House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending. The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while trimming nondefense programs below 2024 budget year levels. That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction. Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is teeing up the bill for a vote on Tuesday despite the lack of buy-in from Democrats, essentially daring them to vote against it and risk a shutdown. He also is betting that Republicans can muscle the legislation through the House largely by themselves. Normally, when it comes to keeping the government fully open for business, Republicans have had to work with Democrats to craft a bipartisan measure that both sides can support. That’s because Republicans almost always lack the votes to pass spending bills on their own. Crucially, the strategy has the backing of President Donald Trump, who has shown an ability so far in his term to hold Republicans in line. Trump praised the bill, posting on his Truth Social platform that Republicans have to “remain UNITED — NO DISSENT — Fight for another day when the timing is right.” “Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s ‘financial house’ in order,” he said. House Republicans’ leadership staff outlined the contours of the measure, saying it would allow for about $892.5 billion in defense spending and about $708 billion in nondefense spending. The defense spending is slightly above the prior year’s level, but the nondefense spending, the aides said, was about $13 billion below last year. The measure also will not include funding requested by individual lawmakers for thousands of community projects around the country, often referred to as earmarks. But Republicans noted that it would provide for the largest pay increase to junior enlisted servicemembers in more than 40 years, and it included an additional $500 million for a nutritional assistance program for women, infants and young children. The bill does not cover the majority of government spending, including programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Funding for those two programs are on auto pilot and are not regularly reviewed by Congress. The top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Washington Sen. Patty Murray, both issued statements blasting the legislation. “I strongly oppose this full-year continuing resolution,” DeLauro said. Murray said the legislation would “give Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power over federal spending — and more power to pick winners and losers, which threatens families in blue and red states alike.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who heads the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the focus must be on preventing a shutdown because closures have negative consequences all across government. “They require certain essential government employees, such as Border Patrol agents, members of our military and Coast Guard, TSA screeners, and air traffic controllers, to report to […]
An arsonist allegedly set fire to the Khal Chasidim Jewish Community Center in Casa Grande, Arizona, causing extensive damage to the newly renovated facility. The blaze, which erupted around 2 a.m. on Monday, quickly engulfed the building, leaving the local Jewish community reeling but resilient. On Thursday, the Casa Grande Police Department arrested a 30-year-old local resident in connection with the incident, charging him with arson. The fire was first reported after flames were seen tearing through the community center. Firefighters from the Casa Grande Fire Department arrived promptly, battling the inferno for hours before bringing it under control by 6 a.m. Despite their efforts, the building sustained significant structural damage, with the interior—home to a shul, library, and classrooms—left in ruins. The center, which had recently undergone renovations, was a source of pride for the small but vibrant Jewish community in Casa Grande. Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, who oversees the center, expressed shock at the destruction but emphasized the community’s determination to recover. “We’re devastated, but we’re not broken,” he said in the aftermath. “This is a place of unity and strength, and we will rebuild.” No injuries were reported, as the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Investigators from the Casa Grande Fire Department, alongside police, immediately suspected foul play. Evidence collected at the scene pointed to arson, prompting a swift investigation that would soon yield results. On Thursday, authorities announced the arrest of Everardo Gregorio, a Casa Grande resident with no known prior connection to the Jewish community center. Gregorio was taken into custody following a police investigation that uncovered evidence linking him to the fire. While the motive remains under investigation, officials confirmed that Gregorio faces arson charges, with the possibility of additional charges pending further review. Casa Grande Police Chief Mark McCrory addressed the arrest in a statement, saying, “We are committed to ensuring justice is served in this case. This fire caused significant harm to a valued community space, and we’re working diligently to understand the full circumstances.” Details about the evidence leading to Gregorio’s arrest have not been released, as the investigation remains ongoing. Despite the loss, members of Khal Chasidim have rallied together, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity. By Wednesday, the kehilla had already begun planning temporary arrangements for tefillos and activities, vowing not to let the fire disrupt their mission. “We’ve received an outpouring of support from neighbors and friends across Casa Grande,” Rabbi Deitsch noted. “It’s a testament to the spirit here.” As the investigation continues, attention now turns to the future of the Khal Chasidim Jewish Community Center. The cost of the damage has yet to be fully assessed, but community leaders are optimistic about rebuilding, buoyed by support from both within and beyond Casa Grande. “This is a setback, but it’s not the end,” Rabbi Deitsch said. “We’ll come back stronger.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The death toll from two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad and revenge killings that followed has risen to more than 1,000, a war monitoring group said Saturday, making it one of the deadliest acts of violence since Syria’s conflict began 14 years ago. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in addition to 745 civilians killed, mostly in shootings from close distance, 125 government security force members and 148 militants with armed groups affiliated with Assad were killed. It added that electricity and drinking water were cut off in large areas around the city of Latakia. The clashes, which erupted Thursday, marked a major escalation in the challenge to the new government in Damascus, three months after insurgents took authority after removing Assad from power. The government has said that they were responding to attacks from remnants of Assad’s forces and blamed “individual actions” for the rampant violence. Retribution killings between Sunnis and Alawites The revenge killings that started Friday by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government against members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect are a major blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the overthrow of the former government. Alawites made up a large part of Assad’s support base for decades. Residents of Alawite villages and towns spoke to The Associated Press about killings during which gunmen shot Alawites, the majority of them men, in the streets or at the gates of their homes. Many homes of Alawites were looted and then set on fire in different areas, two residents of Syria’s coastal region told the AP from their hideouts. They asked that their names not be made public out of fear of being killed by gunmen, adding that thousands of people have fled to nearby mountains for safety. Residents speak of atrocities in one town Residents of Baniyas, one of the towns worst hit by the violence, said bodies were strewn on the streets or left unburied in homes and on the roofs of buildings, and nobody was able to collect them. One resident said that the gunmen prevented residents for hours from removing the bodies of five of their neighbors killed Friday at close range. Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident of Baniyas who fled with his family and neighbors hours after the violence broke out Friday, said that at least 20 of his neighbors and colleagues in one neighborhood of Baniyas where Alawites lived, were killed, some of them in their shops, or in their homes. Sheha called the attacks “revenge killings” of the Alawite minority for the crimes committed by Assad’s government. Other residents said the gunmen included foreign fighters, and militants from neighboring villages and towns. “It was very very bad. Bodies were on the streets,” as he was fleeing, Sheha said, speaking by phone from nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the city. He said the gunmen were gathering less than 100 meters from his apartment building, firing randomly at homes and residents and in at least one incident he knows of, asked residents for their IDs to check their religion and their sect before killing them. He said the gunmen also burned some homes and stole cars and robbed homes. Death toll has multiplied The Observatory’s chief Rami Abdurrahman […]
Russia launched heavy aerial attacks on Ukraine for a second night Saturday after the United States stopped sharing satellite images with the Ukrainian government, officials said. At least 22 people have been killed. The U.S. decision to withhold intelligence and military aid came on the heels of a tempestuous White House visit last week by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Donald Trump is trying to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace deal with Russia. Without U.S. satellite imagery, Ukraine’s ability to strike inside Russia and defend itself from bombardment is significantly diminished. “This is what happens when someone appeases barbarians,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X Saturday. “More bombs, more aggression, more victims. Another tragic night in Ukraine.” At least 11 people were killed in multiple strikes on a town in Ukraine’s embattled eastern Donetsk region late Friday, and another seven people were killed in four towns close to the front where Russian troops have been making steady advances, said regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin. Three others died when a Russian drone hit a civilian workshop in the northeastern Kharkiv region, emergency service officials reported. One man was killed by shelling in the region. Filashkin declared a day of mourning Saturday and warned that more victims could still be found in the rubble. Russia fired two ballistic missiles into the center of the front-line town of Dobropillya, then launched a strike targeting rescuers who responded, according to Zelenskyy. Forty-seven people, including seven children, were injured in the attack. “It is a vile and inhumane intimidation tactic to which the Russians often resort,” he said. Just 24 hours before the attacks, Russia hit Ukrainian energy facilities with dozens of missiles and drones, hobbling its ability to deliver heat and light to its citizens and to power weapons factories vital to its defenses. Trump says Putin is ‘doing what anybody else would’ When asked Friday if Russian President Vladimir Putin was taking advantage of the U.S. pause on intelligence-sharing to attack Ukraine, Trump responded: “I think he’s doing what anybody else would.” Zelenskyy did not mention intelligence-sharing Saturday, but said he welcomed Trump’s proposal Friday to impose large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final peace settlement is reached. “Everything that helps Putin finance the war must be broken,” the Ukrainian president said. Zelenskyy also said he and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials would travel to Saudi Arabia later this week to discuss proposals aimed at ending the war. In a post on X, he wrote that he was scheduled to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, but that only his team would remain in the country to meet with U.S. officials. “Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war,” he wrote. “Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.” A barrage of missiles and drones Ukraine’s air force reported Saturday that Russian troops launched three Iskander missiles and 145 drones over the country overnight. The bombardment contained a mix of attack and decoy drones intended to confuse air defenses. One missile and 79 drones were shot down, while 54 more drones were lost without causing damage, the Ukrainian air force said. Meanwhile, Russian troops shot down 31 Ukrainian drones overnight, including […]
A total lunar eclipse will flush the moon red Thursday night into Friday morning across the Western Hemisphere. The best views will be from North America and South America. Parts of Africa and Europe may catch a glimpse. Lunar eclipses happen when the moon, Earth and sun align just so. The Earth casts a shadow that can partially or totally blot out the moon. During a partial lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow appears to take a bite of the moon. The full moon is covered during a total eclipse and blushes coppery red because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere. Lunar and solar eclipses happen anywhere from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. A partial lunar eclipse graced skies in the Americas, Africa and Europe last September and the last total lunar eclipse was in 2022. How to see the lunar eclipse The so-called blood moon will be visible for about an hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning. Peak viewing will be close to 3 a.m. Eastern. To see it, venture outside and look up — no need for eclipse glasses or any special equipment. “As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. The setting of the moon may make it harder to see the eclipse in Europe and Africa. “This is really an eclipse for North and South America,” said astronomy expert Michael Faison from Yale University. If you miss out, mark your calendar for Sept. 7. Another total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Parts of the Americas will get their next taste in March 2026. (AP)
Since Lena Troufanov and her mother were released from captivity in November 2023, they met many times with HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein who was mechazeik them and cried with them over Lena’s only child Sasha, who was being held hostage in Gaza. Sasha’s kallah, Sapir Cohen, also accompanied them to some of their meetings with HaRav Zilberstein and other Gedolim. All three women, Lena, her mother, and Sapir, became Shomer Shabbos after their release. B’Chasdei Hashem, Sasha was released last month. Recently, he went to meet HaRav Zilberstein, accompanied by his mother, Sapir, and Sapir’s parents, Eliyahu and Ziva Cohen. HaRav Zilberstein has said several times in the past that he purchased a new tallis in order to recite the bracha of Shechiyanu when meeting released hostages. The Rav paskened that in order to recite the bracha with Shem and Malchus, one should recite Shechiyanu on a new beged and have in mind his simcha on seeing the released hostage. Also present at the meeting was HaRav Dovid Druck, the head of the Kissufim organization, and Chareidi publicist Yisrael Cohen. After reciting Shechiyanu, HaRav Zilberstein turned to Sasha and said: “You will alway be a symbol for the Jewish nation…You were held by wild animals, perei adam. It’s a neis that you’re alive. And you have to understand that this obligates you. The first thing you should work on is to be Shomer Shabbos – no driving or lighting fire or lights. For now, just these two things.” HaRav Zilberstein elaborated on the advantages of Shemiras Shabbos and the tranquility and simcha a family experiences when keeping Shabbos. HaRav Zilberstein added: “Remember that only Hashem protected you. No one protected you except Him.” Sasha replied: “I agree with the Rav. That it’s most important to remember that ultimately I’m here only in the zechus of Hashem.” HaRav Zilberstein said: “I’ve been davening here for you for almost 500 days…” Sasha: “Thank you, Kavod HaRav” HaRav Zilberstein: “No, no. I don’t want you to thank me. I want you to thank Hashem.” HaRav Zilberstein’s children and grandchildren were called in to complete a minyan in order for Sasha to recite HaGomel, which he had specifically requested to say in the presence of HaRav Zilberstein. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
HaGaon HaRav Nosson Nota Schiller, ztl, the Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, was niftar on Shabbos at Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem at the age of 88. HaRav Schiller, z’tl, was born in Brooklyn and learned as a bochur in Yeshivas Chaim Berlin and Ner Yisrael. After his marriage in 1963, he moved to Eretz Yisrael and became one of the leaders of the Baal Teshuvah movement following the Six-Day War, founding Ohr Somayach, (which was originally called Shema Yisrael) together with HaGaon HaRav Noach Weinberg, zt’l and HaGaon HaRav Mendel Weinbach, z’tl. HaRav Schiller, a erudite Talmud Chacham, spent decades inspiring, influencing, and teaching Torah to thousands of talmidim throughout the years and was the driving force behind the development of Ohr Somayach International, which opened branches of the yeshiva throughout the world. He often consulted with Gedolei HaDor regarding his work with baalei teshuvah, and was especially close to HaGaon HaRav Shach, zt’l, and HaGaon HaRav Elyashiv, z’tl. He left behind children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren following in his path of Torah and mitzvos. His sons are HaRav Nachshon Schiller, the Rosh Yeshivah of Ohr Shmuel Yeshivah in Jerusalem; HaRav Shlomo Schiller, the Rosh Yeshivah of Ohr Somayach, and Reb Dovid Schiller of Beit Shemesh. Some of his sons-in-law are HaGaon HaRav Avraham Yitzchak Kook, HaRav Yaakov Englander, Rosh Mesivta in Yeshivas Maor Yitzchak Chemed, HaRav Yechiel Blidstein, Rosh Mesivta in Yeshivas Knesset Yaakov, Rav Moshe Shprung and HaRav Aharon Fein, Rosh Mesivta in Ohr Somayach. The levaya is scheduled to begin at Ohr Somayach on Rechov Shimon HaTzaddik 22 on Motzei Shabbos at 10:30 p.m. The kevurah will take place on Har Hamenuchos. תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
While negotiations between Israel and Hamas on advancing to phase B of the ceasefire deal are continuing, Israel is already preparing for significant action in the Strip, the Wall Street Journal reported on Shabbos. According to the report, Israel has formulated a plan with a series of steps to increase pressure on Hamas. The first step has already been implemented in the past week with the cessation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The next moves against Hamas in Gaza will include cutting off electricity and water supplies to Gaza. The report quoted Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich as saying that the measures against Hamas were discussed at the Cabinet meeting earlier this week. If these measures fail, Israel may turn to an operation of air strikes and tactical raids against Hamas targets, an Israeli security analyst who was briefed on the plan told the Wall Street Journal. In the next stage, Israel may again evacuate the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who took advantage of the ceasefire to return to their homes in northern Gaza, the analyst added. Sources familiar with the Israeli plan said that eventually, Israel could return to intense activity in the Gaza Strip, this time using more force than was used in the previous stages of the fighting. Some Israeli security analysts say that the country is in a much better position to enter Gaza than it was at the beginning of the war. Its ammunition stockpiles have been replenished, the restrictions and pressure imposed on it by the Biden administration have been removed, and it no longer needs to maintain a large number of soldiers on the northern border to defend against a Hezbollah attack. The report clarified that the escalation stages may last up to two months, during which time Israel will prepare its forces for another entry into Gaza. “Many in Israel feel that another entry into the Strip is unavoidable,” the report said. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
Mike Waltz: The President has been crystal clear: The fighting has to stop. Both sides need to get to the table. Both leaders have said only President Trump could do so — Secretary Rubio, myself, and the Ukrainian delegation will be meeting in Saudi Arabia next week.
BREAKING: The family of hostage Matan Angrest permits the publication of a Hamas propaganda video showing the abducted soldier, which appears to have been recorded last week. He calls on the Israeli government, US President Donald Trump and the leaders of the Israeli military to secure his release.
POTUS: “Under the final two years of Biden, one in every four jobs created in America was a government job… But under the first full month of President Trump, an incredible 93% of all job gains were in the private sector.”
BREAKING: Trump Administration cancels $400,000,000 in federal funding for Columbia University following the school’s failure to adequately address antisemitism on campus.
Thousands mark “ז אדר” in Meron at Kever Rashbi. The 7th of Adar is the yahrtzeit and birth date of Moshe Rabbeinu, a meaningful day for tefillah at the Kevarim of tzaddikim.
Heavy clashes are continuing to occur in the Latakia Governorate of Northwestern Syria, as forces of the Syrian Government continue to advance against pro-Assad militias, with upwards of 180 opposition fighters said to have been eliminated so far
Secretary of Education McMahon: “The president has said he’s absolutely not going to allow federal funds to go to these universities that continue to allow antisemitism on campus. That’s just something we’re not going to do.”
Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks says Mexico is putting a ton of troops on the border to stop criminal aliens before they even get there: “A lot of their troops on southern border to prevent the illegals from making it to the border to cross.”
HISTORIC: Approximately 800 Chareidim Jews, many from the Breslov and Shuvu Banim communities, gathered overnight Thursday to daven at the kever of Rav Ashi, the revered Amora who compiled the Gemara, located along the Israel-Lebanon border. This group, facilitated and escorted by the IDF, marked a significant shift from previous risky attempts to reach the site.
