TEHILLIM: Please daven for R’ *Binyomin ben Bandera* Kubani, the jailed BMG yungerman, who will be having a detention hearing before a judge at 2:30 PM today.
WATCH: On Sunday, Hagaon HaRav David Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, visited the home of Mr. Charles Kushner, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to France and father of Jared Kushner (son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump). Rav Yosef blessed him and encouraged him ahead of his upcoming diplomatic mission.
Zohran Mamdani, the Socialist anti-Semite Democratic nominee widely expected to become New York City’s next mayor, is facing backlash over a video he posted online that a Jewish advocacy group is calling “sick.” The controversy stems from a clip Mamdani shared on X back on December 27. The video, titled “Hey Hanukkah,” features the Geeta Brothers — a Punjabi-Canadian music duo — along with two other men dancing to Punjabi-style music and spinning dreidels in front of a menorah. “Happy 3rd night of Hanukkah from Astoria and Long Island City,” Mamdani captioned the post. This week, the advocacy group StopAntisemitism resurfaced the video, blasting Mamdani for promoting what they see as offensive cultural appropriation. “Zohran Mamdani posts Indian men cosplaying Jews, spinning dreidels and lighting the menorah,” the group wrote in a post on X. “Our holidays and traditions are sacred and not for your comedic pleasure @ZohranKMamdani – this is sick.” Mamdani, who won the June 24 Democratic primary and is heavily favored to win the general election, has already been under fire for his refusal to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada” — a phrase widely viewed as inciting violence against Jews. Prominent Democrats, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have publicly called on him to take a clear stance. “Globalizing the intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrasing,” Jeffries told ABC News on June 29. “He’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Elon Musk and Steve Bannon’s increasingly bitter feud erupted again this week, with Musk calling for Bannon to be imprisoned while Bannon lashed out over Musk’s proposal to form a new political party. “The fat, drunken slob called Bannon will go back to prison and this time for a long time. He has a lifetime of crime to pay for,” Musk wrote in a post on X, responding to Bannon’s criticism of his recent calls for a third-party movement. Bannon, for his part, mocked Musk with a series of insults on his podcast, calling him “Elmo the Mook” and questioning whether a non-American should be allowed to start what Musk has described as an “America Party.” “He’s today, in another smear — only a foreigner could do this — think about it, he’s got up on Twitter right now, a poll about starting an America Party, a non-American starting an America Party,” Bannon said, referencing a poll Musk posted on Independence Day. Musk’s online survey drew more than 1.2 million responses, with roughly 65% supporting his idea of creating a new party to “serve the true will of the people.” In follow-up comments, Musk suggested targeting two or three Senate seats and eight to ten House districts, arguing that a small but decisive bloc of lawmakers could hold the balance of power on contentious legislation. The renewed spat comes after Musk’s work as a special government employee with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ended, and as his relationship with President Donald Trump has deteriorated. Musk has publicly criticized Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” calling it an “abomination” that would further inflate the national debt. Yesterday, Musk doubled down on his attacks against Bannon, once again calling for the former Trump advisor to be imprisoned — part of a pattern of repeated jabs in recent weeks. Bannon, who served four months in federal prison last year for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena related to the Jan. 6 investigation, has continued to hit back at Musk, portraying him as out of touch and unfit to shape American politics. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday deadline, with plans for the United States to start sending letters Monday warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in Aug. 1. That furthers the uncertainty for businesses, consumers and America’s trading partners, and questions remain about which countries will be notified, whether anything will change in the days ahead and whether President Donald Trump will once more push off imposing the rates. Trump and his top trade advisers say he could extend the time for dealmaking but they insist the administration is applying maximum pressure on other nations. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that Trump would decide when it was time to give up on negotiations. “The United States is always willing to talk to everybody about everything,” Hassett said. “There are deadlines, and there are things that are close, so maybe things will push back past the deadline or maybe they won’t. In the end the president is going to make that judgment.” Stephen Miran, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, likewise said countries negotiating in good faith and making concessions could “sort of, get the date rolled.” The steeper tariffs that Trump announced April 2 threatened to overhaul the global economy and lead to broader trade wars. A week later, after the financial markets had panicked, his administration suspended for 90 days most of the higher taxes on imports just as they were to take effect. The negotiating window until July 9 has led to announced deals only with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Trump imposed elevated tariff rates on dozens of nations that run meaningful trade surpluses with the U.S., and a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries in response to what he called an economic emergency. There are separate 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and a 25% tariff on autos. Since April, few foreign governments have set new trade terms with Washington as the Republican president demanded. Trump told reporters Friday that his administration might be sending out letters as early as Saturday to countries spelling out their tariff rates if they did not reach a deal, but that the U.S. would not start collecting those taxes until Aug. 1. On Sunday, he said he would send out letters starting Monday — “could be 12, could be 15” — to foreign governments reflecting planned tariffs for each. “We’ve made deals also,” Trump told reporters before heading back to the White House from his home in New Jersey. “So we’ll get to have a combination of letters, and some deals have been made.” He and his advisers have declined to say which countries would receive the letters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rejected the idea that Aug. 1 was a new deadline and declined to say what might happen Wednesday. “We’ll see,” Bessent said on CNN’s State of the Union. “I’m not going to give away the playbook.” He said the U.S. was “close to several deals,” and predicted several big announcements over the next few days. He gave no details. “I think we’re going to see a lot of deals very quickly,” Bessent said. Later Sunday, Trump vowed to […]
With profound sadness, we regret to inform the tzibbur of the petirah of R’ Yisrael Hersh Eidelman z”l, longtime Executive Director of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem (MTJ), who was niftar suddenly at the age of 79. R’ Yisrael Hersh served for decades as the long-time Executive Vice-President of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem (MTJ), and was a devoted talmid and confidant of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, as well as Harav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. R’ Yisrael Hersh, who served Klal Yisrael and MTJ faithfully for over four decades, was a pillar of the yeshiva and a marbitz Torah through his tireless askanus on behalf of the talmidim and hanhalah. He is survived by his devoted wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will continue his legacy of Torah and chessed. The levaya will take place today, Monday, July 7th at 4:30 p.m. in the yeshiva, 145 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Prices are falling for the popular obesity treatments Wegovy and Zepbound, but steady access to the drugs remains challenging. The medications still amount to around $500 per month for those without insurance — out of reach for many patients. And even for people with insurance, coverage remains uneven. “The medications should be available, the question is at what price and can people sustain that,” said Matt Maciejewski, a Duke University professor who studies obesity treatment coverage. Doctors say the situation forces them to get creative in treating patients, but there’s hope that prices may fall more in the future. The drugs are still in high demand Wegovy and Zepbound are part of a wave of obesity medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that have soared in popularity. Zepbound brought in $2.3 billion in U.S. sales during this year’s first quarter, making it one of drugmaker Eli Lilly’s best sellers. Novo Nordisk says Wegovy has about 200,000 weekly prescriptions in the U.S., where it brought in nearly $1.9 billion in first-quarter sales. Insurance coverage is increasing — for some The benefits consultant Mercer says more businesses with 500 or more employees are adding coverage of the injected drugs for their workers and family members. And Novo says 85% of its patients who have coverage in the U.S. pay $25 or less per month. Plus some patients with diabetes can get coverage of the GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro from Novo and Lilly that are approved to treat that condition. But most state and federally funded Medicaid programs don’t cover the drugs for obesity and neither does Medicare, the federal program mainly for people age 65 and older. Even the plans that cover the drugs often pay only a portion of the bill, exposing patients to hundreds of dollars in monthly costs, said Dr. Beverly Tchang. Drugmakers offer help with these out-of-pocket costs, but that assistance can be limited. “Coverage is not the same as access,” said Tchang, a New York-based doctor who serves as a paid advisor to both Novo and Lilly. But coverage remains inconsistent Bill-payers like employers are nervous about drugs that might be used by a lot of people indefinitely. Some big employers have dropped coverage of the drugs due to the expense. Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, also are starting to pick one brand over the other as they negotiate deals with the drugmakers. One of the nation’s largest PBMs, run by CVS Health, dropped Zepbound from its national formulary, or list of covered drugs, on July 1 in favor of Wegovy. That forced Tchang to figure out another treatment plan for several patients, many of whom took Zepbound because it made them less nauseous. Dr. Courtney Younglove’s office sends prospective patients a video link showing them how to check their insurer’s website for coverage of the drugs before they visit. “Then some of them just cancel their appointment because they don’t have coverage,” the Overland Park, Kansas, doctor said. Cheaper compounded drugs are still being sold Compounding pharmacies and other entities were allowed to make off-brand, cheaper copies of Wegovy and Zepbound when there was a shortage of the drugs. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined earlier this year that the shortage had ended. That should have ended the compounded versions, but there is an exception: Some compounding is permitted when a drug is […]
Border Czar Tom Homan: “The attack on ICE officers… is up nearly 700% now… We have Senators, we have Congresspeople that compare ICE to the Nazis… The rhetoric has to stop or it’s a matter of time before one of the ICE officers goes down.”
Sec. Kristi Noem on the flooding in Texas: “We responded immediately as soon as the requests came in with Coast Guard assets, with Customs and Border Protection assets that were specially trained for these kinds of rescue missions… FEMA has been activated and at an enhanced level.”
Overnight, approximately 20 Israeli Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, dropping over 50 munitions on the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Khatib power station.
AGAIN: Israeli special forces carried out an operation overnight Sunday to arrest a terror cell activated by Iran’s Quds Force in southern Syria. This is the second time in a week that the IDF announced the arrest of an Iranian terror cell in Syria. The cell was actively planning an attack on northern Israel.
A senior Hamas official admitted on Monday morning that the terror organization has lost 80% of its control over the Gaza Strip and that armed clans are filling the remaining void. In an interview with the BBC, the official said that Hamas’ command and control system has collapsed following months of Israeli attacks that destroyed the organization’s political, military, and security leadership.
Socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani is facing another political firestorm after newly resurfaced tweets appear to defend notorious al-Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki — while pinning the blame for his turn to terror on the United States. In a series of eyebrow-raising 2015 posts, Mamdani, then 23, criticized the FBI for its surveillance of al-Awlaki, claiming that federal monitoring helped drive the radical cleric into the arms of al-Qaeda. “Why no proper interrogation of what it means for FBI to have conducted extensive surv. into Awlaki’s private life?” Mamdani wrote after reading a New York Times report describing al-Awlaki’s use of unsavory women despite his conservative religious preaching. “How could #Awlaki have ever trusted @FBI to not release surveillance esp. if he continued to critique [the] state?” Mamdani added. “Why no further discussion of how #Awlaki’s knowledge of surv. eventually led him to #alqaeda?” Critics have erupted over the comments, calling them a grotesque insult to 9/11 victims and an obscene rewriting of history. “To blame the United States for al-Awlaki is like blaming the Jews for Hitler,” blasted retired Rep. Peter King, a former Homeland Security Committee chair. “Mamdani is making excuses and rationalizing al-Awlaki joining al-Qaeda. It’s an absolute disgrace. It should disqualify Mamdani from being mayor of New York City.” Al-Awlaki, a New Mexico-born cleric, was connected to three of the 9/11 hijackers and eventually plotted numerous al-Qaeda terror operations before being killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2011. Mamdani, 33, has built a high-profile social media following that helped him topple former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. But he’s faced other controversies over past posts, including sharing a video mocking Chanukah and leading “BDS” chants outside the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan. Jewish advocacy group StopAntisemitism slammed Mamdani for the Chanukah video as “sick” and accused him of “cosplaying Jews.” Al-Awlaki’s teachings have been linked to roughly a quarter of Islamist terrorism convictions in the United States between 2007 and his death. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Law-abiding pedestrians wait for the green woman kicking a soccer ball before they cross the road during the Women’s European Championship. Authorities in the Swiss city of Basel have installed 12 of the altered pedestrian crossing lights at locations frequented by soccer fans while the country hosts the nearly month-long tournament. Some are located near the soccer stadium, others near the train station. “They will stay until the end of the Women’s Euro — maybe even a few days longer,” says Nicole Ryf-Stocker, spokeswoman for Basel’s transport department. Ryf-Stocker said the idea and design was provided by the St. Gallen civil engineering department, while the lights were manufactured by the same company that manufactures Basel’s traffic lights. “We thought the idea was fantastic and were allowed to use it,” she said. Basel will host the final on July 27 among other games. (AP)
In the rolling hills near Jerusalem, where nature’s peace meets urban convenience, 12 Stones offers a rare residential opportunity – a community where belonging, beauty, and balance define a new way of living. 12 Stones is a rare residential opportunity in the rolling hills at the edge of Givat Ze’ev, just a short drive from the vibrant heart of Jerusalem. This exclusive community combines the serenity of nature with urban convenience, offering an exceptional way of life where every day begins and ends with the quiet beauty of the surrounding landscape. Life at 12 Stones is about more than just beautiful private homes – it is about belonging. Here, neighbors become lifelong friends, united by shared values, respect, and a true sense of togetherness. residents enjoy a vibrant social life that flourishes naturally, while privacy and personal space are thoughtfully preserved. BLENDING CONTEMPORARY DESIGN WITH NATURE The architecture of 12 Stones is designed to reflect and enhance the natural splendor of its surroundings. Natural materials, expansive windows, and open interiors invite the outdoors in, filling living spaces with light, fresh air, and breathtaking views. Tree-lined streets and gently curving paths weave through the neighborhood, creating a village-like charm that blends homes seamlessly into the landscape and offers a daily sense of peace, comfort, and connection to nature. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Families at 12 Stones thrive in an environment that nurtures growth, learning, and shared responsibility. The local schools combine excellence with personal development and community values, ensuring that every child receives individual attention and encouragement. With parents as active partners in this journey, a supportive and inspiring atmosphere is created – one where young minds can flourish and grow, well-prepared for the future. EXPERIENCE UTMOST LIVING IN THE JERUSALEM HILLS Throughout the neighborhood, privacy comes naturally. Without the need for walls or gates, the thoughtful design of 12 Stones ensures that each home offers its own quiet retreat, while residents remain fully connected to the warmth, vibrancy, and spirit of the broader community. This perfect balance of seclusion and inclusion makes 12 Stones not just a place to live – but a place to truly belong. Here, you’ll find more than a place to live – you’ll find a place to belong, a place to grow, and a place to truly call home. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
LONG OVERDUE: Interior Minister Moshe Arbel on Monday permanently revoked the visa of Yisroel Dovid Weiss, a US-born spokesman for Neturei Karta sect, and barred him from ever entering Israel after Weiss met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Brazil. Arbel said in a statement that he “will not allow anyone who acts against the State of Israel and identifies with its enemies to enter it,” adding that cooperation with Iran crossed a red line. According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, he held a “discussion and expressed solidarity” with Araghchi, and signed a memorial book for “martyrs of Zionist attacks on Iran.”
Israel’s Interior Minister Moshe Arbel on Monday permanently revoked the entry visa of Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss — the twisted American spokesman for the fringe Neturei Karta movement — after Weiss was photographed meeting Iran’s foreign minister in Brazil and praising Tehran. Arbel, invoking rarely used emergency powers under the Law of Return, barred Weiss from ever setting foot in Israel, declaring he “will not allow anyone who acts against the State of Israel and identifies with its enemies to enter it.” Weiss, 69, traveled this week to São Paulo to participate in events around the BRICS summit. According to Iranian state media, he held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, offered him flowers, and signed a memorial book for “martyrs of Zionist attacks on Iran.” Images posted online showed Weiss denouncing Israel to Araghchi’s face — a move Arbel called crossing “a red line.” Weiss has long relished the role of provocateur, championing Iran and other sworn enemies of the Jewish state. In 2006, he was filmed in Tehran at a government-sponsored Holocaust denial conference, and over the years has repeatedly praised Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian leadership while demonizing Israel. A resident of Monsey, New York, Weiss is the most visible face of Neturei Karta. His activities have left him ostracized by virtually every mainstream Orthodox Jewish body in the world. Israeli officials said Monday that Tehran was exploiting high-profile meetings with Jewish dissidents like Weiss to push propaganda delegitimizing Israel’s right to defend itself. “The message is clear,” Arbel said. “There will be zero tolerance for Jewish collaborators who embrace those who seek Israel’s destruction.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
