POTUS: “This will result in more than 30,000 Alabama jobs… and billions of dollars of investment… Most importantly, this decision will help America defend and dominate the High Frontier.”
Macron condemned the U.S. decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials as “unacceptable” while announcing plans to host a summit on a two-state solution.
President Trump announced that the Space Force Command headquarters will be relocated to Alabama, which he said will now be referred to as “Rocket City.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz: “The remaining Houthi leaders are fleeing Sana’a. They are looking after themselves and abandoning the civilians, just like Hamas leaders in Gaza and in luxury hotels in Qatar, the same with the Houthis in Yemen. We knew how to hunt them this time, and we will know how to do it in the future.”
An Amsterdam canal guide ordered an Israeli mother and son to disembark mid-tour after hearing they were from Israel—and refused to return them to the starting dock. Rozit Gad from Tel Mond told Yisrael Hayom, “I went to Paris to purchase items for my boutique’s holiday and mid-season collection. We stopped for a day and a half in Amsterdam. We avoided speaking Hebrew—we carry both Israeli and Polish passports. We boarded a boat tour. It was supposed to be a group tour, but since no one else signed up, it was just my son and me. The guy (who was steering the boat) was actually friendly, laughed with us, and said he’d explain what we were seeing along the way and tell us about the Netherlands.” The guide asked, ‘Where are you from?’ and we thought he already knew. The moment we said ‘Israel,’ something changed in his behavior. He started texting nonstop, unfocused on the tour, barely talking, barely explaining.” “He started talking to us about the Holocaust. That the Jews went through a Holocaust, and how dare we do this to another nation. And he starts to get agitated and says, ‘I can’t continue the tour; I can’t be in your presence. I want you to get off the boat.’ We asked him to at least take us back to where we got on. ‘No, I don’t want to,’ he said.” “I tried to change the subject; I was afraid he would push us into the water or crash into the walls of the canals. I was scared because before that I told him which hotel we were in. We were really frightened, and we stayed quiet.” “We got off, we went to the company, told them everything that happened, and they apologized and returned the money. We sent an email to the company. A very unpleasant experience.” In response to an inquiry, the company told Yisrael Hayom that the boat operator has been fired. Those Dam Boat Guys stated, “We were very sorry to hear about the incident and immediately removed the operator in question from our schedule. We also apologized to the customers and refunded their money. The operator sees his actions as a protest against the Israeli government, as a kind of political boycott. The customers and we see it as discrimination. Whether it’s a misguided attempt at a political statement or not, Those Dam Boat Guys are based on the value of tolerance of Dutch culture, and we have no interest in employing subcontractors who refuse to serve customers for any reason.” “Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution makes it clear that discrimination on the basis of religion, race, nationality or any other grounds is not permitted, and we fully uphold this principle on our boats. The operator’s behavior constituted a violation of this principle, and no one who intends to ignore this principle may sail under our flag.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
Acclaimed Israeli singer-songwriter Akiva will headline a landmark concert at the United Palace Theatre in Upper Manhattan on Sunday, September 14, 2025, joined by international music icon Idan Raichel. The event, officially affiliated with Yeshiva University and its alumni network, is one of the most anticipated cultural gatherings in recent memory for New York’s Jewish community. “I grew up surrounded by music, from my father, who was a Chazzan, to my siblings who all play and sing,” Akiva said in a recent interview. “What I discovered later in yeshiva, especially through the world of Chabad niggunim, was that music is not only art, it is a Shlichut. It has the power to uplift and unify.” That vision of music as a mission has defined his rise as one of Israel’s most celebrated performers. His concerts draw an extraordinary mix of audiences – from secular to religious, young to old – all finding common ground in the emotional depth of his songs. Extending its reach beyond its campus walls, YU is once again bringing together students, alumni, and audiences from across New York for a memorable night of music, unity, and celebration led by Akiva, whose heartfelt music has made him one of Israel’s most powerful voices. The concert promises to be an exciting evening to complement a dynamic start to the new semester at YU with a celebration of culture, spirit, and togetherness. The United Palace, with its ornate architecture and historic atmosphere, offers a fitting stage for the collaboration between two of Israel’s most influential storytellers. Just a short walk from YU’s uptown campus, the venue’s location makes it easy for students and alumni to attend while also welcoming Akiva’s fans from across the city. The highly anticipated concert is not only a kickoff to the academic year and upcoming holidays but also a great opportunity to experience two of today’s most important voices in Jewish music in New York City. Tickets are now available: Akiva Ft. Idan Raichel
Artificial intelligence chatbot makers OpenAI and Meta say they are adjusting how their chatbots respond to teenagers and other users asking questions about suicide or showing signs of mental and emotional distress. OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, said Tuesday it is preparing to roll out new controls enabling parents to link their accounts to their teen’s account. Parents can choose which features to disable and “receive notifications when the system detects their teen is in a moment of acute distress,” according to a company blog post that says the changes will go into effect this fall. Regardless of a user’s age, the company says its chatbots will redirect the most distressing conversations to more capable AI models that can provide a better response. EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. The announcement comes a week after the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT coached the California boy in planning and taking his own life earlier this year. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, also said it is now blocking its chatbots from talking with teens about self-harm, suicide, disordered eating and inappropriate romantic conversations, and instead directs them to expert resources. Meta already offers parental controls on teen accounts. A study published last week in the medical journal Psychiatric Services found inconsistencies in how three popular artificial intelligence chatbots responded to queries about suicide. The study by researchers at the RAND Corporation found a need for “further refinement” in ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude. The researchers did not study Meta’s chatbots. The study’s lead author, Ryan McBain, said Tuesday that “it’s encouraging to see OpenAI and Meta introducing features like parental controls and routing sensitive conversations to more capable models, but these are incremental steps.” “Without independent safety benchmarks, clinical testing, and enforceable standards, we’re still relying on companies to self-regulate in a space where the risks for teenagers are uniquely high,” said McBain, a senior policy researcher at RAND. (AP)
A document signed by Brig. Gen. (res.) Guy Hazut, head of the Ground Forces’ instruction division, warns that the IDF’s current plan for Gideon’s Chariots B, the conquest of Gaza City, does not include essential steps required for victory, Yisrael Hayom reported Hazut says that the combat methods chosen for the operation are contrary to operational logic and known IDF recommendations from the past, and that the lack of implementation of these steps may prevent tangible achievements even in the upcoming phase. Contrary to the prevailing claims in the IDF that it is impossible to defeat a guerrilla force, Hazut asserts that it can be achieved through the implementation of steps that have not been taken, such as a total siege, cutting supply lines, and severing the guerrilla force from the civilian population. Senior IDF officials responded to the allegations: “The IDF encourages critical discourse, and in the discussions held in the General Staff forum and between the ranks, different opinions arise regarding the operational patterns to be adopted in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Operation Gideon’s Chariots met its objectives. During the operation the IDF completely dismantled the terror infrastructure in the places where it operated. The operation increased the military pressure on Hamas and led to the IDF’s control of three-quarters of the Gaza Strip and the elimination of about 2,000 terrorists. The commander of the Ground Forces held a clarification with Brig.-Gen. (res.) Guy Hazut, as the content of the presentation and its findings were not written with authority and did not represent the IDF’s position as expected from an official document transferred to the reserve forces.” Col. (res.) Chezi Nechama, one of the founders of the Forum of Reserve Commanders and Soldiers, responded to the report by stating that “for anyone who was wondering whether the ‘conceptzia’ is still here, the IDF spokesperson’s response arrived and proved that it is here to stay. When Brig.-Gen. Guy Hazut puts his conclusions in writing after 20 months of leading the IDF’s learning process division, the IDF summons him for clarification. In short, why deal with the message when you can shoot the messenger? We deeply regret this, but we will continue to shout the cry of tens of thousands of officers and soldiers.” Hazut was also the author of the leaked IDF document stating that the first phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots was a dismal failure. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
Dovid Menachem Mintzberg, who sat in military prison for 40 days for the “sin” of limmud Torah, was greeted with a jubilant crowd when he was finally released last week. Mintzberg is one of three avreichim arrested at a protest against the chillul kevarim at an ancient beis kevaros in Yehud and then transferred to military prison. The other two avreichim are still in prison. Mintzberg spent a significant portion of his imprisonment in isolation for refusing to wear a military prisoner uniform for religious reasons. Upon his exit from the prison gates, he was greeted with singing and dancing by relatives, friends, and neighbors and reunited with his infant son. On the way to his home in Beit Shemesh, the crowd stopped at the Bnei Yerushalayim shul, at the entrance to the city, where a l’chayim and lively singing and dancing were held in his honor. Later, they arrived at the Sha’arei Rama Beis Medrash, and more dancing took place on the streets. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
President Donald Trump said in an interview released Monday that while Israel “may be winning the [Gaza] war, they’re not winning the world of public relations,” warning that the ongoing conflict is eroding global support for Jerusalem even among U.S. allies and young Americans. Trump, speaking to the Daily Caller, repeated his call for Israel to bring the war to a close quickly. “They’re gonna have to get that war over with… It is hurting Israel,” he said, adding that global opinion was shifting in ways that threaten the country’s long-term standing. The remarks underscore a tension in Trump’s position: he has endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to press ahead with an extended operation to seize Gaza City — a campaign Israeli military planners say could take up to five months — but he has also warned that a prolonged war risks inflicting severe reputational damage. “They may be winning the war, but they’re not winning the world of public relations,” Trump said. “There’s no question about it.” Trump acknowledged that Israel’s once-formidable influence in Congress has waned. “Israel was the strongest lobby I’ve ever seen. They had total control over Congress,” he said, before noting that this was no longer the case. “They’ve been hurt, especially in Congress.” He pointed to rising skepticism among Americans, including Republicans, and warned that many have already “forgotten about October 7th,” likening denial of Hamas’s massacre to Holocaust denial. The president’s remarks come as Israel faces escalating criticism in Europe. On Monday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivered a searing speech in parliament, accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza and presiding over what he called a “man-made famine.” “This is not a natural disaster,” Lammy said. “It’s a man-made famine in the 21st century.” He added that Israel’s standing is “diminishing in the eyes of young people across the globe who look at this with horror.” Lammy urged Israel to halt its looming Gaza City operation and called for an immediate ceasefire paired with the release of hostages. Britain, along with France and other European nations, plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations later this month. “Recognition is rooted in the principle of a two-state solution which Hamas rejects,” Lammy said. “We see no contradiction between the two-state solution and our deep commitment to Israeli security. Because security comes from stable borders, not indefinite occupation.” The UK is also moving to evacuate critically ill children from Gaza for treatment in British hospitals and fast-tracking visas for Palestinian students awarded scholarships at UK universities. The coordinated European pressure highlights the international isolation Israel faces as its military campaign grinds on. Trump, while continuing to call himself Israel’s strongest defender, signaled that Jerusalem must weigh the costs of continuing a war that is now defining its image on the world stage. “They’re gonna have to get that war over with,” he said flatly. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Sudan appealed for international aid on Tuesday after a landslide wiped out an entire village in western region of Darfur, killing an estimated 1,000 people in one of the deadliest natural disasters in the African country’s recent history. The village of Tarasin was “completely leveled to the ground,” the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army said as it appealed to the U.N. and international aid groups for help to recover the bodies. The tragedy happened Sunday in the village, located in Central Darfur’s Marrah Mountains, after days of heavy rainfall. “Initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be more than 1,000 people,” the rebel group said in a statement. ”Only one person survived,” it added. Abdel-Wahid Nour, the group’s leader, made an appeal on Tuesday for international help. “The scale and magnitude of the disaster are immense and defy description,” he said. The ruling Sovereign Council in Khartoum said it mourned “the death of hundreds of innocent residents” in the Marrah Mountains’ landslide. In a statement, it said “all possible capabilities” have been mobilized to support the area. Footage shared by the Marrah Mountains news outlet showed a flattened area between mountain ranges with a group of people searching the area. Luca Renda, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, said he was “deeply saddened” by the reported landslide, adding that local sources indicated that “between 300 and 1,000 people may have lost their lives.” He said the U.N. and its partners were mobilizing to support the impacted communities at the scene. A local emergency network, which has been providing support to communities across Sudan during the war, said its teams recovered the bodies of at nine people on Tuesday. Search teams were facing challenges to reach the area because of bad weather and lack of resources, it added. ‘Unprecedented tragedy’ Al-Amin Abdallah Abbas, a farmer from Ammo — a cluster of villages that includes Tarasin — said the area has seen weeks of heavy rainfall, with Tarasin among the worst hit. He said tribal and community leaders in nearby areas have moblized efforts to recover and bury the victims. “The village and its people disappeared,” he said. “It’s an unprecedented tragedy.” Mohamed Abdel-Rahman al-Nair, a spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army, told The Associated Press that the village where the landslide took place is remote and accessible only by foot or donkeys. Tarasin is located in the central Marrah Mountains, a volcanic area with a height of more than 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) at its summit. A world heritage site, the mountain chain is known for its lower temperature and higher rainfall than surrounding areas, according to UNICEF. It’s located more than 900 kilometers (560 miles) west of the capital city, Khartoum. Sunday’s landslide was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Sudan’s recent history. Hundreds of people die every year in seasonal rains that run from July to October. Last year’s heavy rainfall caused the collapse of a dam in the eastern Red Sea Province, killing at least 30 people, according to the U.N. The tragedy came as a devastating civil war has engulfed Sudan after tensions between the country’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, exploded into open fighting in April 2023 in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country. ‘Deprived of adequate assistance’ Most of the […]
For the first time in 96 years, Yidden have returned to the Casbah (Old City) of Chevron. Bochurim from Yeshivas Shavei Chevron entered the very home from which Jews were expelled after the 1929 massacre.
Rudy Giuliani has been released from the hospital and “is progressing well” after being injured when the vehicle he was riding in was struck from behind on a highway in New Hampshire, a spokesman said Tuesday. The former New York City mayor, 81, was injured Saturday shortly after stopping “to assist a person in urgent need of help,” spokesman Ted Goodman said in a statement. “He has since been discharged from the hospital and deeply appreciates the love, well wishes, and prayers he has received,” Goodman’s statement said. “The mayor also extends his gratitude to the New Hampshire State Police, paramedics, Elliot Hospital, and all of the physicians and nurses who provided him with outstanding care.” Goodman was behind the wheel, with Giuliani as a passenger, when their rented Ford Bronco was struck from behind on Interstate 93 by a Honda HR-V driven by a 19-year-old woman, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement. Both vehicles hit the highway median and were “heavily damaged,” the statement said. Goodman and the 19-year-old suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” and were taken to hospitals for treatment, the agency said. Giuliani was taken by ambulance to a nearby trauma center for treatment of a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg, according to a statement posted on X by Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security. The thoracic vertebrae are part of the spine. State police said the cause of the crash was under investigation. No charges were filed. Prior to the accident, Giuliani and Goodman were “were flagged down by a woman on the side of the road, just south of Exit 9N, who reported to them she had been involved in a domestic violence incident,” state police said in a news release. Goodman reported the incident to law enforcement and he and the former mayor remained at the scene until troopers arrived. The reported domestic violence and crash were believed to be unrelated, investigators said. “Thank you to all the people that have reached out since learning the news about my Father,” Andrew Giuliani, Rudy Giuliani’s son, wrote in a post on X. “Your prayers mean the world.” The onetime Republican presidential candidate was dubbed “America’s mayor” in light of his leadership in New York after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. Giuliani later became President Donald Trump’s personal attorney and was a vocal proponent of Trump’s allegations of fraud in the 2020 election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden. Trump and his backers lost dozens of lawsuits claiming fraud, and numerous recounts, reviews and audits of the election results turned up no signs of significant wrongdoing or error. Two former Georgia elections workers later won a $148 million defamation judgment against Giuliani. As they sought to collect the judgment, the former federal prosecutor was found in contempt of court and faced a trial this winter over the ownership of some of his assets. He ultimately struck a deal that let him keep his homes and various belongings, including prized World Series rings, in exchange for unspecified compensation and a promise to stop speaking ill of the ex-election workers. (AP)
A French court has issued arrest warrants for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six former officials over the 2012 shelling of Homs that killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Rémi Ochlik.
Syria announced it exported 600,000 barrels of heavy crude oil from the port of Tartus yesterday, the first known official export of Syrian oil in 14 years.
