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Economy·3m ago

PassportCard Expands Red Card Payments to Cut Travel Booking Costs by Up to 10%

PassportCard announced an expanded PAY service that lets customers pay for flights, hotels, car rentals and attractions in Israel and abroad, with savings of up to 10%. The rollout was unveiled in Tel Aviv and will start with PAY customers before reaching all clients. The company also promoted its Tax Free refunds and a new cancellation policy called PLAN B.

Kikar HaShabbat
General·5m ago

Minibus Partly Swallowed by Sinkhole in Central Bnei Brak

A passenger shuttle sank into a roughly two-meter-deep sinkhole on Haga Street in Bnei Brak on Tuesday around 2:00 p.m. The driver, Eliran, said he called the municipality and police but received no help, and no one was injured.

Kikar HaShabbat
Politics·6m ago

Brooklyn café refunds pro-Israel congressman and tells him not to return

A Brooklyn café refunded Congressman Dan Goldman for a $9.82 coffee and told him not to return after a pro-Israel dispute. Goldman said he bought the drink to thank a barista who let his daughter use the restroom. The incident drew backlash and comes as Goldman campaigns in New York’s 10th District primary.

Mako·+3 outlets · 50% center
Economy·6m ago

Biofouling, Not Just Sanctions, Is Delaying Oil Tankers in Hormuz

Hundreds of oil tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf by the Hormuz blockade have developed heavy marine growth on their hulls. The biofouling is raising fuel use, damaging machinery, and preventing ships from entering ports until they are professionally cleaned.

Now 14
Sports·9m ago

Brooklyn Faces Draft Crossroads That Could Affect Ben Saraf

Brooklyn holds the No. 6 pick in the NBA draft and is expected to target a point guard, a move that could affect Ben Saraf’s role. The Nets are also considering trades and may have a shot at Spanish center Adai Mara if they pass on a guard.

N12·+1 outlet · 100% center
Politics·10m ago

Senior Police Officer Threatens Legal Action Over Ben Gvir’s Refusal to Approve Promotion

Senior Police Superintendent Yitzhak Elfasi has threatened legal action against National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over a blocked promotion. Elfasi says he was professionally approved for spokesman of Police Intelligence and Investigations and Lahav 433, but Ben Gvir never finalized the appointment.

Now 14·+2 outlets · 67% right-leaning
Politics·17m ago

Israel Approves Major Shift of Public Transit Powers to Metro Cities

Israel’s Economic Committee approved a reform to create metropolitan public transit authorities in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, with Beersheba to follow later. The bill would transfer major transit powers from the Transportation Ministry to local councils and also repeal the parking law. Final Knesset approval is still needed, and some implementation details for Gush Dan remain unresolved.

Now 14·+2 outlets · 50% center
Economy·18m ago

New Survey Finds Israeli Industrial Workers Rarely Use Public Transit

A Manufacturers Association survey says Israeli industrial workers rarely reach factories by public transit. The report, based on 204 industrialists surveyed in May and June 2026, says the problem is especially severe in the North and South and is forcing many employers to fund private shuttles.

Globes
World·19m ago

Trump Says Iran Accepted Nuclear Inspections and Limited Use of Unfrozen Funds

Donald Trump said Iran agreed to nuclear inspections and to limit how unfrozen funds are used, despite Iranian denials. He also said the Strait of Hormuz will stay open and that U.S.-released money would go only to American food and medical purchases.

Behadrei Haredim·+1 outlet · 100% right-leaning
Health·21m ago

Abortions Requested by 853 Girls Under 19 in 2024, Statistics Office Says

In 2024, 853 girls under 19 in Israel requested abortions, about 6% of all cases, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. The report says overall requests continued a long decline, approvals remained near universal, and large gaps persisted by age, religion, marital status and origin.

Ynet·+1 outlet · 50% center
World·23m ago

Noa Argamani and Ziv Avud React to Montreal Shooting After Recent Visits to Canada

Noa Argamani said she had been in Canada shortly before the deadly Montreal shooting that killed two people, including a Jewish community member and a local police officer. Ziv Avud also condemned the atmosphere of antisemitism, while Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said he had warned Canada months earlier about escalating threats to Jews.

Now 14
Culture·26m ago

Dr. Hanna Katan Challenges the Stigma Around Late Marriage in the Haredi World

Dr. Hanna Katan and Haya Maman discussed late marriage among Haredi men and women on the debut of "Ketan Alaiha" on Kikar HaShabbat. They said the issue is widespread, spiritually meaningful, and requires less judgment, greater family sensitivity, and stronger hope. Maman urged women to visualize their future lives and stop postponing happiness until marriage.

Kikar HaShabbat
Economy·28m ago

U.S. backs Congo mines in bid to weaken China’s grip on critical minerals

The United States is backing Virtus Minerals to develop two major copper and cobalt mines in Congo, as part of an effort to challenge China’s control over critical minerals. The project is tied to the U.S.-supported Lobito Corridor and is the first American mineral-sector investment in Congo since Trump’s December 2025 agreement.

Kikar HaShabbat
Tech·30m ago

Google Invests $75 Million in A24 to Explore AI for Filmmaking

Google is investing $75 million in A24 as part of an AI research partnership focused on film production and distribution. The deal is Google’s first investment in a movie studio and comes as A24 expands after a 2024 round valuing it at $3.5 billion.

Calcalist
Politics·31m ago

Israel Takes Over Planning Powers in Hebron’s Jewish Areas

Israel has taken planning and construction powers in Hebron’s Jewish areas away from the Palestinian-run municipality and given them to the state. The article frames the decision by Israel Katz and Bezalel Smotrich as a practical challenge to the Oslo Accords and a step toward broader Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Now 14
General·31m ago

Activist breaks down in Knesset over slain youth’s mother sitting alone in court

At a Knesset committee hearing on youth violence Tuesday, an activist supporting the Zalka family cried while describing the bereaved mother’s isolation in court after the murder of Yemano, also known as Benjamin Zalka. She urged prosecutors to scrutinize the case and called it a wake-up call for Israel.

Kikar HaShabbat
Security·33m ago

American Pilot Describes Iran’s New Drone Swarm as a 'Minefield in the Sky'

An American pilot rescued from Iran said he saw advanced Iranian drones flying together in a “jellyfish formation.” The account, reported by CNN, raises concerns about a major Iranian drone upgrade, while the shootdown and rescue are still being investigated.

Now 14·+3 outlets · 75% center
Security·36m ago

First U.S. Step Toward a Middle East Drawdown as Iran Talks Continue

The 157th Air Refueling Wing of the New Hampshire Air National Guard has returned to the U.S. after months in the Middle East. Its withdrawal may indicate a limited American drawdown as U.S.-Iran talks continue over regional security and Iran’s nuclear program.

Behadrei Haredim
General·37m ago

‘Or HaChaim’ Seen as a Spiritual Shield, According to Article

An article portrays Rabbi Chaim ben Atar, the Or HaChaim, as a messianic figure whose teachings bring spiritual protection. It recounts his hard life, a vision about Poland, and a claimed promise of reward for spreading his Torah.

Behadrei Haredim
Politics·40m ago

Council of Europe Panel Debates Ousting Israel Amid Bitter Accusations

Merav Ben Ari and Boaz Bismuth joined a Council of Europe debate on a proposal to expel Israel. The initiative, backed by about 20 parliamentarians, cites Gaza, human rights and Israel’s death penalty law, with a final vote expected in coming months.

Now 14·+1 outlet · 100% right-leaning
Health·42m ago

Health Ministry Rules Out Ebola in Two Returnees from Congo

Israel’s Health Ministry said Ebola has been ruled out in two returnees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The announcement followed a suspected second case reported Sunday after the patient developed fever, headache and diarrhea. The ministry said it has stepped up preparedness since Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda.

Channel 13·+6 outlets · 57% right-leaning
Sports·43m ago

Ga'ei Tel Aviv Win Second Liga Alef Title Ahead of Valencia Tournament

Ga'ei Tel Aviv won the Liga Alef volleyball championship, their second title, after losing last year’s final. The team departs Thursday for Valencia to represent Israel at the Olympic Gay Games, which includes athletes from 140 countries. Club CEO Patrick Nach discussed the title, the war’s impact, and the challenge of organizing the international trip.

N12·+1 outlet · 100% center
Politics·45m ago

Bennett unveils “New Deal” plan with draft, budget, and cabinet cuts

Yair Bennett presented his “New Deal” platform on Tuesday, promising major changes in education, security, the economy and government. He said he would cut funding for ultra-Orthodox education, recruit 20,000 soldiers, close seven ministries and fight food cartels and organized crime.

Mako·+4 outlets · 80% center
Politics·46m ago

Mother of Former Hostage Rebukes Minister Over Killing Claim

Ranana Yaakov criticized minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he celebrated the killing of a militant involved in her son Yagil’s abduction from Nir Oz. She accused him of opposing the hostage release deal, taking political credit, and failing to help families still living with the aftermath of October 7.

Ynet·+1 outlet · 50% center
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Original
Economy09:46 · 2h ago

Nearly 115,000 Households Enter Affordable Housing Lottery for 7,922 Discounted Homes

Center
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The story · English

The Housing and Construction Ministry said Tuesday that registration has closed for the 11th round of the government’s “Dira BaHanacha” affordable housing program. About 114,848 eligible households without housing competed for 7,922 subsidized apartments in 19 localities, with more than 100,000 households and 1.7 million total registrations because each family could enter up to three cities.

Last month, the Israel Land Council finalized a split of the lottery so that the first round would be reserved for reserve soldiers, following a Supreme Court ruling barring benefits for yeshiva students who evaded military service. About 4,000 apartments will be allocated first to reserve soldiers, and another 3,000 units will later be opened to the rest of the population that served in the army, after the ministry receives updated data from the IDF. The ministry said staff will now carry out technical checks and update eligibility with the Defense Ministry before winners are notified in their personal government accounts.

This is the first lottery that had been due to launch in 2026, immediately after Passover, and it includes discounted homes in Ashdod, Rehovot, Hadera, Maale Adumim, Kadima-Zoran, the Haredi town of Rechasim, Beit Dagan, Bnei Ayish, the Arab town of Kafr Manda, Kiryat Gat, Nahariya, Eilat, Yehud, Rishon Lezion, Bat Hefer and Kfar Saba. Kfar Saba drew the most interest, with 38,732 registrations for 1,045 apartments, followed by Kiryat Gat with 28,514 applicants for 1,433 homes.

Other highly contested projects include Beit Dagan, where 26,402 applicants are chasing 399 units, and Rishon Lezion, where 23,425 people are competing for just 148 apartments. In Hadera, 22,711 eligible households are vying for 268 homes, while Maale Adumim offers the largest number of units, 1,663, for 22,658 registrants. Further demand was reported in Mazkeret Batya, Ashdod, Beit Shemesh, Nahariya and Rechasim. Winners do not receive ready-made apartments, but the right to buy in a new project still under development, and they may not sell the home for five years after receiving the keys or seven years after winning the lottery, though renting it out is allowed.

Read the original at Ynet