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Flotilla Activists At Ben-Gurion Airport, Prepare To Depart Israel

Matzav -

Early Tuesday morning, the activists involved in the Gaza-bound protest flotilla were escorted to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, several participants were scheduled to be expelled from the country within hours.

The ministry stated, “Anyone who refuses to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial body in accordance with Israeli law, in order to approve the deportation.”

The German ambassador to Israel confirmed that a diplomatic official had met with German citizen Yasemin Acar prior to her removal from the country. Acar has previously drawn criticism for her vocal support of Hamas and her praise of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, according to a report by KAN.

Upon their arrival at the Ashdod Port on Monday, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and the other flotilla participants were shown video evidence of the Hamas massacre that took place on October 7. The IDF had intercepted their vessel, the Madleen, while it was still in international waters.

Defense Minister Israel Katz noted that the activists chose not to continue watching the footage after the initial scenes.

“These antisemitic flotilla activists closed their eyes to the truth and once again proved they prefer the murderers over the victims,” Katz said. “They continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, the elderly, and children.”

The Madleen, which had 12 pro-Palestinian activists on board along with a substantial cargo of humanitarian supplies, was intercepted by the Israeli Navy early Monday and redirected to Ashdod. As the activists prepared for deportation, the Foreign Ministry released a photo of Thunberg with an Israeli flag in the background.

Among the passengers were European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who has publicly defended the October 7 massacre; German activist Yasmin Achar; Irish actor Liam Cunningham, best known for his role in Game of Thrones; and Thunberg.

The mission was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and set sail last week from Catania, Sicily. The stated goal of the activists was to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza by bringing in humanitarian supplies such as medical goods, flour, rice, diapers, water purification equipment, and prosthetics for children.

During the voyage, the ship briefly changed course to assist four migrants stranded at sea in the Mediterranean.

By Sunday, the Madleen was reported to be approximately 402 kilometers from Gaza, positioned in international waters to the north of Alexandria. The Israeli military had been monitoring the vessel and was ready to intervene before it could enter Israeli waters. Defense officials stressed that the operation would be handled with caution to avoid provoking a larger confrontation.

Ahead of the interception, Defense Minister Katz made clear that Israel would not permit the boat to reach its destination. After reports surfaced that the ship’s communication system had gone dark in Egyptian waters, the IDF moved in to seize control.

“The State of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the maritime blockade on Gaza, whose primary goal is to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas—a murderous terrorist organization that holds our hostages and commits war crimes,” Katz said.

He added, “I instructed the IDF to ensure the Madleen does not reach Gaza,” and addressed Thunberg directly: “To Greta the antisemite and her Hamas propagandist friends—I say clearly: you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror organizations—by sea, air, or land.”

The flotilla’s mission gained widespread attention on social media, with organizers promoting it as part of a global campaign to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Thunberg said: “We hope to reach Gaza tomorrow or the next day. We are carrying humanitarian aid and will do our utmost to get through. We will try to break the blockade and open humanitarian corridors into Gaza. We need a ceasefire. We will keep our promises to the Palestinians and stand against Israel’s crimes.”

German activist Yasmin Achar also spoke to Al Arabiya, stating that their vessel was 160 nautical miles from Gaza and that they had no intention of backing down. “We are in international waters. Any attempt by ‘the occupation’ to stop us will be considered a documented war crime,” she said.

Achar added, “We bring a humanitarian and moral message. The world must be ashamed. The arming of Israel must stop. Our message to the world is not to remain silent and to act in support of Gaza’s civilians.”

This attempt follows a similar mission in May, when a different vessel belonging to the coalition, the Conscience, was reportedly damaged by a drone strike off the coast of Malta. This time, the organizers launched the ship from a new location and followed a more cautious route to avoid interference.

Israel’s defense establishment has made it clear that it will not allow any vessel to break the naval blockade on Gaza. Military officials remain on alert for future efforts and aim to prevent any escalation while maintaining control over the maritime perimeter.

Meanwhile, a separate initiative titled the Global March to Gaza is in the works, with organizers planning an overland rally through Egypt in the coming days.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Canada Plans to Hit NATO Spending Target Early and Reduce Reliance on US Defense, Carney Says

Yeshiva World News -

Canada will meet NATO’s military spending guideline by early next year and diversify defense spending away from the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday, asserting that Washington no longer plays a predominant role on the world stage. The announcement means Canada will achieve NATO’s spending target of 2% of gross domestic product five years earlier than previously planned. “Our military infrastructure and equipment have aged, hindering our military preparedness,” Carney said. “Only one of our four submarines is seaworthy. Less than half of our maritime fleet and land vehicles are operational. More broadly, we are too reliant on the United States.” According to NATO figures, Canada was estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on its military budget in 2023, below the 2% target that NATO countries have set for themselves. Canada previously said it was on track to meet NATO’s target by the end of the decade. “Our goal is to protect Canadians, not to satisfy NATO accountants,” Carney said in a speech at the University of Toronto. Canada is about to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations in Alberta on June 15-17, and before the NATO summit in Europe. NATO allies are poised to increase the commitment well beyond the 2% target. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said last week that most U.S. allies at NATO endorse Trump’s demand that they invest 5% of gross domestic product on their defense needs and are ready to ramp up security spending even more. “We are meeting 2%. And that is the NATO target as it is today,” Carney said at a later news conference. “We will need to spend more.” He said there will be discussions on the increased spending amount and its timeline at the NATO summit. Carney has said he intends to diversify Canada’s procurement and enhance the country’s relationship with the EU. “We should no longer send three-quarters of our defense capital spending to America,” Carney said in a speech at the University of Toronto. “We will invest in new submarines, aircraft, ships, armed vehicles and artillery, as well as new radar, drones and sensors to monitor the seafloor and the Arctic.” Canada has been in discussions with the European Union to join an EU drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment, including fighter jets, in Europe. Carney’s government is reviewing the purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options. “We stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans throughout the Cold War and in the decades that followed, as the United States played a predominant role on the world stage. Today, that predominance is a thing of the past,” Carney said in French, one of Canada’s official languages. He added that with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the United States became the global hegemon, noting that its strong gravitational pull became virtually irresistible and made the U.S. “our closest ally and dominant trading partner.” “Now the United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony: charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contributions to our collective security,” Carney said. Carney later said at the news conference that it was “understandable” that the […]

EXPLOITING CHILDREN: 13-Year-Old Israeli Arrested For Acting For Iran

Yeshiva World News -

In a joint operation by the Tel Aviv District Police’s Fraud Division and the Shin Bet, the police arrested a 13.5-year-old boy, a resident of Tel Aviv, on suspicion of carrying out missions for Iran, Israel Police and Shin Bet revealed in a joint statement on Tuesday. During his police investigation, it became clear that in the recent period, Iranian elements contacted the boy through Telegram and asked him to perform several tasks in exchange for payment. The boy complied with their request and sprayed graffiti in the Tel Aviv area, according to their instructions, and received payment in return. In addition, the boy was asked to photograph the Iron Dome missile defense system but ultimately did not carry out this mission. At the end of his interrogation at the Fraud Division, he was released to house arrest. His parents were updated throughout the stages of the investigation. The police and the Shin Bet stated, “Intelligence and terror elements continue their efforts to recruit Israelis through social networks in order to promote acts of terror in Israel.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Shoppers Are Wary of Digital Shelf Labels, but a Study Found They Don’t Lead to Price Surges

Yeshiva World News -

Digital price labels, which are rapidly replacing paper shelf tags at U.S. supermarkets, haven’t led to demand-based pricing surges, according to a new study that examined five years’ worth of prices at one grocery chain. But some shoppers, consumer advocates and lawmakers remain skeptical about the tiny electronic screens, which let stores change prices instantly from a central computer instead of having workers swap out paper labels by hand. “It’s corporations vs. the humans, and that chasm between us goes further and further,” said Dan Gallant, who works in sports media in Edmonton, Canada. Gallant’s local Loblaws supermarket recently switched to digital labels. Social media is filled with warnings that grocers will use the technology to charge more for ice cream if it’s hot outside, hike the price of umbrellas if it’s raining or to gather information about customers. Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania fired off a letter to Kroger last fall demanding to know whether it would use its electronic labels as part of a dynamic pricing strategy. Lawmakers in Rhode Island and Maine have introduced bills to limit the use of digital labels. In Arizona, Democratic state Rep. Cesar Aguilar recently introduced a bill that would ban them altogether. The bill hasn’t gotten a hearing, but Aguilar said he’s determined to start a conversation about digital labels and how stores could abuse them. “Grocery stores study when people go shopping the most. And so you might be able to see a price go down one day and then go up another day,” Aguilar told The Associated Press. Researchers say those fears are misplaced. A study published in late May found “virtually no surge pricing” before or after electronic shelf labels were adopted. The study was authored by Ioannis Stamatopoulos of the University of Texas, Austin, Robert Evan Sanders of the University of California, San Diego and Robert Bray of Northwestern University The researchers looked at prices between 2019 and 2024 at an unnamed grocery chain that began using digital labels in October 2022. They found that temporary price increases affected 0.005% of products on any given day before electronic shelf labels were introduced, a share that increased by only 0.0006 percentage points after digital labels were installed. The study also determined that discounts were slightly more common after digital labels were introduced. Economists have long wondered why grocery prices don’t change more often, according to Stamatopoulos. If bananas are about to expire, for example, it makes sense to lower the price on them. He said the cost of having workers change prices by hand could be one issue. But there’s another reason: Shoppers watch grocery prices closely, and stores don’t want to risk angering them. “Selling groceries is not selling a couch. It’s not a one-time transaction and you will never see them again,” Stamatopoulos said. “You want them coming to the store every week.” Electronic price labels aren’t new. They’ve been in use for more than a decade at groceries in Europe and some U.S. retailers, like Kohl’s. But they’ve been slow to migrate to U.S. grocery stores. Only around 5% to 10% of U.S. supermarkets now have electronic labels, compared to 80% in Europe, said Amanda Oren, vice president of industry strategy for North American grocery at Relex Solutions, […]

NEW DETAILS: Suspect In Arson Of Rav Yitzchak Yosef’s Shul Is Jewish

Yeshiva World News -

New details were revealed about the suspect in the arson of HaRav Yitzchak Yosef’s shul, who was arrested by the police and Shin Bet on Monday evening, including the fact that he is Jewish. He is a man in his 20s who does not reside in Jerusalem. A gag order has been placed on the case, and no further details can be published at this time. However, since the suspect is Jewish, the possibility—which was initially examined—that the arson was committed by Arabs for nationalistic reasons has been ruled out. The suspect was interrogated by the police and was transferred for a Shin Bet interrogation on Tuesday morning. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

COWARDS: Greta Thunberg & Friends Refuse To Watch Oct. 7 Footage, Some Refuse To Leave Israel

Yeshiva World News -

The “selfie yacht” of Greta Thunberg and her friends docked at Ashdod port on Monday evening, hours after the boat was seized by the IDF en route to the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Monday morning. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that upon docking in Ashdod, the “passengers underwent medical examinations to ensure they were in good health” and were provided with food and water. The passengers were provided the option of watching Bearing Witness, which shows footage of unspeakable atrocities committed on October 7, including massacres, beheadings, and mutilation of bodies. However, the cowardly “activists” refused to watch it and were not forced to do so. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated: ‘Greta and her flotilla companions were taken into a room upon their arrival for the screening of the atrocities film of the October 7 massacre, and when they saw what it was about, they refused to continue watching.” “The antisemitic flotilla members are closing their eyes to the truth, proving once again that they prefer the murderers to the murdered and continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, adults, and children.’ The 12 “activists” were brought to Ben Gurion Airport, where they were met by consular representatives from their home countries. Four of them, including Greta Thunberg, signed deportation papers and were deported to their home countries. Eight passengers, including antisemitic EU parliament member Rima Hassan, who was blocked from entering Israel earlier this year due to her anti-Israel activities, refused to sign the documents and were transferred to a detention facility in Givon. They will later be brought to an Israeli court to authorize their forced deportation. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In First, Israeli Navy Carries Out Airstrikes On Houthi Targets In Yemen

Yeshiva World News -

Israel carried out a significant naval attack on a Houthi target in Yemen in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the first attack carried out by missile boats. The strikes targeted military infrastructure at the port of Hodeidah. The attacks were preceded by a warning on Monday evening by the IDF spokesperson in Arabic to evacuate the three Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, Hodeidah, Ras-Isa, and Salif. Shortly after the reports of the strike, the IDF spokesperson confirmed the attack, stating: “This morning, the IDF attacked targets of the Houthi terror regime in the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, using Navy missile ships. The attack was carried out in response to the aggression of the Houthi terror regime towards the State of Israel, during which surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles have been launched at Israel and its citizens.” “The attack was carried out to further erode the military use of the port, which was attacked by the IDF last year and continues to be used for terrorist activities. The port is used to transfer weapons and is another example of the Houthi terror regime’s cynical use and exploitation of civilian infrastructure to promote terrorist activities. The attack was carried out after numerous prior warnings from the IDF to minimize possible harm to the civilian population in the area.” “In the past year and a half, the Houthi terror regime has been acting aggressively, with Iranian guidance and funding, to harm the State of Israel and its allies, destabilize the regional order, and disrupt global freedom of navigation. In light of the military use that the Houthi terror regime makes of this port, the IDF reiterates its warning to those in the port area to distance themselves and evacuate the area.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

IDF Navy Launches Precision Strike on Houthi Port Infrastructure in Yemen

Yeshiva World News -

The Israel Defense Forces launched a precision strike on two piers in the port of Hodeidah, a key stronghold of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, on Monday. The operation, which took place hours after the IDF issued an evacuation warning for the ports of Ras Issa, Hodeidah, and Salif, was carried out by the Israeli Navy from the sea, contrary to initial reports suggesting an airstrike.   The strike targeted critical infrastructure used by the Houthis, who have been launching attacks on international shipping and Israeli interests in the region.

700 Marines Will Deploy To Los Angeles After Hegseth Warned California To Control Riots

Matzav -

A battalion of U.S. Marines is being dispatched to Los Angeles as unrest tied to anti-ICE demonstrations continues to spiral out of control throughout Southern California. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued a warning, instructing Marines to prepare for possible deployment to Los Angeles “if violence continues.”

By Monday, that warning became a directive. According to CNN and ABC News, Hegseth authorized the mobilization of 700 Marines from the Twentynine Palms base in California to head to the city.

These troops will join the 300 National Guard soldiers already stationed in Los Angeles. President Trump previously directed that 2,000 members of the California National Guard be placed on standby for immediate deployment in the area.

Officials familiar with the operation told CNN that the Marines are expected to help rotate and relieve some of the National Guard forces currently in the field.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded with legal action. On Monday, he filed a lawsuit targeting the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard, asserting that the federal intervention has only served to inflame the situation.

Over the weekend, peaceful protests gave way to full-blown riots, with demonstrators halting traffic—including shutting down the 101 Freeway—and effectively turning downtown Los Angeles into a restricted zone.

At least five Waymo self-driving vehicles were torched by rioters, while others hurled glass bottles and chunks of concrete at officers clad in riot gear. The autonomous ride service was forced to suspend its app temporarily after demonstrators began booking rides just to destroy the vehicles.

Amid the chaos, innocent bystanders and members of the media have also suffered. An Australian journalist was struck by a rubber bullet while reporting live from the scene.

Demonstrators came equipped with face coverings and flags, many of which bore Mexican emblems or merged American and Mexican symbols. One protester arrived on stilts before being tackled by police officers.

Governor Newsom intensified his criticism of President Trump’s handling of the crisis, daring border security official Tom Homan to arrest him. Trump replied that he “would do it” — if he were Homan, that is.

Since the protests erupted on Friday, at least 56 people have been taken into custody.

{Matzav.com}

FULL VIDEO REPLAY: Adirei HaTorah 4 – Wells Fargo Center

Yeshiva World News -

In a scene that transformed the heart of a major sports arena into a palace of Torah, thousands converged on the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fourth Adirei HaTorah maamad, a majestic show of support for the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ. From cities and towns across the tri-state area, busloads and cars of attendees arrived with one shared purpose: to proclaim the honor and centrality of limud haTorah and to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to it. The event marked the continuation of an extraordinary movement launched four years ago to uphold and strengthen the pillars of Torah learning through financial support of Lakewood’s kollel yungeleit.

FBI Hunts Down Masked LA Brute Wanted For Hurling ‘Cinderblock’ Rocks At Federal Officers During Riots — AG Bondi Warns: ‘You Can’t Hide’

Matzav -

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that the FBI has successfully identified the individual who was caught on video launching bricks at federal officers during the violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles. Speaking out forcefully, Bondi issued a stern warning to others involved in the unrest: “You can’t hide.”

During a Monday night appearance on Fox News with host Sean Hannity, Bondi shared a real-time update on the ongoing investigation. “That guy has just been identified, and they are doing a search warrant on his house as we speak,” she said.

Bondi went on to disclose the suspect’s name. “His name is Reyes. He is going to be on the most wanted list,” she stated, implying that authorities are still working to apprehend him.

The FBI had previously announced a reward of up to $50,000 for anyone who could provide information that would lead to the suspect’s identification, arrest, and prosecution.

According to officials at the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, the suspect is being pursued in connection with charges of assaulting a federal officer and inflicting damage to federal property during the Shabbos riots.

“The guy was breaking up the cinder blocks and he was throwing them” at federal law enforcement, Bondi explained.

She credited federal agents for their efforts. “He has been identified by great police work by the FBI,” she noted, adding, “So you can run. You can’t hide. We are coming after you, federally.”

Bondi concluded with a strong message to all those engaged in violent conduct. “If you assault a police officer, if you rob a store, if you loot, if you spit on a police officer, we’re coming after you.”

{Matzav.com}

After U.S. Ambassador Urges Chareidi Lawmakers to Prevent Political Crisis, Rav Dov Landau Responds: “It Is the Torah Learning That Protects Us”

Matzav -

Amid growing tensions surrounding Iran, the United States Ambassador to Israel reportedly urged chareidi leaders to avoid triggering a political crisis during this sensitive time. However, Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau offered a firm response: “The greatest danger right now is that we have no protection. It is the learning of the bnei hayeshivos that saves us.”

Earlier, Matzav.com reported that a senior Shas official told Members of Knesset that Israel will not head to elections anytime soon and that the unfolding security situation may influence the decisions of gedolei Yisroel on whether to support dissolving the Knesset.

“There will be no dissolution of the Knesset,” the Shas official said during a conversation with MKs. “Security developments can change the agenda for all of us.”

In response, a senior figure in Agudas Yisrael dismissed the notion as political maneuvering. “We’ve already heard Netanyahu make similar claims just before the state budget vote. It seems this narrative aligns conveniently with Shas’s objective: to remain in power at all costs.”

Meanwhile, Shas leader Aryeh Deri was summoned this evening to a closed security briefing led by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. The meeting was arranged following a phone conversation between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, which focused heavily on Iran’s nuclear threat.

Within the chareidi parties, insiders say no significant breakthrough has occurred in the last 24 hours regarding the controversial Draft Law. Disagreements remain unresolved between the chareidi factions and MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Both Shas and United Torah Judaism have conveyed to coalition leaders that if a mutually agreed-upon version of the Draft Law is not reached, they will vote in favor of a bill to dissolve the Knesset when it comes up on Wednesday.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Photos: Gerrer Rebbe Begins Fundraising Trip to the United States

Matzav -

The Gerrer Rebbe arrived in the United States for a historic and urgent mission to rescue the Gerrer Olam HaTorah. The “Keren Hatzalas Olam HaTorah – Gur” campaign was launched with the Rebbe’s arrival, rallying the support of leading philanthropists across the U.S. to stand with Ger amid unprecedented financial hardship.

When the Rebbe’s plane touched down, in accordance with Gerrer tradition, there were no welcoming banners or public fanfare, only a devoted group of several hundred chassidim who came to greet their Rebbe.

The Rebbe began visiting the homes of major philanthropists, many of whom pledged no less than $1 million each. In each home, the Rebbe granted private audiences, offered heartfelt brachos, and spent extended time.

One notable stop was the home of a prominent donor affiliated with the Bobover community. Another visit was to the residence of Gerrer chassid and philanthropist Reb Binyomin Beitel, where a chanukas habayis was held.

The Rebbe attended a special Mincha and fundraising dinner at the home of Mr. Shloime Werdiger, chairman of the board of Agudath Israel of America.

The Rebbe’s son, Rav Nechemia Alter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Gur in Ashdod, addressed the gathering. He spoke with intensity about the painful circumstances confronting avreichim and the extraordinary self-sacrifice of the Rebbe in launching this emergency campaign. “The situation is intolerable,” he said. “The time has come for klal Yisroel to rise up and erase this stain—where a Jewish state persecutes those who dedicate their lives to Torah. It is the duty of every generous heart to help remove this kitrug and bolster lomdei Torah.”

Two final speakers delivered fiery, impassioned words from deep within the trenches: Rav Moshe Chaim Denderovitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Sfas Emes, and Rav Hershel Rothenberg. They painted vivid portraits of the anguish and perseverance of today’s avreichim. “These men,” one said, “ask for nothing more than a can of formula for their infants.”

Rav Rothenberg went on to say, “I know avreichim who have memorized thousands of blat of Gemara, who sit and learn without pause. But now they are saying they can’t go on. They’re thinking of walking away.”

PHOTOS:

Apple Unveils Software Redesign While Reeling From AI Missteps, Tech Upheaval and Trump’s Trade War

Yeshiva World News -

After stumbling out of the starting gate in Big Tech’s pivotal race to capitalize on artificial intelligence, Apple tried to regain its footing Monday during an annual developers conference that focused mostly on incremental advances and cosmetic changes in its technology. The presummer rite, which attracted thousands of developers from nearly 60 countries to Apple’s Silicon Valley headquarters, was more subdued than the feverish anticipation that surrounded the event during the previous two years. Apple highlighted plans for more AI tools designed to simplify people’s lives and make its products even more intuitive while also providing an early glimpse at the biggest redesign of its iPhone software in a decade. In doing so, Apple executives refrained from issuing bold promises of breakthroughs that punctuated recent conferences. In 2023, Apple unveiled a mixed-reality headset that has been little more than a niche product, and last year WWDC trumpeted its first major foray into the AI craze with an array of new features highlighted by the promise of a smarter and more versatile version of its virtual assistant, Siri — a goal that has hasn’t been achieved yet. Apple had intended the planned Siri upgrade to herald its long-awaited attempt to become a major player in the AI craze after getting a late start in a phenomenon that so far has been largely led by OpenAI, Google, Microsoft and an array of cutting-edge startups. “This work needed more time to reach our high-quality bar,” Craig Federighi, Apple’s top software executive, said Monday at the outset of the conference. The company didn’t estimate when its upgraded Siri would be completed. “The silence surrounding Siri was deafening,” said Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said. “No amount of text corrections or cute emojis can fill the yawning void of an intuitive, interactive AI experience that we know Siri will be capable of when ready. We just don’t know when that will happen. The end of the Siri runway is coming up fast, and Apple needs to lift off.” The showcase unfolded amid nagging questions about whether Apple has lost some of the mystique and innovative drive that turned it into a tech trendsetter during its nearly 50-year history. Instead of making a big splash as it did with the Vision Pro headset and its AI suite, Apple took a mostly low-key approach that emphasized its effort to spruce up the look of its software while also unveiling a new hub for its video games and new features like a “Workout Buddy” to help track physical fitness on its smartwatch. Apple executives promised will make its software more compatible with the increasingly sophisticated computer chips that have been powering its products while also making it easier to toggle between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. “Our product experience has become even more seamless and enjoyable,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told the crowd as the 90-minute showcase wrapped up. IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said Apple seemed to be largely using Monday’s conference to demonstrate the company still has blueprint for success in AI, even if it’s clearly going to take longer to realize the vision that was presented a year ago. “This year’s event was not about disruptive innovation, but rather careful calibration, platform refinement and developer enablement —positioning itself for future moves rather than unveiling game-changing technologies,” […]

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