~ Israel Newswire

Arutz Sheva

News from Israel

Diaspora Jews under siege

Israel’s defenders need to be smarter and more strategic, calling out the haters for being the very things that they purport to hate. Opinion.

Hotovely confronts Piers Morgan: 'What future do you promise my children?'

In a fiery exchange, Israel's Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely challenges Piers Morgan on Hamas, war ethics, and global hypocrisy: 'Would you accept Hamas on your doorstep?'

Bamidbar: Flags of love in the desert

The Jewish people sought to uncover and emphasize every individual’s personal strengths, and thus chose banners for each tribe, but no banners flew over the central Tent of Meeting.

What is Torat Eretz Yisrael?

Explaining the Torah we received on Shavuot when observed in the Holy Land as it is meant to be..

The Art of the Deal vs. the Qur’an

“They gotta make a deal. They gotta make a deal.” Sure, Mr President. They already have, and it’s not with you. There is no deal you can offer the Muslims that would be a deal to die for, because Allah already clinched that one. Opinion.

First cemetery in Malachei Hashalom established overnight for fallen hero David Libi

Within 24 hours of his death in Gaza, a new cemetery is inaugurated in Malachei Hashalom to bury David Libi, son of the community's founder.

Understanding the 'new offering' of Shavuot

We can glean from the sacrifice of the day a poignant perspective as to how to relate to the learning of the Torah.

Drone uncovers booby-trapped apartment – saving soldiers’ lives

Kfir forces eliminate terrorists, dismantle weapons sites and booby-trapped apartments in Khan Yunis.

Hostages' families block Gaza aid trucks in protest

Tzav 9 activists and hostages' families block humanitarian aid trucks at Kerem Shalom, demanding Israel stop supplies that benefit Hamas.

Netanyahu successfully undergoes routine colonoscopy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successfully underwent a routine colonoscopy this morning at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.His office released a statement saying, "The Prime Minister thanks the hospital's medical team, headed by Professor Eran Goldin, Professor Gozal Yaakov, Dr. Benson Ariel, and nurse Galit Peres. The procedure was overseen by the Prime Minister's personal physician, Dr. Herman Berkovitz."<a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409236">Read more</a>

Calendar

Candle Lighting Times

Shabbos Times for New York City, New York, USA

Candle lighting: 8:01pm on Friday, May 30
This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Bamidbar
Havdalah (72 min): 9:33pm on Saturday, May 31
Erev Shavuot: Sunday, Jun 1
Candle lighting: 8:03pm on Sunday, Jun 1
Shavuot I: Monday, Jun 2
Candle lighting: 9:34pm on Monday, Jun 2
Shavuot II: Tuesday, Jun 3
Havdalah (72 min): 9:35pm on Tuesday, Jun 3

Shabbat Candle Lighting times for New York

Shabbos Times for Chicago, Illinois, USA

Candle lighting: 8:00pm on Friday, May 30
This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Bamidbar
Havdalah (72 min): 9:31pm on Saturday, May 31
Erev Shavuot: Sunday, Jun 1
Candle lighting: 8:01pm on Sunday, Jun 1
Shavuot I: Monday, Jun 2
Candle lighting: 9:32pm on Monday, Jun 2
Shavuot II: Tuesday, Jun 3
Havdalah (72 min): 9:33pm on Tuesday, Jun 3

Shabbat Candle Lighting times for Chicago

Yeshiva World News

The Yeshiva World

RFK Jr.’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Report Cited Fake Studies, Misrepresented Research

The White House will fix errors in a much-anticipated federal government report spearheaded by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which decried America’s food supply, pesticides and prescription drugs. Kennedy’s wide-ranging “Make America Healthy Again” report, released last week, cited hundreds of studies, but a closer look by the news organization NOTUS found that some of those studies did not actually exist. Asked about the report’s problems, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the report will be updated. “I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated.” Leavitt told reporters during her briefing. “But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government. Kennedy has repeatedly said he would bring “radical transparency” and “gold-standard” science to the public health agencies. But the secretary refused to release details about who authored the 72-page report, which calls for increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the nation’s children as overmedicated and undernourished. Leavitt said that the White House has “complete confidence” in Kennedy. “Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected,” HHS Spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement. He described the report as a “historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation’s children.” NOTUS reported Thursday that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have ever been published. An author of one study confirmed that while she conducted research on the topics of anxiety in children, she never authored the report listed. Some studies were also misinterpreted in the MAHA report. The problematic citations were on topics around children’s screen time, medication use and anxiety. Kennedy’s MAHA report had already been stoking concerns among Trump loyalists, including farmers who criticized how the report characterized the chemicals sprayed on U.S. crops. The report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year. The White House has requested a $500 million boost in funding from Congress for Kennedy’s MAHA initiative. (AP)

Israel Fears Betrayal as Trump Inches Toward “Dangerous” Iran Deal

Seven weeks into nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, Israel is voicing escalating concerns that President Donald Trump’s administration may accept a deal that fails to eliminate Tehran’s uranium enrichment capabilities, potentially leaving Israel vulnerable to a nuclear-armed adversary. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia has privately urged Iran to engage seriously with the U.S. proposal, warning that failure to do so could risk a military confrontation with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly cautioned that a “bad deal is worse than no deal,” emphasizing that any agreement permitting Iran to retain enrichment capabilities would be unacceptable. Despite Netanyahu’s warnings, President Trump disclosed on Wednesday that he had advised Netanyahu against taking any actions, such as a military strike, that could disrupt the ongoing talks. “I told him this would be very inappropriate to do right now, because we’re very close to a solution,” Trump said during a White House press conference. The negotiations, which commenced on April 12, have included five rounds of discussions between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The primary sticking point remains the U.S. demand that Iran cease all uranium enrichment activities—a condition Iran has consistently rejected, citing its right to peaceful nuclear energy. Amid these tensions, Saudi Arabia has taken an unprecedented diplomatic step. In April, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Tehran, delivering a message to Iranian officials that emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement with the U.S. to avoid the risk of an Israeli military strike. This visit marked the first by a senior Saudi royal to Iran in over two decades and reflects a significant shift in regional diplomacy following the 2023 normalization of ties between the two nations. During the closed-door meeting, Prince Khalid conveyed that President Trump’s patience for prolonged negotiations is limited and that the window for diplomacy is narrowing. He stressed that the region, already destabilized by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, could not withstand further escalation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by expressing Iran’s desire for a deal that would alleviate economic sanctions but maintained that Iran would not relinquish its enrichment program solely to accommodate U.S. demands. Israel, meanwhile, has prepared for potential military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities but has held off at the request of the Trump administration to allow diplomatic efforts to proceed. Israeli officials have indicated that any military strike would be more effective with U.S. support, particularly in countering potential Iranian retaliation. However, there is growing concern within Israel that delaying action could result in a missed opportunity to address the nuclear threat more decisively. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Norwegian Town That Resisted Nazis Now Prepares for Modern War

In 1944, Norwegian resistance fighters in the town of Kongsberg blew up a factory making cannons for occupying Nazi German forces during World War II. More than 80 years later, the municipality could once again be a target for sabotage and is preparing for war. The local authorities have dusted off Cold War-era bomb shelters, installed a new satellite communications system and are working with the military on plans to help a deployment of Western forces in case of conflict. “The lesson we learned from Ukraine is that everybody pitched in,” said Odd John Resser, Kongsberg’s Emergency Planning Officer, noting breweries that pivoted to making Molotov cocktails, local authorities that built schools in shelters and weapons factories which ramped up production. Across the Nordic nations, governments are boosting defense spending, reassessing security and pushing the concept of total defense. It’s an approach which mobilizes the whole of society to defend against military and non-military threats. As Moscow wages war in Ukraine, Western officials are accusing Russia of being behind a campaign of sabotage, arson and cyberattacks and there are jitters across the continent about whether Europe can rely on the U.S. as a partner. The Norwegian government published its first national security strategy in May, saying the country is facing its most serious security situation since World War II. “After decades of peace,” it warned, “a new era has begun for Norway and for Europe.” “What is now happening in Ukraine has to be a wake-up call for all and we must strengthen our defense to prevent anything like that from happening to us,” Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told The Associated Press. Total defense Norway announced in January that it plans to start building bomb shelters in new buildings after halting the practice in 1998. The Swedish government appointed its first minister for civil defense in 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. Residents aged 16 to 70 are required to serve in the event or threat of war, either in the military or helping to provide rescue, firefighting, healthcare or other services. Finland’s civil defense shelters are the envy of the Nordics and can fit around 86% of the Finnish population. One public shelter in Helsinki can fit 6,000 people, is designed to withstand the fallout from a nuclear attack and is in an almost constant state of readiness with beds and sinks tucked away behind blast doors and an underground hockey pitch. Norway and some other Nordic nations also tell residents to have enough food and water stored for seven days. “How would you and your nearest family manage if the electricity supply was cut off for a longer period? What would you do if the water supply failed?” the Norwegian handbook asks. AP spoke to 11 people in Kongsberg and the majority said they had some form of supplies. While most didn’t have a stockpile for seven days – and some had nothing at all – two people said they could probably survive for more than a week. “Russia is very close to Norway and you don’t know what’s going to happen. I would rather be prepared than not prepared,” said Katina Bakke, who works in a sports shop in Kongsberg. Community support for troops Although Norwegian authorities are not expecting an imminent conflict, if war […]

‘Next Targets Are El Al Planes’: Houthis Vow to Strike Israeli Civilian Aircraft

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have announced plans to target civilian aircraft belonging to Israeli airlines, including El Al, in what could mark a dangerous new phase in the Yemeni group’s ongoing assault on Israel. The warning, issued through Lebanon’s Hezbollah-aligned Al-Akhbar newspaper, follows Israel’s airstrike on Sanaa International Airport earlier this week. The targeted strike reportedly destroyed the last operational Houthi aircraft, a move that Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said eliminatec the group’s remaining air capabilities. But the Houthis aren’t backing down—in fact, they’re upping the ante. In a direct threat to Israeli civilian air traffic, Houthi sources said their “upcoming operations will differ in quantity and substance,” vowing to add Israeli civilian planes to their list of military targets. If carried out, such a strike would cross a grave red line and could trigger a wider regional conflagration. The rebels claim the aircraft destroyed by Israel had been used for humanitarian medical evacuations to Jordan—a claim dismissed by Israeli officials as propaganda meant to deflect attention from the Houthis’ ongoing campaign of ballistic missile and drone attacks aimed at Israeli civilians. In recent weeks, the Houthis have launched near-daily missile attacks toward Israel, including one strike that landed inside the grounds of Ben Gurion International Airport earlier this month, prompting several foreign airlines to suspend service to Israel. With major carriers pulling out, most Israelis are now reliant on El Al and the domestic carriers Arkia and Israir—airlines that may soon find themselves in the crosshairs. It remains unclear whether the Houthis possess the technical capacity to strike aircraft in flight. However, in an interview earlier this month with Newsweek, a Houthi spokesman boasted of “new weapons” allegedly capable of enforcing an “aerial blockade” over Israeli skies. While the threat’s credibility is still under assessment by Israeli intelligence, the tone and timing have set off alarms. Israeli aviation security has been placed on high alert, and contingency plans are reportedly being reviewed at the highest levels of government. With Iranian fingerprints all over Houthi weapons and strategy, the latest development raises serious questions about Tehran’s role in greenlighting an attack on civilian aviation—an act that is a blatant war crime and a direct provocation. Defense analysts say any attempted strike on a commercial aircraft could trigger immediate and overwhelming Israeli retaliation—not just against the Houthis, but potentially against Iranian assets across the region. “This is not Yemen’s war anymore,” said one senior Israeli security official. “This is Iran using its proxies to test Israel’s red lines. And there will be a response.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Trump Administration Reverses Course, Will Keep 34 Mine Safety Offices Open

The Trump administration is dropping plans to terminate leases for 34 offices in the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the agency responsible for enforcing mine safety laws, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency, created by President Donald Trump and run by Elon Musk, had targeted federal agencies for spending cuts, including terminating leases for three dozen MSHA offices. Seven of those offices were in Kentucky alone. Ending the MSHA leases had been projected to save $18 million. Musk said this week that he’s leaving his job as a senior adviser. A statement released by a Labor Department spokesperson Thursday said it has been working closely with the General Services Administration “to ensure our MSHA inspectors have the resources they need to carry out their core mission to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthy workplaces for American miners.” Some MSHA offices are still listed on the chopping block on the DOGE website, but the statement did not indicate whether those closings will move forward. MSHA was created by Congress within the Labor Department in 1978, in part because state inspectors were seen as too close to the industry to force coal companies to take the sometimes costly steps necessary to protect miners. MSHA is required to inspect each underground mine quarterly and each surface mine twice a year. “That’s a relief and good news for miners and the inspectors at MSHA,” said Jack Spadaro, a longtime mine safety investigator and environmental specialist who worked for the agency. Mining fatalities over the past four decades have dropped significantly, in large part because of the dramatic decline in coal production. But the proposed DOGE cuts would have required MSHA inspectors to travel farther to get to a mine. “I don’t know what they were thinking when they talked about closing offices,” Spadaro said. “They obviously did not understand the nature of the frequency and depth of inspections that go on in mines. It’s important for the inspectors to be near the mine operations that they’re inspecting.” A review in March of publicly available data by the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center indicates that nearly 17,000 health and safety inspections were conducted from the beginning of 2024 through February 2025 by staff at MSHA offices in the facilities on the chopping block. MSHA, which also oversees metal and nonmetal mines, already was understaffed. Over the past decade, it has seen a 27% reduction in total staff, including 30% of enforcement staff in general and 50% of enforcement staff for coal mines, the law center said. Coal industry advocates are also trying to save hundreds of jobs within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Some estimates had about 850 of the agency’s roughly 1,000 employees being cut by the Trump administration. Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered the restoration of a health monitoring program for coal miners and rescinded layoffs within NIOSH’s respiratory health division in Morgantown, West Virginia. The division is responsible for screening and reviewing medical exams to determine whether there is evidence that coal miners have developed a respiratory ailment, commonly known as black lung disease. At a May 14 Congressional hearing, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he was reversing the firing of […]

A Historic Tefillas HaShelah That Shook the Heavens

At the holy kever of the Shelah HaKadosh in Tverya, on erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan—the most mesugal time for tefillos on behalf of our children—Gedolei Yisrael and Ziknei Hador gathered for an unprecedented tefillah gathering, organized by Vaad HaRabbanim L’Inyanei Tzedakah B’Eretz HaKodesh. When HaGaon Rav Elimelech Biderman Shlit”a Spoke, Hearts Were Transformed The beloved tzaddik and mashpia stirred every neshama present with his fiery divrei chizuk, speaking about the tremendous kedushah of supporting Vaad HaRabbanim—the lifeline for thousands of struggling mishpachos across Eretz Yisrael. In just seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuos, nearly 20,000 families—yesomim, almanos, cholim, and heartbroken Yidden—received yeshuos that literally saved their lives. A Ma’aseh That Will Change How You See Your Children Rav Biderman shared an incredible teaching from the heilige Maran Rav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz zt”l: The Rosh Yeshivah noticed that often the “weaker” children—those who struggled—became the greatest talmidei chachamim. Why? “For regular children, people said the tefillah of the Shelah… but for the struggling ones—tears were shed. And that made all the difference.” Your Zechusim Are Waiting Following the drashah, Tefillas HaShelah was recited with tremendous hislahavus. The names of thousands of donors were mentioned b’rabbim—for yeshuos, refuah, parnassah, and nachas from their children. This Zechus Can Be Yours Right now, you can become shutaf with Gedolei Yisrael in this holy avodah. Every dollar puts food on an almanah’s table, pays for a choleh’s refuah, keeps broken families together. The zechusim of thousands of mishpachos and the tefillos of our gedolim accompany every donation straight to the Kisei HaKavod. Don’t wait—these families need your help today. DONATE NOW – Join This Sacred Zechus Tizku l’mitzvos! May all who participate be zocheh to kabbalas haTorah b’simchah u’v’tuv levav.

US Economy Contracts for First Time in Three Years Amid Trade War Disruptions

The U.S. economy shrank at a 0.2% annual pace from January through March, the first drop in three years, as President Donald Trump’s trade wars disrupted business, the government said Thursday in a slight upgrade of its initial estimate. First-quarter growth was brought down by a surge in imports as companies in the United States hurried to bring in foreign goods before the president imposed massive import taxes. The January-March drop in gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — reversed a 2.4% gain in the fourth quarter of 2024. Imports grew at a 42.6% pace, fastest since third-quarter 2020, and shaved more than 5 percentage points off GDP growth. Consumer spending also slowed sharply. And federal government spending fell at a 4.6% annual pace, the biggest drop in three years. Trade deficits reduce GDP. But that’s mainly a matter of mathematics. GDP is supposed to count only what’s produced domestically. So imports — which the government counts as consumer spending in the GDP report when you buy, say, Costa Rican coffee — have to be subtracted out to keep them from artificially inflating domestic production. The first-quarter import surge likely won’t be repeated in the April-June quarter and therefore shouldn’t weigh on GDP. From January through March, business investment surged 24.4%. An increase in inventories — as businesses stocked up ahead of the tariffs — added more than 2.6 percentage points to first-quarter GDP growth. A category within the GDP data that measures the economy’s underlying strength rose at a 2.5% annual rate from January through March, down from 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 but still solid. This category includes consumer spending and private investment but excludes volatile items like exports, inventories and government spending. Trump’s tariffs have added considerable uncertainty to the economic outlook. He has imposed 10% tariffs on almost every country on earth in addition to levies on steel, aluminum and autos. A federal court on Wednesday blocked the 10% tariffs as well as specific taxes on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese imports, saying the president had overstepped his authority. Thursday’s report was the second of three Commerce Department estimates of first-quarter GDP. The final version arrives June 26. (AP)

Report: Over 11,000 North Korean Troops Now in Russia, Gaining Combat Experience

The United States and 10 allies on Thursday said the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea flagrantly violates U.N. sanctions and has helped Moscow increase its missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. They made the accusations in their first report since joining forces to monitor sanctions against North Korea after Russia vetoed a resolution in March 2024 to continue the monitoring by a U.N. Security Council panel of experts. It had been issuing reports of Pyongyang’s sanctions violations since 2010. The 29-page report produced by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team — comprised of the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and the United Kingdom — said the evidence it gathered demonstrates that North Korea and Russia have engaged in “myriad unlawful activities” explicitly prohibited by U.N. sanctions resolutions. It said North Korea has transferred arms and related materiel by sea, air and rail, including artillery, ballistic missiles and combat vehicles, for Russia’s use in the war in Ukraine. Russia has transferred air defense systems to North Korea, and its forces trained the North’s troops deployed to support Russia’s war, the team said. And Moscow also has supplied refined petroleum products to Pyongyang in far excess of the yearly cap under U.N. sanctions, and has maintained corresponding banking relations with the North in violation of sanctions. The 11 countries said this unlawful cooperation has “contributed to Moscow’s ability to increase its missile attacks against Ukrainian cities including targeted strikes against critical civilian infrastructure.” The cooperation also has provided resources for North Korea to fund its military and banned ballistic missile programs., and it allowed the more than 11,000 troops Pyongyang has deployed to Russia since October 2024 to gain first-hand military experience, the team said. There was no immediate response from the Russian Mission to the United Nations to a request for comment on the report. The report covers the period between Jan. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, and points to evidence that Russia and North Korea intend to further deepen their military cooperation for at least the foreseeable future. It cites an unnamed country in the team reporting that Russian-flagged cargo vessels delivered as many as 9 million rounds of ammunition for artillery and multiple rocket launchers from North Korea to Russia in 2024. The report includes images of containers, which the team says were from North Korean and Russian ports and an ammunition dump in Russia. Citing an unnamed team member, the report says North Korea last year transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia, which were launched into Ukraine “to destroy civilian infrastructure and terrorize populated areas such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.” It also transferred “elements of three brigade sets of heavy artillery,” the report said. It includes images of a North Korean 170mm self-propelled gun that it said was being transported through Russia, and North Korean multiple rocket launcher ammunition and an anti-tank missile it said were found in Ukraine. The team said in a joint statement that it will continue to monitor implementation of U.N. resolutions “and raise awareness of ongoing attempts to violate and evade U.N. sanctions.” It urged North Korea “to engage in meaningful diplomacy.” The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea’s first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in […]

PHOTOS: HaRav Tzvi Meyer Zilberberg Giving A Pre-Shavuos Shiur At Breslov Bnei Brak [Via Shuki Lerer]

Hamas Officially Rejects Trump’s Latest Ceasefire Proposal For Gaza War

Hamas has rejected a U.S.-proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal, which Israel had accepted, further complicating efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The proposal, mediated by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, offered a 60-day truce, the release of 10 living Israeli hostages in two phases, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Hamas’s refusal, citing demands for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, has drawn criticism from Israeli officials who note that it prioritizes the group’s political survival over peace. The deal, discussed in Doha, included the release of 10 living hostages, starting with five on the first day and five on the seventh, alongside the remains of 16 deceased hostages. In exchange, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners and allow unconditional humanitarian aid into Gaza from day one. Israel endorsed the plan, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing hope for progress, though he maintained that any agreement must align with Israel’s goals of dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and securing all hostages. Hamas, however, rejected the proposal, insisting on a permanent end to the war and a complete Israeli troop withdrawal—conditions Israel has consistently deemed unacceptable. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas negotiator, said the terror group seeks a “comprehensive package” that ensures a full Israeli withdrawal and Gaza’s reconstruction, accusing Israel of imposing “impossible conditions.” The rejection follows the collapse of a two-month ceasefire on March 18, when Israel resumed airstrikes after Hamas refused to extend the initial truce phase. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Family Sues Oil Companies For Wrongful Death After Woman Dies During Heat Wave

In one of the nation’s first wrongful-death claims seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its role in the changing climate, a Washington state woman is suing seven oil and gas companies, saying they contributed to an extraordinarily hot day that led to her mother’s fatal hyperthermia. The lawsuit filed in state court this week says the companies knew that their products have altered the climate, including contributing to a 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest that killed 65-year-old Juliana Leon, and that they failed to warn the public of such risks. On June 28, 2021, an unusual heat wave culminated in a 108-degrees Fahrenheit (42.22 degrees Celsius) day — the hottest ever recorded in the state, according to the filing. Leon had just driven 100 miles from home for an appointment, and she rolled down her windows on the way back because her car’s air conditioning wasn’t working. Leon pulled over and parked her car in a residential area, according to the lawsuit. She was found unconscious behind the wheel when a bystander called for help. Despite medical interventions, Leon died. The filing names Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66 and BP subsidiary Olympic Pipeline Company. “Defendants knew that their fossil fuel products were already altering the earth’s atmosphere,” when Juliana was born, Thursday’s filing said. “By 1968, Defendants understood that the fossil fuel-dependent economy they were creating and perpetuating would intensify those atmospheric changes, resulting in more frequent and destructive weather disasters and foreseeable loss of human life.” The filing adds: “The extreme heat that killed Julie was directly linked to fossil fuel-driven alteration of the climate.” Chevron Corporation counsel Theodore Boutrous Jr. said in a statement: “Exploiting a personal tragedy to promote politicized climate tort litigation is contrary to law, science, and common sense. The court should add this far-fetched claim to the growing list of meritless climate lawsuits that state and federal courts have already dismissed.” ConocoPhillips, BP, Shell and BP subsidiary Olympic Pipeline Company declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press. The other companies did not respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit accuses the companies of hiding, downplaying and misrepresenting the risks of climate change caused by humans burning oil and gas and obstructing research. International climate researchers said in a peer-reviewed analysis that the 2021 “heat dome” was “virtually impossible without human-caused climate change.” Scientists have broadly attributed the record-breaking, more frequent, longer-lasting and increasingly deadly heat waves around the world to climate change that they say is a result of burning fossil fuels. Oil and gas are fossil fuels that, when burned, emit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide. “We’ve seen a really advanced scientific understanding about the specific effects that climate change can cause in individual extreme weather events,” said Korey Silverman-Roati, a senior fellow at the Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. “Scientists today are a lot more confident in saying that but for climate change, this would not have happened.” Silverman-Roati said the specificity of the case could clarify for people the consequences of climate change and the potential consequences of company behavior. The lawsuit was first reported by The New York Times. “Big Oil companies have known for decades that their products would cause catastrophic climate disasters that would become more […]

PHOTOS: HaRav Yaakov Meyer Schechter of Breslov At Siyum Mishnayos For Kollel Shomrei Hachomos

🚨Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, Dead at 69

🚨 Bernard Kerik, former NYPD Commissioner who led the department during the 9/11 attacks, has died at 69. Kerik was hospitalized in a cardiac unit earlier this month. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Kerik’s passing on social media, writing on X: “We mourn the loss of Bernard B. Kerik, a warrior, patriot, and courageous public servant. Bernie passed away tragically on May 29, 2025, after a private battle with illness.”

Bernard Kerik, NYPD Commissioner During 9/11 Attacks, Passes Away At 69

Bernard B. Kerik, the former New York City Police Commissioner who gained national prominence for his leadership during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, passed away on Thursday at the age of 69. His death was announced by FBI Director Kash Patel, who said that Kerik succumbed to a cardiac illness after a private battle. Born on September 4, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey, Bernard Bailey Kerik rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognized figures in American law enforcement. Growing up in a working-class family, Kerik faced early challenges, including a troubled childhood marked by his mother’s struggles with alcoholism and his parents’ separation. He later chronicled these experiences in his 2001 memoir, The Lost Son: A Life in Pursuit of Justice. After dropping out of high school, Kerik earned his GED and embarked on a career that would span over four decades in law enforcement, military service, and national security. Kerik’s career began in the U.S. Army, where he served as a Military Policeman from 1974 to 1977, earning a Presidential Commendation for Heroism from President Ronald Reagan. Following his military service, he joined the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department in New Jersey before transitioning to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1986. Over the next 15 years, Kerik climbed the ranks of the NYPD, known for his tough stance on crime and his work in reducing violence in New York City during the 1990s. In 2000, Kerik was appointed the 40th Commissioner of the NYPD by then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a close ally. His tenure was defined by his leadership during the 9/11 attacks, where he worked alongside Giuliani to coordinate the city’s emergency response following the collapse of the World Trade Center. His steady presence during the crisis earned him widespread praise and over 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, including two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. However, Kerik’s career was not without controversy. In 2004, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to lead the Department of Homeland Security, but he withdrew his nomination amid scrutiny over his personal and financial dealings. In 2009, Kerik pleaded guilty to tax fraud and making false statements, resulting in a four-year prison sentence. He served three years before his release in 2013. In 2020, President Donald Trump granted Kerik a full pardon, citing his contributions to law enforcement and national security. Following his pardon, Kerik remained active in political and legal spheres, often aligning himself with Trump and his allies. He worked closely with Giuliani in 2020 to investigate claims of voter fraud in the presidential election, efforts that led to his identification as an unindicted co-conspirator in a Georgia election interference case. Kerik was subpoenaed to testify in the trial of Trump associates Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell in 2023, though his attorney, Tim Parlatore, emphasized that Kerik would not testify without immunity due to potential legal risks. In April 2025, Kerik made headlines again when Qatar reportedly hired him as a lobbyist, a move that raised eyebrows due to his close ties to Giuliani and his vocal support for Qatar following Trump’s electoral victory. Kerik is survived by his wife, Hala, and their two daughters, as well as a son from a previous marriage. (YWN World […]

13-Year-Old Texan Wins Scripps National Spelling Bee With Final Word ‘Eclaircissement’

Faizan Zaki nearly threw away his opportunity to go from runner-up to champion at the Scripps National Spelling Bee with a shocking moment of overconfidence. Given a second chance, he seized the title of best speller in the English language. The 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, who lost in a lightning-round tiebreaker last year, outlasted eight other accomplished spellers to win the title on Thursday night, including two that he let back into the competition after his own careless flub. Told to take a deep breath before his final word, “eclaircissement,” he didn’t ask a single question before spelling it correctly, and he pumped his fists and collapsed to the stage after saying the final letter. Two rounds earlier, Sarvadnya Kadam and Sarv Dharavane misspelled their words, clearing a path for Faizan, but instead of making sure he knew the word, “commelina,” Faizan let his showmanship get the better of him. “K-A-M,” he said, then stopped himself. “OK, let me do this. Oh, shoot!” “Just ring the bell,” he told head judge Mary Brooks, who obliged. “So now you know what happens,” Brooks said, and the other two spellers returned to the stage. Upon his return to the microphone, Sarv chimed in: “This is surprising!” But Sarv misspelled again, followed in the next round by Sarvadnya, and Faizan stayed just calm enough to ensure his competitors wouldn’t get back to the microphone. It was a riveting conclusion to a competition that started in 1925 and appears to have a bright future. Scripps, a Cincinnati-based media company, had a few dozen former champions on hand to celebrate the centennial of an event that began when the Louisville Courier-Journal invited other newspapers to host spelling bees and send their champions to Washington. Faizan lost to Bruhat Soma last year in a tiebreaker known as a “spell-off.” He became only the fifth runner-up to come back and win and the first since since Sean Conley in 2001. With the winner’s haul of $52,500 added to his second-place prize of $25,000, Faizan increased his bee earnings to $77,500. His big splurge with his winnings last year? A $1,500 Rubik’s cube with 21 squares on each side. This is the last year the bee will be held at its home for the past 14 years, a convention center just outside Washington on the banks of the Potomac River. In 2026, the competition returns to the nation’s capital at Constitution Hall, a nearly century-old concert venue near the White House. (AP)

TZAAR GIDUL BANIM: U.S. Moms Report Significant Decline in Mental Health

A new study published Tuesday reveals a troubling decline in the mental and physical health of mothers in the United States, with only about one in four moms reporting “excellent” mental health. The research, detailed in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine, highlights a 63% increase in mothers reporting fair or poor mental health from 2016 to 2023, underscoring a growing public health concern. The study, which analyzed self-reported health trends among female parents, found that just 25% of U.S. moms rated their mental health as excellent, a sharp drop from previous years. This decline is particularly alarming as maternal mental health is known to impact not only mothers but also their children and families, with potential ripple effects across generations. Experts point to a combination of factors contributing to this trend, including increased social pressures, economic stressors, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which disrupted support systems and intensified caregiving demands. “Mothers are often the backbone of families, and their well-being is critical to the health of our communities,” said Dr. Jamie Daw, a lead researcher on the study. “The significant rise in moms reporting poor mental health signals a need for urgent action to address systemic challenges.” The study also noted a decline in physical health among mothers, with fewer reporting excellent physical well-being compared to 2016. While the research did not pinpoint specific causes, experts suggest that the demands of parenting, coupled with limited access to mental health resources and societal expectations, may be exacerbating these challenges. Advocates are calling for targeted interventions, such as improved access to mental health care, community support programs, and policies to alleviate economic and caregiving burdens. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Mi Keamcha Yisroel: The Distribution That Left the World in Awe

The magnitude of the operation is self-explanatory! The grandiose numbers of the largest distribution in the world have been revealed In an animation clip that we received and was sent out on Erev Yom Tov to the donors of the distribution, the astronomical numbers are revealed, presenting a breathtaking and powerful picture of “Olam Chessed Yibaneh” – the quantities of food and provisions distributed, the unprecedented number of appreciative recipients, and the sheer numbers of dedicated volunteers who implemented the distributions. Shavuos is almost upon us but it is never too late to catch a glimpse from up close of the phenomenal Pesach 5785 “Oneg Shabbos V’Yom Tov/Rechnitz family” Distribution facilitated by Rav Efraim Stern of Yerushalayim in conjunction with the world-renowned philanthropist RaV Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz of Los Angeles. Mi Keamcha Yisroel!!

Trump Meets ‘Too Late Powell’ After Months of Criticism Over Interest Rates

President Donald Trump met with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday and the two discussed the economy but not Powell’s outlook for interest rates, the Fed said. Powell told Trump that the central bank would make decisions about the short-term interest rate it controls “based solely on careful, objective, and non-political analysis.” The Fed’s rate typically influences borrowing costs across the economy, including for mortgages, car loans, and business borrowing. The meeting comes as Trump has assailed Powell for not reducing the Fed’s key interest rate, calling him “Too Late Powell.” The president initiated the meeting, the Fed said. Trump argues that there is “no inflation” and so Powell should cut rates, though such a move might not necessarily reduce the borrowing costs consumers face. Inflation is down substantially from a year ago, yet it remains above the Fed’s 2% target. Trump has also called Powell a “fool” and earlier this year suggested he would fire the Fed chair. After financial markets reacted negatively, Trump said he had “no intention” of removing Powell, whose term as chair ends in May 2026. The meeting is the first during Trump’s second term, though the two met and had lunch together in his first term. Fed chairs regularly meet with Treasury secretaries but less often with presidents, given that the Fed’s interest rate decisions are intended to be separate from political concerns. Earlier this month, Powell said he had never requested a meeting with a president and added, “I never will,” suggesting it was inappropriate given the Fed’s political independence. “I can’t imagine myself doing that,” Powell said at a press conference May 7. “It’s always—comes the other way: A President wants to meet with you.” (AP)

Favorability Freefall: Democrats Sink Further Behind GOP in Latest Poll

Republicans continue to outperform Democrats in favorability ratings among American voters, according to a new Economist/YouGov poll released this week — a trend that highlights growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party as key issues dominate headlines. The poll shows the GOP holding a net favorability rating of -11 percent, while Democrats trail by 10 points with a net rating of -21 percent. While both parties remain underwater, the gap underscores a persistent advantage for Republicans amid a volatile political climate. Among respondents, 41 percent expressed a favorable view of the Republican Party, while 52 percent held an unfavorable view. Democrats, by contrast, were viewed favorably by just 36 percent of Americans, with 57 percent expressing unfavorable opinions. The results mark a continuation of trends observed in recent polling. In late April, Republicans led Democrats by 8 points on favorability, with similar ratings: -11 percent for the GOP and -19 percent for Democrats. The consistency suggests the Republican Party has held steady in public perception while Democrats have struggled to regain ground. The poll also asked voters about their views of each party’s performance in Congress — revealing even starker divides. Congressional Republicans received a net favorability rating of -10 percent, while congressional Democrats fared considerably worse, with a net rating of -24 percent. Those figures are similar to data from a mid-May poll that showed Republicans in Congress with a -14 percent net rating, while Democrats scored -23 percent. Though both parties face skepticism from voters, Republicans have managed to stay comparatively ahead. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Entrepreneur Slams High-Tech Protests: “Your Empty Threats Drove Investors Away”

High-tech entrepreneur Nir Zuk, the founder and CTO of cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks, slammed the high-tech industry’s pre-October 7 protests against the government, saying that it was their empty threats about the “crushing of democracy” that drove investors away, rather than the actual political situation in Israel. Speaking on Tuesday at TheMarker conference in Haifa, Zuk said. “High-tech workers should shut their mouths. They enjoy the wealth that exists here. The high-tech workers’ protest is perceived as privileged by the people who don’t benefit from high-tech.” “At the beginning of the judicial revolution, there were people who went out to the world and said that it would be terrible, and that they should stop investing here,” he continued. “When you tell investors abroad that it will be bad, they stop investing.” “In reality, they were wrong, but this has led to the fact that it is difficult to recruit for any startup that is not cyber, not in fintech, health-tech, or defense-tech.” “There is a small group of people in the country who benefit from the economic boom in a disproportionate way. Israel is very rich. We are among the first in the world in terms of entrepreneurs and startups relative to the population. The reason is private education – those who have money send to private education and to the technological units, and it continues. Those who don’t have money don’t benefit from it.” Zuk also attributed the departure of high-tech workers abroad to the leftists’ baseless threats. “The departure is not related to taxes but to what is happening here,” he said. “The threat did not materialize. Yes, they left, not a lot. Senior high-tech workers left, including senior workers at Palo Alto Networks, who moved to work for us in Silicon Valley. My fear is that these are the people who will establish the next generation of startups abroad. I hope they will return here.” Many high-tech companies and individuals led and participated in the pre-October 7 protests against the government, even giving their employees days off from work on the condition that they participate in the protests. In July 2023, the Hi-Tech Protest movement, a left-wing organization comprised of business owners and hi-tech employees, spent $300,000 to run full-page ads against judicial reform on the covers of four Israeli newspapers. The lies and harsh rhetoric against the government’s “crushing of democracy” were so pervasive that high-tech employees who disagreed with the protest were forced to remain silent or face dismissal from their positions. In an ironic twist of fate, an Israeli company had $100 million in the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) when it collapsed in March 2023 because the CEO refused to transfer the company’s funds to an Israeli bank when SVB’s shares began to plummet due to his oppositon to the so-called “judicial coup.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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