Tensions across the Middle East escalated sharply on Wednesday as international nuclear negotiations with Iran neared a critical juncture, prompting a wave of military alerts, diplomatic repositioning, and growing fears of a regional conflict. The United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a rare advisory warning of “increasing regional tension,” urging commercial vessels transiting the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz to exercise extreme caution. The alert, while nonspecific, warned of potential military activity that could directly threaten merchant ships in the region’s vital shipping lanes.

In a development few anticipated, major philanthropists from the Litvishe community have joined the fundraising efforts of the Olam HaTorah campaign initiated by the Gerrer chassidus. The campaign, launched during the current visit of the Gerrer Rebbe to the United States, has rapidly gained momentum and expanded its reach far beyond the Gerrer circles.
The shift came into public view after the Gerrer Rebbe paid a condolence visit to the home of the late philanthropist Rav Avrohom Noach Klein z”l. The next stop on the Rebbe’s itinerary was the home of Rav Shmuel Dovid Shapiro, a well-known supporter of Torah who had recently pledged $1 million to the Gerrer fund.

Agudah’s Rabbi Avi Schnall gives an update on efforts to get a monumental, $5 billion national school choice tax credit bill past the Senate and signed into law.

BORO PARK: A Chanukas Habayis was held at the Gur Cheder on 12th Avenue and 63rd Street, with the Gerrer Rebbe Shlita in attendance.

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed earlier today that Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.

The House has just voted 213-207 to advance President Trump’s first round of $9.3B in DOGE cuts.

The US has now ordered all embassies in striking distance of Iran to convene emergency action committees & send cables back to DC about what measures they are taking to mitigate risks.

As Israel braces for a possible dramatic late-night Knesset vote on a bill to dissolve the government, tensions between key members of the coalition continue to escalate, with harsh accusations and private confrontations further unraveling the fragile alliance.
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein, a central figure in the ongoing political crisis, issued a stern warning to chareidi lawmakers earlier today: “Don’t come to me before you remove the threat of toppling the government.”

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — A heartbreaking tragedy struck the South

Stocks ended the day mostly lower on Wednesday, as mounting fears over instability in the Middle East unsettled investors. Meanwhile, inflation data came in softer than expected, easing concerns about rising prices due to U.S. tariffs, while market watchers waited for further clarity on U.S.-China trade negotiations.
Markets gave up earlier gains after reports emerged that the United States was preparing to partially evacuate its embassy in Iraq amid escalating regional threats. Earlier in the day, a top Iranian figure warned that if nuclear talks with Washington fail, U.S. military installations in the area could become targets.
Tech giants Amazon and Nvidia, which had seen notable recent surges, slipped and dragged down the S&P 500 as a result.

In a heartbreaking tragedy, the Yeshiva of South Fallsburg community is mourning the loss of a 19-month-old child who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. The child, Yaakov Yisroel Jurkansky, is an einikel of Hagaon Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, and a son of Reb Reuven Jurkanski. The incident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Estate Drive and Laurel Park Road in the Catskills. Catskills Hatzolah paramedics responded swiftly, doing everything in their power to save the young child’s life. Tragically, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the child was Niftar. Misaskim and Chesed Shel Emes are on the scene, ensuring proper kavod hames for the niftar.

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 460 laid-off employees at the nation’s top public health agency received notices Wednesda

A high-stakes meeting between chareidi representatives and the Knesset’s legal adviser, Sagit Afik, ended in a dramatic breakdown Wednesday evening, as negotiations over the proposed draft law failed to yield any agreement.
According to a participant in the meeting, the discussion reached a dead end. “We feel like there’s no one to talk to,” the source said. Former minister Ariel Atias, who has been spearheading the draft law talks on behalf of the chareidi parties, stormed out of the room in anger.

A string of recent cyberattacks and data breaches involving the systems of major retailers have started affecting shoppers. United Natural Foods, a wholesale distributor that supplies Whole Foods and other grocers, said this week that a breach of its systems was disrupting its ability to fulfill orders — leaving many stores without certain items. In the U.K., consumers could not order from the website of Marks & Spencer for more than six weeks — and found fewer in-store options after hackers targeted the British clothing, home goods and food retailer. A cyberattack on Co-op, a U.K. grocery chain, also led to empty shelves in some stores. Cyberattacks have been on the rise across industries.

During his court appearance on Wednesday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu informed the judges that he was feeling unwell. The trial session, which had just begun, was promptly cut short after only thirty minutes due to his condition.
Even so, Netanyahu was still expected to make his way to the Knesset later in the day to cast his vote opposing the opposition’s proposal to dissolve the parliament.
Two days earlier, during the third round of Netanyahu’s cross-examination at the Tel Aviv District Court, his attorney, Adv. Amit Hadad, asked for the hearing to wrap up early—specifically by 1:45 p.m.—citing what he referred to as “an important diplomatic call.”

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