Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned that children in the U.S. are being diagnosed with autism at an “alarming rate,” promising on Wednesday to conduct exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause the developmental disorder. His call comes the day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that found an estimated 1 in 31 U.S. children have autism, a marked increase from 2020. Autism experts applaud efforts to further understand the condition, but say the number of reported cases began to balloon as the definition of the condition expanded to include mild cases. “Autism destroys families,” Kennedy said. “More importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this.” Kennedy described autism as a “preventable disease,” although researchers and scientists have identified genetic factors that are associated with it. Autism is not considered a disease, but a complex disorder that affects the brain. Cases range widely in severity, with symptoms that can include delays in language, learning, and social or emotional skills. Some autistic traits can go unnoticed well into adulthood. Those who have spent decades researching autism have found no single cause. Besides genetics, scientists have identified various possible factors, including the age of a child’s father, the mother’s weight, and whether she had diabetes or was exposed to certain chemicals. Kennedy said his wide-ranging plan to determine the cause of autism will look at all of those environmental factors, and others. He had previously set a September deadline for determining what causes autism, but said Wednesday that by then, his department will determine at least “some” of the answers. The effort will involve issuing grants to universities and researchers, Kennedy said. He said the researchers will be encouraged to “follow the science, no matter what it says.” The Trump administration has recently canceled billions of dollars in grants for health and science research sent to universities. The CDC’s latest autism data was from 14 states and Puerto Rico in 2022. The previous estimate — from 2020 — was 1 in 36. Boys continue to be diagnosed more than girls, and the highest rates are among children who are Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native and Black. To estimate how common autism is, the CDC checked health and school records for 8-year-olds, because most cases are diagnosed by that age. Other researchers have their own estimates, but experts say the CDC’s estimate is the most rigorous and the gold standard. On Wednesday, Kennedy criticized theories that the rise in autism cases can be attributed to more awareness about the disorder. Autism researchers have cited heightened awareness, as well as medical advancements and increased diagnoses of mild cases. “The reasons for increases in autism diagnosis come down to scientific and health care progress,” said Annette Estes, director of the autism center at the University of Washington. “It’s hard for many people to understand this because the causes of autism are complex.” The Autism Science Foundation said Kennedy’s emphasis on environmental factors contradicted the findings in the CDC’s report. “This report is the most convincing evidence yet that changes in factors like access to services and de-stigmatization of (autism spectrum disorders) are leading to the increases in prevalence,” said Autism Science Foundation Chief Science […]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday revealed that the Trump administration has officially shut down the Global Engagement Center (GEC), describing it as a key move in dismantling what he called the “censorship-industrial complex.”
“Today, it is my pleasure to announce the State Department is taking a crucial step toward keeping the president’s promise to liberate American speech by abolishing forever the body formerly known as the Global Engagement Center (GEC),” Rubio wrote in a Federalist op-ed titled, “Rubio: To Protect Free Speech, The Censorship Industrial Complex Must Be Dismantled.”
Rubio explained that in 2016, the Obama administration expanded the GEC’s mission. What had originally been a center focused on countering terrorist propaganda was restructured to fight a wide range of “foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts.”
According to Rubio, this was part of a calculated shift. He pointed to Rick Stengel, who led the GEC under Obama, claiming that Stengel used the term “democracy” to justify silencing voices he disagreed with. “This pivot was no accident. Obama’s man in charge at GEC, Rick Stengel, touted his efforts to protect ‘democracy’ while redefining it so that ‘democracy’ came to mean silencing the part of the electorate he doesn’t like.”
Rubio continued, “In 2019, Stengel directly equated President Trump’s campaign with foreign and terrorist propaganda, writing, ‘Trump employed the same techniques of disinformation as the Russians and much the same scare tactics as ISIS.’ That same year, Stengel wrote an entire article about, ‘why America needs a hate speech law.’”
He noted that the GEC played an active role in the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), a group that tracked what it considered disinformation during the 2020 election. “The EIP pretty much exclusively singled out accounts and narratives associated with President Trump and his supporters and, in fact, directly flagged President Trump’s tweets, along with his family members and friends of the administration,” Rubio stated.
Rubio criticized the GEC’s use of taxpayer money, saying it channeled millions of dollars into global organizations pushing for speech regulation under the pretense of fighting disinformation. “With its multimillion-dollar budget, paid for by American taxpayers, GEC funneled grants to organizations around the world dedicated to pushing speech restrictions under the guise of fighting ‘disinformation,’” he wrote.
He explained that he chose to publish the piece in the Federalist because that outlet, along with others like the New York Post, had been unfairly targeted. He cited the Global Disinformation Index, a group funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, which labeled right-leaning news sites as high-risk for spreading disinformation while rating left-wing platforms such as HuffPost and ProPublica as low-risk.
Rubio argued, “The entire ‘disinformation’ industry, from its very beginnings, has existed to protect the American establishment from the voices of forgotten Americans. Everything it does is the fruit of the poisoned tree: the hoax that Russian interference, misinformation, and ‘meddling’ is what caused President Trump’s victory in 2016, rather than a winning political message that only he was offering.”
He concluded, “The Trump administration rejects this anti-American attitude. The American people don’t need an obscure agency to ‘protect’ them from lies by pressuring X to ban users or trying to put The Federalist out of business. This administration will fight false narratives with true narratives, not with heavy-handed threats decreeing that only one ‘truth’ be visible online.”
In addition to the op-ed, Rubio also hosted a live discussion with Mike Benz, a former State Department official and Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO).
{Matzav.com}
The Gadol HaDor, Hagaon HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, emerged onto the balcony of his home on Rechov HaRav Sher during Chol Hamoed to address the throngs of Yidden waiting patiently for his Bracha—and to ask for mechila. After more than an hour of tirelessly receiving Yidden from all walks of life—each one seeking a moment, a smile, a Bracha for the Yom Tov—Rav Dov, already well into his upper nineties, stepped outside to speak directly to those still waiting. In his characteristic warmth and sincerity, the Rosh Yeshiva addressed the assembled crowd: “Yidden yekarim! I apologize to you. I am tired and must stop. I give you my heartfelt Bracha—for menuchas hanefesh, simcha, and kol tuv.” The moment was brief, but powerful. Here stood the leader of a generation, revered across Klal Yisroel, who despite his physical weakness and advanced age, felt the need to personally apologize to fellow Yidden for being unable to continue giving Brachos. On Chol Hamoed, it is a long-standing minhag for Yidden to flock to the homes of Gedolei Yisroel, Admorim, and Rabbanim, to receive Brachos and to connect—even if only for a fleeting moment—with those who carry the ruchniyusdik weight of the generation. In Bnei Brak, the home of Rav Dov Landau shlit”a becomes a destination point for many during Yom Tov. Tens of thousands have streamed through the area throughout Pesach, eager to wish the Rosh Yeshiva a “Gut Yom Tov” and receive his Bracha in return. PHOTO CREDITS VIA DANIEL NEFOUSSI (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A political firestorm erupted in Israel on Thursday following the bombshell New York Times report that President Donald Trump blocked a proposed Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities—igniting a fierce round of finger-pointing, denouncements, and accusations of political cowardice at the highest levels of Israeli leadership. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid led the charge, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of repeatedly freezing in moments of strategic urgency. “Back in October, I proposed a strike on Iran’s oil infrastructure,” Lapid declared. “Netanyahu was afraid—and stopped it.” While Israeli officials reportedly had a fully developed plan to carry out the attack in May 2023, pending U.S. coordination, the operation was ultimately shelved as the Trump administration veered toward diplomacy with Tehran. Lapid’s remarks were quickly echoed—and escalated—by Netanyahu’s right-wing rival, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who suggested that Netanyahu himself may have been behind the leak to the Times. “This is classic Netanyahu,” Bennett said. “Threaten, threaten, threaten—and then leak that you were stopped by someone else. It’s theater. Dangerous theater.” Bennett warned that Israel may not get another chance to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “There won’t be another such opportunity. And this pattern of threats with no follow-through is a dangerous illusion.” The debate has quickly crystallized into a referendum on Netanyahu’s place in the lineage of Israeli leaders who have confronted existential nuclear threats with decisive action. Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman also blasted Netanyahu. “I read the entire New York Times leak,” he said, “and I thought how lucky we were that during the bombings of the nuclear reactors in Syria and Iraq, Netanyahu was not prime minister.” Liberman was referencing the legacy of former prime ministers Menachem Begin and Ehud Olmert—each of whom ordered airstrikes to neutralize emerging nuclear threats from Iraq in 1981 and Syria in 2007, respectively. Both operations were carried out without U.S. approval, and both were hailed as turning points in Israeli strategic doctrine. Labor MK Naama Lazimi joined the chorus of criticism from the opposite end of the political spectrum, accusing Netanyahu of both strategic paralysis and historical failure. “Not only did he miss every opportunity to strike Iran—he’s responsible for the fact that Iran is now on the cusp of becoming a nuclear state,” Lazimi charged. According to the Times report, Israeli officials were prepared to launch a military operation designed to set back Iran’s nuclear breakout capability by at least a year. The proposed plan reportedly relied on U.S. involvement to help execute the strike and shield Israel from an inevitable Iranian counterattack. But after months of deliberation and internal division, Trump’s advisers reportedly advised against the operation. Tehran, they argued, had shown signs of willingness to negotiate. Prime Minister Netanyahu has remained publicly silent on the report. But within his coalition, Likud MK Tally Gotliv attempted to tamp down the outrage, suggesting that patience—not paralysis—was the true strategy. “Attacking Iran is not a matter of yes or no—it’s a matter of timing,” she wrote on X. “What I know, the Prime Minister knows. Patience is not a dirty word. Neither is vigilance.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A young prodigy from California is on track to achieve what few could imagine: earning a college degree at just 10 years old. “I just enjoy learning,” said Alisa Perales. “There’s so many interesting things out there.”
Alisa, a San Bernardino native, began reading at the age of 2 and was already solving algebra problems by 5. She enrolled in Crafton Hills College, a community college located in Yucaipa, California, when she was only 8, according to a report by ABC7 WWSB.
“It’s very fun to me,” Alisa explained. “It’s almost as fun as playing outside or riding a bike or doing whatever. I just enjoy learning. There’s so many interesting things out there.”
Now, just weeks away from turning 11, Alisa is preparing to graduate from Crafton Hills College in May. She is set to receive two associate degrees—one in mathematics and another in multiple sciences—while maintaining a near-perfect GPA, as reported by the Inland Empire Community News (IECN).
According to IECN, she could have walked away with two additional degrees in physics and computer science had she stayed one more semester. But Alisa is now looking ahead, waiting to hear back from Stanford University.
She credits much of her academic drive to her father, Rafael Perales. “I credit my dad for pushing me to do well in school and try my best to work hard,” she told IECN.
Rafael, who began introducing Alisa to more advanced learning concepts around her first birthday, reflected on her journey. “She has been a little different her whole life, but I have always taught her that there’s nothing out there that you’re not capable of understanding.”
Before her first day of college, Rafael spoke to Alisa about the fact that she would be studying alongside much older students. “She didn’t seem intimidated by that,” he said. “She seemed to fit right in. So I just followed my daughter’s lead.”
“I did not make her adhere to a rigorous schedule I had set out for her,” Rafael added. “I responded to what she was interested in and helped feed that interest and fueled that fire, and her interest in school remained strong.”
Looking ahead, Alisa has her sights set on the future of technology. She hopes to work in artificial intelligence—either by joining a major tech company or by building a new venture from the ground up, possibly alongside her dad.
{Matzav.com}
The State Department has shut down its office that sought to deal with misinformation and disinformation that Russia, China and Iran have been accused of spreading. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Wednesday that he had closed what had been known as the Global Engagement Center because it had taken actions to restrict freedom of speech in the United States and elsewhere. The center has been a frequent target of criticism from conservatives for calling out media and online reports that it said are biased or untruthful. At times, it has identified U.S. websites and social media accounts that it argued were amplifying misinformation, particularly related to the Russia-Ukraine war. “It is the responsibility of every government official to continuously work to preserve and protect the freedom for Americans to exercise their free speech,” Rubio said, charging that the office worked “to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving.” Rubio said that is “antithetical” to the principles that “we should be upholding.” Congress had supported the center’s work, as had previous State Department leadership. “This is a deeply misleading (and) unserious portrayal of an organization focused on identifying foreign — primarily Russian — disinformation ops,” former State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a post on X. (AP)
In the heart of Jerusalem, two sacred sites offer families, communities, and organizations a unique opportunity to secure a lasting legacy: Har HaZeitim and Har HaMenuchot. Both locations provide an esteemed connection to our heritage, allowing you to acquire a piece of eternity. Sha’ar HaZeitim: The Mountain of Olives Adjacent to the Temple Mount, Har HaZeitim is one of Judaism’s oldest cemeteries, steeped in history and spirituality. Our sages teach that the Moshiach will emerge from this sacred site, signaling the Techias Hameisim (resurrection of the dead) and the final redemption. At Sha’ar HaZeitim, you can choose from a variety of plot options tailored to your family or community’s burial vision. In addition to individual plots, Sha’ar HaZeitim offers the unique opportunity to create private sections for families and communities. This allows your descendants to have a dedicated area for reflection and prayer in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City. Designed with modern accessibility in mind, Sha’ar HaZeitim embodies the dignity and kavod that every burial should represent. Thoroughly compliant with legal and Halachic guidelines, this project has received endorsements from respected Rabbinic figures worldwide, ensuring that your choice aligns with both tradition and contemporary standards. Sha’ar HaMenuchot: A Serene Sanctuary Nestled between Givat Shaul and Har Nof, Sha’ar HaMenuchot is adjacent to the renowned Har HaMenuchot Cemetery, the resting place of many of the Jewish nation’s most esteemed figures. Surrounded by the tranquil Jerusalem Forest, this site offers an atmosphere of serenity and reflection. Sha’ar HaMenuchot features a diverse selection of plot and location options that establish your family’s eternal connection to Jerusalem. Like its counterpart, Sha’ar HaMenuchot also provides private sections for families and communities, ensuring a cherished place for prayer and remembrance in the Holy Land. Recognized by the Jerusalem Municipal Authorities for its architectural excellence and commitment to accessibility, Sha’ar HaMenuchot is a modern embodiment of ancient Jerusalem design. It stands as an exceptional choice for those in the Diaspora seeking to be buried in Jerusalem with the utmost dignity and respect. With Sha’ar you get a plan – not just a plot. When the time comes, place one phone call. We handle 100% of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most: your heart and healing. Inquire Today To explore these unique opportunities for your community, family, or organization, please call us at 1-877-MY-SHAAR (1-877-697-4227), email at Sales@shaar.com or visit Shaar.com. Introductory pre-sale pricing through June 30, 2025 Secure your place in the heart of Jerusalem today, and acquire a piece of eternity.
A memorable encounter took place yesterday in Yerushalayim as the rosh yeshiva of Satmar, Rav Chaim Tzvi Meisels, paid a visit to the new residence of the senior Breslover mashpiah, Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, in honor of the Yom Tov of Pesach.
Rav Schechter recently inaugurated his new home in Yerushalayim.
The two discussed themes of geulah and emunah, interweaving deep Torah insights with powerful stories of tzaddikim from generations past.
During the course of their conversation, Rav Meisels posed a pointed and thought-provoking question: “Why do we say L’shanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim—next year in Yerushalayim—instead of saying this year in Yerushalayim?”
He then offered an explanation of his own: “Perhaps it refers to those Jews for whom every minute feels like a full year—maybe that’s who the phrase is really speaking about…”
{Matzav.com Israel}
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Tuesday the elimination of Yahya Fathi Abd al-Qader Abu Shaar, the head of Hamas’s smuggling network, in a targeted airstrike in southern Gaza. Abu Shaar, who had been a key figure in the terror group’s logistics and weapons procurement efforts, was responsible for funneling arms and military equipment into Gaza over the last several years — including the stockpiles used in Hamas’s brutal October 7 massacre. Israeli officials say Abu Shaar’s role was central to sustaining Hamas’s war machine, helping the organization circumvent international restrictions and continue its terror operations against Israeli civilians. The IDF released aerial footage of the airstrike, showing the precise moment the vehicle carrying Abu Shaar was struck in Khan Younis. Surveillance and intelligence gathered over time led to the operation, which Israel says was carried out with “surgical accuracy.” “Abu Shaar’s elimination is a significant operational achievement,” a senior IDF official said. “He was not only a smuggler — he was the artery through which deadly weapons flowed into Gaza and into the hands of terrorists.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A deeply disturbing incident has shaken the Jewish community of Stamford Hill, London, this Pesach. A secular Jewish resident of the neighborhood has reportedly been intentionally placing chametz outside the homes of frum Jews in what community members tell Matzav.com is a deliberate act meant to offend the Jewish community.
The actions, which began shortly after the onset of the Yom Tov, appear to be driven by malice and a desire to provoke. According to multiple witnesses, the instigator has been targeting visibly Jewish households, placing bread and other chametzdike items on their doorsteps.
“This is not an accident. He is doing it lehachis, to enrage and to hurt,” one local resident said. “He is well known in the neighborhood as someone who mocks everything we hold sacred. It’s not only this—there is strong evidence that he is the one who cuts the wires of the mehadrin eiruv almost every week. The eiruv is painstakingly maintained by dedicated volunteers, and he goes out of his way to ruin it.”
Photos obtained by Matzav.com show pieces of bread placed outside several homes.
While representatives of the Jewish community met earlier Wednesday with local council members to demand action, the police have yet to issue an official response.
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump slammed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday, reiterating his frustration that the Fed has not aggressively cut interest rates and saying that the central bank leader’s “termination cannot come fast enough.” Trump hinted at moving to fire Powell, whose term does not expire until next year. The Republican president’s broadside comes a day after Powell signaled that the Fed will keep its key interest rate unchanged while it seeks “greater clarity” on the impact of policy changes in areas such as immigration, taxation, regulation and tariffs. Powell’s comments contributed to a drop in stock prices Wednesday. “Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS,” Trump said in a social media post. Referring to the European Central Bank, he added that Powell “should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now. Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” The European Central Bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%. Powell was initially nominated by Trump in 2017, and he was appointed to another four-year term by President Joe Biden in 2022. At a November news conference, Powell indicated he would not step down if Trump asked him to resign. He has also said that the removal or demotion of top Fed officials was “not permitted under the law.” Trump’s comments come with the backdrop of a legal case headed to the Supreme Court that could determine whether presidents can fire the heads of independent agencies such as the Fed. Powell said Wednesday he was watching the case. “A sudden crystallization of the threat to Fed independence would … intensify market stress,” Krishna Guha, an analyst at investment bank Evercore ISI, wrote on Thursday. “If you liked the tariff debacle in markets, you’d love the loss-of-Fed-independence trade.” Powell started Trump’s second term in a relatively secure spot with a low unemployment rate and inflation progressing closer to the Fed’s 2% target, conditions that could have spared the U.S. central banker from the president’s vitriol. But Trump’s aggressive and haphazard tariffs have increased the threat of a recession with both higher inflationary pressures and slower growth, a tough spot for Powell, whose mandate is to stabilize prices and maximize employment. With the economy weakening because of Trump’s choices, the president appears to be looking to pin the blame on Powell. Powell, in his remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago on Wednesday, said the Fed will base its decisions solely on what is best for all Americans. “That’s the only thing we’re ever going to do,” Powell said. “We’re never going to be influenced by any political pressure. People can say whatever they want. That’s fine, that’s not a problem. But we will do what we do strictly without consideration of political or any other extraneous factors.” “Our independence is a matter of law,” Powell continued. “We’re not removable except for cause. We serve very long terms, seemingly endless terms. So we’re protected into law. Congress could change that law, but I don’t think there’s any danger of that. Fed independence has pretty broad support across both political parties and in both sides of the Hill.” Trump has unleashed a rash of tariffs that have put the U.S. economy […]
Hamas is reportedly facing a severe financial shortfall that has hindered its ability to pay members in Gaza, including its top commanders, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The report, which cites officials from Arab countries, Israel, and the West, points to Israel’s efforts to stop humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza. Some of that aid, officials say, was intercepted and resold by Hamas to fund its operations. Arab intelligence sources add that Israel’s renewed military campaign has eliminated key Hamas figures responsible for distributing cash payments, while others have gone into hiding to avoid being targeted.
These intelligence sources also note that civil servants working under the Hamas-controlled government in Gaza have not received salaries, and that high-ranking officials were only paid half their wages during Ramadan. Regular Hamas fighters, meanwhile, are reportedly receiving just $200 to $300 each month.
Even before the January ceasefire and hostage release agreement, Israeli and Western officials say the group was experiencing financial strain. That deal briefly opened the door for Hamas to bring in revenue by imposing taxes on merchants, charging fees at checkpoints, and confiscating merchandise to resell. Hamas is also said to be converting funds held abroad into hard currency by purchasing humanitarian aid and then selling it within Gaza.
{Matzav.com}
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, whose release from Hamas captivity was facilitated, according to Putin, through Russia’s relationship with the terror group. Sasha Troufanov, along with his mother Elena and partner Sapir Cohen—who were all taken hostage during the brutal October 7th attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz—were received at the Kremlin this week. The attack killed Sasha’s father, Vitaly Hy”d. In a televised segment aired on Russian state media, Putin openly acknowledged Russia’s longstanding ties with Hamas. “The fact that you managed to go free is the result of the fact that Russia has stable, long-term relations with the Palestinian people, with its representatives, and with a wide variety of organizations,” he said, referring to Hamas not with condemnation but with respect. Even more jarring to many was his expression of “gratitude to the leadership of the political wing of Hamas” for what he called a “humanitarian act.” The meeting—which included Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and Federation of Jewish Communities President Alexander Boroda—was broadcast with Kremlin footage and official commentary. Troufanov emotionally recounted his ordeal, describing 498 days of captivity in Gaza. Putin reportedly sighed heavily at the number. Troufanov, an Israeli-Russian dual citizen, was freed in February—his release occurring soon after senior Russian diplomats met with Hamas representatives in Moscow and pressed for the release of Troufanov and fellow hostage Maxim Herkin. Troufanov’s mother and grandmother had been released months earlier during a short-lived ceasefire. His partner, Sapir Cohen, was reportedly freed with him. The meeting was presented as a gesture of Russia’s humanitarian role—but the subtext is deeply concerning. While most Western countries cut off all ties with Hamas—designated by both the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization—Russia has chosen a different path, preserving diplomatic access that it now touts as leverage in sensitive hostage negotiations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
New York State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein has introduced a bill aimed at correcting what he describes as an unfair regulation imposed by the New York City Department of Sanitation, one that has particularly burdened members of the frum community.
In 2023, the Department of Sanitation implemented a rule requiring city residents to place their garbage at the curb after 8:00 PM in an effort to reduce the growing rat population. While intended to help the city, the policy creates a major conflict for frum Jews, who are not permitted to handle trash on Shabbos. As a result, numerous individuals have received fines ranging from $50 to $300 simply for practicing their religion.
“This policy is unacceptable and must come to end,” declared Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. “New Yorkers should not have to choose between their religious beliefs and avoiding a ticket.”
Eichenstein’s proposed bill would shield residents from fines issued by sanitation enforcement officers from 3:00 PM on Fridays until 6:00 PM on Shabbosos. The bill is designed to respect Shabbos observance while also helping any New Yorker who travels for the weekend and cannot adhere to the current rule.
“My legislation would put an end to this injustice by preventing the New York City Department of Sanitation from issuing fines after 3 PM on Fridays,” said Assemblyman Eichenstein. “This proposed law isn’t just for the Orthodox Jewish community — it’s for all New Yorkers. It affects anyone who wishes to leave town for the weekend and doesn’t want to return home to an unfair ticket.”
He emphasized that the goal is straightforward: “Nobody should be punished for taking out their trash at a reasonable time. This common-sense solution will prevent countless residents from being unfairly targeted. I am hopeful we can chapter this legislation into law and no longer inconvenience hard-working New Yorkers.”
Backing the measure is Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, who is co-sponsoring the bill. “This common-sense legislation will fix a problem that New York City has refused to address. It is impossible for Shabbos-observant New Yorkers to comply with the Department of Sanitation’s new trash setout times. In 2023, the Sanitation Department personally promised me that Shabbos-observant New Yorkers need not worry about being issued summonses on Shabbos. Unfortunately, that promise has not been kept. Assemblyman Eichenstein and I are stepping in with this common-sense bill that should not be necessary, but unfortunately is. I’m grateful for his leadership on this, and I look forward to moving this bill through the legislature.”
{Matzav.com}
The joy of Chol Hamoed nearly turned to tragedy this week, when an unauthorized horse-and-buggy operation—run without municipal oversight, veterinary clearance, or any legal permit—was making rounds through Bnei Brak’s crowded streets, and wound up hurting a baby. According to police, a toddler sustained moderate injuries when one of these unlicensed horse-drawn carriages struck him as it moved through a public area. Emergency services responded swiftly, preventing what could have been a far more tragic outcome. In response, Bnei Brak’s municipal police units, in coordination with the regional veterinary authority and the Agriculture Ministry’s enforcement division, launched an aggressive crackdown on the rogue operator. Authorities report that the individual committed, under threat of legal and administrative action, not to continue operating the carriage without obtaining prior approval. Failure to comply may result in both criminal prosecution and fines from tax enforcement agencies. Remember: Chol hamoed entertainment should never come at the expense of sakanas nefashos or disregard for communal safety. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Rep. Elise Stefanik, a member of House Republican leadership and onetime nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is considering a run for New York governor, according to a person close to her. The person was granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The state’s current governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul, was elected in 2022 and is running for reelection next year. Stefanik, a close ally and fierce defender of President Donald Trump, had been nominated to represent the U.S. at the United Nations. But her nomination was pulled last month amid concerns about leaving a Republican House seat vacant when the party has such a narrow majority in the chamber. Trump, in a Wednesday morning post on his social media platform Truth Social, wrote, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!” In recent days, Stefanik has been encouraged to run by major New York donors, state Republican officials and White House officials, according to the person close to her. She considered running for governor in 2022 and will make a decision on a candidacy this time around in the coming months. Stefanik, who represents a sprawling congressional district in northern New York, released a statement Wednesday afternoon that didn’t address a potential run for governor but lambasted Hochul as the “Worst Governor in America” and said “we must FIRE Kathy Hochul in 2026 to SAVE NEW YORK.” If Stefanik does enter the race, she might face off in a Republican primary against Rep. Mike Lawler, who has been teasing a run for several months. But Stefanik allies believe her strong name ID in the state, ability to raise cash and ties to the Trump White House would clear the GOP field. The last Republican governor in New York was former Gov. George Pataki, who served three terms and left office almost two decades ago. Lee Zeldin, current head of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and former congressman from Long Island, mounted a serious challenge to Hochul in the governor’s race in 2022, nearly landing what would have been a major upset in the heavily Democratic state. Asked by reporters about a possible Stefanik candidacy, Hochul said, “No matter the GOP nominee next year that I’ll be running against, it’s going to be an extreme MAGA Republican, and I look forward to that fight.” Hochul herself is expected to face a contested primary. Her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, earlier this year announced he would not run for reelection alongside the governor next year, hinting instead at his own gubernatorial candidacy. Rep. Ritchie Torres is also rumored to be considering a run and has emerged as one of the governor’s most pronounced Democratic critics. (AP)
Yaakov Kirschen, beloved creator of the legendary Dry Bones cartoon and a cherished voice in Jewish satire, passed away at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba at the age of 87 following a prolonged illness.
Born in Brooklyn, Kirschen studied art at Queens College before making aliyah to Israel in 1971. Just two years after his arrival, he launched the daily comic strip that would become one of Israel’s most recognizable and enduring reflections on current events and political life.
At the heart of Dry Bones is the character Mr. Shuldig—his name a play on the Yiddish word for “guilt” or “blame”—representing the uniquely Jewish flavor of humor and introspection that defined Kirschen’s work.
The title Dry Bones comes from the prophetic vision in Sefer Yechezkel, where dry bones are brought back to life—a hopeful symbol of national and spiritual rebirth with the arrival of Moshiach.
Kirschen’s body of work earned him widespread recognition, including the 2014 Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize, honoring his impact on Israeli culture. He also received the Golden Pencil Award from the Israeli Museum of Caricature and Comics and was an active member of both the US National Cartoonists Society and the Israeli Cartoonists Society.
In 2009, he joined Yale University as a visiting fellow at its Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism and Racism. The following year, Yale published his research paper titled “Memetics and the Viral Spread of Antisemitism through Coded Images in Political Cartoons.”
For 50 years, Dry Bones appeared in The Jerusalem Post, earning an international readership. In more recent years, the strip was published through the Jewish News Syndicate. Kirschen is survived by his wife, Sali Ariel.
{Matzav.com}
The IRS is reportedly weighing the possibility of stripping Harvard University of its tax-exempt status, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of discussions inside the agency, CNN reported.
The unprecedented step, which sources say is being examined in coordination with the Trump administration, would mark a significant escalation in the administration’s conflict with the university.
Officials familiar with the situation said a final decision from the IRS could be imminent. The move follows rising tensions after Harvard refused to comply with federal demands regarding changes to its hiring practices and administrative oversight.
This development comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s decision to halt more than $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard, citing the university’s failure to adequately respond to antisemitic incidents on campus. In response, Harvard has asserted that it is protected by constitutional rights afforded to private academic institutions.
President Donald Trump has openly condemned Harvard’s actions, accusing the school of pushing a political agenda and failing to uphold standards of public accountability. “Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’ Remember, Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
During an appearance on CNN with anchor Kasie Hunt, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that while she could not confirm what action the IRS would take, the matter deserved scrutiny. “We’ll see what IRS comes back with relative to Harvard,” she said. “I certainly think, you know, in elitist schools, especially that have these incredibly large endowments, you know, we should probably have a look into that.”
She added that other colleges might also be subject to similar reviews: “It is my guess that the IRS is looking at tax-exempt statuses of other universities as well.”
The Trump administration has recently taken a harder stance against Harvard, issuing a clear ultimatum requiring the university to overhaul its internal policies in order to continue receiving nearly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants.
The university has faced mounting criticism following an increase in anti-Israel sentiment on campus after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack against Israel and the military conflict in Gaza that followed. Harvard has come under fire for its handling of antisemitism during this period.
Controversy intensified when, just 48 hours after the Hamas massacre, 34 Harvard student groups released a joint statement blaming Israel for the attack.
Tensions further escalated when Harvard’s then-president, Claudine Gay, appeared before Congress alongside the presidents of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania—Sally Kornbluth and Liz Magill, respectively—at a hearing on antisemitism in higher education.
During the hearing, all three university leaders offered similarly vague responses to questions from Rep. Elise Stefanik, declining to explicitly denounce antisemitic rhetoric or genocidal calls against Jews. Claudine Gay eventually stepped down from her position as Harvard’s president.
{Matzav.com}
Five years after COVID-19 triggered national lockdowns, economic uncertainty and killed millions, the World Health Organization’s member countries agreed on a draft “pandemic treaty” that sets guidelines for how the international community might confront the next global health crisis. After the world’s largely disastrous response to the coronavirus, countries tasked the WHO with overseeing a pandemic treaty in 2021. Negotiations concluded early Wednesday on an agreement expected to be adopted next month at the U.N. health agency’s annual meeting in Geneva. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus heralded it as a historic moment, saying countries have proven that “in our divided world, nations can still work together to find common ground and a shared response.” Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the country from the WHO in January, American officials were barred from participating in the talks by the Trump administration and are not expected to sign the treaty. During COVID-19, it was largely American research and development that produced the most effective vaccines and medicines. Weeks after Trump’s decision, Argentina’s President Javier Milei also exited the WHO, citing “profound differences” with the U.N. agency. Rachael Crockett, of the advocacy group Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, described the draft pandemic treaty as “a product of compromise.” She said it contained strong provisions, but only if countries chose to implement them: “This could change what we saw in COVID, when some populations didn’t get access to what they needed.” The draft treaty notably includes a provision to guarantee that countries that share critical virus samples receive any resulting tests, medicines and vaccines, with the WHO to hold up to 20% of such products to ensure poorer countries get supplies. Negotiations on this provision are expected to continue after the treaty is likely accepted by member countries in May. Crockett acknowledged that, as is often the case with international law, there are few consequences for countries that don’t comply: “There’s not much that can be done if countries choose not to ratify or abide by it.” Yuanqiong Hu, of aid organization Doctors Without Borders, said that if disputes arise between countries, the treaty includes a mechanism for them to use diplomatic channels, followed by arbitration. Countries are already legally bound by the International Health Regulations to do things like quickly report dangerous new outbreaks. But those have been flouted repeatedly, including by African countries during Ebola and other outbreaks, China in the early stages of COVID-19 and arguably the U.S. amid its ongoing bird flu epidemic. (AP)
Pages
