The Trump administration is slapping sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court over the tribunal’s investigation into alleged war crimes by Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and in the West Bank. The State Department said Thursday that it would freeze any assets that the ICC judges, who come from Benin, Peru, Slovenia and Uganda, have in U.S. jurisdictions. The move is just the latest step that the administration has taken to punish the ICC and its officials for investigations undertaken against Israel and the United States. “As ICC judges, these four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

By any standard, summer camp is a serious financial undertaking. Between tuition, travel, supplies, tips, and extras, most parents are shelling out thousands of dollars for the privilege of giving their children a few weeks of fun, growth, and independence. And most of us accept that. We do it out of love, commitment, and the hope that our kids will thrive in a warm, structured environment. But now, the camp I signed my child up for this summer sent us a handbook, which informs me that I must use a system to send emails to my child — at a cost of $1.00 per email, with a minimum purchase of $10.00. This isn’t just unfair — it’s outrageous. In case you forgot, email is free. It’s free to send. It’s free to receive. It’s not some proprietary technology or specialized courier service.

In the shadow of the escalating crisis gripping the political system and mounting threats of Knesset dissolution, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel gathered today (Thursday) for an extraordinary, out-of-the-ordinary session. The urgent meeting took place at the vacation home of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe in Moshav Ora, where the Rebbe had recently returned after an extended period of medical treatment abroad. This marked the first gathering of the Chassidish Moetzes since 2023, though it was held with a notably incomplete roster. Absent were the prominent Admorim of Belz, Sanz, Slonim, and Vizhnitz Merkaz. Nevertheless, the session saw the participation of the Admorim of Ger, Vizhnitz, Boyan, Seret Vizhnitz, Biala (in his first appearance since his father’s petirah), and Modzitz.

Western nations are planning to table a resolution at a meeting of the U.N.’s nuclear agency that will find Iran in non-compliance with its so-called safeguards obligations for the first time in 20 years, a senior western diplomat said Thursday. The move comes at a sensitive time as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to reach a deal with Tehran to limit its nuclear program. The two sides have held several rounds of talks, so far without agreement. The draft resolution will be jointly tabled by France, the U.K. and Germany, known as the E3, together with the United States, the senior Western diplomat said. Consulting European allies In Washington, the State Department said the Trump administration was consulting with European allies about the next step.

Tens of thousands of right-wing supporters attended a rally protesting against the overreach of the Supreme Court and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Thursday. The protest was held outside the Supreme Court building in Jerusalem. Participants carried signs stating, among others, “A Jewish state wins over the Deep State” and “No to the rule of the Supreme Court!” and “The people are sovereign.” At one point, the crowd chanted again and again, “Gali will not decide!” referring to the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara.

Afghans who worked for the U.S. during its war against the Taliban urged President Donald Trump Thursday to exempt them from a travel ban that could lead to them being deported to Afghanistan, where they say they will face persecution. Their appeal came hours after Trump announced a U.S. entry ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. It affects thousands of Afghans who fled Taliban rule and had been approved for resettlement through a U.S. program assisting people at risk due to their work with the American government, media organizations, and humanitarian groups. But Trump suspended that program in January, leaving Afghans stranded in several locations, including Pakistan and Qatar.

A three-judge appeals panel rejected Apple’s request to pause an April 30 order banning the company from charging a fee on in-app iPhone transactions processed outside its once-exclusive payment system in a two-page decision issued late Thursday. The setback threatens to divert billions of dollars in revenue away from Apple while it tried to overturn the order reining in its commissions from e-commerce within iPhone apps. Apple sought to put the order on hold after it was issued by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers in a stinging rebuke that also held the Cupertino, California, company in civil contempt of court and recommended opening a criminal investigation into whether one of its executives had committed perjury while testifying in her Oakland, California, courtroom.

President Donald Trump is tapping an Air Force fighter pilot with extensive experience as a senior commander in the Middle East to be the next head of U.S. European Command. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, currently the director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would also take over as the supreme allied commander, Europe, if his nomination is confirmed by the Senate. NATO’s North Atlantic Council in a statement Thursday said it approved Grynkewich’s nomination as SACEUR. The U.S. military’s presence in Europe is under scrutiny, as the Trump administration eyes cuts in the force even as the region continues to grapple with Russia’s war on Ukraine and the wider effects of the Israel-Hamas war. U.S.

In Beitar, the Chasunah of the grandson of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe took place last night. The Choson is the youngest son of his eldest son, the Rav Aharon Kahn. The Rebbe stayed until 3:00 AM, unlike at other weddings of his grandchildren. PHOTOS FOR YWN BY SHUKI LERER

QUESTION:  Is butter considered a type of cheese? Must it be gevinas Yisroel? ANSWER: Butter is not subject to the rule of Gevinas Akum. The manufacture of cheese involves the coagulation of milk protein, called casein. Casein can be coagulated by using non-kosher enzymes derived from the stomach flesh of neveilah animals (animals which did not undergo kosher slaughter), which would render the finished product non-kosher. Therefore, Chazal decreed that special onsite supervision is necessary, to ensure that kosher enzymes are used (Avodah Zarah 35b, Shulchan Aruch – Yoreh Deah 115:2). Butter, however, is made by separating cream (fat) from milk and concentrating it into a solid through the churning process – not through coagulation.