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NASA’s Artemis II mission lifted off Wednesday evening, sending a four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft on a historic journey around the moon — the first time astronauts have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit in more than five decades.

The crew — NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen — boarded the 322-foot Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center earlier in the day, ahead of a scheduled liftoff at 6:35 p.m.

The mission is set to carry the astronauts on a trip around the moon and back to Earth, marking the first crewed deep-space voyage since 1972.

While Artemis II will not include a lunar landing, it will take the crew farther from Earth than any human mission since the Apollo program.

NASA has described the Orion spacecraft as the most powerful rocket system it has ever developed.

Rising 322 feet into the sky, the launch system is designed to propel both the spacecraft and its crew into deep space, serving as a critical test for systems needed in future missions aimed at landing astronauts on the moon.

With the crew now in orbit, they are expected to spend several days in space, including a multi-day passage around the far side of the moon before returning for a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The mission had originally been targeted for a February launch, but technical problems uncovered during testing delayed the timeline. Among the issues were fuel and helium leaks that required repairs to the Space Launch System rocket.

Artemis II follows the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission and represents a key step toward future objectives, including Artemis III, which is intended to place astronauts back on the lunar surface.

NASA has said the broader Artemis program is designed to support sustained exploration of the moon and to help prepare for eventual human missions to Mars.

The Artemis initiative was launched in 2017 under President Donald Trump as part of an effort to return American astronauts to the moon.

Ahead of Wednesday’s launch, Trump praised the mission and its crew.

“America is going back to the Moon!,” he said. “America doesn’t just compete, we DOMINATE, and the whole World is watching. God bless our incredible Astronauts, God bless NASA, and God bless the Greatest Nation ever to exist, the United States of America!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson also commended the astronauts and NASA’s efforts.

“Praying for the safety and success of the Artemis II crew and @NASA as they undertake a mission that will carry humanity farther into space than we have gone in over half a century,” he said. “I had the privilege of hosting these courageous pioneers at the State of the Union earlier this year. Americans are watching proudly as our Golden Age reaches new heights!”

Vice President JD Vance has informed intermediaries engaged in talks between the United States and Iran that President Donald Trump is eager to reach an agreement to bring the war to an end, according to a source familiar with the discussions cited in a CNN report Wednesday.

Vance, who has taken on a more central role in efforts to negotiate a resolution, has been in contact with officials from mediating countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, as recently as Tuesday.

According to the source, Vance conveyed a warning intended for Iranian officials, describing it as a “stern message” that pressure on Iran’s infrastructure would intensify “unless the Iranians made a deal.”

Trump has previously warned that critical infrastructure in Iran, including power stations and desalination facilities, could be targeted if Tehran refuses to allow oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

As he prepares to deliver a national address on Iran later Wednesday, Trump directed Vance to communicate that the United States is open to a ceasefire, provided its conditions are met, CNN reported.

One of those key conditions is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump reiterated in a social media post must be cleared before any halt in fighting would be considered.

In that same message, Trump also claimed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had sought a ceasefire.

Iran rejected that assertion, with its Foreign Ministry describing the claim as “false and baseless.”

Separately, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said it maintains full control over the strategic waterway.

“This strait will not be opened to the enemies of this nation through the ridiculous spectacle by the president of the United States,” it said, adding that the strait “is firmly and decisively under the control” of its forces.

A mohel from Bnei Brak who is under investigation for allegedly causing the death of an infant through negligence has been released to house arrest, following a court decision on Wednesday morning, just ahead of Pesach.

The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ruled to free the suspect under restrictive conditions, including house arrest. Police filed an appeal, but the District Court upheld the lower court’s decision, extending the house arrest until April 9, 2026. Police stated, “The investigation is ongoing in order to uncover the truth.”

The mohel’s attorney, Yair Ben Shitrit, said in response, “What began with great fanfare has ended quietly. My client shares in the family’s deep sorrow over this tragic incident. However, it should be emphasized that my client acted throughout in accordance with the required professional standards, and even beyond that.

“The police appeal to the District Court against the release decision was also rejected, and my client was released, which speaks for itself. It should be noted that the infant’s death occurred approximately three weeks after the circumcision—a significant detail that greatly weakens any attempt to establish a causal link or negligence on the part of my client. Under these circumstances, we are confident that once all examinations are completed, the case will be closed with nothing remaining.”

The mohel, a resident of Bnei Brak, was initially arrested on suspicion of negligence following the death of a baby after a circumcision he performed. The procedure took place about a month ago, and authorities suspect that a complication led to an infection that caused the infant’s death roughly two weeks later.

He is suspected of negligent manslaughter of a minor. After being questioned, he was detained, and as noted, was brought to court this morning for a hearing on extending his detention.

Israel Police said in a statement last night: “Investigators from the Bnei Brak–Ramat Gan police opened an investigation upon receiving a complaint today regarding the death of an infant, on suspicion of causing death by negligence, due to a suspected complication from a circumcision procedure performed by the mohel. Patrol officers arrested the suspect, a 66-year-old mohel from Bnei Brak. Israel Police shares in the family’s grief and will continue a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and carry out all necessary actions.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez indicated this week that she would reject all U.S. assistance to Israel, including funding for defensive systems, according to a report on remarks she made during a private meeting with members of the Democratic Socialists of America.

The position represents a shift from her earlier stance. While she has long opposed aid tied to offensive military capabilities, she had previously supported funding for defensive measures such as the Iron Dome missile defense system.

The comments were first reported by Peter Sterne, an editor at City and State NY, who covered the meeting, which was streamed for DSA members. The gathering was held to consider whether the organization would endorse Ocasio-Cortez’s reelection campaign.

During the discussion, Ocasio-Cortez was asked about backing an arms embargo on Israel. According to the report, she responded, “I have not once ever voted to authorize funding to Israel, and I will never. The Israeli government should be able to finance their own weapons if they seek to arm themselves.”

A follow-up question pressed her on whether that position would extend to all military-related funding, including defensive systems. “If the moment presents itself in Congress, will you commit to voting ‘no’ for any spending on arms for Israel, including so-called ‘defensive capabilities?’”

Ocasio-Cortez answered, “Yes.”

Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive bloc in Congress often referred to as “the Squad,” has repeatedly voiced sharp criticism of Israel, including accusations related to its conduct in Gaza.

She later defended her use of the term “genocide,” arguing in an interview that conditions in Gaza had “crossed the threshold of intent.”

In an earlier 2019 radio interview, she described Israel as “criminal” in its treatment of Palestinian Arabs, asserting that they have no alternative but to “riot” against the country.

She has also previously said that reducing or cutting U.S. military and economic support to Israel should be “on the table” as a way to express opposition to Israeli policies, and has characterized Israel as an “apartheid state.”

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz visited the site of the missile strike in Bnei Brak on Wednesday, where 14 people were wounded by a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile, delivering remarks of support alongside senior officials.

Katz toured the scene together with MK Moshe Gafni, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert, and Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shai Kalper.

The visit followed a severe early-morning attack in which an 11-year-old girl was critically injured, a 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded, and dozens of others were hurt by the blast and shrapnel. The missile, launched from deep inside Iran, caused heavy destruction in the center of the city.

Speaking at the scene, Katz extended holiday greetings to IDF soldiers and the Israeli public. “I want, from here, on behalf of all of us, to extend holiday greetings and great thanks to the brave IDF soldiers who are fighting in the air, at sea, and on land,” he said. “I meet them in Lebanon, in Gaza, and in Syria, and I meet the pilots before and after they fly to Iran and everywhere — I see their commitment to protecting the safety of Israel’s citizens.”

The defense minister added, “There is no nation in the world that has such brave soldiers. The entire people must embrace them and strengthen them.” He also urged the public to follow safety guidelines, emphasizing their importance. “I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and ask that you adhere to Home Front Command instructions — they save lives and allow the IDF to continue striking our enemies.”

In a separate message, Katz addressed the families of IDF soldiers and commanders stationed along Israel’s borders. “I turn from here to the mothers, fathers, spouses, and family members of IDF soldiers and commanders deployed across all of Israel’s borders,” he said. “We have prepared for the holiday evening to provide the best possible response for each of our soldiers in every sector.”

He noted that many troops would not be home for the holiday. “Most of them are not celebrating the holiday with you. Be proud of them. They are acting with dedication, determination, and responsibility for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens, even during this holiday.”

Katz also addressed children across the country. “Dear children, some of your fathers and mothers are not with you on the holiday evening. Know that they are protecting you. They are a generation of lions — heroes and heroines.”

The visit comes during a week of heightened tensions, with multiple missile strikes reported across Israel as Iran continues launching ballistic missiles. IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin warned that Iran and Hezbollah could continue attacks during the Passover holiday.

At the same time, the IDF continues broad military operations across multiple fronts. Katz recently presented a strategic plan for operations in Lebanon that includes establishing a security zone inside southern Lebanon and preventing more than 600,000 residents from returning south of the Litani River.

Concluding his remarks, Katz emphasized Israel’s core sources of strength. “I can tell you what I say everywhere: we have allies, and we have enemies, and we have friends — but we rely on only two things: on the Rock of Israel and on the Israel Defense Forces. These are the things we rely on, and in their name we fight and will continue to fight.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman says he would dramatically reduce energy costs across New York immediately upon taking office, promising to slash average utility bills by 50 percent on his first day as governor.

In an interview with Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast, the Nassau County executive outlined a plan that includes rolling back green energy requirements, reducing delivery charges, and cutting taxes that he says make up a large share of residents’ monthly bills.

“I can cut your electric bill in half, day one, when I become governor,” Blakeman told Devine, arguing that only a fraction of what consumers pay actually reflects the cost of electricity itself.

“I will control the regulatory authorities. We will bring down the taxes. We will bring down the delivery costs. And I will get rid of the green energy scam,” Blakeman vowed on the Thursday podcast.

Available data, however, suggests a more complex breakdown of utility costs. According to the Regional Plan Association, customers on Long Island typically see about 45 percent of their bill tied to energy supply, roughly 51 percent attributed to delivery expenses, and around 6 percent stemming from taxes. Delivery charges can also include fees connected to renewable energy programs.

Newly obtained federal records show that during the height of the COVID-19 Delta wave in 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy prepared a coordinated media strategy aimed at combating what officials labeled “misinformation,” even as Americans grew frustrated with shifting public health guidance.

According to documents reviewed by Newsmax, officials within the Biden administration worked in tandem to craft speeches, media appearances, and messaging that promoted a unified narrative on COVID-19—at times at odds with evolving scientific data.

The materials suggest a wider effort that extended beyond government, involving members of the press, technology companies, and emotionally driven messaging to encourage public compliance.

The documents, totaling more than 400 pages and obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT), outline Murthy’s internal talking points and broader communications strategy during July 2021.

PPT says the findings reflect a pattern it has documented in prior releases, alleging that administration officials adjusted messaging to fit a predetermined narrative during the pandemic.

“Once again, we’ve shown that the Biden administration used terms like ‘misinformation’ to control the narrative,” PPT Director Michael Chamberlain told Newsmax. “They sidelined science when it was inconvenient and pushed tech companies to censor information that turned out to be true.

“Whether it was prolonged school closures from which a generation of children may never fully recover, draconian lockdowns, or forcing vaccines on people at little risk from the virus, power, politics, and narrative control came first.”

One example in the documents shows Murthy preparing remarks for a speech at the Stanford Internet Observatory, where he described a country gripped by fear and division and argued that online platforms were amplifying emotionally driven falsehoods.

“If we want to fight health misinformation, we’ll need all parts of society to pull together,” his script declared. Individuals must “share information responsibly;” clinicians should counter doubts with patients; educators were to teach “information literacy.”

The messaging also included direct guidance aimed at media outlets and tech platforms. “We’re asking journalists and media outlets to address the public’s questions without amplifying misinformation. We’re asking tech companies to operate with greater transparency and accountability so that misinformation doesn’t continue to poison our sharing platforms.”

Internal briefing materials also show that Murthy was given detailed instructions ahead of interviews, including a July 12 appearance on the Pod Save America podcast, where he was expected to discuss targeted outreach to unvaccinated individuals.

Officials relied on data from the CDC and Census Bureau to estimate that a portion of unvaccinated Americans were still persuadable, while others might be moved through more targeted efforts.

The outreach strategy was designed to be highly localized. “community by community, neighborhood by neighborhood, person by person,” read the talking points before his Pod Save America appearance.

Door-to-door engagement by trusted community figures—including doctors and religious leaders—was framed as outreach, while critics of the effort were addressed directly in Murthy’s prepared remarks: “For individuals or organizations feeding misinformation and trying to mischaracterize this work, you are doing a disservice to the country.”

Preparations for a Washington Post interview included references to direct coordination with major technology companies.

“We’ve increased mis/disinformation research and tracking within the Surgeon General’s office, and we’re flagging problematic posts for social platforms,” the document stated. “Facebook is aware of our concerns and we have requested changes.”

The talking points indicated that platforms unwilling to act were viewed as harming both the public and medical professionals, reinforcing language Murthy was expected to use in multiple interviews.

The administration also called for algorithmic adjustments to limit the spread of certain content while promoting what it described as reliable vaccine information.

Murthy’s messaging reached a more personal tone during a July 19 NBC Nightly News appearance, where he was encouraged to emphasize the human cost of misinformation.

The prepared remarks directed him to say that “health misinformation is costing us lives,” while referencing the deaths of “ten of [his] own family members” and urging social media companies to act more aggressively.

The tone of the messaging, according to the documents, was intended to frame disagreement not as debate but as a public health risk.

Murthy did not respond to requests for comment. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, Andrew Nixon, told Newsmax that the agency under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports open discourse.

“That kind of messaging is a big part of why public trust in our healthcare system collapsed during the pandemic,” Nixon said. “Public health should be grounded in transparency and open discussion, not shutting down disagreement.”

PPT says this is not the first set of documents to raise concerns about how COVID guidance was presented to the public.

One example cited involves August 2021 recommendations from Murthy advising quarantine for students who had been within close proximity—three feet for more than 15 minutes—of an infected individual.

According to the group, the supporting research cited in those recommendations was inconsistent, lacked peer review, or relied on data from unrelated settings.

The watchdog group argues that policies such as school closures and quarantines set students back significantly while relying on what it described as weak scientific grounding.

Additional criticism from PPT targeted federal agencies including the CDC and FDA, alleging that officials misrepresented data related to vaccine effectiveness and natural immunity. The group also pointed to a study that overstated pediatric COVID deaths by 32%, saying the error was not corrected despite being identified internally.

Earlier records obtained by PPT indicated that Murthy acknowledged collaboration with technology companies during a 2021 meeting with then-Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The tone of those discussions, according to the group, was confrontational toward parents, while encouraging teenagers to advocate for vaccination within their families. Mask-wearing was presented as a collective obligation rather than a personal decision.

While the newly released documents do not allege unlawful censorship, they describe sustained efforts to portray dissenting views as dangerous, which critics say contributed to declining public trust.

Polling data cited in the report shows that trust in the CDC dropped sharply—from 85% at the start of the pandemic to 44% within two years.

The documents suggest that Murthy’s office pursued a broad communications campaign aimed at marginalizing opposing viewpoints, even as debates continued over key issues such as distancing guidelines, immunity, masking, and vaccinations for children.

A resolution to the 46-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security may be within reach, as House Republicans move toward supporting a Senate-backed funding framework that separates broader DHS funding from immigration enforcement agencies.

Under the emerging plan, lawmakers would restore funding for most of DHS while addressing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection through a separate reconciliation process.

President Donald Trump signaled his support for the approach, emphasizing that Republicans intend to secure funding for border enforcement without relying on Democratic votes. “We are going forward to fund our incredible ICE Agents and Border Patrol through a process that doesn’t need Radical Left Democrat votes, and bypasses the Senate Filibuster (which should be repealed, IMMEDIATELY!),” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also pressed Congress to act quickly, adding, “I am asking that the Bill be on my desk NO LATER than June 1st,” referring to the reconciliation measure that would fund ICE and CBP.

The Senate unanimously approved legislation last Friday that restores funding to DHS but excludes ICE and CBP, setting the stage for a separate effort to finance those agencies.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s strategy has been to pass the remaining funding for ICE and CBP through reconciliation, allowing Republicans to avoid the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

House Republicans initially pushed back on that approach, with Speaker Mike Johnson instead advocating for a temporary 60-day extension to fully fund DHS while negotiations continued.

That position shifted Wednesday, when Thune and Johnson issued a joint statement aligning behind the Senate’s two-pronged strategy after Trump publicly endorsed it.

“In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process,” they said.

“Republican Congress will fully reopen the Department, make sure all federal workers are paid, and specifically fund immigration enforcement and border security for the next three years so that those law-enforcement activities can continue uninhibited.”

It remains uncertain whether the House, currently in recess, will return early to finalize the funding legislation.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham has already started the reconciliation process, which is known to be procedurally complex and time-consuming.

Earlier in the standoff, House Republicans rejected the Senate’s initial proposal because it did not include funding for ICE and CBP. While Johnson avoided directly criticizing Thune, he directed his frustration at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The partial shutdown began on Feb. 14 after Democrats blocked DHS funding over disagreements related to immigration enforcement policies, particularly concerning ICE and CBP operations.

Democrats had called for several changes, including banning ICE agents from wearing masks, imposing stricter warrant requirements, and limiting enforcement activity in certain sensitive locations.

Republicans declined to accept those broader restrictions but agreed to some measures, such as requiring body cameras. Meanwhile, Trump removed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem from her position and ended Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, developments that contributed to the funding impasse.

“Democrats will once again demonstrate to the American people their support for open borders and keeping criminal illegal immigrants in America,” Johnson and Thune said.

Amid the shutdown, Trump also redirected funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—legislation passed through reconciliation last year—to cover pay for Transportation Security Administration workers and reduce delays at airport security checkpoints.

TSA employees received their paychecks on Monday, and Trump indicated he plans to use the same funding mechanism to ensure ICE and CBP personnel are paid while Congress works on a final reconciliation package.

“In the meantime, we will continue to use funding from THE GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, which is giving Record Tax Rebates to Citizens all over the Country, to ensure that ICE and Border Patrol Agents are paid ON TIME, and IN FULL, as we have been doing for them throughout the Democrat Shutdown,” he said.

A missile launched from Iran toward the Gush Dan area on Wednesday morning struck multiple locations in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan, wounding several people and causing extensive damage.

At Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, medical staff are battling to save the life of an 11-year-old girl who was critically hurt in the strike. Hospital officials said her father was also injured and is in moderate condition, while six other children were brought to the emergency room for treatment.

Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva reported that a 12-year-old boy who sustained serious injuries, along with his mother who was moderately wounded, were evacuated following the impact. The boy is set to be moved to Schneider Children’s Medical Center for further care. Additionally, eleven people with minor injuries were treated and transferred to Sheba and Beilinson hospitals. In a separate incident, a building was hit, causing a gas leak that was handled by emergency crews.

MDA paramedic Yissachar Weiss recounted what responders encountered at the scene: “We received a report of a missile impact and arrived on the scene with ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and rapid response motorcycles. We saw destruction and people walking around conscious, and an 11-year-old girl semi-conscious with shrapnel injuries to her limbs. We provided medical treatment and evacuated her by MDA mobile intensive care unit to the hospital in serious condition. Additional MDA teams treated several other injured people and also evacuated them to hospitals.”

Senior medic Lipa Hirsch said additional injured individuals were found during follow-up searches. “During our searches we saw a 13-year-old boy conscious after being injured by the blast. We placed him in an MDA ambulance and evacuated him to the hospital in moderate condition. Additional MDA teams are scanning to ensure there are no more casualties.”

In Cholon, the missile strike ignited a fire in an open area, while in Petach Tikva, debris from intercepted missiles fell in open spaces.

Police reported that fragments from interceptions were located in several cities across the Sharon region. Sirens were activated across central Israel, the Sharon, Shomron, and the south in response to the launch.

Earlier, sirens sounded in the Negev after a missile was fired by Houthi forces in Yemen. That missile was intercepted, and no injuries were reported.

Before that, alerts were triggered in the Upper Galilee after a drone infiltrated from Lebanon. Security officials said the drone was not intercepted and appears to have landed in an open area without causing any casualties.

Iran on Wednesday dismissed President Donald Trump’s assertion that its leadership had requested a ceasefire, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to escalate.

Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, rejected the claim outright, calling it “false and baseless,” according to Iranian state media reports.

In a separate announcement, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps emphasized that it maintains full authority over the Strait of Hormuz and signaled no intention of reopening the critical waterway.

“This strait will not be opened to the enemies of this nation through the ridiculous spectacle by the president of the United States,” the IRGC said, adding that the passage “is firmly and decisively under the control” of its forces.

The Iranian responses followed remarks Trump posted on Truth Social, where he claimed that Tehran had sought a ceasefire.

“Iran’s new regime president, much less radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote.

He made clear that any agreement would depend on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. “We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”

Trump has also recently argued that Iran has effectively undergone a leadership shake-up, pointing to the elimination of key figures who were in power at the start of the war.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said he expects the conflict to continue for a short period longer while negotiations proceed.

“We’re negotiating with them right now. We have had regime change. Regime change was not one of the things I had as a goal. I had one goal. They will have no nuclear weapon. And that goal has been attained. They will not have nuclear weapons. But we’re finishing the job. And I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer to do the job.”

He added that the administration is seeking to dismantle Iran’s remaining capabilities, while leaving open the possibility of a deal.

“we want to knock out every single thing they have. It’s possible that we’ll make a deal before that..but if they come to the table, that’ll be good. But it doesn’t matter whether they come or not. We’ve set them back. It’ll take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild what we’ve done to them.”

Trump went on to describe what he said was the current state of Iran’s military and leadership following recent strikes.

“They have no Navy. They have no military. They have no Air Force. They have no telecommunications and no anti-aircraft systems. They have no leaders. You know, their leaders are all gone. That’s why we have regime change. We have nice new leaders.”

American and Iranian officials are exploring a possible agreement that would link a ceasefire to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to three U.S. officials who spoke with Axios.

The officials said it remains uncertain whether the discussions are happening directly or through intermediaries, and warned that there is no guarantee an agreement will materialize. They added that President Donald Trump has been actively reviewing the idea with advisers both inside and outside his administration.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, Trump discussed the concept of a ceasefire during a Wednesday phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also held a separate conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed.

Behind the scenes, Vice President JD Vance has continued engaging with mediators about a possible ceasefire, including as recently as Tuesday, a source said.

That source indicated Vance relayed a message through intermediaries that the United States would be open to a ceasefire under certain conditions, chief among them the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Vance reinforced Trump’s warning that Iranian infrastructure could be targeted if negotiations fail.

Trump said publicly on Wednesday that Iran had reached out to request a ceasefire, but emphasized that any such arrangement would hinge on reopening the vital waterway.

A similar proposal was put forward Tuesday by China and Pakistan as part of a broader peace initiative.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry quickly pushed back on Trump’s claim, insisting that no direct talks are taking place between Tehran and Washington.

It is possible Trump was referencing comments made Tuesday by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a call with European Council President António Costa.

Pezeshkian indicated that Iran would be willing to halt the fighting, provided the United States stops its attacks and offers assurances that hostilities would not resume.

“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He added that, absent such a development, the U.S. would continue “blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed Trump’s remarks, calling them “false and baseless”

Despite Trump’s reference to a “new” leadership, Pezeshkian was already in office prior to the outbreak of the war, and many analysts believe more hardline elements within Iran are currently directing policy.

Looking ahead, Trump has repeatedly signaled that the conflict could conclude in the near future, though he has not ruled out the possibility of a ground campaign.

Israel and several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, are pressing the administration to maintain pressure, while some officials within the White House are quietly exploring ways to de-escalate.

Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address on Iran at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Dear Matzav Inbox,  When it comes to the Seder, every child is taught about asking their father the 4 questions. Occasionally, there is a fifth question, one which comes first; where is my father? Children don’t vocalize this question though. It’s too painful to bring up. But nobody talking about it makes it feel even worse – like he doesn’t even exist. But he does exist. And he wants to be with his children. He’s just not allowed to. It’s not his “visitation” or “parenting time” right now. This brings up a sixth question: Why? Why can’t my father be with me now? Why is he only allowed to be with me sometimes? And a seventh and more: Who isn’t allowing him to be with me? Does that mean they can stop him from doing other things for me? From protecting me? From giving me what I need from him? Why can somebody stop my father from being my father? So we explain: when parents divorce, they cannot live together, and so, each parent only has certain times with their children. Now happens to be not Tatty’s time. This only brings up more questions: what about me? Why can’t I have both parents at the same time? Why can’t my parents get along like anyone else’s? Why do I have to sit by the Seder and not be able to ask the 4 questions to my father!? Sure, we can give them many explanations: if your father’s not there you can ask your mother, or your grandfather (like it says in Shulchan Aruch), not all children live with their fathers, your father has issues or is a terrible person, you’ll be fine, and probably some others. So you’ve explained my father away. Now I have an explanation, so I don’t need my father. So I’ll sit here by the Seder, pretending to be happy, distracting from this deep ache and longing in my heart. And though nobody cares about the father, (because of all the explanations: he did it to himself, he should’ve been better, he was given the option, he doesn’t deserve it, he’s not a good father, and some others) I will ask his questions too: when does this end? When will I have to stop going to court? When will the threat of jail stop being a threat? When can I be considered a rightful parent to my child? When will my children stop being restricted from me? When will I be able to actually be the only human father my children have? I have all the explanations in the world in my hand, and so I sit by the Seder, pretending to be happy, distracting from this deep ache and longing in my heart. Whether present or distracted, or not there altogether, I am grateful for my children, and I will work to be the best father they deserve. The questions may persist without answers, but the importance of fathers should not be minimized. Please encourage better fathers, and more connection with their children. Don’t forget the father. The child never does. S. Cohen

 

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly backed NATO on Wednesday, pushing back against comments by President Donald Trump suggesting the United States could rethink its role in the alliance after the war with Iran ends.

Speaking to reporters at Downing Street, Starmer emphasized the alliance’s historic importance and the U.K.’s continued commitment to it. “NATO is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen,” he said. “It has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to NATO.”

Starmer also made clear that he would not yield to outside demands, particularly regarding British involvement in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign. “Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make,” he said. “That’s why I’ve been absolutely clear that this is not our war and we’re not going to get dragged into it.”

His remarks come as tensions have grown between Washington and several European governments over their reluctance to contribute military forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply passes.

In an interview with The Telegraph published Wednesday, Trump signaled deep skepticism about NATO’s value and left open the possibility of a policy shift once the Iran conflict subsides. He described U.S. membership in the alliance as “beyond reconsideration.”

“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump said, reinforcing similar remarks made a day earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump also took aim directly at Starmer and the United Kingdom, criticizing Britain’s naval capabilities amid the current crisis in the Persian Gulf. “You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” he said, while adding that he would not dictate British defense decisions.

“He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter,” Trump said. “All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”

Earlier this year, Starmer initially denied a U.S. request to use British bases for potential strikes on Tehran, citing legal concerns. He later reversed that position after Iran intensified its regional attacks, ultimately permitting U.S. operations from U.K. facilities targeting Iranian missile infrastructure threatening maritime traffic.

At the same time, Britain has increased its military presence in the region, sending additional personnel and air defense systems to reinforce Typhoon fighter jets already deployed in Qatar.

With relations between London and Washington under strain, Starmer indicated that Britain is looking more closely toward Europe for future cooperation. “It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” he said.

The Israeli Air Force carried out a sweeping series of strikes over the past two days, hitting roughly 400 targets tied to Iran’s military and weapons production systems, according to a statement released Wednesday by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

During overnight operations, Israeli aircraft, guided by intelligence, launched a large-scale assault on dozens of military infrastructure sites belonging to the Iranian regime in central Tehran.

According to the IDF, the strikes also significantly damaged Iran’s weapons production capabilities, with about 15 manufacturing facilities hit, including a major compound associated with Iran’s Ministry of Defense.

The statement explained that within this compound, the Ministry of Defense operated missile production and development facilities designed to produce weapons intended for use against aircraft and unmanned aerial systems.

At the same time, Israeli forces targeted air defense batteries, missile launch platforms, and facilities used for the production and storage of both ballistic missiles and other systems aimed at Israeli aircraft.

“The completed strikes are part of the phase focused on deepening the damage to the core systems and foundations of the Iranian terror regime,” the IDF said.

In a separate operation on Tuesday, Israeli forces struck a research facility involved in the transfer of chemical materials to the Iranian regime.

The site, identified as belonging to the Tofiq Daru Company, was described as a key supplier of fentanyl to the SPND organization, which the IDF says oversees Iran’s chemical weapons development.

Although the factory outwardly operated as a civilian entity, the IDF stated that it was actively supplying chemical substances—including fentanyl—that were used in research and development tied to Iran’s chemical weapons program.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a message directed at the American public, asserting that Iran does not view ordinary U.S. citizens as adversaries, according to reports from state-run media.

In the letter, Pezeshkian attempted to counter longstanding tensions between the two nations, claiming that portraying Iran as an enemy of the American people does not reflect reality. He wrote that such a view was “neither ⁠consistent with historical reality nor ⁠with present-day observable facts.”

At the same time, the Iranian leader called on the United States to halt its military campaign, warning that Iran would endure regardless of American actions.

“Today, the world stands at a crossroads. Continuing along the path of confrontation is more costly and futile than ever before,” he said.

“The choice between confrontation and engagement is both real and consequential; its outcome will shape the future for generations to come,” he added.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that U.S. forces plan to leave Iran in the near term, while leaving open the possibility of returning for limited strikes if necessary.

In a phone interview with Reuters conducted hours before his scheduled national address, Trump outlined his expectations for the war effort and hinted at what he would emphasize in his 9:00 p.m. EDT speech.

During the conversation, Trump said he intends to criticize NATO, expressing frustration with what he views as insufficient backing from the alliance in the campaign against Iran.

He confirmed he is “absolutely” weighing a potential U.S. withdrawal from NATO, the military alliance established in 1949 and approved by the U.S. Senate. Trump has previously threatened to leave the alliance and has pushed member countries to boost their military budgets.

“They haven’t been friends when we needed them,” Trump told Reuters. “We’ve never asked them for much … it’s a one-way street.”

While Trump and senior administration officials have offered varying projections for how long the conflict will last, he reiterated that the campaign could conclude soon, though he declined to commit to a firm deadline in the Reuters interview.

“I can’t tell you exactly … we’re going to be out pretty quickly,” he said, adding that once U.S. forces withdraw, “we’ll come back to do spot hits” on Iranian targets as needed.

Trump said he initially expected that the first round of strikes—targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials—might lead to a negotiated agreement.

Mojtaba Khamenei has since taken over as Iran’s supreme leader, replacing his father. U.S. officials have indicated he is believed to be wounded and possibly disfigured, while Iran’s president and foreign minister have remained in place.

According to Trump, Iran’s leadership has now undergone a major shift. “I didn’t need regime change, but we got it because of the casualties of war. We got it. So we have regime change and the big thing we have is they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,” he told Reuters, adding, “Nor do they want one.”

“We have had full regime change,” Trump said. “I’m dealing with a very good chance that we’ll make a deal because they don’t want to be blasted anymore.”

Trump has repeatedly said the primary objective of the war was to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and he told Reuters that goal has already been achieved.

Addressing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, Trump said: “That’s so far underground, I don’t care about that”, adding, “We’ll always be watching it by satellite.”

He also asserted that Iran is now “incapable” of developing a nuclear weapon.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had approached the United States seeking a ceasefire.

He said any such agreement would depend on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. “We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”

Iran rejected the claim, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson calling it “false and baseless.”

Separately, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said it continues to control the strategic waterway.

“This strait will not be opened to the enemies of this nation through the ridiculous spectacle by the president of the United States,” the IRGC said, adding that it “is firmly and decisively under the control” of its forces.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced strong opposition to the ongoing U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran, criticizing the conflict on multiple fronts in a newly released interview.

Speaking with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, Mamdani argued that the war is fundamentally flawed. “It’s a war that should be opposed on every single ground, not just procedural, but also moral, but also political, and also a war that should be opposed on the grounds of the fact that it is being financed by the very money that could make it easier to keep calling this city, this country, home, and yet, there is a blindness to that fact,” Mamdani said.

At the outset of the conflict, Mamdani had already condemned the military action, describing U.S. and Israeli strikes as “a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.”

In a post on X at the time, he expanded on his criticism, writing: “Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theater of war. Americans do not want this. They do not want another war in pursuit of regime change. They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace.”

His comments come as President Donald Trump continues to weigh further military steps, including a possible deployment of U.S. forces inside Iran to secure its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium — a mission that could take several days to complete.

Such an operation would place American troops deep within Iranian territory, exposing them to potential attacks from short-range missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, the White House announced that the president will address the nation regarding the conflict. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the announcement Tuesday evening.

“TUNE IN: Tomorrow night at 9PM ET, President Trump will give an Address to the Nation to provide an important update on Iran,” Leavitt said in a Tuesday evening post on X.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the military campaign against Iran is approaching its final stage, though he cautioned that the conflict will not conclude immediately.

Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rubio said the United States is closing in on its objectives but emphasized that the end is not imminent. “We are well on our way. We are on or ahead of schedule on each of those four objectives. And we can see the finish line. It’s not today. It’s not tomorrow, but it is coming. We are going to get to the point where our military will have achieved all of its objectives in this mission.”

.@SecRubio: "We are going to get to the point where our military will have achieved all of its objectives in this mission, and they're doing so with extraordinary efficiency — something that I think will go down in history as one of the best run tactical military operations in… pic.twitter.com/NaoMThIhs2

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 1, 2026

Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s leadership, describing it as driven by extremist ideology. “This is a regime that is led by radical Shia clerics, by people who believe that it is their calling. I know this sounds fantastical, but it’s absolutely true. This is a regime led by people who believe that it is their calling and their purpose in life to usher in the end of the world.”

He argued that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are evident from its actions and capabilities. “These people want nuclear weapons. Why do we know that? Because they are assembling all the things you need for nuclear weapons. They’re assembling long-range rockets that can eventually reach the United States, can already range Europe. We saw them demonstrate two of them last week, despite denying that they had them. They enriched uranium to 60%…from 60 to 90%, which is what you need for a bomb, takes 12 to 14 days. They bragged about still having that. They demand the right to enrich, which is how you get from 60 to 90%. They’re the leading sponsor of terrorism, not in the region, in the world.”

Rubio reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has been a central objective of President Trump for years. “They can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, which is what President Trump made very clear from the very first day of his presidency. In fact, from the very first day of his candidacy. When he came down that escalator in 2015, he talked about this,” he said, adding that Trump has consistently warned about the Iranian threat even before entering politics and has remained committed to confronting it.

He outlined the military campaign’s goals, saying significant progress has already been made. “We are going to destroy their Air Force. We have largely done that. We were going to destroy their Navy, which we have largely achieved that. We were going to destroy a significant percentage of their missile launchers. We are well on our way to achieving that. And we were going to wipe out their defense industrial base, meaning the factories that make the drones and the missiles. We are on our way to doing that,” he said.

Addressing the possibility of diplomacy, Rubio said the U.S. remains open to negotiations but remains cautious based on past experience. “We can’t ignore that for 47 years they’ve avoided and rejected any effort to negotiate. That doesn’t mean we’re going to stop trying.”

He emphasized that while negotiations are preferable, they cannot be used as a stalling tactic. “President Trump always, always would rather have negotiations than war. And he will always, we gave them 60 days early last year. We gave them additional time to negotiate after Midnight Hammer again earlier this year. But each and every time those things have proved fruitless. But we’re going to keep trying. There are messages being exchanged. There are talks going on. There is the potential for direct meeting at some point. We’re always going to be open for that. But President Trump is not going to allow fake negotiations to be used as a delay tactic to buy more time to buy themselves space.”

{Matzav.com}

Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that King Charles will travel to the United States in late April for a state visit, a high-profile trip British officials hope will help mend relations with President Donald Trump following tensions over the Iran war.

The king and Queen Camilla are scheduled to take part in a previously arranged visit marking the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain, after which they will continue on to Bermuda.

“Their majesties’ program will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States,” Buckingham Palace said, noting that the visit is being undertaken at the recommendation of the British government.

The trip will mark the first state visit to the United States by a British monarch since 2007, when Queen Elizabeth II — Charles’ mother — made her fourth official visit during her reign.

According to reports, King Charles III is expected to address a joint session of Congress during the visit, highlighting the enduring relationship between the two nations as the U.S. commemorates its milestone anniversary.

Relations between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have come under strain in recent weeks, largely due to the U.K.’s reluctance to take a more active role in the Iran war and its refusal to allow American forces to launch initial strikes from British bases.

Although Britain has since permitted what Starmer described as defensive operations, Trump has openly criticized the prime minister, saying he was “not Winston Churchill” and accusing him of weakening the long-standing alliance between the two countries.

Trump has also dismissed Britain’s offer to contribute additional military resources to the region.

Beyond the Iran conflict, disagreements have emerged over Britain’s agreement with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, where the joint U.S.-U.K. Diego Garcia air base is located. Trump has called the arrangement a serious error, a stance welcomed by some of Starmer’s political opponents.

Starmer, who previously worked as a human rights lawyer, has questioned the legality of the military campaign against Iran — a position that has resonated with segments of the British public concerned about rising energy costs and the broader consequences of the conflict.

Despite those concerns, Starmer has refrained from directly attacking Trump and has maintained publicly that relations between the two leaders remain positive.

Since Trump returned to office, the British government has leaned on the monarchy’s diplomatic influence to help maintain goodwill with the White House. Trump has expressed strong admiration for the royal family, and officials hope that connection can help preserve cooperation on issues such as the war in Ukraine and potential trade disputes.

Charles previously hosted Trump for a rare second state visit to the United Kingdom last September, which included a ceremonial carriage procession and a formal banquet at Windsor Castle. During that visit, Trump praised the relationship between the two countries, calling it “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”

British officials are now looking to the 77-year-old monarch to once again help stabilize the relationship during a period of friction. Prince William is also expected to visit the United States later in the year during the soccer World Cup.

Trump said last week that the upcoming visit would proceed despite the tensions with Starmer. “He’s a friend of mine,” Trump said of Charles. “He’s a great gentleman.”

The visit, however, could place the king in a delicate position, requiring him to publicly engage with a U.S. president who remains unpopular among many British voters.

There are also policy differences between the two leaders, particularly on climate change, an issue Charles has championed for decades but where Trump has taken a markedly different stance.

In addition, Charles may face renewed scrutiny over his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is currently under police investigation for alleged misconduct tied to his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Some political figures in Britain have already voiced opposition to the visit. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has previously argued that the trip should be canceled, saying Trump should not be rewarded diplomatically given his past criticisms of the United Kingdom.

The city of Bnei Brak is mourning the passing of Rabbi Meshulam Menachem Lerer z”l, a longtime chief military chazzan and a beloved figure known for his warmth and dedication to Torah. He passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.

Rabbi Lerer had been hospitalized in recent weeks as his condition worsened significantly.

He was a son of Rabbi Yosef Eliezer Lerer z”l. He married his wife, the daughter of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shtok z”l. Together they built a home rooted in Torah, raising a distinguished family.

Those who knew him describe a man of integrity and kindness. “He was a person entirely defined by chessed and a warm countenance,” a family acquaintance said. Alongside his public role as chief military chazzan, he remained humble, consistently set aside time for Torah learning, and was widely admired by all who encountered him.

Over the years, he left a lasting impact on the world of chazzanus, using his powerful and moving voice to inspire tefillah and strengthen emunah.

He is survived by a prominent family that continues his legacy, including his son, Reb Yehoshua (Shuki) Lerer, one of the most recognized photographers in the chareidi world, and his son Reb Chaim Yaakov Lerer, a respected Lelover chossid.

The levayah was held at Heichal HaTorah Ateres Zehava in Shikun Hei in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Segulah cemetery in Petach Tikvah.

Yehi zichro boruch.