, was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump’s priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump’s first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation’s economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller […]
As money continues to pour into crypto following Donald Trump’s victory last week, bitcoin has climbed to yet another record high. The world’s largest cryptocurrency topped $87,000 for the first time on Monday. As of around 3:45 p.m. ET, bitcoin’s price stood at $87,083, per CoinDesk, up over 28% in the last week alone. That’s part of a rally across cryptocurrencies and crypto-related investments since Trump won the U.S. presidential election last week. Analysts credit much of the recent gains to an anticipated “crypto-friendly” nature of the incoming administration, which could translate into more regulatory clarity but also leeway. Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, others continue to warn of investment risks. Here’s what you need to know. Back up. What is cryptocurrency again? Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now, but has come under the spotlight in recent years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like Ethereum, Tether and Dogecoin have gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money — but it can be very volatile, and reliant on larger market conditions. Why are bitcoin and other crypto assets soaring now? A lot of it has to do with the outcome of last week’s election. Trump was previously a crypto skeptic, but changed his mind and embraced cryptocurrencies during this year’s presidential race. He has pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. Crypto industry players welcomed Trump’s victory, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for. And Trump had previously promised that, if elected, he would remove the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry and repeatedly called for more oversight. “Crypto rallied as Election Day progressed into the night and as it became increasingly clear that Trump would emerge victorious,” Citi analysts David Glass and Alex Saunders wrote in a Friday research note, pointing to larger industry sentiment around Trump being “crypto-friendly” and a potential shift in regulatory backing. Even before the post-election rally, assets like bitcoin posted notable gains over the past year or so. Much of the credit goes to early success of a new way to invest in the asset: spot bitcoin ETFs, which were approved by U.S. regulators in January. Inflows into spot ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, “have been the dominant driver of Bitcoin returns from some time, and we expect this relationship to continue in the near-term,” Glass and Saunders noted. They added that spot crypto ETFs saw some of their largest inflows on record in the days following the election. What are the risks? Crypto assets like bitcoin have a history of drastic swings in […]
A former British soldier who is facing spying charges has admitted escaping from a London prison by clinging to the underside of a delivery truck. Daniel Khalife, 23, changed his plea to guilty on Monday, part-way through his trial at London’s Woolwich Crown Court. He continues to deny violating Britain’s Official Secrets Act by collecting information useful to an enemy — namely Iran — as well as breaching the Terrorism Act and planting fake bombs at a military base. Khalife was awaiting trial when he broke out of Wandsworth Prison in September 2023 by using a sling made out of trousers from the prison kitchen to tie himself to the underside of a catering truck. He was arrested while cycling on a canal towpath in west London three days later after an intense nationwide hunt that included helicopter searches and extra security checks at major transport hubs. “I accept that I left the prison and I didn’t have any permission,” Khalife told jurors. He said he escaped in the hope he would be recaptured and sent to a high-security unit at a different prison, where he thought he would be safer. His trial continues on the other charges. Prosecutors have told the jury that Khalife joined the army at 16 and was a promising soldier, but was told he would not be able to fulfil his goal of joining an intelligence unit because his mother was from Iran. Prosecutors allege Khalife passed classified information to an Iranian intelligence agent. He says the information was worthless and he was hoping to act as a double agent on behalf of Britain – inspired, in part, by a plotline on the TV spy series “Homeland.” “I was never a real spy,” Khalife told the jury earlier this month. “I didn’t do anything that harmed our national security. I wanted to put myself in a position where I could help my country.” (AP)
The Kremlin on Monday rejected reports that President Vladimir Putin spoke last week with President-elect Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine, and a spokesman for Trump refused to comment on what he called his “private calls” with world leaders. The Washington Post first reported on Sunday, citing anonymous sources, that the two spoke on Thursday, with Trump advising Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine and cited the sizable U.S. military presence in Europe. In a conference call Monday with journalists, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said “there was no conversation” and the report was “completely untrue, it is pure fiction.” Asked about the report, Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said, “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders.” Speaking at a foreign policy forum Thursday in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin offered congratulations to Trump on his election victory and praised him for what he said was “brave” behavior during an assassination attempt on him in July. Peskov said “there are no specific plans yet” for a conversation between Putin and Trump. He said previously that contacts between the two before Trump’s inauguration “are not ruled out” and pointed to Trump saying that he would call Putin before the inauguration. He denied, however, that Russia’s presidential administration or Foreign Ministry had any contacts with Trump’s campaign after the election. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could quickly end the fighting in Ukraine but did not offer details of how he would accomplish that. Russia has intensified strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine as the war approaches its 1,000-day mark. For its part, Ukraine over the weekend sent a massive wave of drones that rattled Moscow and its suburbs. (AP)
The IDF signed agreements with yeshivah bochurim behind the backs of their Roshei Yeshivos and Rabbanim, Army Radio reported on Monday. The yeshivah in question is Itri, which is a Chareidi yeshivah in Jerusalem but is a bit more open and offers secular studies, a yeshivah high school [ישיבה תיכונית] similar to those in the US. As mentioned, the IDF went behind the backs of the Roshei Yeshivos and Rabbanim to sign the deal with the bochurim. The bochurim signed that they would enlist in the IDF within 20 months of ending their limudim in yeshivah gedola in exchange for the removal of personal sanctions. The yeshivah ended up finding about the agreement the bochurim signed because they began receiving funds for those bochurim since they were no longer defined as draft dodgers. The Rosh Yeshivah promptly expelled the bochurim, not wanting to legitimize enlistment in the IDF. According to the report, the new procedure is called Talmid L’Tamid. The IDF claims that Chareidi students from various yeshivos have signed the agreement. In September, the Gedolei Yisrael published a letter instructing bochurim of all yeshivos not to respond to draft orders, including yeshivah high schools such as Itri. The letter also reassured bochurim of yeshivah high schools that if any of them are harassed by the police or IDF, the entire yeshivah world will unite and fight for them. The letter was signed by HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, HaGaon HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein, HaGaon HaRav Baruch Dov Povarsky, Rosh Yeshivas Kol Torah HaGaon HaRav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger, and Rosh Yeshivas Grodna Be’er Yaakov, HaGaon HaRav Tzvi Drabkin. The letter states: “Since the army’s harassment of bnei yeshivos worsened and they launched a war against the Olam HaTorah, no bnei yeshivos should show up at draft centers at all.” “Recently, there are bochurim who received draft orders and a large number of them are graduates of yeshivah high schools [ישיבות תיכוניות] who b’Siyata Dishmaya are currently learning in yeshivos al taharas hakodesh and, understandably, these bochurim are worried, and their dear parents who want the best for their sons are worried about the situation in which their sons are not obeying orders.” “Therefore we want to be mechazeik those bochurim and their dear parents, that they shouldn’t enlist, chalilah, because every breach could end in a disaster for them [and a result, also for the Olam HaYeshivos] chalilah.” “Chalilah to enlist or respond to any of any their orders: כי אם בתורת השם חפצו ובתורתו יהגה יומם ולילה”. “If chas v’chalilah, they actualize their evil plans and arrest even one of you, the Olam HaYeshivos will unite and fight for you like any other Ben Yeshivah.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to appoint Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, sources tell the New York Times. As Trump accelerates efforts to assemble his foreign policy and national security team, Rubio’s name has reportedly risen to the top for the nation’s top diplomatic post. While Trump could make a last-minute change, he appears settled on Rubio, whom he also considered for the vice-presidential nomination earlier this year. Rubio, elected to the Senate in 2010, is known for his strong stances on foreign policy issues, particularly against China and Iran. Initially at odds with some Republicans who advocated for less intervention abroad, Rubio has more recently aligned with Trump’s views, including on Russia’s war in Ukraine, which he described as a “stalemate” needing resolution. Throughout Trump’s campaign, Rubio remained a dedicated supporter, despite not being selected as the vice-presidential candidate. Rubio’s role as a loyal surrogate helped him secure Trump’s trust, particularly in the wake of their earlier, contentious exchanges during the 2016 Republican primary, when Trump famously dubbed him “Little Marco.” Trump has already announced several key appointments for his national security team, including Florida Congressman Michael Waltz as National Security Adviser and New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as Ambassador to the United Nations. Rubio, once a rising star in the Tea Party movement, first entered the Senate in 2010. His stance on immigration became a divisive issue among conservatives, affecting his presidential bid in 2016 against Trump and other rivals. Despite their initial rivalry, Rubio has since worked with Trump as an informal foreign policy adviser, notably assisting in Trump’s preparation for his first debate against President Biden in 2020. As Secretary of State, Rubio would bring both experience and a hawkish approach to the administration’s foreign policy, likely impacting U.S. relations with key international players and allies alike. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
I read the letter from E.J. published on Sunday advocating for financial literacy for every yeshiva bochur. While I agree that financial literacy is important, I believe his call for education doesn’t address a deeper issue that cuts to the very core of our community’s challenges. Let’s face it—our society requires substantial financial resources just to sustain itself. And that financial reality shapes not only our institutions but also our values and social dynamics. We see rabbanim and community leaders frequently honoring not those who have built a stable livelihood, but those who are extravagantly wealthy. There’s no subtlety here: the focus is on the “crazy rich,” on donors with wealth that astounds. The average guy, the one trying to earn an honest living or dedicating his life to learning without considerable family support, is left in the shadows. It’s no wonder that many bochurim today feel drawn to the idea of striking it big—they grow up in a community that doesn’t subtly reward or even quietly respect a regular, solid life. The rich guys are publicly celebrated, and the whole community watches. And when kids see this, they learn to idolize the splashy ultra-rich, not because they’re necessarily the most admirable people, but because they represent wealth and, therefore, status and honor. What about the dedicated avreich, the “average” person who embodies hard work or humility? Sadly, the focus is rarely, if ever, on such people, no matter how much they toil and sacrifice. Instead, even in the world of limud hatorah, it’s more often about the support of a wealthy father or father-in-law than the yungerleit’s own accomplishments in learning. Ultimately, this sends a very strong message: the highest aspiration is wealth. And while financial education might prepare our young men to better handle their finances, it won’t counteract this deeper societal message that values wealth over dedication and integrity. We need to ask ourselves, is this really the value system we want to pass down? I would humbly suggest that we start honoring a broader range of accomplishments—not only those tied to wealth but those grounded in genuine contribution and service, whether through learning, chesed, or hard work. If we don’t want impressionable bochurim and avreichim going down this dangerous road to financial fraud, we need to build a society where every individual, regardless of their financial success, can find honor and respect. That would be the real answer to the troubling trends we see. Sincerely, Y.E. The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Better catch this week’s supermoon. It will be a while until the next one. This will be the year’s fourth and final supermoon, looking bigger and brighter than usual as it comes within about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday. It won’t reach its full lunar phase until Friday. The supermoon rises after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and before the Leonids are most active. Last month’s supermoon was 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) closer, making it the year’s closest. The series started in August. In 2025, expect three supermoons beginning in October. What makes a moon so super? More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and consecutively, given the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit. A supermoon obviously isn’t bigger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference can be barely perceptible. How do supermoons compare? This year features a quartet of supermoons. The one in August was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. September’s was 222,131 miles (357,486 kilometers) away. A partial lunar eclipse also unfolded that night, visible in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe as Earth’s shadow fell on the moon, resembling a small bite. October’s supermoon was the year’s closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. This month’s supermoon will make its closest approach on Thursday with the full lunar phase the next day. What’s in it for me? Scientists point out that only the keenest observers can discern the subtle differences. It’s easier to detect the change in brightness — a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average. With the U.S. and other countries ramping up lunar exploration with landers and eventually astronauts, the moon beckons brighter than ever. (AP)
It is the height of hypocrisy for Opposition Leader Yair Lapid to demand that newly appointed Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issue 7,000 enlistment orders to Charedim, warning that failure to do so would label Katz “the minister of evasion” rather than a true defense minister. The Shocking Truth Emerges In an extraordinary investigation that shakes the foundation of political integrity in Israel, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s military service accounts have been exposed as a maze of contradictions and apparent fabrications. The evidence is not merely compelling—it’s overwhelming. Two Irreconcilable Stories: Which Lapid Should We Believe? Version 1: The Air Defense Story In 1995, Lapid painted a simple picture in Maariv: “In my basic training in the air defense, on Palmahim Beach I was taught how to disassemble and assemble an M-16, to load a magazine, and to shoot to the center of the target.” When questioned about his service in 2017, he doubled down: “I was recruited into the Air Defense Corps and toward the end of basic training, I suffered an asthma attack and was sent to Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre. There, unfortunately, my military profile was lowered to 45 and I was told I would not be able to continue in combat service.” This version finds strong corroboration. Social activist Eeki Elner’s devastating 2018 tweet confirms: “We were in the same tent at first in Air Defense Corps basic training, February 1982… Very soon, he managed to find a way to move to Bamahane.” Even more tellingly, Elner added: “I remember very well from basic training his attacks of ‘I have to get out of here.'” Version 2: The Incredible Lebanon War Tale But then, astonishingly, Lapid spun an entirely different narrative in his 2010 book “Memories After My Death”—a tale so dramatic it belongs in an action movie: “The early days of the Lebanon War were nerve-wracking,” Lapid writes. “Yair went into the war together with the Armored Corp’s Brigade 500 and for a whole week we heard nothing from him.” The Impossible Stories: Military Experts Demolish Lapid’s Claims The Miraculous Jeep Escape Lapid’s account of narrowly escaping death when two officers died in a jeep explosion crumbles under scrutiny. Colonel (res.) Ami Even, who was actually there, demolishes the story: “Absolutely not… When they crossed the line, they were three: the logistics officer and his deputy, and the quartermaster. Two of them were killed and the third managed to escape and return to our lines.” Even more damning, Even reveals: “The two officers who were killed were found by the extraction force that went in on foot. They were found out of the jeep and it’s possible that they weren’t in it when they were hit.” The Physics-Defying Smoke Grenades In a 2005 interview, Lapid claimed: “When you land helicopters, you throw smoke grenades at cross-angles to create an X shape out of the smoke, and the helicopter lands in the middle. The thrower was likely some frustrated baseball pitcher and threw it across the whole court and it hit me.” Colonel Itzik’s response is devastating: “There is no such thing as throwing smoke grenades at cross-angles. Unless Lapid has supernatural powers that enable him to control the winds the description he provides is not possible because it is contrary to the laws of physics.” […]
In a historic political shift, Daniel Norber, a 45-year-old former IDF officer and dual US-Israeli citizen, has become the first Republican elected to a state assembly seat in northern Hempstead, Long Island, in over half a century. Norber narrowly defeated two-term Democratic incumbent Gina Silitti in the Nassau County district that includes Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, and several other communities bordering Queens. The district, which has a significant Jewish population, leaned Republican in this election cycle, partly due to President-elect Donald Trump’s success at the top of the ticket. Trump carried the 16th Assembly District by more than 2,000 votes, giving Norber a boost in his campaign. Norber said he was motivated to run by growing antisemitism—a key issue for him and many of his constituents. Norber’s personal experiences in Israel shaped his commitment to public service. He was in Israel during the October 7 Hamas attack last year, sheltering with his wife, Inbal, and their four children. “It was the worst atrocity to Jews since the Holocaust. Israel is not the same anymore,” Norber said, recalling his determination to take action to prevent similar threats domestically. The campaign grew tense as incidents of antisemitism emerged in the district. On August 30, vandals threw red paint over a pro-Israel banner at the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Searingtown. Norber also criticized Silitti over an incident in which a staffer attacked Israel on social media, saying it demonstrated a disconnect with the community’s concerns. Norber, born in the United States and raised in Israel, was drafted into the IDF at age 17 and served as a staff sergeant in the military police. His family history of Holocaust survival and Soviet oppression instilled in him a deep sense of duty. “I was raised to understand service, sacrifice, and the importance of freedom,” he said. In addition to fighting antisemitism, Norber campaigned on issues including a repeal of cashless bail, tax cuts, and a statewide ban on masks in public settings, which he argues is essential for community safety. Nassau County recently enacted a similar mask ban, and Norber hopes to see it extended statewide. “It’s about keeping minorities safe,” he explained, referring to the original Ku Klux Klan-targeted mask bans. Despite the Republican minority in the 150-seat state Assembly, where Democrats hold a 2-to-1 advantage, Norber believes he can foster bipartisan cooperation. “I can cross party lines for the good of the people,” he said, confident that his unique perspective and dedication will help him bridge divides. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary is still up in the air, but it is a sure bet he will look to reshape the Pentagon and pick a loyalist following his tumultuous first term. Five men held the job as Pentagon chief only to resign, be fired or serve briefly as a stopgap. While he has yet to announce a decision, the names of potential Pentagon chiefs stretch from the well known — such as Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida — to an array of former administration loyalists, including retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who held national security posts during Trump’s first term. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been floated, but Trump said on social media Saturday that Pompeo would not be joining the new administration. Some decisions may linger for days as candidates jostle for attention and officials wait for the final results from House races, weighing whether Republican lawmakers can be tapped or if others are a safer pick to avoid a new election for an empty congressional seat. “The choice is going to tell us a lot about how he will deal with the Pentagon,” said Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired Marine colonel. He said someone like Waltz — a former Army officer and Green Beret — with a deep military background may not be as dramatic of a change as others who may be viewed as stronger Trump loyalists. With a number of top jobs at the State Department, National Security Council and Defense Department up for grabs, Trump is expected to lean toward those who back his desire to end U.S. involvement in any wars, use the military to control the U.S.-Mexico border and take a hard line on Iran. The key test, however, will be loyalty and a willingness to do whatever Trump wants, as he seeks to avoid the pushback he got from the Pentagon the first time around. Trump’s relationship with his civilian and military leaders during those years was fraught with tension, confusion and frustration, as they struggled to temper or even simply interpret presidential tweets and pronouncements that blindsided them with abrupt policy decisions they weren’t prepared to explain or defend. Time after time, senior Pentagon officials — both in and out of uniform — worked to dissuade, delay or derail Trump, on issues ranging from his early demand to prohibit transgender troops from serving in the military and his announcements that he was pulling troops out of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to his push to use troops to police the border and stem civil unrest on the streets of Washington. In his first administration, Trump hewed toward what he considered strong military men and defense industry executives. Initially enamored with generals, Trump over time found them to be not loyal enough. “He soured on them,” Cancian said. “They were not as pliable as he had thought. … I’ve heard people speculate that maybe the chairman would be fired. So that’s something to watch.” Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, took over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2023 for a four-year term, but military leaders serve at the pleasure of the president. Brown, a combat pilot and just the second Black officer to […]
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Rep. Mike Waltz, a Green Beret veteran with extensive experience in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa, to serve as his White House national security adviser, according to sources close to the matter who spoke to the Wall Street Journal. The national security adviser, a key role within the administration, is responsible for coordinating across top security agencies, briefing the president, and implementing national security policies. The position does not require Senate confirmation, allowing Waltz to take on the role as soon as Trump assumes office. Waltz will step into the post amid ongoing global tensions, including the prolonged conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Trump’s foreign policy strategy is expected to focus on deterring adversaries through strength and pragmatism, aiming to avoid further escalation abroad. The president-elect is likely to emphasize transactional diplomacy with U.S. allies, prioritizing American interests while reinforcing alliances. Waltz’s background as a combat veteran and member of Congress is anticipated to bring a unique perspective to the role, blending frontline military experience with political acumen. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Dozens of people armed with sticks and firecrackers set a tram on fire in Amsterdam on Monday, police said, while the city is facing tensions following violence last week targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club. Police said the fire was quickly extinguished and riot officers cleared the square. Images online showed people damaging property and setting firecrackers. Police said it was not clear who started the unrest and whether it was related to what happened last week. But they noted the tense atmosphere since five people were treated in the hospital and dozens detained Thursday following a Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax match. Youths on scooters and on foot went in search of Israeli fans, punching and kicking them and then fleeing to evade police, according to Amsterdam’s mayor. Dutch police announced five new arrests Monday in their investigation into that earlier violence. The suspects are men aged 18 to 37 and are from Amsterdam or surrounding cities. Four are still in custody; the fifth has been released but remains a suspect. Earlier, police said that four other men who had been arrested last week would remain in custody while the investigation continues. Two of those are minors, a 16-year old and a 17-year old from Amsterdam. The other two men are from Amsterdam and a nearby city. Police said they have identified over 170 witnesses and have taken forensics evidence from dozens. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said they were also examining videos posted to social media. Reports of antisemitic speech, vandalism and violence have been on the rise in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza, and tensions mounted in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday night’s match. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were banned by local authorities from gathering outside the stadium. Before the match, Maccabi fans also tore a Palestinian flag off a building in Amsterdam and chanted anti-Arab slogans on their way to the stadium. The mayor has banned all demonstrations in the city and declared several parts of Amsterdam risk zones where police can stop and check anyone. Dozens were detained on Sunday for taking part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rushed to the Netherlands on Friday and offered Israel’s help in the police investigation. He met on Saturday with the Dutch prime minister and said in a statement that the attacks and demands to show passports “were reminiscent of dark periods in history.” (AP)
In a press briefing with international journalists today, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains Israel’s top security priority and is crucial for regional stability. “The most important question by far, for the future of this region, for the security of the State of Israel, is to avoid Iran getting a nuclear weapon,” Sa’ar said. “The issue is the most important topic of discussion in meetings between the Israeli prime minister and the American president-elect.” Sa’ar expressed optimism about renewed U.S.-Israel collaboration under President-elect Trump, who had voiced strong opposition to Iran’s nuclear pursuits during his campaign. “President Trump made it clear during the time of his electoral campaign that he understands very well the dangers of that nuclear Iranian project,” Sa’ar said. “I’m sure that we will be able to work together to stabilize the region, in order to guarantee the future of the region.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Haiti’s international airport shut down on Monday after gangs opened fire at a commercial flight landing in Port-Au-Prince, prompting some airlines to temporarily suspend operations as the country swore in a new interim prime minister who promised to restore peace. The Spirit Airlines flight headed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-Au-Prince was just hundreds of feet from landing in Haiti’s capital when gangs shot at the plane striking a flight attendant, who suffered minor injuries, according to the airline, the U.S. Embassy and flight tracking data. The flight was diverted and landed in the Dominican Republic. Photos and videos obtained by The Associated Press show bullet holes dotting the interior of a plane. The shooting appeared to be part of what the U.S. Embassy called “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports.” Spirit, JetBlue and American Airlines said Monday they were canceling flights to and from Haiti. In other parts of Haiti’s capital, firefights between gangs and police broke out. Rounds of gunfire echoed through the streets as heavily armed officers ducked behind walls and civilians ran in terror. In other upper class areas, gangs set fire to homes. Schools closed as panic spread in a number of areas. The turmoil comes a day after a council meant to reestablish democratic order in the Caribbean nation fired the interim prime minister Garry Conille, replacing him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The council has been marked by infighting and three members were recently accused of corruption. As he was sworn in, Fils-Aimé said his top priorities were to restore peace to the crisis-stricken nation and hold elections, which haven’t been held in Haiti since 2016. “There is a lot to be done to bring back hope” he said before a room of suit-clad diplomats and security officials. “I’m deeply sorry for the people … that have been victimized, forced to leave everything they own.” The country has seen weeks of political chaos, which observers warned could result in even more violence in a place where bloodshed has become the new normal. The country’s slate of gangs have long capitalized on political turmoil to make power grabs, shutting down airports, shipping ports and stirring chaos. The United Nations estimates that gangs control 85% of the capital of Port-au-Prince, while a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police to quell gang violence struggles with a lack of funding and personnel, prompting calls for a U.N. peacekeeping mission. Louis-Henri Mars, executive director of Lakou Lapè, an organization working on peace building in violent areas of Haiti, said the political fighting has “allowed the gangs to have more freedom to attack more neighborhoods in the city and expand their control of Port-au-Prince. Civilians, he fears, will suffer the consequences. “There will be more lives lost, more internal displacement, and more hunger in a country where half the population is on the brink of starvation,” he said. The transitional council was established in April, tasked with choosing Haiti’s next prime minister and Cabinet with the hope that it would help quell violence, which exploded after Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021. The council was meant to pave the way to democratic elections. Gangs have capitalized on that power vacuum to make […]
Following the violent pogrom in Amsterdam in which a mob attacked Israelis, pro-Palestinian activists in Antwerp have shared videos on social media showing attacks on Orthodox Jews. Although the attacks occurred two weeks ago, the videos were only released on Monday as a show of solidarity with the attackers in Amsterdam, sparking renewed concerns about safety for the Jewish community in Belgium. One of the videos shows a 14-year-old Orthodox Jewish boy being assaulted by Muslim assailants in an Orthodox neighborhood in Antwerp. The boy’s family had initially refrained from filing a police report, citing the frequency of such incidents. However, seeing the attackers boldly sharing the footage online, the family has now decided to report the assault. Amid these incidents, Antwerp police confirmed that six Muslim youths were detained over the weekend on suspicion of planning further attacks on Jews as an expression of solidarity with the Amsterdam assailants. They were released after a few hours, which has raised concerns within the Jewish community that they are not being stopped. Jewish Member of Parliament Michael Freilich, who also serves on Antwerp’s city council, has called for heightened police and military presence in Jewish neighborhoods to ensure public safety. “There have been several recent attacks on Jews, though the footage has only now come to light. It’s crucial to bring these incidents to the public’s attention so authorities can address the anti-Jewish violence,” Freilich told Bechadrei Chareidim. He added that he had spoken with the mayor about deploying additional security forces, including soldiers if necessary, to safeguard Jewish residents. Freilich noted that while the local police have taken increased security measures, including deploying drones and stationing over 100 additional officers in Jewish neighborhoods, he believes stronger deterrents are needed. He has also urged authorities to arrest a Muslim preacher in Brussels who recently incited violence against Jews, calling on his followers to “burn Jews.” So far, no action has been taken against the preacher. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The U.S. government’s highway safety agency is investigating complaints that engines can fail on as many as 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles. The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers the 2016 through 2020 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, as well as the 2018 through 2020 Honda Odyssey and Acura TLX. Also included is the 2017 through 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The agency says in documents posted on its website Monday that connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines can fail, leading to complete engine failure. Connecting rods link the pistons to the crankshaft and convert vertical motion to move the wheels. Honda recalled about 250,000 vehicles in November of 2023 to fix the same problem. But the agency says it has 173 complaints from owners who reported connecting rod bearing failures, yet their vehicles weren’t included in the recall. One owner reported a crash with no injuries. The agency said it’s opening a recall query to determine the severity of the problem in vehicles not included in the 2023 recall. Honda said it will cooperate with NHTSA on the investigation. In documents explaining the 2023 recall, the automaker said had 1,450 warranty claims due to the bearing problem but no reports of injuries. Dealers were to inspect and repair or replace the engines if needed. (AP)
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid is demanding that newly appointed Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to issue 7,000 enlistment orders to Charedim, warning that failure to do so would label Katz “the minister of evasion” rather than a true defense minister. The draft orders were announced last week under Katz’s predecessor, Yoav Gallant. “If these orders stop, or disappear, or evaporate or dissolve, then Israel Katz is not the defense minister… he’s a petty politician who received a political appointment because Netanyahu said to himself that ‘there is no problem pushing him around, he has no backbone,'” Lapid asserted. Lapid also criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, calling him “a danger to the nation of Israel.” When asked about reports that Netanyahu told his cabinet that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara’s support for Ben-Gvir’s removal could spark a constitutional crisis, Lapid replied: “I don’t know what Netanyahu said in the cabinet. The question is if Ben-Gvir can or can’t — I think he can’t — live up to his position. He is a danger to the nation of Israel.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
