The head of the United Nations’ atomic watchdog said Wednesday that “the jury is still out” on negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, but described the continuing negotiations a good sign. Rafael Mariano Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, described himself as being in near-daily conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as talking to Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Middle East envoy. Grossi acknowledged one of his deputies was in Tehran on Wednesday. Iranian officials identified the official as Massimo Aparo, the head of the IAEA’s safeguards arm.

The Trump administration is poised to unveil a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza and a possible long-term resolution to the conflict, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff revealed at a White House press conference Wednesday. But the announcement came alongside news of a parallel—and potentially explosive—development in U.S.-Iran diplomacy. “We are on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet,” said Witkoff, referencing ongoing talks involving Israel, Hamas intermediaries, and regional powers. The proposal is expected to lay the groundwork for both a temporary cessation of hostilities and a broader framework for peace.

On Tuesday, Sam Sutton officially took the oath of office in Albany, becoming the newest member of the New York State Senate. He now represents the 22nd Senate District, which includes parts of Brooklyn such as Boro Park, Midwood, Flatbush, and Marine Park. Sutton’s swearing-in comes just one week after he won a special election to replace former Senator Simcha Felder, who left the seat after being elected to the New York City Council. Sutton, a well-known figure in the Sephardic community and co-founder of the Sephardic Community Federation, secured a resounding victory in the May 20th election, earning approximately 67% of the vote. He defeated Republican candidate Nachman Caller and made history as one of the first Sephardic Jews to serve in the New York State Senate.

As anticipation builds for this year’s Adirei HaTorah Ma’amad, taking place Sunday, June 8th, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Klal Yisrael prepares to witness a powerful display of kavod haTorah and achdus. At the heart of the Ma’amad will be a monumental Siyum HaShas—not only completed multiple times by the dedicated yungeleit in Yeshiva, but now, for the first time, opened to the broader public. This year’s communal siyum is being held l’iluy nishmas two cherished talmidim of the Yeshiva who were nifter in the past few months.

Airline passengers in Turkey who unbuckle their seat belts, access overhead compartments, or occupy the aisle before their plane has fully stopped now face fines under new regulations issued by the country’s civil aviation authority. The updated rules, which aim to enhance safety and ensure a more orderly disembarkation, came into effect earlier this month. They were adopted following passenger complaints and flight inspections indicated a growing number of safety violations during taxiing after landing, according to the Turkish Directorate of Civil Aviation. It is not unusual in Turkey for passengers to stand up or move inside the cabin soon after the plane has landed, often leading to chaotic disembarkation.

What began as a routine graduation trip nearly ended in disaster when a bus carrying 47 children and three adults from Rhode Island to Bais Shaindel on River Avenue in Lakewood became the scene of a reckless and terrifying ordeal. Lakewood Alerts reported the arrest of Xiao Lei Lei Tian, 41, of Philadelphia, PA, who was charged early Wednesday morning with 47 counts of child endangerment and multiple motor vehicle violations following a harrowing high-speed incident on the Garden State Parkway. According to police, Tian—behind the wheel of a commercial passenger bus—was seen driving erratically at high speeds, swerving between lanes, and using a cell phone while operating the vehicle.

I24NEWS military analyst Tzvi Yechezkeli spoke about Operation Gideon’s Chariots in the Gaza Strip, which includes, among other things, the seizing of territory. “This plan sounds good on the face of it, but the rule that accompanies us in the Middle East is not what the plan is, but ‘how’ the plan is carried out. If the ‘how’ is carried out resolutely and intensively, because that is exactly what is needed right now, the plan will really be able to harm Hamas.” “There is nothing more powerful than seizing territory in a war against an enemy that uses the population as a human shield and underground to harm our soldiers. Seizing territory is definitely a strong step, and if they take control of 70% of the territory, it will definitely be dramatic and even historic.

The organizers of Daf Yomi have announced that the 14th Global Siyum HaShas will take place on Sunday, June 6, 2027, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Siyum, which marks the completion of the seven-and-a-half-year Daf Yomi cycle, will be a monumental celebration of the tens of thousands of Jews who have committed to daily learning of Talmud Bavli—early mornings, late nights, in hospital rooms, airport lounges, and everywhere in between. This moment belongs to them: the maggidei shiur who prepare each daf with precision, the learners who whisper a chazarah between meetings, and the countless wives and children who stood behind them with patience, sacrifice, and pride. It’s a tribute to every drop of sweat and every tear shed over a blatt Gemara.

A federal judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit that accuses billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency of illegally accessing government data systems, canceling government contracts and firing federal employees. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled Tuesday that 14 states can proceed with their claims against Musk and DOGE. The states, through their attorneys general, sued in February over the defendants’ alleged constitutional violations. The states had asked Chutkan to temporarily block DOGE from accessing any data systems or terminating any federal employees. But the judge denied that request on Feb. 18. She found that there were legitimate questions about Musk’s authority but said there weren’t grounds to justify a temporary restraining order.

Top officials at the European Union’s executive commission says they’re pushing hard for a trade deal with the Trump administration to avoid a 50% tariff on imported goods. Trump had threatened to impose the tariffs on June 1, but has pushed back the deadline to July 9, repeating an oft-used tactic in his trade war. European negotiators are contending with Trump’s ever-changing and unpredictable tariff threats, but “still, they have to come up with something to hopefully pacify him,” said Bruce Stokes, visiting senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Stokes also sees more at play than just a disagreement over trade deficits. Trump’s threats “are rooted in frustration with the EU that has little to do with trade,’’ Stokes said. “He doesn’t like the EU.