A remarkable milestone unfolded in Derbent, a historic city in the Islamic Russian republic of Dagestan, as a cornerstone was laid for a brand-new shul.
What set this moment apart was that the funding for the entire project came from a Muslim philanthropist.
Suleyman Kerimov, a billionaire and influential figure in the area, generously contributed a significant donation toward the creation of the Jewish complex, which will bear the name “Yerushalayim of Darbent.”
Kerimov explained that his motivation was to foster peace and mutual understanding between the religious communities in the region.

Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu shared details surrounding the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, while reiterating that Israel would only back a nuclear agreement that guarantees Iran never obtains nuclear arms.

Chinese manufacturers have been pushing forward in the electric vehicle sector, unveiling innovations like a battery that claims it can deliver a 320-mile charge in just five minutes. This week, KCBS Radio’s Holly Quan interviewed Bloomberg’s David Welch about this breakthrough and whether such technology might eventually reach the United States.
“They have a licensing deal with Ford in Michigan,” Welch said, referring to CATL, the China-based electric vehicle battery maker.
Despite the buzz surrounding the announcement at the Shanghai auto show, Welch pointed out that U.S. drivers shouldn’t expect to see these ultra-rapid charging batteries on American roads anytime soon.

President Trump declared that he plans to revive Columbus Day, promising to restore it to its former prominence in a passionate message shared on social media. In his post, he took direct aim at those who have criticized the holiday and the European explorer it celebrates.
“I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much. They tore down his Statues, and put up nothing but ‘WOKE,’ or even worse, nothing at all! Well, you’ll be happy to know, Christopher is going to make a major comeback.”

House Republicans are preparing a sweeping budget package that will allocate $68.8 billion toward border security efforts, including funding for new border and immigration agents as well as construction of the border wall.
The package details extensive spending initiatives aimed at strengthening the U.S. border — fulfilling one of President Trump’s major campaign promises — while also focusing on removing millions of illegal migrants who were permitted entry under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court today in response to petitions surrounding the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet, claiming that Ronen Bar’s remarks about having issued a war warning were untrue. Netanyahu referred to the intelligence breakdown that preceded the October 7th massacre as “the greatest failure in the history of the State of Israel.”

As previously reported by Chaim V’Chessed, a significant travel update took effect at the start of 2025: all travelers to Israel are now required to complete an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. Without an approved ETA, airlines will not permit passengers to board flights to Israel—with the exception of Israeli passport holders. Even Israeli citizens need an ETA – if traveling on a foreign passport.

Preparations for the upcoming Lag BaOmer celebration in Meron have reached a new milestone, as the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Jewish Tradition has completed the paving of “Derech Hillel,” a new exit path behind the Tziyon of Rav Shimon bar Yochai.
The new route, which includes stairways and safety railings, is designed to ease crowd flow and reduce congestion at the sacred site.

Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, who was hospitalized on Thursday, was released this morning from Maayanei Hayeshua Medical Center and has returned to his residence on the Slabodka Yeshiva campus in Bnei Brak.
The Rosh Yeshiva had been admitted on Thursday morning and underwent surgery to repair a fractured hip.
He then remained at the hospital for Shabbos.
According to those close to him, Rav Landau continues to gain strength and is steadily recovering. He has resumed his daily learning schedule, and, with Hashem’s help, is expected to begin receiving visitors again in the coming days.
All are asked to daven for Rav Efraim Dov ben Devorah.
{Matzav.com Israel}

A fierce wildfire broke out Sunday in the Nachal Prat area, near the community of Nofei Prat in the Binyamin region, prompting an urgent rescue operation for dozens of hikers trapped by the flames.
Firefighters from the Yehuda and Shomron District, supported by four firefighting planes and an aerial rescue unit, have been working intensively to evacuate the hikers who found themselves stranded due to the sudden blaze.
According to a statement from Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority, as of this time, the fire has been largely contained. There is currently no immediate danger to either the hikers or local residents. Approximately 100 hikers are still in the area, divided into three groups, all of whom are situated in safe zones.