Yeshiva World News

Al-Jazeera media has aired new footage from the tunnels in Gaza today.

President Donald Trump is reportedly expressing growing frustration with the ongoing war in Gaza and has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “wrap it up,” according to two White House officials. “The president is frustrated about what is happening in Gaza. He wants the war to end, he wants the hostages to come home, he wants aid to go in, and he wants to start rebuilding Gaza,” a White House official told Axios. The official said Trump wants a resolution that addresses the humanitarian situation and secures the release of hostages. In recent weeks, Trump has focused on pressuring Israel to resume humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, which had been halted entirely. Following the president’s intervention, the Israeli cabinet approved the resumption of aid on Sunday, with a dozen trucks carrying baby food and other supplies entering Gaza on Monday. However, the White House official noted that more aid is needed to address the crisis, as the United Nations has warned that thousands of children are at risk of starvation without significant increases in assistance. The Gaza conflict has strained U.S.-Israel relations. While U.S. and Israeli officials deny that Trump is prepared to “abandon” Israel or exert intense pressure on Netanyahu, they acknowledge growing policy differences between the two leaders. Trump’s push for a ceasefire and hostage release contrasts with Netanyahu’s expansion of military operations, including an IDF plan to displace approximately 2 million Palestinians to a “humanitarian zone” and flatten much of the enclave. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have shown little progress. White House envoy Steve Witkoff has been engaging directly with Netanyahu and his adviser Ron Dermer, as well as Hamas leadership through a backchannel facilitated by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah. However, both sides remain entrenched, with Hamas seeking guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and Israel prioritizing the dismantling of Hamas’s control over Gaza. The lack of progress in negotiations led Vice President J.D. Vance to cancel a planned visit to Israel this week, reflecting U.S. frustration with Israel’s current policies. An Israeli official told Axios that Netanyahu does not currently feel significant pressure from Trump, suggesting that stronger measures would be needed to push both Israel and Hamas toward a deal. International pressure on Israel is also mounting. On Monday, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement threatening actions against Israel if it does not halt its military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. Trump’s frustration with the Gaza conflict stems in part from its impact on his broader Middle East agenda. A senior White House official noted that the president believes the war is hindering his regional plans, despite viewing his recent Middle East trip as a success. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

CNN’s Jake Tapper says Hunter Biden “was driving the decision-making for the family.”

The 650-year-old Fengyang Drum Tower in Anhui, China, built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, suffered a roof collapse, prompting officials to launch an investigation. No injuries were reported.

FDA outlines stricter Covid vaccine booster approval standards for healthy people The Food and Drug Administration outlined new regulatory guidance for future Covid-19 vaccine boosters, setting stricter approval standards for healthy Americans. The FDA recommended different standards of evidence for approval based on patients’ risk of getting severely sick from Covid. The agency said it wants to see new clinical trials showing Covid shots are still safe and effective before approving them for healthy adults and children, a costly new requirement for pharmaceutical companies that could potentially limit who gets new jabs each year.

Just months ago, Elon Musk was a star attraction in Republican circles — flying aboard Air Force One, appearing at Cabinet meetings, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with former President Donald Trump at the White House. But as a Politico investigation published Monday noted, the billionaire tech mogul has all but vanished from the GOP’s political playbook. In a detailed report by Politico journalists Jessica Piper and Holly Otterbein, the publication outlines Musk’s rapid fall from favor among top Republican operatives and strategists. Once featured prominently in Trump campaign emails and social media blasts, Musk’s name has now disappeared from MAGA talking points — and not by accident. “He’s finished, done, gone,” one anonymous Republican operative told Politico. “He polls terrible. People hate him.” Despite having poured an estimated $290 million into Republican causes during the 2024 election cycle, Musk is now seen as politically radioactive — a liability rather than an asset. According to Politico’s analysis, Trump, who once mentioned Musk several times a week online, hasn’t referred to him in over a month. That silence is intentional. The article describes a coordinated, behind-the-scenes retreat from Musk by GOP leaders concerned about his sinking popularity across the political spectrum. The tech titan’s brash style, controversial public statements, and tenure as the head of the Trump-era Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — once a source of conservative praise — are now seen as distractions amid a crucial election cycle. Even the Trump campaign’s fundraising emails, which previously leaned heavily on Musk’s name to energize donors, have phased him out. Once routine in February, mentions of Musk were nowhere to be found by May. While Republicans distance themselves, Democrats are still making use of Musk — as a punching bag. In swing districts and digital ads, Musk remains a symbol of what Democrats describe as the radical excesses of MAGA politics. He is regularly featured in attack ads alongside Trump, used to galvanize left-leaning voters and moderates. “Ultimately, the issue here was never about Elon Musk — it was about Elon Musk-ism,” Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson told Politico, referencing what he described as Musk’s anti-government, anti-regulation worldview that many voters associate with the GOP’s right flank. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The United States has obtained new intelligence indicating that Israel is actively preparing for a possible military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities — a dramatic development that could upend President Donald Trump’s high-stakes diplomatic outreach to Tehran and spark a wider conflict across the Middle East, according to a report from CNN citing multiple American officials briefed on the matter. While officials say that Israeli leaders have not made a final decision, the likelihood of a unilateral strike has “significantly increased in recent months,” one source familiar with the intelligence told CNN. Behind the scenes, Israeli military movements, the repositioning of air munitions, and a recent air force drill have caught the attention of American intelligence agencies. Coupled with intercepted Israeli communications, these developments are being interpreted as possible signs of imminent military action — or, at the very least, a deliberate signal to Iran and the U.S. of what could come next. Such a move would not only be a bold defiance of Trump’s diplomatic approach, but could ignite a broader regional war — something the Trump administration has worked to avoid since the Gaza conflict reignited Middle East tensions in 2023. “It’s a real challenge for Netanyahu,” said Jonathan Panikoff, a former senior intelligence official. “He doesn’t want to alienate Trump, but he also cannot accept a nuclear Iran — and he may view military action as the only way to stop it.” Trump has made it clear that time is running out for diplomacy. In a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March, the U.S. president reportedly set a 60-day deadline for negotiations to produce results. That deadline has now passed, and while talks continue behind closed doors, progress remains elusive. The prospect of Trump striking a nuclear deal that allows Iran even limited uranium enrichment — a key sticking point in the current talks — has alarmed Israeli officials. One Israeli source told CNN bluntly: “If the U.S. makes a deal we can’t accept, we’ll act. We don’t need a green light — just no red one.” U.S. officials say Israel views Iran as uniquely vulnerable right now. Its economy is crippled by sanctions, its proxies across the region have suffered devastating losses in Israeli strikes, and its air defense systems remain weakened after Israeli bombing campaigns last fall. One recent U.S. intelligence assessment suggested Israel could use either long-range missiles or military aircraft to capitalize on Iran’s degraded defenses. But even with that advantage, experts believe that a strike — while symbolic and politically powerful — would only modestly delay Iran’s nuclear progress. Critically, Israel would still need American support to carry out any truly decisive blow, including mid-air refueling and bunker-busting munitions capable of reaching Iran’s fortified underground nuclear sites. So far, the Trump administration has shown no sign it would provide that assistance without direct provocation from Tehran. While backchannel diplomacy continues, Iran has hardened its stance. On Tuesday, Khamenei declared that he sees little chance of talks succeeding, dismissing Washington’s demand that Iran stop enriching uranium as a “major mistake.” Iran maintains its right to enrichment under international law — and says it won’t give that up. With talks teetering and tensions rising, the Trump administration finds itself caught between competing pressures: the desire to prevent a nuclear Iran through […]

President Donald Trump loves big numbers — and he’s always happy to talk them up. Trump, who coined the phrase “truthful hyperbole” in his book “The Art of the Deal,” over the last few days has been steadily increasing the amount of money he says that countries in the Mideast pledged to invest in the U.S. when he visited the region last week. He didn’t provide underlying details. The figure has gone from $2 trillion last week to potentially as much as $7 trillion as of Tuesday, according to statements by Trump and the White House. A look at how the number has bounced around: THURSDAY: With his Mideast trip still under way, Trump told reporters on Air Force One: “We just took in $4 trillion.” FRIDAY: A White House statement said Trump’s “first official trip was a huge success, locking in over $2 trillion in great deals.” MONDAY: “We brought back about $5.1 trillion,” Trump said in remarks to the Kennedy Center’s leadership. “That’s not bad. And, it’s being credited as one of the, maybe, the most successful visit that anybody’s ever made to any place. There’s never been anything like this.” TUESDAY: “They’re spending $5.1 trillion, probably it’s going to be $7 trillion by the time we stop,” Trump said before a U.S. Capitol meeting with Republican House members. TUESDAY: “You know, we took in $5.1 trillion in the last four days from the Middle East,” Trump said later in the afternoon in the Oval Office. The White House did not respond to a request to explain the sources of Trump’s escalating claims. The White House did provide a breakdown on the $2 trillion in its Friday statement. It included $600 billion in investment from Saudi Arabia, which the country announced in January as part of a four-year commitment. There would also be a $1.2 trillion economic exchange with Qatar, as well as $243.5 billion in commercial and defense deals with that country. The United Arab Emirates committed to $200 billion in deals with the U.S., putting the initial White House total at $2.24 trillion, provided all those commitments are actually fulfilled. Not all of the investment commitments or promised jobs are sure to materialize, so the final tally might not be as much as promised. Trump said in 2017 that the electronics manufacturer Foxconn would build a $10 billion factory in Wisconsin employing 13,000 people, only for the company to back down from that commitment in 2019. (AP)

Postpartum depression has become pretty well known, to the extent that some people even just use the term “postpartum” itself to refer to it. However perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) include more than just depression and it’s important to distinguish between these different disorders. Aside from postpartum depression, PMADS include postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis. Postpartum Anxiety: When Worry Becomes Overwhelming Approximately 10-20 percent of women who give birth will experience postpartum anxiety. Symptoms include: ● Excessive worry or fear ● Physical symptoms of anxiety ● Sleep disturbances ● Restlessness or trouble relaxing ● Irritability Postpartum OCD: Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsions Postpartum OCD is less well-known but is believed to affect around 10% of postpartum women. It is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts—often disturbing in nature—and compulsive behaviors performed in an attempt to reduce distress. Common symptoms may include: ● Fear of accidentally harming the baby (e.g., dropping, suffocating, or contaminating them) ● Obsessive thoughts about cleanliness, safety, or symmetry ● Repetitive checking, cleaning, or mental rituals to “neutralize” the thoughts Postpartum Psychosis: A Psychiatric Emergency Postpartum psychosis is rare, one or two out of every one thousand women, but it is an extremely serious condition that requires immediate emergency care and intervention. Symptoms include: ● Delusions, (false beliefs that are out of touch with reality) ● Hallucinations ● Severe confusion ● Disorientation ● Rapid mood swings ● Bizarre behavior Because postpartum psychosis can lead to harm for mother or baby, these are the stories that often make the news and lead to the might frightening headlines in both frum and secular media. Distinguishing Between OCD and Psychosis Since people with postpartum OCD and people with postpartum psychosis can both have thoughts about harming their baby, those who are experiencing the intrusive harm thoughts (OCD) can be terrified that they may end up like the tragic stories they have heard. Too often, stigma and fear prevent mothers from speaking up about their symptoms. It’s crucial that we foster environments—at home, in communities, and in healthcare—where women feel safe seeking help without fear of judgment or misunderstanding It’s important to understand that postpartum OCD and psychosis are two completely different disorders, not a continuum on a spectrum. Individuals with postpartum OCD who are experiencing intrusive harm thoughts are no more likely to act out on them than any other person. It is not the beginning stages of psychosis. One has nothing to do with the other. For someone with OCD, these thoughts are unwanted and distressing. They don’t align with their own values and sense of self. This means they don’t feel like “them” and are not aligned with their true desires or intentions. One mother described being haunted by the fear of dropping her baby down the stairs, so much so that she avoided holding him near any staircase. She knew the thought was irrational and unwanted—but couldn’t stop it. This is a hallmark of postpartum OCD. In contrast, in postpartum psychosis, thoughts of harm can be part of delusions or hallucinations, which are experienced as real and not recognized as irrational. Due to the lack of insight and the belief in their delusions, individuals with postpartum psychosis are at a higher risk of acting on their thoughts and harming their baby. That’s why this condition requires […]

Passengers on Southwest Airlines flights will soon be required to keep their portable chargers in plain sight while using them because of concerns about the growing number of lithium battery fires in a new policy that other airlines may adopt. Southwest announced the new policy that will go into effect May 28 and said passengers may have already seen notifications about the rule when using the airline’s app. While Southwest is the first U.S. airline to restrict the use of portable chargers, several Asian airlines have taken action earlier this year after a devastating fire aboard an Air Busan plane waiting to take off from an airport in South Korea in January. There is growing concern about lithium-ion battery fires on planes because the number of incidents continues to grow yearly, and devices powered by those batteries are ubiquitous. There have already been 19 incidents involving these batteries this year, following last year’s record high of 89, according to Federal Aviation Administration statistics. The incidents have more than doubled since the pandemic-era low of 39 in 2020, and have climbed annually. Some research suggests that portable chargers might be the second-leading cause of battery fires on planes, only behind electronic cigarettes. Compared to the roughly 180,000 flights U.S. airlines operate each week, the number of incidents is still relatively small and lithium batteries can overheat anywhere. However, this is a growing concern for the airlines. In the Korean airline fire in January, all 176 people aboard the plane had to be evacuated because the blaze burned through the plane’s roof. The cause of that fire hasn’t been officially determined, but several airlines and Korean regulators took action against portable chargers afterward. Korean airlines won’t allow the chargers to be stored in overhead bins anymore; they must either be packed in a plastic bag or have their ports covered with insulating tape to keep them from touching metal. In addition, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways both prohibit the use or charging of portable power banks at all during flights. Last summer, a smoking laptop in a passenger’s bag led to the evacuation of a plane awaiting takeoff at San Francisco International Airport. In 2023, a flight from Dallas to Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing in Jacksonville, Florida, after a battery caught fire in an overhead bin. Southwest said that requiring these chargers to be kept out in the open when they are being used will help because “in the rare event a lithium battery overheats or catches fire, quick access is critical and keeping power banks in plain sight allow for faster intervention and helps protect everyone onboard.” The airline will allow the chargers to be stored inside carry-on bags when they aren’t in use. The Transportation Security Administration has long prohibited e-cigarettes and chargers and power banks with lithium-ion batteries in checked bags, but allows them in carry-on bags. The rule exists precisely because fires in the cargo hold might be harder to detect and extinguish. The FAA recommends passengers keep cell phones and other devices nearby on planes so they can access them quickly. The agency said flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires. Passengers should notify the flight crew immediately if their lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning. […]

A growing movement is urging the White House to follow through on President Trump’s promise to make fertility treatments more accessible to American families. The petition, which can be signed at nobabyleftbehind.org, is gaining traction as supporters rally behind the cause. The Story Behind the Petition President Trump’s executive order, signed on February 18, aims to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) by reducing statutory and regulatory barriers. The order directs the Domestic Policy Council to research ways to assist more Americans in obtaining IVF and other fertility treatments, with a focus on making these treatments more affordable. Click Here to Sign the Petition National Support for IVF A recent national poll released by Tzedek Association reveals widespread support for IVF, even among pro-life communities. The poll shows that: •⁠  ⁠85% of registered voters support IVF •⁠  ⁠78% of Republicans support IVF •⁠  ⁠82% of Catholics support IVF •⁠  ⁠81% of evangelicals support IVF •⁠  ⁠80% of voters who identify as “pro-life” support IVF Click Here to Sign the Petition Tzedek Association’s Efforts Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, President of Tzedek Association, has been working closely with the Trump administration to pursue real solutions for families burdened by the high cost of fertility treatment. The organization has held meetings with White House officials, including the President’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, the Domestic Policy Council, HHS & CMS, to advocate for increased access to IVF. What’s Next? As the petition continues to gain momentum, supporters are hopeful that the White House will take action to make fertility treatments more affordable for American families. With the cost of IVF ranging from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle, many families are struggling to access these life-changing treatments. Will you sign the petition and join the movement to make IVF more accessible? Click Here to Sign the Petition

Former President Joe Biden’s “last known” prostate cancer screening was in 2014, and he had never been diagnosed with the disease before last week, his office said Tuesday. Biden’s aides released the new details about his diagnosis amid intense scrutiny of Biden’s health during his presidency and skepticism that the disease could have progressed to an advanced stage without being detected. Although Biden’s cancer can possibly be controlled with treatment, it has spread to his bones and is no longer curable. The brief statement from Biden’s office did not disclose the results of his 2014 PSA blood test. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. “President Biden’s last known PSA was in 2014. Prior to Friday, President Biden had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” the statement said in its entirety. Biden’s cancer was announced on Sunday, prompting a wave of sympathy but also suggestions from some of his critics, including his successor Donald Trump, that the former president and his aides covered up the disease while he was in the White House given the severity of the cancer when it was announced. Tuesday’s statement appeared aimed at tamping down that speculation. Asked about Biden during an appearance at the White House, Trump said, “it takes a long time to get to that situation” and that he was “surprised that the public wasn’t notified a long time ago.” “It’s a very sad situation and I feel very badly about it,” Trump said. A memo from the White House physician released following Trump’s annual physical exam in April listed a normal PSA. Biden’s White House doctor did not include PSA results in the health summaries he released. Screening with PSA blood tests can lead to unnecessary treatment with side effects that affect quality of life, and guidelines recommend against prostate cancer screening for men 70 and older. Biden is 82. When caught early, prostate cancer is highly survivable, but it is also the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. About one in eight men will be diagnosed over their lifetime with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. (AP)

Former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin on Tuesday responded harshly to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s decision to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Speaking in an interview with Channel 14, Feiglin said:  “Ultimately, this aid is direct aid to the enemy – let’s stop lying to ourselves. Providing aid to the enemy while we send our soldiers to fight is a crime against IDF soldiers, no less than that.” It should be noted that Feiglin’s grandson, Yair Levin, H’yd, was killed in Rafah last year. “Every child in Gaza is the enemy. And I’ll tell you more than that. Every child, every baby in Gaza is the enemy. The enemy is not Hamas, and it’s not Hamas’s military wing, like the military prosecutor tells us— that we’re not allowed to harm Hamas unless they’re part of the military wing.” “Every child in Gaza is the enemy. We need to conquer Gaza and settle it – and not one Gazan child should remain there. There’s no other victory.” “We have a war with the Gazan terrorist entity that we established with our own hands in Oslo and the disengagement. Every child that you are now giving milk to, will rape your daughters and slaughter your children in 15 years.” Regarding the fact that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich justified the decision [due to international pressure], he said: “Suddenly everyone is aligning themselves according to political considerations. I’m sorry, but the lives of our soldiers are much more important to me than political considerations.” Likud MK Moshe Saada expressed similar sentiments, telling Arutz Sheva that allowing aid into Gaza is unethical and a threat to Israeli soldiers. “It is unacceptable that we send four divisions of soldiers to conquer Gaza and risk their lives while simultaneously giving Hamas the means to keep fighting,” he said. “Providing them with food is effectively giving them ammunition.” When asked by Arutz Sheva about speculation that Netanyahu bowed to U.S. pressure, Saada responded: Trump said, ‘Open the gates of hell.’ Instead, by sustaining Hamas, we are opening the gates of paradise for them.” The UN announced on Tuesday that it has received authorization from Israel to allow another 100 humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered another review of the U.S. military’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, and of the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that killed American troops and Afghans. President Donald Trump and Hegseth have repeatedly blasted the Biden administration for the withdrawal, which Hegseth said Tuesday was “disastrous and embarrassing.” He said the new review will interview witnesses, analyze the decision-making and “get the truth.” There have already been multiple reviews of the withdrawal by the Pentagon, U.S. Central Command, the State Department and Congress, which have involved hundreds of interviews and studies of videos, photographs and other footage and data. It’s unclear what specific new information the new review is seeking. The Abbey Gate bombing during the final days of the Afghanistan withdrawal killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans, and wounded scores more. It triggered widespread debate and congressional criticism, fueled by searing photographs of desperate Afghans trying to crowd into the airport to get out of Kabul, with some clinging to U.S. military aircraft as they were taking off. A detailed U.S. military review was ordered in 2023 to expand the number of people interviewed, after a Marine injured in the blast said snipers believed they saw the possible bomber but couldn’t get approval to take him out. The findings, released in 2024, refuted those assertions and concluded that the bombing was not preventable. A congressional review was highly critical of the withdrawal, saying the Biden administration did not adequately prepare for it or for all the contingencies and put personnel in danger. Others, however, have faulted the State Department for not moving quickly enough to decide on an evacuation, resulting in a rush to get out as the Taliban took control of the country. Critics have also blamed Trump for making a deal with the Taliban in 2020 when he was president to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan, which decreased the number of forces on the ground as the pullout went on. Both Trump and then-President Joe Biden wanted an end to the war and U.S. troops out of Afghanistan. The new review will be led by Sean Parnell, the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs. He will convene a panel that will provide updates “at appropriate times,” but there is no time frame or deadline for any report, which is very unusual. (AP)

Two Navy SEALs based in Virginia are facing disciplinary action for racist conduct, and several of their platoon and team leaders are being disciplined for leadership failures, according to a defense official. The two enlisted Team 4 members are being punished for developing racist memes targeting a Black sailor in their platoon and circulating them in a group chat with other team members, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of an ongoing investigation. The memes depicted the sailor as a slave, according to visuals viewed by The Associated Press. According to the official, the sailor who was targeted reported the incidents this year, but they took place beginning in 2022 and the memes circulated for years. The sailor had been in one of the SEAL Team 4 platoons but had his qualifications and SEAL trident revoked last year. He alleged that his failure to remain a SEAL was due to the racist treatment. Two officials said that as a result of the investigation, which was conducted by Naval Special Warfare Group 2, the sailor’s SEAL qualifications are being reinstated and he will get back pay. The group oversees SEAL Team 4 and the platoons that make up the team, located at Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Hampton Roads, Virginia The probe found that the platoon and SEAL Team 4 leaders did not adequately address the sailor’s concerns about racist behavior and that the decision to revoke his qualifications was flawed. “This was a very shocking case of explicit and repeated racist memes directed at our client in a platoon-wide text thread,” said Timothy Parlatore, the sailor’s lawyer, referring to the memes shared over a Signal chat. “They modified his face in photos to look like a monkey and portrayed him as a chained slave on a slave ship, among others.” The two enlisted sailors responsible for the memes face non-judicial punishment and punitive letters in their files. Both actions can be career ending, or can result in demotions or loss of pay. Other actions are still pending. The platoon and team leaders are also facing administrative actions, including disciplinary letters in their files, that could determine if they continue as SEALs. In a statement, Naval Special Warfare Command acknowledged the investigation into “serious allegations of unprofessional conduct within one of our commands” and said “accountability actions are ongoing.” It added that “we are dedicated to fostering a climate of dignity and respect, and after conducting a thorough and fair investigation, we will hold anyone found responsible of misconduct accountable.” Parlatore praised Rear Adm. Jamie Sands, head of NSW, and his staff for taking swift action to “investigate, reverse the negative repercussions that our client received, and move to hold people accountable.” This is just the latest significant investigation into behavior issues and command failures at Naval Special Warfare Command. And it underscores racial concerns that are not new to the special warfare leaders. Commando forces across the services — particularly the officers — tend to be far less diverse than the military as a whole. And leaders in recent years have tried to attract a wider array of recruits in order to develop a more diverse force. Those efforts, however, could be threatened now, as the Trump administration and Defense Department leaders […]

In a fiery social media post on Tuesday, President Donald Trump labeled Joe Biden’s advisors as “treasonous thugs” who seized control of the White House, asserting that Biden was “cognitively impaired.” Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump argued that Biden’s immigration policies did not reflect the former president’s intentions. “Joe Biden was not for Open Borders, he never talked about Open Borders, where criminals of all kinds, shapes, and sizes, can flow into our Country at will. It wasn’t his idea to Open the Border, and almost destroy our Country, and cost us Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to get criminals out of our Country, and go through the process we are going through now. It was the people that knew he was cognitively impaired, and that took over the Autopen,” Trump stated, referencing the device presidents use to sign documents. Trump accused these advisors of orchestrating a takeover, claiming they “stole the Presidency of the United States, and put us in Great Danger. This is TREASON at the Highest Level! They did it to destroy our Country.” He further argued that Biden’s White House policies were inconsistent with the former president’s character. “The Joe Biden that everybody knew would never allow drug dealers, gang members, and the mentally insane to come into our Country totally unchecked and unvetted. All anyone has to do is look up his record. Something very severe should happen to these Treasonous Thugs that wanted to destroy our Country, but couldn’t, because I came along,” Trump wrote. The post concluded with his signature rallying cry: “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Fliers laced with virulent antisemitic rhetoric were scattered across Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where the 2018 Tree of Life massacre took place. According to Pittsburgh Police, the offensive materials were tossed from a moving vehicle in plastic bags weighed down with corn kernels. One flier read: “Every single aspect of the Jewish Talmud is satanic,” alongside out-of-context excerpts misrepresenting Jewish teachings. Corey O’Connor, Allegheny County Comptroller and a candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, shared a photo of one such flier.  “Despicable antisemitic acts like those taking place in Squirrel Hill today have no place in our city,” he commented. No arrests have yet been made, but the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has linked the incident to the Goyim Defense League (GDL), a white supremacist group known for propagating antisemitic hate across the country. Federation officials said the driver responsible for distributing the fliers also shouted antisemitic slurs at Jewish residents. The Goyim Defense League was responsible for a staggering 94% of antisemitic propaganda incidents in the U.S. in 2024, according to a recent Anti-Defamation League report. This is not the first time Squirrel Hill has been targeted by the Goyim Defense League. In July 2024, a red inverted triangle—an emblem adopted by Hamas and some pro-Palestinian protesters—was spray-painted on the local Chabad center, located near the site of the 2018 synagogue shooting that left 11 Jews dead. The wave of antisemitic intimidation appears to be national in scope. Just last week, Jewish organizations in Las Vegas received threatening letters filled with hateful rhetoric. One of the letters, sent to Friendship Circle Las Vegas, a nonprofit supporting individuals with special needs, warned: “We will destroy your synagogues. Hamas lives on. You all burn in hell.” Rabbi Levi Harlig, the organization’s executive director, posted the letter on Instagram, writing: “The irony of this hateful letter? It was sent to our nonprofit—an organization built on inclusion, love, and friendship. But we’re not afraid. We won’t be silenced. We will double our efforts to spread light, kindness, and unity. Goodness will always be louder than hate. Am Yisrael Chai.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the concept he wants for his future Golden Dome missile defense program — a multilayered $175 billion system that for the first time will put U.S. weapons in space. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he expects the system will be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which ends in 2029, and have the capability of intercepting missiles “even if they are launched from space.” It’s likelier that the complex system may have some initial capability by that point, a U.S. official familiar with the program said. Trump also announced that Gen. Michael Guetlein, who currently serves as the vice chief of space operations, will be responsible for overseeing Golden Dome’s progress. Golden Dome is envisioned to include ground- and space-based capabilities that are able to detect and stop missiles at all four major stages of a potential attack: detecting and destroying them before a launch, intercepting them in their earliest stage of flight, stopping them midcourse in the air, or halting them in the final minutes as they descend toward a target. For the last several months, Pentagon planners have been developing options — which a U.S. official described as medium, high and “extra high” choices, based on their cost — that include space-based interceptors. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to detail plans that have not been made public. The difference in the three versions is largely based on how many satellites and sensors — and for the first time, space-based interceptors — would be purchased. The Congressional Budget Office estimated this month that just the space-based components of the Golden Dome could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years. Trump has requested an initial $25 billion for the program in his proposed tax break bill now moving through Congress. The Pentagon has warned for years that the newest missiles developed by China and Russia are so advanced that updated countermeasures are necessary. Golden Dome’s added satellites and interceptors — where the bulk of the program’s cost is — would be focused on stopping those advanced missiles early on or in the middle of their flight. The space-based weapons envisioned for Golden Dome “represent new and emerging requirements for missions that have never before been accomplished by military space organizations,” Gen. Chance Saltzman, head of the U.S. Space Force, told lawmakers at a hearing Tuesday. China and Russia have put offensive weapons in space, such as satellites with abilities to disable critical U.S. satellites, which can make the U.S. vulnerable to attack. Last year the U.S. said Russia was developing a space-based nuclear weapon that could loiter in space for long durations, then release an burst that would take out satellites around it. Trump said he had not yet spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the program, “but at the right time, we will,” he told reporters at the White House. But there’s no money for the Golden Dome project yet, and the program overall is “still in the conceptual stage,” newly confirmed Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told senators Tuesday. While the president picked the concept he wanted, the Pentagon is still developing the requirements that Golden Dome will need to meet — which is not the way new systems are normally developed. The Pentagon and U.S. Northern Command are still […]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the constitutional provision that allows people to legally challenge their detention by the government is actually a tool the Trump administration can use in its broader crackdown at the U.S.-Mexico border. She called habeas corpus “a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country and suspend their rights.” Noem, testifying before a congressional committee Tuesday, gave that response when asked by Sen. Maggie Hassan to define the legal concept. “That’s incorrect,” the New Hampshire Democrat swiftly interrupted Noem, defining the “legal principle that requires that the government provide a public reason for detaining and imprisoning people.” Hassan, a former attorney who practiced in Boston, went on to call habeas corpus “the foundational right that separates free societies like America from police states like North Korea.” The back and forth follows comments by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who said earlier this month that President Donald Trump is looking for ways to expand his administration’s legal power to deport migrants who are in the United States illegally. To achieve that, Miller said the administration is “actively looking at” suspending habeas corpus. What is habeas corpus? The Latin term means, literally, “you have the body.” Federal courts use a writ of habeas corpus to bring a prisoner before a neutral judge to determine if imprisonment is legal. Habeas corpus was included in the Constitution as an import from English common law. Parliament enacted the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, which was meant to ensure that the king released prisoners when the law did not justify confining them. The Constitution’s Suspension Clause, the second clause of Section 9 of Article I, states that habeas corpus “shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.” Has it been suspended previously? Yes. The United States has suspended habeas corpus under four distinct circumstances during its history. Those usually involved authorization from Congress, something that would be nearly impossible today — even at Trump’s urging — given the narrow Republican majorities in the House and Senate. President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus multiple times during the Civil War, beginning in 1861 to detain suspected spies and Confederate sympathizers. He ignored a ruling from Roger Taney, the Supreme Court ‘s chief justice. Congress then authorized suspending it in 1863, which allowed Lincoln to do so again. Congress acted similarly under President Ulysses S. Grant, suspending habeas corpus in parts of South Carolina under the Civil Rights Act of 1871. Also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act, it was meant to counter violence and intimidation by groups that opposed Reconstruction in the South. Habeas corpus was suspended in two provinces of the Philippines in 1905, when it was a U.S. territory and authorities were worried about the threat of an insurrection, and in Hawaii after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor but before it became a state in 1959. Writing before becoming a Supreme Court justice, Amy Coney Barrett co-authored a piece stating that the Suspension Clause “does not specify which branch of government has the authority to suspend the privilege of the writ, but most agree that only Congress can do it.” What has the Trump administration said about suspending it? Miller has said the administration is considering trying. “The Constitution is clear, and that […]

Home Depot CFO says retailer doesn’t plan to raise prices due to tariffs Home Depot stuck by its full-year guidance, even though it missed Wall Street’s first-quarter earnings estimates. CFO Richard McPhail said the home improvement retailer has diversified where it sources its merchandise and doesn’t plan to raise prices because of higher tariffs. As higher interest rates slow the housing market, the retailer has attracted more business from home professionals and acquired SRS Distribution, which sells supplies to roofing, pool and landscaping professionals.