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What really interests a person and who stole the gold?

How wise women may be forces for good to influence their husbands to avoid strife and their downfall

The Deputy Prime Minister's address to the World Gold Council and London Bullion Market Association Summit

Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Poland and Portugal on the US-Iran peace deal Joint E4 Leaders’ Statement on the US-Iran Peace Deal

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,...

The Bet HaMikdash Below and the Bet HaMikdash Above - Harnessing our energy and composing ourselves when fulfilling the mitzvot (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) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series The Parashah states, “Speak to Aharon and say to him, when you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the Menorah”...

The 37th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre On June 4, the world marks 37 years since the Chinese Communist Party ordered its troops to attack thousands of peaceful demonstrators in and around Tiananmen Square. Chinese students, workers, and other civilians who lost their lives had gathered to exercise their natural rights and demand democratic reforms and accountability for corruption. We remember their lives and honor their legacy. No amount of censorship can erase the past. Those...

The Home Secretary gave an oral statement to the House of Commons on 2 June Oral Statement to Parliament: Home Secretary Response to Henry Nowak Case With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement about the murder of Henry Nowak. Last December, Henry – aged just 18 – was a first-year university student with his life ahead of him. He was kind, hard-working, loved by his family and friends. His murder – at the hands of Vickrum  Digwa – was a horrifying act. Digwa murdered Henry and then...

The government's landmark Social Housing Bill is returning to Parliament for its Second Reading today Domestic Abusers to Be Evicted Under New Landmark Housing Law Landlords get new powers to evict domestic abuse perpetrators from social homes Decades of new-build social housing sell-off stopped as Right to Buy rules overhauled and tightened Backed by the government’s £39bn investment in social and affordable housing - the biggest in a generation Abusers will be evicted from social homes...

G7 Digital Ministers have agreed a common approach to shielding children and young people from harm online for the first time G7 Agrees Joint Child Safety and AI Growth Framework Strongest-ever G7 collective commitments see partner nations commit to a shared approach to protecting children online Collaborative approach to promoting children’s online safety complements UK ambition to be the safest place in the world to be online Tool created to support small businesses in G7 to adopt AI at...

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

Trading Places! (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) Parashat Naso in the Diaspora The Parashah states, “The sacred offerings of each individual remain his own property. When they are given to the cohen, they become the [cohen’s] property” (Bamidbar 5:10). What does the Pasuk mean? Tosafot (Ta’anit 9a) quote the Chachamim from the Sifrei who...

Terrorist Designation of Comando Vermelho and Primeiro Comando da Capital Today, the U.S. Department of State is designating Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and intends to designate both groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), effective June 5, 2026.  CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil. Together, they command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks...

£30 million investment important step toward protecting 30% of England's land for nature by 2030 Wildlife Habitat in Most Cherished Landscapes Set to be Restored Precious wildlife habitat in our most important places for nature is set to be restored thanks to a new government fund, Nature Minister Mary Creagh announced today (Monday 25 May). The government will invest £30 million to restore and create wildlife-rich habitats across England’s most iconic landscapes from the wilds of Dartmoor...

U.S. Sanctioning Hizballah’s Enablers in Lebanon Today, the United States sanctioned nine individuals who enable Hizballah to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. By supporting the terrorist group, these individuals further the Iranian regime’s malicious agenda in Lebanon and actively obstruct the path to peace and recovery for the Lebanese people. Hizballah’s continued commitment to terrorism and refusal to disarm prevent the Government of Lebanon from delivering the peace, stability, and...

Waste carrier DTM Grab Hire Ltd has been told to pay out £16,664 after thousands of tonnes of waste were dumped on a floodplain Third Waste Carrier Convicted in Environment Agency Operation The Environment Agency has secured a third conviction in relation to a major illegal waste site in Kingsteighton, South Devon, where thousands of tonnes of waste were dumped on a floodplain. DTM Grab Hire Ltd has been ordered to pay £16,664 for its part in depositing the waste at the illegal site which was...

Government announces first 130 universities and colleges approved to offer new bite-sized courses, with applications opening this September Adults Locked Out of Learning to Access Education with New Reform Adults balancing responsibilities such as work and childcare will now have a new route into university and college thanks to radical reforms to create a new, more flexible student finance system. From September 2026, for the first time ever people will be able to access student finance for...

United States Completes Accelerated Mission to Remove Highly Enriched Uranium from Venezuela The United States, in partnership with Venezuela and the United Kingdom and with technical support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), successfully removed excess highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Venezuela’s shuttered RV-1 research reactor. The RV-1 was the country’s first and only nuclear reactor, originally built for peaceful scientific research and later repurposed for gamma-ray...

New fund aims to make fostering more accessible and support more people to become carers, as part of wider drive to create 10,000 new foster places £12.4 Million Boost to Modernise Foster Care Thousands more children and young people will benefit from stable, loving homes as the government launches a new £12.4 million Fostering Innovation Fund to make foster care more accessible and inclusive across England. The Fund will help fostering around modern lifestyles and household structures, by...

Six new commissioners appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission New Commissioners Appointed to EHRC Six new commissioners appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). New commissioners have a wealth of experience in promoting human rights and a fairer society. Appointments will support EHRC’s vital work to enforce equality laws and protect human rights across Great Britain. The Minister for Women and Equalities has appointed 6 new commissioners to the EHRC Board....

Announcing Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions on Associates of Illicit Fentanyl Traffickers Illicit fentanyl is killing too many Americans. Sanctioned online pharmacies like KS International Traders, based in India, have sold hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills laced with illicit fentanyl to unsuspecting victims across the United States, devastating families and communities nationwide. Today, the Department of State is announcing steps to impose visa restrictions on 13...

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...

New legislation to be announced in the King's Speech on Wednesday will give government the option to bring British Steel into public ownership New Legislation Gives Government Power to Bring British Steel into Public Ownership Government to introduce legislation which would give it the option to nationalise British Steel, subject to public interest test being met. Primary legislation would give Government a route to safeguard UK steelmaking capacity and avoid sudden halt of production at...

Katrina Fama image from MarkATLaw.com Businesses seeking trademark registration in the United States should proceed with caution when approached by aggressive online trademark lawyers promising “guaranteed” results. After filing trademark applications in the United States, it is common to receive large numbers of unsolicited emails from attorneys and trademark agencies claiming they can take over the application, resolve Office Actions, and secure registration of the mark. One of the firms...

New education missions launched to open doors for children in the most under-served communities New Missions to Transform Childhoods of Most Disadvantaged Thousands of children from England’s most under-served communities are set to benefit from targeted support that will transform their life chances through two pioneering new education programmes. Mission North East and Mission Coastal will bring expert support into classrooms and new opportunities beyond the school gates for children in...

The UK Government stands with the people of Solomon Islands following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila UK Provides Cyclone Support to Solomon Islands We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected and commend the leadership of the Solomon Islands Government, local authorities and communities for their swift response, alongside humanitarian partners. UK support is helping people recover, rebuild, and stay safe in four key areas: Supporting Children and Families to...

To what extent will you go to try to study Torah and more so Halachah? The determination of the Gaon of Brisk, Rav Yosef Dov Bear Soloveitchik z”l (1820-1892) to study by Rav Shlomo Kluger z”l (1785-1869) (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) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series It states in Parashat Bechukotai, “If you will...

Catastrophic engine failure and subsequent fire on board a site investigation vessel in the Firth of Forth, Scotland Kommandor Susan Report Published Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the catastrophic engine failure and subsequent fire on board the site investigation vessel Kommandor Susan in the Firth of Forth, Scotland on 25 January 2025. The report, available via this link, contains details of what happened and subsequent actions taken

U.S. Sanctions Tighten Grip on Iran-China Oil Trade The United States is taking decisive action to disrupt Iran’s oil trade, the primary revenue stream for the Iranian regime to fund terrorism and regional destabilization. Today, the Department of State sanctioned several entities, an individual, and a vessel involved in the trade of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. This action targeted Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., Ltd., a China-based petroleum terminal...

Diplomatic Security Service Investigation Exposes Counterfeit Passport Fraud Network, Leads to 10-Year Federal Sentence The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) uncovered a sophisticated, multi-state fraud scheme built on counterfeit U.S. passport cards and stolen identities, bringing two of its central figures to justice through a years-long investigation that culminated in significant federal prison sentences. On April 7, 2026, Ciera Julieth Blas, 32, of Brooklyn,...

Exploring why Am Yisrael as a whole and the Cohanim specifically, are expected to achieve high standards in their lives (HaRav HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, a grandson of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Emor This Shabbat we shall read the mitzvah that the Cohanim may not become ritually impure through contact with the dead (meaning, it is forbidden for a cohen to touch a cadaver, or remain in a...

Training tackles harmful assumptions about disability and ensures staff make practical, meaningful adjustments for the people they serve DWP Prioritises Disabled People: Thousands Complete Autism and Learning Disability Training Thousands of DWP healthcare professionals completed Oliver McGowan training to better support autistic people and those with learning disabilities as they navigate the benefits system. Marking Autism Awareness Month, the milestone forms part of the Government’s...

Incidents off Kent coastline and others inland – company released sewage into water weeks after getting record £90 million for almost 7,000 illegal discharges Southern Water Admits Sea Pollution Southern Water has pleaded guilty to a series of pollution incidents across north Kent, affecting the sea and inland waters. The Environment Agency charged the company with releasing untreated sewage, sewage debris, diesel and waste matter at various times between 2019 and 2021. Some of the...

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...

The Devon waste carrier was fined £1,466 and told to pay back the economic benefit he realised by his illegal activity of £12,300 Waste Carrier Fined After Depositing Tonnes at Illegal Site Devon waste carrier David Gorton has been told to pay £17,527 after he deposited waste at a site near Kingsteignton in Devon which was operating illegally. Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court heard that Gorton, aged 59, of Denbury Road, Newton Abbot, deposited 1,368 tonnes of soil and stone at the illegal...

Based on the words of Maran zt”l on Yom Ha’atzmaut, 5733 (1973) Israeli Independence Day (“Yom Ha’atzmaut”) The prophet Yeshaya states: “I greatly rejoice in Hashem, my whole being exults in my G-d; for He has clothed me in garments of triumph, wrapped me in a robe of victory, like a groom adorned with a turban, like a bride bedecked with her finery.” We must analyze this verse which likens the way the Jewish nation will one day rejoice in Hashem to the way a groom wears fine clothing a bride...

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...

The Severity of the Sin of Lashon Hara and the danger of being a journalist (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu 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) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series In the Parashah, our Holy Torah speaks at length about the leper. Our Chachamim in the Gemara (Erachin 17a) say, why does the leper deserve such a punishment? Due to the sin of...

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...

Thousands of new magistrates will be recruited and trained in under half the time it currently takes thanks to a new drive to bolster the ranks and deliver faster and fairer justice for victims Faster and Fairer Justice for Victims Thanks to Major Magistrate Recruitment Drive Taskforce first step towards modernising and speeding up recruitment process Record multi-million-pound investment to encourage public to become magistrates Part of the Government’s Plan for Change to deliver faster and...

The AA Driving School and BSM Driving School – both of which are owned by the AA – must refund more than 80,000 customers and pay a fine of £4.2 million CMA Orders the AA and BSM Driving Schools to Refund Learner Drivers Over Drip Pricing CMA orders more than £760,000 be repaid to customers – the first time it has used its new powers to secure money back for consumers The AA also fined £4.2 million after a mandatory £3 booking fee was not included in the upfront price – an illegal practice...

A new study will explore how AI can be used to transcribe court hearings and open the door to faster, cheaper access to court records for victims AI Court Transcripts to Boost Access to Justice for Victims New research to help deliver faster and cheaper AI court transcripts for victims Use of tech to tear down costly barriers to transparency Driving improvements to victims’ experience alongside the Victims and Courts Bill continuing its passage through Parliament A new study will pave the way...

Great British Energy – Nuclear signs a contract with Rolls‑Royce SMR to deliver the UK’s first SMRs Great British Energy - Nuclear and Rolls-Royce SMR Sign Contract Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE‑N) has signed a contract with Rolls‑Royce SMR, formally commencing technology design activities that will enable the delivery of the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of the Government’s clean energy mission. The UK’s first SMR project is estimated to support around 3,000 jobs at...

High-sugar and deep-fried food taken off the menu in new plans to overhaul school dinners amid health crisis facing children, helping to tackle obesity Government Scraps High-Sugar Food from School Menus Millions of children will benefit from healthier, more nutritious, tasty meals at school as the government today [Monday 13th April] sets out its plans to overhaul the School Food Standards for the first time in over a decade. One in three children are leaving primary school overweight or...

Environment Secretary approves additional £1m of taxpayer funding to explore the reintroduction of golden eagles, restoring hopes they will return to England Iconic Golden Eagles to Make Comeback in England One of Britain’s most iconic birds, the golden eagle, is poised to make a return to England after more than 150 years after the Government paved the way for a recovery programme that could include reintroduction. Once widespread across England and mentioned more than 40 times by...

Following an Environment Agency investigation, United Utilities pleaded guilty to introducing thousands of fish into Bessy Brook, near Bolton, without a permit United Utilities Guilty Plea to Action that Led to Fish Deaths United Utilities Water Limited pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to obtain a permit to release fish into inland waters. Consequently, it has been fined £60,000, plus a £2,000 victim surcharge and £24,098.06 in costs for the offence. The sentence marks a regulatory...

New Commercial Diplomacy Approach To Bolster Support for American Companies Today, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr met with U.S. private sector leaders in New York City to discuss the State Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S. commercial diplomacy. At an event hosted by the Manhattan Institute, Assistant Secretary Orr championed the recent launch of the Commercial Diplomacy Enterprise (CDE) as the latest example of the...

Strengthened UK-Japan trade arrangement slashes red tape for British organic exporters, cutting costs and bureaucracy UK Opens Door to Japan's £1.4 Billion Organic Market British organic food producers will see red tape slashed and the doors opened to one of Asia’s fastest-growing organic markets, Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced. Coming into effect today (Wednesday 1 April), the UK and Japan have formally recognised the equivalency of each other’s organic livestock...

Hundreds of thousands of sick or disabled people will be offered voluntary help towards employment as part of a package of measures coming into force today (6 April) that will encourage work and save taxpayers around £1 billion Thousands Supported into Work as Welfare System Reformed Incentives that discourage work and trap people on benefits to be removed via legislation coming into force today. Nearly £1 billion taxpayer money expected to be saved thanks to measures to narrow the gap...

Fatal accident involving a Hoffmann H36 Dimona, Darley Moor Airfield, Derbyshire, 8 April 2025 AAIB Report: Hoffmann H36 Dimona, G-CIMC The accident occurred on an introductory flight experience bought for the passenger by a family member. At very low level in the moments after takeoff, the aircraft was seen to start “wallowing” before it rolled rapidly right and fell to the ground in a steep nose-down attitude from approximately 100-150 ft agl. The impact forces were unsurvivable for both...

Strengthened UK-Japan trade arrangement slashes red tape for British organic exporters, cutting costs and bureaucracy UK Opens Door to Japan's £1.4 Billion Organic Market British organic food producers will see red tape slashed and the doors opened to one of Asia’s fastest-growing organic markets, Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced. Coming into effect today (Wednesday 1 April), the UK and Japan have formally recognised the equivalency of each other’s organic livestock...

The Midrash states (Midrash Rabba, Parashat Beshalach) that Pharaoh regretted having freed the Jewish people. Why was this so? From a Sermon of Maran zt”l for the Holiday of Pesach The Vines in Blossom Give off Fragrance We can use a parable to illustrate this point: Once, a man owned a field that, after a long period of time of not being maintained, fell into a state of disrepair and was no more than a mere pile of dirt and rubble. This man sold the field to another. The buyer invested time,...

Fund will support transport links so stalled housing and employment sites can go ahead Unlocking Stalled Housing and Employment Sites with £165 Million Road Fund new £165 million fund will unblock housing and employment sites across England, delivering the critical road infrastructure that developers need to get building the investment targets stalled developments across England where funding gaps have made progress difficult, with a deliberate focus on areas that have historically struggled...

Thousands of people with back, joint and muscle issues have been assessed quicker following a landmark initiative which aims to help people stay in, or move back into, work Support for Thousands with Musculoskeletal Conditions as Government Tackles Inactivity Government intervention leads to significant reduction of 20% in long waits NHS waiting lists for patients with muscle, bone and joint conditions. ‘Getting it Right First Time’ Programme aims include supporting people with MSK conditions...

The significance of Shabbat HaGadol – Preventing the “Final Solution” in Egypt (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) Parashat Tzav – Shabbat HaGadol Our Chachamim z”l said (Tur and Shulchan Aruch siman 430), that the Shabbat prior to Chag HaPesach is called “Shabbat HaGadol” – “The Great Shabbat”, in commemoration of the great miracle that...

Government answers parents’ calls for support on screen time with new evidence-backed guidance New Screen Time Guidance for Parents of Under-5s Parents of young children are facing a constant battle with screens. Now, for the first time, the government is stepping in with clear, trusted guidance to help families navigate it. Following weeks of engagement with over a thousand parents who called for clear support on how much screen time is too much, and how to build healthy habits, the...

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...

More than a million people including the elderly, unemployed, and people living in rural communities have benefited from the combined efforts of government, industry and charities to boost digital inclusion and help more people get online Over One Million Connected Through Government Digital Inclusion Plan First ever government Digital Inclusion Action Plan has already helped more than 1 million people get connected in its first year More than 22,000 devices donated so more people can access...

Over 300 schools to open or expand nurseries, creating thousands of places, targeting areas childcare gaps and helping families save up to £8,000 a year New School Nurseries to Help Cut Childcare Costs in Poorest Areas In the latest drive by the government to bear down on the cost of living, thousands more parents will save on childcare costs as the government expands childcare to over 300 more schools from September. School-based nurseries are already providing a lifeline for families....

Shiny Happy People – How Moshe Rabbenu’s humility led to his radiant complexion (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu 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) Parashat Vayikra Our Parashah opens with the Pasuk, “Hashem called to Moshe, speaking to him from the Communion Tent saying”” (Vayikra 1:1). In Parashat Ki Tissa it states, “Moshe came down from Mt. Sinai with the two Tablets of...

Entering a football match without a ticket will become a criminal offence this weekend, with offenders facing a banning order alongside up to £1,000 fine Tailgating Gets Red Card as New Law Takes Effect Football fans who try to enter grounds without a ticket will face lengthy banning orders and hefty fines under strict new laws that come into force this weekend. The government and authorities have teamed up as part of the clampdown on ‘tailgating’ – where supporters force their way through...

389 employers from across the UK named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers Hundreds of Employers Handed Penalties for Illegally Underpaying Workers Employers told to repay over £7.3 million in wages owed to workers to aid the cost of living for some of the lowest earners. Nearly 400 employers, including well-known brands, face consequences for failing to pay the minimum wage through £12.6 million in penalties. Around 60,000 workers found to have been...

Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in the Middle East will receive life‑saving assistance in response to worsening humanitarian situation UK Commits £15 Million for Vulnerable People Affected by Middle East Conflict Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in the Middle East will receive life-saving support, thanks to new funding announced today by the Foreign Secretary. In total, £15 million from the UK taxpayers will be allocated to organisations across the Middle...

by Ram ben Ze’ev You Cannot Legislate Hatred Out of the Human Heart A recent interview published yesterday between Tucker Carlson and Glenn Greenwald begins with a familiar complaint. Both men lament the growing number of laws being enacted in various countries—among them the United States and Australia—that seek to criminalise negative or derogatory speech about Israel or about Jews. The discussion is not surprising coming from Carlson. His public commentary over the past several years has...

New law now in effect strengthening protections for sheep, cows and other farm animals saving famers thousands of pounds each year New Law Comes into Force to Protect Farm Animals from Dog Attacks A new law comes into effect today (18 March) that will see farm animals in England and Wales get stronger protection from dog attacks. The maximum penalty for livestock worrying has increased. Livestock worrying, occurs when a dog you own or are in charge of chases, attacks, or causes distress to...

Alongside our ongoing diplomatic efforts, the UK is providing over £5 million in taxpayer funding to support thousands of displaced civilians across Lebanon UK Announces Emergency Humanitarian Response Taxpayer Funding for Lebanon UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced over £5 million in additional emergency humanitarian taxpayer funding to help thousands of vulnerable and displaced civilians across Lebanon to meet their basic needs. This will be delivered through partners including...

Thousands more vulnerable women trapped in a revolving door of crime will receive drug, employment and housing support as part of £31.6 million funding boost Major Funding Boost to Divert Women from a Life of Crime Almost £32m investment for women’s services to tackle root causes of reoffending Life‑changing support will help female offenders get their lives back on track Fewer women sent to prison as Women’s Justice Board publishes landmark report New government investment will...

Small aggravations gradually and accumulatively atone for our sins From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat, we shall read, “These are the accounts of the Mishkan (the Mishkan of Testimony), which were calculated by Moshe’s order by the Levi’im under Itamar, son of Aron the Cohen” (Shemot 38:21). Rashi, in his...

by Ram ben Ze'ev A Bridge Too Far: When Strategy Becomes Recklessness As a Jew and someone who places Israel first, I do not shed a tear over the destruction in Iran. The regime in Tehran has spent decades funding terror, threatening Israel with annihilation, and building a regional network of proxies dedicated to Jewish death. If Iran were to launch a direct attack on Israel, I would support the complete destruction of the regime and the dismantling of its military capacity 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...

A Person is Their Thoughts From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat we shall read, “When you take a census of the Bnei Yisrael to determine their number” (Shemot 30:12). Rabbenu the Orach Chaim HaKadosh a”h (Rav Chaim ibn Attar or Rav Chaim ben Moshe ibn Attar c. 1696-1743) explains in his commentary on the Torah...

The unity of Am Yisrael is an antidote to evil decrees (Based on the Ma’amar of HaRav HaGoan Rav David Shaltiel Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Tetzaveh - Shabbat Zachor It states in the Parashah, “You, [Moshe], must command Bnei Yisrael to bring you clear illuminating oil, made from hand crushed olives, to keep the lamp constantly burning. Aharon and his sons shall arrange for [the lamps to burn] from evening until morning in...

The SFO has secured its first recovery order against David Ames, who defrauded thousands through the Harlequin timeshare scheme SFO Set to Secure £280,000 from Convicted Fraudster David Ames The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has secured a £283,321 confiscation order against David Ames, who was convicted of defrauding thousands of victims through a Caribbean island timeshare fraud. This marks a step forward in the SFO’s ongoing asset recovery action against the former property developer and...

Flat owners, landlords, renters and businesses will be able to get grants of up to £500 per charge point Grant Boost to Cover Almost Half the Cost of Installing EV Chargers for Households and Businesses renters, landlords and businesses will be able to claim up to half the cost of installing an electric charger – saving them up to £500 as grants extended for a further final year increased charging grants mean installation costs for many drivers will be slashed, unlocking home charging for as...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Mazel Is Not Luck: A Call to Reject Modern Idolatry On 7 November 2024, I wrote about “ Mazel, Divine Flow, and Trust in HaShem .” It is necessary to return to that subject, because the confusion has not diminished. If anything, it has deepened. The phrase “Mazel Tov” is still casually translated as “Good luck,” as though Judaism endorses randomness, cosmic coincidence, or the mechanical alignment of stars. It does not. It never has. Mazel is not luck. Mazel is flow. The...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Alien Reading Tanakh Enroute to Earth An American news-cycle can turn a throwaway line into a “revelation” in under an hour, and the past few days have been a perfect case-study. Barack Obama made a remark that sounded like “confirmation”, President Trump reacted as though classified boundaries had been crossed, and then the story escalated into talk of releasing files. Before anyone asks what this means for Torah, it is worth saying plainly that none of this is a substitute...

It isn’t enough to study Torah and observe the mitzvot ourselves, we must also merit others (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu 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) Parashat Terumah It states in the Parashah, “[Separate **] your brother Aaron and his sons from amongst Yisrael [and] bring them close to you, to be Cohanim to Me” (Shemot 28:1). Meaning that Hashem said to Moshe,...

Children’s progress put first as government ends runaway independent special school fees Government Ends Runaway Independent Special School Fees Thousands more children with SEND will get the support that helps them achieve and thrive under new government action to end spiralling independent special school costs and reinvest funding where it makes the biggest difference to pupils’ life chances. It comes ahead of the Government’s schools white paper, which will be a golden opportunity to...

Welsh communities will benefit from high-skilled roles as a landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal boosts autonomous technology Wales Becomes UK Launchpad for Next Generation Autonomous Technology Welsh communities to benefit from high-skilled roles as landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal boosts autonomous defence technology. Welsh SMEs will gain greater direct access to secure defence contracts by removing barriers to working with the MOD. Work to establish a new Defence Technical...

Announcement of Additional Visa Restriction Targets for Individuals Involved in Inhibiting Iranians’ Rights to Freedom of Expression During Iran’s nationwide protests in December and January 2025, the Iranian regime has unleashed violence and repression against tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators. The regime imposed a near-total nationwide internet shutdown, unprecedented in scope and duration, that severely restricted independent documentation of abuses and cut Iranians off from the...

The £110 million taxpayer investment in the North Hykeham Relief Road will also mean faster journeys and less congestion for people across Lincoln and Lincolnshire 4,500 New Homes and Jobs in Lincolnshire Thanks to New Taxpayer-Backed Road major upgrade will transform travel, unlock new opportunities, and support growth across Lincolnshire backed by over £110 million in taxpayer investment, the new link road will ease congestion, improve journey times and make everyday travel smoother for...

Convicted takeaway boss ordered to pay back funds following Insolvency Service investigations Takeaway Owner Ordered To Repay £70,000 After Spending Tax Money On Apple And Burberry Goods Former takeaway owner Zhang Jin Chen has been ordered to pay more than £70,000 after withdrawing tens of thousands of pounds in cash and spending money on luxury items The 52-year-old sold his house in October 2020 and withdrew his share of the proceeds before applying for bankruptcy in July 2021 claiming he...

What is the connection between Shabbat Shekalim and a vaccine or antidote? From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Mishpatim - Parahsat Shekalim This Shabbat, Parashat Mishpatim, is also Shabbat Shekalim. We will take out 2 Sifrei Torah. In the first we will read the Parashah of the Week, Mishpatim, and in the second Parashat Shekalim, which appears in Parashat Ki...

13,000 apprenticeship and T Level opportunities created by government’s plan to transform school buildings Government Plans to Train Next Generation of Construction Workers Thousands more young people will be given the opportunity to train as bricklayers, plumbers and engineers as the government creates 13,000 apprenticeship and T Level placement opportunities as part of its plan to transform school buildings. As part of the upcoming education estates strategy, construction firms working on...

Government expands Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route Hong Kongers Offered New Lives as UK Expands Safe and Legal Routes Thousands more Hong Kongers will be able to build new lives in Britain as the government strengthens safe and legal routes to the UK. Adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China will now be eligible to apply for the route independently of their parents. Their partners and children...

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responds to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong today Foreign Secretary Responds to Jimmy Lai Sentencing Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: British National Jimmy Lai was today sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for exercising his right to freedom of expression, following a politically motivated prosecution. Beijing’s National Security Law was imposed on Hong Kong to silence China’s critics. For the 78-year-old, this is tantamount to a life...