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The Senate’s clerks concluded a marathon reading session on Sunday, going through every word of the Republicans’ sweeping tax and spending legislation. With that hurdle cleared, the chamber is now on track to proceed toward a final vote, expected to take place Monday.

In a bid to stall progress, Democrats demanded that the entire 940-page bill be read aloud, a process that stretched nearly 16 hours and wrapped up shortly after 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

“I objected to stop Republicans moving forward on their Big, Ugly Bill until they read every single word of it to the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on X last night.

Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) publicly recognized the effort of the staffers who carried out the task.

“I would like to start by just taking a moment to thank the clerks, who stayed up all night reading the amendment and getting us to this point. I know it was a long night and that we’re not finished yet, but I want them to know the Senate appreciates their dedication, their stamina and their service,” he said.

With the reading complete, the Senate will now enter a period of up to 20 hours of floor debate, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, before moving on to a potentially marathon session of back-to-back amendment votes known as a “vote-a-rama.”

Republican leadership is expected to waive much of their allotted debate time, potentially speeding up the process and allowing the vote-a-rama to begin during the early hours of Monday morning. If that happens, the final vote could take place later in the day.

During this next phase, senators may propose unlimited amendments as long as they pertain to the tax and spending legislation. Before the bill can reach a final vote, every amendment must be voted on and resolved.

Last night, the GOP successfully secured enough support to advance the bill following lengthy negotiations and a drawn-out voting session that remained open for over three hours. Even so, challenges remain.

Two Republican senators — Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky — opposed the procedural vote and are anticipated to reject the bill itself, citing disagreements over Medicaid policies and the inclusion of a $5 trillion increase to the federal debt ceiling.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), known for her centrist positions within the Republican conference, backed the procedural step last night but has not yet decided how she will vote on the final legislation.

“That’s going to depend on whether the bill is substantially changed,” she said last night. “There are some very good changes that have been made in the latest version, but I want to see further changes and I will be filing a number of amendments.”

Last night’s vote was complicated by opposition from four conservative Republicans — Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rick Scott of Florida, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and Mike Lee of Utah — who delayed proceedings for nearly four hours over concerns that the Medicaid expansions in the bill were overly generous.

The conservative holdouts said they only agreed to move forward after receiving commitments from Thune and President Trump that Scott’s proposal to reduce the 90% federal match rate for Medicaid expansion enrollees would be supported.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a key moderate voice, also hesitated to commit, withholding her vote for several hours due to concerns about proposed changes to Medicaid and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in the legislative framework.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Thom Tillis after announcing he won’t seek reelection while opposing Trump’s spending bill: “The people in the White House, the amateurs advising the President, they’re not telling him that the effect of this bill is to break a promise.”

IDAHO SHERIFF AMID STANDOFF WITH SHOOTER(S) ON MOUNTAIN: “They’re not showing any evidence of wanting to surrender. As soon as somebody has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot.”  

BREAKING: At least two dead after gunman ambushed firefighters in Idaho Firefighters were ambushed by a gunman while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard said. Two people are dead. The incident unfolded at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time after a small but growing brush fire broke out on Canfield Mountain Sunday afternoon. When fire personnel responded to the blaze about half an hour later, they started getting shot at by an unknown person in the woods, Howard said. Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene, Howard added.

During the ongoing Am K’Lavi military operation, Israel’s Chief Rabbi, HaGaon Rav Kalman Meir Bar, visited an Israeli Air Force base, where he met with pilots, UAV operators, and members of the maintenance crew to offer encouragement and deliver a message of gratitude and inspiration.

The visit came amid wide-ranging operational activity and was intended to uplift the spirits of the soldiers and technical teams serving under demanding conditions.

Rav Bar spoke with drone operators about the critical role they play in defending Israel’s skies, particularly in the recent campaign. He emphasized that his visit was not only to personally thank them, but to acknowledge the profound impact of their efforts on the morale of the entire nation. “The Air Force,” he stated, “has consistently been a key factor in raising the spirits of the people of Israel during trying times.”

He also met with members of the maintenance unit, who presented their meticulous work in preparing aircraft for missions while upholding the highest standards of precision and safety. The Chief Rabbi expressed deep admiration for their dedication and professionalism.

At the conclusion of the visit, Rav Bar joined the soldiers in tefillah at the base’s shul and offered them brachos for peace and safety. In his closing remarks, he urged them to continue safeguarding both the physical and spiritual strength of the Jewish people. Drawing on the imagery of the operation’s name, he remarked: “Just like the lavi, the lion, who may appear to be resting but when he roars it becomes clear to all that he is the king of the jungle, so too, the IDF, and especially the Air Force, projects strength and confidence through Operation Am K’Lavi.”

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic closed-door session, top Israeli security officials told judges overseeing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trial that there is “an opportunity to change the face of the Middle East and for Israel to expand its circle of peace, including with Syria,” according to a report by Kan News. Present at the confidential court hearing were the heads of the IDF Military Intelligence and the Mossad, who both emphasized the urgency and sensitivity of current regional developments. They explained to the judges why it was necessary to delay Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony hearings.

BREAKING: President Trump sends a message to “cost cutting Republicans” as he awaits passage of his Big Beautiful Bill “REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected. Don’t get too crazy!”

SEN. RAND PAUL: “The bill increases the debt ceiling by $5 trillion…They know that the ensuing years will add trillions more…That doesn’t sound at all conservative to me, & that’s why I’m a ‘no.’”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued Fox News on Friday over alleged defamation, saying the network knowingly aired false information about a phone call he had with President Donald Trump around the time the National Guard was sent Los Angeles. The lawsuit alleges Fox News anchor Jesse Watters edited out key information from a clip of Trump talking about calling Newsom, then used the edited video to assert that Newsom had lied about the two talking. Newsom is asking for $787 million in punitive damages in the lawsuit filed in Delaware, where Fox is incorporated. That’s the same amount Fox agreed to pay in 2023 to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. The company said Fox repeatedly aired false allegations that its equipment had switched votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden during the 2020 election, and the discovery process revealed the network’s efforts not to alienate conservatives in its audience in the wake of Biden’s victory. “If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump’s behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case,” Newsom said in a statement. “I believe the American people should be able to trust the information they receive from a major news outlet.” He asked a judge to order Fox to stop broadcasting “the false, deceptive, and fraudulent video and accompanying statements” that Newsom said falsely say he lied about when he spoke to Trump regarding the situation in Los Angeles, where protests erupted on June 6 over Trump’s immigration crackdown. Fox News said in a statement that it would fight the lawsuit “vigorously” and looks forward to it being dismissed. “Gov. Newsom’s transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him,” it said. Newsom’s suit centers on the details of the phone call with the president. Both Newsom and the White House have said the two spoke late at night June 6 in California, which was already June 7 on the East Coast. Though the content of the call is not part of the lawsuit, Newsom has said they never discussed Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard, which he announced the next day. Trump said the deployment was necessary to protect federal buildings from people protesting increased immigration arrests. Trump later announced that he would also deploy Marines to the area. On June 10, when 700 Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area, Trump told reporters he had spoken to Newsom “a day ago” about his decision to send troops. That day Newsom posted on the social platform X that there had been no call. “There was no call. Not even a voicemail,” Newsom wrote. On the evening of June 10, Fox’s Jesse Watters Primetime show played a clip of Trump’s statement about his call with Newsom but removed Trump’s comment that the call was “a day ago,” the lawsuit said. Watters also referred to call logs another Fox News reporter posted online showing the phone call the two had on June 6. “Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him? Why would he do that?” Watters said on air, according to the lawsuit. The segment included text across the bottom of the screen that said “Gavin Lied About Trump’s Call.” Newsom’s suit argues that […]

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has stirred controversy by sponsoring 1,000 Palestinian family members of terrorists to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, even as the kingdom remains under the spotlight for its potential normalization of ties with Israel.

This development was reported through Palestinian Authority outlets and highlighted by Palestinian Media Watch, raising new concerns about the Saudis’ stance toward Palestinian violence.

While there has been ongoing talk of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, the latest move — a grant seen as honoring those tied to acts of terror — suggests that Saudi leadership has not turned its back on supporting individuals responsible for deadly attacks against Israelis.

Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, publicly expressed gratitude to Saudi leaders, saying, “thanked Saudi Arabia and its leadership for the generous grant they provided this year to 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims from among the families of the Martyrs, the prisoners, and the wounded” [Official PA TV News, June 9, 2025]. The term refers to Palestinians who were killed, captured, or injured while carrying out attacks — and their relatives were flown to Mecca under the king’s sponsorship.

According to Palestinian Authority television, this act symbolizes enduring “loyalty” to the attackers and a pledge of “constant sponsorship and honoring” their families.

The issue of providing material support to relatives of Palestinian terrorists has repeatedly complicated American-Palestinian diplomatic relations. Now, Saudi Arabia’s involvement adds another layer of complexity as it weighs potential diplomatic ties with Israel.

Observers note that while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, has shown greater willingness to explore a relationship with Israel and promote reforms within the kingdom, his father, King Salman, appears far more hesitant and continues to adhere to older policies rooted in support for the Palestinian cause — including controversial acts like this pilgrimage grant.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu expressed appreciation to President Donald Trump for his vocal support, after Trump denounced what he described as a “political witch hunt” designed to destabilize Israel’s leadership. Trump’s endorsement included a variation of his signature phrase, calling to “Make the Middle East Great Again.”

Responding on the platform X, Netanyahu thanked Trump and echoed the president’s phrasing, writing, “Together, we will make the Middle East great again!”

The wording mirrored President Trump’s recent slogan usage, which he employed to call for assertive and visionary leadership throughout the region.

This exchange came after President Trump posted on Truth Social, where he harshly criticized Israel’s legal proceedings against Netanyahu and advocated for the charges to be dropped.

“It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu,” President Trump wrote. “He is a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran.”

President Trump also highlighted Netanyahu’s role in handling the crisis involving Israeli hostages held by Hamas, while condemning the legal case against the prime minister. “How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.). It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure.”

Trump also warned that the case could have serious repercussions on ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations,” President Trump wrote. “In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.”

He invoked the United States’ longstanding strategic alliance with Israel, stressing that American leadership would not tolerate what he sees as an injustice.

“We are not going to stand for this,” Trump declared. “We just had a Great Victory with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the helm — And this greatly tarnishes our Victory,” he concluded. “LET BIBI GO, HE’S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!”

President Trump’s latest remarks come amid his broader campaign to pressure Israeli authorities to end Netanyahu’s prosecution, arguing that it threatens critical joint efforts involving national security and diplomacy.

Breitbart News previously noted that Trump first demanded the case be dropped following the U.S.-Israel victory in the 12 Day War against Iran, highlighting that several charges had already begun to unravel.

This latest show of solidarity points to a growing trend among conservative voices who are raising alarms about judicial overreach and its potential impact on global leadership and Middle East stability.

Notably, just hours after President Trump’s renewed public comments, an Israeli court granted a one-week delay in Netanyahu’s corruption trial. While no formal link was drawn, the timing of the postponement sparked renewed speculation.

{Matzav.com}

The United States and China have reached an agreement — again — to deescalate trade tensions. But details are scarce, and the latest pact leaves major issues between the world’s two biggest economies unresolved. President Donald Trump said late Thursday that a deal with China had been signed “the other day.” China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed Friday that some type of arrangement had been reached but offered few details about it. Sudden shifts and a lack of clarity have been hallmarks of Trump’s trade policy since he returned to the White House determined to overturn a global trading system that he says is unfair to the United States and its workers. He’s been engaged for months in a battle with China that has mostly revealed how much pain the two countries can inflict on each other. And he’s racing against a July 8 deadline to reach deals with other major U.S. trading partners. The uncertainty over his dealmaking and the cost of the tariffs, which are paid by U.S. importers and usually passed on to consumers, have raised worries about the outlook for the U.S. economy. And although analysts welcomed the apparent easing of tensions with China, they also warned that the issues dividing Washington and Beijing are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. What did the two sides agree to? U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that the Chinese had agreed to make it easier for American firms to acquire Chinese magnets and rare earth minerals critical for manufacturing and microchip production. Beijing had slowed exports of the materials amid a bitter trade dispute with the Trump administration. Without explicitly mentioning U.S. access to rare earths, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said that “China will, in accordance with the law, review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items. In turn, the United States will lift a series of restrictive measures it had imposed on China.” The Chinese have complained about U.S. controls on exports of advanced U.S. technology to China. But the ministry statement did not specifically say whether the United States planned to ease or lift those controls. In his interview on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” Bessent mentioned that the United States had earlier imposed “countermeasures” against China and ”had held back some vital supplies for them.” “What we’re seeing here is a de-escalation under President Trump’s leadership,” Bessent said, without spelling out what concessions the United States had made or whether they involved America’s export controls. Jeff Moon, a trade official in the Obama administration who now runs the China Moon Strategies consultancy, wondered why Trump hadn’t disclosed details of the agreement two days after it had been reached. “Silence regarding the terms suggests that there is less substance to the deal than the Trump Administration implies,″ said Moon, who also served as a diplomat in China. Wait. This sounds familiar. How did we get here? The agreement that emerged Thursday and Friday builds on a “framework” that Trump announced June 11 after two days of high-level U.S.-China talks in London. Then, he announced, China had agreed to ease restrictions on rare earths. In return, the United States said it would stop seeking to revoke the visas of Chinese students on U.S. college campuses. And last month, after another meeting in Geneva, the two countries had agreed to dramatically reduce massive taxes they’d […]

Firefighters were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community Sunday, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a “heinous” assault. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene around 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a half hour later. Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two people killed were fire personnel. He didn’t know if anyone else was shot. “We don’t know how many suspects are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” Norris told reporters at a 4:30 p.m. news conference. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.” People are still coming off the mountain, the sheriff said, so it “would be safe to assume” that others were still up there. Gov. Brad Little said “multiple” firefighters were attacked. “This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Little said on the social platform X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.” Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. “I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they’re not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,” the sheriff said. An alert by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 4 miles (6.5 km) north of downtown Coeur d’Alene. The fire was still active, Norris said. “It’s going to keep burning,” he said. “Can’t put any resources on it right now.” The FBI has responded to the scene with technical teams and tactical support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said. “It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he wrote in a post on X. Coeur d’Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Socialist New York City mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed on Sunday his intention to raise property taxes in what he described as “richer and whiter neighborhoods,” maintaining that billionaires should not exist in society.

Mamdani, labeled by one wealthy opponent as “the Fidel Castro of New York,” defended his tax-the-wealthy platform as not racially motivated—even as it focuses on white homeowners in particular areas.

“That is just a description of what we see right now. It’s not driven by race. It’s more of an assessment of what neighborhoods are being under-taxed versus over-taxed,” Mamdani told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

He further claimed that the city’s property tax framework is unfair, noting that even current Mayor Eric Adams had pledged to reform it early in his term.

“We’ve seen time and again that this is a property tax system that is inequitable. It’s one that actually Eric Adams ran on, saying that he would change in the first 100 days,” the pol said.

When asked whether emphasizing race could turn off some voters, Mamdani dismissed the concern and insisted that he’s simply stating facts as they are.

The candidate criticized New York’s dwindling tax base but blamed the city’s steep cost of living for driving people out. He highlighted his plan to boost taxes on the top 1% as part of the solution.

“We are talking about our tax base growing smaller and smaller each day, with New Yorkers leaving to New Jersey, to Pennsylvania, to Connecticut,” Mamdani said. “If we do not meet this moment, we will lose the city.”

Although he acknowledged that implementing his tax policies would require cooperation from Albany, Mamdani argued that his goal is to shift the conversation and change what people view as politically achievable.

He didn’t hold back on his views of extreme wealth either.

“I don’t think that we should have billionaires, frankly,” he said.

New York City currently hosts more billionaires than any other city in the world, with a count of 123.

Asked specifically about billionaire supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis—who warned he might shutter his stores if Mamdani wins—Mamdani was unbothered.

“In order to run New York City suddenly as mayor, do you not need the support of a billionaire businessman like John Catsimatidis?” host Kristen Welker asked.

Mamdani replied, “I don’t know if I need his support specifically.

“But I want to make clear that my vision for this city is a vision for every single New Yorker, including business leaders across the city,” he said.

Mamdani added that raising the city’s corporate tax rate to align with New Jersey’s could actually help business owners, not hurt them.

“And the reason I say that is that my proposals, even the ones to increase the top corporate tax rate of New York to match that of New Jersey, are ones that would also benefit those business leaders. Because when I have conversations with them, what I also hear is just how expensive this city is, which is preventing them from attracting and retaining the talent they need to grow their business.”

Catsimatidis, who also owns WABC radio, was blunt in his reaction to Mamdani’s anti-billionaire rhetoric.

“Zohran is trying to be the Fidel Castro of New York,” Catsimatidis told The Post.

He shared that during a 1990 visit to Cuba, he saw firsthand the devastation of that country.

“If Zohran is elected mayor, he’ll make New York City the next Detroit,” Catsimatidis added.

In the same interview, Mamdani again refused to condemn the controversial slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely seen as encouraging violence against Jews. Welker pressed him repeatedly, but he declined to disavow it.

“That’s not language that I use. The language that I use and the language that I will continue to use to lead this city is that which speaks clearly to my intent, which is an intent grounded in a belief in universal human rights,” he said.

“I don’t believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech in the manner.”

But House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents areas of Brooklyn, said on ABC’s “This Week” that the phrase is unacceptable.

“‘Globalizing the intifada’ by way of example is not an acceptable phrasing. He’s gonna have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward,” Jeffries said of Mamdani.

Despite the criticism, Mamdani said he’s confident of his chances in the general election this November.

He faces a crowded field, including independent incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa, former Governor Andrew Cuomo—who Mamdani bested in the Democratic primary and who may still run independently—and independent candidate Jim Walden.

“Ultimately, it’s a referendum and how [Adams] made this city so unaffordable,” Mamdani said of the race. “For too long, politicians have pretended to simply be bystanders to a cost of living crisis. They’ve actually exacerbated it. And our vision is one that will respond to it and make this a city affordable for every New Yorker.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is actively engaged in promoting a comprehensive agreement intended to secure the release of Israeli hostages and bring the fighting between Israel and Hamas to a close, according to individuals familiar with the ongoing diplomatic discussions who spoke to The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

“We’re optimistic a deal can be reached,” a US official stated.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu convened a high-level meeting with several cabinet ministers and senior members of Israel’s defense establishment at the IDF’s Southern Command to assess the state of military operations in Gaza and consider future steps.

A primary point of discussion at the meeting was whether Israel should dispatch negotiators to upcoming talks, which are likely to be held in either Qatar or Egypt.

A source informed the Post that about three-quarters of the points under negotiation have been agreed upon in recent weeks. “The remaining 25% includes key matters such as the humanitarian situation, the conclusion of the war itself, and the guarantees Israel is demanding to prevent Hamas from rearming.”

Speaking at the headquarters of the Shin Bet, Netanyahu remarked, “We will have to resolve the situation in Gaza and defeat Hamas, and I believe we will accomplish both goals. Beyond that, broader regional opportunities are emerging – and in nearly all of them, you are partners.”

A proposal that has once again been brought into the discussion is the possibility of forcing Hamas’s top leadership into exile, a concept previously covered by the Post.

Although Hamas had earlier rejected exile as part of any arrangement, the idea has reemerged during the latest round of talks.

{Matzav.com}

Recent satellite images reveal ongoing activity and fresh evidence of significant damage at Iran’s underground Fordow uranium enrichment facility following last week’s Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. The site was struck by Israeli forces on June 23, just one day after the U.S. conducted airstrikes using bunker-buster bombs. High-resolution imagery from Maxar Technologies shows an excavator and several personnel near the northern shaft on the ridge above the underground complex. A crane is also seen operating at the entrance to the shaft, with multiple vehicles parked along an access path built to reach the site. Maxar’s photos also show the complete destruction of a facility north of the main compound, surrounded by impact craters and a cloud of dust. Additional damage, including a crater and visible burn marks, is seen on a western access road. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Like clockwork, Carla Johnson sends out letters every spring asking for donations to help pay for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show that draws tens of thousands of people to New Mexico’s largest lake. And she has no reservations about doling out verbal reminders when she sees her patrons around town. There’s too much at stake to be shy about fundraising when donations collected by Friends of Elephant Butte Lake State Park are what make the tradition possible. But even Johnson’s ardent efforts as the group’s fundraiser might not cut it next year if the U.S. and China remain locked in a trade war. With nearly all of the aerial shells, paper rockets and sparkly fountains that fuel America’s Fourth of July celebrations being imported from China, volunteer groups like Johnson’s and cities big and small have been closely watching the negotiations. A 90-day pause on what had been massive tariffs brought some temporary relief, but industry experts acknowledge that the tiff has lit a fuse of uncertainty as the price tag for future fireworks displays could skyrocket if an agreement isn’t reached. Not the first time There were similar concerns in 2019 as trade talks between the U.S. and China dragged on. Industry groups had called on officials then to exempt fireworks from escalating tariffs. The American Pyrotechnics Association and the National Fireworks Association reignited the lobbying effort this spring, noting in letters to President Donald Trump that fireworks play a crucial role in American celebrations. The groups say the industry is made up mostly of family-owned companies that are often locked into long-term contracts that leave them unable to raise prices to offset cost surges brought on by higher tariffs. And there are few options for sourcing the more than 300 million pounds (136 million kilograms) of fireworks needed to feed demands. China produces 99% of consumer fireworks and 90% of professional display fireworks used in the U.S., according to the APA. “I think overall it’s the uncertainty,” said Julie Heckman, the APA’s executive director. “Yeah, we have a 90-day pause, but are the negotiations with China going to go well? Or is it going to go sky-high again? You know, triple digits. It’s very hard for a small business to plan.” How it began Fireworks have their roots in China. To ward off evil spirits, people would throw bamboo stalks into a fire, causing them to pop as the air inside the hollow pockets heated up. These early firecrackers evolved into more sophisticated fireworks after the Chinese developed gunpowder in the 9th century. By the 15th century, Europe was using fireworks for religious festivals and entertainment. In 1777, they were used in Philadelphia and Boston for what were the first organized Independence Day celebrations. Now, fireworks are synonymous with the summer holiday and with ringing in the new year. Shows have become elaborately choreographed displays that are often synced to live music. In Nashville, the Music City’s award-winning symphony orchestra puts its own spin on the festivities. In New York City, organizers of the Macy’s show will fire off 80,000 shells, with some reaching heights of 1,000 feet (304 meters). The National Park Service promises a spectacular show on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. At Elephant Butte in southern New Mexico, they’re going old school and will light the fireworks […]

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel on Sunday of deliberately sabotaging international efforts to bring about a ceasefire and end the ongoing war in Gaza. His comments were conveyed to the United States in an official message, expressing frustration with what he described as Israel’s escalating military actions.

According to a statement from Abbas’s spokesman, the Palestinian leader issued a warning regarding what he called an Israeli “threat” to evacuate additional residents from Gaza. Abbas claimed this was a precursor to “a new and destructive military operation.”

In a letter addressed to the United States, Abbas urged Washington to “compel Israel to stop issuing threats and to take active steps toward achieving a ceasefire—if it genuinely seeks real regional stability.”

The statement went on to claim that “Israel’s current policies endanger the possibility of reaching an agreement and increase the risk of annexation in the West Bank—developments that could lead to further wars and long-term instability throughout the region.”

It concluded with a sharp accusation: “Israel’s actions confirm its clear intention to thwart international efforts for a ceasefire and an end to the war.”

Abbas also warned that “any initiative that ignores Palestinian rights—based on international legitimacy and international law, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital within the 1967 borders—is doomed to fail. Such a path will not bring security, peace, or stability, but rather exacerbate chaos in the region.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A pair of newly dedicated Lakewood wedding halls — Ateres Blima and Ateres Esther, dedicated l’zecher nishmas R’ Ari Stern’s grandmothers — held their kvias mezuzah on Sunday, marking the beginning of a new era in local simcha planning. Located at 400 Oak Street, in a building named in memory of Mrs. Matel Leah Schron a”h, the halls were built to address a pressing need in the community: lowering the overwhelming cost of weddings. Backed by numerous donors and overseen by a board of askanim including R’ Mordy Schron, R’ Menashe Frankel, R’ Ari Stern, and R’ Avraham Meir Retkinski, the project was designed with a clear purpose — to reset community expectations and bring weddings back to a simpler, more manageable standard. At these new halls, the complete wedding package will cost just $13,000, a fraction of the tens of thousands of dollars that families usually pay to marry off a child. The all-inclusive package at Ateres Blima and Ateres Esther is designed for peace of mind: it includes hall rental, catering, photographer, videographer, musician, singer, kallah’s bouquet, artificial floral arrangements, a lavish smorgasbord, and a full seudah. A well-planned schedule will allow weddings to flow smoothly from photos at 4:30 p.m. through to the final dance, with music ending by 11:30 p.m. Each hall will comfortably seat 250 adult guests, with accommodations for children and an on-site shul for davening and learning. Families expecting larger crowds can pay a modest upgrade fee of $500 to expand food options, or $1,000 for a mitzvah tantz celebration, complete with extended refreshments. The halls have already booked 75 weddings, with many more inquiries pouring in — a clear signal that Lakewood’s families are ready for a more sustainable approach to simchas. The initiative extends beyond the halls themselves. Plans are in motion to coordinate affordable options for other wedding expenses, including sheitels, gowns, jewelry, and invitations. A gown gemach, a jewelry gemach, and an interest-free loan program are being developed to help families avoid financial hardship. Organizers also hope to shift community thinking more broadly. Education efforts are planned for local high schools and community gatherings, with the message that the current wedding standards are unrealistic for the majority of families, and that there is no shame in scaling back. An information hotline and a centralized guidance center will help families navigate all aspects of making a wedding affordably, from the vort through the sheva brachos. Ateres Blima and Ateres Esther are poised to become a model for how Lakewood can celebrate its chasunos with simchah, dignity, and achrayus — without burying families under debt. To book your simchah or learn more, call 732-952-1200 or email bookings@ateresestherblima.com