Some 350,000 commuters could soon be scrambling for other ways to reach their destinations if New Jersey Transit engineers walk off the job early Friday. NJ Transit — the nation’s third largest transit system — operates buses and rail in the state, providing nearly 1 million weekday trips, including into New York City. If the walkout occurs, all NJ Transit commuter trains will stop running. Wages and working conditions have been the main sticking points of the negotiations between the agency and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. The union claims its members earn an average salary of $113,000 a year and says an agreement could be reached if agency CEO Kris Kolluri agrees to an average yearly salary of $170,000. NJ Transit leadership, though, disputes the union’s data, saying the engineers have average total earnings of $135,000 annually, with the highest earners exceeding $200,000. “I cannot keep giving money left and right to solve a problem,” Kolluri recently said. “It all comes down to, who is going to pay for this? Money does not grow on trees.” If the walkout does happen, it would be the state’s first transit strike in more than 40 years. Strike contingency plans If the engineers do walk off the job, the agency plans to increase bus service if there is a rail strike, saying it would add “very limited” capacity to existing New York commuter bus routes in close proximity to rail stations and will contract with private carriers to operate bus service from key regional park-and-ride locations during weekday peak periods. However, the agency notes that the buses would not be able to handle close to the same number of passengers — only about 20% of current rail customers — so it is has urged people who can work from home to do so if there is a strike. The potential strike is already causing some disruptions. On Monday, NJ Transit said it would not be operating train or bus service to MetLife Stadium for Shakira concerts scheduled for Thursday and Friday, and said it’s not clear yet if it will be providing service for Beyonce fans planning to attend her shows scheduled at MetLife from May 22 to 29. Commuter options if there is a strike If a walkout does occur, NJ Transit has said the chartered buses will run from four satellite lots across the state to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan or to PATH train stations in north Jersey, starting Monday. As many as 1,000 passengers are on a full train each day, and roughly 70,000 commuters take the trains each day. NJ Transit says each chartered bus could carry only about 100 passengers, and no buses would run on the first day of a potential strike. Officials expect some train customers will switch to existing NJ Transit bus routes or use the chartered carriers. Others may choose to drive into New York City, where they would have to pay congestion pricing fees. Negotiations ongoing The potential walkout comes a month after union members overwhelmingly rejected a labor agreement with management. Both sides had earlier said the tentative agreement included a “reasonable wage increase” for union members as well as the resolution of a long-standing grievance. Kolluri has said the offer would have raised the average annual pay of […]
In 1946, entry permits to the United States began arriving for the students of the Mir Yeshiva, who had been in exile in Shanghai throughout the years of the Second World War.
RFK JR.: “You say that you’ve worked for 20 years on getting food dye out… I got it out in 100 days. Let’s work together and do something we all believe in, which is having healthy kids.”
Palestinian media is reporting fresh Israeli strikes near the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, where yesterday the IDF targeted Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar.
Rav Yonatan Markovitch, Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Chief Rabbi of the Ukrainian Prison Service, paid a visit last week to Shura Base, the heart of the IDF’s casualty identification operations. His meeting with IDF Chief Rabbi Brigadier General Rav Eyal Krim focused on urgent halachic dilemmas surrounding kvuras Yisrael for Jewish soldiers serving on the bloody front lines of Ukraine’s war. Since the outbreak of the war, Rav Markovitch has been at the forefront of ensuring that Jewish soldiers who fall in battle receive proper halachic burial. This is no small task. The Ukrainian army often defaults to cremation of fallen soldiers—a practice that stands in direct violation of halachah. Rav Markovitch, with incredible mesirus nefesh, has worked case by case to prevent this fate and arrange for kever Yisrael under extremely difficult circumstances. During his visit to Israel, Rav Markovitch sought guidance and collaboration with the IDF’s Rabbanut, whose experience since the tragedies of October 7 has included round-the-clock identification of kedoshei Yisrael. He was given a comprehensive tour of the army’s casualty identification facilities and observed firsthand the advanced technologies being used, all under the close supervision of halachic authorities to preserve dignity and kavod hameis. The conversation between Rav Markovitch and Rav Krim was deeply focused on halachic nuances. Among the issues discussed were the parameters of chilul Shabbos when urgently needed to prevent cremation, and the permissibility of using certain forms of technology on Shabbos for the purpose of identification. These are not theoretical questions. On the ground in Ukraine, decisions must often be made in a matter of hours, with Jewish lives and dignity hanging in the balance. Rav Markovitch presented the realities he faces daily — often having mere moments to intervene before a Jewish meis is processed for cremation. Rav Krim, in turn, shared the protocols and halachic decision-making frameworks employed by the IDF during times of war, offering critical insights that may now help save kedoshei Yisrael from desecration in Ukraine. At the conclusion of the visit, the two Rabbanim agreed to establish a direct line of communication for ongoing halachic consultation. This channel will allow for rapid guidance in cases where immediate decisions must be made under battlefield pressure. “The situation in Ukraine leaves very little time for hesitation,” Rav Markovitch said. “Once a soldier falls, a race begins. If we don’t act swiftly, the opportunity to give him a proper Jewish burial may be lost. The support and halachic clarity we received from the IDF today is invaluable—though we daven that we never need to use it.” Rav Markovitch added that while the Ukrainian and Israeli fronts are worlds apart, the mutual responsibility of kol Yisrael areivim zeh lazeh binds their missions together. “Every Jewish soldier, no matter where he is, deserves to be laid to rest k’das u’k’din. That is our duty, and our privilege.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
With tens of thousands preparing to head to Meron, Zaka will be giving children identification bracelets to assist emergency personnel in case they become lost.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with reservists this morning at the Tze’elim training base in southern Israel, where troops are preparing for a planned major offensive in the Gaza Strip. “I am aware of the gravity of the task, the responsibility, and burden that we place on you and your families. We do so with reverence. The only consideration before my eyes is the security of the country,” Zamir says in remarks published by the IDF.
The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to weaken limits on some so-called forever chemicals in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones. The Biden administration set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. Those limits on PFAS, which are man-made and don’t easily break down in nature, were expected to reduce their levels in drinking water for millions of people. Limits on three types of PFAS, including so-called GenX substances found in North Carolina, will be scrapped and reconsidered by the agency, as will a limit on a mixture of several types of PFAS. The Biden administration’s rule also set standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected. The EPA will keep those standards in place, but give utilities two extra years — until 2031 — to comply and treat for the chemicals. “We are on a path to uphold the agency’s nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water. At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. The development was first reported by The Washington Post. It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for certain, newer types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration’s limits. But the vast majority of utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. Health advocates praised the Biden administration for the tight limits. But water utilities took issue with the rule, saying treatment systems are expensive to install and that customers will end up paying more for water. The utilities sued the EPA. The EPA’s actions align with some of the arguments utilities made in their lawsuit. They argued that the EPA lacked the authority to regulate a mixture of PFAS and said the agency didn’t properly support limits on several newer types of PFAS that are now rescinded. They also asked for the now-granted two-year extension. Erik Olson, a senior strategic director of health at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council, said the move is illegal. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit contaminants in drinking water and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. “With a stroke of the pen, EPA is making a mockery of the Trump administration’s promise to deliver clean water for Americans,” Olson said. Manufactured by companies like Chemours and 3M, PFAS were incredibly useful in many applications -– among them, helping clothes to withstand rain and ensuring that firefighting foam snuffed out flames. But the chemicals also accumulate in the body. As science advanced in recent years, evidence of harm at far lower levels became clearer. The Biden-era EPA estimated the rule will cost about $1.5 billion to implement each year. Water utility associations say the costly rules, combined with recent mandates to replace harmful lead pipes, will raise residents’ bills and fall hardest […]
In Sidon, a worker cutting a war remnant missile near Garbage Mountain accidentally triggered it, sending it crashing into a gas plant near Scenic Bridge. The explosion damaged the company’s office, but miraculously, no one was hurt.
The IDF has issued an evacuation warning for Palestinians in several schools and a hospital in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood, saying that Hamas is exploiting the civilian sites for terror. “Due to the Hamas terror organization exploiting civilian areas for terror activities, as shown in the attached image, the IDF will attack the area with great force,” warns the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Russell Vought, the current director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will take on a leadership role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), succeeding billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The transition comes as Musk, who has co-led DOGE alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy since its inception, prepares to step down from his role as a special government employee. Vought, a seasoned conservative political operative and key architect of the controversial Project 2025, is tasked with locking in many of the cost-cutting and deregulatory measures initiated under Musk and Ramaswamy’s leadership. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump praised Vought’s experience, stating, “Russ knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government. He will ensure DOGE continues to slash waste, restructure agencies, and advance our America First Agenda.” The announcement signals Vought’s expanded influence in Trump’s second term, as he assumes responsibility for working with Congress to recoup funds, reclassifying federal employees, and advancing a proposed 2025 budget that aims to significantly reduce federal spending. The Department of Government Efficiency, a non-governmental advisory body created by Trump to reduce federal bureaucracy and eliminate wasteful spending, has been a cornerstone of his administration’s pledge to streamline government operations. Under Musk and Ramaswamy, DOGE has pursued aggressive reforms, including freezing some federal funding, blocking diversity initiatives, and reviving the Schedule F classification to make it easier to fire career civil servants. Vought’s appointment is expected to intensify these efforts, leveraging his deep knowledge of federal budgeting and his advocacy for expanding presidential power. Vought, who previously served as OMB director from July 2020 to January 2021 and was reconfirmed in February 2025, has a long history in conservative policy circles. He founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank focused on combating critical race theory and promoting Christian nationalist principles, and played a central role in drafting Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation-led initiative to overhaul the federal government. His chapter in the 900-page Project 2025 blueprint emphasized the “aggressive use of the vast powers of the executive branch” to centralize control under the president, a vision that aligns with DOGE’s mission. “Russ Vought is a battle-tested budget hawk who will be ready day one to help lead the fight against a wasteful and weaponized federal government,” said House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington in a statement following Vought’s initial OMB nomination. Vought’s allies, including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, have hailed him as a critical figure in restructuring the federal government, with Bannon describing him as having “a better grip on the numbers and the management process of the federal government than anyone in DC.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A new national survey of Jewish voters reveals a striking disconnect between President Trump’s fight against antisemitism and how the majority of American Jews perceive those efforts. The poll, conducted by GBAO Strategies for the newly launched Jewish Voters Resource Center, paints a picture of growing disillusionment—not only with Trump, but also with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the direction of U.S. and Israeli policy. According to the survey of Jewish registered voters, more than half (52%) say the label “antisemitic” describes President Trump very or somewhat well. An even larger share—74%—disapprove of the job he’s doing overall, and nearly 70% say he is accurately described as both “fascist” and “racist.” These numbers come despite Trump’s high-profile actions aimed at combating campus antisemitism, including a crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activists and a sweeping cut of federal funds to several universities. Yet those moves appear not to have made a dent among many Jewish voters. Rather than viewing Trump’s policies as protective, a large portion of respondents believe they’re fueling the problem. 49% say pulling funding from universities increased antisemitism, while only 25% believe it reduced it; 61% believe deporting pro-Palestinian protesters increased antisemitism; and 64% disapprove of Trump’s overall handling of antisemitism. “There is a disconnect between intent and perception,” said Jim Gerstein, a founding partner at GBAO. “A lot of things being done in the name of combating antisemitism are actually seen by American Jews as making the problem worse.” The poll notes that American Jews are deeply concerned about antisemitism—77% express worry about rising antisemitism on college campuses, and even more are concerned about it nationwide. But many simply don’t trust the current administration to address it effectively. “There’s a pervasive sense that the tools being used—especially heavy-handed enforcement and sweeping punishments—are not only ineffective, but counterproductive,” said Gerstein. Discontent isn’t limited to domestic politics. The survey also reveals a sharp decline in American Jewish attachment to Israel and growing disapproval of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s leadership. Only 34% of respondents have a favorable view of Netanyahu, while 61% view him unfavorably. A full 62% believe he resumed military operations in Gaza this March for personal political gain rather than Israel’s national security. Just 28% believe those actions are likely to help release hostages—72% think it increases the risk that hostages will be killed. Meanwhile, the share of Jewish voters who describe themselves as “very” or “somewhat” attached to Israel has dropped from 82% before the October 7 massacre, to 69% today. The erosion of support appears linked not to a decline in Jewish identity or concern for Israel, but to dissatisfaction with the policies being pursued. A staggering 92% of respondents agreed that one can be critical of the Israeli government and still be “pro-Israel.” The poll also found widespread rejection of Trump’s foreign policy platform: 74% disapprove of his handling of international affairs, and majorities oppose his proposal to transfer Gaza’s population to Arab countries and place the territory under U.S. control. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President Donald Trump’s trip to Qatar is off to a flying start. Like Saudi Arabia a day earlier, Qatar didn’t bother waiting for Trump to land before setting out to impress him with a fighter jet escort. As Trump flew in to Riyadh on Tuesday and then in to Doha on Wednesday as part of his Middle East trip, he received ceremonial escorts from each country’s F-15 fighter jets, exceptionally rare sights. A White House official, Margo Martin, posted videos of the escorts online. “Saudi F-15’s providing honorary escort for Air Force One!” she wrote on Tuesday. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world’s largest fleet of American-made F-15s after the U.S. Air Force. Then on Wednesday, Martin posted: “what a view flying into Qatar!!!” She even captured one of the Qatari aviators, sitting in the F-15’s backseat, returning the favor by taking a picture of Air Force One. The fighter jets aren’t the only planes Qatar has used to impress Trump, offering to gift him a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. could use as Air Force One while new versions of the plane are under construction by Boeing. Trump has defended the idea as a fiscally smart move for the United States. But his critics have questioned what would amount to a president accepting an astonishingly valuable gift from a foreign government, calling it “naked corruption” and “a grave national security threat.” The Republican president is on a three-nation Middle East trip and visits the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. (AP)
