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World·4m ago

Oman Opens Temporary Strait of Hormuz Lanes as Iran Keeps Squeeze on Shipping

Oman announced two temporary shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and said passage will be free for now. The report says the move, coordinated with the International Maritime Organization, may eventually enable Oman and Iran to charge ships and tighten control over the strategic waterway.

Kikar HaShabbat·+1 outlet · 50% center
Politics·5m ago

Former Labor faction chair Ram Shefa to run in Democrats primary

Ram Shefa, the former head of Labor’s Knesset faction, announced that he will contest the Democratic Party’s primary. He has been serving as the kibbutz movement’s rehabilitation coordinator in the Negev since October 7, and the primary is set for July 20.

Ynet
Politics·8m ago

Netanyahu Ends Testimony in 4000 Case After 18 Months

Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in Case 4000 ended on Wednesday after about a year and a half. The hearing finished early, and Netanyahu told judges that Pegasus surveillance in a democracy was “ugly, false, and evil” and urged them to bring “truth and justice.”

Kan News·+8 outlets · 67% center
Politics·9m ago

Alibaba Sues Pentagon to Be Removed From Military-Links Blacklist

Alibaba has sued the U.S. Pentagon in federal court in California to be removed from a blacklist of Chinese firms linked to the Chinese military. The company says the designation is unsupported and violates constitutional rights, while the Pentagon added Alibaba to the list earlier this month along with about two dozen other firms.

Calcalist·+1 outlet
Health·12m ago

Netherlands Reports First Euthanasia Case Involving a Child Under 12

The Netherlands has reported its first euthanasia case involving a child under 12 since the law was expanded in 2024. The case, carried out at the end of 2025, is now under legal review to confirm doctors followed the rules. Officials had expected five to ten such pediatric cases annually.

Ynet
Economy·15m ago

Oil Prices Hit Lowest Level Since the Iran War Began

Oil prices fell to their lowest level since the war with Iran began, with Brent at $75.68 and WTI at $71.87 a barrel. The decline followed signs of a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while Donald Trump pressed oil companies to cut gasoline prices faster.

Calcalist
Sports·16m ago

Hapoel Haifa to Host Young Malian Midfielder on Trial

Hapoel Haifa will evaluate 21-year-old Malian midfielder Cheick Oumar Keita on trial as it targets midfield reinforcement for 2026/27. Keita most recently played for Hatta Club in the UAE second division, where he logged 16 appearances and one assist.

Mako·+1 outlet · 100% center
Health·17m ago

France Reports Its First Ebola Case

France has recorded its first Ebola case, according to the Health Ministry. The patient is a doctor who returned from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ynet
Economy·17m ago

Knesset Panel Approves Repeal of Parking Law, but Timing Remains Unclear

A Knesset committee approved a bill to repeal Israel’s parking law, which had required minute-by-minute billing. If enacted, parking lots will return to charging a full first hour and then 15-minute increments, but the timing and price impact remain uncertain.

Mako·+4 outlets · 100% center
Culture·17m ago

Dafa releases a new tribal-style version of “Ali Geva”

Project Dafa released a new version of “Ali Geva” built around a Bedouin folk melody. The group says it aimed to honor the song’s roots with a tribal, live arrangement while keeping part of the familiar tune.

Arutz Sheva
Security·17m ago

Tunnel Discovered in East Jerusalem Near Az-Za'im Crossing

Police found a tunnel in East Jerusalem near the Az-Za'im crossing, said to run from Palestinian territory toward Israel and 25 meters deep. DNA and other forensic evidence led to the arrest Wednesday of two men in their 30s, as investigators probe suspected terror and illegal-entry use.

Srugim·+2 outlets · 67% right-leaning
Politics·19m ago

Meir Porush Accuses Netanyahu, Religious Zionists Over Haredi Draft Protests

Meir Porush said Israel is uniquely arresting Torah students and accused Netanyahu of delaying action on Haredi draft demands. He also denounced Religious Zionism, warned against police violence at protests, and said post-election decisions will follow the Council of Torah Sages.

Kikar HaShabbat
Tech·20m ago

Snyk cuts dozens of jobs in Israel in fourth layoff round

Snyk has begun a fourth layoff round in Israel, affecting dozens of workers in its small local R&D center. The cuts come amid broader global reductions, leadership change, and growing pressure from AI-driven coding tools.

Globes
Politics·21m ago

Calling for a Broad Unity Front Against U.S. Pressure on Lebanon

The column urges Netanyahu and opposition leaders to form a united front against U.S. pressure on Lebanon. It argues that Israel’s security and diplomatic strength depend on broad national consensus, and cites the 1969 Rogers Plan crisis as precedent.

Arutz Sheva
Politics·21m ago

Sister of slain medic accuses Netanyahu of bargaining over her death

Haviva Man, the sister of murdered paramedic Amit Man, accused Benjamin Netanyahu of using her sister's death in a political deal with ultra-Orthodox parties. In a Facebook post, she said any such arrangement would be a disgraceful bargain over the killing of her sister and thousands of others.

Ynet·+1 outlet · 100% center
Politics·22m ago

Gerrer Rebbe Sends His Driver to Join Mass Protest Convoy

The Gerrer Rebbe, on the way to follow-up eye treatment at Medical Center in Tel Aviv, told his personal driver to join a major car protest. The gesture was presented as backing for Torah students and detainees, and the convoy is expected to head toward Prison 10.

Kikar HaShabbat
Economy·23m ago

Regulators Move to Overhaul Bank Trading Fees After Record NIS 3.5 Billion Haul

Israel’s Bank of Israel, Securities Authority and Finance Ministry have published a three-stage plan to overhaul securities trading fees at the big banks. The reform aims to simplify pricing, expose advice costs and reduce cross-subsidies, but it may raise some fees for passive investors and advised clients.

Ynet·+2 outlets
Economy·23m ago

Zara’s Summer Sale Starts Tonight: What Shoppers Should Know

Zara and its sister brands will launch their summer sale in Israel tonight at midnight, with discounts of up to 30% online and in apps, and in stores tomorrow morning. The article outlines how to prepare, warns that popular items sell out quickly, and notes gift cards and store pickup can help shoppers save time and money.

Now 14
General·26m ago

Singer Benaia Barabi ordered to pay former manager millions after contract breach

Israeli singer Benaia Barabi was ordered after a four-year arbitration to pay his former manager Or Marmelstein about NIS 5.3 million for breaching their management contract. The ruling, by Dr. Alon Kaplan, said Barabi ended the agreement unilaterally and included legal costs.

Walla·+1 outlet · 100% center
Economy·29m ago

JTI Ends Israeli Distribution Deal, Sending Globrands Shares Tumbling

Globrands said JTI will not renew its Israeli distribution deal, prompting a 34% drop in the company’s stock. The tobacco brands Camel, Winston, L.D. and Natural American Spirit will move to a new distributor, and Globrands estimates the loss could cut annual net profit by about NIS 35 million.

Walla·+1 outlet
World·32m ago

Russia Presses Belarus to Deepen Role in War Against Ukraine

Russia is pressuring Belarus to expand military support for the war in Ukraine, including more launch sites, infrastructure, and troops. Zelensky warned Ukraine may strike Belarus-linked facilities, while intelligence officials see no immediate ground attack from Belarus.

Kikar HaShabbat
General·34m ago

Asian elephants kick around colorful balls at the Safari

On Wednesday morning, elephants at the Safari in Israel were given colorful footballs as enrichment. The animals played by chasing, pushing, rolling, and kicking the balls, which the Safari said helps stimulate curiosity, movement, and the senses.

Kikar HaShabbat·+1 outlet · 100% right-leaning
Security·37m ago

Police Reject Ynet Report on Shooting After Checkpoint Pursuit

Israel Police rejected a Ynet report by Liran Tamari about a shooting after a checkpoint pursuit, saying crucial facts were omitted. The force said the suspect fled, injured two volunteers, rammed police vehicles, and was later found with drugs and arrested.

Arutz Sheva·+1 outlet · 100% right-leaning
Culture·40m ago

Hila Ruach Delivers a Tight, Magnetic Rock Show at the Barby

Hila Ruach’s Tuesday night Barby concert underscored her status as a leading Israeli indie artist. The show highlighted her tightly played band, album-focused staging, and unusually loyal audience, even as she remains outside the mainstream.

Ynet
Culture·40m ago

Hollywood Shies Away From a Film About Sam Altman

Major studios and streamers, including Warner Bros. and Netflix, declined to buy the film Artificial about Sam Altman. Amazon also pulled out as distributor after deepening business ties with OpenAI, leaving smaller companies such as Mubi and Neon as possible buyers.

Calcalist
Sports·41m ago

98-Year-Old Messi Fan Goes Viral With Wedding Dress Proposal

Pauline Kana, a 98-year-old Ohio grandmother, went viral after proposing to Lionel Messi with a wedding dress and sign at a World Cup match. Messi smiled and waved, while the video drew tens of millions of views and thousands of comments. The article also recaps Messi’s record-breaking 18th World Cup goal and Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria.

Now 14
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Original
Economy06:54 · 2h ago

Meta taps fintech founder Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp's next phase

Religious
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
The story · English

Meta announced on Tuesday evening that fintech entrepreneur Kunal Shah will take charge of WhatsApp, after the company invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the venture he founded. The appointment is being seen as a sign that Meta wants to push WhatsApp beyond messaging and turn it into a platform with broader economic functions.

Shah is described as a serial founder who created Cred and built business models based on incentives and consumer behavior. Meta believes that background will help him tackle the challenge of turning WhatsApp's massive user base into a business growth engine.

His main task will be to encourage users to carry out financial actions and purchases through WhatsApp, in a model similar to systems that have succeeded in several Asian markets. Some observers question whether that approach fits a platform of WhatsApp's scale, while others think he can handle the business and regulatory complexity involved.

The move comes as many messaging platforms expand into additional services. Meta sees it as part of WhatsApp's ongoing development and chose Shah partly because of his years of experience in India, the app's largest user market.

Read the original at Behadrei Haredim