Russian President Vladimir Putin has quietly revived and rebranded the Cold War-era KGB, launching a covert intelligence force that experts are calling “KGB 2.0,” according to a report in The Sun. Known as the SSD — short for Department of Special Tasks — the shadowy unit has been tied to a string of covert operations across Europe, including botched assassination attempts, sabotage missions involving explosive-laden aircraft, and sophisticated cyberattacks aimed at destabilizing the West. The SSD reportedly came into existence in 2023, just a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is believed to be operating as a hybrid force—blending espionage, military tactics, and digital warfare to expand Moscow’s reach and influence. “This is no ordinary spy agency,” said Lance Hunter, an international relations professor and intelligence expert at Georgia’s Augusta University. “The SSD consolidates capabilities from across Russia’s sprawling intelligence network, coordinating with special forces to execute highly disruptive missions. It’s a fusion of old-school KGB tactics with modern warfare.” James Appathurai, NATO’s deputy assistant secretary-general, told The Sun that Russia views itself as engaged in a broad confrontation with the West. “Moscow believes it is in a state of conflict with what it calls ‘the collective West,’ and it is acting accordingly — including issuing open threats of nuclear escalation.” While the SSD’s activity appears to have subsided in recent months, intelligence sources believe the lull may be strategic. Analysts suggest Putin is pressing pause to give himself political breathing room amid faltering peace efforts in Ukraine and ongoing negotiations with NATO. But few believe the SSD has gone dormant. As one official put it: “The silence isn’t peace. It’s the calm before the next move.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
TERROR ATTACK: Terrorists opened fire on Route 446 between the community of Bruchin and the Peduel Junction in Samaria, severely wounding a woman, approximately 30 years old, and moderately injuring a male victim. MDA teams provided immediate medical care and evacuated both victims to a hospital by ambulance. IDF forces have secured the scene and are actively searching for the terrorists responsible for this developing incident.
Federal safety regulators have asked Elon Musk’s car company to explain how its driverless taxis will avoid causing accidents when they hit the road in Texas next month before a national “robotaxi” launch that is key to keeping its stock price aloft. Tesla has been told to provide information on how its taxis will operate safely in Austin, Texas, when there is fog, sun glare, rain and other low-visibility conditions that have been tied to accidents involving the company’s driver-assistance software. Those accidents, including one that killed a pedestrian, triggered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch an investigation in October of 2.4 million of Musk’s vehicles. The billionaire reassured investors on an earnings call last month that the robotaxi service would launch in Austin as planned and would quickly lead to millions of robotaxis and other autonomous self-driving Teslas operating around the country by the end of the year. “We expect a green light after Tesla’s response but the big focus is on more widespread launches in the U.S. after the Austin pilot kicks off,” said Wedbush Securities stock analyst Dan Ives. “It’s a pivotal time for Musk.” On that same call, Musk said he was stepping back from his work as President Donald Trump’s government cost-cutting czar. Tesla’s shares have risen 45% since but they’re still down about 17% year to date. Regulators routinely request safety information from automakers and NHTSA’s order itself is not alarming, though it could lead to delays of the Austin launch if Tesla’s answers to the nine-page letter made public by the agency on Monday are not satisfactory. The agency gave Tesla until June 19 to provide a response. Federal regulators have limited powers over new Tesla taxis that operate without a steering wheel or brake pedals because there are no national regulations on self-driving technology. One fall back is that the vehicles themselves still must past longstanding safety checks. “NHTSA can force a recall, either ‘voluntarily,’ by Tesla, or by ordering a recall,” said Ann Carlson, the former acting NHTSA chief. “The agency cannot, however, require some sort of pre-approval before Tesla can launch.” In the letter, regulators posed several questions to Tesla in addition to those about low-visibility conditions. They asked for the number and models of the taxis, when and where the taxis will be deployed in the next several months, how they will be monitored remotely by Tesla in real time, the cameras and other sensors being used to guide the vehicles, the specific measures used to judge whether they are navigating the streets in a safe way, and the names of people at Tesla making those evaluations. In his investor conference call last month, Musk spoke of an effortless driving future coming within months. “Can you go to sleep in our cars and wake up at your destination?” the billionaire asked, then answered, “I’m confident that will be available in many cities in the U.S. by the end of this year.” If such a future doesn’t come soon, the company could struggle to justify the stock’s still-high price. Tesla reported a 71% drop in profits in the first quarter as it faced angry protests over Musk’s embrace of extreme right-wing politicians in Europe and his role in cutting government jobs that has divided the country. (AP)
Hagaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Schecter of Breslov putting Tzitzis on a grandson of Askan Avrohom Yaakov (Abe) Friedman from NY, who is in Eretz Yisroel to celebrate his “Chalakah” at Kever Rashbi on Lag BaOmer.
Fox News host Mark Levin expressed strong disapproval of President Trump’s diplomatic tour of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, a notable shift given Levin’s history of staunch support for Trump. The President addressed the Saudi Royal family and global business leaders at an economic investment conference in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, before traveling to Doha, Qatar, for further meetings aimed at securing Middle Eastern investment in the U.S. economy, despite concerns over human rights abuses by potential investors. In a sharp critique on social media, Levin avoided naming Trump directly but condemned the nations involved, stating that Saudi Arabia played a “significant role on the 9/11 slaughter of our people.” He also accused Qatar of having “protected the leader of the 9/11 attack from the FBI, before he was able to launch his war on America that killed our people.” Levin’s comments highlight growing tensions over the administration’s engagement with controversial Middle Eastern partners. Levin posted on X: Saudi Arabia played a significant role on the 9/11 slaughter of our people. I didn’t hear their Crown Prince even apologize once yesterday for what they did to us. And I know the 9/11 families are reeling from this. And Qatar protected the leader of the 9/11 attack from the FBI, before he was able to launch his war on America that killed our people. The debate about whether the plane is a legal gift is beside the point. Qatar is a terrorist regime that has murdered Americans. I cannot let bygones be bygones and those Americans who suffered the consequences of what these monarchies did cannot either. I can’t stop thinking about all the innocent people who went to work that day, and were on those planes, and all the firefighters and police officers who died horrible deaths. As for Iran, if they get a nuclear weapon that’s on our generation. And our country will suffer the horrible consequences. These are terrorists. They don’t think like us and they don’t love life like us. We must have the guts and wisdom to protect ourselves. In a separate post, Levin praised Trump, but not without dinging him for using “lines used by the Soros-Koch isolationist crowd about neocons and interventionists” in his speech to the Saudis. Levin linked to a Jewish Insider article about the speech and noted via X: Isolationism or globalism? Or both? Actually, POTUS’s speech included some of the lines used by the Soros-Koch isolationist crowd about neocons and interventionists, but the irony is that it was given in the context of a globalist outreach effort to make economic and military deals with and between Middle East monarchies/dictatorships and the biggest of America’s globalists/internationalists/corporatists. We don’t know the details but if they’re great deals for we, the people, that’s wonderful. I truly believe the President is THE best at making GREAT deals. Nonetheless, this looks like globalism wrapped in isolationist language.
On Wednesday afternoon, a heartfelt Chalakah ceremony was held at the residence of HaGaon HaRav Moshe Sternbuch. The event, marking a young boy’s first haircut, brought together family and community members to celebrate this milestone under the esteemed presence of the revered and venerated Posek and Gadol. The children will have their hair cut on Lag BaOmer.
The Free Syrian Party welcomed today’s meeting between U.S. President Trump and Syrian President Al-Sharaa in Riyadh, saying it “represents an explicit official recognition of the legitimacy of the new government and the normalization of Syria’s relationship with the United States and the international community.”
Hagaon HaRav David Yosef, Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi, visited Ayalon Prison today in cooperation with the Rabbinical Department of the Israel Prison Service. During the visit, Rav Yosef delivered a Shiur to the inmates and met with get-refusers – some of whom expressed for the first time a willingness to discuss their cases, which may lead to a breakthrough in the issue of many Agunos.
Magen David Adom (MDA) teams have completed final preparations for the comprehensive medical security operation for the Rashbi pilgrimage in Meron. Ahead of the event taking place tomorrow on Lag BaOmer, Israel Police, in cooperation with MDA and Israel Fire and Rescue Services, held large-scale emergency drills simulating mass casualty events on the mountain. As part of the preparations, two drills were conducted by the police at night and in the afternoon, covering a range of scenarios: terrorist incidents, rocket fire, crowd stampedes, road blockades, and more. Dozens of MDA paramedics, doctors, EMTs, and first responders participated. MDA’s emergency medical system is operating in close coordination with all field agencies. As part of the preparations, dozens of ambulances, mobile intensive care units, a mass casualty incident station, off-road vehicles, emergency medicycles, an intensive care bus, medical ATVs, MDA field clinic tents, a medical trailer, an MDA helicopter, and a specially prepared helipad have been deployed. A sophisticated command and control system will be operated from a dedicated command vehicle equipped with communications technologies resistant to overload and capable of managing forces in real time. “MDA teams, who are on the mountain in large numbers, have already treated dozens of simulated casualties,” explained Oren Avitan, Director of the Yarden Region for MDA. “During the drill, which included multiple scenarios, we utilized unique tools developed by MDA, including ATVs with special rescue equipment. MDA teams practiced coordinating with the MDA helicopter and evacuated simulated casualties to the special helipad prepared for aerial evacuations near Meron.” During the four-day event starting tomorrow (Thursday) through Sunday, MDA stations in the north will operate on high alert and will be reinforced with multiple teams. Hundreds of MDA paramedics, doctors, EMTs, and first responders, along with dozens of volunteers from rescue organizations, will operate under MDA’s coordination to provide medical security for the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected in Meron. Preparations in the field have been completed, and medical team deployment points have been finalized. These include several clinics: a central clinic operating from a special intensive care bus, a dedicated treatment tent for women near the Rashbi tomb, a medical trailer at the family exit route, and intensive care teams stationed at the Yohanan HaSandlar complex. Along the Mehadrin path – the Kohanim route – foot patrols consisting of dozens of teams equipped with resuscitation kits will operate among the crowd, from the parking areas to the Rashbi tomb. MDA Director-General Eli Bin: “MDA, as the national rescue organization of the State of Israel, has been preparing for many months in full coordination with the Israel Police, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition, the event organizer, and other relevant bodies to develop the best possible medical security plan, incorporating lessons learned from past events. We have conducted field assessments, discussions, and detailed planning for months. As part of the preparation, MDA teams participated in mass casualty drills conducted by the Israel Police to ensure maximum readiness.” In light of the dreadful disaster that occurred four years ago, in which 45 people lost their lives and over 100 were injured, MDA urges the public to follow the instructions of the police and security personnel, avoid overcrowding and congested areas, remain on the mountain only during the designated times indicated on their tickets, keep track […]
The urgency couldn’t be greater The groundwork is laid. The city is ready. The time is now. And what’s unfolding here will change the future of Meron—and Klal Yisroel. Right now, as Lag Baomer fires light up the sky and music fills the air, something is taking place beneath the surface. In the city of Reb Shimon, the only mikvah taharah is being completely rebuilt—from the ground up. Yes, Meron—the most visited Jewish site in the world, drawing over a million people each year—has only one mikvah. And for years, it stood in disrepair, barely usable. Thousands of local residents had nowhere to turn. Tens of thousands more—from Chassidish to Litvish, Sefardic to secular—come wishing to fulfill one of the holiest mitzvos… and need to leave to another city. But, for those not-yet observant, no mikvah nearby means no taharah at all. But now, that’s changing. Under the guidance of Gedolei Yisroel, Merkaz L’Taharas HaMishpacha is spearheading a complete rebuild of Mikvah Meron—kosher, beautiful, welcoming, and on track for completion within three months, b’ezras Hashem. This is not a first for Merkaz. Since 1942, the organization has built and restored over 1,100 mikvaos across Eretz Yisroel, with usage often doubling—and tripling—after their work is complete. Because when there’s a welcoming mikvah—they come. In community after community, they’ve made taharas hamishpacha accessible to every Jewish woman, observant or not. Because taharah is not just a mitzvah. It’s our foundation. It’s what preserves the kedusha of our homes. It’s what protects our future. And it’s the source of untold yeshuos. “Reb Shimon never leaves a debt unpaid,” Hagaon Hatzadik Harav Shimon Galei Shlit”a, unwaveringly supporting the project, promises; “It is a tremendous zechus to become a partner in the purity of Am Yisrael, especially in the place of such a tzaddik.” Supporters of Merkaz L’Taharas HaMishpacha have seen children born after decades of waiting. Shidduchim found after years of silence. Parnassah turnarounds, refuos, and peace in the home—after helping to build a mikvah. This is your chance to take part in one of the greatest mitzvos—in one of the holiest places—on one of the most special days of the year. And it gets even better. This Lag Baomer, donors will have a chance to send a kvittel to be read by the Rachmastrivka Rebbe shlit”a at his hadlaka by the tzion of Reb Shimon. Now’s your chance to have your name be mentioned by a Gadol b’Yisroel at this auspicious time. Give $219—the gematria of taharah—(or $18.25/month), dedicate a room, or simply give what you can. There’s no minimum to take part in the zechus. Every dollar helps build the mikvah—and open the wellspring of yeshua. Seize the mitzvah, the zechus, and the bracha of a tzadik this Lag Baomer. Could there be a more precious opportunity? Donate now. Taharas.orginfo@taharas.org (855) 824-2727
JACKSON, NJ — May 12, 2025 — CHEMED Health Center marked a major milestone today with the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its newest facility at 275 S. Hope Chapel Road in Jackson. Guest of Honor, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, joined CHEMED leadership, elected officials, and community partners to celebrate the expansion, which will bring much needed specialty services to residents across Ocean County and beyond. “CHEMED’s new Jackson center is a powerful example of the vision and leadership behind community-based healthcare,” said Congressman Smith. “This kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s driven by a dedicated team meeting real community needs and helping people live healthier lives.” Dignitaries in attendance included New Jersey State Senator Robert Singer; Ocean County Commissioners Ginny Haines and Frank Sadeghi; Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina; Lakewood Township Committeemen Isaac Ackerman and Meir Lichtenstein, and Committeewoman Deborah Fuentes; Executive Director of the New Jersey Department of Health Office of Primary Care and Rural Health Services Damon Koslow; and leaders from NJFamilyCare managed care organizations and local nonprofits. A Site Designed for Integrated Specialty Care The Jackson location will concentrate on high demand specialty services—bringing areas such as cardiology, gastroenterology, and dermatology under one roof. Patients will also have seamless access to CHEMED’s primary care network, laboratory partnerships, and case management supports, ensuring a truly holistic approach to health. “This new building represents far more than bricks and mortar,” said Dr. Dovid Friedman, CEO of CHEMED Health Center. “It embodies our mission to provide comprehensive, integrated care where it is needed most. Every member of our staff played a role in making today possible, and together we will continue to raise the standard of accessible, high quality healthcare.” Continued Growth and Community Impact Founded in 2009, CHEMED has become New Jersey’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, serving more than 90,000 unique patients through over 330,000 encounters in 2024 alone. CHEMED is already on pace to exceed those numbers in 2025, further cementing its role as a cornerstone of community health in Ocean County. CHEMED extends heartfelt gratitude to all officials, partners, and supporters who helped bring the Jackson project to fruition. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plans to slash the number of senior military leaders across the services would cut more than 120 high-ranking officer jobs in the active duty and National Guard, including as many as nine top general slots. Based on the percentages outlined by Hegseth and his senior staff, 20% of the 44 authorized top active duty general and admiral jobs would be eliminated, along with 10% of the more than 800 one-, two- and three-star positions, according to numbers compiled by The Associated Press. The cuts — about nine positions among four-star generals and 80 jobs across the other leadership levels — would affect dozens of active duty officers scattered across the five services as well as those who are in joint command jobs, such as those overseeing Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The changes would eliminate 33 senior National Guard positions. The cuts are part of a broader government-wide campaign to slash spending and personnel across federal agencies that is being pushed by President Donald Trump’s administration and ally Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. According to Hegseth and others, the intent of the military job reductions isn’t to reduce the overall size of the force but to thin out the higher ranks and offset those cuts with additional troops at lower levels. While the overall number of service members may not drop, the salary costs will be lower. Some Democratic members of Congress have criticized Hegseth’s plans as an attempt to politicize the military and oust leaders that don’t agree with the Trump administration. The changes also come as the world is roiled by conflicts, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and as the U.S. has troops deployed in Syria and elsewhere. Shifting leadership responsibilities Military officials expect that as various jobs are downgraded — for example from a lieutenant general in charge to a major general or brigadier general — more leadership responsibilities will fall on colonels or Navy captains and other subordinates. And while many of the job cuts will come through attrition, as senior officers retire or move on, the services say they will have the flexibility to move people into higher priority positions and get rid of less critical posts. “More generals and admirals does not equal more success,” Hegseth said in a video describing his plan. “This is not a slash and burn exercise meant to punish high-ranking officers. Nothing could be further from the truth. This has been a deliberative process.” Calling it the “Less Generals, More GIs” plan, he said the department will make “prudent reductions.” How the cuts will hit the military services The Army, which is the largest service, is allowed to have a maximum of 219 high-ranking general officers and is expected to absorb a higher number of the cuts, while the Marine Corps will probably see little impact at the very top. There are only two Marine four-star generals, and the tiny Space Force also only has two. “The Marine Corps, with our general officers, like our civilians and senior executives, is by far the leanest service,” said Lt. Col. Josh Benson, a Marine spokesman. “Due to the already lean nature of the general officers in the Marine Corps, any cuts to Marine general officers will have an outsized impact to the Corps […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to restore climate change-related webpages to its websites after it was sued over the deletions in February. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group, argued that the deletions violated rules around citizens’ access to government information. The USDA’s reversal comes ahead of a scheduled May 21 hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction against the agency’s actions in federal court in New York. The department had removed resources on its websites related to climate-smart farming, conservation practices, rural clean energy projects and access to federal loans related to those areas after President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. At the same time, the Trump administration was working to pause or freeze other funding related to climate change and agriculture, some of which was funded by the Biden-era 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. In a letter filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the Justice Department said the USDA “will restore the climate-change-related web content that was removed post-inauguration” and that it “commits to complying with” federal laws governing its future “posting decisions.” The lawsuit was filed by Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. Earthjustice attorney Jeffrey Stein said Tuesday scrubbing the websites of information relevant to programs it was undoing “made it really difficult for farmers to fight for the funding that they’re owed, for advocates to educate the public and members of Congress about the specific impacts of freezing funding on ordinary Americans in their districts.” “I think that the funding freeze and the staff layoffs and the purging of information, they all intertwined as a dangerous triple whammy,” Stein said. A USDA spokesperson referred The Associated Press to the Department of Justice, which did not immediately reply to a request for comment Tuesday. Stein said USDA had committed to restoring most of the material within about two weeks. He said he hoped the agency’s reversal would be a “positive sign” in other cases brought against the administration over agencies purging information from websites. (AP)
Utah Rep. Blake Moore has to be woken up after falling asleep in his chair during a committee meeting. Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky were also caught on film falling asleep this morning.
For the first time in history, the small college town of Geneseo, N.Y.—tucked into the Finger Lakes region and best known for its natural beauty and tight-knit campus community—is getting permanent Jewish infrastructure. Rabbi Laivy and Goldy Mochkin, along with their four young children, have arrived in Geneseo to establish a Chabad presence that will serve both the local community and the 250+ Jewish students at SUNY Geneseo, one of the state’s highest-ranked public colleges. The Mochkins’ arrival marks a turning point for Jewish life in the area. Until now, there has been no synagogue, no community center, no consistent Jewish presence. Yet Geneseo, a school known for its strong academics and picturesque surroundings—including the nearby Letchworth State Park, often called “the Grand Canyon of the East”—is home to hundreds of Jewish students, many from the New York City area, who now find themselves far from home at a time when being Jewish on campus has never been more complicated. Just weeks into their move, the Mochkins met a Jewish student who had experienced a vile antisemitic harassment incident on campus. “It was an immediate and sobering reminder of why we’re here,” said Rabbi Mochkin. “At a time when antisemitism is rising on college campuses across the country, it’s more critical than ever that students feel safe, proud, and supported.” A 700% increase in antisemitic incidents has been reported across U.S. campuses since October 7, and the fear and isolation felt by many Jewish students has become a pressing concern. The Mochkins hope to counter that with something deceptively simple: a warm, welcoming Jewish home. Rabbi Laivy is no stranger to upstate New York—he grew up on shlichus just 30 minutes away in Rochester. After three years of shlichus in Northern California, he and Goldy felt drawn back to the region, this time to plant their own roots. “I’ve always believed that college is one of the most pivotal stages in a person’s life,” said Rabbi Mochkin. “It’s the moment people start asking the big questions—about purpose, identity, and meaning. We want to be there for them when they’re asking.” Goldy echoes that sentiment. “I’m excited to create a warm home for the students on campus. My hope is to help instill in them a deep pride in their Jewish identity—and to help them realize just how much light they carry and how much good they can do.” Their first steps include hosting students for Shabbat dinners, launching a Jewish student club on campus, offering one-on-one learning sessions over coffee, and opening their doors—literally—to any student who needs a place to belong. Rabbi Nechemia Vogel, director of Chabad of Rochester and regional head shliach, is thrilled about the Mochkins’ move. “We’ve waited a long time for the right couple to come to Geneseo,” he said. “Laivy and Goldy are bringing not just experience and enthusiasm—but a genuine love for people. I’m confident they’ll transform the Jewish experience on that campus.” Rabbi Vogel is especially excited that Laivy grew up locally . “He understands the rhythm of this region—and the unique opportunities and challenges of small-town life.” “We’re not here to start a program,” said Rabbi Mochkin. “We’re here to build a home.” For more information, reach out to rabbi@chabadgeneseo.com To support the new Chabad center in Geneseo, click here.
ברוך רופא חולים : After extended periods in Los Angeles and Switzerland for medical treatment and rest, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe touched down in Israel, and was greeted by an outpouring of emotion from hundreds of devoted Chasidim at the airport, who erupted into exuberant song. Tomorrow evening, the Rebbe is expected to lead thousands of Chassidim at the Hakdlaka in honor of Lag BaOmer.
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Amnon Sofrin, the former chief of the Mossad’s Intelligence Division, believes that there is no good solution to the situation in Gaza, even full occupation. Speaking in an interview with Kan Moreshet, Sofrin said that he believes Israel is facing a difficult situation in Gaza, with no solution in sight. “The alternative of full occupation could lead to heavy prices. Hamas is rebuilding itself, recruiting fighters, recycling explosives – and we are suffering casualties even after 19 months of fighting.” That doesn’t mean that Israel didn’t accomplish anything in Gaza. “What has happened is that the direct threat to Israel has decreased significantly – there is no firing, and there is no return to the scenarios of October 7th,” he said. Sofrin also spoke about what he thinks led to the release of Edan Alexander. “Hamas is trying to send a positive message to the US ahead of a future deal,” he said. “This is a gesture to Trump – the release of an American citizen – in the hope of receiving economic relief and opening the crossings.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
