Massive wildfires sweeping across areas near Jerusalem on Wednesday have forced widespread evacuations and shut down major roads, as emergency crews battle to control the fast-moving flames fueled by dry weather and powerful winds.

Officials are calling it one of the worst fire events in Israel’s history.

“This is perhaps the largest fire ever in the country,” said Shmulik Friedman, commander of the Jerusalem District Fire Department. He warned that winds exceeding 60 miles per hour are expected soon—conditions that could send the fires spiraling further out of control.

The flames are active on multiple fronts, with one of the most dangerous zones near the town of Neve Shalom, about 15 miles west of Jerusalem. Videos shared on social media show thick smoke engulfing parts of the highway as people fled on foot, some abandoning their cars along the road.

Authorities closed Route 1, the major highway linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as the fires intensified—an especially painful disruption on Israel’s Memorial Day. Emergency responders from United Hatzalah were seen checking abandoned vehicles for stranded individuals, racing against time in hazardous conditions.

“We don’t know at this time what caused the fire. We don’t have even a bit of a clue,” Friedman admitted. “We are far from control.”

This fire follows another recent blaze in the same region, though no official connection has been made between the two.

Israel is seeking international assistance, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reaching out to nearby European countries for firefighting aid. According to Israel’s National Security Council, three aircraft from Italy and Macedonia are expected to arrive soon to help in the effort.

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the situation a “national emergency,” urging all resources to be mobilized to save lives and contain the fires.

At least 10 communities in the area have been evacuated so far. Over a dozen people have been hospitalized due to the fires, according to Shamir and Kaplan Medical Centers.

Hadassah Medical Center, located just outside Jerusalem, has urged the public to stay away unless absolutely necessary. The hospital has already started discharging stable patients to make room for potential fire-related casualties.

More than 120 firefighting teams and 12 firefighting aircraft and helicopters are currently deployed. Despite their efforts, officials emphasize that the fire remains dangerous and unpredictable.

Source: CNN – Wildfires rage outside Jerusalem, forcing evacuations and road closures

The post Massive Wildfires Near Jerusalem Force Evacuations and Road Closures appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

In a bold move that marks a significant expansion of military involvement at the U.S.-Mexico border, President Donald Trump issued a late-night directive authorizing the U.S. military to assume control over federal lands along the southern frontier.

The presidential memorandum, addressed to the heads of four key federal departments—Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins—calls for an expanded military role in border security operations.

The memo instructs these departments to give the Department of Defense both use and jurisdiction over specific federal lands, including the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide stretch of federally controlled land running along the border. This jurisdiction would support military activities such as:

• Building new sections of border wall
• Installing surveillance and detection technology
• Establishing monitoring infrastructure

It’s worth noting that Federal Indian Reservations are excluded from this order.

Trump’s directive builds on his earlier actions. On his first day in office, he mandated a surge in U.S. military presence at the border. Since then, thousands of active-duty troops have been deployed as part of an evolving national security initiative.

The memo is framed within the context of a national emergency, which Trump declared during his presidency. This allows the Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, to authorize “withdrawals, reservations, and restrictions” on public lands in favor of the Defense Department.

Perhaps the most striking element of this plan is the creation of “military installations” out of existing federal land. Under this setup, migrants who cross into these areas could be held for trespassing on military property. They would remain in military custody until Homeland Security officials arrive to deport them.

Critics may raise legal concerns here. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement duties. However, by classifying these detention zones as “holding areas” on military property, the administration appears to be navigating around those legal boundaries.

Initially, this policy will roll out in a specific sector of federal land chosen by Defense Secretary Hegseth. However, the memo gives him the green light to expand this military control to other parts of the border at his discretion.

All military personnel involved will be operating under use-of-force rules established by the Secretary of Defense, according to the memo.

Trump’s directive represents a significant shift in how the federal government may use military power domestically, particularly in relation to immigration enforcement. It raises serious questions about the balance between national security, legal precedent, and humanitarian concerns.

As the situation unfolds, expect fierce debate from lawmakers, civil rights groups, and communities along the border.

Source: CNN – Trump authorizes military to take control of federal land along US southern border

The post Trump Orders Military to Take Over Land at U.S.-Mexico Border appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

March 13, 2013: A Historic Papal Election

On this day in history, Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as Pope Francis, becoming the first pope from the Americas and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,250 years. His election marked a significant shift in the Catholic Church, as the last non-European pope was Pope Gregory III, who died in the year 741.

Other Notable Events on March 13:

1781: Discovery of Uranus

Astronomer William Herschel discovered Uranus, the seventh planet in the solar system. This was a groundbreaking discovery that expanded humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.

1925: The Butler Act and the Evolution Debate

The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Butler Act, prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools. The law, signed by Governor Austin Peay on March 21, led to the famous Scopes Monkey Trial later that year. The act was ultimately repealed in 1967.

1946: Medal of Honor Awarded to Sadao Munemori

U.S. Army Pfc. Sadao Munemori was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing himself to save fellow soldiers from a grenade explosion in Seravezza, Italy. He was the only Japanese-American service member to receive this honor in the immediate aftermath of World War II.

1954: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu Begins

The First Indochina War escalated as Viet Minh forces launched an attack on French troops at Dien Bien Phu. The battle ended nearly two months later with a decisive victory for the Viet Minh, leading to France’s withdrawal from Indochina.

1996: Dunblane School Massacre

A tragic mass shooting took place in Dunblane, Scotland, when a gunman entered an elementary school and killed 16 children and a teacher before taking his own life. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history.

2020: COVID-19 Declared a National Emergency

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, allowing for increased federal aid and resources to combat the outbreak.

2020: The Death of Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched raid by plainclothes narcotics detectives. No drugs were found, and the “no-knock” warrant used to enter by force was later found to.

Source

The post March 13 in History: Key Events That Shaped the World appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.