Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump and former senior White House adviser, is reportedly set to have a significant, albeit unofficial, role in shaping U.S. Middle East policy during Trump’s second term. Despite not holding a formal position within the administration, Kushner’s established relationships in the region could make him a central figure in diplomatic efforts, according to a CNN report on Friday. Kushner’s deep ties to Gulf leaders and Israeli officials, cultivated during Trump’s first term, have positioned him as a trusted intermediary. A Middle Eastern diplomat told CNN, “No one on the incoming team has what Jared has, and that is trust. Jared earned it, he didn’t have it at the beginning. He earned it.

LONDON (AP) — A gold pocket watch given to the ship captain

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Karoline Leavitt, his campaign press secretary, to serve as his White House press secretary. Leavitt, 27, currently a spokesperson for Trump’s transition, would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. Previously that distinction went to Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he took the position in 1969 in Richard Nixon’s administration. “Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary,” Trump said in a statement. “Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator.

In recent weeks, hundreds of young men and yeshiva heads have been visiting the residence of the Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch to seek his counsel on the pressing issue of the military draft, which stands at the forefront of the public agenda.
In the footage below, the Rosh Yeshiva is seen advising a group of talmidim from the Zahav Mordechai Itri yeshiva who had received draft notices and came to seek the Rosh Yeshiva’s guidance on what they should do.
In the footage below, questions are presented before the Rosh Yeshiva.

The anticipated AirTrain project at Newark Liberty International Airport has exceeded its initial budget by $1.45 billion, bringing the total cost to $3.5 billion.
On Thursday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a significant funding increase of over 70% for the AirTrain EWR project. Originally budgeted at $2.05 billion, the project aims to replace the outdated train system that serves more than 30,000 daily passengers at the busy metropolitan airport.
The expanded budget accounts for inflation and setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as outlined in a statement from the agency. Additional factors, such as heightened risk contingencies for large-scale infrastructure endeavors and supply chain disruptions, have further inflated the costs.

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman Early Life and Family Legacy In the heart of Jerusalem, at 107 Rechov Uziel, lived a man whose very presence radiated the hadras panim (spiritual countenance) of a previous generation. Rav Moshe Shapira zt”l was a unique fusion of extraordinary breadth and depth in Torah knowledge, combined with an unwavering commitment to nurturing individual souls. His life exemplified how ancient wisdom could illuminate modern challenges while maintaining absolute clarity of vision despite the shifting winds of contemporary culture. Born in Tel Aviv in 1935 to Rav Meir Yitzchok Shapira, a great-nephew of the Alter of Kelm, young Moshe inherited a legacy of superhuman discipline and devotion to Torah. His father’s remarkable habit of rising precisely at 2 a.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tulsi Gabba

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz is currently consulting with senior defense officials to evaluate the situation regarding the hostages held by Hamas, according to his office.
Earlier today, the Shin Bet announced that its director, Ronen Bar, convened a joint session with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, who is overseeing the IDF’s efforts related to the hostages.
In a brief statement, the Shin Bet noted that the meeting was centered on “advancing the efforts to return the hostages.”
Channel 12 reported that Katz received a particularly somber briefing from these security leaders regarding the dire condition of the hostages, who have been in captivity for more than 400 days.