Trump to speak at White House on violent crime in D.C. amid federal crackdown • President Donald Trump said he will hold a “press conference” on Monday about violent crime in Washington, D.C. • Trump claimed that the nation’s capital will “soon be one of the safest cities,” even as data shows that violent crime in the city has been decreasing. • On Thursday, the White House said it was launching an increase in federal law enforcement across D.C. as part of a crackdown.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met privately in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump to make a case he did not want to hear: the automotive industry he said he wants to save were being hurt by his tariffs. The Democrat came with a slide deck to make her points in a visual presentation. Just getting the meeting Tuesday with the Republican president was an achievement for someone viewed as a contender for her party’s White House nomination in 2028. Whitmer’s strategy for dealing with Trump highlights the conundrum for her and other Democratic leaders as they try to protect the interests of their states while voicing their opposition to his agenda. It’s a dynamic that Whitmer has navigated much differently from many other Democratic governors. The fact that Whitmer had “an opening to make direct appeals” in private to Trump was unique in this political moment, said Matt Grossman, a Michigan State University politics professor. It was her third meeting with Trump at the White House since he took office in January. This one, however, was far less public than the time in April when Whitmer was unwittingly part of an impromptu news conference that embarrassed her so much she covered her face with a folder. On Tuesday, she told the president that the economic damage from the tariffs could be severe in Michigan, a state that helped deliver him the White House in 2024. Whitmer also brought up federal support for recovery efforts after an ice storm and sought to delay changes to Medicaid. Trump offered no specific commitments, according to people familiar with the private conversation who were not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke only on condition of anonymity to describe it. Whitmer is hardly the only one sounding the warning of the potentially damaging consequences, including factory job losses, lower profits and coming price increases, of the import taxes that Trump has said will be the economic salvation for American manufacturing. White House spokesman Kush Desai said no other president “has taken a greater interest in restoring American auto industry dominance than President Trump.” Trade frameworks negotiated by the administration would open up the Japanese, Korean and European markets for vehicles made on assembly lines in Michigan, Desai said. But the outreach Trump has preferred tends to be splashy presentations by tech CEOs. In the Oval Office on Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook gave the president a customized glass plaque with a gold base as Cook promised $600 billion in investments. Trump claims to have brought in $17 trillion in investment commitments, although none of those numbers has surfaced yet in economic data. Under his series of executive orders and trade frameworks, U.S. automakers face import taxes of 50% on steel and aluminum, 30% on parts from China and a top rate of 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico not covered under an existing 2020 trade agreement. That puts America’s automakers and parts suppliers at a disadvantage against German, Japanese and South Korean vehicles that only face a 15% import tax negotiated by Trump last month. On top of that, Trump this past week threatened a 100% tariff on computer chips, which are an integral part of cars and trucks, though he would exclude companies that produce chips domestically from the tax. Whitmer’s […]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday rejected the idea that his country would give up land to end the war with Russia after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a peace deal could include “some swapping of territories.” Zelenskyy said Ukraine “will not give Russia any awards for what it has done” and that “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.” Later Saturday, European and Ukrainian officials met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in England to discuss how to end the more than three-year war. The talks came after Trump said he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Zelenskyy. Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland attended the meeting in Kent, Zelenskyy said in a post on X, calling the talks constructive. “I have not heard any partners express doubts about America’s ability to ensure that the war ends,” Zelenskyy said. “The President of the United States has the levers and the determination.” Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy dismissed the planned Trump-Putin summit, scheduled for Friday in Alaska, warning that any negotiations to end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv. “Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work,” he said. Ukrainian officials previously told The Associated Press privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognize Ukraine’s inability to regain lost territories militarily. The Trump-Putin summit The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although there’s no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace. “It seems entirely logical for our delegation to fly across the Bering Strait simply, and for such an important and anticipated summit of the leaders of the two countries to be held in Alaska,” Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Saturday in a statement posted to the Kremlin’s news channel. In his comments at the White House Friday, Trump gave no details on the “swapping of territories.” Analysts, including some close to the Kremlin, have suggested that Russia could offer to give up territory it controls outside of the four regions it claims to have annexed. Trump said his meeting with Putin would come before any sit-down discussion involving Zelenskyy. His announcement that he planned to host one of America’s adversaries on U.S. soil broke with expectations that they’d meet in a third country. Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the AP that the “symbology” of holding the summit in Alaska was clear and that the location “naturally favors Russia.” “It’s easy to imagine Putin making the point. … We once had this territory and we gave it to you, therefore Ukraine had this territory and now should give it to us,” he said, referring to the 1867 transaction known as the Alaska Purchase when Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million. Reactions in Kyiv On the streets of Kyiv, reactions to the idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia […]
Residents and politicians in Armenia and Azerbaijan responded Saturday with cautious hope — and skepticism in some cases — after their leaders signed a U.S.-brokered agreement at the White House aimed at ending decades of hostilities. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the agreement on Friday in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who stood between the leaders as they shook hands — a gesture Trump reinforced by clasping their hands together. While the agreement does not constitute a formal peace treaty, it represents a significant diplomatic step toward normalization of relations. The two countries remain technically at war, and the deal does not resolve the longstanding dispute over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. It does, however, reflect the shifting power dynamics following Azerbaijan’s 2023 military victory, which forced the withdrawal of Armenian forces and ethnic Armenians from the region. Among the agreement’s provisions is the creation of a new transit corridor, dubbed the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” highlighting a changing geopolitical landscape amid declining Russian influence in the South Caucasus. Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the heart of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict since the Soviet Union’s collapse. Although internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, the mountainous region was controlled for decades by ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia. Two wars — in the early 1990s and again in 2020 — left tens of thousands dead and displaced. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained control of most of the territory in a swift offensive. Hopeful for peace and a weaker Moscow Ali Karimli, head of the opposition People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party, wrote on Facebook that the signing of the agreement “has undoubtedly brought Azerbaijan and Armenia significantly closer to peace,” and noted that it delivered “another blow … to Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus,” while deepening ties with the U.S. Arif Hajili, chairman of Azerbaijani opposition party Musavat, said he believed that “the most positive aspect of the initialing in Washington was the absence of Russia from the process.” He said lasting stability in the region hinges on the continual dwindling of Russian power, which “depends on the outcome of the Russian‑Ukrainian war.” Hajili also warned of lingering challenges, including Armenia’s economic dependence on Russia and some 2 million Azerbaijanis living in Russia. “Russia will continue to use these factors as levers of pressure,” he said. Hope on the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital “We have been waiting for a long time for this agreement to be signed,” a resident of Baku, Gunduz Aliyev, told The Associated Press. “We did not trust our neighbor, Armenia. That’s why a strong state was needed to act as a guarantor. Russia couldn’t do it, but the United States succeeded.” “The U.S. is taking full responsibility for security. This will bring peace and stability,” said another, Ali Mammadov. “Borders will open soon, and normal relations with Armenia will be established.” Abulfat Jafarov, also in Baku, expressed gratitude to all three leaders involved. “Peace is always a good thing,” he said. “We welcome every step taken towards progress.” More divided views in the Armenian capital Some people in Yerevan were unsure of the meaning of the agreement. “I feel uncertain because much still needs clarification. There are unclear aspects, and although the prime minister of Armenia made some statements […]
Four astronauts returned to Earth on Saturday after hustling to the International Space Station five months ago to relieve the stuck test pilots of Boeing’s Starliner. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Pacific off the Southern California coast a day after departing the orbiting lab. “Welcome home,” SpaceX Mission Control radioed. Splashing down were NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. They launched in March as replacements for the two NASA astronauts assigned to Starliner’s botched demo. Starliner malfunctions kept Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams at the space station for more than nine months instead of a week. NASA ordered Boeing’s new crew capsule to return empty and switched the pair to SpaceX. They left soon after McClain and her crew arrived to take their places. Wilmore has since retired from NASA. Before leaving the space station on Friday, McClain made note of “some tumultuous times on Earth” with people struggling. “We want this mission, our mission, to be a reminder of what people can do when we work together, when we explore together,” she said. McClain looked forward to “doing nothing for a couple of days” once back home in Houston. High on her crewmates’ wish list: hot showers and juicy burgers. It was SpaceX’s third Pacific splashdown with people on board, but the first for a NASA crew in 50 years. Elon Musk’s company switched capsule returns from Florida to California’s coast earlier this year to reduce the risk of debris falling on populated areas. Back-to-back private crews were the first to experience Pacific homecomings. The last time NASA astronauts returned to the Pacific from space was during the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission, a détente meet-up of Americans and Soviets in orbit. (AP)
Around 2 a.m., noisy revelers emerging from clubs and bars packed the sidewalks of U Street in Washington, many of them seeking a late-night slice or falafel. A robust but not unusual contingent of city police cruisers lingered around the edges of the crowds. At other late-night hot spots, nearly identical scenes unfolded. What wasn’t apparent in Friday’s earliest hours: any sort of security lockdown by a multiagency flood of uniformed federal law enforcement officers. That’s what President Donald Trump had promised Thursday, starting at midnight, in the administration’s latest move to impose its will on the nation’s capital. In short, that law enforcement surge to take control of the District of Columbia’s streets did not appear to unfold on schedule. A two-hour city tour, starting around 1 a.m. Friday, revealed no overt or visible law enforcement presence other than members of the Metropolitan Police Department, the city’s police force. That still might change in the coming evenings as Trump puts into action his long-standing plans to “take over” a capital city he has repeatedly slammed as unsafe, filthy and badly run. According to his Thursday declaration, the security lockdown will run for seven days, “with the option to extend as needed.” In an online post Saturday, the Republican president said the Democratic-led city would soon be one of the country’s safest and he announced a White House news conference for Monday, though he offered no details. On Friday night, a White House official said Thursday night’s operations included arrests for possession of two stolen firearms, suspected fentanyl and marijuana. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said more than 120 members of various federal agencies — the Secret Service, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service — were to be on duty Friday night, upping the complement of federal officers involved. “This is the first step in stopping the violent crime that has been plaguing the streets of Washington, D.C.,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who publicly faced off against Trump in 2020 when he called in a massive federal law enforcement response to disperse crowds of protesters, has not said a public word since Trump’s declaration. The police department has gone similarly silent. A crackdown came after an assault The catalyst for this latest round of takeover drama was the assault last weekend on a high-profile member of the bureaucracy-slashing Department of Government Efficiency by a group of teenagers in an attempted carjacking. Police arrested two 15-year-olds and were seeking others. Trump quickly renewed his calls for the federal government to seize control. “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He later told reporters he was considering everything from repealing Washington’s limited “home rule” autonomy to “bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly.” The threats come at a time when Bowser’s government can legitimately claim to have reduced the number of homicides and carjackings, both of which spiked in 2023. The number of […]
In a world where summer is often synonymous with relaxation, recreation, and a break from routine, Camp Ruach Chaim chose a different path. This summer, something extraordinary is taking place at Camp Ruach Chaim: As a unified group, campers, staff members, Rebbeim, and their families committed to and learned one Mesechte at a time, through a camp-wide initiative that has uplifted and inspired every member of the Ruach Chaim family. This historic Siyum HaShas is not just an achievement. It is a message to the bochurim, to their families, and to Klal Yisrael: Torah is alive, even in the heart of July and August. Yes, a boy is meant to relax. He’s meant to have fun. But that’s not a contradiction, because at Camp Ruach Chaim, Limud HaTorah isn’t something extra; it’s the essence of the summer. This siyum is not just the conclusion of a project; it is the climax of a movement. Where we will learn together. We will finish together. Camp Ruach Chaim was founded l’ilui nishmas Rav Chaim ben Rav Sholom zt”l. The very existence of a camp dedicated to Torah, growth, and achdus is a tremendous zechus for his neshama. But this Siyum HaShas, achieved through the passion and perseverance of the Ruach Chaim Family is something truly extraordinary. It is a living, breathing tribute. A vibrant celebration of Torah in his name. **Redefining the Summer Experience** There was a time when the highlight of the summer was a big concert with a famous singer — and yes, those moments were exciting. At Camp Ruach Chaim, the highlight is something far deeper: A Siyum HaShas. One by one, dafim were learned. The sounds of Torah filled the camp — not imposed, but chosen. Because this is what Camp Ruach Chaim stands for: Torah. Campers didn’t just witness a siyum. They became the siyum. On Sunday, 23 Av/August 17, Camp Ruach Chaim will bezras Hashem celebrate this historic achievement with a massive Siyum HaShas event — an evening of kavod haTorah and achdus. With Roshei Yeshiva in attendance, heartfelt zemer, and an unforeseen Adirei HaTorah-style celebration, the Ruach Chaim Family will come together as one. It will be a night to remember. A night to honor what was accomplished — and what it represents. That even during downtime, even in a camp setting, Torah doesn’t pause. It lives. It builds. Ashreinu! How fortunate we are to witness this moment. And may the zechus of this siyum, this breathtaking expression of ahavas haTorah, bring bracha to the campers, their families, and to all of Klal Yisrael. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Background: July 25 Outage On Friday, July 25, late in the afternoon, a power outage affected 3,484 NYSEG customers in Sullivan County, including parts of Woodridge, Fallsburg, and Mountaindale. High demand from heat, air conditioning, and summer activity placed heavy stress on the grid, triggering the blackout. This Friday, August 8 — High Demand Expected Again This coming Friday, August 8, is forecast to bring hot temperatures and heavy summer activity for what is expected to be the busiest weekend of the season. NYSEG urges customers to help reduce strain on the electrical system, especially during peak hours (3 PM–8 PM). Grid Upgrades in Progress Local officials are working closely with NYSEG to upgrade the electric grid to better handle rising demand. These improvements will increase reliability, but major upgrades will take several years—making short-term conservation essential. As part of our coverage, we reached out to Yossi Solomon, an experienced electrician who has long been involved in the community and is especially active lately with NYSEG-related issues. He provided technical insight and practical tips to help residents avoid another outage this weekend. How to Help Prevent an Outage This Friday 1. Shift High-Energy Use Away from 3–8 PM o Run dishwashers, laundry, and other major appliances early in the day or later in the evening. 2. Cool Homes Efficiently o Pre-cool before 3 PM, set thermostats to higher setting after 3 PM, and use ceiling/portable fans. 3. Limit Heat-Generating Appliances o Delay ovens or electric grills during peak hours—opt for outdoor grilling or cold meals. 4. Unplug What You Don’t Need o Disconnect unused chargers, lights, and electronics. 5. Spread the Word o Share this information with friends, neighbors, and community groups. Friday, August 8 Action Plan Timeframe What to Do Before 3 PM Cool home, run appliances, finish laundry 3–8 PM (Peak) Limit usage, keep thermostat steady, use fans After 8 PM Resume normal electric use if needed More Important Tips Individual Battery Systems to Support the Grid & Residents A NEW initiative is underway to install battery systems individually at homes throughout the County: · These batteries will stay connected to the grid and can automatically switch your home to battery power during peak demand periods. · By shifting individual homes to battery power during critical times, we can prevent widespread outages and keep the grid stable for the entire community. · In the event of a local blackout, the same battery will serve as a backup power source for your home, keeping essential systems running until service is restored. · Funding is being secured to cover part of the installation cost, making this program more affordable for residents. · Incentives may be limited and could vary by address. All reservations are on a first come, first served basis. Take Advantage of State Programs In addition to conservation and infrastructure improvements, residents can lower bills and support grid stability by joining state-supported programs: · Community Solar Credits reduce electric bills by up to 20% each month. · No panels are installed on your home, and you stay with NYSEG. · This helps ease long-term pressure on the grid while providing financial savings. Development Practices Adding Stress We’ve identified a concern with new housing developments installing electric hot water tanks—even in communities that have LP gas service. · Electric tanks increase grid demand, especially during summer peaks. · Developers are strongly encouraged to install LP gas hot water tanks where gas is available to reduce electrical load. Contact Information · Community Solar Credit Sign-Up Email: Senergysave@gmail.com Or sign up directly: https://senergy.plus/1750 · Reserve a Spot for Battery Backup System Email: kuntryenergy@gmail.com (Battery incentives are limited and may vary by address. First come, first served.) · For All Above Matters or Any Other Electric-Related Matters Contact Mr. Yossi Solomon — Call or WhatsApp: 732‑324‑3939 (Preferably email to secure a place on the first-come […]
The United States Mission to the United Arab Emirates has issued a security alert warning of potential threats targeting Jewish and Israeli communities within the Gulf nation. In a statement released Thursday, the mission urged U.S. citizens to “avoid places in the UAE associated with the Jewish and Israeli communities, including places of worship,” citing credible information pointing to heightened risk. The warning follows a similar advisory issued days earlier by Israel’s National Security Council. On July 31, the NSC raised its travel alert for the UAE, stating that “terrorist organizations are operating with increased intensity these days in efforts to harm Israel.” While neither government has provided specific details about the nature of the threats, the back-to-back alerts have raised concerns among local Jewish residents, Israeli visitors, and international travelers. The UAE has cultivated warmer ties with Israel in recent years, particularly following the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Jewish communal life has grown more visible in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the opening of shuls, kosher establishments, and Jewish cultural centers. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
On Monday, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo, accompanied by Lieutenant and Chief’s Aide Rob Raad and Waterbury Hatzalah coordinators toured the Catskills to strengthen ties with the Waterbury Jewish community. The visit began at Taam Eden Bakery in Monticello, where they were welcomed by Catskills Hatzalah Coordinator Yidel Feig. The group then continued to the Hatzalah Air Hangar, where they were greeted by CEO and Chief Pilot Paramedic Eli Rowe. The delegation proceeded to the Sullivan County 911 Communications Headquarters for a meeting with Communications Chief and EMS Coordinator Alex Rau, and then visited Camp HASC to meet with staff and campers. During the visit, Chief Spagnolo presented a variety of gifts brought on behalf of the Waterbury Police Department to be distributed to the campers—a gesture that was warmly received by all. The day concluded with a brunch in Monticello with Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, hosted by community askan and Catskills Hatzalah volunteer Shimmy Stern. Special thanks to Simcha Bernath and Baruch Ber Bender for their efforts in coordinating the visit and helping arrange the meetings, and to Akiva Tepper at Camp HASC—a paramedic with NY and Waterbury Hatzalah—for his assistance and hospitality. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A senior military commander in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was killed in an Israeli airstrike near the Lebanon-Syria border, the IDF and Shin Bet announced. The strike targeted a vehicle in Lebanon’s eastern Beqaa Valley and resulted in the death of Mohammed Wishah, a Syrian national who served as head of the PFLP’s Military-Security Department in Syria. According to Israeli authorities, Wishah played a key role in facilitating cooperation between Palestinian terrorist groups and Iranian-aligned actors in the region. He had taken over the post following the death of his predecessor, Shantal al-Al, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut in September 2024. In a statement, the IDF said Wishah was responsible for coordinating joint operations with other Palestinian terror factions and enhancing ties with what it described as the “Shiite axis”—a reference to Iran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah. The statement added that he had recently been involved in planning attacks against Israeli targets. Footage of the strike, which appears to show a precision missile hitting a moving vehicle, was released by the IDF following the announcement. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A recent phone call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu erupted into a shouting match over the crisis in Gaza, according to a report by NBC News citing senior U.S. officials. The July 28 call came just hours after Netanyahu publicly denied there was any starvation in Gaza, dismissing mounting global concern and graphic media reports. “There is no starvation in Gaza,” Netanyahu had declared at a public event. The next day, Trump responded publicly with open skepticism: “I’m not particularly convinced,” he said. “There is real starvation. You can’t fake that.” According to NBC, Netanyahu requested a phone call with Trump in the wake of that rebuke. The conversation that followed, sources say, was anything but diplomatic. Inside the call, Netanyahu reportedly attempted to downplay the crisis, arguing the starvation reports were “fabricated by Hamas” and insisting that hunger was not widespread. Trump, however, exploded. “Trump interrupted him and began yelling,” one U.S. official briefed on the exchange told NBC. The president was reportedly shown graphic evidence by his aides — including images of starving children — and grew increasingly furious as Netanyahu tried to dismiss the reports as propaganda. “He didn’t want to hear it called fake,” the official said, describing the exchange as “a direct, mostly one-way conversation” dominated by Trump’s outrage. “Washington not only feels like the situation is dire, but they own it because of GHF,” the official added, referencing the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group tasked with managing aid distribution that has been marred by chaos and bloodshed. While the White House and Israeli officials declined to comment, Netanyahu’s office lashed out on Friday, calling the report “complete fake news.” “The claim that there was supposedly a ‘shouting match’ between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump is complete fake news,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a short statement. Still, the incident highlights a rare public fracture between Netanyahu and Trump — two allies who maintain a close and carefully managed partnership. It also reflects mounting pressure on Israel over its handling of the Gaza crisis, where months of limited aid have led to what the UN and aid agencies claim is near-famine in several areas. Although Israel continues to deny claims of widespread starvation, it has quietly increased aid deliveries in recent weeks following an 11-week blockade between March and May. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A devastating four-alarm fire engulfed and destroyed the building housing Chabad of South Bergen County early Friday morning, reducing the historic Montross Avenue shul to rubble. Flames broke out around 2:45 a.m., tearing through the three-story structure. Firefighters arriving at the scene were immediately met with intense flames and downed live wires, which hampered their ability to contain the blaze. Within an hour, the entire structure collapsed. Chief John R. Russo of the Rutherford Police Department confirmed that the building was occupied at the time by the shul’s rabbi and his family—six people in total—who miraculously escaped unharmed. “Luckily the rabbi and his family, six members total were the only members in the structure, they were able to get out, but the structure is a complete loss,” Russo said. Several nearby buildings were also affected by the fire, and although no serious injuries have been reported, some firefighters were treated at the scene for minor issues. The building, which housed both Congregation Beth El and Chabad of South Bergen County and The Meadowlands, had been a spiritual home to area Jews for generations. The kehillah dates back to 1919 and has been at its Montross Avenue location since 1953. In January 2012, the same building was targeted in a hate-fueled attack, when a 19-year-old from Lodi firebombed the rabbi’s second-floor bedroom with Molotov cocktails. The assailant was later arrested and charged in connection with that incident as well as a separate attack on a Paramus synagogue. Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of Friday’s blaze, though both local officials and law enforcement said there is no indication at this time that the fire was suspicious or related to the previous attack. “It’s a very old home. It’s wood,” said Rutherford Mayor Frank Nunziato. “This is just a very old home that may just have burned down.” A campaign has been launched to help the Chabad rebuild. To donate, visit JewishRutherford.org (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
THE GREAT DAY OF TU B’AV FOR TOGETHER FOR SHIDDUCHIM IS TODAY! HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR TODAY – GLOBAL TEFILLAH AND MORE! TODAY, KLAL YISRAEL IS RECITING 8 SPECIFIC KAPITLECH OF TEHILLIMGET THE TEHILLIM VIA WHATSAPP HERE OR DOWNLOAD BELOW TODAY, SUNDAY – FROM 10AM AND ONWATCH THE LIVE TEFILLAH EVENT LED BY GEDOLIM & RABBONIMSUBMIT NAMES FOR TEFILLAH IN AMUKA FOR FREE 718-690-2944 OR CLICK HERE THE GREAT DAY OF TU B’AV FOR TOGETHER IS TODAY! HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR TODAY TODAY, KLAL YISRAEL IS RECITING 8 SPECIFIC KAPITLECH OF TEHILLIMGET THE TEHILLIM VIA WHATSAPP HERE TO SUBMIT NAMES FOR FREE TO AMUKA, CLICK HEREVISIT TuBav.org CALL 1-718-690-2944 Klal Yisrael will davening for one another beginning at 10am on Sunday Aug 10 – reciting 8 specific kapitlach of Tehillim.📖Click here to download the FREE ArtScroll Tehillim There will be 2 Live Events with Rabbonim & Musical performances to watch online at www.TuBav.org Motzei Shabbos 8/9 @ 10:00 pm EDT: FREE LIVESTREAMED CONCERT WITH TODAY’S SUPERSTARS & DATING / MARRIAGE PANEL WITH EXPERTS SUNDAY 8/10 @ 10:00 am EDT: LIVE TEFILLAH EVENT WITH LEADING RABBANIM – SAY TEHILLIM TOGETHER WITH KLAL YISRAEL! WATCH LIVE AT TUBAV.org At the same time as Klal Yisrael davens, each in their part of the world, there will be a minyan of Talmidei Chachamim in Amuka, davening for all who submit their names for tefillah (it’s free) through Yad L’Achim. Visit TuBav.org (or call 1-718-690-2944 we are here to help!) Tu B’Av Together is a Yad L’Achim initiative founded in 2015. Shidduchim is a topic that truly brings the entire spectrum of Klal Yisroel together. Tu B’Av Together, a day for tefillah—for shidduchim—is recognizing the need to daven for this important aspect of the Jewish people. We have been zoche to have millions of Yidden involved in tefillah, and with every year, one Jewish tefillah at a time, we’ll bring shidduchim closer to those yearning. To share this special Tu B’Av Together program and free tefillah via WhatsApp, click here
A fierce blaze has torn through the Chabad of South Bergen County and The Meadowlands on Montross Avenue in Rutherford, NJ. Firefighters are battling the fully engulfed structure as officials work to determine if there are any injuries. Updates to follow.
A new investigative report by the New York Post alleges that Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a first-term congresswoman known for her viral clashes with Republicans, has fostered a toxic and chaotic work environment behind the scenes, while prioritizing media appearances and personal branding over her official responsibilities. Crockett, who represents a Dallas-area district and has become a fixture on cable news for her fiery opposition to President Donald Trump, is described by former staff and associates as disengaged from her congressional duties, frequently absent from her Capitol Hill office, and verbally abusive to employees. According to the Post, multiple former aides say the congresswoman often works remotely from her luxury apartment near Capitol Hill and is rarely seen in her official office in the Longworth House Office Building. “She is laying around her apartment, won’t come into the office, and is really just indifferent to staff and will scream at them,” one former staffer told the Post. The report cites several anonymous sources who claim that Crockett frequently berates staff members, creates a toxic workplace culture, and shows little interest in policy or constituent services. Instead, they say, she is focused almost entirely on building her personal brand. “She’s more focused on, ‘Get me on The View,’ ‘Get me on this late-night talk show,’” one former aide said. “The staff is really just an island unto itself, because she doesn’t care about the local issues happening in her district.” Staffers also allege that Crockett insists on being chauffeured around Washington in weekly-rented luxury vehicles such as Escalades, rather than using personal staff cars, with aides expected to act as drivers and open doors for her on arrival. “She treats the scheduler like an Uber driver,” a source told the Post, describing the routine as a “power play.” In one reported instance, Crockett is said to have reduced a legislative aide to tears by yelling, “Do you really want to be here? And if not, you can leave!” Another former aide, a young Black woman, was allegedly fired without explanation. “I don’t want to hear Jasmine Crockett talk about helping Black women when she just fired one for no reason,” the aide confided to a colleague, according to the report. Crockett has gone through multiple chiefs of staff in less than two years, with one source saying that turnover stems from her unwillingness to focus on the day-to-day work of legislating. “The actual job of a member of Congress isn’t fun and glamorous,” the source said. “Unless you’re somebody willing to say yes to all of the outrageous things she would like to do, you’re not gonna last long.” Crockett, a former criminal defense attorney and state lawmaker, rose to national prominence in May after a heated exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) during a House committee hearing. Crockett’s “bleach blonde bad built butch body” retort to Greene went viral and became a Democratic fundraising tool, but reportedly drew criticism from within her own office. According to the Post, several of Crockett’s staff members were uncomfortable with her use of the word “butch.” When they raised concerns, Crockett allegedly dismissed them, saying, “That’s not offensive. You’re stupid if you think so.” The Post also recounted Crockett’s behavior during an interview with The Atlantic, where she reportedly berated a staffer in […]
Israel’s security cabinet late Thursday approved a major military operation to seize Gaza City, endorsing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal despite warnings from senior defense officials that the move could endanger hostages. The plan, confirmed by Netanyahu’s office, authorizes the IDF to launch a ground offensive into Gaza City — one of the last remaining areas of the enclave not under Israeli control. The move is expected to force the evacuation of more than 800,000 Palestinians currently living in the densely populated northern city. The IDF has largely avoided entering Gaza City since the start of the war, citing the complexity of urban warfare and the presence of hostages. But Netanyahu has insisted that retaking the city is essential to defeating Hamas and achieving Israel’s war objectives. In a statement following the cabinet vote, the Prime Minister’s Office said the decision was aimed at “defeating Hamas” and would be accompanied by efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians located outside combat zones. The operation’s approval comes amid a deepening rift between Netanyahu and top military officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who has privately and publicly expressed concerns about a full-scale ground incursion. Zamir has warned that such a move risks the lives of the living hostages still believed to be held by Hamas, many of them thought to be in Gaza City or in refugee camps in the central part of the Strip. The cabinet’s decision did not specify whether the IDF would move beyond Gaza City and into other areas of central Gaza that also remain outside Israeli control. Netanyahu has previously said that Israel intends to “take over all of Gaza,” but Thursday’s vote appears to focus only on the initial assault on Gaza City, signaling a potentially phased approach. Netanyahu’s office also said the cabinet endorsed a list of conditions that Israel would require to end the war. Those include Hamas’s disarmament, the return of all hostages, the full demilitarization of Gaza, continued Israeli security control over the territory, and the establishment of a new civilian governing authority unaffiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. The statement also noted that an alternative plan had been presented to the cabinet but was rejected by an overwhelming majority of ministers. That plan is widely believed to have come from Gen. Zamir, who has advocated for limited operations rather than a full re-occupation of the Strip. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
American businesses and consumers soon will have a better idea of how President Donald Trump’s foreign trade agenda might affect them now that the United States has imposed higher tariffs on products from dozens of countries. It’s been nearly 100 years since the nation had an overall import tax rate as high as the one set Thursday. But the individual impact on business costs and consumer prices could vary as much as the tariffs applied to goods of nearly 70 U.S. trading partners, from complicated economies like the European Union to the small African nation of Lesotho. Exports from a majority of them are getting taxed at 15%. For a handful of countries in Asia, the rate is 19%. Products from the rest are subject to taxes of 20% to 50%. Meanwhile, a 55% tariff on Chinese-made goods is scheduled to take effect next week if a U.S.-China trade deal is not agreed on before then. Businesses in the U.S. and abroad have been dealing in various ways since February with Trump’s fluctuating tariffs on specific products and countries. Many automakers appeared to have absorbed the costs for now. But recent government data indicated that retail prices for groceries, furniture and appliances started creeping up in June. Because tariffs are a tax on imports, economists have expected U.S. consumers to foot at least part of the bill eventually. The country-specific round enforced Thursday, together with the president’s earlier tariffs on specific sectors such as automobiles and steel, will increase prices 1.8% in the short term, the Budget Lab at Yale estimated. That’s the equivalent of a $2,400 loss of income per U.S. household, according to the non-partisan policy research center The projections were based on an analysis of duties implemented this year through Wednesday, as well as a doubling of the levy on items made in India that Trump said would be implemented near the end of August. “Retailers have been able to hold the line on pricing so far, but the new increased tariffs will significantly raise costs for U.S. retailers, manufacturers and consumers,” Jonathan Gold, Jon Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation trade group, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. Here’s what to know about the tariffs and where U.S. consumers are most likely to notice effects: How we got here Trump unveiled sweeping import taxes on goods coming into the U.S. from 66 countries, the European Union, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands in April. He said the “reciprocal” tariffs were meant to boost domestic manufacturing and restore fairness to global trade. The president paused the country-specific tariffs a week later but applied a 10% tax to most imports. In early July, he began notifying countries that their exports would be subject to higher tariffs on Aug. 1 unless they reached trade deals. A week ago, he pushed the start date to Thursday. In the meantime, Trump announced a 35% tariff on imports from Canada, but delayed action on Mexico while negotiations continued. However, a free trade agreement reached with Mexico and Canada during Trump’s first term shields most of those countries’ products from punishing duties. The president also ordered a 50% tariff on goods from Brazil. This week, he signed an executive order to take India’s tariff rate from 25% to 50% for its purchases of Russian oil. The timing gives India and Russia a chance to negotiate with the Trump administration. Other duties […]
Hamas is quietly disbursing salaries to tens of thousands of operatives using clandestine, cash-based methods while systematically looting humanitarian aid bound for Gaza’s civilian population, according to a BBC investigation published Wednesday. The report confirms long-standing Israeli allegations that the terror group has hijacked the flow of international assistance, distributing life-saving supplies to its loyalists and black-market networks while desperate families face hunger and disease. Despite a total economic collapse in the Gaza Strip, the BBC found that Hamas continues to pay approximately 30,000 so-called “civil servants,” issuing partial salaries every ten weeks—often just 20% of prewar pay. Three Hamas-linked employees said they had recently received NIS 1,000 (about $300) through secretive channels. The BBC cited a senior Hamas figure who claimed the organization had stockpiled an astonishing $700 million in hard cash inside its underground tunnel network ahead of the October 7 massacre, enabling it to survive financially even under sustained Israeli bombardment. To evade Israeli intelligence, Hamas operatives receive coded messages via encrypted phone apps—often simple invitations for “tea.” At the designated place, a courier brushes past, slipping cash into their hands before disappearing. The method is fraught with danger: Israeli forces have targeted several such distribution points. One man told the BBC he narrowly survived a deadly airstrike during a payout. But the covert salary system is just one part of a far more damning narrative. The investigation bolsters Israeli claims that Hamas is plundering massive quantities of international aid. Cigarette packs are being sold at 100 times their prewar price, and local traders are reportedly being taxed by the terror group desperate bid to raise funds. Anonymous sources in Gaza told the BBC that much of the aid is either handed out exclusively to Hamas supporters or redirected for sale on the black market. “Significant quantities” of aid were seized by Hamas during a two-month window earlier this year when Israel increased deliveries as part of a hostage release agreement. Despite Hamas and United Nations officials repeatedly denying such claims, the UN itself recently disclosed that 88% of aid trucks have been looted before reaching their intended destinations in Gaza. As food and medicine remain scarce, public anger toward Hamas is reportedly rising. “When the hunger worsened, my children were crying not only from pain but also from watching our Hamas-affiliated neighbors receive food parcels and sacks of flour,” said Nisreen Khaled, a single mother in Gaza. “Are they not the reason for our suffering?” Frustration is also boiling over among Hamas employees themselves. The meager cash they do receive is frequently unusable—old, degraded bills that no one wants to accept. A separate Wall Street Journal investigation earlier this year similarly concluded that humanitarian aid has become a critical funding source for Hamas, as Israeli offensives cripple traditional revenue streams and foreign support dries up. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A senior FBI official who served as acting director in the first weeks of the Trump administration and resisted demands to turn over the names of agents who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, investigations is being forced out of the bureau, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday. The circumstances of Brian Driscoll’s ouster were not immediately clear, but his final day is Friday, said the people, who were not authorized to discuss the personnel move by name and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Additional ousters were possible. Spokespeople for the FBI declined to comment. The news comes amid a much broader personnel purge that has unfolded over the last several months under the leadership of current FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Numerous senior officials including top agents in charge of big-city field offices have been pushed out of their jobs, and some agents have been subjected to polygraph exams, moves that former officials say have roiled the workforce and contributed to angst. Driscoll, a veteran agent who worked international counterterrorism investigations in New York and had also commanded the bureau’s Hostage Rescue Team, had most recently served as acting director in charge of the Critical Incident Response Group, which deploys manpower and resources to crisis situations. Driscoll was named acting director in January to replace Christopher Wray and served in the position as Patel’s nomination was pending. He made headlines after he and Rob Kissane, the then-deputy director, resisted Trump administration demands for information about agents who participated in investigations into the Jan. 6 riot by a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters at the U.S. Capitol. Emil Bove, the then-senior Justice Department official who made the request and was last week confirmed for a seat on a federal appeals court, wrote a memo accusing the FBI’s top leaders of “insubordination.” Responding to Bove’s request, the FBI ultimately provided personnel details about several thousand employees, identifying them by unique employee numbers rather than by names. The FBI has moved under Patel’s watch to aggressively demote, reassign or push out agents. In April, for instance, the bureau reassigned several agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, two people familiar with the matter said Wednesday. Numerous special agents in charge of field offices have been told to retire, resign or accept reassignment. Another agent, Michael Feinberg, has said publicly that he was told to resign or accept a demotion amid scrutiny from leadership of his friendship with Peter Strzok, a lead agent on the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation who was fired by the Justice Department in 2018 following revelations that he had exchanged negative text messages about President Donald Trump with an FBI lawyer, Lisa Page. (AP)
