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After musing publicly and privately with the idea of raising the top tax rate for wealthy millionaires as Republicans draft his big bill in Congress, President Donald Trump early Friday backed off that call — sort of. Trump posted on social media that hiking taxes on anyone, even the rich, could stir a political backlash, reviving the “Read my lips: No new taxes” warnings of the Bush-era that helped topple a president. The post came days after he floated the idea of higher taxes on those single filers earning $2.5 million and above. But this time, the president, didn’t completely discourage GOP lawmakers from pursuing that option as they rush to finish their massive tax breaks and spending cuts package this weekend. “The problem with even a ‘TINY’ tax increase for the RICH, which I and all others would graciously accept in order to help the lower and middle income workers, is that the Radical Left Democrat Lunatics would go around screaming, ‘Read my lips,’” Trump wrote. “In any event, Republicans should probably not do it, but I’m OK if they do!!!” Trump wrote Friday. The last ditch-push by the president comes as Republicans are laboring to push his “big, beautiful bill” toward public hearings next week, on track for a House vote by Memorial Day. Divisions run strong in the party, and the president’s on-again, off-again push for millionaires taxes complicates the outcome. Over the past months, Trump has repeatedly brought up the idea of imposing a higher rate for millionaires and the president revived his request in private talks. Trump told Speaker Mike Johnson again this week he wants to see a higher rate on the wealthy in the big bill coming from Congress, according to a person familiar with the conversations and granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. The president sees higher taxes on millionaires as a way to clip the argument coming from Democrats that the GOP’s big tax package only benefits his wealthy friends, including billionaire Elon Musk, the person said. Thanks to Trump’s 2017 tax cuts bill, the top rate is now a 37% bracket that expires at the end of the year. That rate is for incomes beyond about $600,000 for single filers. Trump would like to see that rate expire, reverting back to 39.6%, or 40%. This week Trump pitched top rate on incomes of around $2.5 million for individuals and $5 million for couples. The debate over millionaires has been raging with a robust collection of anti-tax activists led by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Grover Norquist at Americans for Tax Reform and others working vigorously to prevent any tax hikes. Trump appeared Friday to have again heeded the message from Gingrich, who has warned that George H.W. Bush during the 1988 presidential campaign pledged to not to implement any new taxes as president. Bush then faced an onslaught of criticism during his unsuccessful 1992 reelection campaign for breaking that promise. Trump posted a few weeks ago that Gingrich was correct. But on Friday the president said independent candidate Ross Perot had caused Bush’s loss that year. As the conversations swirl in public and private, they keep coming back to Trump’s own politically-populist instincts, touching off the GOP divide. “I’m not excited about the proposal, but I have to say, […]

A French news outlet reports that a Hamas delegation spent Wednesday and Thursday in Doha, Qatar, engaging in negotiations with mediators from both Egypt and Qatar as part of ongoing efforts to establish a truce in Gaza. Despite the two-day effort, no significant progress was made.

Two individuals familiar with the matter told the agency that Egyptian envoys met on two occasions with the Hamas representatives, who were led by senior figure Khalil al-Hayya. Qatari officials also participated in the mediation talks.

The discussions did not yield results, as key points of contention remain. Israel is offering a limited ceasefire in return for the release of about half of the hostages still alive. Hamas, however, is pushing for a complete resolution that would terminate the conflict in a single phase.

The group’s current proposal includes the liberation of all captives and Palestinian inmates, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, removal of the blockade, initiation of rebuilding projects, and the preservation of its military strength.

{Matzav.com}

The air traffic controllers directing planes into the Newark, New Jersey, airport lost their radar Friday morning for the second time in two weeks. The Federal Aviation Administration said the radar at the facility in Philadelphia that directs planes in and out of Newark airport went black for 90 seconds at 3:55 a.m. Friday. That’s similar to what happened on April 28. That first radar outage led to hundreds of flights being canceled or delayed at the Newark airport in the past two weeks after the FAA slowed down traffic at the airport to ensure safety. Five controllers also went on trauma leave after that outage, worsening the existing shortage. It’s not clear if any additional controllers will go on leave now. The number of cancellations of Newark departures jumped from the low 40s to 57 after this latest outage to lead the nation, according to FlightAware.com. Newark ranks second in the number of cancelled arrivals with 60, but that number also increased Friday morning. Nearly 300 delays were reported at the airport. Officials said there have been more than 1,700 cancellations and delays at the airport this week. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer blamed the problems that have plagued Newark on the lack of proper air traffic controller staffing and modern technology. He said at a news conference Friday that there are currently 22 controllers working, and that number should be in the 60s. And many of the lines connecting controllers to the radar are outdated copper wires. He said the April 28 outage was caused by one of those copper wires getting fried. “Our region is a key economic artery for our country. Yet this region… one of the busiest air spaces in the world, as I mentioned, is running off a tower that’s full of copper wire dating back to the 1980s with outdated and inefficient technology. And the region is short — and this is a big deal. The region is short about 40 air traffic controllers,” Gottheimer said. He said the tower was built back in “the Brady Bunch era” in 1973. The FAA said earlier this week that it is installing new fiber optic data lines to carry the radar signal between its facilities in Philadelphia and New York. Officials said some of the lines connecting those two facilities are outdated copper wire that will be replaced. But it’s not clear how quickly those repairs can be completed. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a multi-billion-dollar plan Thursday to replace the nation’s aging air traffic control system to prevent problems like this from happening and give controllers modern technology. That plan includes installing 4,600 new high-speed connections and replacing 618 radars across the country. Officials developed the plan to upgrade the system after a deadly midair collision in January between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter killed 67 people in the skies over Washington, D.C. Several other crashes this year also put pressure on officials to act. But the shortcomings of the air traffic control system have been known for decades. The National Transportation Safety Board has not determined that a problem with the air traffic control system caused that crash near Reagan National Airport. (AP)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called off his upcoming visit, according to a report from I24NEWS that cites a source familiar with the matter.

As reported by Ynet, Hegseth made the decision to cancel his trip in order to accompany President Donald Trump on his regional tour, which will notably not include a stop in Israel.

Axios had earlier reported, based on information from two Israeli officials, that Hegseth was originally slated to land in Israel on Monday to hold meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

The original itinerary reportedly had him continuing on from Israel to Saudi Arabia, where he would then join up with President Trump.

In an announcement on Tuesday, President Trump said that the Houthi rebels had communicated to him their intention to stop targeting American vessels, prompting the U.S. to suspend its retaliatory operations against the group.

Following this announcement, reports surfaced indicating that the Israeli government had not been briefed beforehand on the U.S. decision to halt strikes against the Houthis.

Additionally, later in the week, Reuters reported that the U.S. government had dropped its insistence that Saudi Arabia formally recognize Israel as part of any civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

Previously, progress on nuclear discussions had been contingent on a larger package involving a U.S.-Saudi defense pact and diplomatic normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, Saudi leaders have repeatedly emphasized that recognition of Israel is off the table unless a Palestinian state is first established—a stance that has only strengthened during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

In a passionate speech on the New York State Assembly floor, Assembly Member Wieder voiced strong support for a budget provision aimed at reducing the State Education Department’s oversight of private schools. Expressing gratitude to his colleague from Boro Park for championing the cause, Wieder emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity and autonomy of private educational institutions. Wieder described the push for “substantial equivalency” standards as “the greatest hoax perpetrated in New York,” dismissing claims that students in private Chasidic schools receive inadequate education as “a rotten red herring.” He argued that these schools consistently produce successful, civically engaged citizens, challenging the narrative of educational deficiency. Highlighting the limited state funding provided to private schools—covering only transportation, lunch, and Title programs—Wieder questioned the Education Department’s authority to exert control over institutions that receive no state support for teachers, curriculum, or infrastructure. He pointed out the irony of a department struggling to manage underperforming public schools now seeking to regulate thriving private ones, a move he said has caused concern among parents. The assembly member called for celebration of the “rich cultural and educational diversity” that non-public schools contribute to New York, invoking the state’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He framed the budget provision as a critical step toward safeguarding parental rights and educational freedom. In closing, Wieder commended the Assembly Speaker for his leadership and urged his colleagues to support the measure, proudly casting his vote in favor. The provision, he argued, represents a victory for both educational choice and the diverse communities served by New York’s private schools. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter, the ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican who became a favorite of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench, has died. He was 85. Souter died Thursday at his home in New Hampshire, the court said in a statement Friday. He retired from the court in June 2009, giving President Barack Obama his first Supreme Court vacancy to fill. Obama, a Democrat, chose Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Latina justice. Souter was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1990. He was a reliably liberal vote on abortion, church-state relations, freedom of expression and the accessibility of federal courts. Souter also dissented from the decision in Bush v. Gore in 2000, which effectively handed the presidency to George W. Bush, the son of the man who put him on the high court. In retirement, Souter warned that ignorance of how government works could undermine American democracy. “What I worry about is that when problems are not addressed, people will not know who is responsible. And when the problems get bad enough … some one person will come forward and say, ‘Give me total power and I will solve this problem.’ That is how the Roman republic fell,” Souter said in a 2012 interview. His lifestyle was spare — yogurt and an apple, consumed at his desk, was a typical lunch — and he shunned Washington’s social scene. He couldn’t wait to leave town in early summer. As soon as the court finished its work in late June, he climbed into his Volkswagen Jetta for the drive back to the worn farmhouse where his family moved when he was 11. Yet for all his reserve, Souter was beloved by colleagues, court employees and friends. He was a noted storyteller and generous with his time. “Justice David Souter served our Court with great distinction for nearly twenty years. He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service,” Chief Justice John Roberts said. Souter continued hearing cases on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for more than a decade after he left the high court, Roberts said. When Bush plucked Souter from obscurity in 1990, liberal interest groups feared he would be the vote that would undo the court’s Roe v. Wade ruling in favor of abortion rights. He was called a stealth nominee by some. Bush White House aide John Sununu, the former conservative governor of New Hampshire, hailed his choice as a “home run.” And early in his time in Washington, Souter was called a moderate conservative. But he soon joined in a ruling reaffirming woman’s right to an abortion, a decision from 1992 that is his most noted work on the court. Thirty years later, a more conservative court overturned that decision and the constitutional right to abortion. Souter asked precise questions during argument sessions, sometimes with a fierceness that belied his low-key manner. “He had an unerring knack of finding the weakest link in your argument,” veteran Supreme Court advocate Carter Phillips said. Souter was history’s 105th Supreme Court justice and only its sixth bachelor. Although hailed by The Washington Post as the capital city’s most prominently eligible single man when he moved from New Hampshire, Souter resolutely resisted the social whirl. “I wasn’t that […]

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is terminating a lesser-known internet program tucked into Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure package.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump slammed Biden’s Digital Equity Act (DEA)—a provision within the $1 trillion infrastructure bill—as both “unconstitutional” and “racist,” claiming that shutting it down would save taxpayers billions.

“I have spoken with my wonderful Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, and we agree that the Biden/Harris so-called ‘Digital Equity Act’ is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL,” Trump wrote Thursday morning on Truth Social.

“No more woke handouts based on race! The Digital Equity Program is a RACIST and ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway. I am ending this IMMEDIATELY, and saving Taxpayers BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!”

According to Newsweek, the initiative includes $2.75 billion in federal grants administered through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the money was approved by Congress.

As described by the NTIA, the purpose of the funding is to ensure that people and communities have the tools and knowledge needed to fully engage in the digital economy.

The legislation, authored by Senator Patty Murray of Washington, included $60 million in grants to assist states and territories in designing strategies for making internet access more equitable, The New York Times reported.

The Times also noted that in the final days before Trump returned to the presidency in January, the Biden administration authorized the release of hundreds of millions more in digital equity funding, though that money had yet to be distributed.

Angela Siefer, who heads the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, responded to Trump’s assertion that the program was unconstitutional, calling it “incorrect.”

“The Digital Equity Act was not an executive order issued at the whim of one individual. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress to help close the digital divide in rural, urban, and Tribal communities. 56 States and Territories are counting on the funds to implement essential programs across their states, and their work is already underway,” Siefer said in a statement.

Legal experts told The New York Times that the decision to cancel funding already earmarked for states is likely to be contested in court.

From the start, Trump’s administration has aimed to eliminate government overspending, fraud, and waste. One of its hallmark policies has been to direct grant recipients to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden and his wife Jill are reportedly considering signing a massive $30 million book deal that would lift the curtain on their years in the White House, according to the Daily Mail. The potential agreement would likely feature content from a personal diary Jill kept during their time in office.

“She could write a very explosive book if she wanted to,” a former White House staffer told the publication, suggesting Jill’s account could include revealing material.

While the deal is expected to be a joint project, sources say it hinges largely on Jill’s participation. Estimated to be worth $15 million on her own, she holds significant weight in the deal. However, the project may stall if she is unwilling to disclose sensitive topics like Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, the disastrous debate performance against President Donald Trump, and the fallout from his 2024 campaign withdrawal.

The report highlights that although Jill has consistently stood by Biden’s side, her own memoir would give her the chance to frame their story on her terms. Still, any major publishing house would likely demand she confront head-on the speculation that she concealed the extent of her husband’s health issues. “Any publisher would want all the behind-the-scenes details, particularly for a seven-figure deal,” the report stated.

Another potential angle for maximizing the book’s value would be for Jill to go after the high-profile Democrats who distanced themselves from Biden during the 2024 political collapse. That group reportedly includes Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and George Clooney. The report also notes lingering resentment toward Kamala Harris, who once clashed sharply with Biden on the campaign trail.

“She’s his grudge-holder for sure, and there are definitely plenty of people she will never talk to again, but it’s unlike her to take public swings at specific individuals or lay blame. It’s just not her style. That’s what is going to sell books, though,” another ex-Biden aide told the Daily Mail.

According to insiders, financial pressures may be driving the couple’s openness to such a revealing book. Their son, Hunter Biden, is reportedly $15 million in debt due to legal battles, and both Joe and Jill are facing a decline in demand for paid public appearances. Hunter’s income from art and book sales has also taken a hit.

“Given the financial state that her son is in and the lack of interest in paid speaking engagements for both of them, they could be forced to think twice about how personal and specific they get in their books,” a former aide noted.

{Matzav.com}

It did not come timely or easily, but New York Governor Kathy Hochul just signed the state’s 2025-26 budget, and the good news is that it contains several bright spots for the Orthodox community. The budget contains a significantly enhanced Empire State Child Credit for parents; security and universal school food for yeshivas and nonpublic schools; and groundbreaking legislation for yeshiva autonomy. Agudath Israel is thankful to see many of its critical legislative priorities come to fruition. Yeshiva Autonomy Perhaps the most foundational legislation for the community this session is the bill newly defining safe harbors that nonpublic schools may avail themselves of to demonstrate substantial equivalency. “The autonomy and right for our schools to operate according to our mesorah (tradition) is of paramount importance,” said Avrohom Weinstock, Chief of Staff of Agudath Israel. “Agudath Israel played a significant role in this legislation, following its engagement in this effort for nearly a decade. This bill was a contentious, multi-year, uphill battle, and it is sure to have a lasting positive impact on many of our schools. We are especially appreciative of the government leaders who helped make this bill a reality: Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymembers Michael Benedetto and Simcha Eichenstein. We are also proud of the work that was done by a coalition of activists who worked tirelessly together with all of our champions in the Legislature to get this law enacted.” Helping Families Agudah hails the expansion of the Empire State Child Credit to a $1,000 tax credit per child for children under four and $500 for children ages four to seventeen for middle income families. The Empire State Child Credit has been a long-time priority of Agudath Israel, and its expansion is especially meaningful to communities like ours which tend to have large numbers of children. We are grateful that Governor Hochul shared this vision and made this expansion a priority, describing it in her State of the State address in January and inserting it into the executive budget. Agudath Israel also thanks State Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi for introducing and championing this legislation. Antisemitism The budget increases penalties for criminals convicted of harassing or menacing while wearing a mask. Although the Agudah supported a more expansive version of this initiative introduced by Senator James Skoufis and Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz, this legislation represents a substantive step toward combating the spate of masked intimidation we have witnessed targeting Jews. Funding to Nonpublic Schools On the fiscal side, the budget allocates over $400 million for nonpublic schools. Among the highlights are: Security: With antisemitic hate crimes at record levels, the budget once again allocates to the NPSE (Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant) Program $70 million, a considerable increase over previous years. The budget also allocates $35 million for the Securing Communities against Hate Crimes Program which provides capital funding for security enhancements at schools, community centers, summer camps and other at-risk facilities. Mandated Services: MSA (Mandated Services Aid) and CAP (Comprehensive Attendance Policy), a concept pioneered by the late president of Agudath Israel, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, z”l, is the primary funding vehicle for NY yeshivas and nonpublic schools. It reimburses schools for services they provide at the behest of the state such as attendance taking, pupil data, testing, and other items. After years of shortfalls, the budget […]

Trump’s special envoy, Witkoff, is set to visit Oman on Sunday to for Iran talks.

Israeli forces, including the elite Yamam unit, Shin Bet agents, and IDF troops, killed Nour Bitawi, a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative allegedly planning imminent terror attacks, along with another operative, during an operation in a Nablus home in the West Bank earlier today.

During recent operations in southern Gaza’s Rafah, the IDF says two Hamas operatives surrendered to troops and provided intelligence on a major tunnel in the area, which was demolished.

In the White House’s East Room on a rainy Thursday, first lady Melania Trump and members of the Bush family gathered to unveil a U.S postage stamp bearing the portrait of former first lady Barbara Bush. Amid the anticipation of the unveiling, Trump, Bush’s daughter Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch and Judy de Torok, a vice president at U.S. Postal Service, took turns sharing stories chronicling the former first lady’s life and achievements. Bush Koch held back tears recalling moments from her mother’s early life. “Mom was never one to shy away from speaking the truth or taking a stand,” she said. “With her signature white hair and pearls, she became an icon in her own right, and yet, even as a former first lady, she remained humble and humorous.” The image on the stamp is Barbara Bush’s official White House portrait, which currently hangs in the entrance to the East Wing. She is depicted in a black suit and purple blouse, wearing her hallmark triple strand of pearls. After a commemoration ceremony in Kennebunkport, Maine, where the Bush family compound is located, the stamp will go on sale June 10th. Bush notably championed literacy programs and helped destigmatized people with AIDS and HIV when she cradled an infant during a 1989 visit to a hospice for children with the disease. Trump said Bush “changed the national conversation on AIDS and took a stand supporting gay rights.” Trump also said she appreciated how Bush inspired people to pursue their personal dreams and was ahead of her time when she made the call for a female American president. “Who knows?” Trump said. “Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the White House, and I wish him well,” she said to laughs. Barbara Bush died in 2018 at 92 years-old. She was married to President George H. W. Bush. She is the mother of former President George W. Bush. She was one of only two first ladies who had a child who was elected president. The other was Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams and mother of President John Quincy Adams. And in 2016 — at 90 years-old — Barbara Bush campaigned for her son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush when he vied for the Republican presidential nomination, according to the George H. W. Bush library. She had strong words for Donald Trump — back in 2016 she said in a joint CNN interview with Jeb Bush that she was “sick” of the current president. “He’s said terrible things about women, terrible things about the military. I don’t understand why people are for him, for that reason,” she said at the time. Melania Trump attended Bush’s funeral in 2018 while Donald Trump did not attend. The White House said he stayed away to avoid security disruptions. Bush is the eighth first lady to be honored with a U.S. postage stamp. Bush Koch said “it’s unlikely that mom ever pictured herself on the postage stamp, and it’s very likely that she would be wondering what all this fuss is about.” (AP)

Elon Musk has instructed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cancel over half a million government-issued credit cards that were either idle or unnecessary, signaling the start of a broader campaign to streamline federal operations. Officials have indicated that even more cancellations are expected in the coming months.

This move is part of a larger initiative launched under President Donald Trump’s leadership to crack down on government waste and cut down excessive federal expenditures. The aim is to rein in abuse and restore accountability in how taxpayer money is handled across Washington.

As detailed by Breitbart News, DOGE has identified hundreds of thousands of government-linked credit cards across numerous federal departments that are under review and slated for deactivation as part of the efficiency overhaul.

The federal government is currently managing approximately 4.6 million “active credit cards/accounts,” which together were used for over 90 million purchases totaling $39.7 billion during the last fiscal year alone.

The General Services Administration (GSA) operates the SmartPay program, the credit card system used by federal agencies. In recent years, both the dollar amount spent through the program and the volume of individual transactions have surged, according to publicly available data.

{Matzav.com}

Venezuelan gang members known as the “Little Devils” have been repeatedly arrested by New York police — over 240 times — but are continually released without consequences, according to NYPD Assistant Chief Jason Savino. The gang, formally identified as Los Diablos de 42, operates under the umbrella of the infamous Venezuelan criminal network Tren de Aragua.

Speaking at a press briefing, Savino stated that officers have taken 37 members of this group into custody on numerous occasions. “Of those 37, we have over 240 arrests of those 37 individuals. That’s almost six [arrests] apiece,” Savino emphasized.

He also raised concerns about the gang’s strategic exploitation of minors to evade prosecution. “Now, we’re seeing that structure. There’s actually kick-ups where people are recruiting these younger members as young as 11, and they’ve been described as some of these robbery incidents as young as 8-years-old,” Savino explained.

The numbers stunned New York Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, who condemned the situation and highlighted the immigration status of those involved. “All are here illegally” and “none turned over for deportation despite hundreds of arrests and releases,” she noted, expressing frustration with the lack of federal enforcement.

The issue gained wider attention following a bold attack on police officers in Times Square carried out by members of this same gang. The violent confrontation unfolded in public view, shocking both authorities and bystanders.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as a coordinated and deliberate assault. “The officers were targeted in a ‘wolfpack-style robbery’ and were ‘ambushed, pelted with scooters, basketballs and other makeshift weapons. This was a targeted attack,’” according to CBS News.

Mayor Eric Adams did not mince words when addressing the assault. “When someone openly assaults a police officer, you are attacking our symbol of safety, and it cannot be tolerated,” Adams declared.

Authorities credited their quick response and suspect identification to the NYPD’s gang database, which has been a key tool in tracking and monitoring violent gang activity across the city.

Despite this, a growing number of city officials and immigrant advocates are pushing for the elimination of the database, claiming it is discriminatory and lacks due process.

Among them is Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, who has long argued that the tool is abused by law enforcement. He called it “a tool of harassment.”

Matthew Brodwith, an activist with the Legal Aid Society, went even further, denouncing the database outright. He labeled it a “racist tool” that “disproportionately targets young people of color with little to no evidence of criminal involvement.”

{Matzav.com}

 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told The Associated Press “you cannot spy against an ally” after reports that the United States has stepped up intelligence gathering on Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump. Frederiksen’s comments Friday are the latest in the spat between Denmark, Greenland and the United States because Trump seeks to annex the strategic Arctic island. Denmark and Greenland insist that the mineral-rich island is not for sale, while Trump has not ruled out taking it by military force even though Denmark is a NATO ally. The Danish prime minister spoke to the AP the day after Denmark summoned the top American diplomat in the country for an explanation following a Wall Street Journal report which said several high-ranking officials under the U.S. director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had directed intelligence agency heads to learn more about Greenland’s independence movement and sentiment about U.S. resource extraction there. Jennifer Hall Godfrey, acting head of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, met with high-ranking Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen at the Danish Foreign Ministry, the ministry said in an email. It provided no further details. The embassy declined to comment. Frederiksen said Friday the report was “rumors” in an international newspaper. The Journal cited two people familiar with the U.S. effort which it did not identify. “Cooperation about defense and deterrence and security in the northern part of Europe is getting more and more important,” Frederiksen said. “Of course, you cannot spy against an ally.” Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, in comments to Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq, said the reports of espionage are unacceptable and disrespectful. In response to questions about the Journal’s report, Gabbard’s office released a statement noting that she had made three “criminal” referrals to the Justice Department over intelligence community leaks. “The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information,” Gabbard wrote. “They are breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Greenland’s prime minister said last month that U.S. statements about the island have been disrespectful and it “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Friday said those who believe there is “another kind of legal regime in the Arctic” should be told that “this is not the case.” Speaking ahead of a Joint Expeditionary Force leaders’ meeting in Oslo, Gahr Støre said there seemed to be suggestions that “in the Arctic, there is some kind of terra nullius, law doesn’t apply.” “It applies, sovereignty applies. And Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said ahead of the meeting with the leaders of the U.K., Nordic and Baltic nations. (AP)

Yeshiva University (YU) announced that it is suspending the Hareni toeiva student club, saying that it has operated in a manner inconsistent with the university’s religious mission and the terms of a recent settlement agreement. The decision was outlined in a statement from the Roshei Yeshiva of YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), who directed the Office of Student Life to suspend the club’s activities. The Hareni club was established following a March settlement that resolved a nearly four-year legal dispute with the YU Pride Alliance, a student group advocating for official recognition of an LGBTQ+ club. The lawsuit, initiated in 2021, challenged YU’s initial refusal to grant club status to the Pride Alliance, citing the university’s commitment to Orthodox Jewish principles. After escalating to the U.S. Supreme Court, the settlement permitted the formation of Hareni, a club intended to support students “striving to live authentic, uncompromising halachic lives” under the oversight of YU’s rabbinic leadership. According to the Roshei Yeshiva, the settlement required Hareni to adhere to guidelines aligned with traditional Orthodox Jewish values. However, the university determined that the club’s recent activities and statements suggested it was functioning as a pride club, which the Roshei Yeshiva stated was “antithetical to the Torah values of our yeshiva” and in violation of the settlement’s terms. The statement concluded that such a club could not continue at YU, emphasizing the university’s commitment to guiding students in accordance with halacha. The decision follows months of debate within and beyond YU’s campus. The settlement had initially been presented as a compromise, with YU President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman clarifying that Hareni was distinct from a pride club and built on a 2022 proposal for a halachically compliant student group. However, Hareni’s leadership described the club as a step toward greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, highlighting its ability to use “LGBTQ+” in public communications. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Chinese Communist leader Xi Jinping held a lengthy private discussion and joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, where he declared that China and Russia were united in defending the “global multilateral trading system,” a statement that appeared to allude to opposition to President Donald Trump’s trade reforms.

Xi is visiting Russia to take part in the country’s “Victory Parade,” a celebration that commemorates the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. The event has increasingly been used by the Kremlin to diminish America’s central part in that victory. Moscow’s Victory Day commemorations are known for glorifying Soviet military might and hosting officials from communist-aligned nations such as China, Venezuela, and Cuba. Russian authorities have previously dismissed D-Day as insignificant to the overall outcome of the war.

Chinese state-run media distributed photos of Xi and Putin clasping hands following their closed-door meeting. The two leaders reportedly signed undisclosed agreements during their talks.

During his media remarks, Xi emphasized a commitment to rewriting World War II history in ways that diminish America’s contributions. He pledged China’s assistance to Russia in “dutifully and bravely protecting the truth about the history of World War II.” Chinese troops from the People’s Liberation Army will take part in Friday’s military parade, after spending the week conducting rehearsals in Moscow’s Red Square.

Despite recent drone and missile threats from Ukraine, Russia has pressed ahead with its parade planning. Since 2014, when Putin first seized Crimea, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified, peaking in 2022 with Russia’s broader invasion. In response, Ukrainian forces have carried out operations in Russian territories like Kursk and Bryansk and even struck near Moscow’s main airport in the lead-up to the parade. The Kremlin announced a temporary “ceasefire” with Ukraine to coincide with the WWII commemoration.

Although China once had positive relations with Ukraine, it has refrained from condemning Russia’s actions. Instead, Beijing has portrayed itself as a possible neutral mediator. Its diplomatic efforts to broker peace in 2023, however, made no significant progress toward ending the conflict.

Xi also used Thursday’s remarks to underscore what he called a period of “unprecedented global changes,” reinforcing his intention to collaborate with Russia in bringing what he described as “valuable stability and positive energy” to the world stage.

“Noting that China has for years been a main contributor to and stabilizer of global economic growth, Xi said China stands ready to work with Russia to safeguard the global multilateral trading system and keep the industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded,” according to the Chinese government-controlled Xinhua News Agency.

Russia’s state media outlet Tass also quoted Xi as praising the long-standing partnership between the two countries, saying it was “an imperative for the continuation of centuries-long friendship between the two peoples and a mandatory choice to make new achievements in terms of the prosperity and revival of our countries.”

“This responds to the call of our time for protecting international justice and promoting reform of the global governance system,” Xi added.

Though Xi did not name the United States or President Donald Trump directly, his call to defend the current global trade structure clearly appeared to counter President Trump’s plan to reset international trade. On April 2, Trump announced sweeping tariffs on virtually all American trade partners, aiming to push them into renegotiating deals that favor U.S. interests. China, alone among major economies, has so far refused to engage in discussions, likening trade negotiations to “drinking poison.”

Recent reporting suggests that Beijing, now feeling the sting of economic fallout caused by Trump’s tariff pause for all other countries and the steep 145% duties on Chinese goods, might finally be reconsidering. Vice-Premier He Lifeng has reportedly been chosen to lead any talks. On Wednesday, He claimed—despite strong evidence to the contrary—that “China’s economy is off to a good start so far this year.”

Russia, already largely cut off from U.S. trade under Joe Biden’s administration due to its aggression against Ukraine, is unaffected by the Trump tariff initiative. Nevertheless, Putin took the opportunity to commend Xi for strengthening the bilateral partnership and spotlighted China’s role in enhancing ties.

“Our political interaction is strengthening, practical cooperation is deepening, and cultural, humanitarian, exchange, and interregional ties are gaining momentum,” Putin said, as quoted by RT, a pro-Kremlin media outlet.

“We are developing our ties for the benefit of both peoples and not against anyone,” Putin added. “Our relations are equal, mutually beneficial, and not opportunistic. The intention to build good-neighborliness, strengthen friendship, and expand cooperation is a strategic choice made by Russia and China.”

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday, Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing Yitzchok Goldknopf, MK from Yahadut HaTorah, held a meeting with family members of several hostages—specifically relatives from the Ohel, Hayman, and Chen families—as well as former hostage Sasha Troufanov.

During the conversation, Minister Goldknopf reiterated his backing for any efforts to secure the hostages’ freedom. “As I have proven to this day, not only in words but also in actions, I will support any deal brought to the government table that will lead to the release of our abducted sons and daughters.”

He also described his encounters with individuals who had survived captivity at the hands of Hamas. “I met and spoke with survivors of captivity who returned from the tunnels of the Hamas murderers, and I heard horrifying stories.”

The meeting took place as tensions remain high between United Torah Judaism and Prime Minister Netanyahu due to dissatisfaction over delays in passing the Draft Law in a manner acceptable to the chareidi parties. In a subtle but pointed remark, Goldknopf referenced inconsistent reports from the Prime Minister, his wife, and the President of the United States regarding the number of surviving hostages. “I am not in the Cabinet like other ministers, and it troubles me that the discussion revolves around numbers—first 24, then 21—as if these are not human lives. The important number is 59 hostages who need to return home to their families, and the dead who need a proper Jewish burial,” he stated.

Weighing in on the ongoing national debate about what should define the war’s core objective, Goldknopf brought a halachic lens to the conversation, emphasizing that saving lives takes precedence above all else. “I saw there is a debate about the war’s ultimate goal. Halacha establishes that the value of redeeming captives and preserving life is supreme, even overriding Shabbos,” he said.

He concluded with a firm declaration that the country must not tolerate its citizens being held underground by terrorists. “Just as Israel cannot live with Hamas on its border, it cannot live with its citizens and soldiers held beyond its border in the tunnels of murderers,” said Goldknopf.

{Matzav.com Israel}