Even if the end of World War II in Europe spawned one of the most joyous days the continent ever lived, Thursday’s 80th anniversary of V-E Day is haunted as much by the specter of current-day conflict as it celebrates the defeat of ultimate evil. Hitler’s Nazi Germany had finally surrendered after a half-decade of invading other European powers and propagating racial hatred that led to genocide, the Holocaust and the murdering of millions. That surrender and the explosion of hope for a better life is being celebrated with parades in London and Paris and towns across Europe while even the leaders of erstwhile mortal enemies are bonding again. Germany itself again expressed gratitude for the change that May 8, 1945 brought — to the world and to itself. “It was Germans who unleashed this criminal war and dragged all of Europe with them into the abyss,” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told parliament. “Today, 80 years later, our profound thanks still go to the Allied soldiers and the European resistance movements who mustered all their strength and endured great losses in order to defeat the Nazi regime.” Gloomy outlook His comments underscore that former European enemies may thrive — to the extent that the 27-nation European Union even won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize — but that the outlook has turned gloomy over the past year. Bodies continue to pile up in Ukraine, where Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion started the worst war on the continent since 1945. The rise of the hard right in several EU member states is putting the founding democratic principles of the bloc under increasing pressure. “We are not celebrating this 8 May today in a spirit of calm self-assurance. Because we can see that freedom is not the grand finale of history,” Steinmeier warned. “We therefore no longer need to ask: Did 8 May free us? But we ask: How can we stay free?” Such warnings made the continuation of the unlikely stretch of peace in most of Europe anything but a given. And even NATO, the trans-Atlantic military alliance that assured peace in Europe under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and its military clout, is under internal strain rarely seen since its inception. There too, the German president, who has a largely ceremonial role but embodies the moral resolve of the nation, also took a not-so-veiled swipe at the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, saying the way the United States is turning away from the international order “is a shock on an entirely new scale.” U.S. contributions to the war effort The United States was instrumental in turning the tide of the war in Europe, invading along with Allies the D-Day beaches in France’s Normandy on June 6, 1944 in what proved to be the tipping point of the war in Europe that inexorably led to the invasion of Germany and the defeat of Hitler. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed Thursday as a day for the United States to celebrate victory in World War II, insisting the country should better recognize its essential role in the war. “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!” he said. The war did drag on beyond Europe especially in the Pacific against Japan, but even Taiwan joined in marking the day for the first time — and highlighting current-day threats. […]
The first. The highest. The only. ONE PARAN emerges as the first entirely new construction in Ramat Eshkol in decades. Four extraordinary triplex residences, each commanding unrivaled panoramic views of Jerusalem’s ancient skyline to distant hills. This is not renovation. This is revolution. The One. The Life You Choose. Since our initial announcement, we’ve witnessed exceptional international interest — a testament to ONE PARAN’s unique position in Jerusalem’s luxury market. Conceived by Amit Mandelkern’s award-winning o2a studio, whose expertise was cultivated at SOM New York and Gehry Partners Los Angeles, ONE PARAN presents an architectural vision respecting Jerusalem’s timeless character while boldly redefining its future. Each residence embodies chic fashion with a touch of warmth — an ode to the Mediterranean vibe. Three levels of meticulous craftsmanship connected by private in-home elevators offering the privacy of a villa with the prestige of Jerusalem’s most significant new address. Sweepingly large terraces extend living spaces into the crisp air, featuring personal spa pools where you can start or end your day relaxing beneath the breathtaking Yerushalmi sky. You have all the room to host those near and dear. Your dining table easily extends to welcome children and grandchildren living nearby. Your porch is perfect for celebrating simchas beis hashoeva. Host family and friends for Purim mesibas, Shabbos meals and Sunday BBQs. Imagine your grandchildren frolicking as together you ooh-and-ah at the sun’s setting rays painting Jerusalem’s hills and walls. This is your setting for generations of memories. A perspective never before experienced — a vantage point until now impossible. The residences feature soaring spaces where high-concept design intersects with utmost comfort. The distinctive light transforms throughout the day, playing across surfaces crafted of only the finest building materials — cool marble, warm wood, artisanal finishes. Below ground, two designated parking spaces and private storage complete the experience of absolute convenience. While offering supreme seclusion, ONE PARAN stands at the prestigious corner of refined living — with the light rail at your doorstep providing effortless access to anywhere in the city! Ramat Eshkol itself has evolved into a vibrant Anglo community with a burgeoning culinary scene along Paran Street. From trendy eateries to specialty shops offering delicious Shabbos takeout, everything essential is within walking distance. For ultimate convenience, select boutiques reside within the building itself (accessed via a separate entrance, ensuring your complete privacy). In this pastoral yet central neighborhood, established yet contemporary, you’ll discover a beautiful blend of old and young, swirling together to form a societal tapestry where everyday life is filled with timeless moments shared in the city we all call home. The flurry of excited calls coming in immediately after the first ad aired has the sales team busy setting up meetings. With only four unique residences available, the opportunity to claim your place in this landmark development is quickly diminishing. Those who recognize ONE PARAN’s unique value in Jerusalem’s luxury market are acting decisively. Four triplex masterpieces. One singular opportunity. ONE PARAN opens a life of possibilities before you. The life you choose. Are you THE ONE? ONE PARAN is developed by Chutzot Yerushalayim, led by Yaakov Lifshitz of the esteemed Neta Lifshitz Group, with financing by Ruby Capital. For a private appointment, contact us at 1paran.co.il
The United States will cut $50 million worth of aid a year to the southern African country of Zambia because of the “systematic” theft of medicines and medical supplies the money paid for, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday. The U.S. had discovered in 2021 that medicines and supplies that were meant to be provided free to Zambians had been taken and were being sold by pharmacies across the country, U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said at a press briefing. He said that an investigation of around 2,000 pharmacies in Zambia between 2021 and 2023 found that nearly half of them were selling medicines and products paid for by U.S. aid funds. The Zambian government had failed to do enough to address the corruption after the U.S. informed it of the theft scandal in April 2024, Gonzales said. There was no immediate government comment Thursday. The $50 million is part of $128 million the U.S. gives to Zambia a year for medicines, medical supplies and other support for its health sector. Gonzales said the cuts would affect medications for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, three critical diseases affecting Zambians. “The United States is taking necessary steps to safeguard, and ensure the accountability of, American taxpayer funds,” Gonzales said. The action was separate to President Donald Trump’s decision to cut U.S. foreign aid across the world, Gonzales said. He said that the U.S. investigation into the theft also found that medications and supplies for Zambia paid for by the Global Fund and other international donors were also being sold in pharmacies. Gonzales said he had recommended to officials in Washington that the U.S. start cutting the aid from January next year to give Zambia time to plan new procurements of the life-saving drugs. (AP)
In the heart of Lakewood, a small group of women turned personal tragedy into a powerful mission. What began as an informal support group for women who had lost their husbands grew into Nagilla—a nationwide network offering healing, dignity, andunwavering support. Today, Nagilla stands as a lifeline for hundreds of women facing one of life’s hardest transitions, providing not only comfort but a true sense of being understood.. Nagilla now offers a wide range of services—from practical assistance to peer mentorship and social programming—all designed for women navigating life on their own. It fosters both emotional and practical growth, ensuring these women are seen, supported, and surrounded by those who understand. In 2024, a new initiative was launched to help sustain Nagilla’s efforts and engage the broader community. Brushstrokes for Nagilla was created as a grassroots art show and fundraiser, blending the beauty of artistic expression with the power of giving. Co-founded by artist Talya Zahler and real estate agent Debbie Smith, this free-of-charge event features a curated collection of artists showcasing and selling their work. Attendees also have the opportunity to buy auction tickets for a chance to win beautiful artwork. Held annually, Brushstrokes for Nagilla is more than an art show. It’s a celebration of resilience, a tribute to the women Nagilla serves, and a meaningful night for all who attend. Guests enjoy a gallery of original artwork, refreshments, and the opportunity to purchase inspiring pieces—many reflecting themes of Jewish faith, strength, and perseverance. This year, supporters who cannot attend in person can still take part by purchasing tickets or making a donation online. Artwork will also be available for viewing and bidding virtually by visiting Brushstrokesfornagilla.org For more information about Nagilla’s services visit www.nagilla.org or email Nagillaoffice@gmail.com. Every brushstroke tells a story, and with each ticket purchased, guests become part of Nagilla’s. mission: “To restore dignity…To empower women…To sensitize the community…” featured art by Sarala Green
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick: “Donald Trump is going deliver incredibly smart, thoughtful, and rigorous trade deals that are going to be great for America. Remember, we have a $1.2T trade deficit and we cut that only 25%, that means we export another $300B. That’s one point of GDP.”
Bill Gates says he will donate 99% of his remaining tech fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will now close in 2045, earlier than previously planned. Today, that would be worth an estimated $107 billion. The pledge is among the largest philanthropic gifts ever – outpacing the historic contributions of industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie when adjusted for inflation. Only Berkshire Hathaway investor Warren Buffett’s pledge to donate his fortune — currently estimated by Forbes at $160 billion — may be larger depending on stock market fluctuations. Gates’ donation will be delivered over time and allow the foundation to spend an additional $200 billion over the next 20 years. “It’s kind of thrilling to have that much to be able to put into these causes,” Gates said in an interview with The Associated Press. His announcement Thursday signals both a promise of sustained support to those causes, particularly global health and education in the U.S., and an eventual end to the foundation’s immense worldwide influence. Gates says spending down his fortune will help save and improve many lives now, which will have positive ripple effects well beyond the foundation’s closure. It also makes it more likely that his intentions are honored. “I think 20 years is the right balance between giving as much as we can to make progress on these things and giving people a lot of notice that now this money will be gone,” Gates said. In a league of its own The Gates Foundation has long been peerless among foundations — attracting supporters and detractors but also numerous unfounded conspiracy theories. In addition to the $100 billion it has spent since its founding 25 years ago, it has directed scientific research, helped develop new technologies, and nurtured long-term partnerships with countries and companies. About 41% of the foundation’s money so far has come from Warren Buffett and the rest from the fortune Gates made at Microsoft. Started by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates in 2000, the foundation plays a significant role in shaping global health policy and has carved out a special niche by partnering with companies to drive down the cost of medical treatments so low- and middle-income countries could afford them. “The foundation work has been way more impactful than I expected,” Gates said, calling it his second and final career. The foundation’s influence on global health — from the World Health Organization to research agendas — is both a measure of its success and a magnet for criticism. For years, researchers have asked why a wealthy family should have so much sway over how the world improves people’s health and responds to crises. Gates said, like any private citizen, he can choose how to spend the money he earns and has decided to do everything he can to reduce childhood deaths. “Is that a bad thing? It’s not an important cause? People can criticize it,” he said, but the foundation will stick to its global health work. The Associated Press receives financial support for news coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation and for news coverage of women in the workforce and statehouses from Melinda French Gates’ organization, Pivotal Ventures. Major ambitions for the remaining 20 years The foundation’s most prized metric is the drop in childhood deaths from preventable […]
As fragile nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington teeter on the edge, explosive new satellite imagery has emerged, raising fresh questions about the true nature of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Published Thursday by Fox News, the images reveal a covert facility nestled in Iran’s Semnan Province—an area already dotted with nuclear infrastructure. The site, previously unacknowledged by Iranian authorities, is being called the “Rainbow Site” by the opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which alleges that it plays a critical role in a clandestine nuclear weapons program. While Tehran insists the facility is merely a chemical plant, the NCRI claims it is used to develop tritium—a rare radioactive isotope with no civilian application but potent military potential, especially for boosting the explosive yield of nuclear warheads. “The presence of tritium production changes the narrative,” a senior opposition figure said. “It strongly suggests that Iran is not just enriching uranium for energy, but actively pursuing a weapon.” Diplomatic tensions are rising in parallel. According to Iran International, sources close to the ongoing negotiations say the upcoming round of talks—already delayed last week—may be in jeopardy. Disagreements over Iran’s demand to continue uranium enrichment remain a central sticking point. “Iran has agreed to rigorous IAEA inspections, and oversight frameworks are in place,” one Iranian diplomat revealed anonymously. “But enrichment is non-negotiable for Iran—and unacceptable for the U.S.” The complexity deepens as Washington introduces new demands, including curbs on Iran’s ballistic missile development and its web of regional proxy forces. Tehran has reportedly agreed to temporarily restrain militias such as the Houthis in Yemen, in a bid to prevent Israel from intervening or derailing the talks. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The Trump administration proposed a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system on Thursday in the wake of recent deadly plane crashes and technical failures that have put a spotlight on the outdated network. The plan calls for six new air traffic control centers, along with technology and communications upgrades at all of the nation’s air traffic facilities over the next three years, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. How much it will all cost wasn’t immediately revealed. “We use radar from the 1970s,” said Duffy, who compared the proposal with upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone. “This technology is 50 years old that our controllers use to scan the skies and keep airplanes separated from one another.” The Trump administration wants to add fiber, wireless and satellite technology at more than 4,600 locations, replace 600 radars and increase the number of airports with systems designed to reduce near misses on runways. Six new air traffic control centers also would be built under the plan and new hardware and software would be standardized across all air traffic facilities. The plan has an aggressive timeline, calling on everything to be finished by 2028. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee estimated last week that it might cost $12.5 billion to overhaul the air traffic control system, but that estimate was developed before the Transportation Department revealed the details of its plan. Backers of the proposal indicated the amount was just a first step. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, who heads the House transportation committee, called it only a “down payment.” To build the system in three to four years, as planned, Duffy said Congress must give the Federal Aviation Administration all the money up front. Trump said Thursday that the plan will revolutionize flying. “The new equipment is unbelievable what it does,” he said from the Oval Office. He began to say it may even alleviate the need for pilots before adding, “In my opinion, you always need pilots. But you wouldn’t even have to have pilots. This system is so incredible.” The aging system and its struggles to handle more than 45,000 daily flights have come under renewed scrutiny since the midair collision in January between a military helicopter and a commercial airliner that killed 67 people over Washington, D.C. The crash showed the need for these upgrades, Duffy said in front of airline officials, union leaders and family members of those who died in the crash near Reagan National Airport. “If there are foreseeable issues in the airspace you would expect someone to take actions to save lives,” Duffy said. “This is bold. This is going to be challenging, but we absolutely can do it,” he said. Some of the equipment is so dated that the government shops on eBay for replacement parts and some systems still use floppy disks, Duffy said. Following the midair crash, Trump promised to fix what he called “an old, broken system” and to tackle the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers while blaming the previous Biden administration for both problems. But the weaknesses within the air traffic control system have been highlighted for years in hearings before Congress and government reports. The struggles to keep up with increasing air traffic has been recognized since the 1990s — long before either […]
The more President Donald Trump talks about his efforts to reach deals with America’s trading partners, the more confusing the tariff picture gets. His team seems good with that, saying Trump is using “strategic uncertainty” to his advantage. Trump says the United States does not have to sign any agreements, and that it could sign 25 of them right now. He says he is looking for fair deals on all sides, and that he does not care about other countries’ markets. He says his team can sit down to negotiate the terms of a deal, and that he might just impose a set of tariffs on his own. “I am struggling to make sense of it,” Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, wrote in an email. Late Wednesday on his social media site, Trump wrote that he’ll be holding a news conference Thursday morning concerning a “MAJOR TRADE DEAL WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF A BIG, AND HIGHLY RESPECTED, COUNTRY.” He added that it would be “THE FIRST OF MANY!!!” Although Trump’s team holds up his best-selling book “The Art of the Deal” as proof that he has a master plan, much of the world is on tenterhooks. That has meant a volatile stock market, hiring freezes and all kinds of uncertainty even as Trump continues to promise that new factories and jobs are on the horizon. A look at how the trade talks may play out: Trump still wants tariffs As part of any deal, Trump wants to keep some of his tariffs in place. He believes the import taxes can generate massive revenues for a heavily indebted federal government even though other countries see the whole point of striking a deal as getting rid of tariffs. “They’re a beautiful thing for us,” Trump said recently about tariffs. “If you can use them, if you can get away with using them, it’s going to make us very rich. And we’ll be paying off debt, we’ll be lowering your taxes very substantially because so much money will be taken in that we’ll be able to lower your taxes even beyond the tax cut that you’re going to be getting.” So far this year, the U.S. government has collected $45.9 billion from tariffs, about $14.5 billion more than last year, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Those revenues could escalate sharply given the 10% baseline tariffs, the 145% rate being charged on Chinese goods and rates as high as 25% on steel, aluminum, auto and Mexican and Canadian imports. To reach Trump’s stated goals of repaying the $36 trillion debt and reducing income taxes, his tariffs would need to raise at least $2 trillion annually without causing the economy to crash in ways that lead to lower overall tax revenues. That would be close to impossible mathematically. How do negotiations work? The Republican administration has said 17 of its major 18 trading partners have essentially presented them with term sheets, which list the possible compromises that they are prepared to make. Agreeing to a mutual understanding of the terms would be only the start of any trade talks. But foreign leaders have said it is unclear exactly what Trump wants or how deals could be codified into a durable agreement. They also know Trump approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2020, […]
VP VANCE ON THE TAX BILL: “The best way to defeat our debt long term is growth… If the economy is growing at 3% or even 4%, that is the way that you solve the problem. What this tax bill accomplishes fundamentally is it grows the American economy, I think, in the biggest way in a generation.”
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau: “Today marks a major milestone in aviation for America… We’re all here today to commit to taking bold steps to build a new, world-class air traffic system that is safer, more efficient, more resilient and better prepared to meet the needs of the future.”
UPDATE: Less than 24 hours after YWN published a lost tefillin alert on Wednesday, the tefillin were successfully located. The owner tells YWN, “Thank you so much for all your help with this! It was through your post that I got in touch with someone who was able to help me locate them!”
Hardly any other country marks the end of World War II with the same fanfare and fervor as Russia, for which the victory over Nazi Germany 80 years ago remains a source of immense pride and a defining moment of history. Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, is Russia’s most important secular holiday, reflecting its wartime sacrifice. But it’s also used by the Kremlin to bolster patriotism and regain the superpower prestige it lost when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. President Vladimir Putin, who has ruled Russia for 25 of those 80 years, has turned Victory Day into a key pillar of his tenure and has tried to use it to justify his 3-year-old invasion of Ukraine. He has also sought to underline the failure of Western efforts to isolate Moscow by inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders to the festivities, which this year have been overshadowed by reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and severe disruptions at the capital’s airports, as well as cellphone internet outages. A look at why Victory Day is so important for Russia and Putin: The Soviet sacrifice of World War II The Soviet Union lost a staggering 27 million people in what it calls the Great Patriotic War from 1941-45. That sacrifice left a deep scar in the national psyche. Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, and quickly overran the western part of the country. They got as close as 30 kilometers (under 19 miles) from Moscow by October of that year, but the Red Army rebounded and routed the invaders. Soviet troops dealt crushing defeats to Germany in 1943 in Stalingrad and Kursk. and then drove the Nazi forces back across the western Soviet Union all the way to Berlin. Putin has noted that every seventh Soviet citizen was killed, while the United Kingdom lost one out of every 127 and the United States one out of 320. “The Soviet Union and the Red Army, no matter what anyone is trying to prove today, made the main and crucial contribution to the defeat of Nazism,” Putin wrote in 2020. A Putin family story from World War II Putin is deeply emotional to the history of World War II, saying “we will always remember the high price the Soviet people paid for the victory.” He often invokes stories from his parents, Vladimir and Maria, in the war, and the death of his 2-year-old brother, Viktor, known as “Vitya,” during the 2 1/2-year Nazi siege of his home of Leningrad, now called St. Petersburg. ”It was the place where my mother miraculously managed to survive,” Putin wrote. “My father, despite being exempt from active duty, volunteered to defend his hometown.” He also recalled in a magazine article how his father talked about a scouting mission behind Nazi lines when his comrades were killed and he survived by hiding in a swamp and breathing through a reed while German soldiers walked a few steps away. Putin’s father was badly wounded. After leaving the hospital, he walked home on crutches to see morgue workers taking his wife’s body away for burial. “He came up to her and it seemed to him that she was breathing, and he said to the orderlies, ‘She’s still alive!’” Putin’s father recounted to his son. The morgue workers […]
Federal officials on Wednesday released images of a doomed New York City sightseeing helicopter as it broke apart in midair last month, killing six people. The series of still photographs taken from surveillance camera video shows the fuselage, containing the engine and rotors, separating from the helicopter’s tail. The rotor blades and the transmission then detach from the cabin that’s carrying the passengers and the pilot. The images were included in the preliminary report about the flight released by the National Transportation Safety Board. “Several witnesses described hearing several loud ‘bangs’ emanating from the helicopter before it broke up and descended into the river,” the report says. Justin Green, an aviation lawyer and former Marine helicopter pilot, said the sequence of images shows the helicopter yawing severely and the tail boom failing, suggesting it was most likely struck by the aircraft’s main rotor blades during flight. “It’s clear that some mechanical issue precipitated the breakup,” he said. The initial report, which runs about six pages, does not address the initial cause of the breakup. That, Green said, will likely be determined by a forensic examination of the wreckage itself, including the rotor blades, the engine and transmission. “A tail strike could be caused by a pilot not handling a loss of power emergency and allowing the rotor rpm to decay, which makes the rotors flap up and down more and that can cause a strike,” he said. The aircraft, a Bell 206L-4 built in 2004, also appeared to be fairly old and well used, according to Green. At the time of the crash, the helicopter had operated about 50 hours since its last inspection on Feb. 27, according to the NTSB report. The helicopter’s airframe accrued nearly 13,000 total hours of operation, and the engine accrued more than 23,000 hours. Federal Aviation Administration records also show the aircraft had a maintenance issue last September involving its transmission assembly. “The NTSB will be looking at the overhaul and maintenance records to make sure everything is up to date,” Green said. The NTSB said previously that the aircraft, operated by tour company New York Helicopter, was not equipped with any video or data recording devices. But on Wednesday, it said photos taken beforehand show that the pilot, Seankese Johnson, was wearing computer-augmented sunglasses, which would have had video and audio recording capability. The glasses have not been recovered. Johnson, a 36-year-old former Navy SEAL, received his commercial pilot’s license in 2023 and had logged 790 hours of flight time, the NTSB report said. But he didn’t appear to be particularly experienced flying a Bell 206L-4, observed Al Yurman, a retired NTSB investigator. The agency said in its report Johnson had fewer than 50 hours of flight in that type of aircraft. “It’s quite sophisticated for that type of work,” Yurman said. “I would prefer to have someone more experienced, but we’ll know more when the full report comes out.” The report said Johnson worked a “10 days on/10 days off schedule” and the April 10 flight was his first day back after 10 days off. The flight was also the eighth that day for the pilot and the helicopter. The aircraft was on a typical tour, departing from the downtown heliport by Wall Street around 3 p.m. and flying north along the […]
