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Israel’s Yerushalayim and Heritage Ministry has finalized a revised framework for this year’s Lag BaOmer events at Mount Meron, with the plan designed in line with Home Front Command directives and pending final authorization from the Israel Police.

The updated approach follows instructions from israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to cap attendance, while also incorporating recommendations from safety officials.

According to the proposal, each designated section at Meron will be limited to crowds of up to 1,500 participants at a time. These areas will be spaced apart and properly organized, including the Rashbi kever, the Bnei Akiva complex, Moshav Meron, and the expanded celebration zone known as compound 89.

Visitors will be admitted in staggered time slots lasting up to two hours. Capacity limits will factor in required safety perimeters to ensure that crowd control measures remain effective throughout the day.

Davening, dancing, bonfires, and hospitality setups will take place across multiple locations to help distribute attendees and minimize overcrowding. Organizers say the aim is to maintain the spirit of the traditional celebration while adhering to current safety restrictions.

Transportation arrangements will be overseen by the Transportation Ministry, which plans to operate a scaled-down public transit system. Tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis at 11 distribution points nationwide, with additional details expected to be released.

The plan was drafted by the Yerushalayim and Heritage Ministry and has already received initial approval from the Home Front Command. Its implementation remains contingent on final clearance from the Israel Police regarding crowd management and traffic flow, as well as the condition that existing security guidelines remain unchanged.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karchi, who is overseeing the event, said: “We worked to create a framework that preserves the tradition while ensuring Meron remains accessible to the nation of Israel, subject to security restrictions. I call on those who unfortunately do not receive a ticket to the event in Meron to celebrate the traditional event in their communities safely and joyfully.”

Northern District Police Commander Meir Eliyahu emphasized the balance between tradition and safety, stating: “The Israel Police is preparing for the Meron celebration with deep respect for tradition and the sanctity of the site, but this year, the sanctity of life is top priority. We will act to ensure public order and flow, and prevent unauthorized arrivals, so the event can proceed happily and safely. Israel Police will act with determination against any attempt to disrupt order or arrive at the area without permission, in order to prevent tangible danger to human lives.”

He continued with a call for public cooperation, saying: “I call on everyone not to be drawn after inciting elements and to heed the orders [and fulfill the commandment] to safeguard your lives. This is a time for heightened responsibility. The police will enable the celebration to take place, but will not allow conduct that endangers the public or security forces operating at the site.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday invalidated Louisiana’s congressional map, ruling that the state improperly created a second majority-Black district, a decision expected to influence how districts are drawn in upcoming elections.

Louisiana had previously redrawn its map in 2024 after lower courts required the state to add another majority-Black district in order to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is intended to prevent the weakening of minority voting power.

The revised map was challenged by the Trump administration along with state officials, who argued that the redistricting relied too heavily on race and therefore violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees equal protection under the law.

The Supreme Court sided with that argument, as all six conservative justices voted to overturn the 2024 map.

At the same time, the majority opinion authored by Samuel Alito did not go so far as to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act itself, a result that many observers had been watching closely.

“If these were white Democrats, there’s no reason to think they would have a second district, none,” principal deputy solicitor general Hashim Mooppan told the court during oral arguments this past October.

“And so what is happening here is, their argument is, ‘Because these Democrats happen to be black, they get a second district.’ If they were all white, we all agree they wouldn’t get the same.”

About one-third of Louisiana’s population is African American, and the state’s two Democratic members of Congress — compared with four Republicans in the House — both represent majority-Black districts.

The justices originally heard the case during the 2024–25 term, but in an unusual step, they later asked both sides to revise their arguments to address not only the Fourteenth Amendment but also the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which bars racial discrimination in voting rights.

That move led many to believe the Court might be preparing to scale back Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

In his opinion, however, Alito wrote that “[c]ompliance with [Section] 2, as properly construed, can provide such a reason [for race-based redistricting]. Correctly understood, [Section] 2 does not impose liability at odds with the Constitution, and it should not have imposed liability on Louisiana for its 2022 map.”

An analysis from Democratic-aligned organizations Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund suggested that, as a result of the ruling, Republican-led states could redraw up to 19 congressional districts across the South and Midwest in ways that would likely benefit the GOP.

It remains uncertain, however, whether states will be able to act quickly enough for such changes to significantly affect the 2026 midterm elections, in which Democrats are currently seen as having a favorable path to reclaim control of the House.

A sharp increase in antisemitic incidents has been recorded in southeastern England, where nearly 100 hate crimes targeting the Jewish community were reported over the past year, with only a small number resulting in charges.

In Hertfordshire, located about 40 minutes from London, authorities documented 95 hate crimes against Jews over the last 12 months. Of those cases, just seven have led to the identification and charging of suspects.

Hertfordshire Police Chief Andy Prophet met with Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards to review the situation and discuss the growing number of antisemitic incidents. The issue was also raised by local officials following earlier discussions about tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Prophet said that reports of antisemitic offenses rose to 95 in the 2025/26 period, compared to 83 the previous year. He described a range of incidents, including verbal harassment in public spaces, some of which he characterized as particularly unpleasant.

“In the last 12 months, 95 crimes have been reported; they may be targeted against Jewish people, some may simply be crimes that happen to people who are Jewish. I don’t diminish any of these, but we are seeing a dramatic rise in reports of crimes against the Jewish community.”

“Out of those 95 crimes I mentioned in the last 12 months, seven have already been solved and charges filed, 24 remain under active investigation with leads being pursued, and 64 were investigated without identifying a suspect, though victims were given advice on protection.”

He emphasized that law enforcement is taking the matter seriously and remains engaged with affected communities.

“We are not complacent. I recognize the risks, and we are working very hard with our Jewish communities and with all communities.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior figures in the Peleg Yerushalmi say they are undeterred by the intense backlash following the break-in at the home of the head of the Military Police, vowing to escalate protests over the arrest of yeshiva students. At the same time, Rav Azriel Auerbach has called for a mass demonstration at the entrance to Yerushalayim, while Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu condemned the incident as a “wild and violent attack.”

Leaders in the faction said this morning that they are not concerned by the strong criticism voiced by government officials after dozens of protesters entered the yard of Military Police Chief Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin’s home in Ashkelon the previous night. “This is only the beginning,” the senior figures said.

Twelve of the suspects arrested during the incident are expected to be brought before a court today and police will seek to extend their detention.

“Here we are dealing with an officer who is effectively responsible for the arrest of yeshiva students whose only offense is that they are studying Torah in the Jewish state,” faction leaders said. “This is only the beginning. We will continue to protest and surprise them with demonstrations against the arrest of Torah students.”

As reported here on Matzav.com, dozens of members of the Peleg Yerushalmi forced their way into the yard of Brig. Gen. Yamin’s home in Ashkelon in protest over the recent arrests of chareidi draft evaders by the Military Police. The officer’s family was evacuated from the house during the incident, and police arrested 25 individuals involved.

Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation, stating, “I strongly condemn the wild and violent attack against a senior military police officer and demand firm action against those involved.” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also responded, saying, “I strongly condemn the attack. Harm to members of the security forces and their families constitutes crossing a dangerous red line.”

Senior members of the Peleg faction also directed sharp criticism at the chareidi parties in the Knesset. “In the coming days, as long as the arrests continue, we will intensify the protests and continue to surprise them again and again. It is a shame that only we are engaged in this struggle on behalf of Torah students,” they said.

“Where are the chareidi parties that promised in every interview that they would turn the world upside down if even one yeshiva student were arrested? Where have they disappeared to? Why are they silent? They didn’t even issue a statement to the media after this week’s arrests—nothing,” the senior figures added.

Meanwhile, a large protest organized by the Peleg Yerushalmi is expected to take place today at the entrance to Yerushalayim. In an official statement, the faction said, “Following the arrest of yeshiva student Nehorai Bechar from within the walls of the bais medrash at a yeshiva in Herzliya, and his imprisonment for 20 days in a military prison for the offense of studying Torah, the leading halachic authority, Rav Azriel Auerbach, has instructed that a mass protest be held at the entrance to Yerushalayim at 5:00 p.m.”

Rav Auerbach also issued a strong statement the previous evening: “Anyone who does not go out to protest even the arrest of a yeshiva student from within the bais medrash is taking part in the persecution of Torah students and arouses great accusation and an unparalleled desecration of God’s name. Who knows if the recent troubles have not come upon us because of this. It is an absolute obligation for anyone who values Torah and the sanctification of God’s name to protest its disgrace and desecration.”

As previously reported, the IDF’s decision to resume proactive operations to arrest draft evaders has led to renewed protests by the faction. During demonstrations, Route 4 was blocked in both directions at the Aluf Sadeh interchange northbound and at the Em HaMoshavot interchange southbound.

In response to criticism of the Ashkelon protest, the Peleg Yerushalmi issued a clear message: “The red lines have been crossed. Leave the Torah students alone.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran early Wednesday, posting on Truth Social that the country “better get smart soon!” as negotiations remain at a standstill and tensions persist.

“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!” Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social shortly after 4 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

The message was paired with an AI-generated image depicting Trump holding a firearm amid a backdrop of explosions, along with the caption “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”

The post comes at a time when the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, while efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran have faltered in recent days, leaving the future of talks uncertain.

U.S. officials had been expected to head to Islamabad for another round of discussions over the weekend, but the trip was called off by Trump before it could take place.

“We have all the cards,” the president told Fox News, adding that if Iran wanted to talk, “they can come to us, or they can call us.” Previous negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance also ended without a deal.

Earlier in the week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Tehran had floated a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on condition that the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports and that the conflict comes to an end.

According to prior reports from Axios and The Associated Press, the Iranian plan would delay any substantive negotiations over its nuclear program to a later stage.

A report from Reuters on Tuesday indicated that Trump was dissatisfied with the proposal, and that U.S. officials were preparing a counteroffer in response.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer greeted King Charles III at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday while wearing a large bandage across much of his forehead, drawing attention as he took part in the official welcome.

The New York Democrat had first been seen with the bandage — along with a small mark beneath it — a day earlier while on the Senate floor.

Schumer explained that the injury came from a late-night mishap involving a door.

“Closet door was open late at night. It met my forehead,” Schumer (D-NY) told reporters.

Despite the incident, the senator appeared to carry on without any noticeable impact from the injury.

Before the King’s address, Schumer described the occasion as a significant moment, expressing appreciation for the royal visit to Washington.

“It has been thirty-five years since a British monarch addressed the elected representatives of the American people — the world has changed dramatically, but in many ways, the same tests remain before us,” the Democratic leader said.

“The visit of King Charles III should serve as a reminder to the President of the United States and to every elected official in this country: friends and allies matter,” he added.

Schumer, 75, has experienced several minor health-related issues in recent years.

Last year, he was briefly hospitalized after becoming dehydrated and feeling lightheaded during a workout on a stationary bike in the Senate gym.

He has also dealt with pneumonia in 2016 and tested positive for COVID-19 in 2022, though he reported only mild symptoms at the time.

{Matzav.com}

The founder of a software company is sounding the alarm after an AI coding assistant deleted his firm’s entire production database along with all backups in a matter of seconds, leaving the business scrambling to recover lost data.

According to Tom’s Hardware, Jer Crane, founder of PocketOS — a platform used by car rental businesses — described a catastrophic incident in which an AI coding agent erased critical company data that had taken months to build. The problem arose while Cursor, an AI coding tool powered by Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6, was carrying out what was supposed to be a routine task in the company’s staging environment.

Crane detailed the incident in a post on X, explaining that the AI agent encountered an issue and independently chose to fix it by issuing an API call that deleted the production database hosted on Railway, the cloud infrastructure provider used by PocketOS. Railway is often seen as a more user-friendly alternative to major services like Amazon Web Services. The entire deletion was completed in just nine seconds.

The damage extended far beyond the primary database due to the way Railway’s system is structured. Backups were stored on the same volume as the original data, meaning that when the AI agent removed the main database, all backup copies were wiped out at the same time. Crane described the combination of the AI’s actions and the system’s architecture as a perfect setup for disaster.

When Crane later asked the AI agent to explain what had happened, the response highlighted a series of serious missteps. The agent admitted that it had made an assumption that deleting a staging volume via the API would only impact the staging environment, without verifying that assumption or checking Railway’s documentation about how volumes operate across environments.

The AI’s explanation went further, acknowledging that it had violated multiple operational guidelines. It admitted to carrying out a destructive action without approval, failing to fully understand the consequences beforehand, and neglecting to review the relevant documentation. The agent also conceded that it should have either requested permission or pursued a safer solution to the issue it was trying to resolve.

Crane placed a significant portion of the blame on Railway’s system design, pointing to several weaknesses. He noted that the platform allows destructive API actions without requiring confirmation, and that command-line interface tokens carry broad permissions across all environments, increasing the risk of unintended outcomes. He also highlighted that Railway actively encourages the use of AI coding tools, arguing that stronger safeguards should be in place.

According to Crane, Railway has not provided a clear path to data recovery and has been cautious in addressing whether restoration is even possible. As a result, PocketOS and its clients have been forced into a difficult recovery process, with Crane personally assisting customers in rebuilding their data using alternative sources such as Stripe payment records, calendar integrations, and email confirmations.

All affected customers have had to resort to manual efforts to restore their operations. While there was a backup available from three months earlier, limiting the loss somewhat, the missing data from the intervening period still represents a substantial gap for both PocketOS and the car rental businesses that depend on the platform.

In response to the incident, Crane outlined several changes he believes are essential as AI technology continues to advance rapidly. His recommendations include stricter confirmation requirements for destructive actions, limiting API permissions to specific environments, maintaining separate and secure backup systems, developing clear recovery procedures, and ensuring AI systems operate within safeguards that prevent unauthorized destructive behavior.

The episode highlights broader concerns as businesses and governments accelerate the adoption of AI without fully grasping the potential risks, underscoring the need for more careful planning and stronger protections when integrating these technologies.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) intensified his criticism of President Donald Trump this week, labeling him “America’s chief insurrectionist” as he unveiled new legislation aimed at preventing Trump’s name from being placed on federal buildings.

Nadler made the remarks while promoting the bill, which would prohibit naming public structures after the president, arguing that such honors are inappropriate in Trump’s case.

“Donald Trump is a convicted felon, a twice impeached president, and America’s chief insurrectionist,” Nadler said, adding that placing Trump’s name on a federal building or monument would associate it with “tyranny.”

“His name is unfit to honor our nation’s buildings. I am proud to introduce this bill to stop Donald Trump from using taxpayer-funded buildings for his personal vanity projects, because New Yorkers deserve public spaces that they can respect, not monuments to tyranny and corruption,” the Democrat said.

A video posted alongside Nadler’s statement on X featured a compilation of media headlines related to the issue, including one from The Guardian reading, “Dictator vibes as dear leader Trump puts name front and center.”

The announcement came Monday, just two days after a reported assassination attempt targeting President Trump was thwarted. Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Allen, a California teacher, who allegedly expressed strong anti-Trump views in a written manifesto.

The document included statements outlining his motivations, including: “I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people chose to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” he allegedly wrote. Despite the contents of the manifesto, former President Barack Obama said the suspect’s motives were still unclear.

In response to the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized what she described as inflammatory rhetoric directed at the president, suggesting it contributes to real-world violence.

“The left-wing cult of hatred against the president and all of those who support him and work for him has gotten multiple people hurt and killed, and it almost did so again this weekend,” Leavitt said during a press briefing on Monday.

“Ask yourselves, how different is the rhetoric from this almost-assassin than what you read on social media and here in various forums every single day? The answer — if you’re being honest with yourself — is that there is no difference at all,” she said. “Much of the manifesto of the would-be assassin is indistinguishable from the words that we hear daily from so many.”

Two people were stabbed Wednesday in London in what Britain’s prime minister has described as an “antisemitic attack.”

Shomrim, a Jewish neighborhood patrol group that operates in the north London suburb of Golders Green, which has seen a number of antisemitic incidents in recent weeks, said its team had detained a male suspect after an attack targeting “Jewish members of the public.”

London’s Metropolitan Police said two men, one in his 70s and one in his 30s, were treated at the scene for stab wounds. Both were taken to the hospital and were in a stable condition, police said Wednesday.

Police said a 45-year-old man had been arrested in suspicion of attempted murder after also attempting to stab police officers. They said he was tasered prior to being taken into custody, with police still working to “establish his nationality and background.”

The department said specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing were leading the investigation as authorities worked to “establish the full circumstances and any links to terrorism.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident in a post on X on Wednesday, writing: “The antisemitic attack in Golders Green is utterly appalling. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan meanwhile condemned what he called an “appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners,” promising “high visibility patrols in the area.”

A significant development has taken place at the famed Brisk Yeshiva of Rav Meshulam Dovid Halevi Soloveitchik zt”l, as the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok Zev (Velvel) Halevi Soloveitchik, has appointed his sons to take on expanded teaching roles following a notable increase in enrollment for the current summer zeman.

With the start of the zeman, the yeshiva saw an unusually large influx of bochurim, placing added pressure on the existing structure. In response, the rosh yeshiva Rav Velvel announced that his eldest son, Rav Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik, will now begin delivering formal shiurim in the yeshiva on a regular basis.

Until now, since the passing of his father, Rav Velvel had been solely responsible for delivering the main shiurim. Rav Chaim had been involved in the yeshiva primarily through giving chaburos to smaller groups of bochurim during the afternoon hours. With the growing number of talmidim and the increasing demands on the rosh yeshiva’s time, the decision was made to formally expand Rav Chaim’s role.

At the same time, the responsibility for delivering the afternoon chaburos will now shift to another son, Rav Yerucham Soloveitchik. Rav Yerucham, a son-in-law of Rav Peretz Mayerson, who serves as rov of the Brisk bais medrash and heads Yeshivas Chochmas HaTorah in Yerushalayim, has been asked to take over this component of the yeshiva’s daily learning structure.

In a further meaningful step, Rav Chaim’s shiurim will be delivered in the home of the rebbetzin, the wife of Rav Meshulam Dovid Halevi Soloveitchik, on Rechov Eli HaKohen near the yeshiva. The arrangement is intended to provide chizuk to the rebbetzin and allow her to remain closely connected to the ongoing life and growth of the yeshiva to which she has been so devoted and whose hatzlocha means the world to her.

{Matzav.com}

A new safety method aimed at improving emergency response at large-scale gatherings in the United States is set to be rolled out at a major Satmar event, prompting discussion over whether it is a smart innovation or a formula for confusion.

The initiative is being introduced ahead of the massive maamad hachnasas sefer Torah of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, scheduled for Lag BaOmer in Williamsburg and expected to draw tens of thousands of participants. At a special planning session for community organizers, one of the speakers, Reb Eizik Daskal, presented the idea and explained the reasoning behind it.

He noted that at crowded events, due to the noise and density of the crowd, Hatzolah volunteers often have difficulty hearing radio communications and then locating the exact site of an emergency, which can delay critical response times.

To address this issue, organizers, in coordination with emergency services, proposed a simple but effective solution: a uniform signal of raising four fingers during an emergency. Once noticed, others nearby repeat the gesture, forming a rapid “human chain” that visually guides responders to the exact location within seconds — without the need for shouting or radio contact.

The concept has quickly become a major talking point in the American chassidishe community, with organizers stating that “four fingers” will now be the standard signal at large gatherings. While the idea has been welcomed in the United States, some emergency personnel in Israel have raised concerns, warning that such a system could create confusion. They argue that if too many people lift their hands at once, it may be difficult to pinpoint where the incident is actually taking place.

A source within Brooklyn emergency services responded to those concerns, explaining to Matzav.com: “First of all, emergency volunteers are already positioned in multiple locations throughout the event, so the human chains are designed to remain localized and focused. In many cases, it involves no more than about 20 people raising their hands. Secondly, as the responders move closer to the scene, the chain gradually narrows until it converges on the exact location of the incident itself.”

It was also noted that on the same day, the traditional hadlakah of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaim, will take place in Kiryas Joel. However, the new system will not be implemented there at this stage, since that event draws a broader and more mixed crowd, including thousands who are not part of the chassidus, making it more difficult to introduce and standardize the method at this point.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is “guilty of inciting violence,” as he sharply criticized the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey during an appearance on MS NOW’s “Deadline.”

Speaking during the segment, Pritzker argued that the case against Comey reflects a broader effort by Trump to use federal law enforcement against political opponents.

“Let’s start with what Donald Trump is really after here: weaponizing the DOJ to go after his political enemies. As you know, this indictment is not the first indictment that they’ve gone after Comey.”

Pritzker then addressed the social media post at the center of the case, downplaying its significance and disputing the claim that it constituted a threat.

“The picture of 86 47, that was the what they’re using as the evidence that Comey is threatening the life of the president. 86 47 he posted it, even pulled it down because he thought it might be rude or improper to put it up. And not because he thought it was a threat against the president.”

He went on to predict that the case would ultimately be dismissed, while criticizing the administration’s handling of the matter and pointing to what he described as inconsistent standards.

“The case is going to be thrown out. I can almost guarantee you we’re talking about seashells on a beach. That’s what that picture is, that Comey posted. Remember, this is the president who threatened the death penalty for General Mark Milley, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This is the same guy who told crowds at his, you know, at his rallies that, oh, that protester, punch him, take him down. This president is guilty of inciting violence, and now he’s using the First Amendment. He’s going after people for exercising their First Amendment rights and claiming that they’re the ones who are attacking people. I mean, he just applauded the death of Robert Mueller, who is a patriot. So I mean, I’m disgusted by what this administration is doing, by what the DOJ is doing. Todd Blanche seems to be doing more of what Pam Bondi was doing. This whole administration seems full of people who are just following, whatever this demented president tells them to do.”

{Matzav.com}

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau spent close to a year examining former FBI Director James Comey’s Instagram post before charges were brought, describing the inquiry as a careful, by-the-book process led by career investigators and prosecutors, according to remarks reported by Mediaite.

Patel explained that the investigation focused on a May 2025 post by Comey showing seashells arranged to read “86 47,” which prosecutors interpret as a coded threat against President Donald Trump, the 47th president. He noted that cases involving potential threats against high-level officials typically undergo lengthy review before any indictment is issued.

“These cases take time,” Patel said, stressing that the matter followed normal procedures and that the work was carried out by seasoned FBI agents and prosecutors rather than political appointees.

He added that agents “call the balls and strikes in the field as they see fit,” emphasizing that decisions were based on evidence and guided by established legal standards, according to Mediaite.

During a separate afternoon briefing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the indictment represents a straightforward enforcement of federal law prohibiting threats against the president, rather than a dispute over free speech protections, according to reporting from Newsmax.

Blanche acknowledged that prosecutors will need to establish intent in court but maintained that the law clearly does not shield threats directed at the president, noting that a grand jury has already determined there is sufficient evidence to move forward.

Following the indictment, Comey released a video message in which he said, “Well, they’re back,” a remark widely viewed as referencing the renewed legal proceedings, according to The Hill, while asserting that he has done nothing wrong.

Comey said he was surprised by the charges but voiced confidence in the judicial system, adding that he is “not afraid,” and insisted that his post was intended as political commentary rather than a threat, according to comments cited by The Hill.

He has also said the Instagram post was taken down once he realized it could be misunderstood, and his legal team is expected to argue that the case involves protected political expression rather than a genuine threat, raising a First Amendment defense.

At this stage, there is no specific penalty outlined publicly, as the case remains in the indictment phase without any conviction or sentencing determination.

The case sets up a renewed legal clash involving Comey and officials tied to the Trump-era Justice Department, potentially becoming a prominent test of how courts interpret intent and draw the line between protected speech and criminal threats.

“It’s not a very difficult line to look at,” Blanche said. “And it’s not, in my mind, a difficult line for one to cross over one way or the other. You are not allowed to threaten the president of the United States of America. That’s not my decision. That’s Congress’ decision in a statute that they passed that we charge multiple times a year.”

President Donald Trump welcomed King Charles III to the White House for a state dinner Tuesday evening, where the ongoing conflict with Iran briefly surfaced in the president’s remarks, including his assertion that the British monarch shares his stance on preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

During his comments, Trump pointed to developments in the Middle East and expressed confidence in the current situation.

“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now, and we’re doing very well,” said Trump.

He went on to emphasize what he described as a military success and reiterated his position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, noting agreement from the visiting monarch.

“We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever – Charles agrees with me even more than I do – we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” added the President.

Trump: We're doing a little Middle East work right now too, if you might know. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent. Charles agrees with me pic.twitter.com/qPqoI6qTaP

— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) April 29, 2026

At the same time, officials in Washington told The Wall Street Journal that Trump has directed his team to prepare for a prolonged blockade targeting Iran, signaling a continued effort to pressure the country economically.

According to those familiar with the discussions, the administration is focusing on restricting Iran’s oil exports and limiting shipping activity to and from its ports. Sources said Trump views this approach as less risky than alternatives such as renewed military strikes or disengaging from the conflict entirely.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iranian officials had communicated to the United States that their government is facing severe instability.

“Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse.’ They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!),” he wrote.

Over the weekend, Iran submitted a fresh proposal aimed at ending the conflict. The plan reportedly calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz while delaying negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

A U.S. official told Reuters on Monday that the administration is not satisfied with the proposal, pointing to what it sees as insufficient attention to Iran’s nuclear activities.

“He doesn’t love the proposal,” the official said, referring to the president.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump met with advisers Monday morning to review the proposal. While he did not dismiss it outright, officials said he questioned whether Iran is negotiating sincerely and expressed concern that Tehran is avoiding Washington’s primary demand: a full halt to uranium enrichment and a pledge never to pursue nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, sources speaking to CNN indicated that although a second round of talks between the United States and Iran did not take place in Pakistan, the two sides may be closer to an agreement than public statements suggest.

According to those sources, intensive behind-the-scenes diplomacy is continuing, with mediators working to narrow the remaining gaps between the two sides.

{Matzav.com}

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Several pro-Israel, Democratic House members, including multiple Jews, could face tough races to be reelected to Congress if proposed redistricting maps, which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, unveiled on Monday come to pass.

“The proposed map is a blatant attempt to push out pro-Israel, Democratic champions in Congress,” Brian Romick, president of Democratic Majority for Israel, told JNS.

“It’s bad for our country. It’s bad for those who care about Israel, and it’s a violation of Florida’s redistricting constitutional amendment,” Romick said. “We urge lawmakers to reject this shameless partisan stunt.”

The Florida legislature must approve the maps for them to take effect. Some analysts warn that the governor’s plan could backfire based on a projected Democratic wave this year. Some also predict that Democrats could flip Republican-held seats in south Florida, where millions of registered Democrats would be combined in some Republican-held districts.

DeSantis aims to eliminate four of Florida’s eight Democratic-friendly congressional districts within the Sunshine State’s 28-member congressional delegation. A special session of the legislature, where Republicans holding a supermajority, is considering the measure.

The Florida governor told Fox News exclusively that “Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since.”

“Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage,” DeSantis told the channel. “Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited.”

A source “familiar” with the proposed Florida map told Fox News that the governor is motivated more by population increases than responding to proposed Virginia maps, which would likely flip four Republican seats Democrat. “The governor has been planning this long before what took place in Virginia,” the source told Fox News.

The Broward and Palm Beach County districts, represented by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), are projected to favor Republicans come election time if the new maps are implemented. Both are pro-Israel Jews.

“DeSantis drew up illegal, partisan maps in a backroom and made sure Fox News got them before lawmakers did,” Wasserman Schultz told JNS.

“This clear effort to steal more seats for Republicans shows his total contempt for Florida voters, who voted two-to-one in favor of a ban on partisan gerrymandering in our Constitution,” Wasserman Schultz said.

“This nakedly partisan scheme breaks state law,” she told JNS. “While Republicans focus on cherry-picking their voters, I’ll keep fighting for better jobs and schools and take on the healthcare and housing high-cost crisis that Republicans continue to ignore.”

Sam Markstein, national political director and spokesman at Republican Jewish Coalition, told JNS that “in Florida, even more pro-Israel Republicans will be elected to Congress.”

“Meanwhile, in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom purged five pro-Israel Republican members of the House in favor of far-left radical Democrats, and the Left said nothing,” Markstein said. “Spare us the faux outrage.”

Frankel told the Miami Herald that she wants to look at the proposed map before commenting.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), another Jewish, pro-Israel Democrat, would see much of his current district drawn into the area that Wasserman Schultz now represents. That could potentially force a primary faceoff between the two. (JNS sought comment from Moskowitz.)

The Orlando-area district held by Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), who is pro-Israel, would favor Republicans under DeSantis’s proposal, as would the Tampa-area district of Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), who has generally supported Israel.

Richard Stark, president of the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, told JNS that he is “personally outraged” that the governor is redistricting a state that already favors Republicans “overwhelmingly.”

“All of the congressional seats that are affected are pro-Israel,” Stark told JNS.

JNS sought comment from Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), the lone Jewish House Republican in the state.

“South Florida is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the country, which is why most of South Florida is represented by Democrats, because historically, and certainly under Trump, it’s only Democrats who share democratic and Jewish values,” Haile Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, told JNS.

Soifer criticized DeSantis for failing to bring the maps up for a referendum, as Democrats did when they sought to redistrict in Virginia and California.

“They appear to have forgotten that you can’t gerrymander away a deeply unpopular president with an approval rating below 40%,” Soifer told JNS. “No matter the maps, voters’ views and voices cannot be erased, which is why we’re confident this gerrymandering effort may backfire on the GOP and benefit Democrats in November.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Gasoline prices across the United States climbed on Tuesday to their highest point in four years, highlighting growing pressure on consumers as instability tied to Iran continues to rattle global energy markets, according to The New York Times.

The nationwide average for regular unleaded reached $4.18 per gallon, based on data from AAA. That figure represents the highest level since April 2022 and reflects a 1.6% increase in just one day — the sharpest single-day percentage gain in over a month.

Since the conflict began, prices at the pump have jumped by about 40%, adding to the burden on households already dealing with high everyday expenses.

The surge comes on the heels of a significant jump in crude oil prices, largely driven by stalled talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments. Located between Iran and Oman, the strait typically handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, meaning any disruption carries major implications for energy markets.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, briefly rose above $105 per barrel for July delivery before pulling back slightly.

Over the past week, oil prices have increased by more than $10 per barrel and remain more than 40% higher than they were before U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. At the same time, West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, climbed to approximately $101 per barrel.

Market analysts say continued uncertainty surrounding Iran’s nuclear negotiations, along with disruptions to shipping routes, is driving volatility in oil prices — a trend that is quickly being felt by consumers at gas stations.

Because gasoline prices often trail movements in crude oil, experts warn that further increases at the pump could still be on the way if tensions remain unresolved.

Diesel fuel has seen even steeper gains, rising to $5.46 per gallon — about a 45% increase since the start of the conflict. Higher diesel costs tend to ripple across the economy, pushing up transportation and shipping expenses that can ultimately be passed along to consumers.

Despite the rise in energy prices, stock markets have remained relatively steady, staying close to record highs.

Investors are now focused on upcoming earnings from major technology firms as well as the Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates for signals about where the economy may be headed.

For the moment, drivers are absorbing the impact of rising fuel costs, with little indication of relief as geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on energy markets.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. State Department is preparing to introduce a special-edition American passport to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary this July, and the updated design is expected to include a portrait of President Donald Trump, according to a department official cited by CBS News.

Under the proposed design, the president’s image and signature will appear on interior visa pages alongside excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, a departure from the traditional passport format that has typically highlighted historical imagery, cultural motifs, and iconic American landmarks.

The commemorative passports will be issued as the standard option at the Washington Passport Agency once they are released, without any added fee. However, applicants who apply online or through other passport offices will continue receiving the existing passport design.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott commented on the initiative. “As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US passports to commemorate this historic occasion. These passports will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the US passport among the most secure documents in the world.”

Early reporting by Fox News Digital and The Bulwark suggested that approximately 25,000 of the passports would be produced, but a State Department official rejected that figure as “fake news” while declining to disclose how many will actually be issued.

The current “Next Generation” passport, rolled out in 2021, includes illustrations of American scenery and key historical moments throughout its pages. An earlier redesign in 2007 introduced electronic safeguards aimed at preventing counterfeiting, along with quotations from past U.S. presidents.

During President Trump’s second term, his name and likeness have been tied to a number of public initiatives and proposals. These include efforts to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” and the United States Institute of Peace as the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.” The administration has also proposed a “Trump gold card” visa program that would allow non-citizens to secure residency and work authorization in the United States for a fee of five million dollars.

The commemorative passport is part of a broader push to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial while reflecting the administration’s approach to marking the milestone.