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President Donald Trump honored Juneteenth in each of his first four years as president, even before it became a federal holiday. He even claimed once to have made it “very famous.” But on this year’s Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, the usually talkative president kept silent about a day important to Black Americans for marking the end of slavery in the country he leads again. No words about it from his lips, on paper or through his social media site. Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth in any way, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.” Asked in a follow-up question whether Trump might recognize the occasion another way or on another day, Leavitt said, “I just answered that question for you.” On Wednesday, Black community leaders from across the country, senior Trump administration officials and other individuals met at the White House to discuss improving coordination between the leaders and federal, state and local partners, according to a senior White House official. Housing Secretary Scott Turner and Lynne Patton, director of minority outreach, were among those who attended, said the official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a private gathering. The Republican president’s silence was a sharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States by commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. Trump’s quiet on the issue also deviated from White House guidance that Trump planned to sign a Juneteenth proclamation. Leavitt didn’t explain the change. Trump held no public events Thursday, but he shared statements about Iran, the TikTok app and Fed chairman Jerome Powell on his social media site. In the evening, Trump complained on the site about “too many non-working holidays” and said it is “costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.” But most retailers are open on Juneteenth while most federal workers get a day off because the government is closed. He had more to say about Juneteenth in yearly statements in his first term. In 2017, Trump invoked the “soulful festivities and emotional rejoicing” that swept through the Galveston crowd when a major general delivered the news that all enslaved people were free. He told the Galveston story in each of the next three years. “Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness,” he added in his 2018 statement. In 2019: “Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life.” In 2020: “June reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation. It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation’s unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness.” In 2020, after suspending his campaign rallies because of the […]

The IDF has just released a statement in Arabic and Farsi, ordering the immediate evacuation of all employees and residents living around the Sefidrood Industrial Park in the village of Kolesh Taleshan, near the Northwestern Iranian city of Rasht.

Tehran is lit tonight! Massive explosions are rocking the city. Something big is getting obliterated by the IAF tonight.

Non-stop anti aircraft fire in Tehran now, as the IAF carries out a wave of airstrikes.

Fox News senior strategic analyst Gen. Jack Keane (ret.) breaks down alternative options to using a bunker-busting bomb and B-2s to strike Fordow, Iran’s retaliation capabilities and whether action is imminent.

WATCH:

Hair covering is not merely symbolic- it is a serious Biblical obligation and prohibition that stems directly from the sanctity of marriage. Tragically, this severe issur is being disregarded on a communal level. Broadly speaking, there are two general categories of men in relation to the struggle for kedushah and shmiras einayim: 1. The Struggling but Sincere These men are actively striving to rise above the overwhelming taavah and temptations of today’s society. Their inner struggle is admirable and echoes the legacy of Yosef HaTzaddik, who famously resisted temptation and fled from spiritual danger. Many overlook a crucial point in Yosef’s story: the sin had already begun to some extent, yet he found the strength to turn back. This illustrates true gevurah, setting a path for others to follow. Men in this category are engaged in a daily inner battle, sincerely striving to live lives of kedushah, Torah, and deveikus baHashem. They tap into the Kedushas Habris that is bestowed upon every Jewish boy on the eighth day of his life. All things associated with seven are naturalthe seven colors in the rainbow, seven musical notes, the seven days of the week. Eight symbolizes drawing from a higher, supernatural world. When a man’s biological and emotional inner world are intensely working against him, he still has the ability to muster the strength to say no and flee- an ability uniquely possessed by men. These men understand deeply that the spiritual impurities of our generation are at the root of our prolonged galus, and that geulah is within reach if we, as a whole, rise to the challenge.2. The Spiritually Numbed Sadly, there are others who have become desensitized to the spiritual dangers that surround us. Regular exposure to inappropriate imagery no longer elicits resistance. There is no internal struggle- only a passive slide into spiritual decline. A simple process: interest, processing, conclusion, and then repeat at the next opportunity. While some in this group feel regret, they often struggle to transform that regret into lasting change. Others have become numb altogether, no longer recognizing the spiritual damage incurred. Outwardly, they may appear respectable and impressive, but those in the first group often sense their detachment from Hashem and their overall indifference to kedushah. Often unbeknownst to them, their faces show signs of brazenness, fading out subtle traces of sincerity and innocence. This brings us to a pressing and uncomfortable question: What is the true motivation behind today’s increasingly provocative sheitels? Can it really be that married women are unaware of the attention they attract with wigs styled to mimic natural, alluring hair- complete with highlights, volume, and contemporary fashion? What exactly is gained by this manner of dress? Does it strengthen the bond between husband and wife in any meaningful way, or does it negatively affect so many other marriages? Does the average woman ever don that sheitel for her husband at all, or is it only for the public eye? When a non-Jew is told that Jewish women wear sheitels for modesty, why do they look utterly baffled? Why are misleading terms like “heter” and “mesorah” clouding our ability to understand what outsiders see with clarity? How can anyone with a genuine connection to Hashem and His holy Torah not feel that this is a travesty of the highest […]

A U.S. military aircraft known as a “doomsday plane” made its way to Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC this week, as President Trump considers whether to authorize a strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The E-4B Nightwatch, a specially outfitted command and control aircraft meant to ensure the continuity of government in a nuclear conflict, was tracked en route to the capital, following a meandering flight path.

According to data from FlightRadar, the aircraft departed from Bossier City, Louisiana, around 6 p.m. Tuesday and touched down in Maryland at 10 p.m., after flying along the East Coast and looping around parts of Virginia and North Carolina.

Flight trackers noted something unusual: the aircraft used the callsign ORDER01, a departure from its usual identifier ORDER6, prompting speculation about its mission.

The U.S. operates four E-4Bs as part of a fleet that flies regularly throughout the year to maintain readiness for national security crises.

These jets function as mobile headquarters for top defense leaders, including the president, the secretary of defense, and the Joint Chiefs, enabling them to manage military operations even during extreme emergencies.

Each Nightwatch plane is equipped to carry as many as 112 personnel and can travel more than 7,000 miles without needing to land.

Their strategic value lies in their unique features, which include resilience against nuclear explosions, cyber threats, and electromagnetic interference. They are also capable of launching retaliatory strikes if necessary.

The E-4B is shielded against thermal and nuclear threats and houses 67 antennas and satellite dishes in its ray dome, providing global communication capabilities.

Thanks to in-flight refueling, the aircraft can stay aloft for days at a time. In fact, one such mission recorded a continuous flight time of 35.4 hours.

Inside, the aircraft offers extensive accommodations spread over three decks, including 18 sleeping bunks, a command center, conference areas, and space for strategic planning—essentially functioning as a mobile Pentagon.

Donald Rumsfeld, who served as defense secretary under President George W. Bush, frequently used the E-4B for travel.

Some analysts believe the recent flight may be tied to heightened security measures for the president amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The U.S. Air Force has begun the process of retiring the current Nightwatch fleet. In April, it awarded a $13 billion contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation to build their replacements, according to a report by the Aviationist.

The backdrop to the deployment is rising friction between Iran and Israel, with Trump recently calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

Despite suffering heavy aerial bombardment in Tehran that has led thousands to flee, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected Trump’s demand on Wednesday.

Since Israel initiated its military operation against Iran last week, over 224 people have reportedly been killed.

FlightRadar showed that two Iranian government jets left Iranian airspace on Wednesday, heading to Oman.

This triggered speculation that high-ranking Iranian officials might be escaping the conflict—or possibly preparing for urgent negotiations in Muscat.

{Matzav.com}

Is China helping Iran secretly in its conflict against Israel? There are reports that, as the battle between Israel and Iran raged over the past few days, China sent three mystery cargo planes to Tehran. Some are concerned that these planes contain weapons that Iran could deploy against Israel . But what happened? What do we know? And why would China help Iran? Three planes from China, all Boeing 747s , departed for Iran in three consecutive days. The first one left on Saturday, a day after Israel launched its first attacks on Iran. The second departed for Iran on Sunday and the third left for Iran on Monday. These types of Boeing 747s are often used to transport heavy-duty military equipment. All three planes charted the same flight path – heading west along northern China into Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The planes then dropped off the radar near Iran. Though all three flights showed Luxembourg as their final destination, the aircraft never went near Europe. The type of planes and the flight patterns have led many to think that China is coming to Iran’s aid. Why would China help Iran? This is because China and Iran are strategic partners and aligned against the US-led western order. China and Iran are strategic partners aligned against the US-led world order, and Beijing has a history of supplying Tehran with military equipment including conventional arms and ballistic missile materials that could potentially be used for nuclear weapons. International sanctions since the 2000s have seen direct arms transfers decrease significantly, with the focus shifting towards “dual-use” materials. Iran, in return, is one of China’s key energy suppliers. Iran also supplies much of the energy China uses – around two million barrels of oil every day. In fact, Iran sends over 90 per cent of its oil exports to China. Beijing’s refining sector is said to be incredibly dependent on cheap oil from Tehran. Tehran, which is facing an oil ban from the West, is forced to sell its crude oil under the radar. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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The Los Angeles Dodgers organization said Thursday that it asked federal immigration agents to leave the Dodger Stadium grounds after they arrived at a parking lot near one of the gates. Dozens of federal agents with their faces covered arrived in SUVs and cargo vans to a lot near the stadium’s Gate E entrance. A group of protesters carrying signs against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement started amassing shortly after, local media reported. “This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization,” the team said in a statement posted on X. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted on X that its agents were never there. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said the agents were with Customs and Border Protection and that they were not trying to enter the stadium. “This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. (Customs and Border Protection) vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” she said in an email. The team said the game against the San Diego Padres later Thursday will be played as planned. Television cameras showed about four agents remained at the lot Thursday afternoon while officers with the Los Angeles Police Department stood between them and dozens of protesters, some carrying signs that read “I Like My Ice Crushed” and chanting “ICE out of LA!” Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez arrived at the stadium and said she had been in communication with Dodger officials and the mayor’s office. “We’ve been in communication with the mayor’s office, with the Dodgers, with Dodgers security, about seeing if they can get them moved off their private property,” she told KABC-TV. “Public property is different. Private property — businesses and corporations have the power to say, ‘Not on my property,’ And so we’re waiting to see that movement happen here.” Protests began June 6 after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire the following days, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades. The team has yet to make a statement regarding the arrests and raids. The Dodgers’ heavily Latino fan base have been pushing for the team to make a public statement and ignited a debate online about its stance on the immigration crackdown happening in Los Angeles. The Trump administration has activated more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines over the objections of city and state leaders. Dozens of troops now guard federal buildings and protect federal agents making arrests. The demonstrations have been mostly concentrated downtown in the city of around 4 million people. Thousands of people have peacefully rallied outside City Hall and hundreds more protested outside a federal complex that includes a detention center where some immigrants are being held following workplace raids. Despite the protests, immigration enforcement activity has continued throughout the county, with city leaders and community groups reporting ICE present at libraries, car washes and Home Depots. School graduations in Los Angeles have increased security over fears of ICE action and some have offered parents the option to watch on Zoom. (AP)

The UN’s nuclear agency reports that Israel’s recent military strikes targeted Iran’s Khondab (Arak) Heavy Water Research Reactor, a project still under construction that had not yet begun operations. The attack also damaged an adjacent plant responsible for producing heavy water. Israel has carried out several strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in the past week. The Khondab reactor, designed to produce plutonium, could have been used for nuclear weapons, though Iran maintains it has no such ambitions. Following a 2015 international agreement, Iran redesigned the plant to decrease proliferation risks, removing the core and filling it with concrete. Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the reactor was scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The IAEA confirmed that the under-construction Khondab heavy water reactor was hit but had no nuclear material on site and was not operational, meaning no radiological danger. The agency also noted that damage to the nearby Heavy Water Production Plant, initially unseen, is now believed to include critical infrastructure such as the distillation units. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A large explosion rocks the Lavizan area in Tehran, home to high-level Iranian officials, and reportedly where the Supreme Leader is hiding.

Reports of Israeli strikes in Lavizan area in Tehran, the location where Khamenei is reportedly hiding in a bunker.

As clashes intensify between Israel and Iran, several major airlines are halting flights to the region. American Airlines and United Airlines announced interruptions in their routes, citing safety concerns caused by the escalating conflict. United has temporarily suspended its daily Newark to Dubai service, stating it will only resume once it’s deemed safe to do so. Meanwhile, American Airlines has paused its Philadelphia to Doha flight until June 22, citing concerns over safety and security. Both United and Delta had recently resumed flights to Tel Aviv but have now stopped operations due to the recent hostilities that erupted last Friday. The rising violence has disrupted regional air travel, leaving many travelers uncertain about flight plans. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Application Only Available to Israeli Citizens – No Clear Timeline for Flights Yet

In a long-awaited development, Israel’s Ministry of Transportation has released initial guidance for Israeli citizens who are currently stranded abroad and wish to return home. The announcement, issued late Wednesday, outlines steps for those with return tickets, as well as a special process for those without.

Israeli citizens who already hold return tickets to Israel are advised to contact the airline on which they are booked. At present, only Israeli carriers are operating flights into the country.

For those without return tickets, or those whose flights have been canceled, the Ministry has established a special Exceptions Committee. Israeli citizens may apply for approval to return if they meet specific criteria, including:

• Parents of children under age 12 who are currently in Israel
• Women in an advanced stage of pregnancy (Week 34 or later)
• Individuals with disabilities
• Parents of children with disabilities
• Other exceptional personal circumstances

Applications are submitted via this website and are currently open exclusively to Israeli citizens. Once an application is submitted, approved individuals will be added to a waiting list and may eventually be assigned a seat on an upcoming flight to Israel. However, no timeline has been provided for when these flights will take place.

It is important to note that this process is not available to Israeli residents who do not hold Israeli citizenship. At this time, there is no exceptional return option for non-citizen residents currently abroad.

Chaim V’Chessed is actively advocating on behalf of non-citןzens and is in contact with relevant government officials to raise awareness of their plight. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

{Matzav.com}

HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shternbuch spoke about the situation in Eretz Yisrael at the end of his shiur klali in his yeshivah on Wednesday. “We’re at an eis tzarah,” he said. “The Arabs are firing many missiles at Eretz Yisrael and there were people who were killed or injured, Hashem should protect us. Everyone understands that this is not just happenstance, but the kol of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. ‘קול דודי דופק פתחי לי אחותי רעייתי.’ Our obligation is to examine our deeds and to cry out to Hashem.” “On one hand, we shouldn’t be fearful or panic. A Jew needs emunah and bitachon. Like Mori V’Rebbi HaGaon HaRav Moshe Schneider, z’tl, said during World War II, at the time of the Blitz—when the Nazis bombed London every evening—’Every bomb has an address.’ We believe with emunah sheleimah that the missile doesn’t fall in some random place. Only Hakadosh Baruch Hu sends it and directs it, and there’s nothing to fear from the missile itself.” “This is our obligation—not to fear them but to remember that we’re dependent on Hakadosh Baruch Hu alone and not on happenstance. Like it says, ‘הנה א-ל ישועתי אבטח ולא אפחד.'” “And this is the most fundamental principle of the life of a Jew—to know that there’s no happenstance in the world, but everything is from Hashem Yisbarach, that a person doesn’t bang his finger below except via the koach of Hakadosh Baruch Hu Himself, that there’s no koach except Hakadosh Baruch Hu—everything is from Hashem Yisbarach.” HaRav Shternbuch ended with a special request for his talmidim—to be mechazeik during these days by utilizing their time for limmud Torah. “Beware of bittul Torah for Hakadosh Baruch God watches over us at every moment and sees our deeds, and every word that comes out of our mouths is recorded above—there’s not even one word that is not recorded. And if needed, they bring him his tongue and show him himself what he said. One should be careful not to say extraneous words.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

MORE: Hundreds of people lined the streets of Tenafly, NJ to welcome home Edan Alexander – nearly 600 days after he was captured and held hostage by Hamas.

BREAKING: Edan Alexander, the U.S. hostage released by Hamas after more than 580 days in captivity, returns home in New Jersey.

American Airlines has suspended any further flights to Doha, Qatar, and United Airlines has suspended its daily flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as the war between Israel and Iran continues to escalate in the Middle East.