In an astonishing breach of national security, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he was mistakenly added to a private Signal group chat where top Trump administration officials openly discussed imminent U.S. military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. The revelation has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising serious concerns about how high-level war planning was casually conducted over a messaging app, seemingly without any security protocols in place. Goldberg recounted his shock upon receiving the unexpected invitation to a chat labeled “Houthi PC small group” on March 13. At first, he assumed it was a hoax. The idea that the most senior national security officials in the United States would be discussing classified war plans on Signal seemed too reckless to be real. But two days later, when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth casually announced in the group that U.S. strikes on Yemen would begin in exactly two hours, Goldberg realized that the chat was, in fact, authentic. Right on schedule, American fighter jets carried out the attacks, proving that what he had witnessed was not some elaborate ruse but a real-time glimpse into the highest levels of military decision-making. The group chat reportedly included National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who initially invited Goldberg by mistake, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Throughout the conversation, top officials debated the strategic and political implications of the operation, with Vance initially pushing back against the strikes, arguing that they were unnecessary and that the American public might not understand their purpose. He warned that attacking the Houthis could create economic instability and raise oil prices, expressing frustration over the United States once again stepping in to protect European trade interests. Hegseth, however, dismissed these concerns outright. He insisted that messaging would be difficult no matter what and that the administration should focus on two simple talking points: “Biden failed” and “Iran funded.” He argued that failing to strike would make the administration look weak and indecisive. In the end, Vance capitulated, agreeing to go forward with the plan but expressing disdain for what he called European “free-loading.” As the conversation continued, Goldberg read in disbelief as Hegseth provided the group with operational details of the planned strikes, including the weapons to be used, specific targets, and the attack sequence. Though Goldberg refrained from publishing those specifics for security reasons, his account paints a picture of an administration conducting highly sensitive military planning over an unencrypted app, with no safeguards against leaks or foreign surveillance. The White House has scrambled to contain the fallout. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the authenticity of the chat but attempted to downplay the severity of the breach, calling it a demonstration of “deep and thoughtful policy coordination.” That explanation has done little to calm the outrage, with critics from across the political spectrum blasting the administration’s carelessness. A former senior intelligence official described the situation as “reckless beyond belief,” pointing out that while Trump and his allies spent years attacking Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server, they themselves were now discussing classified military operations in a group chat that included a journalist. Former Obama spokesman Matthew Miller pointed out the hypocrisy, saying that […]
There’s a lot of information (and money) on the table during tax season. That also makes it a prime time for scams. Year-round, fraudsters may use a handful of common tactics to try to steal your identity, money or other sensitive information. As you prepare your annual tax return, due April 15, experts stress it’s important to be extra vigilant. This year, scammers might take particular advantage of uncertainty stemming from recent workforce cuts impacting thousands of jobs at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. These layoffs and the potential for even more widespread reductions also raise questions about resources, including the IRS’s bandwidth to respond to scams reported by consumers. Here’s what to know about tax scams and how to stay safe: Identify the signs of tax scams Tax scammers may try to reach you in a number of different ways — from lookalike emails, texts or phone calls impersonating the IRS to unsolicited social media offers that promise a suspiciously high refund. But there are a handful of common red flags to keep an eye out for, including: — Sense of urgency — Isolation tactics or threats — Promises of a big payday — Suspicious website links Cybersecurity experts stress that scammers prey on emotion — and will often try to evoke fear or uncertainty. Many tax scams will ask you to act fast or click on a malicious link right away. Others will make you think you did something wrong, going as far as threatening an arrest if you don’t respond. Scammers may also isolate you from contacting others, such as a trusted accounting professional or even a family member. Many tax scams also advertise big payouts, but at a price. Some “ghost” preparers, for example, will charge you for preparing your tax return — often with promises of maximizing your refund — but never sign it. They may then file a fraudulent return in your name, with an inflated income or fake deductions to boost the refund, and switch the bank account listed to claim your money. The IRS will never initiate contact via email, text or social media with requests for your personal information — and urges consumers to only use trusted, accredited tax professionals if you need help preparing your return. Those who have fallen victim to scams are also encouraged to report them. You can find more information on the agency’s official website. What’s different this year? Tax scams can be all the more convincing if they meet the moment. And this year, experts warn that cyber criminals or “social engineers” might take particular advantage of uncertainty around the IRS cuts. “Uncertainty is probably one of the biggest motivating emotions that social engineers take advantage of,” said Dave Chronister, a prominent “ethical hacker” and CEO of Parameter Security, noting that scammers might use news of these cuts and impersonate the IRS to falsely promise taxpayers “new” ways of filing. Similar tactics emerged during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and following legitimate rounds of federal aid — with some scammers making false claims about additional stimulus checks, for example. All it takes is just “a little bit of common knowledge” to “nudge you” into trusting them, Chronister explains. Beyond how scammers use the news, the IRS workforce cuts could slow the agency’s ability to actually respond to scams, Chronister and others note. As a result, malicious websites or predatory social media campaigns […]
Hundreds of Bnei Brak residents gathered Motzei Shabbos (Parshas Vayakhel-Para) at the Beis Medrash HaGadol Beis Hashem on Sokolov Street for a chizuk and hisorerus gathering focused on Kedusha and Tahara. The event featured divrei hisorerus from HaGaon HaRav Aviezer Pilz, Rosh Yeshivas Tifrach, and HaGaon HaRav Asher Arieli, senior maggid shiur at Yeshivas Mir. Before the gathering, tefillos were recited for the safety and well-being of Klal Yisrael. PHOTOS BY SHUKI LERER FOR YWN: (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Staten Island Shomrim has enhanced its emergency response capabilities with the addition of two new light towers, generously donated by Menchy Cleaning & Restoration Inc. The donation, facilitated by Menchy’s Operations Manager Herschy Axelrod, is part of a new initiative aimed at supporting community safety efforts. The light towers are already being put to use, bolstering visibility during night patrols, community events, and emergency situations. “At Shomrim, we take great pride in our role of safeguarding the community,” Shomrim’s Coordinator Ari Weiss tells YWN. “These light towers are a valuable addition to our fleet and will greatly enhance our capabilities in the field. We’re truly grateful to Menchy for their support.” Axelrod expressed the company’s commitment to giving back, stating, “We’re honored to support Shomrim and the important work they do. Our goal is to give back in meaningful ways, and we hope this donation helps keep the community safe.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The U.S. State Department blames Hamxs and October 7 for the deaths of over 200 “journalists” in Gaza, including terrorist Hossam Shabat. The State Department said: “We stand by Israel as it defends itself.”
Firefighters in North and South Carolina were battling multiple wind-driven wildfires Monday in rugged terrain that complicated containment efforts, officials said. Hundreds of miles north, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was battling a blaze in the Wharton State Forest. Mandatory evacuations were announced over the weekend in parts of Polk County in western North Carolina about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte. The orders were still in place Monday morning for the 165 properties, according to county spokesperson Kellie Cannon. Three fires burned at least 7.5 square miles (19.5 square kilometers) in the county and the two larger blazes are completely uncontained, Cannon said in a social media update Monday morning. The Black Cove Fire, one of the larger ones, was moving toward neighboring Henderson County, Cannon said. Officials there recommended voluntary evacuations in some areas on Sunday night. A downed power line sparked the Black Cove Fire, but the causes of the other two fires in Polk County were under investigation, according to North Carolina Forest Service spokesperson Jeremy Waldrop. The state Department of Environmental Quality issued air quality warnings in Polk, Rutherford, Henderson and Transylvania counties due to smoke. The North Carolina Forest Service was responding to wildfires across the state, with the most severe activity in western North Carolina and especially in Polk County, according to agency spokesperson Philip Jackson. “We’re seeing several wildfires across the state at this time, which is why it is absolutely paramount that folks respect the statewide ban on all open burning,” he said. A statewide outdoor burning ban was issued in South Carolina, too. Much of the Carolinas are abnormally dry or experiencing moderate drought. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday as crews in Pickens County fought the Table Rock Fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Winds and difficult mountainous terrain allowed that blaze and the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County to grow significantly on Sunday, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The Table Rock Fire had expanded to more than 2 square miles (5.3 square kilometers) by Sunday evening, including several hundred acres that firefighters intentionally burned to reduce the possibility of the area burning out of control, the commission said. The Persimmon Ridge Fire, which started Saturday, spread to more than 1.25 square miles (3.2 square kilometers) despite many dozens of water drops, the commission said. Human activity ignited both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires, and both were uncontained Sunday evening. No injuries had been reported, and while no structures were imminently threatened, voluntary evacuations of about 100 homes remained in place on Sunday. A message was left Monday seeking updated information. A forest fire burning in New Jersey’s million-acre Pinelands region was 100% contained on Monday morning, the New Jersey Forest Fire Services said in a post on X. The fire was first spotted Saturday and burned through about 3.5 square miles (5.8 kilometers). That blaze led authorities to evacuate two campgrounds in Wharton State Forest, officials said. The cause was under investigation. Forest fires are not uncommon in the area, especially in early spring when the forest canopy hasn’t yet filled in and timber and brush can dry out in the sun. Despite recent rain, the region is undergoing an extreme drought, according to federal monitors. […]
Candace Owens, a media personality with a long history of antisemitic rhetoric, weaponized an article from Ami Magazine to promote anti-Israel conspiracy theories. In a recent livestream, Owens expressed astonishment at an Ami Magazine article she claimed to have read, using it to push the narrative that Israel has long controlled American policy through blackmail and manipulation. She alleged, without evidence, that Israel and its intelligence agency, the Mossad, have systematically blackmailed powerful American families—including the Bushes, Rockefellers, and the Dulles family—to exert influence over U.S. politics, business, and media. Her “evidence” came from an article and book written by John Loftus, an Ami Magazine contributor who, sources tell YWN, makes things up on the fly. “Literally mind-blown,” Owens told her audience, before directing them to the article. “America clearly got occupied at some point… and it seems like we’re just constantly doing Israel’s bidding.” She continued, making the baseless claim that Israel has engaged in “sophisticated blackmail operations” that have extended to figures such as former Congressman Matt Gaetz, as well as a supposed historical effort to control the CIA. “This is not anti-Semitism, my friends,” she insisted. “This is Ami Magazine. It’s very Jewish, okay? I probably wasn’t even allowed to read it.” Despite her insistence that her claims were based on fact, Owens veered into outright conspiracy, stating, “Israel has been corrupt since its founding,” and falsely asserting that Israeli efforts to edit Wikipedia pages constituted a long-term propaganda campaign. She described Israel as a state engaged in systematic efforts to “warp” American minds, specifically targeting Jewish Americans with indoctrination. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said Sunday that President Donald Trump is right to crack down on fentanyl trafficking and strengthen border security. Sanders also conceded that Democrats had failed miserably on illegal immigration during former President Joe Biden’s tenure. Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Sanders did not mince words when host Jon Karl pressed him on the border crisis, acknowledging that illegal immigration had “exploded under Biden” and that Democrats had waited far too long to act. “Yes, should have done much better. No argument,” Sanders admitted. His remarks came as a rare instance of a high-profile progressive breaking ranks with the Democratic establishment to side with Trump on immigration enforcement—one of the defining issues of the 2024 election. When Karl asked Sanders if there was anything Trump had done right, the longtime progressive firebrand surprised many with his response. “I mean, I think cracking down on fentanyl, making sure our borders are stronger,” Sanders said. “Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate… I don’t think it’s appropriate for people to be coming across the border illegally.” For a senator who has long championed open labor policies and immigrant rights, his words mark a striking shift. Sanders reaffirmed his belief in comprehensive immigration reform but acknowledged that “undocumented people” fill crucial roles in the U.S. economy. However, he dismissed Trump’s plan to deport millions of illegal immigrants as impractical, warning that such a move would cripple industries dependent on immigrant labor. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The UTJ party convened on Monday for a meeting ahead of the upcoming votes on the state budget and the recruitment law and made a decision that if no significant progress is made in advancing the recruitment law during the Knesset’s upcoming summer session, the party will stop automatically voting with the coalition. MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Finance Committee, did not physically attend the meeting but participated via Zoom and clarified his position: “If we do not see significant progress – we will stop voting automatically with the coalition,” he said. MK Yitzchak Pindrus concluded the discussion on a positive note: “Yesterday we saw the gathering of the Gedolei Yisrael. If there is a chance to succeed — it is only through the strength of unity.” Also on Monday, Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf sent a letter to Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs announcing his resignation from his position as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. Following the meeting of Gedolei Yisrael on Sunday evening, HGaon HaRav Dov Landau, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and the Gerrer Rebbe, Minister Goldknopf announced his resignation from a position he held solely for the purpose of advancing the conscription law. “As you know, prior to the establishment of the government, at the instruction of my Rabbanim,” Goldknopf wrote, “it was agreed that I would hold the position of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office as a guarantee for promoting the law regulating the status of lomdei Torah. Last night, the UTJ leadership convened and took upon itself the responsibility for continuing to advance this issue. In light of this, I hereby return the guarantee and submit my resignation from the position of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.” Goldknopf clarified that it was only a partial resignation: “In light of the agreements among the Gedolei Yisrael, I would like to clarify that I will continue to serve as Minister of Construction and Housing.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lamented Canada’s lost friendship with the United States as he visited the town that sheltered thousands of stranded American airline passengers after the 9/11 attacks. Carney’s visit Monday to Gander, Newfoundland on the second day of a national election campaign comes against the backdrop of a trade war and sovereignty threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s almost daily attacks on Canada’s sovereignty have left Canadians feeling betrayed. “In this crisis caused by the U.S. president and those who are enabling him, we lament a friendship lost,” Carney said. “In Gander Canadians did extraordinary things for Americans when they needed it. Now, we need to do extraordinary things for ourselves.” Gander opened its arms to nearly 6,600 airline passengers diverted there when the U.S. government shut down airspace during 9/11. In a matter of a few hours, the town population of 10,000 in 2001 was overwhelmed by 38 planeloads of travelers, yet locals went to work in their kitchens and cleaned up spare rooms to offer space and food to the newcomers. When more than 200 flights were diverted to Canada following the attacks on the United States, the Canadians shunted the traffic away from Toronto and Montreal to the eastern seaboard. Obscure, little-used Gander got to relive its glory days as a stopover point for trans-Atlantic aviation before long-distance flights became possible. Built in 1938 in anticipation of the coming world war, it had the world’s longest runway, and on 9/11 it was the second busiest, taking in 38 flights to Halifax, Nova Scotia’s 47. ‘When people needed help, you gave it’ Flight crews quickly filled Gander’s hotels, so passengers were taken to schools, fire stations, church halls. The Canadian military flew in 5,000 cots. Stores donated blankets, coffee machines, barbecue grills. Unable to retrieve their luggage, passengers became dependent on the kindness of strangers, and it came in the shape of clothes, showers, toys, banks of phones to call home free of charge, an arena that became a giant walk-in fridge full of donated food. Once all the planes had landed or turned back to Europe, Gander’s air traffic controllers switched to cooking meals in the building nonstop for three days. On Monday, Carney visited the home of Beulah Cooper, who opened her home and comforted many including Dennis and Hannah O’Rourke, an elderly couple whose New York firefighter son, Kevin, went missing at the World Trade Center and was later confirmed to have died there. The O’Rourkes remained friends with Cooper long after and went back to Gander, saying they felt eternally indebted. “More than 6,000 passengers. Overnight, the town’s population almost doubled,” Carney said during a speech to residents. “You showed friendship to people who were fearful. In a crisis, you showed your character. When people needed help, you gave it.” Carney noted the story of that day became legend. “It became yet another example of the unbreakable bond between Canadians and Americans. Because when Americans are in need, Canadians have always shown up,” Carney said. Carney says Canadians have to look out for themselves Carney noted Canadians have always been by Americans’ side whether it was during the Iranian hostage crisis, or more recently during the California wildfires or in Afghanistan, where Canada lost 158 members of the armed forces and seven civilians. Trump has declared a […]
Shrapnel from either the Israeli ballistic missile interceptor or the Houthi ballistic missile itself, landed on a fire station in Beit Shemesh. No injuries are reported.
The Gerrer Rebbe paid a significant visit to the Chidushei HaRim Yeshiva of Gerrer Chassidus in Tel Aviv on Sunday. During his visit, he led a L’Chaim Tisch and participated in a public farher for the yeshiva’s talmidim. Following the visit, the Rebbe traveled to Kiryat Shaul Cemetery, where he davened at the kever of his late father-in-law, ZT”L. Renowned photographer Shuki Lerer accompanied the Rebbe on this journey and captured footage of the visit for YWN.
Trump on Greenland: “We are dealing with a lot of people from Greenland that would like to see something happen with respect to being properly protected and properly taken care of. They’re calling us, we’re not calling them.”
After Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired rockets from northern Gaza at Sderot, the IDF warned Palestinians in Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun to evacuate, with spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee posting a map as a “final warning” before strikes.
UPDATE: A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen was successfully intercepted by air defenses, the military says. The IDF says the missile was shot down before crossing the country’s borders. Footage appears to shows shrapnel falling down following the interception. There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage in the attack. Sirens had sounded across central Israel and in several communities near Jerusalem.
The Kremlin confirmed Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted to Donald Trump a portrait he commissioned of the U.S. president. Putin gave the painting to Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow earlier this month, the Russian president’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said in a response to a journalist’s question, declining further comment. The gift was first mentioned last week by Witkoff in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Witkoff told Carlson that Trump “was clearly touched” by the portrait, which he described as “beautiful.” Witkoff met Putin after talks with Russian officials about trying to end the war in Ukraine. Ceasefire talks continued Monday in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. officials met their Russian counterparts, a day after meeting with Ukrainian negotiators. During his interview with Carlson, Witkoff described Putin’s gift as “gracious” and recalled how Putin told him he had prayed for Trump last year when he heard the then-candidate for the U.S. presidency had been shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. “He was praying for his friend,” Witkoff said, recounting Putin’s comments. In 2018, Putin gave then-President Trump a soccer ball that the Secret Service had checked for listening devices before Trump gave it to his son — a precaution that hearkened back to a Soviet-era gift to a U.S. diplomat that turned out to be bugged. In 1945, a carving of the Great Seal of the United States was given as a gift from Soviet school children to then-U.S. Ambassador Averell Harriman. It hung in his office for six years allowing the Soviet Union to eavesdrop on his conversations until the State Department discovered that it contained a covert listening device. It was not immediately known if the portrait Putin gave to Trump had been examined for bugs. The White House hasn’t commented on the portrait. Trump isn’t the first sitting president to receive a gift from Putin. In 2021, Putin gave then-President Joe Biden a $12,000 lacquer writing box and pen when they met at a summit in Geneva, Switzerland. In 2013, he reportedly sent then-President Barack Obama porcelain plates and espresso cups. This apparently isn’t the first portrait of a U.S. leader Putin has sent, either. In 2014, the Russia president reportedly sent to George H.W. Bush a portrait of the former president on his 90th birthday. (AP)
Elon Musk at The White House cabinet meeting: “A clear case of fraud was with the SBA, they were handing out $330 million worth of loans to people under the age of 11.. The youngest was a 9 month-old, who got a $100,000 loan… That’s a very precocious baby”
