by Rami ben Ze'ev The Hidden Wound and the Hidden Fire The discussion in Chullin 44 revolves around an animal that appears healthy from the outside but is discovered upon examination to possess a fatal internal defect. The lesson is obvious on the surface: appearances can deceive. Yet beneath the legal discussion lies a profound teaching about how we view ourselves and others. Human beings are often experts at judging what they can see and remarkably poor at understanding wha

Iran has announced that it has not yet made a final decision regarding a proposed agreement with the United States. This statement directly contradicts U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously suggested that a breakthrough was just days away. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated that discussions of a finalized deal or signing ceremony are premature. However, he did confirm that much of the negotiating text has been drafted. Mixed messages have aris

Philippines Independence Day On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of the Philippines as you celebrate your Independence Day on June 12. This year the Philippines and the United States commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations – a bond forged through the sacrifices of World War II and our shared purpose. The United States is unwavering in our ironclad mutual defense commitments as our two countries mark 75 years of the

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment: Dan Jarvis MBE MP as Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon John Healey MP and Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP have left the Government.

by Elisheva bas Chana Melaveh Malkah Everyone has at least one mitzvah that is special to them. My special mitzvah is Shabbos. There are so many aspects of Shabbos, but there is one that does not receive the attention it deserves. Melaveh Malkah, and the seudah that follows, is such a beautiful and meaningful tradition. We sit down to this special meal at a table set beautifully, with Shabbos candles and our polished silverware. Melaveh Malkah means "Escort the Queen." The Qu

Question: After an abortion, what happens to the soul of the unborn child? Should our concern be focused on the child’s soul, or are we asking the wrong question? RAMI: This is a question that occasionally arises when discussing abortion, particularly among people who believe that every human life is connected to a Divine purpose. From a Jewish perspective, it is understandable to wonder about the fate of the unborn child's נשמה (neshamah – soul). If every soul comes from G

Joint Statement on the June 2026 U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Japan on the occasion of the U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue. Begin text: Japan hosted the United States for an Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo from June 8-9, 2026. The Department of State and Department of War co-chaired for the United States,

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

Portugal National Day On behalf of the American people, I send warm congratulations to Portugal as you celebrate the Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities. As the United States prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence next month, we recognize Portugal as one of our earliest and most steadfast partners. Your support during our nation’s founding forged a friendship that has only deepened with time. This year marks notable progress in our bilateral rel