Feed aggregator

POTUS on reopening Alcatraz to house our most ruthless, violent criminals: “It’s a symbol of law and order and it’s got quite a history, frankly — so I think we’re going to do that, and we’re looking at it right now.”

POTUS ON MIKE WALTZ: “He didn’t resign. You people are so bad. You’re trying to make a big deal out of something that’s not. You are so bad. That’s why nobody watches you anymore.”

Ynet reports that both the U.S. Army’s THAAD batteries in Southern Israel and the “Arrow-2/3” Anti-Ballistic Missile System failed to intercepted the long-range ballistic missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthis targeting Ben Gurion airport this morning.

Shocking footage captures a suspect wielding a weapon at a gated condo complex in Fayetteville, NC, where a shooting left one person dead. Police have apprehended the gunman.

In a sharply worded critique delivered during a private meeting, MK Moshe Gafni, head of the Degel HaTorah faction within United Torah Judaism, lashed out at Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for what he described as a failure to prioritize the return of Israeli hostages. Gafni made it clear that, in his view, rescuing the captives must be the nation’s top concern.

“Anyone who abandons the hostages is sealing their fate to death. In Judaism, there is no concept of future pikuach nefesh. It’s now or never,” Gafni asserted, addressing senior representatives of the chareidi community.

The comments, made during a closed-door gathering, were first made public by Kol Barama radio.

Audio of the meeting captures Gafni repeating his point with force: “It is absolutely clear, and no one disputes, that the hostages are the most important issue. If he abandons them like this, he is sealing their fate to death.”

He also invoked halachah to underscore his argument, reinforcing that saving lives cannot be delayed. “In Judaism, there is no concept of future pikuach nefesh. There is only immediate pikuach nefesh. We desecrate Yom Kippur for pikuach nefesh—even if it’s in doubt.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Trump mentioned Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors during an interview broadcast Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” but stopped short of endorsing either one definitively.

In that same interview, Trump addressed previous speculation about seeking a third term, stating that he has no plans to pursue it. “It’s far too early to say that. But you know, I do have a vice president … and JD’s doing a fantastic job,” Trump said.

When asked further about Rubio, Trump chose not to commit, instead offering praise: “I don’t want to get involved in that. I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great,” he added. “We have a lot of good people in this party.”

Trump recently appointed Rubio to serve as interim national security adviser, in addition to his current roles as secretary of state, national archivist, and administrator of USAID.

Their current alliance marks a stark contrast from 2016, when Trump and Rubio were fierce opponents during the Republican primary. Trump famously mocked him as “Little Marco” at the time, but the two have since reconciled and now work closely together.

Several of Trump’s political allies, including Steve Bannon, have publicly supported the idea of a third term, even though the 22nd Amendment bars any president from being elected more than twice.

While Trump has hinted at the notion in the past, he indicated in the NBC interview that he has no serious intention of attempting a third term. “I will say this. So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that. But it’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do,” Trump admitted.

“I’ll be an eight-year president. I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” he added. “This is not something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican.”

Not long ago, Trump’s company began marketing red “Trump 2028” hats, although they did not indicate whether he or another family member would be the candidate in that cycle.

Trump has frequently teased the idea of a third term, much to the irritation of his critics. In U.S. history, only Franklin D. Roosevelt served more than two terms in office.

Some constitutional theorists argue there may be a legal pathway for a third term under succession rules. According to this interpretation, while the 22nd Amendment bars re-election after two terms, it may not prohibit a return to the presidency through the line of succession.

The 12th Amendment states that “no person constitutionally ineligible” to be president can serve as vice president. Advocates of this theory suggest Trump could take on a role like Speaker of the House, then move up to the presidency if higher-ranking officials resign or are removed.

During the interview, Trump also gave his take on the nation’s economic condition under his leadership.

The Commerce Department announced last week that GDP declined at an annualized rate of 0.3% in the first quarter, partly due to increased imports as businesses prepared for new tariffs. It marked the first quarterly economic downturn since 2022. Although two quarters of decline usually signal a recession, the final designation rests with the National Bureau of Economic Research.

On the labor front, the Department of Labor reported that 177,000 jobs were added last month—surpassing forecasts.

“I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he’s done a terrible job,” the president quipped. “He did a terrible job on everything, from his autopen – which I’m sure he knew nothing about, some of the things he was supposedly signing.”

Some prominent economic figures, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, have raised concerns that Trump’s tariff strategy could trigger a recession by destabilizing markets and disrupting supply chains.

Trump acknowledged that uncertainty is always a possibility but offered an optimistic outlook: “Anything can happen,” he said, before asserting, “we’re going to have the greatest economy in the history of our country.”

Despite unease over his trade policy, Trump showed no signs of retreating from his aggressive tariff agenda.

“No, I wouldn’t do that because if somebody thought they were going to come off the table, why would they build in the United States?” Trump explained.

As of last month, the president imposed a universal 10% tariff on nearly all imports into the country. He also enforced a 25% tariff on cars, steel, and aluminum, along with the same rate on Canadian and Mexican goods that don’t adhere to the terms of the USMCA.

Goods imported from China are now taxed at an aggressive 145% rate, with minimal exceptions.

Furthermore, Trump gave foreign nations until July 8 to finalize new trade agreements with the U.S., warning that otherwise, they will face additional tariffs.

In the interview, NBC’s Kristen Welker also pressed Trump about his past remarks on potentially acquiring Greenland and incorporating Canada as the 51st state.

Trump dismissed the idea of military action but didn’t rule out some form of future acquisition. “I think we’re not going to ever get to that point,” Trump said about using military force to acquire Greenland. “It could happen. Something could happen with Greenland. I’ll be honest, we need that for national and international security.”

When asked about Canada, he was more dismissive: “It’s highly unlikely. I don’t see it with Canada. I just don’t see it,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump says he is directing his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the notorious former prison on a hard-to-reach California island off San Francisco that has been closed for more than 60 years. In a post on his Truth Social site Sunday evening, Trump wrote that, “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.” “That is why, today,” he said, “I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.” Trump’s directive to rebuild and reopen the long-shuttered penitentiary was the latest salvo in his effort to overhaul how and where federal prisoners and immigration detainees are locked up. But such a move would likely be an expensive and challenging proposition. The prison was closed in 1963 due to crumbling infrastructure and the high costs of repairing and supplying the island facility, because everything from fuel to food had to be brought by boat. Bringing the facility up to modern-day standards would require massive investments at a time when the Bureau of Prisons has been shuttering prisons for similar infrastructure issues. The prison — infamously inescapable due to the strong ocean currents and cold Pacific waters that surround it — was known as the “The Rock” and housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, including gangster Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. It has long been part of the cultural imagination and has been the subject of numerous movies. Still in the 29 years it was open, 36 men attempted 14 separate escapes, according to the FBI. Nearly all were caught or didn’t survive the attempt. The fate of three particular inmates — John Anglin, his brother Clarence and Frank Morris — is of some debate and was dramatized in the 1979 film “Escape from Alcatraz” starring Clinton Eastwood. Alcatraz Island is now a major tourist site that is operate by the National Park Service and is a designated National Historic Landmark. Trump, returning to the White House on Sunday night after a weekend in Florida, said he’d come up with the idea because of frustrations with “radicalized judges” who have insisted those being deported receive due process. Alcatraz, he said, has long been a “symbol of law and order. You know, it’s got quite a history.” A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that the agency “will comply with all Presidential Orders.” The spokesperson did not immediately answer questions from The Associated Press regarding the practicality and feasibility of reopening Alcatraz or the agency’s role in the future of the former prison given the National Park Service’s control of the island. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat whose district includes the island, questioned the feasibility of reopening the prison after so many years. “It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction. The President’s proposal […]

The Israeli Ministry of Transport issued a statement today outlining new regulations intended to maintain seder at the kever of the Tanna Rav Shimon bar Yochai in Meron on Lag Ba’omer. To help manage the massive crowds expected to ascend to the holy site, visitors will be limited to a maximum stay of five hours within the site.

To uphold this policy, an advanced reservation system will be implemented. Every visitor will be required to secure a ticket ahead of time, which will indicate not only their allowed date but also a precise entry time. Each ticket will entitle its holder to a stay of five hours from the time of entry, after which the person will be expected to vacate the area.

Ticket reservations will open tomorrow afternoon and remain available until the following Monday.

Officials have made it clear that only those with confirmed reservations will be granted access to the tziyun, and anyone attempting to remain beyond their designated time will be asked to leave. There will be no exceptions, even for those already inside the compound.

Additionally, a significant adjustment has been introduced this year due to the timing of the hadlakah falling out on Erev Shabbos. To prevent any possible chilul Shabbos, all public transportation departing Meron toward central and southern regions of Eretz Yisroel will be suspended beginning Friday at 1:00 p.m., a notable change from previous years, when buses continued operating much later into the afternoon.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo, who is considered a close confidant of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, revealed on Sunday evening that a deal to release about ten Israeli hostages that was already closed was thwarted by Qatar. “The time has come to declare Qatar as an enemy state of the Jewish people,” Bardugo said. These remarks follow the Prime Minister’s Office’s unusual statements against Qatar in recent days. The Prime Minister’s Office published a rare official statement on Motzei Shabbos, saying: “The time has come for Qatar to stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if it’s on the side of civilization or if it’s on the side of Hamas barbarism. Israel will win this just war with just means.” Netanyahu’s office chose to publish the message in English and publicly for the first time, hinting that Qatar is undermining the efforts to release the hostages. The attack sparked a strong response from the Qatari Foreign Ministry, which strongly condemned the remarks. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari called Netanyahu’s statements “inflammatory” and “far from meeting the basic standards of political responsibility.” He claimed that Qatar is working “in coordination with its partners to end the fighting and return the hostages,” and asked sarcastically whether the release of 138 hostages so far was thanks to mediation or thanks to bombings. Bardugo’s words echo the message of the Prime Minister’s Office and exacerbate the tone: Qatar is not only not helpful as a mediator with Hamas but actively sabotages possible understandings with the terror group. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A newly aired exposé on Channel 13’s Hamakor program has brought to light the deep friction that existed between Israel and the Biden administration, particularly surrounding sensitive security decisions. The report uncovers a specific incident in which Israel’s communication with Washington broke down over a planned military operation targeting Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Mike Herzog, who previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States, explained on the show that Israeli officials had intended to notify Washington in advance of the operation, specifically reaching out to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. However, Herzog said their attempts were met with silence, stemming from American frustration over what they perceived as a diplomatic slight regarding a proposed Lebanon ceasefire. “It was agreed that we would update the Americans, at the level of Jake Sullivan,” said Herzog. “We tried setting up a phone call with Jake Sullivan and he didn’t get back to us. He was angry because he thought we had deceived them, and we let them make public the initiative for a ceasefire and make them look foolish, while we are planning to eliminate Nasrallah.”

Because the outreach to Sullivan failed, the responsibility to alert the U.S. ultimately fell to then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who connected with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shortly before the operation commenced.

When asked how Austin reacted to the bombshell news during the phone conversation, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro declined to describe the tone or details, saying only, “I’ll allow others to characterize that call.”

Gallant himself recounted the conversation during his interview with Hamakor, describing the precise moment he delivered the news. “I updated Austin 15 minutes before the operation. I told him, ‘We’re about to eliminate Nasrallah’. He asked me, ‘When?’. I told him, ‘15 minutes’. He really did not like this. He told me, ‘This could lead to a regional war’. I told him, ‘With all due respect, this man murdered thousands of Israelis and hundreds of Americans. I suggest you carefully consider your response.’”

Continuing the account, Gallant described how Austin sought assurance that the intelligence behind the strike was sound. “So he (Austin) asks me, ‘Are you convinced he’s there?’. I told him, ‘There is a very high probability.’”

{Matzav.com}

Seventy to eighty percent of mothers experience the “baby blues,” but a staggering one in seven go on to develop postpartum depression—making it the most common complication of childbirth. The perinatal period—from the start of pregnancy through the first year after childbirth—can be a time of great excitement and joy, but for many, it is also marked by mental health challenges. In frum communities, where we place a strong value on having children and have high birth rates, awareness of perinatal mood disorders is especially important. Postpartum depression is a form of clinical depression that occurs after giving birth, typically within the first few weeks or months, but can last for quite a while if untreated. It can affect a mother’s mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and ability to bond with her baby or care for herself and her family. The “baby blues” refer to a short-lived period of mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety, and irritability that many new mothers experience in the first few days after childbirth. Postpartum depression (PPD) can result from various factors: hormonal fluctuations, the physical recovery from childbirth, and sleep deprivation. Individuals with a personal or family history of depression or anxiety, a traumatic or stressful birth experience, limited social support, or additional life stressors are at elevated risk. The transition to motherhood is a major life shift, and many women find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a newborn. A woman may enter motherhood with high expectations, only to be surprised by how difficult it is. The pressure to “get everything right” can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. Some may struggle to bond with their baby, leading to guilt or sadness. What surprises many is that nearly 10% of fathers also experience postpartum depression. Hormonal shifts, increased stress, and sleep loss all play a role. Unfortunately, stigma and a lack of awareness often prevent men from seeking help. Symptoms of PPD can include: Persistent sadness or hopelessness Irritability and mood swings Fatigue and low energy Difficulty bonding with the baby Sleep disturbances Appetite changes Trouble concentrating or making decisions In severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide Treatment options include therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes. The baby blues typically resolve within two weeks after childbirth. If symptoms persist beyond that, it may indicate a perinatal mood disorder. If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and concern. Normalize the challenges of postpartum adjustment and offer concrete support—such as helping find a therapist, watching the baby, or simply listening without judgment. Sleep is vital to mental health. Offering to care for the baby so a parent can rest can be tremendously helpful. Reducing social isolation is also key; spending time with the new parent can make a big difference. Instead of saying, “Let me know if you need anything,” offer something specific: “Can I bring you a meal?” or “How about I hold the baby while you shower?” This reduces the pressure on the parent to ask for help and makes your support feel more genuine. It takes a village to raise a child—and nowhere is this more true than when parents are struggling with postpartum mood disorders. These conditions are common and treatable. Awareness, detection, and timely intervention are essential. […]

President Donald Trump on Sunday said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected his proposal to send U.S. troops to Mexico to help thwart the illegal drug trade because she is fearful of the country’s powerful cartels The comments by Trump came a day after Sheinbaum confirmed that Trump pressed her in a call last month to accept a bigger role for the U.S. military in combating drug cartels in Mexico. Trump said it was “true” that he proposed sending the troops to Mexico and lashed into Sheinbaum for dismissing the idea. “Well she’s so afraid of the cartels she can’t walk, so you know that’s the reason,” Trump said in comments to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. “And I think she’s a lovely woman. The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can’t even think straight.” The U.S. military presence along the southern border with Mexico has increased steadily in recent months, following Trump’s order in January to increase the army’s role in stemming the flow of migrants. The U.S. Northern Command has surged troops and equipment to the border, increased manned surveillance flights to monitor fentanyl trafficking along the border and sought expanded authority for U.S. Special Forces to work closely with Mexican forces conducting operations against cartels. But Sheinbaum said that U.S. troops operating inside Mexico was going too far. “We can work together, but you in your territory and us in ours,” Sheinbaum said she told Trump. Trump in February designated as “foreign terrorist organizations” many gangs and cartels smuggling drugs into the U.S. , restricting their movements and lending law enforcement more resources to act against them. But Sheinbaum’s stance — and Trump’s response — suggest that U.S. pressure for unilateral military intervention could create tension between the two leaders after cooperation on immigration and trade in the early going of Trump’s second term. Trump said the U.S. military is needed to stem the scourge of fentanyl in the United States. “They are bad news,” Trump said of the cartels. “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels we would be honored to go in and do it. I told her that. I would be honored to go in and do it. The cartels are trying to destroy our country.” (AP)

it is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Sarah Koledetzky a”h, who passed away at the age of 80.

She was a long-time resident of the Givat Shaul neighborhood and the devoted wife of Rav Zelig Koledetzky, the legendary founder and gabbai of the Chanichei HaYeshivos Shul, Ohel Yonasan.

Her levayah took place today and she was laid to rest at Har HaMenuchos.

Rebbetzin Koledetzky a”h was born on the 21st of Adar in 1945 to her esteemed parents: her father, Rav Shalom Zuckerman zt”l, served as the rav of Moshav Kadima and later as the rov of the Religious Council and neighborhoods Aleph through Gimel in Bnei Brak, and her mother, Rebbetzin Golda Malka a”h, was a daughter of Rav Yisrael Itzik Rabinowitz zt”l, rav of Minsk.

Upon reaching marriageable age, she married her husband Rav Zelig, son of Rav Shachna Koledetzky zt”l, a great talmid chacham and one of the prominent figures in Yerushalayim  who was revered by the leading gedolim of the previous generation.

Together with her husband, she built a home of Torah and yiras Shamayim in Givat Shaul.

Rav Zelig was known not only as the long-time gabbai of the Chanichei HaYeshivos Shul, where many of the generation’s gedolim davened, but also as a veteran sofer and safra dedayna at the Rabbinical Court of Yerushalayim.

Rebbetzin Koldetzky was a paragon of dignity and kindness, embodying the words, “Piah pascha b’chochmah v’soras chesed al leshonah.” She greeted others with warmth, compassion, and grace, earning the admiration and love of all who knew her.

She merited to raise generations of bnei Torah and yirei Shamayim. Among her children is Rav Shalom Koledetzky of the Igud Bnei HaYeshivos of Yerushalayim.

The family is sitting shiva at her home, 9 Rechov Amram Gaon Street in Givat Shaul, Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a recent episode of his widely shared Q&A sessions, Harav Gershon Ribner shlit”a, addressed a question posed by a group of bochurim deeply concerned about their role in resolving the ongoing shidduch crisis. The bochurim, who identified themselves as a group not eager to leave their American yeshiva early, asked a straightforward yet loaded question: “We want to stay in our current yeshiva, but we also feel an achrayus to help solve the shidduch crisis. What should we do?” Rav Gershon’s answer was equally straightforward — and striking: The best way to help solve the shidduch crisis is to stay in your American yeshiva through fourth-year beis medrash and then go straight to BMG or another yeshiva where you can begin shidduchim. Skip Eretz Yisroel entirely. The statement comes in the wake of an initiative, slowly being implemented in various yeshivos across the U.S., which encourages bochurim to head to Eretz Yisroel during their third year of beis medrash. The goal behind this movement, supported by many gedolei Yisroel and rabbanim across the U.S., is to have bochurim enter the shidduchim market earlier while simultaneously encouraging girls to wait longer before entering shidduchim, thereby narrowing the age gap and easing the current shidduch crisis. But Rav Gershon offered a dissenting view, voicing skepticism over the benefits of even including learning in Eretz Yisroel yeshivos as the model for bochurim’s aliyah. Rav Gershon argues that the pathway forward for responsible bochurim is to maximize their learning and aliyah b’Torah in their American yeshivos and then transition directly into the shidduch parsha at the appropriate age — not to insert an overseas detour that might delay, distract, or further complicate the dating process. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump’s 2026 federal budget proposal includes sweeping cuts across domestic agencies and so-called “woke programs,” but one area is set for a major expansion: the creation of a “Golden Dome” missile defense system — a massive, U.S.-based version of Israel’s Iron Dome. The proposal, which outlines a staggering $113 billion increase to the Department of Defense budget — a 13% jump — includes a down payment on what the document calls a “next-generation missile defense shield that would protect the U.S. from missile threats coming from any adversary.” “Israel has it, other places have it, and the United States should have it, too,” Trump declared during his March address to Congress, in which he formally asked lawmakers to fund the initiative. Modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, which intercepts incoming rockets mid-air and has been credited with saving countless lives from Hamas and Hezbollah attacks, the “Golden Dome” has long been a pet project of Trump’s. He signed an executive order on the concept shortly after retaking office in January and has since pushed the Pentagon to fast-track development. Yet serious questions remain — not least among them how such a system could be implemented across a country the size of the United States, which does not face the same kind of short-range missile threats from neighboring countries as Israel does. Critics are also questioning who might benefit. According to a New York Times report, SpaceX, the aerospace company helmed by Trump ally Elon Musk, is poised to be a major contractor in the program. The company manufactures both rocket interceptors and surveillance technology, key components for any missile shield. The news has triggered backlash on Capitol Hill. Dozens of House Democrats have demanded an investigation into Musk’s involvement in the procurement process, raising concerns about favoritism, transparency, and conflicts of interest. “We cannot allow our defense contracts to become a political payback scheme,” one Democratic lawmaker said. “This is about national security — not lining the pockets of the president’s billionaire friends.” Despite these objections, the “Golden Dome” initiative is gaining traction among defense hawks, who argue that an American missile shield is long overdue given the rise of hypersonic and ballistic missile technology in China, Russia, and North Korea. The Trump administration insists the budget proposal represents a strategic shift toward “hard power” and homeland protection, even as it slashes funding for agencies including the EPA, Department of Education, and State Department. Whether the plan moves forward depends on Congress, which must approve the president’s budget. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A lawsuit was filed in federal court in Manhattan by 57 Jewish and Israeli travelers, accusing United Airlines of antisemitic behavior after their flight to Tel Aviv in April 2023 was unexpectedly redirected back to Newark. The plaintiffs claim the airline had no valid justification for the decision and that they were collectively mistreated.

The incident took place on April 22, falling between Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israeli Independence Day. According to the legal filing, the chain of events began when a passenger briefly occupied an empty crew seat while waiting for the bathroom. The flight crew is said to have responded harshly, setting off a confrontation that ended with the plane turning around mid-flight. Witnesses reported that crew members warned the flight would be rerouted if the man didn’t move, but passengers thought the threat was idle. “No one explained what was happening,” said Shlomit, a passenger on board. “We just saw the flight path shift on the screen. When we landed, the police were already waiting.”

After the plane returned to Newark, the passenger at the center of the controversy was taken into custody but was subsequently released. Jeff Hunt, another passenger, shared footage online showing the man walking calmly through the aisle, telling his side of the story. Numerous travelers were left waiting for hours to receive hotel accommodations from United, and some reported never receiving any.

The lawsuit accuses United personnel of “incompetence, racism and discriminatory treatment of Jewish passengers,” and alleges the airline punished the entire group over what amounted to a minor incident. One man claimed that when he asked for help rebooking while wearing a kippah, a crew member told him, “Go ask your people.” The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Yoram Nachimovsky, are pursuing financial compensation and are calling for the airline to implement mandatory anti-bias education for its staff.

Responding to the accusations, United Airlines issued a firm denial in a statement to Ynet. “We have reviewed the incident, and the plaintiffs’ claims are meritless. One passenger who was a safety and security risk caused the flight to return to Newark. Our crew put safety first and exhibited professionalism in managing this matter, and we will vigorously defend against these false allegations.”

{Matzav.com}

JUST NOW: A Jewish man was assaulted and called a “dirty Jew” by a violent individual at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue L. Thanks to the swift response of Flatbush Shomrim, the suspect was quickly located and taken into custody by the NYPD on East 38th Street near Kings Highway. During the arrest, the suspect also bit an NYPD officer on the arm.

It felt much longer, but the U.S. stock market needed just a few weeks to roar all the way back to where it was on President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day.” That’s when he shocked Wall Street by announcing much steeper tariffs than expected on nearly all U.S. trading partners. Those tariffs unveiled on April 2 were so severe that they raised fears Trump did not worry about causing a recession in his attempt to reshape the global economy. Within just four days, the S&P 500 fell about 12%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost nearly 4,600 points, or about 11%. This past Friday, though, the S&P 500 rallied 1.5% for a ninth straight gain and pulled back to where it was on April 2. Of course, the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts is still more than 7% below its all-time high set earlier this year. And stocks could easily fall again as uncertainty remains high about what Trump’s tariffs will ultimately do to the economy. But the run for U.S. stocks back upward has been just as wild and unexpected as its fall. Here’s a look at what happened: The pause On April 9, Trump announced on social media a “90-day PAUSE” for most of the tariffs he’d announced a week earlier, except those against China. The S&P 500 soared 9.5% for one of its best days ever. Even that good news came with a bit of controversy, however: hours before he announced the pause, Trump proclaimed on Truth Social that “this is a great time to buy.” De-escalation The weeks after the pause were a roller coaster. Trump talked about negotiating tariffs with the trading partners while also using tariffs to force companies to move manufacturing to the U.S., two goals seemingly at odds with one another. The market did find relief in what the Treasury secretary referred to as de-escalation between the U.S. and China. Investors also welcomed Trump’s moves to ease tariffs on autos as well as smartphones and other electronics. Bonds and the buck The severity of the U.S. stock market’s fall after Liberation Day surprised some market watchers. They had assumed Trump would backtrack on policies that hurt the Dow Jones Industrial Average. This is a president, after all, who crowed repeatedly during his first term about how the Dow was doing. But it was fear in other financial markets that may have forced Trump’s hand. Tumbling prices for U.S. government bonds raised worries that the U.S. Treasury market was losing its status as the world’s safest place to keep cash. The value of the U.S. dollar also sank in another signal of diminishing faith in the United States as a safe haven for investors. Trump himself said he had noticed how bond investors were “getting a little queasy” before he paused his tariffs. The economy Economists and investors had to reconcile contradictory signals about the economy. Surveys of consumers showed declining confidence, largely due to the uncertainty created by the Trump trade policy. But what investors call “hard data,” such as employment numbers, indicated the economy was still doing OK. As of Friday, when the government said employers had added 177,000 jobs in April, the hard numbers appeared to have a advantage over the weak sentiment. The Fed The Federal Reserve cut rates three times at the end of 2024, but then implemented a pause of its own […]

By December 31, 2025, a seismic shift in Israel’s mobile infrastructure will sever lifelines for up to a million users, including tens of thousands of Charedim, unless swift action is taken. In what could become one of the most disruptive transitions in Israeli tech history, the Ministry of Communications is mandating a full shutdown of the country’s aging 2G and 3G cellular networks. While framed as a necessary leap toward high-speed 4G and 5G, the move risks plunging vulnerable populations—especially the elderly, low-income families, and Charedim—into sudden, silent isolation. The shutdown isn’t just a technical milestone. For tens of thousands of Charedim who rely on basic “kosher phones”—devices that deliberately exclude internet, SMS, and social media access—the looming deadline threatens both daily functionality and the spiritual safeguards they depend on. Of the approximately one million 2G and 3G devices still in use in Israel, around 150,000 belong to Charedim. Many of these devices have “hashgachos,” and are foundational to the kosher mobile infrastructure so carefully cultivated over the past two decades. In 2023, intense lobbying from the Charedi sector temporarily delayed parts of the shutdown, as rabbonim and askanim raised alarms about the lack of 4G-compatible kosher alternatives. Today, thanks to behind-the-scenes scrambling by the Rabbinical Committee for Communications, dozens of such phones have entered the Israeli market—many imported from India and China, featuring only call functionality and minimal camera quality, devoid of texting or data capabilities. But that doesn’t mean the storm has passed. “There are still at least 150,000 Charedim using phones that simply won’t work on January 1,” a senior telecom executive warned. “We can’t afford a blackout in Bnei Brak or Meah Shearim because someone’s grandfather didn’t know his SIM card would stop working.” Kosher phone stores have begun stocking 4G-compliant models, and carriers like Pelephone and Hot Mobile are offering partial subsidies for rabbinically-approved handsets. Still, concerns remain—particularly regarding medical alert devices, security systems in Charedi shuls and schools, and elderly users who may lack the awareness or financial means to upgrade. What makes this shutdown even more fraught is the communication gap: kosher phones don’t display SMS messages, and their users often avoid internet or secular media, making it more difficult to let them know about the shutdown. To counter this, the Ministry of Communications has authorized special robocalls and “Flash SMS” messages that display automatically, bypassing traditional opt-ins. Additionally, in Charedi strongholds, awareness campaigns are expected to roll out via flyers in shuls, community newspapers, and hotline announcements. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)