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A Timeless Epic Proving That True Heroes Fight for Others, Not for Glory

Netanyahu Seeks Fresh Mandate Amid Security Challenges, Domestic Divisions and Uncertain Polling

Rebecca Weston CB FREng leaves the NDA group at the end of July for a new chapter

Over a quarter of a billion-pound investment to increase policing in Jewish communities after a spate of violent attacks

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Liz Kendall's speech to London Tech Week on Tuesday 9 June Liz Kendall I want to talk about a great British success story. It’s a story of British talent, British ingenuity, British enterprise, and ambition. A story with one central theme: that this country is uniquely placed to thrive and prosper in the age of AI, to seize the incredible opportunities, and face the challenges that this powerful technology brings. And today,...

New York Dispatch Heir Challenges Sale of Long-Lost Klimt, Alleging Shoah-Era Theft Was Concealed A legal battle has erupted over a Gustav Klimt masterpiece valued at approximately $100 million, with the last known blood descendant of the family that originally owned the painting accusing a Vienna auction house of disguising the work's identity in order to sell it rather than return it to its rightful heirs. Patricia Leahy, an American descendant of the prominent Austrian Jewish Lieser...

Government announces over £20 million of taxpayers' money to improve prostate cancer research and treatment, including improving access to a major trial for Black men Major Expansion of Research and Treatment for Prostate Cancer More Black men to be invited to join major prostate trial to help find best screening strategy for cancer and tackle inequalities Over £20 million of taxpayers' money to improve prostate cancer research and treatment, including improving access to TRANSFORM trial for...

Bureau of African Affairs Thank you Ambassador Gaspar for organizing today’s forum. As you all know, this will be my last engagement as Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of African Affairs. As I conclude my tenure, I want to begin with appreciation for the professionalism and partnership of this diplomatic corps. Over this period, we have worked through a necessary shift away from inherited frameworks that too often viewed Africa through a development only lens, and toward a clearer, more...

NHS Modernisation Bill will introduce the single patient record, resulting in safer, more co-ordinated care for patients 20,000 Fewer A&E Visits a Year Thanks to Single Patient Record Single patient record will mean people don’t have to repeat their medical history to different NHS staff unnecessarily NHS Modernisation Bill will introduce reforms to support patients and ease burden on hospitals Expected to save NHS more than £20million a year by reducing medication errors, adverse drug...

A nation cannot claim to welcome Jews while criminalising one of the oldest and most fundamental commandments of Judaism

Norway Constitution Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate His Majesty King Harald V and the people of the Kingdom of Norway on the occasion of your Constitution Day. The ties between the people of our two countries span generations of shared history, laying the foundation for the strong bilateral relationship we enjoy today. As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, we recognize the significant contributions Norwegian-Americans have made to...

Partnership will put the UK at the forefront of next generation self-driving technology Government and Wayve Sign Partnership to Accelerate Britain’s Self Driving Future New agreement strengthens UK leadership in automated vehicles. Partnership focuses on shared research to bring forward responsible deployment of self‑driving cars. Deal backs innovative UK scale‑ups and helps make Britain the best place to grow a business. A partnership that will put the UK at the forefront of next...

Kate Gibson named as new Deputy Chair; Rachel Danemann confirmed as new member; and Professor Lynn Dicks reappointed Updates to the Board of Natural England Two new appointments and one reappointment have been made to the Board of Natural England. Kate Gibson and Rachel Danemann have been newly appointed to the Board for three-year terms, both of which commenced on 1 May 2026 and will run until 30 April 2029. Kate will serve as Deputy Chair for the duration of her term. Her appointment comes...

OfficialWire Confirms Return as Part of the WireNews Media Platform

Poland National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Poland on your Constitution Day. Poland’s 1791 constitution, the first modern constitution in Europe, stands as a testament to your nation’s enduring commitment to democracy, liberty, and national sovereignty. Polish defenders of liberty have been a part of America’s story from the beginning, and we continue to be united by our shared commitment to freedom and prosperity. The United States deeply...

South Africa Freedom Day On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm greetings to the people of South Africa as you commemorate Freedom Day. Over three decades since South Africa’s democratic transition, this occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s history and future. As we look ahead, we remain open to constructive engagement where our interests align.

by Ram ben Ze’ev The Cost of Living Is Not the Cost of Fuel — It Is the Cost of the State People are in the streets of London protesting the cost of fuel, and they are right to be angry—but they are aiming at the symptom, not the cause. The narrative being pushed is familiar: global instability, tensions in the Middle East, supply pressures. These are convenient explanations. They shift blame outward. But the uncomfortable truth is far closer to home. The underlying cost of fuel itself is...

Spiritual growth and holiness are not automatic and there is no quick-fix for them, rather they are achieved through tenacity and prayer (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Painting by Raphael Perez (Flickr)—not connected to the dvar Torah, but a beautiful work nonetheless It states in Parashat Kedoshim, “You shall be holy, since I am Hashem...

New agreement between the UK and France to step up patrols and intelligence operations in France to reduce illegal crossings Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez The United Kingdom and France today signed an agreement to strengthen operations to combat illegal migration in northern France to prevent crossings to the United Kingdom with a significant increase in dedicated human, technological and intelligence resources. Since the 2024 UK election,...

by Ram ben Ze’ev The Price of Misalignment: Memory, War, and the Illusion of Strength Today, Israel stands still. At the sound of the siren, the nation pauses in collective remembrance for those who were killed—soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces whose lives ended in battle. The numbers are heavy: 25,644 since 1860, leaving behind tens of thousands of bereaved families. Yet numbers, as vast as they are, do not capture truth. Words do. We say “fallen soldiers,” as though they stumbled. But...

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Liz Kendall, spoke at Wayve, launching the Sovereign AI Fund on Thursday 16 April 2026 The Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP It is wonderful to be here tonight to launch Sovereign AI. I want to start by thanking Alex and the team at Wayve for putting on a such a fantastic event – and for being such a fantastic British company. You are the global leader in embodied AI for autonomous driving. Supported by Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis. And...

Northern Ireland community and voluntary organisations will be able to bid for an additional £1.5 million in grant funding Connect Fund to Award Additional £1.5 Million to Community and Voluntary Groups Connect Fund extended for an additional two years, with £1.5 million new funding to be awarded in 2027-2029. It comes as 22 applicants are awarded funding from the second round for 2026/27. Minister visits group supporting art access for older people and those with dementia. Northern Ireland...

Director presents roadmap for organisation at first public event Graham McNulty, QPM The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today publishes its Business Plan for 2026-27, setting out how it will invest in intelligence and technology, and strengthen its international partnerships to fight complex fraud, bribery and corruption. Marking the midway point of the SFO’s five-year strategy, the plan builds on a year of significant progress, including deepened international partnerships, updated corporate...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Torah Loses Its Weight: The Lesson of Rabbi Akiva’s Students There are moments in our history that are not merely tragedies, but warnings—clear, enduring, and uncomfortable. The death of the תלמידים (talmidim – students) of Rabbi Akiva during the days of ספירת העומר (Sefirat HaOmer – counting of the Omer) is one of them. We mark it with restraint, with the absence of celebration, with customs of mourning. But if we leave it there, we have misunderstood it. The Torah...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Rabbi Yissachar Shlomo Teichtal זצ״ל There are moments in Jewish history when a voice emerges that cannot be ignored. Not because it is new, but because it reveals what was always present in the Torah yet left unheeded . Rabbi Yissachar Shlomo Teichtal זצ״ל was such a voice—a Rav who did not merely teach, but who transformed his own understanding in the face of reality, and in doing so, called כלל ישראל (Klal Yisrael – the collective of Israel) to account. Rabbi Teichtal was...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Shoah, Nissan, and the Memory the Nations Impose There are moments in the life of our people when silence is appropriate, and there are moments when it is necessary to speak with clarity. I was not going to write on the day itself, because the day—יום הזכרון לשואה ולגבורה (Yom HaZikaron LaShoah VeLaGevurah – Day of Remembrance for the Shoah and the Heroism)—deserves dignity, not distraction. But there are times when remaining silent serves no purpose, and this is one of them....

by Ram ben Ze’ev The Lamb, The Stars, and the Illusion of Power The Torah in שמות (Shemot) commands something extraordinary on the eve of redemption: each household was to take a lamb on the tenth of Nissan, keep it for several days, and then slaughter it on the fourteenth, placing its blood upon the doorposts. This was not a quiet act. It was deliberate, visible, and defiant. To understand this moment, we must understand the world in which it occurred. Egypt was not merely a political...

U.S. Department of State Announces Reforms to the U.S. Foreign Service Today the U.S. Department of State announces a series of reforms to the United States Foreign Service to ensure that America’s diplomats are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century and effectively advocate for our national interests across the globe. These modernization reforms impact both the selection and orientation processes for the Foreign Service. Applicants will be tested on American history, foreign...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Shabbat HaGadol: The Shabbat of Greatness Before Redemption This Shabbat is known as שבת הגדול (Shabbat HaGadol – the Great Shabbat), the final Shabbat before פסח (Pesach – the Festival of Redemption), and it carries a weight and significance far beyond its name. For me, it also carries something deeply personal, as I was born on this very Shabbat—linking my own beginning, in some small way, to this moment of preparation before redemption. The term “HaGadol” does not merely...

A man with a violent history who murdered his pregnant girlfriend after she refused to have an abortion has his sentence increased after the Solicitor General intervened Man Who Killed Pregnant Girlfriend Given Whole Life Order Shaine March, of Surrey Quays, London, had his sentence increased to a Whole Life Order after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The court heard that March and Alana Odysseos had been in a short...

Offenders posing a threat to national security to spend longer behind bars Longer Behind Bars for Espionage in National Security Boost Offenders posing a threat to national security to spend longer behind bars Those seeking to compromise UK’s national security on behalf of foreign powers to receive similar sentencing to terrorists Part of the government’s action to keep dangerous offenders locked up, cut reoffending and protect the public Dangerous criminals who pose a threat to the...

by Ram ben Ze’ev The United Nations and the Politics of Historical Guilt The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade to be the “gravest crime against humanity.” While the horrors of slavery are undeniable and no moral person today would defend such a practice, the resolution itself reveals more about the modern political agenda of the United Nations than it does about historical reality. Before the vote, the United States...

Tenants can now look out for new important information explaining their new rights coming on 1 May 2026 - including a ban on Section 21 'no-fault' evictions Landlords Now to Fulfil New Legal Duty for Renters’ Rights Act Millions of tenants across England will receive new vital information on the biggest changes to renting in history on 1 May 2026 Government has published a new official document explaining tenancy changes, which landlords and agents must give legally to their tenants by 31 May...

Bradford man obtained two of the three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans he applied for, with one refused Jailed Fraudster Ordered to Repay £120,000 in COVID Loans Taken in Wife’s Name Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans worth £150,000 using his wife’s name, receiving £100,000 his restaurant was not entitled to He filed false documents with Companies House to make an innocent woman appear to be the director of his company Ahmed was jailed for two years last year and subsequent...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When a Man Believes He Answers to No One A curious phenomenon of the modern age is the man who proudly declares that he believes in nothing higher than himself, and yet expects to be trusted with everything that matters most in life. I saw a profile description on a social media account for a Jewish man in Israel who tells the world that he is a husband and a father. These are not small titles. In the Torah understanding of life, they are among the most serious...

by Ram ben Ze'ev This War Was Chosen As a Jew, an American, and a fervent supporter of Israel, I write this without apology: I shed no tears for Iran. The regime in Tehran has spent decades threatening Israel, funding terror, and building a regional network dedicated to Jewish bloodshed. If Iran were to launch an unprovoked attack on Israel, I would support the destruction of its military capacity without hesitation. But that is not what this is. What I object to, strongly and without...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When a Nation Forgets Its Covenant Throughout our long history, the Jewish people have faced enemies in every generation. Empires have risen against us, armies have marched against us, and rulers have sought to erase us from the earth. Yet the Torah teaches something that history repeatedly confirms: our greatest danger has never been the nations alone, but what happens when we forget who we are . From the beginning, the Jewish people were not created simply as another...

Mayside Books Publishes New Edition of Machiavelli’s 'The Prince' Mayside Books, an imprint of WireNews Limited, has announced the publication of a new edition of Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince , featuring an introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev. First written in the early sixteenth century, The Prince remains one of the most influential works of political thought ever produced. In this concise and uncompromising treatise, Machiavelli examines the realities of power—how it is gained, how it is...

by Ram ben Ze’ev When Power Forgets Torah Torah does not teach weakness. It does not demand that Jews stand idle while enemies seek their destruction. On the contrary, Jewish law recognises the obligation of self-defence. When a person comes to kill you, the principle is clear: rise and stop him first. Throughout history the Jewish people have fought when necessary, and when survival required strength. Our tradition teaches: הבא להרגך השכם להרגו — “If someone comes to kill you, rise early and...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Convenience of Forgetting History does not whisper. It records. Every generation eventually discovers that the previous one was not told the whole truth. Files are unsealed. Minutes are published. Private memoranda become public record. What was once described as “necessary,” “urgent,” or “for the greater good” is revealed, years later, to have been partial, selective, or simply untrue . Legislation was sold as protection but concealed its cost. Spending was justified as...

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Tonga on announcing our cooperation to advance marine scientific research Joint Statement on U.S.-Tonga Cooperation to Advance Marine Scientific Research Begin Text: The Governments of the United States of America and the Kingdom of Tonga are pleased to announce our cooperation to advance marine scientific research for the responsible exploration of seabed mineral resources. The United...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Obligation to Read the Megillah: Night and Day When the month of אדר (Adar – joy-filled month) arrives, our service of G-D reaches its crescendo in the reading of the מגילה (Megillah – Scroll of Esther). This is not a custom, nor a sentimental commemoration. It is a binding obligation upon every member of כלל ישראל (Klal Yisrael – the Jewish nation): men and women alike must hear the Megillah twice — once at night and once again by day. The source of this dual reading is...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Marc Chagall painted the original gouache/oil painting Lot's Daughters (also known as Loth et ses filles) around 1931 in France The account in בראשית (Bereshit) 19:26–38 is not written to shock us. It is written to warn us. Lot was not saved because he was righteous. The Torah states clearly that אלקים (Elokim – G-D as Judge) remembered Avraham and removed Lot from the upheaval. His rescue was in the merit of Avraham. That detail is not incidental; it is central. Lot lived in...

2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial Today the United States, together with our partners and allies, has set out to reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, hosted representatives of 54 countries and the European Commission, including 43 foreign and...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Jews Are Told to Be Quiet There is a familiar tactic that surfaces whenever Jews speak plainly in the language of Torah: the warning. It is often dressed up as concern, civility, or social responsibility, but its meaning is unmistakable. If you say this out loud, people will hate you more. This is not a defence of Jews. It is an attempt to manage Jews. When a non-Jew responds to a Torah-based statement by suggesting that Jewish clarity might “lead to antisemitism,” the...

Nauru National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to the people of Nauru as you celebrate 58 years of independence. This day is an important commemoration of Nauru’s vibrant history and heritage. The United States is committed to strengthening our relationship with Nauru as we work together toward our shared goal of building a peaceful and prosperous Pacific. I wish all Nauruans a joyful celebration of your national day.

by Ram ben Ze’ev When a Yeshiva Forgets What It Is There are moments when silence becomes complicity. This is one of them. The recent appointment of a non-Jew, openly homosexual public figure as a Professor of Practice at Yeshiva University is not merely ill-judged. It is symptomatic of a deeper crisis: a Jewish institution no longer certain of what it is, whom it serves, or to whom it owes allegiance. A yeshiva is not a university with kosher branding. A yeshiva is a בית מדרש (Beit Midrash...

Blue Origin Announces Crew for New Shepard Mission NS-38, Slated for January 22 Blue Origin today announced the crew and launch date for New Shepard Mission NS-38. Liftoff from Launch Site One in West Texas is slated for Thursday, January 22. The launch window opens at 8:30 AM CST / 14:30 UTC. The crew includes Tim Drexler, Linda Edwards, Alain Fernandez, Alberto Gutiérrez, Jim Hendren, and Andrew Yaffe. To date, Blue Origin has flown 92 humans (86 individuals) above the Kármán line, the...

Tyron Nathan King As part of Shomrim Scotland ’s Watch and Report scheme, this follow-up alert is issued to synagogues and Jewish communal organisations throughout the United Kingdom, and around the world, with particular emphasis on Scotland. This notice relates to Tyron Nathan King , who has a documented history of threatening and abusive behaviour toward members of the Jewish community. In November 2025, Shomrim issued an alert following a series of incidents involving Mr King during his...

Record number of arrests and raids of illegal workers across the UK including 187 raids in Northern Ireland leading to 234 arrests Immigration Enforcement Raids at the Highest Level in UK History Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in UK history thanks to relentless activity by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams. Latest figures reveal the number of raids have soared by 77% in the UK since the government came into power, leading to an 83% rise in...

Withdrawal from Wasteful, Ineffective, or Harmful International Organizations Today, in furtherance of Executive Order 14199, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations identified as part of the Trump Administration’s review of wasteful, ineffective, and harmful international organizations. Review of additional international organizations pursuant to Executive Order 14199 remains ongoing. The Trump Administration has found these...

Government launches new plans to protect and improve the lives of our pets, farmed and wild animals Defra Announces Biggest Animal Welfare Reforms in a Generation The government will launch its Animal Welfare Strategy on Monday 22 December, setting out new plans to protect treasured pets and much-loved wildlife across the country.   These generational reforms will end the cruel practice of puppy farming, where breeding dogs are kept in appalling conditions, often overbred, and denied proper...

by Ram ben Ze’ev When Words Are Corrupted, Meaning Is Lost Language is not a cosmetic choice in Judaism. Language is the vessel of truth. The Torah does not merely describe reality; it creates it. G-D spoke, and the world came into being. When we alter the words, we alter the world they shape. Today, our message is in crisis, not because Jews have forgotten how to speak, but because we have grown careless about what we speak. Even within Jewish publishing houses, educational institutions,...

Qatar National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the State of Qatar and the Qatari people as they celebrate Qatar National Day. This day is an opportunity to honor Qatar’s rich history, its cultural heritage, and the achievements of its people. The United States values our strong and growing partnership with Qatar built on close security cooperation, robust economic ties, and a shared commitment to international peace and stability. We appreciate Qatar’s important...

Bhutan National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm wishes to the people of Bhutan as you commemorate your National Day on December 17. We recognize your country’s rich history and culture on this important occasion. The United States values its friendship with Bhutan and looks forward to strengthening the ties between our countries. I congratulate the Kingdom of Bhutan as it commemorates this special occasion and wish the people of Bhutan success and peace in the...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Establishes New Center to Strengthen Immigration Screening and Target Bad Actors Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the establishment of a specialized unit to strengthen the ability of America’s immigration system to screen out terrorists, criminal aliens, and other foreign nationals who pose potential threats to public safety or who have committed fraud or other crimes. Once fully operationalized, the USCIS Vetting Center,...

by Ram ben Ze’ev The Digital Trap: Why Bitcoin May Be the Greatest Financial Ambush of Our Time The world has been conditioned to view Bitcoin as a revolutionary force—an escape hatch from the dominance of the U.S. dollar, a decentralised answer to global inflation, and a hedge against political instability. Yet a growing body of evidence suggests that Bitcoin may be functioning not as liberation, but as the most sophisticated instrument ever designed for America to export its unsustainable...