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Uganda has agreed to a deal with the United States to take deported migrants as long as they don’t have criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors, the foreign ministry said Thursday. The ministry said in a statement that the agreement had been concluded but that terms were still being worked out. It added that Uganda prefers that the migrants sent there be of African nationalities, but did not elaborate on what Uganda might get in return for accepting deportees. The U.S. embassy in Uganda declined to comment on what it called “diplomatic negotiations,” but said that diplomats were seeking to uphold U.S. President Donald Trump’s “policy of keeping Americans safe.” However, later in Washington, the State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken by phone with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni about migration and a number of other issues. The department said the call focused on “migration, reciprocal trade, and commercial ties” and that Rubio had “thanked Uganda for providing a model of regional stability including its valuable contributions to peacekeeping in East Africa.” The Trump administration has been seeking ways to deter migrants from entering the United States illegally and to deport those who already have done so, especially those with criminal records and including those who cannot easily be deported to their home country. Human rights activists criticized the deportee deal as possibly going against international law. Henry Okello Oryem, Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs, on Wednesday had denied that any agreement on deportees had been reached, though he said his government was in discussions about “visas, tariffs, sanctions, and related issues.” He also suggested that his country would draw the line at accepting people associated with criminal groups. “We are talking about cartels: people who are unwanted in their own countries. How can we integrate them into local communities in Uganda?” he said at the time. Oryem and other Ugandan government officials declined to comment Thursday. Opposition lawmaker Muwada Nkunyingi suggested that such a deal with the United States would give the Ugandan government legitimacy ahead of elections, and urged Washington not to turn a blind eye toward what he described as human rights and governance issues in Uganda. Uganda’s leaders will rush into a deal to “clear their image now that we are heading into the 2026 elections,” Nkunyingi said. Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opio likened a deportee deal to human trafficking, and said it would leave status of the deportees unclear. “Are they refugees or prisoners?” he said. “The proposed deal runs afoul of international law. We are sacrificing human beings for political expediency; in this case because Uganda wants to be in the good books of the United States,” he said. “That I can keep your prisoners if you pay me; how is that different from human trafficking?” In July, the U.S. deported five men with criminal backgrounds to the southern African kingdom of Eswatini and sent eight more to South Sudan. The men from Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Vietnam sent to Eswatini are being held in solitary confinement until they can be deported to their home countries, which could take up to a year. A legal challenge in the U.S had halted the deportation process of the eight men in South Sudan but a Supreme Court ruling eventually cleared […]

A monumental event took place yesterday in Yerushalayim as the cornerstone was laid for the new Satmar Beis Medrash in the city. The ceremony, held at the intersection of Hoshea and Yonah Streets, coincided with the yahrtzeit of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoelish zt“l, drawing a gathering of gedolei Yisroel, rabbonim, philanthropists, and others.

In a deeply moving moment, two gedolim, Rav Moshe Shternbuch and Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, met publicly for the first time in fourteen years.

Witnesses described the encounter as unusually warm and heartfelt. Rav Schechter rose to his full height in respect for Rav Shternbuch, warmly shaking his hand and encouraging the crowd to sing in his honor.

Following emotional speeches and spirited singing, the two gedolim, together with other distinguished rabbonim, placed the first stone for the new Beis Medrash amid heartfelt niggunim.

A Vizhnitz choir joined renowned baal menagen R’ Yoel Klein of Satmar in leading the crowd in song.

A delegation of 25 prominent American philanthropists — negidim who have been longstanding supporters of Satmar’s Torah and chessed initiatives — arrived in Yerushalayim especially for the ceremony. They were honored alongside leading Satmar rabbonim and members of the Keren Habinyan, participating in the symbolic concrete pouring at the construction site.

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני הגר”מ שטרנבוך עם הגרי”מ שכטרצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

מעמד הנחת אבן הפינה בסאטמר בירושליםצילום: דוד ארזני

{Matzav.com Israel}

A German court has ruled that the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial may lawfully bar visitors from wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh at commemorative events, upholding the site’s right to restrict political displays on its grounds. The Higher Administrative Court of Thuringia issued the decision Wednesday after a woman challenged her exclusion from an April ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Buchenwald’s liberation. She had arrived wearing the scarf, which she admitted was meant to protest what she described as the memorial’s “one-sided support” for Israel. The judges determined that her protest risked disturbing the site’s solemn purpose and Jewish visitors in particular. “It is unquestionable that this would endanger the sense of security of many Jews, especially at this site,” the court said in its ruling. It concluded that the woman’s right to free expression was outweighed by the memorial’s mandate to preserve historical dignity and prevent political agitation. The case follows controversy over a leaked internal Buchenwald document that described the keffiyeh as “closely associated with efforts to destroy the state of Israel.” Memorial director Jens-Christian Wagner later called that phrasing “mistaken,” but stood by restrictions when the scarf is used to politicize Nazi crimes or undermine the memory of Holocaust victims. “The keffiyeh is not banned outright,” Wagner told AFP, “but it may be restricted when it risks relativizing Nazi crimes.” Buchenwald, located near Weimar, was one of the largest concentration camps on German soil. During World War II, about 340,000 people were imprisoned there. At least 56,000 died in the camp itself, while another 20,000 perished at its Mittelbau-Dora annex, where prisoners were forced to build rockets for the Nazi war machine. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Thursday that former White House spokesman Ian Sams admitted he spoke with President Biden just two times during his more than two years in the administration — raising questions about who was truly making decisions in the West Wing. “One of the most shocking things to me,” Comer told reporters after Sams’ testimony, “is that he communicated with Joe Biden two times, he saw Joe Biden, talked to Joe Biden — two times.” Comer added that even former special counsel Robert Hur “spent more time with Joe Biden than Ian Sams,” despite Sams serving as the public face of the White House Counsel’s Office from mid-2022 until his departure in August 2024. Sams left the post to join Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign as a senior adviser. “It raises serious concerns and serious questions about who was calling the shots at the White House,” Comer said. “If the White House spokesperson was being shielded from the president of the United States, who was operating the Oval Office?” The interview with Sams was the committee’s 11th session with a former Biden aide as Republicans pursue their investigation into what they describe as a coordinated cover-up of Biden’s decline. Comer and other GOP investigators allege that aides improperly used executive authority to maintain the appearance of normalcy inside the White House. “There were very few people around Joe Biden, especially at the end,” Comer continued, “and that’s when the majority of the pardons and executive orders were signed with that autopen.” The revelations, Comer suggested, point to a president increasingly isolated from his own staff — and raise the possibility that critical decisions and executive actions were carried out without his direct involvement. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

This past Sunday, the 23rd of Av, marked the 40th yahrtzeit of Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky zt”l, the Steipler Gaon. To mark the occasion, his grandson, Rav Yitzchok Shaul Kanievsky, delivered a special shiur l’illui nishmaso, continuing the tradition established by his father, Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l.

The shiur was held immediately following the neitz minyan at the renowned home at 23 Rechov Rashbam.

This year, Rav Yitzchok Shaul focused on the halachos of chafifas harosh — washing the head with hot water on Erev Shabbos. After the shiur, he was joined by several close associates as they traveled to the Zichron Meir cemetery, where he davened at the Steipler’s kever. There, heartfelt tefillos were offered for the protection and strengthening of the Olam HaTorah, particularly in light of the challenges surrounding the draft decree and increasing pressures on Torah learners. Throughout the day and night, throngs of visitors continued to arrive at the kever.

In honor of the 40th yahrtzeit, a special seforim fair was arranged at the famed Lederman Shul. The fair showcased the Steipler’s writings, including the complete sets of his Kehillos Yaakov and many other seforim based on his Torah. For decades, there had been a long-standing policy — initiated by the Steipler himself — not to sell the Kehillos Yaakov as full sets, allowing only individual volumes to be purchased for the masechta one intended to learn. This year, however, in recognition of the special milestone, the fair provided broader access to his works, drawing hundreds of participants — from veteran talmidei chachomim to young yeshiva bochurim.

Later in the day, after delivering his regular Yerushalmi shiur at Lederman, Rav Yitzchok Shaul Kanievsky visited the fair to personally encourage the avreichim who had organized the event. He warmly praised their efforts and offered heartfelt brachos for continued success in spreading his grandfather’s Torah.

{Matzav.com Israel}

BREAKING: An active shooter is being reported at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. The court, saying the administration used “a novel series of legal and personnel moves,” held that Habba’s term as the interim U.S. attorney ended in July, and the Trump administration’s maneuvers to keep her in the role without getting confirmation from the U.S. Senate didn’t follow procedures required by federal law. “Faced with the question of whether Ms. Habba is lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, I conclude that she is not,” Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann wrote. Brann said he’s putting his order on hold pending an appeal. A message seeking comment was sent to Habba’s office Thursday. The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Brann’s decision comes in response to a filing on behalf of New Jersey defendants challenging Habba’s tenure and the charges she was prosecuting against them. They sought to block the charges against them, arguing that Habba didn’t have the authority to prosecute the case after her 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney expired in July. The defendants’ motion to block Habba, a onetime White House adviser to President Donald Trump and his former personal defense attorney, is another high-profile chapter in her short tenure. She made headlines when Trump named her U.S. attorney for New Jersey in March. She said the state could “turn red,” a rare, overt political expression from a prosecutor, and said she planned to investigate the state’s Democratic governor and attorney general. She then brought a trespassing charge, which was eventually dropped, against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stemming from his visit to a federal immigration detention center. Habba later charged Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver with assault stemming from the same incident, a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress other than for corruption. She denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty. Volatility over her tenure unfolded in late July when the four-month temporary appointment was coming to a close and it became clear that she would not get support from home state Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both Democrats, effectively torpedoing her chances of Senate approval. The president withdrew her nomination. Around the same time, federal judges in New Jersey exercised their power under the law to replace Habba with a career prosecutor when Habba’s temprorary appointment lapsed, but Attorney General Pam Bondi fired that prosecutor and renamed Habba as acting U.S. attorney. The Justice Department has said in filings that the judges acted prematurely and that the executive has the authority to appoint his preferred candidate to enforce federal laws in the state. Trump had formally nominated Habba as his pick for U.S. attorney on July 1, but Booker and Kim’s opposition meant that under long-standing Senate practice known as senatorial courtesy, the nomination would stall out. A handful of other Trump picks for U.S. attorney are facing a similar circumstance. (AP)

President Donald Trump sharply criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron after a major appeals court ruling overturned Engoron’s $364 million penalty against him in the civil fraud case.

On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social to post two extensive statements reacting to the decision, celebrating what he called a historic win. The appeals court determined that the penalty imposed in New York violated the Eighth Amendment’s protections against excessive fines:

“TOTAL VICTORY in the FAKE New York State Attorney General Letitia James Case! I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision that was hurting Business all throughout New York State. Others were afraid to do business there. The amount, including Interest and Penalties, was over $550 Million Dollars. It was a Political Witch Hunt, in a business sense, the likes of which no one has ever seen before. This was a Case of Election Interference by the City and State trying to show, illegally, that I did things that were wrong when, in fact, everything I did was absolutely CORRECT and, even, PERFECT. Every single Dollar was thrown out, even the penalties imposed on us by the Corrupt Judge, one of the most overturned in History, Arthur Engoron. I wasn’t given a Jury and, during the course of the Trial, which lasted a long time, was not given one Ruling in my favor by this Political Hack, but worse than him, if that’s possible, was Letitia James, a Corrupt and Incompetent Attorney General who only brought this Case in order to hurt me politically. She is a Trump Deranged Lunatic! They made me bond the outrageous sum, which never happened before, and which cost me Millions of Dollars a month. It should have never been allowed to happen, and everyone knew it! Importantly, the Vote was 5 to 0. I am so honored by Justice David Friedman’s great words of wisdom, which should be read by everyone. I would also like to thank the Court for having the Courage to make this Decision, which is already going down as one of the worst business persecutions in the History of our Country.”

While the ruling struck down the massive fine, the appeals court still upheld Judge Engoron’s determination that Trump had exaggerated his wealth, according to the Associated Press. Following this, Trump turned his attention to other legal battles he faces, specifically calling out Judge Juan Merchan and Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over separate cases involving him:

“Sadly, there are other Cases against me that are equally disgraceful, including those headed up by Corrupt Judges, like Juan Merchan, whose daughter collected Millions of Dollars in Fees from Crooked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, while her father shockingly REFUSED TO RECUSE himself from a vicious and corrupt trial, which is also under Appeal, one in which every Legal Pundit in New York said, ‘THERE WAS NO CASE!’ — Even Editorial Boards said, ‘DO NOT DO THIS!’ Judge Merchan gave me an unprecedented Gag Order, not letting me talk about him or his daughter, or the fact that the Appellate Judges thought he should not be doing the Case, but he did it anyway. Many Lawyers said that his daughter and him created the Greatest Conflict of Interest they had ever seen. Judge Lewis Kaplan, the other remaining Case, whose wife, family, and friends attended his two trials, is as mean and nasty as anyone I have ever met. That Case, also on Appeal, should also never have been brought, and he should be admonished for Abuse, and every other thing that can be thrown at a Corrupt Judge. He loved the publicity, and would not let us present the irrefutable evidence that we wanted to present. This Clinton appointed Judge should not be allowed to get away with this SCAM…”

Trump then continued his remarks in a second lengthy post, claiming the legal efforts against him were directly tied to political motives coordinated by the Biden-Harris administration:

“These were all Political Trials in an effort to destroy my viability as a Presidential Candidate before, during, and after the Election. They were strongly coordinated with the Biden/Harris Campaign, and will go down in History as among the most Corrupt Cases ever brought. These two Cases are even more ridiculous than the Corrupt Letitia James Case, and will be found out to be so in the very near future. All of these Judges should be ashamed of themselves for allowing them to happen. They are Political Hacks who did everything possible to hurt me as a Candidate. This was an attack by the Biden/Harris Administration on their Political Opponent, ME. It is such an Honor to have withstood it, thrived, and even become President of the United States despite the horrible things that were done to me. I’d like to thank and congratulate my son Eric Trump, and all of the many people in the Trump Organization, that fought so strongly for Justice. My Legal Team refused to give up against heavy odds. This is a Great Day for New York City and State!”

In a separate matter, a jury previously awarded E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in damages, though that ruling is currently under appeal. As for the business records case overseen by Judge Merchan, the conviction stands for now, but there was no financial penalty imposed while the case continues through the appeals process.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of R’ Mendel Schechter z”l of Flatbush. He was 86.

R’ Mendel was the brother of the late rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, Rav Aharon Moshe Schechter zt”l.

A lifelong fixture in the Chaim Berlin family, R’ Mendel devoted his heart and energy to the yeshiva, where he worked and served with unmatched dedication and loyalty for decades. His life was defined by his love of Torah and his selfless commitment to supporting the yeshiva and its talmidim.

Known for his kind heart, generosity, and quiet humility, R’ Mendel touched the lives of countless individuals. His devotion to his family, his community, and the world of Torah was constant and unwavering, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and giving that will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Rivka, along with his children, grandchildren, and the entire extended Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin family, all of whom mourn the passing of a lifelong servant of the yeshiva.

The levayah took place today at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, followed by kevurah at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, NY.

Shiva is being observed until Wednesday morning at 1398 East 21st Street, Brooklyn, NY. Visiting hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Mincha/Maariv: 7:30 PM.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A campaign aide to embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams was suspended Wednesday after she attempted to slip a reporter a wad of cash hidden inside a crumpled bag of potato chips. The bizarre incident unfolded at the opening of Adams’s new campaign office in Harlem, where Winnie Greco — a longtime confidante of the mayor and former City Hall staffer once targeted in an FBI raid — approached The City reporter Katie Honan. According to Honan, Greco insisted she take a partly opened bag of Herr’s Sour Cream & Onion chips. Inside was a red envelope containing a $100 bill and multiple $20 bills. Honan, realizing what she had received, immediately called Greco to return the money. Greco refused, later suggesting they could meet “at some point in Chinatown.” When pressed for an explanation, Greco offered a shifting story: “I make a mistake. I’m so sorry. It’s a culture thing. I don’t know. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, honey.” She later pleaded, “Can we forget about this? Please don’t do in the news nothing about me. I just wanted to be her friend.” By Wednesday evening, Adams’s reelection campaign announced her suspension. The scandal comes as the mayor himself faces steep political headwinds. Adams was indicted last September on federal bribery charges for allegedly acting as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of Turkey. Those charges were later dropped at the direction of President Donald Trump, who bragged last month, “I helped him out a little bit.” Adams is running for reelection but is polling far behind rivals, including Republican Curtis Sliwa, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Violent crime in Washington, DC, has fallen sharply, with a 22 percent decrease recorded in the past week after President Donald Trump’s new law enforcement measures took effect.

Fox News Digital’s David Marcus reported on the significant shift, highlighting that as of Wednesday afternoon, the city had gone seven consecutive days without a single homicide — something that has not happened since March.

Marcus also referenced new figures from the local police union, showing that since Trump implemented federal oversight, carjackings have plunged by an extraordinary 83 percent, while robberies have dropped 46 percent.

The White House’s rapid response team posted updates on X, amplifying the coverage of these statistics and noting the “dramatic reductions in crime.”

This comes just over a week after President Donald Trump rolled out a sweeping set of executive orders to address escalating violence in the capital. These directives included invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, placing the DC Metropolitan Police directly under federal authority, and deploying National Guard units to assist in restoring order.

“I understand a lot of you tend to be on the liberal side, but… you don’t want to get mugged and raped and shot and killed,” Trump told reporters during a crowded briefing at the White House last week.

“You want to be able to leave your apartment or your house where you live and feel safe and go into a store to buy a newspaper or buy something, and you don’t have that now,” he continued, emphasizing how severe the situation had become by pointing out that Washington’s murder rate is “higher than that of Bogotá, Colombia; Mexico City; some of the places that you hear about as being the worst places on earth.”

“The number of car thefts has doubled over the past five years, and the number of carjackings has more than tripled. Murders in 2023 reached the highest rate probably ever,” Trump added. “They say 25 years, but they don’t know what that means, because it just goes back 25 years.”

“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore,” Trump declared, as crews have already been seen dismantling homeless encampments across the city.

The White House has also released footage of nighttime enforcement operations, underscoring the administration’s broader mission to Make D.C. Safe Again.

{Matzav.com}

The FAA has opened an investigation after a section of a Delta Boeing 737 wing detached during a flight from Orlando to Austin.

President Donald Trump plans to join a Thursday evening patrol in the nation’s capital as federal authorities deploy checkpoints around the city and sometimes ask people for their immigration status after stopping them. “I’m going to be going out tonight with the police and with the military,” the Republican president told Todd Starnes, a conservative commentator. Trump’s presence during his controversial crackdown, which has lasted for two weeks, would be the latest show of force from the White House. Hundreds of federal agents and National Guard soldiers have surged into Washington this month, leaving some residents on edge and creating tense confrontations in the streets. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday visited some of the troops at Union Station, showing their support while protestors chanted “free D.C.” Although the city has historically struggled with crime, statistics show the problem was declining before Trump declared there was a crisis that required his intervention. Immigration enforcement has been a core part of the crackdown, rattling people in some of the city’s neighborhoods. A daycare was partially closed on Thursday when staff became afraid to go to work because they heard about federal agents nearby. An administrator asked parents to keep their children at home if possible. Other day cares have stopped taking kids on daily walks because of fears about encountering law enforcement. Since Aug. 7, when Trump began surging federal agents into the city, there have been 630 arrests, including 251 people who are in the country illegally, according to the White House. Trump has been ratcheting up the pressure since then, seizing control of the D.C. police department on Aug. 11 and deploying more National Guard troops, mostly from Republican-led states. Soldiers have been largely stationed in downtown areas, such as monuments on the National Mall and transit stations. However, federal agents are operating more widely through the city. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged the proliferation of traffic checkpoints on Thursday. “The surge of federal officers is allowing for different types of deployments, more frequent types of deployments, like checkpoints,” Bowser said. Not a normal traffic stop On Thursday morning, as Martin Romero rode through Washington’s Rock Creek Park on his way to a construction job in Virginia, he saw police on the road up ahead. He figured it was a normal traffic stop, but it wasn’t. Romero, 41, said that U.S. Park Police were telling pickup trucks with company logos to pull over, reminding them that commercial vehicles weren’t allowed on park roads. They checked for licenses and insurance information, and then U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents came over. Romero said there were two agents on one side of his truck and three on the other. He started to get nervous as the agents asked where they were from and whether they were in the country illegally. “We just came here to work,” Romero said afterwards. “We aren’t doing anything bad.” Two people in his truck were detained and the agents didn’t give a reason, he said. He also saw three other people taken from other vehicles. “I feel really worried because they took two of our guys,” he said. “They wouldn’t say where they’re taking them or if they’ll be able to come back.” Romero said he called his boss, who told him to just head home. They wouldn’t be […]

BREAKING: U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann has ruled that Alina Habba has no lawful standing as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, invalidating her July 1 appointment after two criminal defendants challenged her authority, claiming it was illegal and violated their constitutional rights.

A foreign investor quietly purchased nine oceanfront lots in Malibu for $65 million after the January wildfires, reportedly assembling a team to track down owners since the highly desirable properties weren’t publicly listed.

A US-made Patriot II missile exploded seconds after launch during a live-fire drill at Taiwan’s Jiupeng base, highlighting the island’s reliance on older PAC-2 systems despite plans to shift to PAC-3, with experts pointing to outdated technology and limited maintenance as possible causes under investigation.

Former White House spokesman Ian Sams reportedly had just two in-person meetings with President Biden during his more than two years working in the administration, according to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), who spoke to reporters on Thursday.

“This was a huge interview today, and I think it contradicts everything that the former Biden people are saying with respect to the president’s mental fitness,” Comer stated, calling Sams’ testimony “one of the most shocking” sessions the committee has conducted so far.

Comer explained that Sams’ direct contact with Biden was “very limited,” clarifying that the two in-person meetings were in addition to a virtual conference and one phone call involving the president.

“In fact, [former special counsel] Robert Hur spent more time with Joe Biden than Ian Sams,” Comer added, referencing the prosecutor’s two-day interview with the president while investigating whether Biden had “willfully” retained classified national security materials.

Sams’ interview with committee staff lasted a little over three hours, after which he left without speaking to members of the press.

One Biden White House colleague who worked closely with Sams suggested it was believable that Sams rarely interacted with the president. They explained that Sams’ office was located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to but separate from the West Wing, and that he typically communicated through top aides like communications director Anita Dunn and White House counsels Stuart Delery and Ed Siskel rather than directly with Biden.

Sams served as spokesman for the White House Counsel’s Office from mid-2022 until August 2024, when he left to become a senior adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

“It raises serious concerns and serious questions about who was calling shots at the White House,” Comer argued.

“If the White House spokesperson was being shielded from the president of the United States, who was operating the Oval Office?” he pressed further.

In their book on the inner workings of the Biden White House, journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson quoted a source familiar with its operations who said: “Five people were running the country, and Joe Biden was at best a senior member of the board.”

According to the “Original Sin” authors, this small circle of decision-makers included senior adviser Mike Donilon, presidential counselor Steve Ricchetti, and deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed. They reported that first lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden were also heavily involved, forming what was described as a “politburo” overseeing critical decisions.

Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain and senior adviser Annie Tomasini were also, at times, part of this tight-knit inner group, Tapper and Thompson noted.

Thursday’s session marked the 11th interview with a former Biden aide conducted as part of the Republican-led probe into what investigators allege was a deliberate effort to hide the president’s cognitive decline and possible abuse of executive power.

“There were very few people around Joe Biden, especially at the end,” Comer remarked, “and that’s when the majority of the pardons and executive orders were signed with that autopen.”

Comer also revealed that Sams informed the Oversight Committee that he was “surprised” when Joe Biden granted a pardon to his son Hunter following his conviction on tax and gun charges — as well as when Biden extended pre-emptive clemency to additional Biden family members and their spouses who had not been charged with any crimes.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas has resumed rebuilding its underground terror network in Gaza — including in areas already cleared by Israeli forces — raising alarms within the IDF as commanders prepare for a new, large-scale ground offensive. Military intelligence indicates that Gaza City still conceals vast, strategically critical tunnel systems untouched during Israel’s previous incursion 18 months ago. Senior officers warn that subterranean warfare will pose an even greater challenge in the next phase of fighting. Against this backdrop, the Security Cabinet is expected Thursday to approve the launch of “Gideon’s Chariots II,” the codename for the IDF’s planned push into Gaza City. On Sunday, amid mass demonstrations calling for the release of hostages, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced the operation’s imminent start. “We will continue striking until Hamas is defeated, with the hostages at the forefront of our minds,” Zamir said. “The IDF will deploy all its capabilities — on land, in the air and at sea — to hit Hamas with force.” The campaign will require the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists under Tzav 8 emergency call-ups. Many have already received notices, adding to widespread fatigue among soldiers and their families. Two days after Zamir’s remarks, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz formally signed off on the IDF’s plan. “The goals are to take control of Gaza, dismantle Hamas militarily, drive its leaders into exile, demilitarize the Strip, and create the conditions to free all hostages,” Katz declared. “When this operation is complete, Gaza will change its face and will no longer look the way it did.” Regular IDF brigades have been instructed to prepare for deployment, while reserve brigades are slated for activation in September. The offensive is not expected to begin before next month. Military planners say it hinges on moving up to one million civilians out of Gaza City — a massive logistical challenge requiring U.N. cooperation. Once underway, at least four IDF divisions, including reserve forces, are expected to encircle Gaza City before advancing block by block into neighborhoods like Sabra, Rimal and Sheikh Ajlin. The battle plan calls for intense aerial bombardment to precede the ground invasion, followed by systematic clearing of high-rise districts and suspected tunnel hubs. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Thursday that the military is advancing its long-anticipated push to capture Gaza City, describing the operation as central to Israel’s mission of defeating Hamas and freeing hostages. Visiting southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, Zamir addressed soldiers from the Kfir Infantry Brigade and 188th Armored Brigade — units that had just repelled a Hamas raid on their encampment a day earlier. “We are advancing with the efforts for action in Gaza City. We already have forces operating on the outskirts of the city, and additional forces will join them later,” he told the troops. Zamir stressed that the IDF’s goals remain clear. “Our missions remain the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas; we will not rest and will not stop until we complete them. Achieving these missions is essential for our future and for our values as a society,” he said. The IDF chief said Hamas has been severely weakened by months of fighting. “From the terror army we experienced on October 7, it has become a guerrilla organization. We will continue to strike Hamas everywhere, pursue them as long as necessary and wherever necessary,” he vowed. On the 60,000 reservists called up for the Gaza City campaign, Zamir said they are being summoned only when absolutely necessary. “I am certain they will show up until the mission is completed,” he said. Zamir also noted that the IDF is in constant discussion with Israel’s political leadership as it shapes the next phases of the operation. “We are creating the best operational achievements on the battlefield in order to present them with the widest range of options,” he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited the Gaza Division on Thursday. “I came here to approve the IDF plans for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas. In parallel, I instructed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war, on conditions that are acceptable for Israel,” Netanyahu said. “We’re at the decisive stage,” he continued. “I came today to the Gaza Division in order to approve the plans that the IDF presented to me and to the Defense Minister for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas. Those two things, the defeat of Hamas and the release of all our hostages, go hand in hand.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich has reportedly delivered a blunt ultimatum in recent days, making clear that he will leave the coalition if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to any arrangement with Hamas — whether limited in scope or a full accord — according to a Channel 12 report broadcast Wednesday evening.

After the report surfaced, Smotrich’s office released a statement saying, “The Finance Minister does not comment on matters discussed in meetings with bereaved families and the families of hostages.” Still, the message emphasized his firm position: “The minister’s position remains unchanged — there is no justification for a partial deal that leaves some hostages behind and allows Hamas to remain in power. He expects the Prime Minister to clarify his position without ambiguity.”

Echoing Smotrich’s hardline stance, retired Navy commander Eliezer Marom also issued a warning, cautioning against Israel pursuing only a partial agreement with Hamas.

Marom explained that Israel’s offensive in Gaza City had already placed Hamas under significant pressure, even at risk to the captives. “Any partial deal would give Hamas a 60-day window to regroup,” he warned. “What we saw today in Khan Yunis will repeat itself elsewhere if we allow that to happen.”

He concluded that Israel is now confronted with two possible courses of action: either secure a comprehensive, all-encompassing deal, or push forward with a challenging and prolonged military campaign inside Gaza.

{Matzav.com}