A fast-moving wildfire engulfing part of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens was expected grow Thursday, with smoke affecting the air quality in the New York City area before rain arrives this week, authorities said. Higher-than-normal pollution levels were expected Thursday in New York City, Rockland and Westchester counties, and in Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk counties, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation advised Wednesday. The fire is roughly 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of New York City. It said “going indoors may reduce exposure” to problems such as eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. The fire in the southern part of New Jersey has grown to more than 20 square miles (52 square kilometers) and could continue to burn for days, officials said. No one has been injured so far in the blaze, and 5,000 residents were evacuated but have been permitted to return home. A single commercial building and some vehicles were destroyed in the fire, while 12 structures remained threatened Wednesday evening. “This is still a very active fire,” said New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “As we continue to get this under full control the expectation is that the number of acres will grow and will grow in a place that is unpopulated.” The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey also cautioned early Thursday about air quality, saying “smoke will continue to permeate the area.” It said emergency personnel will be on site for the next few days. In New York, dry conditions across the state are resulting in a “high” fire danger rating in several regions including New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and portions of the North Country, the state air quality advisory said. The rest of the state is at a moderate or low level of fire danger. Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in the last two decades, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency Wednesday and officials said they’ve contained about 50% of the wildfire. Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities said. Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. The region, with its quick-draining sandy soil, is in peak forest fire season. The trees are still developing leaves, humidity remains low and winds can kick up, drying out the forest floor. The area had been under a severe drought until recently. (AP)
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa told a US congressman that he is interested in normalizing relations with Israel, Bloomberg New reported. Al-Sharaa conveyed the remarks to Republican Congressman Cory Mills, while setting conditions for the move, which were not detailed in the report. Mills and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) traveled to Syria on Friday on an unofficial visit arranged by the US-based nonprofit Syrian-American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, which is lobbying the US government to lift the sanctions imposed on the former Syrian regime. The two US lawmakers, the first to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, held talks with Al-Sharaa about economic sanctions and peace between Syria and Israel. Mills gave A-Sharaa a letter from President Trump detailing US concerns about the new regime. “I am cautiously optimistic and look to maintain open dialogue,” Mills told Bloomberg, adding that Al-Sharaa wrote a letter to Trump in return. Mills spoke with Al-Sharaa about the Trump administration’s conditions for the sanctions to be lifted, including the destruction of any chemical weapons left in the country from the Assad regime and Syria’s coordination with counterterrorism initiatives with US allies. Syria would also be required to provide assurances to Israel, which is highly distrustful of Al-Shaara and is opposed to the US relief of sanctions. The congressman confirmed the remarks in a conversation with the media and said that Syria wants to be a good neighbor and maintain relations with Israel. “They share a border with each other, it’s important that Israel and Syria have strong relations,” the congressman said. “I think Al-Shaara and his government have proven their willingness to work with Israel and prevent weapons from being transferred out through Syria and into Lebanon.” “Al-Sharaa was very clear that he is looking to establish and maintain a strong relationship with Israel, that he wants to be a good neighbor, and therefore I think this is very encouraging, for the American people, and for Trump who established the historic and monumental Abraham Accords,” Mills said. According to the report, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are willing to help Syria financially, but are currently blocked from doing so due to the US sanctions. Mill’s visit came days after the US began to withdraw hundreds of its troops from Syria. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
China has launched three astronauts into space to replace the crew on the Chinese Tiangong space station, marking a further step in the country’s ambitions for a crewed mission to the Moon and explore Mars. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship took off as planned atop China’s workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT). It will reach the Tiangong about 6.5 hours later. The rocket lifted off from the launch center in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The spaceship will remain in space before returning the current crew. The Tiangong, or “Heavenly Palace,” space station has made China a major contender in space, especially since it was entirely Chinese-built after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over U.S. national security concerns. China’s space program is controlled by the People’s Liberation Army, the military branch of the ruling Communist Party. The addition of mechanical arms to the three-module station has also raised concerns from some that China could use them to disable satellites or other space vehicles during a crisis. Since first launching a man into space in 2003 — becoming only the third country to do so — China’s space program has advanced at a steady pace. The space agency has also landed an explorer on Mars and a rover on the less-explored far side of the Moon, and aims to put a person on the Moon before 2030. The Shenzhou, or “Celestial Vessel,” 20 mission will be commanded by Chen Dong, who is making his third flight. He will be accompanied by fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui and engineer Wang Jie, both making their maiden voyages, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Unlike previous crews, Shenzhou 20 is entirely male. They will replace three astronauts currently on the Chinese space station. Like those before them, they will stay on board for roughly six months. The space ship is due to be launched into space atop China’s workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT) and reach the Tiangong about 6.5 hours later. The three-person crew was sent in October last year and they have been in space for 175 days. They are due to return on April 29 after a brief overlap with their replacements. The Tiangong, fully assembled in October 2022, can accommodate up to six people at a time. While in space, the astronauts will conduct experiments in medical science and new technologies and perform space walks to carry out maintenance and install new equipment, the Manned Space Agency said. (AP)
China on Thursday denied U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that the two sides were involved in active negotiations over tariffs, saying that any suggestion of progress in this matter was as groundless as “trying to catch the wind.” China’s comments come after Trump said Tuesday that the final tariff rate on China’s exports would come down “substantially” from the current 145%. “China’s position is consistent and we are open to consultations and dialogues, but any form of consultations and negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and in an equal manner,” said Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong. “Any claims about the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations are groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis.” Trump had told reporters earlier in the week that “everything’s active” when asked if he was engaging with China, although his Treasury Secretary had said there were no formal negotiations. Trump had put 145% tariffs on imports from China, while China hit back with 125% tariffs on U.S. products. While Trump has given other countries a 90-day pause on the tariffs, as their leaders pledged to negotiate with the U.S., China remained the exception. Instead, Beijing raised its own tariffs and deployed other economic measures in response while vowing to “fight to the end.” For example, China restricted exports of rare earth minerals and raised multiple cases against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization. China also made it clear that talks should involve the cancellation of all tariffs it currently faces. “The unilateral tariff increase measures were initiated by the United States. If the United States really wants to solve the problem, it should face up to the rational voices of the international community and all parties at home, completely cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and find ways to resolve differences through equal dialogue,” said He, the spokesman. Despite the economic measures leveled against China, Trump said Tuesday that he would be “very nice” and not play hardball with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “We’re going to live together very happily and ideally work together,” Trump said. (AP)
Whether the threat was abusive Hamas guards, hunger, illness or Israeli strikes, there were moments during Tal Shoham’s 505 days of captivity in Gaza when he didn’t think he’d be alive the next morning. There were “many times that I separated from life and … tried to accept death,” the 40-year-old Israeli, who also holds Austrian citizenship, told The Associated Press. “There are so many ways to die there.” Shoham was one of dozens of hostages released from Gaza in February as part of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel that has since been broken. His wife, two children and three other family members were also kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, and were freed a month later. Shoham said he spent half his captivity in apartments and the rest in underground tunnels. He was sometimes bound, starved, beaten and threatened with death, and initially didn’t know if his family was alive. After his wife was released, Shoham said, someone identifying himself as a member of Hamas called to warn her not to talk about what she’d been through or they’d kill her husband. So as he recounted his own experience, Shoham said there were details he wouldn’t discuss, fearful of endangering remaining hostages. Shoham was kidnapped while visiting relatives in Kibbutz Be’eri. When Hamas attacked, he and his family hid in a safe room meant to offer protection from incoming rockets. But as the terrorists pried open a window and used explosives to try to break in, the family surrendered, a decision Shoham credits with saving their lives. Shoham was thrown into the back of a vehicle and taken into Gaza, not knowing what happened to his wife or children. Be’eri was among the hardest-hit communities that day. Before being separated, Shoham recalled telling his now 9-year-old son that he didn’t know if they were going to die. “I didn’t want him to hear a lie from me, if it’s the last minutes of our life,” he said. Upon entering Gaza, a terrorist jumped on the car’s roof, pointed his gun at Shoham and told him to kneel. But Shoham refused, not wanting to be killed on their terms, he said. He said the terrorist had “murder in his eyes.” Shoham was first taken to an apartment that his captors said was in northern Gaza. He spent weeks there, handcuffed and confined to a room. About a month later, he was moved to another apartment and joined by Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, hostages he would spend most of his captivity with. The two men were abducted from a music festival in southern Israel where at least 364 people were killed and dozens more taken hostage. Hearing about the conditions of their captivity made Shoham feel lucky about his own. They’d been kept in more uncomfortable zip-tie handcuffs, with plastic bags on their heads, he said, and fed one pita per day. The three lived in that apartment for months, where they endured daily beatings. Guards would taunt and humiliate them, asking how the music festival was and making shooting noises, Shoham said. Forbidden by their captors from speaking, they got to know each other through furtive whispers. To humanize himself in the eyes of his captors, and hopefully make them less likely to kill him, Shoham learned Arabic […]
South Korean prosecutors indicted former liberal President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges Thursday, saying that a budget airline gave his son-in-law a lucrative no-show job during Moon’s term in office. Moon’s indictment adds him to a long list of South Korean leaders who have faced trials or scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office. Prosecutors allege that Moon, who served as president from 2017-2022, received bribes totaling 217 million won ($151,705) from Lee Sang-jik, founder of the budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet, in the form of wages, housing expenses and other financial assistance provided to Moon’s then-son-in-law from 2018-2020. South Korean media reported that Moon’s daughter and her husband were divorced in 2021. The Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office said in a statement that Lee was also indicted on charges of paying bribes to Moon and committing breaches of trust. The prosecutors’ office said Moon’s former son-in-law was hired as a director-level employee at Lee’s company in Thailand even though he had no work experience in the airline industry. The office said he spent only brief periods at the company’s office in Thailand and carried out only minor duties while claiming to be working remotely from South Korea. The prosecutors’ office said it had not found evidence that Moon directly performed political favors for Lee, but that Lee, who worked on Moon’s campaign, likely expected his assistance to be repaid. Lee was later named the head of the state-funded Korea SME and Startups Agency and was nominated by Moon’s party to run for parliament while Moon was in office. A former Moon aide on personnel affairs was earlier indicted over Lee’s agency job appointment, but prosecutors said she refused to testify during questioning so they were unable to find any direct evidence that Moon helped Lee win that position. Moon’s indictment comes before South Korea elects a new president on June 3 to succeed conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over an ill-fated imposition of martial law in December. Yoon, a former top prosecutor, now stands a criminal trial on rebellion charges connection with his martial law decree. It’s unclear if Moon’s indictment will influence prospects for liberals to win back the presidency. But observers say liberal presidential aspirant Lee Jae-myung is heavily favored to win the vote as conservatives remain in disarray over Yoon’s ouster, although Lee also faces criminal trials on allegations of corruption and other charges. There was no immediate response from Moon. But his political allies at the main liberal opposition Democratic Party criticized the indictment, calling it a politically motivated attempt by Yoon supporters at the prosecution service to humiliate the former liberal leader ahead of the election. Youn Kun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker who worked at Moon’s presidential office, accused prosecutors of trying to divert attention from Yoon’s “tragic end” by putting Moon on trial to influence the election outcome. A Democratic Party committee separately warned it would hold the prosecution service to account for its indictment. Most past South Korean presidents have been embroiled in scandal in the final months of their terms or after leaving office. In 2017, Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president, was removed from office and arrested over an explosive corruption scandal. Park’s conservative predecessor Lee Myung-bak was also arrested on a range […]
Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services reported on Thursday morning that their forces have gained control of the massive fire that has been raging since Wednesday morning in the forest areas near Beit Shemesh, in the Jerusalem hills. Over a hundred firefighting teams, aided by aircraft, are still working to extinguish five remaining fires. However, all residents of three yishuvim near Beit Shemesh who were evacuated on Wednesday have been allowed to return to their homes and the roads in the area were reopened to traffic. “The incident is under control,” Fire Commissioner Eyal Caspi announced: “I toured the area and was in all areas. The incident will end in the coming hours.” Many forces operated throughout the night, including KKL teams, the Nature and Parks Authority, security squads and volunteers. The Fire Commissioner praised the cooperation between all parties and emphasized their contribution to saving lives and property. It is estimated that about 10,000 dunams [2,500 acres] of forests and fields have been burned. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
HaGaon Harav Dov Landau was hospitalized on Thursday monring in Mayanei HaYeshua Hospital for tests after suffering a fall at home overnight. The Rosh Yeshivah, 95, suffered from severe pain after the fall and was not able to attend Shacharis in the yeshivah. After arriving in the hospital, HaRav Landau underwent a series of tests and X-rays, and he remains hospitalized for medical observation for the time being. Members of his household said that the Rosh Yeshivah’s condition is good but called to the public to daven for his general well-being and a refuah sheleimah. The name for tefillah is Efraim Dov ben Devorah b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
New Haven, CT – Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir faced a hostile reception during a visit to Yale University on Wednesday, when anti-Israel protesters threw water bottles and chanted slogans as he briefly exited a building, according to footage and statements from Ben-Gvir’s office. The incident occurred during the minister’s trip to the United States, where he was engaging in diplomatic and public engagements. Video evidence shows a group of approximately 200 protesters, some waving Palestinian flags, gathered outside the building where Ben-Gvir was located. As the minister stepped outside, accompanied by aides, the crowd began chanting anti-Israel slogans, including “Free Palestine” and “Shame on you.” Protesters then threw multiple water bottles toward Ben-Gvir and his entourage. No injuries were reported, and Ben-Gvir quickly reentered the building for safety. In response to the provocation, Ben-Gvir was seen making a V-sign toward the crowd, while one of his aides waved an Israeli flag defiantly before retreating indoors. Ben-Gvir’s office condemned the protesters’ actions, describing the incident as an attempt to intimidate and silence a senior Israeli official. “The minister will not be deterred by violent acts or provocations and remains committed to representing Israel’s interests abroad,” the statement read. Yale University issued a statement acknowledging the protest but emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of all campus visitors. Local police were present at the scene, though no arrests were reported. The incident has reignited debates about the boundaries of protest and the treatment of Israeli officials abroad, with some Jewish advocacy groups calling for stronger measures to protect visiting dignitaries. Ben-Gvir’s office stated that the minister continued his schedule undeterred, though specific details about his remaining engagements in the U.S. were not disclosed for security reasons. The episode underscores the challenges faced by Israeli officials navigating increasingly polarized environments on international stages. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
We’ll always have Kikar Hashabbos but the city’s grown There’s a new iconic intersection in Yerushalayim. It’s the vibrant crossroads of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar, where the pulse of the modern city beats strongest. Here Yerushalayim’s past meets its future. Just off this famous corner, Y38, a sophisticated residential building rises. Designed by the renowned Feigin Architects, whose portfolio includes prestigious projects like the Waldorf Astoria, Y38 challenges conventional Jerusalem architecture while paying homage to the city’s timeless character. The striking 40-unit boutique building features a distinctive façade that harmoniously blends contemporary design with Jerusalem stone, creating an immediate visual impact. Beyond its prime location at the nexus of convenience – with dozens of shuls, bakeries, and trendy boutiques down the block – Y38 offers a living experience crafted for the discerning resident. Each of the 3-6 room apartments boasts thoughtfully designed spaces with high ceilings and full-height windows that frame Jerusalem’s famous blue skies. Large balconies, with space for a sukka, extend living spaces outdoors, while premium finishes and state-of-the-art systems elevate daily life. The building’s amenities rival those of luxury hotels, including a sophisticated business lounge, fully-equipped fitness center, relaxing spa, and a resident’s hall for celebrations. For added convenience a beautiful on-site shul and private mikvas are available all without leaving the building, while three levels of underground parking ensure seamless vehicle accommodation. Y38’s location perfectly serves the English-speaking community that has long favored this neighborhood. From Ganei Romema to Ganei Geula, Shefa and Tnvua the area has evolved into a comfortable enclave where residents connect through shared language and values, united by their love for Eretz Yisrael. The development’s innovative features include VRF air conditioning with individual room controls, smart home technology, electric underfloor heating, and charging stations for electric vehicles. Security and convenience are enhanced through motorized smart locks with multiple access options and a sophisticated intercom system. As a testament to Ir Shalem Group’s commitment to excellence, Y38 represents more than just an address – it’s a statement of arrival, a private retreat in the city’s center where modern luxury meets traditional Jerusalem living. With its perfect blend of location, design, and amenities, Y38 sets a new standard for sophisticated urban living in Jerusalem’s evolving landscape. For more information >>>
President Donald Trump is putting his “touches” on the White House with new flagpoles, new artwork, an overhaul of the Oval Office decor and possibly covering up the lawn in the Rose Garden. Trump, a former real estate developer and hotelier, said Wednesday that he’s adding two “beautiful” flagpoles to the grounds to fly the American flag in about a week. The Republican president recently hung new artworks featuring himself, including a rendering of him with his fist raised after last year’s attempted assassination in Pennsylvania. He has redecorated the Oval Office by adding portraits of all of his predecessors, a wall-mounted copy of the Declaration of Independence that is shielded by dark drapes and many golden accents. Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Kennedy-era Rose Garden. He even remarked on the grass on Wednesday, telling reporters he recalled a recent event where “the grass was very wet and it was very hard for people to stand on the grass. They got their shoes all ruined.” All families granted the privilege of living in the White House try to find ways to leave their mark on the property, and Trump isn’t any different. Near the end of his first term, he and first lady Melania Trump unveiled a refurbished tennis court and a new pavilion on the south grounds. Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden is still producing. But Trump is a “real estate developer at heart” and is always looking to improve the White House, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday. New flag poles Earlier Wednesday, Trump took an impromptu stroll outside toward the Pennsylvania Avenue fence with head groundskeeper Dale Haney and other staff members. Asked what he was doing, Trump said he was scoping out a location for a flagpole. He told reporters afterward that he’s installing two “beautiful” flagpoles on the grounds because “they’ve needed flagpoles for 200 years.” He said the poles would be “paid for by Trump” and could be installed as soon as next week. The American and POW/MIA flags fly on the roof of the White House every day. Trump had them lowered on Monday after Pope Francis’ death. Oval Office overhaul Trump pledged in his inaugural address to preside over a “golden age of America.” But he appears to have ushered it first into an Oval Office he has redecorated by adding golden accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. “I really must say the Oval Office has never looked better,” Paul Atkins, the new Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, said Tuesday after his ceremonial swearing-in there. “One could really describe it as glistening, and I’ve heard stories about it. It’s true. It’s the touch of a confident president, leading with optimism towards an American golden age.” Every president adjusts the office decor to their liking, often with new furniture, rugs, draperies and other items. Some hire decorators. Former President Joe Biden had one of his brothers handle it. Trump seems to have directed the process himself. “I’ve done some ‘Trump touches’ to the Oval Office,” he told the championship Ohio State football team when he invited them for a tour after he hosted the players and coaches last week. “It’s a little nicer than it used to be, I think.” New Trump art Earlier this month, Trump hung […]
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Canada would “cease to exist” if it weren’t for the United States — comments that came just days before Canadians are set to vote in an election dominated by Trump’s remarks on the country’s economy and sovereignty. Trump reinserted himself into Canada’s election during a signing ceremony inside the Oval Office, saying Canada “would cease to exist as a country” if the U.S. stopped buying its goods. “I have to be honest, as a state, it works great,” said Trump, who previously threatened to make the country the 51st state through economic coercion. Trump reiterated his claim that the U.S. doesn’t need anything from Canada — including autos and oil. “We don’t really want Canada to make cars for us, to put it bluntly. We want to make our own cars,” Trump said. In recent weeks, Trump has dialed back his talk of Canada becoming the 51st state. He stopped saying it after a call with new Prime Minister Mark Carney last month. Trump also suggested Wednesday that he might increase import taxes on cars from Canada. Trump has a 25% tariff on autos, although there are some exemptions related to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, and automakers are seeking other policy changes to minimize the tariff burden. Trump has separate 25% tariffs on Canadian goods — ostensibly to address drug smuggling into the U.S. “I really don’t want cars from Canada,” Trump said. “So when I put tariffs on Canada, they’re paying 25%, but that could go up in terms of cars. When we put tariffs on, all we’re doing is we’re saying, ‘We don’t want your cars, in all due respect.’” Trump cautioned that he’s not currently considering additional auto tariffs, but he said there could be an increase. Carney said last week that eliminating trade barriers within Canada would benefit Canadians as he made his case to retain power ahead of an April 28 vote. Carney has set a goal of free trade within the country’s 10 provinces and three territories by July 1. Canada has long had interprovincial trade barriers. “We can give ourselves far more than Donald Trump can ever take away,” Carney said. “We can have one economy. This is within our grasp.” Carney said the relationship Canada has had with the United States for the past 40 years has fundamentally changed because of Trump’s tariffs. Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal Party poll numbers. (AP)
Iran is expanding a vast security perimeter around two heavily fortified tunnel complexes near its main nuclear site, raising fresh alarms in Washington and Jerusalem amid renewed negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. A new report from the Institute for Science and International Security, based on commercial satellite imagery taken March 29, suggests the underground sites beneath Mt. Kolang Gaz La may soon become operational. The facilities—under construction for several years—are situated near Natanz, the heart of Iran’s nuclear program. The analysis, led by institute president David Albright, highlights hardened tunnel entrances and a network of high wall panels encircling the mountain. The security perimeter on the north side connects directly to the Natanz facility, which suffered a major act of sabotage in 2020 widely attributed to Israeli intelligence. The complexes are being excavated at significantly greater depths than the Fordo enrichment facility near Qom, suggesting Iran’s intention to shield sensitive operations from potential airstrikes or sabotage. Tehran has barred United Nations nuclear inspectors from accessing the new sites, fueling concerns among Western analysts. Albright warns that the tunnels may be intended to house advanced centrifuges or components of Iran’s growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Such materials could be rapidly converted into fuel for a nuclear weapon, should Iran make the decision to cross that threshold. The report comes as the United States and Iran prepare for a third round of negotiations this weekend aimed at reviving restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. Talks have resumed amid heightened regional tensions, as Israeli leaders continue to warn that time is running out to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state. Iran has publicly said that one of the tunnel complexes will house centrifuge production, replacing the sabotaged facility at Natanz. But with inspectors locked out and construction accelerating, international skepticism is mounting. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
In an update to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Lt. Col. Avigdor Dickstein, head of the IDF’s Charedi Recruitment Branch, reported that the military is falling significantly short of its goal to enlist 4,800 Charedi men during the current 2024–2025 draft cycle. As of now, only 1,721 have enlisted. “We set ourselves a target of 4,800 and we will not reach that,” Dickstein acknowledged, noting that while enlistment numbers are slightly improving, they remain far below what the army considers necessary. “There is an upward trend here, but it is not sufficient and does not correspond to the very large operational need,” he told the committee. Out of 18,915 Charedi men who received initial conscription notices, only 232 have thus far reported for service, with just 57 volunteering for combat roles. In contrast, 1,840 ignored the draft order altogether and were issued immediate call-up notices—failure to respond to these results in being labeled a draft evader. Those classified as draft evaders face serious consequences, including “no-exit” orders preventing them from leaving the country. According to Dickstein, 962 Charedi men have already been officially declared draft evaders, while 68 received exemptions on various grounds. One of the IDF’s most effective enforcement tools has been Ben Gurion Airport. Since January, 340 eligible individuals were held for questioning at the airport—322 while attempting to leave the country. Of these, 100 were barred from departing; half of them were Charedim. “Currently, the most significant and effective sanction is Ben Gurion Airport; there is currently no other sanction,” Dickstein said. “There is the ability to make arrests, but it is extremely ineffective. If I grab him and put him in a police car, will he end up enlisting?” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Anxiety disorders are on the rise. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that approximately one-third of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. It is the most common mental health concern. While the exact cause of this increase is not conclusive, many researchers believe it’s connected to the rise in social media and technology use, increased social comparisons, weakened meaningful relationships, and poor sleep patterns. Research on anxiety within the frum community is limited, but it’s clear that we’re not immune to these trends. Let’s differentiate between common anxiety and anxiety disorders — and explore how even those with strong emunah can be affected. Anxiety is a normal and temporary emotion, triggered by a perceived threat or stressor. It’s the “smoke alarm” that Hashem created to protect us from danger. When our brain senses danger, it activates the sympathetic nervous system — our “fight or flight” response. In short-term or situational cases, this can actually help us cope with the immediate situation. However, anxiety becomes a disorder when it is excessive, persistent, and significantly interferes with daily functioning. The key differences between common anxiety and an anxiety disorder are frequency, duration, intensity, and the level of impairment it causes. Understanding why someone develops an anxiety disorder isn’t simple. Researchers estimate that genetics account for 30% to 60% of the risk. Personality traits, childhood experiences, and environmental stressors also play major roles. Anxiety disorders include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry across many aspects of daily life. Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks — sudden episodes of intense fear, often with physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath. Social Anxiety Disorder: An intense fear of social situations and potential judgment. Specific Phobias: Irrational fears of particular objects or situations, leading to avoidance. Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive distress over being separated from attachment figures (common in children, but also seen in adults). Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, often linked to panic disorder. Selective Mutism: The inability to speak in certain social situations despite being able to speak in others. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. The thing about anxiety disorders is that they’re not rational. It’s like a faulty smoke alarm that goes off every time you make potato kugel. Even though you know there’s no fire, the alarm is still blaring — unpleasant and distressing, enough to make you want to stop cooking altogether. That’s why giving yourself or someone else an emunah pep talk often isn’t enough. You already believe there’s no danger — but your body hasn’t gotten the memo. The anxiety “alarm” is still going off. For the body to truly learn that it’s safe, it requires repeated exposure and the building of tolerance to discomfort. Over time, when you face that discomfort without escaping, your nervous system learns that it isn’t a threat. The alarm stops blaring. Belief is powerful — but when it comes to anxiety disorders, belief alone is often not enough. The body, shaped by a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors, must experience safety first-hand in order to heal. Chayi Hanfling is a licensed clinical social worker who is experienced and passionate in helping individuals, families, […]
A woman and toddler whose remains were discovered scattered along an oceanfront highway not far from the victims of Long Island’s infamous Gilgo Beach killings were identified Wednesday as an Army veteran from Alabama and her daughter. Tanya Denise Jackson, 26, of Mobile, had been living in Brooklyn with her 2-year-old daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes, at the time of their deaths, Nassau County police announced. The U.S. Army veteran, who police say may have worked as a medical assistant, had been previously nicknamed “Peaches” by investigators after a tattoo on her body. Police releasing photos and other images related to the two victims Wednesday said they had no evidence at this point to suggest the unsolved killings are linked to Rex Heuermann, who has been charged in the deaths of seven women whose remains were discovered elsewhere on Long Island. “Although Tanya and Tatiana have commonly been linked to the Gilgo Beach serial killings because the timing and locations of their recovered remains, we are not discounting the possibility that their cases are unrelated from that investigation,” Homicide Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said. “I’m not saying it is Rex Heuermann and I’m not saying it’s not,” he added. “We are proceeding as if it’s not, keeping our eyes wide open.” Some of the Jackson’s remains were discovered on June 28, 1997, stuffed inside a plastic tub in a state park in West Hempstead on Long Island. More remains, and the skeletal remains of the female child, were found off Ocean Parkway in April 2011. At the briefing Wednesday, law enforcement officials said they had identified the victims through DNA evidence found at the scene and advanced genetic and genealogy research. “The reality is our work has just begun,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Knowing the identities of the mom and the little baby is just a first step to help us get to solving these murders.” Officials said Wednesday they had spoken with the child’s father, who was cooperating with the investigation and not considered a suspect at this time. Fitzpatrick added that authorities initially identified the mother and daughter in 2022, obtained additional DNA information the following year and notified surviving family last year. The two were laid to rest recently, he said. Officials said Jackson had been estranged from much of her family for some time. She served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1995, living on three bases in Texas, Georgia and Missouri, and drove a black 1991 Geo Storm. Nassau Police said they’re offering a $25,000 reward to anyone with information leading to an arrest. It has long been unclear whether there is any connection between the mother and daughter and other women found slain elsewhere on Long Island. Since late 2010, police have been investigating the deaths of at least 10 people whose remains were discovered there. Heuermann, a Manhattan architect, has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all counts. His lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office, which is prosecuting Heuermann, said in a statement he is not commenting on “any topics even tangentially involved to the investigation” while a pre-trial hearing plays out. The two female victims are among three sets of human remains long associated with […]
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Eighty years after the Holocaust, more than 200,000 Jewish survivors are still alive but 70% of them will be gone within the next 10 years — meaning time is running out to hear the voices of the last generation who suffered through one of the worst atrocities in history. Currently, the survivors’ median age is 87, and more than 1,400 of them are over 100 years old, a new report said Tuesday. “We have known that this population of survivors would be the last, our final opportunity to hear their first-hand testimonies, to spend time with them, our last chance to meet a survivor,” said Greg Schneider, the executive vice president of the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference, which published the study. The report’s analysis of population projections and mortality rates provides details through 2040. It is based on the extensive data collected since 1952 by the Claims Conference, which includes survivors who receive direct payments or social welfare services funded by the organization as a result of ongoing negotiations with Germany. 90% of Holocaust survivors will pass away in the next 15 years Notably, nearly 50% of all Holocaust survivors will pass away within the next six years, while 70% will die within 10 years and 90% within 15 years, according to the report titled “ Vanishing Witnesses.” Those still alive are often of frail health and suffer from ailments that come with age and have been amplified by traumas in their youth. Six million European Jews were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust. It is not clear exactly how many Jews survived the death camps, the ghettos or somewhere in hiding across Nazi-occupied Europe, but their numbers were a far cry from the pre-war Jewish population in Europe. In Poland, of the 3.3 million Jews living there in 1939, only about 300,000 survived. Around 560,000 Jews lived in Germany in 1933, the year Adolf Hitler came to power. After the Holocaust, their numbers had diminished to about 15,000 through emigration and extermination. After the end of World War II, survivors settled all over the globe and even today they are still living in 90 different countries. Mortality rates vary across locations The “Vanishing Witnesses” report shows that mortality rates for survivors vary greatly across locations depending on access to health care and economic stability. For example, Israel, which is home to about half of all Holocaust survivors, had 110,100 survivors as of October 2024 and is estimated to see their population decline to 62,900 by 2030, a drop of 43%. The United States had 34,600 in the fall of 2024, but is projected to lose 39% over that same time, dropping to 21,100 survivors. Countries in the former Soviet Union had 25,500 survivors in October 2024, but are expected to be at 11,800 in five years, down 54 % by the start of 2030. “This report is a stark reminder that our time is almost up, our survivors are leaving us and this is the moment to hear their voices,” said Gideon Taylor, the president of the Claims Conference. Many survivors worry who will keep alive their memories Albrecht Weinberg, a 100-year-old survivor from Germany who lost almost his entire family in the Holocaust, said that even today the horrendous memories are haunting him. “I sleep […]
Florida’s “hanging chads” ballot controversy riveted the nation during the 2000 presidential contest and later prompted Congress to create an independent commission to help states update their voting equipment. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has operated in relative anonymity since, but is now central to President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to overhaul elections. One of the commission’s boards will meet Thursday in North Carolina, the first commission-related meeting since the directives were announced. Among other things, Trump directed the agency to update the national voter registration form to add a proof of citizenship requirement. But whether the president can order an independent agency to act and whether the commission has the authority to do what Trump wants will likely be settled in court. Why was the commission created? Congress approved the Help America Vote Act in 2002 to help states replace outdated voting systems and improve the voting experience. It passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support and was signed into law by then-President George W. Bush, a Republican who won the 2000 presidential contest over Democrat Al Gore in a disputed election that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. The culprit was a method of voting at the time in Florida that relied on so-called punch-card ballots, which required voters to mark their choices using a hand-held stylus. But thousands of voters didn’t punch their ballot choices completely, leaving it to local election workers — some using magnifying glasses — to divine their intent. The resulting chaos in the pivotal swing state and intense national attention turned “hanging” and “pregnant” chads into household terms. The Supreme Court ultimately stopped the counting, leaving Bush with a 537-vote victory margin that gave him the Electoral Votes he needed to claim the presidency. The 2002 law was designed to modernize the voting process. Under it, the Election Assistance Commission was given a number of mandates: distribute $2.8 billion in federal money for new voting equipment; create voluntary guidelines for voting systems and establish a federal testing and certification program for them; oversee the national voter registration form; and gather data about federal elections. The four commissioners who lead the agency are nominated by the president based on recommendations from the majority and minority leaders in the U.S. House and Senate, then confirmed by the Senate. No political party can be represented by more than two commissioners. At various points, the agency has faced budget cuts, staffing shortages and gridlock caused by vacancies in the commissioner positions. But a consistent budget and a quorum among the commissioners since 2019 has led to increased stability, with election officials praising its efforts in recent years. Trump wants to put his own stamp on elections Trump has long been skeptical of how elections are run, making claims that the 2020 election was “rigged” against him. Multiple reviews of that election confirmed his loss to Democrat Joe Biden. He has continued to criticize voting processes since his win last November, including in his March 25 executive order, which calls for major changes that include a proof-of-citizenship requirement when people register to vote for federal elections. While Trump directed several federal agencies to act, two of the order’s major provisions were directed at the Election Assistance Commission. It was instructed to “take appropriate action” within 30 days to require documentary proof of citizenship on the national voter registration form. The order outlines acceptable documents as a […]
