Feed aggregator
Walz Says Kamala Picked Him as VP to Appeal to White Men, Offer Voting “Permission Structure”
Biden-Appointed Judge Blocks Border Patrol from Arresting Suspected Illegal Aliens Without Warrants
A federal judge has issued a sweeping order that bars Border Patrol agents in much of California from arresting individuals suspected of being in the country illegally—unless certain legal conditions are met. Judge Jennifer Thurston of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, handed down the ruling this week, placing sharp limitations on how immigration enforcement is carried out in the region.
Thurston’s preliminary injunction specifically restricts Border Patrol agents in the state’s eastern district—the largest of California’s judicial jurisdictions—from apprehending individuals without a warrant unless they have a solid legal basis to suspect the person is in the U.S. unlawfully.
“Indeed, the evidence before the Court is that Border Patrol agents under DHS authority engaged in conduct that violated well-established constitutional rights,” Thurston wrote.
“Border Patrol is enjoined from conducting detentive stops in this District unless, pre-stop, the detaining agent has reasonable suspicion that the person to be stopped is a noncitizen who is present within the United States in violation of U.S. immigration law, as required by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
“Border Patrol is enjoined from effecting warrantless arrests in this District unless, pre-arrest, the arresting agent has probable cause to believe that the noncitizen being arrested is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained, as required by 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a)(2).”
The court’s decision also mandates new procedural requirements for agents. When Border Patrol arrests someone without a warrant, they will now need to provide a written narrative justifying the stop, clearly outlining the specific facts that led to the agent’s suspicion—formed before the encounter began.
Thurston further ordered that the agency must submit ongoing records of these encounters. Every 60 days, beginning two months from the date of her order, Border Patrol will need to turn over detailed documentation describing all warrantless arrests and detentions made in the district.
This legal battle stems from a lawsuit filed by the United Farm Workers and the American Civil Liberties Union. They brought the case against President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security after a series of arrests in California targeted individuals thought to be undocumented.
The suit alleged that federal agents carried out “a nearly weeklong sweep through predominantly Latino areas of Kern County and the surrounding region to stop, detain, and arrest people of color who appeared to be farm workers or day laborers, regardless of their actual immigration status or individual circumstances.”
{Matzav.com}
Venezuelan Detainees at Texas Center Form “SOS” Message, Fear Deportation to El Salvador
Geva Binyamin Fence Breach Triggers Alarm, Searches Underway
US Supreme Court Resolves Pay Fight in Favor of Federal Workers Who Also Are Military Reservists
Arson Suspect Arrested As Israeli Authorities Probe Whether Massive Fires Were Started On Purpose
Authorities arrested a man on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into the large-scale brush fires that broke out west of Yerushalayim. While speculation grew—especially on Palestinian social media—that the fires may have been deliberately set, officials stated by Wednesday evening that it was still too soon to determine whether arson had indeed caused the outbreaks.
The suspect, a 50-year-old man from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Umm Tuba, was apprehended after allegedly attempting to ignite dry brush in southern Yerushalayim, according to police.
Police said the arrest followed a tip from someone who reportedly saw an individual trying to set a fire. Officers from the Oz station in East Jerusalem brought the suspect in for questioning.
According to police, the suspect tried to escape when approached but was captured shortly after a brief chase. Officers said they found a lighter, cotton wool, and additional combustible items in his possession.
The arrest came at the same time as a wave of incitement online, with Palestinian social media accounts urging individuals to ignite fires across Israel during its Independence Day celebrations. The holiday coincided with extreme weather—scorching temperatures and high winds—that quickly turned any spark into a dangerous blaze, forcing the evacuation of several communities and leading to the cancellation of many public events.
One such post appeared on Shehab, a channel linked to Hamas, which read: “There are popular calls to set fire to forests near the settlements.” Hamas refers to all Jewish population centers—within both pre- and post-1967 lines—as settlements.
Another message, shared widely on X, called for widespread arson: “Your role is to set fire to gardens, vehicles and everything around the settlements.”
In response to these online provocations, Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot issued a formal appeal to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. In his letter, he urged the imposition of curfews and lockdowns on Palestinian villages throughout the West Bank.
“There is a real concern, based on past experience, that Palestinians will try to ignite more fires in Judea and Samaria and throughout Israel… To prevent such occurrences, a curfew must be imposed immediately on Judea and Samaria, and a blockade must be imposed on the Palestinian villages,” Sukkot wrote, using the biblical term for the region.
Echoing these concerns, settler leader Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, and Likud Member of Knesset Dan Illouz also called for immediate action.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu was actively monitoring the situation, receiving constant updates, conducting security assessments, and staying in contact with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and senior firefighting and security officials.
The Shin Bet domestic security service, usually responsible for thwarting terror threats, confirmed it was participating in the investigation.
The agency said it was assisting police efforts to identify and locate any additional individuals suspected of deliberately starting fires.
{Matzav.com Israel}Israel Strikes Syrian Terrorists Plotting To Attack Druze Residents
Netanyahu’s Son Suggests Israeli Left Is Behind Today’s Wildfires
In a provocative social media post, Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, stirred controversy by implying that the Israeli left may have had a hand in the wildfires that were spreading across parts of the country.
“Something here is suspicious,” he wrote on X. “The Kaplanist left has been frantically trying in recent weeks to cancel Independence Day celebrations and the torch-lighting ceremony.”
His comment appeared to target anti-government protesters, commonly associated with demonstrations along Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv.
“I really hope the arson was only carried out by Arabs, without any collaboration from our own people,” he added.
At the time of his remarks, the exact origins of the fires remained uncertain. Authorities had not ruled out arson as a possible cause, and one resident of East Jerusalem had been taken into custody earlier in the day on suspicion of attempted arson.
{Matzav.com Israel}
US Inflation Cools and Americans Step Up Spending as They Brace for Tariff Impact
On A Flight To Keristier
Huge Fires Rage Around Yerushalayim; Independence Day Ceremony Canceled, Recorded Rehearsal Being Screened Instead
As Israel began its 77th Independence Day under extraordinary and harrowing conditions, wildfires fueled by fierce winds raged across parts of the country. Amid the chaos, the traditional live Independence Day opening ceremony was canceled due to the extreme weather, and instead, a prerecorded version of the event was aired. In it, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a pre-taped address meant for the original ceremony, sharing messages of resilience and unity while firefighters battled some of the most devastating fires the nation had seen.
In his address, Netanyahu praised Israel’s accomplishments and honored the soldiers who had given their lives defending the country. Reflecting on the uncertainty of the previous year, he remarked, “This year, nobody doubts it… because Israel has changed the face of the Middle East.”
He emphasized the government’s unyielding commitment to defeating its enemies and rescuing all hostages still held in Gaza. Netanyahu underscored that Israel, unlike generations past, now possessed a formidable military and courageous fighters. “This is a generation of lions,” he stated, pointing to the strength and reputation of Israeli soldiers around the globe.
Despite societal divisions, Netanyahu stressed a common bond that united the nation. “We all stand together… We will continue to fight and ensure our freedom. We will continue to struggle and to defend our homeland… We will continue to build the land, because we have only one home,” he declared with determination.
While the ceremony proceeded on a delay, the broadcast was repeatedly cut on Channels 12 and 13 to provide breaking coverage of the advancing fires. These interruptions delivered updates on evacuations, firefighting efforts, and emergency responses aimed at containing the infernos and protecting lives and property.
{Matzav.com Israel}
NYC Lost $9B of Income to Miami, Palm Beach in 5 Years
Over a five-year span ending in 2022, around 30,000 people left New York City for Florida’s Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, bringing with them a staggering $9.2 billion in earnings, according to a new study.
The Citizens Budget Commission, a nonpartisan organization that monitors fiscal policy, reported Wednesday that these Florida destinations saw an influx of affluent households. Palm Beach attracted nearly 20,000 individuals with average incomes of roughly $190,000, while Miami-Dade welcomed over 26,000 people whose average income was around $266,000.
Several factors—ranging from the financial burden of living in New York to pandemic-driven lifestyle changes—have motivated many to seek out more affordable or appealing alternatives. The report shows population gains in states such as New Jersey, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania, all of which benefited from New York City’s out-migration during that period.
“Our competitiveness depends in part on quality of life and public safety,” CBC President Andrew Rein told reporters ahead of the report’s publication. “That’s the value proposition. If you feel safe and you enjoy your life, you’re going to want to be here.”
Of course, not all those who exited the five boroughs went far. Nearly 138,000 New Yorkers moved to Long Island, resulting in a loss of $11.1 billion in adjusted gross income for the city. Westchester County, just beyond the city’s northern edge, gained close to 60,000 residents during the same timeframe, reducing the city’s taxable income base by another $5 billion.
Although New York saw its millionaire population nearly double from 36,000 in 2010 to close to 70,000 by 2022, its share of the nation’s millionaires actually shrank. Twelve years ago, the Empire State was home to 12.7% of the country’s wealthiest individuals, a proportion that dropped to 8.7% by 2022. Meanwhile, states like Texas, California, and Florida expanded their share of millionaire residents.
This shifting demographic of high earners is more than just a statistic—it’s a political flashpoint. In New York City, the top 1% of earners are responsible for contributing about 40% of total income tax revenue, making their departure particularly consequential.
The Citizens Budget Commission also examined migration trends by demographic categories, highlighting patterns based on race, ethnicity, age, and income. Since 2018, the groups leading the exodus from the city have been its wealthiest residents and millennials—those born in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Despite years of losses, New York City saw a population uptick in both 2023 and 2024, thanks to rising numbers of immigrants arriving from abroad, according to the CBC.
{Matzav.com}IDF Soldiers Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut In Rafah, Gaza
South Blooming Grove Firefighters Contain Kitchen Blaze on Dallas Drive with Multi-Agency Support
Trump: ‘This Is Biden’s Stock Market,’ Not Mine
President Donald Trump urged Americans to remain calm and give his economic strategies time to take effect, emphasizing that the challenges currently facing the economy stem from the prior administration.
Posting on Truth Social Wednesday, Trump addressed concerns over financial turbulence during the early months of his presidency.
“This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s. I didn’t take over until January 20th. Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers,” he stated in his message.
Trump expressed optimism for the future, insisting that the current difficulties are unrelated to his trade policies and instead blamed the previous leadership for leaving behind economic instability.
“Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden ‘Overhang.’ This will take a while, has NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS, only that he left us with bad numbers, but when the boom begins, it will be like no other. BE PATIENT!!!”
Financial markets reflected concern on Wednesday morning, with major indexes sliding after new government data showed the U.S. economy had contracted during the first quarter of the year.
The report revealed that GDP dropped by 0.3% from January through March, marking the first downturn in three years. Analysts attributed the decline to a spike in imports, as American businesses rushed to stockpile goods ahead of Trump’s new tariffs.
Despite the economic pullback, consumer spending remained strong. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that personal consumption rose 0.7% in March, building on February’s revised growth figure of 0.5%.
In a notable policy shift, Trump moved Tuesday to ease some of the 25% tariffs targeting the auto industry. His new executive orders provide temporary relief for importers of cars and auto parts.
“We just wanted to help them during this little transition, short term,” Trump explained to members of the press. “We didn’t want to penalize them.”
Momentum in Washington suggested a softening stance on trade disputes, as officials hinted that selective agreements with individual nations might be on the horizon.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that several key allies had submitted “very good” trade offers, adding that an initial agreement could be finalized with India in the coming days.
{Matzav.com}
Could Changes at the FDA Call the Kosher Status of Milk into Question?
The moment headlines revealed that the Food and Drug Administration would be halting federal testing of commercial milk, the Orthodox Union’s kosher hotline was flooded with concerned inquiries, JTA reports.
“The flood of inquiries was off the hook … crazy: emails, calls, WhatsApp, everything,” Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, who leads the dairy division at OU Kosher, told JTA.
People were reaching out to express fears that the change in federal policy might jeopardize the kosher status of standard supermarket milk. Since 1954, many frum Jews in America have relied on a ruling by Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l that federal monitoring of the dairy industry suffices to ensure its kashrus.
Halacha dictates that milk can only be considered kosher if it originates from a kosher species. One way to ensure this is through direct Jewish supervision over the milking process—something that was once feasible but is impractical in modern industrial settings.
Rav Moshe, the posek hador, ruled that stringent government oversight could substitute for some elements of Jewish supervision. Given that U.S. law mandates that only cow’s milk can be labeled as milk, and that federal inspectors regularly visit dairies to enforce regulations, he concluded that this system was sufficient for Jews to rely on.
But the question now arises: if the federal framework changes or is rolled back, does Rav Moshe’s psak still stand?
According to Rabbi Gordimer, the answer is yes. After carefully examining what has and hasn’t changed at the FDA, the OU determined that the situation does not impact the kosher status of milk.
“This development has no impact whatsoever on the kosher status of ‘chalav stam’ that Rabbi Feinstein permitted in the US, as the primary oversight of farms and dairy factories is performed by state governments; the FDA is a mere secondary body for this purpose,” he said by email.
Furthermore, Rabbi Gordimer clarified that the testing recently suspended by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pertains only to identifying certain banned substances or contaminants. The actual physical inspections of dairy plants—which are central to Rav Moshe’s ruling—are still taking place.
“There has been no change in inspections, which are ongoing,” Gordimer said.
Additionally, the regulation that prohibits labeling anything other than cow’s milk as “milk” remains firmly in effect.
Nevertheless, reports about the regulatory changes have triggered anxiety in the kosher community. One user on the Facebook group Great Kosher Restaurant Foodies posted: “Are we seeing the first step in the end of chalav stam…”
Some segments of the Jewish community have never relied on Rav Moshe’s ruling and consume only cholov Yisroel, milk that is supervised by Jews throughout the process. However, cholov Yisroel milk is less widely available outside the tri-state area.
While OU Kosher and health experts insist there’s no immediate risk, the decision to scale back milk testing could be a sign that kashrus agencies will need to stay vigilant as broader reforms take shape under the Trump administration. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who holds unconventional views on several issues, has signaled he intends to overhaul policies touching everything from vaccines and water fluoridation to food safety regulations.
{Matzav.com}
Child Care in the Capitol: as More Women Run for Office, Some Are Bringing Their Kids
Trump: Economy Turning Around, Aims for Greatest Financial Era, Claims Biden Lost Billions Daily on Trade
Trump Expects “Great Relationship” with Canada’s Carney, Discusses Deal
Pages
