Feed aggregator

Syria’s foreign minister met with an Israeli delegation in Paris on Tuesday in a rare, U.S.-brokered diplomatic encounter, Syria’s state-run news agency said — a development that could mark a turning point in one of the Middle East’s most entrenched conflicts. According to SANA, Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani sat down with Israeli officials to discuss reviving the 1974 ceasefire agreement and deescalating tensions along their shared frontier. The agency said the talks produced “understandings that support stability in the region.” The meeting comes against the backdrop of soaring instability since the December overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which left a fragile new government in Damascus led by former jihadist fighters. Israel, distrustful of Syria’s new rulers, has seized territory in a UN-patrolled buffer zone and carried out airstrikes on Syrian military sites, insisting it will not allow hostile groups to entrench themselves near its border. Hebrew media reported that the Israeli delegation was led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack. The Trump administration has been pressing to fold Syria into its broader push for Middle East normalization. “These talks are taking place under U.S. mediation, as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in Syria,” SANA said. A senior Trump administration official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, said the effort is part of Trump’s “vision of a prosperous Middle East,” including a Syria “at peace with itself and its neighbors — including Israel.” Dermer and al-Shaibani had already met twice in recent weeks, first in Azerbaijan and later in Paris, suggesting a sustained channel of communication. The talks also come as clashes in Syria’s southern Sweida province draw Israel deeper into Syria’s internal conflicts. Fighting between Druze groups, Bedouin clans, and Syrian government forces last month prompted Israeli airstrikes in defense of the Druze minority, a community long integrated into Israel’s own military and social fabric. Israel struck dozens of Syrian convoys and even bombed the Defense Ministry in Damascus before a U.S.- and Turkey-brokered truce calmed most of the violence. Still, Sweida remains under siege by Syrian government forces, and Druze leaders have appealed directly to Washington. On Tuesday, Barrack met with Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muafak Tarif in Paris. In a statement, Tarif urged the U.S. to help secure humanitarian aid for Sweida, press for the release of Druze hostages, and guarantee the community’s security. Protests in Sweida over the weekend — some featuring demonstrators waving Israeli flags — have further inflamed Syrian public opinion, with critics denouncing the Druze as collaborators. Israel and Syria have technically been at war since 1948. Israel captured most of the Golan Heights in 1967, later annexing the territory in a move recognized only by the U.S. Damascus continues to demand its return, while Israeli officials — including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in June — have made clear the Golan “will remain part of the State of Israel” under any future deal. Whether Tuesday’s meeting represents a genuine diplomatic opening or a short-lived gesture remains unclear. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

An investigation by the Israel Defense Forces revealed that a group of at least 18 Hamas terrorists attempted to storm an IDF base near Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Wednesday morning. According to the military, three Israeli soldiers were injured in the incident, one of them critically. Officials believe the attackers intended to capture soldiers during the raid.

The military’s probe determined that the assault began around 9 a.m., when the Hamas operatives surfaced from a tunnel in the southern sector of Khan Younis and opened fire using machine guns and RPGs as they advanced toward the IDF installation.

Several of the terrorists managed to infiltrate the compound and engaged in heavy exchanges of gunfire with members of the Kfir Brigade.

According to the IDF’s findings, ten of the gunmen were eliminated during the fighting and through airstrikes coordinated with ground forces, while eight others managed to retreat back into the tunnel network. The army also released video footage showing the targeted airstrikes. Another widely shared clip online (graphic) depicted the bodies of two of the terrorists inside the IDF base. In a separate video, a tank from the 74th Armored Battalion is seen ramming into a Hamas operative carrying an RPG during the confrontation.

The injured soldiers were all part of the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion. The IDF reported that one soldier was in serious condition while the other two sustained moderate wounds and were stable.

Military officials confirmed that operations are ongoing to locate the remaining attackers who escaped through the tunnels.

Hamas’s armed faction, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that its fighters “stormed the site” and carried out a suicide bombing.

In its statement, Al-Qassam asserted that its forces struck several IDF tanks with explosives and RPGs, and attacked multiple structures used by Israeli troops with machine-gun fire and grenades. The group further claimed, “A number of fighters stormed the houses and finished off a number of occupation soldiers inside from point-blank range with light weapons and hand grenades,” though the IDF confirmed that no Israeli soldiers were killed during the incident.

Hamas also alleged that one of its snipers “fatally wounded” a tank commander and that its operatives fired mortar shells “to secure the withdrawal of the fighters.”

Additionally, the group claimed, “Upon the arrival of the rescue force, one of the martyrs detonated himself among the soldiers, leaving them dead and wounded.”

While Hamas’s military wing said the battle “lasted for several hours,” the IDF’s investigation concluded that the confrontation was resolved in less than an hour.

.

{Matzav.com}

A dangerous heat wave descended on much of California and the U.S. Southwest, with triple-digit temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires. Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite. Here’s what you need to know. Sizzling hot The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If outdoor activities can’t be avoided, forecasters say, they should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should hydrate. Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), while valleys to the north braced for temperatures as high as 108 F (42 C). It will be several degrees hotter in desert areas. Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown LA. “It’s sizzling hot out here,” Catlett said. “I have sunblock. Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I’m trying to stay out of the direct sun.” Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe 120 F (49 C), the weather service said. In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F (43 C) in the southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures were likely in Las Vegas. Fire risk Red flag warnings, signaling elevated wildfire danger, have been issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday. “If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials,” the weather service said in a statement. The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out. “By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed,” said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. In the Sierra Nevada, higher than normal temperatures, low humidity and the possibility of lightning storms will contribute to the fire risk. California’s largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, reached 95% containment Tuesday after charring nearly 206 square miles (534 square kilometers) of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under investigation. (AP)

The Chesed Fund is proud to announce the launch of Scratch 4 Chesed, an innovative new fundraising campaign model that combines donor excitement with powerful results. By introducing an element of surprise into the donation process, this campaign format captures attention, drives participation, and maximizes fundraising potential. Scratch 4 Chesed reimagines the traditional sweepstakes by allowing participants to purchase a “mystery ticket” for a chance to win a large cash prize. The twist? Each ticket has a hidden, increasing value—and donors only find out how much their ticket costs after they commit to buying it. This unique approach not only adds a layer of suspense, but also encourages higher giving by leveraging curiosity and a desire to support a meaningful cause. For inquiries or to learn how Scratch 4 Chesed can work for your organization, CLICK HERE How It Works 1. Define Ticket AmountsCampaign organizers select a fixed number of tickets, each with a hidden value that increases incrementally. For example, the first ticket costs $1, the second $2, and so on, up to a predetermined maximum (e.g., $360). 2. Sell Randomized TicketsDonors agree to purchase a ticket without knowing its value upfront. After they commit, they “scratch” a digital or physical card to reveal how much they owe. 3. Select a WinnerOne participant is selected to win a large cash prize. The rest walk away knowing they’ve contributed meaningfully to a cause they care about. This format appeals to donors by offering a fun and memorable experience while maintaining a strong incentive to give. Shown above: a digital scratch card featured in Scratch 4 Chesed. Real-World Success: A Case Study with Physical Scratch Cards Yeshivas Derech HaTorah launched a physical Scratch 4 Chesed campaign, offering 360 tickets in a $10,000 sweepstakes. Each ticket had a hidden, unique price ranging from $1 to $360. Donors committed to purchasing a ticket and then scratched it to reveal how much they owed. The campaign was run during a live event, with a representative walking around the tables selling scratch cards in real-time. This not only added an engaging and interactive element to the event, but also created an additional revenue stream on top of the existing program. Click here for pictures and more info about that event.  The campaign raised a total of $64,800. After awarding the prize, the yeshiva retained nearly $54,000—a powerful example of how this model can drive significant revenue in a short period of time. Shown above: a physical scratch card featured in Scratch 4 Chesed. A Win-Win Fundraising Model Scratch 4 Chesed offers organizations a fresh, effective way to engage their donor base while creating buzz and enthusiasm around their campaign. With minimal setup and high potential returns, it’s an ideal solution for schools, nonprofits, and community initiatives looking to energize their fundraising efforts. To see a sample digital scratch card CLICK HERE For inquiries or to learn how Scratch 4 Chesed can work for your organization, CLICK HERE

Arabic graffiti, including references to the “Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades,” was sprayed across the kever of Elazar Hakohein in the village of Awarta in Samaria.

The vandals defaced the site by painting Arabic inscriptions on the grave. Among the markings was the name “Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades,” the armed faction associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is active in the area.

This incident is not unprecedented. Back in 2011, visitors discovered that the gravestone had been partly destroyed and covered in graffiti, including sketches of rocket launchers.

The location of the grave, situated at the entrance of the village, leaves it particularly vulnerable to acts of desecration.

Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Grossman, chairman of the Holy Sites Committee of the Chief Rabbinical Council, expressed his outrage: “I was shocked to see the pogrom carried out at the grave of Elazar Hakohein, son of AharonHakohein, in the village of Awarta in Samaria.”

He went on to explain, “Elazar Hakohein was the ‘chief of the Leviim,’ the most important figure in the Jewish hierarchy of his time, the kohein gadol who continued the priestly path of his father, Aharon Hakohein. Our sages said of him, ‘He loves peace and pursues peace; he loves all creatures.’”

Rabbi Grossman added, “The site of Elazar Hakohein’s grave has been sanctified and recognized by all nations, not just Jews, as a place of prayer and spiritual merit. This is not the first time the grave has been desecrated. I appeal to every religious authority, at every site, to protect this sacred grave and prevent its desecration in the future. Let us follow in the ways of Elazar Hakohein and his father and increase peace in the world.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an unprecedented move, the leading Chareidi news platform in Israel, B’Chadrei Chareidim, has published a blistering op-ed directly targeting Shas leader Aryeh Deri, calling him out for remaining silent as Sephardic yeshiva bochurim are arrested, imprisoned, and dragged into military courts. The op-ed, described by many as historic, marks the first time Bichadrei has publicly confronted Deri, once considered untouchable. “What is happening these days is simply unimaginable,” the piece begins. “Sephardic yeshiva bochurim are being arrested, dragged into military courts, and living in fear – and the man who is supposed to be their voice, their protector, the father of this tzibbur, is silent. Aryeh Deri. Yes, the very same Deri who always knew how to raise his voice, flip the table, and accuse the Ashkenazi establishment. Today, he is silent – silent and smiling in the cabinet meetings.” The scathing editorial goes further, accusing the Shas leadership and rabbanim of falling into “contagious silence,” paralyzed by Deri’s control. “The rabbanim stay silent – not because they don’t see the bochurim being arrested, but because they know the chairman has not given them permission to speak.” The piece charges that Sephardic youth are “paying the price” while Deri is busy “stroking Netanyahu, sewing deals behind the scenes, and basking in his status in the security cabinet.” In a direct challenge, the op-ed asks: “How many more bochurim need to be arrested before you return to being their leader – and not Netanyahu’s spin master? Or perhaps the answer is obvious: the cabinet seat is worth more than the world of Torah.” The article closes with a thunderous question: *“Did Rav Ovadia found Shas for this? That Sephardic yeshiva bochurim should be arrested while Deri sits in the cabinet defending Netanyahu?”* (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the Trump administration was continuing to discuss a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and confirmed that Hamas had accepted it.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social,” Leavitt said at a press briefing at the White House.

The talks coincide with IDF preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, seemingly with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Monday said that the remaining hostages would return only when Hamas is “confronted and destroyed.”

“The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Tuesday stressed how Trump’s Truth Social post changed the terrorist group’s calculations.

“Three weeks ago that proposal was on the table and they slow-played us, Hamas. And the president put out his Truth statement saying that he wasn’t going to tolerate it anymore and guess what happened? There’s been a major break. They’ve issued the announcement and they’ve said they want a peace deal,” Witkoff said.

He continued: “The president has been very decisive and straightforward in his Truth. He wants all the hostages back and that is the position that we have. We want all the hostages back. That conflict should end immediately. Twenty hostages should be returned to their families, a commensurate amount of Palestinian prisoners to be released as well, and just let’s end that thing and bring peace and solitude to the Gazan people and rebuild Gaza as it should be rebuilt as the president has set forth.”

According to Arab media, the proposal features a partial pullout of Israeli forces from some areas of the Gaza Strip, the release of 10 out of the 20 living hostages held by Hamas and the release of more than 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel during a 60-day ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation on Monday, stated that Hamas was “under immense pressure” as the terrorist group signaled a willingness to negotiate after previously refusing several offers.

Netanyahu also visited the IDF’s Gaza Division, where he expressed his “tremendous appreciation” for the “great achievements” of Israel’s military in the Gaza war, which he termed both a “War of Redemption” and a “War on Seven Fronts.”

The prime minister’s political allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have vocally opposed any partial deal that does not secure the release of all hostages and a total defeat of Hamas.

On Tuesday, the fathers of three soldiers who fell fighting Palestinian terrorists since Oct. 7, 2023, wrote Netanyahu an open letter in which they demanded he decline any deal that doesn’t retrieve all 50 remaining hostages.

“Any pause now, for partial deals would endanger the hostages, the troops and Israel’s security. Do not surrender to Hamas. It is time for a decisive victory,” wrote the fathers of Cpt. Uri Mordechai Shani and Fst. Sgts. Yishai Fitousi and Amit Buntzel. The fathers, Yehoshua, Itzik and Itzik, are members of the Gevurah Forum of bereaved parents.

As of Aug. 19, 148 hostages have been returned alive to Israel—eight of them rescued through military operations. Most have been redeemed in two exchanges, held during ceasefires in 2024 and 2025, for Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli prisons.

The bodies of an additional 56 captives have been repatriated to Israel.

As talks on a deal continue, the Israel Defense Forces is finalizing preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, which would significantly tighten Israel’s grip on the area and limit Hamas’s ability to operate there.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday approved plans for the next stage of the war presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior IDF leadership, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News.

The campaign has been dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II,” according to the report.

To fund the war, the Israeli Cabinet agreed to cut 30.8 billion shekels ($9 billion) from the budgets of various ministries in favor of the Defense Ministry. Of that sum, 1.6 billion shekels ($471 million) is earmarked for humanitarian aid for Gazans. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to resign after a member of his administration accused Cook of committing mortgage fraud. Bill Pulte, director of the agency that oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, urged the Justice Department to investigate Cook, who was appointed to the Fed’s governing board by former president Joe Biden in 2022. She was reappointed the following year to a term that lasts until 2038. Pulte alleged that Cook has claimed two homes as her principal residences — one in Georgia, the other in Michigan — to fraudulently obtain better mortgage lending terms. The allegation represents another front in the Trump administration’s attack on the Fed, which has yet to cut its key interest rate as Trump has demanded. If Cook were to step down, then the White House could nominate a replacement. And Trump has said he would only appoint people who would support lower rates. The Federal Reserve declined to comment on the accusation. Trump has for months demanded that the Federal Reserve reduce the short-term interest rate it controls, which currently stands at about 4.3%. Trump says that a lower rate would reduce the government’s borrowing costs on $37 trillion in debt and boost the housing market by reducing mortgage rates. Yet mortgage borrowing costs do not always follow the Fed’s rate decisions. The Trump administration has made similar claims of mortgage fraud against Democrats that Trump has attacked, including California Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. (AP)

SAKANOS NEFASHOS: Watch how Peleg Yerushalmi protesters shut down Highway 2 with speeding motorists.

MEANWHILE ON HIGHWAY 2: Clashes broke out as Peleg Yerushalmi protesters blocked the highway, leading angry drivers to exit their vehicles and attempt to forcibly remove the demonstrators in order to reopen the road.

HAPPENING NOW: Hafganos in Bnei Brak by the Peleg Yerushalmi against the IDF draft and imprisonment of Chareidi Yeshiva Bochrim

The wave of arrests within the chareidi community continues to stir emotions, as Noriel Mirzokandov, a yeshiva bochur who was released Tuesday after being detained by the army, visited the home of Rav Dov Landau to receive a brocha.

The meeting took place at Rav Landau’s residence on Rechov Rav Sher in Bnei Brak, where the rosh yeshiva warmly greeted the young man and expressed words of support and encouragement.

During the emotional encounter, Rav Landau offered his brocha and reassurance to Mirzokandov and to all bnei yeshivos facing similar ordeals: “Be’ezras Hashem we hope to be rid of this. We are all standing behind you and behind everyone they take to prison. We are davening to Shamayim and doing whatever we can here on earth, constantly, without pause.”

Just days ago, at the conclusion of a major “Rischa D’Oraysa” gathering in Bnei Brak, Rav Landau delivered a powerful address, warning of the spiritual dangers facing Klal Yisroel and calling for unity and resilience. In his remarks at that gathering, Rav Landau lamented the suffering of the Torah world under current pressures: “We all know that due to our many aveiros, we have been in galus for so many years — and now we feel it even more strongly. The weight of this galus presses heavily upon us. There is a decree upon us, a harsh and bitter decree. Jews are persecuting Jews because of their Torah learning. This is a terrible gezeirah, and in our sins, we find ourselves inside this decree, rachmana litzlan.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Iran’s defense minister escalated threats against Israel on Wednesday, warning that Tehran has developed a new generation of missiles with “far greater capabilities” than those deployed in last month’s 12-day conflict. “The missiles used in the 12-day war were manufactured a few years ago,” Defense Minister Aziz Nassirzadeh told Iranian media, according to the official IRNA news agency. “Today, we have manufactured and possess missiles with far greater capabilities… and if the Zionist enemy embarks on the adventure again, we will undoubtedly use them.” The comments came days after Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declared that Iran remains in a “stage of war” with Israel and the United States, warning another confrontation could erupt “at any time.” Speaking on the sidelines of a defense industry event ahead of Iran’s National Defense Industry Day, Nassirzadeh praised what he called Iran’s “success” in its counterattack after Israel’s June 13 strikes on Tehran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. He claimed that 90 percent of Iran’s ballistic missiles hit their intended targets and accused Israel of “cowardly” targeting of civilians. Iran’s missile salvos not only struck Israeli military installations but also damaged more than 2,300 homes, two universities, and a hospital. Israeli health officials say 31 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured. Israel, for its part, said its offensive—which targeted senior Iranian military leaders, nuclear scientists, enrichment facilities, and missile sites—was necessary to halt Tehran’s march toward nuclear weaponization. Iran insists it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, but Western officials point to uranium enrichment at weapons-grade levels, Tehran’s obstruction of international inspectors, and its continued investment in long-range ballistic missiles as evidence to the contrary. Nassirzadeh rejected claims that Iran was forced into a ceasefire, framing the decision instead as a deliberate move to prevent a wider regional war. But his rhetoric underscored Tehran’s distrust of U.S. and Israeli commitments. “Should the other side continue its adventurism,” he warned, “this time Iran’s response… will be deadly, surprising, painful, and beyond calculation.” The war marked the most intense direct confrontation between Israel and Iran to date. Tehran launched over 500 ballistic missiles and 1,100 drones at Israel during the conflict, while Israel coordinated with the U.S. to inflict heavy damage on Iran’s strategic programs. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hagaon HaRav Moshe Shternbuch and Hagaon HaRav Yaakov Meyer Schechter of Breslov, appear together in a historic manner at the cornerstone-laying ceremony for new Satmar building on Yona Street in Yerushalayim.

The United States and Venezuela are edging close to confrontation, with both governments refusing to back down in a high-stakes showdown that risks sparking the most serious U.S.–Latin America crisis in decades. On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of more than 4.5 million militia fighters, vowing to defend his nation’s “sacred soil” against what he called “imperialist aggression” after reports that three U.S. Navy destroyers had moved into waters off Venezuela’s coast. “We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands. No empire will touch Venezuela,” Maduro thundered in a nationally televised speech. “Our factories and workplaces will be armed. Missiles and rifles will be placed in the hands of the people.” Hours later, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump had ordered the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson, along with nearly 4,000 personnel, to the Caribbean as part of a sweeping campaign to dismantle drug cartels that Washington accuses Maduro of sheltering. “President Trump has been very clear: he will use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and bring those responsible to justice,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. Relations between Washington and Caracas have been hostile for years, but the latest military moves mark a dangerous escalation. The U.S. severed formal diplomatic ties in 2019, when Trump threw Washington’s weight behind opposition leader Juan Guaidó and branded Maduro’s presidency “illegitimate.” Since then, the Trump Administration has hit Caracas with successive waves of sanctions, indicted Maduro in New York on narco-terrorism charges, and placed a $50 million bounty on his arrest. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed this month that U.S. authorities seized $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including luxury jets and bank accounts. Trump has tied Venezuela to the broader war on cartels and fentanyl trafficking, signing a secret Pentagon directive earlier this year to use U.S. military force against designated foreign cartels. In February, he labeled Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang a foreign terrorist organization, alongside Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and MS-13 in El Salvador. Maduro has dismissed the allegations as fabrications, branding Washington’s accusations “extravagant, bizarre, and outlandish.” Maduro’s announcement Monday included sweeping new security measures. In addition to mobilizing millions of civilian militias, Caracas has temporarily banned drones from Venezuelan airspace, citing security concerns following a 2018 drone assassination attempt that left the president visibly shaken during a military parade. The militias, created by Hugo Chávez in 2005 and formally integrated into the armed forces in 2010, will now be deployed in “all factories and workplaces,” according to Maduro, who claimed they would receive both rifles and missile systems. “Washington’s threats only prove its inability to subdue a sovereign people,” Venezuela’s foreign ministry said in a defiant statement Tuesday. “While Washington threatens, Venezuela advances firmly in peace and sovereignty.” The U.S. buildup around Venezuela goes beyond the three destroyers. Defense officials told Reuters that additional P-8 surveillance planes, an attack submarine, and other warships have been repositioned across the Caribbean and Atlantic. The moves signal Trump’s willingness to match rhetoric with force, after months of heated accusations that Venezuela serves as a hub for narco-trafficking and a safe haven for organized crime. Analysts warn the risk of miscalculation is growing. Maduro, already isolated by years of sanctions and internal unrest, has […]

Secretary Rubio announces new US sanctions against ICC judges.

Elon Musk is reportedly holding off on launching his new political party in an effort to maintain strong relationships with top Republicans — particularly Vice President JD Vance, whom the billionaire is considering supporting in 2028.

Although Musk had previously promised that his “America Party” would disrupt the traditional two-party system, sources told the Wall Street Journal that he has since confided to those close to him that he wants to prioritize his business ventures rather than risk weakening his alliances with Republican leaders in Washington.

The Tesla founder is especially focused on keeping a close partnership with Vance, who is widely viewed as a potential successor to carry forward the MAGA movement after President Trump finishes his second term.

According to the Journal, Musk has privately shared with associates that launching the “America Party” could harm his relationship with Vance — something he wants to avoid.

Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, has reportedly told those around him that he would be prepared to provide financial backing for Vance if he decides to pursue a White House run in 2028.

In the 2024 election cycle, Musk poured nearly $300 million into President Trump’s campaign and other Republican efforts, significantly contributing to Trump’s victory in securing a second term.

Despite putting his plans on pause, Musk has not entirely dismissed the idea of creating the “America Party.” Allies told the Journal that he is watching the political landscape closely and will revisit the possibility depending on the results of the 2026 midterm elections.

The idea of forming a third party was first floated last month during a heated public clash between Musk and Trump over the Big Beautiful Bill Act — legislation Musk labeled a “disgusting abomination” and slammed for what he called reckless government spending.

At the time, Musk suggested he would focus his resources on “2 or 3 Senate Seats and 8 to 10 House districts” in pivotal congressional races and vowed to support primary challengers against Republicans who backed the bill.

In response, Trump fired back, warning that he was considering revoking Musk’s federal contracts, escalating tensions between the two.

Musk has long made reducing the federal deficit one of his key political goals. He was even brought into the Trump administration to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but he stepped away from the position in May to refocus on his companies.

Recently, though, relations between Musk and Trump seem to have stabilized, as Musk has avoided criticizing the president or other Republican figures in recent weeks.

For Vance, Musk’s financial resources and influence could prove to be a tremendous advantage if he positions himself to take on a greater leadership role after Trump’s presidency.

When the Journal reached out for comment, Vance’s team pointed to an interview he gave earlier this month to the Gateway Pundit, where the Vice President said it would be harmful for conservatives to break away from MAGA and expressed hope that Musk would “come back into the fold” by the midterms.

Without directly addressing the Journal’s report, Musk later posted on X: “Nothing @WSJ says should ever be thought of as true.”

{Matzav.com}

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ’s powerful sister yet again taunted South Korean efforts to improve ties, state media reported Wednesday, saying that her country will never accept Seoul as a diplomatic partner. Kim Yo Jong’s remarks fit a longstanding pattern of aggressive language during ongoing South Korea-U.S. military drills, which the North has long denounced as invasion rehearsals, but also reflect a shift in Pyongyang’s approach to its rival. Her brother has shifted his focus to Moscow, and last year declared that North Korea was abandoning long-standing goals of a peaceful unification with South Korea. He ordered the constitution rewritten to declare the South a permanent enemy. Kim Yo Jong spurns feelers from new South Korean government Since the collapse of a 2019 summit with U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term, Kim Jong Un doubled down on his nuclear ambitions while embracing the idea of a “new Cold War.” In Seoul, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, after taking office in 2022, responded by expanding military drills with Washington and Tokyo and seeking stronger assurances of U.S. nuclear deterrence. But South Korea’s new liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who replaced Yoon after he was removed from office in disgrace, has pushed to revive dialogue between the Koreas since taking office in June. He’s extended olive branches like ending cross-border propaganda broadcasts that irritate Pyongyang. Lee said in a speech Friday that said his government respects North Korea’s current system and “will not pursue any form of unification by absorption and has no intention of engaging in hostile acts.” But Kim Yo Jong claimed Seoul’s peace gestures conceal a “sinister intention” to blame Pyongyang for strained relations. She said the “reckless” South Korea-U.S. military drills as a proof of Seoul’s hostility, state media said Wednesday. Kim told Foreign Ministry officials during a Tuesday meeting that reconciliation with the South would never happen, and urged them to pursue “proper countermeasures” against Seoul, which she labeled the “most hostile state” and a “faithful dog” of the U.S. Once regarded by the North as a useful go-between for extracting concessions from Washington, South Korea is now viewed in Pyongyang as a regional obstacle to its attempts to carve out a larger role in world affairs. In response to Kim Yo Jong’s latest comments, South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said Lee’s government will continue to take “proactive steps for peace” and called for mutual respect between the countries. Kim Dong-yub, a professor at South Korea’s University of North Korean Studies, said Kim Yo Jong’s latest remarks were a response to Lee’s speech, “essentially bolting the door shut.” On Monday, Kim Jong Un also criticized the South Korean-U.S. military drills and vowed a rapid expansion of his nuclear forces as he inspected his most advanced warship being fitted with nuclear-capable systems. Pyongyang sees opportunity Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created an opportunity to draw closer to Moscow, which he has supplied with thousands of troops and large supplies of military equipment. With its alignment with Russia deepening, North Korea has also become more vocal in international affairs beyond the Korean Peninsula, issuing statements on conflicts in the Middle East and issues related to the Taiwan Strait. During Tuesday’s foreign policy meeting, Kim Yo Jong implied that Pyongyang seeks to compete with Seoul diplomatically, claiming the South “will not […]

The Pentagon is preparing to allocate more than $3.5 billion to rebuild its weapons stockpiles following recent U.S. military operations in the Middle East, much of which were carried out in defense of Israel, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the emergency funding requests submitted to Congress underscore the enormous expenses tied to sustaining an elevated American military presence in the region.

The proposal seeks funding for a range of priorities, including replenishing missile interceptors, repairing naval vessels, and transporting munitions. Of the total, at least $1 billion is earmarked for replacing RTX Corp. missile interceptors that were used to defend against Iranian strikes, Bloomberg noted.

The request references U.S. efforts to counter Iran’s April 2024 assault on Israel, during which Iran launched over 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and 150 drones.

Among the Pentagon’s specific requests, the single largest allocation — around $1 billion — would go toward restocking various models of the RTX Standard Missile interceptor, particularly the SM-3 IB Threat Upgrade, which costs between $9 million and $12 million per unit. These interceptors were deployed by Navy vessels to neutralize incoming Iranian missiles. The documents also reveal an “unplanned THAAD deployment” at a new location. The second-largest request seeks $204 million for additional Lockheed Martin Corp. THAAD missile interceptors.

The spending proposal draws on the 2024 Israeli Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which authorized $14 billion to rebuild U.S. military stockpiles and purchase more missile defense systems for Israel.

These replenishment requests are separate from the $4.2 billion worth of U.S. weapons and equipment already supplied directly to Israel between October 2023 and May.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump slams wind and solar power, calling it “the scam of the century” due to rising energy costs. Promises to block “farmer-destroying” projects.