Palestinians react to a fire following an Israeli strike on a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)For the past 23 years, YWN’s team of seasoned reporters and veteran editors have broken tens of thousands of news stories. Now, you can follow along in real-time as we bring you the latest updates from across the globe.
1:52 pm
BREAKING: Israeli Strike Targets Senior Hamas Leader in Gaza City; Death Not Yet Confirmed
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City targeted senior Hamas leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad a short while ago, with the strike hitting a residential building in the city’s Rimal neighborhood. A senior Israeli security official says there are initial indications Haddad may have been killed in the attack, though no official confirmation has been announced.
1:52 pm
DOJ Seeks Death Penalty for Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staffers
The Justice Department announced it will pursue the death penalty against Elias Rodriguez, who is charged in the fatal shooting of Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum.
• Prosecutors say Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” and later told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” according to court documents.
• Court filings describe the attack as planned, alleging Rodriguez traveled from Chicago with a handgun and targeted an event for young Jewish professionals.
• Prosecutors say Rodriguez acted out of political, ideological, national and religious hatred. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 30.
1:50 pm
🚨BREAKING: U.S. Charges Iran-Linked Militia Commander Over Alleged Plot to Target Jewish Sites in U.S.
Federal authorities charged Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, accusing the Iran-backed militia commander of plotting attacks targeting Jewish sites in the United States, including a synagogue in New York City.
• Prosecutors say Al-Saadi is a commander in Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and accuse him of planning attacks in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
• Court documents allege he planned to kill Americans and Jews in New York and Los Angeles and was involved in planning or coordinating at least 18 attacks in Europe and additional attacks in Canada since late February.
• Authorities say Al-Saadi worked closely with former Iranian Quds Force commander Qassim Suleimani and Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both killed in the 2020 U.S. strike near Baghdad airport.
1:50 pm
Mike Johnson: Operation Epic Fury Has Ended, Focus Shifts to Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Mike Johnson: The president has declared Operation Epic Fury to have concluded, and now we’re working on the next project, which is getting the Strait of Hormuz open. We don’t expect that to be a warfare activity, so to speak. So we’ve got to allow the administration time to negotiate these things. I don’t think Congress needs to get in the way of the administration.
11:59 am
Coast Guard Seizes Over 6,000 Pounds of Cocaine Worth $45.8M Off Colombia Coast
U.S. Coast Guard crews aboard the CGC Tahoma seized nearly 6,085 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $45.8 million after intercepting three vessels off the coast of Colombia.
11:57 am
Rep. Steve Cohen Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election After 19 Years in Congress
BREAKING: Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election, ending his congressional career after 19 years in office.
Cohen said he signed paperwork requesting not to be included on the ballot in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, arguing the district drawn under “new lines” is “nothing like the 9th district that I’ve represented.”
11:56 am
Texas Supreme Court Rejects Effort to Remove Democrats Who Fled Over Redistricting Vote
The Texas Supreme Court rejected an effort to remove Democratic lawmakers who fled the state in 2025 to block a vote on congressional redistricting maps backed by President Trump.
More than 50 Texas Democrats had left for New York, Illinois and Massachusetts to deny lawmakers a quorum, but the court ruled the dispute had effectively resolved itself after lawmakers returned and the maps were eventually signed into law.
11:04 am
Lipa Schmeltzer Releases Song Thanking Trump for Support of Shabbos Observance
Lipa Schmeltzer released a song thanking President Trump for his support of keeping Shabbos this week observance and his friendship toward the Jewish people.
Lipa posted on X:
“Thank you POTUS for the love and support you continue to show the Jewish people. As we celebrate 250 years of American freedom, and with President Trump encouraging greater Shabbos observance nationwide, I wanted to do my part to express our appreciation.”
11:02 am
Dr. Oz Claims Organized Fraud Efforts in Medicaid and Medicare Systems
Dr. Oz: Go to Flushing, Queens, and see what happens. You can’t walk through the streets without people telling you, You know, you should probably leave now. These are organized, very well-oiled efforts to suck money out of the Medicaid and Medicare systems.
11:01 am
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Rocket Launcher in Southern Lebanon After Kiryat Shmona Attack
Overnight, the IDF struck and dismantled the launcher in southern Lebanon used by Hezbollah to fire several rockets toward the Kiryat Shmona area yesterday. The launcher was located in the Zebdin area, while additional Hezbollah structures used for terror activity and attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops were also targeted.
10:53 am
Herzog Cancels New York Trip, Office Denies Report Linking Move to Netanyahu Pardon Pressure
Israeli President Isaac Herzog canceled a planned trip to New York next week, officially citing his heavy travel schedule and the broader regional situation.
• However, a report claims the real reason was concern that President Trump could pressure Herzog to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
• Herzog had been expected to attend the annual Jewish Theological Seminary gala, where he was set to receive an award.
• Herzog’s office strongly denied the claim, calling it “fake news” and insisting the cancellation was unrelated to Netanyahu’s legal situation.
10:52 am
IDF Chief Eyal Zamir Secretly Visited UAE During War Amid Rising Regional Tensions
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the war, leading a security delegation and holding meetings in the Gulf state.
• Zamir becomes the latest senior Israeli official reported to have visited the UAE during the conflict, following trips by Prime Minister Netanyahu (which the UAE denies) Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief David Zini.
• Separately, the UAE announced it will accelerate work on its West-East oil pipeline project, a route designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and preserve exports amid regional tensions.
10:51 am
Trump Clashes With Reporter Over Iran, Calls Strike a “Total Military Victory”
President Trump clashed with a reporter aboard Air Force One over U.S. military action in Iran, declaring it a “total military victory” and accusing the media of reporting it incorrectly.
10:50 am
Trump Says He Has Spoken With Kim Jong Un, Declines Details
President Trump says he has been in contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but declined to discuss the conversations, telling reporters: “Doesn’t matter. I don’t tell you about that.”
10:49 am
BDE: Mrs. Rivkah Oppenheim A”H of Flatbush Passes Away at 48
BDE: Flatbush Scoop regrets to inform you of the Petira of Mrs. Rivkah Oppenheim A”H of Flatbush, wife of longtime Flathush Hatzolah member R’ Paltiel Oppenheim. She was 48.
The Levaya will take place today (Friday) at 1:00 PM at Shomrei Hadas.
The kevurah will take place in Deans, NJ.
9:20 am
BREAKING: FBI Announces $200K Reward for Former U.S. Agent Accused of Spying for Iran
The FBI is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the capture and prosecution of Monica Witt, a former U.S. service member and counterintelligence agent accused of spying for Iran.
Authorities say Witt knowingly shared sensitive information that endangered U.S. personnel and their families overseas, and helped the Iranian regime identify and target her former colleagues in the U.S. government.
9:19 am
Trump Leaves China After Two-Day Trip, Praises “Fantastic” Trade Deals
President Trump departed China after a two-day trip, touting what he called “fantastic” trade deals.
9:18 am
HY’D: Staff Sgt. Negev Dagan Killed in Hezbollah Mortar Attack in Southern Lebanon
HY’D: An IDF soldier killed by Hezbollah mortar fire in southern Lebanon overnight has been identified as Staff Sgt. Negev Dagan, 20, of the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, from the southern community of Dekel.
The IDF says Dagan was killed during operational activity after Hezbollah launched mortar fire toward forces operating in southern Lebanon.
9:20 pm
HEARTBREAKING CAMPAIGN: A Kallah is approaching the most important day of her life with a shattered heart.
While other Kallahs prepare with joy, she spends her days beside her father’s hospital bed as he battles a terminal illness.* Her exhausted mother is drowning under the burden of raising 9 children alone, with no emotional or financial strength left. *This young kallah has almost nothing to begin her married life.* Please open your heart and help this Kallah.
DONATE HERE: https://thechesedfund.com/kupahsheltzedaka/a-kallah-crying-before-her-chuppah?aff=12g
9:17 pm
CNN’s John Berman Presses Rep. Alford on Gas Prices and Strait of Hormuz Shipping Disruptions
CNN’s John Berman pressed Rep. Mark Alford on rising gas prices and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz after Alford claimed “we have control” of the strategic waterway.
When Berman asked why vessels still were not moving freely through the strait, Alford responded that “there are still safety issues.”