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President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO and several key U.S. allies, accusing them of failing to support American military efforts in the ongoing conflict with Iran, while highlighting assistance from a handful of Middle Eastern partners.

Speaking publicly, Trump took aim at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, questioning its effectiveness and describing it as a “paper tiger,” in a pointed rebuke of the 32-member alliance.

He expanded his criticism to include several countries in Asia, arguing that nations benefiting from U.S. military protection did not reciprocate during the conflict.

“We’ve got 50,000 soldiers in Japan to protect them from North Korea,” Trump said. “We have 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong Un.”

Trump expressed frustration that these allies did not contribute to the U.S. war effort. “Japan didn’t help us or Australia didn’t help us,” he added. “South Korea didn’t help us. And then you get to NATO. NATO didn’t help us. There were some countries that did.”

In contrast, Trump pointed to support from several Gulf nations, naming Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as countries that assisted the United States during the conflict.

Unidentified advanced drones spotted flying over several U.S. military installations could represent a warning from China, according to analyst Gordon Chang, who cautioned that Beijing may be signaling its ability to strike inside the United States if tensions escalate over Iran.

Speaking Monday, Chang pointed to recent incidents involving large, highly capable drones seen over key American bases. “The important point here is that we have had, last month, over four of our important military bases, foreign drones. These drones were large, they were un-hackable, they obviously were not recreational, so some foreign power — probably China, maybe Russia — was operating drones over our critical air force bases,” Chang said on “Mornings with Maria.”

He stressed that the activity should not be dismissed and may carry strategic meaning. “Really, right now, the United States needs to be able to defend its bases in the homeland because those drone flights were a warning to the United States of some sort,” he continued.

Chang suggested the overflights could be intended as a message to President Donald Trump, warning that deeper U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict might provoke retaliatory action targeting American territory.

He also pointed to a recent incident involving a suspicious device discovered near MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, which he said could be connected to China, as further evidence of a growing threat.

“We’ve really got to be concerned,” he said, later adding, “These are warnings that China intends to move on the U.S. in the American homeland.”

Chang further argued that China’s actions should be viewed alongside its strengthening ties with other U.S. adversaries, including Russia and Iran, suggesting a coordinated challenge across multiple fronts.

“China is supporting Russia in Ukraine, and China is supporting Russia in other matters as well… So they have a durable partnership, and anything that helps one of them is going to generally help the other, with the exception of the matter that you just raised,” he said, referring to the tension between higher oil prices benefiting Russia while raising costs for China.

He concluded with a broader warning about the strategic environment facing the United States. “Generally speaking, the United States now faces a very powerful combination, and we shouldn’t be doing anything that fuels that combination,” he added.

Starbucks is making sweeping changes to how tips and compensation work for its employees, announcing a broader tipping system alongside a new bonus program aimed at increasing barista earnings.

The Seattle-based coffee chain said it will widen the ways customers can leave tips, allowing gratuities on a larger share of credit and debit card purchases, according to Reuters.

Although tipping has already been available through the company’s app and at registers, Starbucks is now extending that option to more card transactions, including payments made through the app while inside stores.

In addition to the tipping changes, the company is introducing a new incentive program that could allow baristas and shift supervisors to earn up to $1,200 per year beyond their regular wages.

This bonus system will be tied to performance metrics such as sales and customer service goals, and is scheduled to begin in July.

Starbucks also announced a shift in its payroll schedule, with employees set to receive weekly pay starting in August, a change the company says reflects feedback from its workforce.

Workers United, the labor union representing some Starbucks employees, responded to the announcement by saying it reflects ongoing pressure from organizing efforts. In a statement obtained by Reuters, the union said the move was “clearly a reaction to our organizing and demands for higher take-home pay for baristas.”

At the same time, the union expressed concern about how much control workers actually have over these added earnings, noting that bonuses and tips are “largely out of baristas’ control.”

The company has previously said that baristas earn roughly $30 per hour on average when factoring in wages and benefits, despite the demands of a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.

Industry observers say customers are likely to notice an increase in tipping prompts going forward. Amore Philip, a New York-based public relations strategist, said consumers “should absolutely expect to see more frequent tipping prompts.”

She described the trend as part of a wider cultural shift in how tipping is used. “What’s happening here is part of a broader shift in consumer culture often referred to as ‘tip creep,’ where tipping is expanding into spaces that traditionally didn’t require it,” she told Fox News Digital.

Philip added that this trend may create discomfort or uncertainty for customers. “For customers, that can create a sense of pressure or even confusion to where consumers may be tipping for service, convenience or simply because the system is prompting you to.”

At the same time, she noted that Starbucks may be aiming to improve employee morale and customer experience through these changes.

“The tension is really about balance,” she added. “Consumers are becoming more aware of how often they’re being asked to tip, [but] if the experience feels elevated, including faster service, better interactions … customers may be more willing to participate.”

Financial experts say the move could also help Starbucks avoid raising menu prices directly. Ted Jenkin, managing partner at Exit Wealth Advisors in Georgia, said the strategy shifts more of the burden to customers voluntarily.

“The new tipping move is “an easy way for Starbucks to avoid raising prices directly,” he said.

Jenkin also questioned the growing trend of pre-service tipping. “Who wants to give a tip before you even get your latte?” he said to Fox News Digital. “That defeats the whole idea of a tip.”

President Donald Trump made lighthearted remarks Monday suggesting he could run for president of Venezuela, saying he believes he would outperform any candidate in the country, as he spoke during a press briefing focused on a recent military rescue operation.

During the event, Trump quipped about his hypothetical political prospects abroad. “The people of Venezuela, they say, if I ran for president of Venezuela, I’m polling higher than anybody has ever polled in Venezuela, so after I’m finished with this, I can go to Venezuela,” Trump said. “I will quickly learn Spanish. It won’t take too long. I’m good at language and I will go to Venezuela. I’m going to run for president. But we’re very happy with the president-elect that we have right now.”

Throughout the briefing, Trump returned several times to the topic of Venezuela, drawing comparisons between the recent rescue mission over Iran and previous U.S. military actions involving the South American nation. He also suggested that the situation in Iran could ultimately mirror developments in Venezuela.

At one point, Trump described the U.S. campaign involving Venezuela as swift and decisive, claiming it was resolved in a short time frame and highlighting what he said were large quantities of oil secured by the United States.

In remarks made during a cabinet meeting last month, Trump similarly joked about entering Venezuelan politics, referencing acting President Delcy Rodriguez, whom he installed following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

“The people — actually, I’m the highest polling person. In other words, after the presidency, I think I may go to Venezuela and run for president,” Trump said.

He added that the idea was appealing, describing it as a “wonderful option” for his future.

Despite joking about quickly picking up Spanish during Monday’s remarks, Trump had previously taken a different stance when speaking to Latin American leaders at the Shield of the Americas Summit.

During that address, he praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting his fluency in Spanish, while making clear he had no intention of learning the language himself.

“He’s got a language advantage over me, ‘cause I’m not learning your …. language,” Trump said. “I don’t have time. I was okay with languages but I’m not gonna spend time learning your language. That much I won’t do.”

Israeli forces carried out a sweeping series of airstrikes across Iran on Monday, killing two senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials and targeting key military and economic infrastructure, even as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire continued.

Among those killed was Majid Khademi, a high-ranking IRGC intelligence official who had recently assumed leadership of both the Intelligence Protection Organization and the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization after his predecessor was eliminated in last year’s fighting.

In a separate operation in Tehran, another senior figure, Yazdan Mir — also known as Sardar Bagheri or Asghar Bagheri — was killed. He led Unit 840, a covert division within the IRGC’s Quds Force known for overseas operations.

The Israel Defense Forces described Khademi as “one of the IRGC’s most senior commanders and had accumulated extensive military and security experience over many years.”

“In his role, he was responsible for gathering intelligence and helping formulate a comprehensive situational assessment for the regime’s senior leadership” during the war, the military said.

According to the IDF, Khademi also played a central role in directing hostile activities abroad. He “worked to advance terror activities against the State of Israel and against Jewish targets worldwide. He also took part in attempts to target American individuals and was responsible for monitoring Iranian civilians as part of the regime’s suppression of internal protests,” the IDF added.

Regarding Bagheri, the military said he occupied several senior posts within the Quds Force and was deeply involved in operations targeting Israeli and American interests globally.

The IDF noted that Unit 840 has been linked to assassination attempts and abductions beyond Iran’s borders, including operations involving Israeli nationals.

Bagheri, according to the military, “coordinated and promoted terror activities against the State of Israel, including operations carried out within the territory of the State of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.”

The IDF further stated that under his leadership, the unit “advanced operations aimed at harming IDF troops operating in the buffer zone in Syria, using Syrian operatives who had previously served in Assad’s army.”

Officials also said he played a role in efforts to smuggle weapons into Israel and areas of the West Bank.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, who was briefed during a high-level security assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, warned that Israel would continue pursuing its adversaries. “Iran’s leaders live with a sense of persecution. We will continue to hunt them down one by one.”

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu also praised the operations, highlighting the elimination of Khademi and Bagheri.

He described Bagheri as “responsible for attacks against Jews and Israelis around the world.”

“Whoever acts to murder our citizens, whoever directs terrorism against Israel, whoever builds the Iranian axis of evil — their blood is on their own head. We are acting with power and determination; we will reach anyone who seeks to harm us,” Netanyahu said.

“We will continue with full force, on all fronts, until the threat is removed and all the objectives of the war are achieved.”

In addition to targeting individuals, Israeli forces struck major components of Iran’s energy sector, including the South Pars petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh, one of the country’s most significant industrial sites.

Katz said the IDF “has just powerfully struck the largest petrochemical facility in Iran, located in Asaluyeh, a central target responsible for about 50 percent of the country’s petrochemical production, following last week’s strike on the second main facility.”

He added that the two facilities, “which together are responsible for about 85% of Iran’s petrochemical exports, have been taken out of use and are not functioning.”

“This is a severe economic blow amounting to tens of billions of dollars to the Iranian regime,” he said.

According to Katz, Iran’s petrochemical sector plays a crucial role in funding the IRGC and its military activities.

He said the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on key infrastructure. “continue striking with full force the national infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime.”

“The Iranian terror regime will discover that continued aggression against Israel and the cowardly and criminal firing at Israeli civilians will lead to a deepening of the economic and strategic damage it pays and to the collapse of its capabilities,” Katz said.

Iranian media later reported that another petrochemical complex, in Marvdasht, was also struck.

“A few minutes ago, the Marvdasht Petrochemical Complex was targeted by an American-Zionist enemy attack,” the Fars news agency reported, noting that a fire broke out but was later contained, with no casualties reported.

Israel did not immediately respond to that report.

The Israeli Air Force also targeted multiple airfields in and around Tehran, stating they were being used by the Quds Force.

According to the military, the strikes hit runways, control towers, and a drone production facility, while also destroying numerous Iranian aircraft.

Fighter jets carried out attacks on planes, helicopters, and infrastructure “used by the regime’s armed forces for military purposes” at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and two additional nearby airstrips.

The strikes came as Iran continued launching ballistic missiles toward Israel, some of which have caused casualties in recent days.

Meanwhile, Iranian sources reported that a residential building southwest of Tehran was hit, resulting in at least 13 fatalities, though the intended target was unclear.

Separate reports indicated that a strike at Sharif University of Technology caused a temporary gas disruption in parts of the capital.

Iranian state media said the attack damaged a gas regulation facility on campus, causing a leak but no fire. “The attack did not result in a fire, and in less than half an hour, the gas leak was completely fixed,” state broadcaster IRIB said.

The university, which has faced international sanctions in the past over its links to Iran’s military programs, was largely empty at the time due to the ongoing conflict.

Reports also indicated that the strike damaged a data center at the site, including facilities linked to artificial intelligence systems.

Footage aired by Iranian outlets showed extensive destruction at the location, with debris scattered and structures heavily damaged.

Israeli security authorities have uncovered several espionage cases tied to Iran, including the arrest of four active-duty IDF soldiers suspected of spying, as well as a separate investigation involving a young Yerushalayim resident who allegedly carried out intelligence-gathering missions for an Iranian handler.

Officials confirmed that the four soldiers were taken into custody in recent days on suspicion of collaborating with Iran. A court-imposed gag order remains in place, preventing the release of further details about that investigation.

In a separate case made public Monday, a 21-year-old man from Yerushalayim was identified as having been recruited by Iranian intelligence. According to findings from a joint probe by the Shin Bet and Israel Police, the suspect made contact in 2025 with an Iranian operative through social media.

Investigators say the individual knowingly maintained the connection despite understanding the operative’s identity, and went on to perform a series of assignments inside Israel at the direction of his handler.

Authorities said the suspect’s activities extended beyond sharing information verbally. He was tasked with collecting intelligence and photographing sensitive and strategic locations across the country.

To enhance the material he provided, the suspect reportedly acquired professional-grade photography equipment and additional technological tools, fully aware that he was working on behalf of an enemy entity.

In return for his actions, the suspect was allegedly paid substantial amounts of money. To avoid detection, the payments were transferred using cryptocurrencies, a method security officials say has increasingly been used by Iranian intelligence networks.

The Shin Bet and Israel Police stressed that this case reflects a broader and ongoing pattern in which Iranian operatives attempt to recruit Israelis online, often targeting young individuals and enticing them with financial incentives to carry out activities that endanger national security.

President Donald Trump said the United States has drawn up a sweeping military plan that would wipe out Iran’s key infrastructure within hours if Tehran refuses to meet American demands.

Speaking about the potential operation, Trump described a scenario in which U.S. forces would carry out a rapid and devastating series of strikes targeting bridges and energy facilities across the country.

“We have a plan… where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night, where every power plant will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again, I mean, complete demolition, by 12 o’clock, and it will happen over a period of four hours if we want that to happen,” he says.

He made clear that such a course of action is not his preferred outcome, noting that the U.S. could ultimately play a role in rebuilding Iran.

“We don’t want that,” he adds, noting that the US may end up helping Iran rebuild, in which case, he would not want to have to reconstruct expensive infrastructure like that.

Trump said Iran previously failed to take his warnings seriously, which he indicated led to a recent strike on a major structure in Tehran after negotiations collapsed.

“Do I want to destroy their infrastructure? No. It would take them 100 years to rebuild,” he says.

He argued further that Iran’s recovery would depend heavily on American involvement.

“If we left today, it would take them 20 years to rebuild their country… and the only way they’re going to be able to rebuild their country is to utilize the genius of the United States of America,” he claims.

Asked about the future of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump floated the idea that the U.S. could impose tolls on shipping routes, before appearing to soften that suggestion.

“Why shouldn’t we? We’re the winner. We won. They are militarily defeated,” he says.

He later appeared to back off the idea.

“We have to have a deal that’s acceptable to me, and part of the deal is going to be that we want free traffic of oil and everything else,” he says.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and expressed appreciation for Israel’s role in assisting American forces during a high-risk rescue mission that retrieved two downed U.S. airmen inside Iran.

Following the meeting, Huckabee publicly thanked Israel for what he described as critical support provided by both military and intelligence agencies during the operation.

“Just met w/ @IsraeliPM to thank @Israel on behalf of American ppl for unprecedented assistance to US Military & Intel agencies who conducted a historic rescue mission of our air crew in Iran,” Huckabee wrote on X. “US SF carried out brilliant op. @IDF & Mossad were helpful partners in the mission.”

The remarks highlight the close coordination between the United States and Israel during the complex mission, which involved extracting American personnel from hostile territory after their aircraft was shot down.

According to Huckabee, Israeli involvement played a supporting but meaningful role alongside U.S. Special Forces, which led the operation on the ground.

The rescue effort has been widely described by officials as one of the most daring and intricate missions carried out during the current conflict.

A potential 45-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is being weighed by the White House, according to a senior administration official who spoke Monday, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation.

The official told NBC that the proposed pause in fighting is one of multiple scenarios currently under review by senior members of the administration, signaling that discussions remain ongoing and no final decision has been made.

Separately, Reuters reported that Pakistan has put forward a plan aimed at halting the conflict and creating a pathway toward broader negotiations, in an effort to de-escalate tensions across the region.

According to sources familiar with the initiative, senior Pakistani and American officials were engaged in extensive overnight discussions, with Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in direct contact with top U.S. figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The proposal, referred to as the “Islamabad Agreement,” outlines a two-stage process. The first phase would involve an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to allow uninterrupted maritime traffic. The second phase envisions negotiations lasting 15 to 20 days in Islamabad, aimed at reaching a lasting settlement, including Iran agreeing to dismantle its nuclear weapons program in return for significant sanctions relief.

In Tehran, officials are approaching the proposal cautiously. A senior Iranian official confirmed that the government is examining the plan but made clear that Iran is unwilling to proceed under pressure or rigid timelines, emphasizing resistance to externally imposed “deadlines.”

A burst of winter weather is returning to the Northeast just as spring conditions had begun to take hold, with a fast-moving system bringing snow and cooler temperatures back to the region.

A clipper system is moving quickly across the Northeast, delivering light snowfall to several major cities, while areas of upstate New York had already begun seeing snow early Monday.

Syracuse, New York, reported accumulating snow, and forecasters say locations including Boston and Burlington, Vermont, could receive a light coating through Tuesday.

The late-season system is a reminder that the severe 2025–2026 winter has not fully loosened its grip.

This past winter has been marked by extreme conditions, including repeated heavy storms that blanketed parts of the Northeast with multiple feet of snow, disrupted daily life, and broke longstanding records.

Across the region, powerful blizzards and coast-to-coast storm systems contributed to what many are calling one of the most intense winters in recent memory.

Looking ahead, forecasters expect scattered snow showers and cooler-than-average temperatures to persist from the Great Lakes through New England between Monday and Wednesday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the passage of a cold front is ushering in a return of colder air across both the Northeast and parts of the mid-Atlantic.

“While not unusually cold for this time of year, Monday’s temperatures will fall closer to seasonal averages with highs in the 40s and 50s,” they noted.

At the same time, a developing low-pressure system over the Great Lakes is drawing in enough moisture to support light snowfall across the region.

Snow totals are expected to remain modest, generally ranging between 1 and 3 inches, with slightly higher accumulations possible near the Great Lakes and in elevated areas such as the Adirondacks.

Cities expected to see snow include Buffalo; Syracuse, with 1 to 3 inches forecast; Burlington, around 1 inch; Albany; and even light flurries in Boston and New York City.

Meteorologists note that most of these locations typically experience their final measurable snowfall by early to mid-April.

Beyond the snowfall, a broader drop in temperatures is expected to impact a large portion of the region.

After experiencing near-record warmth in recent days, temperatures are forecast to plunge 10 to 20 degrees below average from Monday through Wednesday.

Wednesday is expected to bring the coldest conditions, with wind chills dipping into the 20s across inland areas of the Northeast.

Conditions are expected to moderate by Thursday, with temperatures climbing back toward more typical seasonal levels.

Astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission reached a historic milestone Monday, venturing farther from Earth than any humans before them and surpassing a record that had stood since the Apollo era.

The four-member crew exceeded the previous distance benchmark of 248,655 miles — set by Apollo 13 — at approximately 1:56 p.m. Eastern Time, pushing slightly beyond it to 248,656 miles as their spacecraft sped past the moon at nearly 2,000 miles per hour.

The moment came almost exactly 56 years after Apollo 13 established the original record on April 14, 1970. That mission achieved the milestone under emergency conditions, as astronauts used the moon’s gravitational pull to swing their damaged spacecraft back toward Earth following an onboard explosion.

The Artemis II crew, however, continues to extend that distance, moving progressively farther from Earth until the spacecraft begins its return trajectory later in the evening.

Mission projections indicate the astronauts will ultimately reach a peak distance of approximately 252,757 miles before turning back toward Earth.

Following that point, the Orion capsule will begin its journey home, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean around Friday evening at approximately 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

The record-setting distance will be achieved shortly after the spacecraft makes its closest pass to the moon, coming within roughly 4,000 miles of the lunar surface.

This milestone will also occur during a temporary communications blackout, expected to last about 40 minutes, when the moon blocks direct signals between the spacecraft and Earth.

Contact with mission control is anticipated to resume around 7:25 p.m. once the spacecraft emerges from behind the moon.

During this period, the crew will focus on documenting and studying the lunar surface, including regions of the moon’s far side that have never been fully observed by humans.

Although astronauts on earlier missions — beginning with Apollo 8 — did glimpse parts of the far side, large portions remained obscured due to mission timing and lighting conditions.

Apollo crews typically orbited the moon while sunlight illuminated landing areas on the near side, leaving much of the far side in shadow as they passed over it.

In contrast, Artemis II’s trajectory allows for full illumination of the far side, enabling the crew to view it in its entirety, with the moon appearing roughly the size of a basketball held at arm’s length through the spacecraft windows.

The lunar flyby began at approximately 2:45 p.m. and is expected to continue until around 9:20 p.m., provided operations proceed as planned.

To illustrate the scale of the journey, mission officials noted that if Earth were the size of a soccer ball, the moon would resemble a tennis ball positioned about 30 feet away.

Like Apollo 13 before it, Artemis II is relying on gravitational forces to return home. After circling the moon, the spacecraft will use the momentum gained from its trajectory to head back toward Earth, requiring only minor adjustments rather than major engine burns.

President Donald Trump said Monday evening that his deadline for Iran to reach an agreement remains unchanged, warning that failure to comply could lead to a devastating military response against Tehran.

In remarks delivered publicly, Trump issued a stark warning about the potential consequences. “The entire country [of Iran] can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night” Trump said. His comments followed Iran’s rejection of a temporary ceasefire proposal and its counter-demands, which included ending regional conflicts, ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and lifting all sanctions.

Trump reiterated that time is running out while noting some movement in talks. “Tuesday is the deadline. The Iranians have made an offer, a significant offer, a significant step. It’s not enough, but a very significant step. They are negotiating now and they have made a very significant step.”

He added that the current Iranian interlocutors appear different from previous representatives. “The group we are talking to is not as extreme as the previous one – and it is also smarter,” the president claimed.

Despite pointing to possible progress, Trump coupled his remarks with renewed threats of force. “We are crushing this country. I hate to do that. If they don’t make a deal, they won’t have bridges, power plants or anything else. If I had a choice – I would take their oil. But the American people want to see the soldiers come home. The American people want to see us win,” Trump clarified.

Iran’s refusal came after Pakistan proposed a phased plan to both sides, calling for an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by negotiations aimed at a comprehensive agreement within 15 to 20 days.

Trump also referenced the recent rescue of a downed American airman inside Iran, describing it as a major military achievement. “We’re here today to celebrate the success of one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing, combat searches, I guess you would call it a search-and-rescue mission, ever attempted by the military.”

He claimed the Iranians became aware of the missing crew member due to an internal leak. “We have to get that leaker” he said, adding that the individual responsible would face imprisonment once identified.

Following Trump’s remarks, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that military operations are intensifying. “the amount of bombing today in Iran will be the highest since the beginning of the war – tomorrow, even more than today. And Iran has a choice. Choose wisely because this president does not play around.”

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said intelligence efforts played a critical role in the successful rescue mission. “a deception campaign to confuse the Iranians who were desperately hunting for our airmen.”

Ratcliffe added that the operation achieved its central objective. “We achieved our primary objective by finding and providing confirmation that one of America’s best and bravest was alive and concealed in a mountain crevice, still invisible to the enemy, but not to the CIA,” Ratcliffe said.

The Artemis II mission reached a defining milestone Monday as its crew began a sweeping flyby of the moon, offering both the astronauts and observers on Earth unprecedented views of previously unseen portions of the lunar far side.

The Orion capsule initiated its maneuver at approximately 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time, embarking on a trajectory that will carry it around the moon for more than six hours, with its windows facing the far side of the lunar surface.

During this phase, all four astronauts are expected to become the first humans ever to directly observe certain regions of the moon’s far side, areas that remained hidden during the Apollo missions more than five decades ago.

Unlike the Apollo flights, which orbited much closer to the lunar surface and therefore had a limited field of vision, the Artemis II spacecraft is maintaining a significantly higher altitude.

By traveling between roughly 4,000 and 6,000 miles above the moon, the crew is able to view the entire far side illuminated by sunlight, providing a broader and clearer perspective than was previously possible.

From inside the Orion capsule, the moon appears relatively small—comparable to a basketball held at arm’s length—though at the beginning of the maneuver, astronauts reported that it appeared three to four times larger than Earth.

Throughout the flyby, the astronauts are conducting research by photographing the lunar terrain and making direct visual observations of the far side.

Midway through the maneuver, at around 6:44 p.m. Eastern Time, communication with Earth is expected to temporarily cease as the moon blocks the signal between the spacecraft and ground control.

Contact is anticipated to resume at approximately 7:25 p.m., shortly after the capsule reaches its closest point to the moon at an altitude of about 4,000 miles.

Earlier in the day, at around 2 p.m., the crew surpassed a long-standing record by traveling farther from Earth than the Apollo 13 mission, which reached 248,655 miles in 1970.

That distance record is expected to be extended further, with Artemis II projected to reach approximately 252,757 miles from Earth during the mission.

The flyby is scheduled to conclude around 9:20 p.m., after which the spacecraft will begin its return journey to Earth.

Rather than relying on propulsion, the capsule will utilize the moon’s gravitational pull to slingshot back toward Earth.

The return trip is expected to take four days, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 8:07 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

Looking ahead, if the mission proceeds successfully, NASA plans to follow up with another crewed mission in 2027 that will orbit Earth, followed by a lunar landing mission in 2028 as part of the Artemis program.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Monday that Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran is continuing to escalate, highlighting what he described as a major strike on Iran’s economic infrastructure and emphasizing close coordination with the United States.

Speaking about recent developments, Netanyahu revealed that Israel had targeted a key Iranian petrochemical site, describing it as a significant blow to the financial backbone supporting terror activity across the region.

He also detailed his latest conversation with President Donald Trump, noting the cooperation between the two countries. “Yesterday, I spoke again with my friend, President Trump. I expressed our immense appreciation for the heroic rescue operation of that American aircrew member, and President Trump, for his part, thanked me for the assistance Israel provided in this mission,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu added that Trump spoke highly of Israel’s role in the joint effort. “In general, he spoke of us in superlatives. He said: ‘You guys are great.’ He views Israel as a steadfast, determined, and firm ally that fights shoulder-to-shoulder alongside the United States, and together, we are continuing to crush Iran’s regime of terror,” he added.

Turning to the military campaign itself, Netanyahu said Israel is systematically targeting Iran’s sources of funding and leadership. He stated: “Today, we destroyed the largest petrochemical plant in Iran. This means we are systematically dismantling the IRGC’s money machine. We are destroying factories, eliminating operatives, and yes, we are continuing to eliminate senior officials.”

He concluded by contrasting Israel’s current strength with Iran’s weakening position, attributing Israel’s success to both spiritual and military factors. “Iran is no longer the same Iran, and Israel is no longer the same Israel. Israel is stronger than ever, and the terrorist regime in Iran is weaker than ever. And what is the key? What is the secret? Faith and power. We have both in abundance,” Netanyahu concluded.

IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Monday evening that Israeli forces are continuing operations in Lebanon with the clear objective of weakening Hezbollah and halting its attacks against Israel.

Speaking about the ongoing campaign, Defrin stated that IDF forces are targeting Hezbollah across multiple fronts, including both frontline positions and deeper locations inside Lebanon. “In Northern Command, we are striking Hezbollah both at the front lines and deep inside. More than 1,000 Hezbollah operatives have been eliminated since the latest campaign began. The operatives are retreating, and there is a serious morale problem within the terrorist organization. We will continue to strike them,” Defrin said.

He stressed that neutralizing Hezbollah’s capabilities remains a central goal. “disarming Hezbollah is a top priority, both military and political. We will not give up on this, and we are acting precisely according to the directives of the political leadership.”

During the briefing, Defrin was asked whether the army is anticipating an escalation in attacks during the second days of Yom Tov, coinciding with the deadline of an American ultimatum to Iran.

Responding to the question, he said there is currently no indication of such a development and no adjustments to civilian safety instructions. “There is no concrete information, and there is no change in Home Front Command guidelines.”

A tragic accident during Chol Hamoed Pesach claimed the life of 34-year-old Leah Yocheved Zinger a”h, who was killed in a car crash while returning from visiting the kever of the Pele Yoetz in Bulgaria.

Four other passengers traveling with her were injured, some seriously, and were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Leah Yocheved had been part of a group of Israeli travelers who journeyed to Bulgaria for Pesach. Earlier in the day, the group departed from a resort area near Varna and made their way to the city of Silistra in order to daven at the kever of the Pele Yoetz, a well-known makom tefillah that draws visitors seeking yeshuos.

The devastating crash occurred as the group was on its way back from the kever. Emergency responders who arrived at the scene were forced to pronounce one of the passengers dead, while providing urgent medical care to the four others who were injured in the collision.

Members of the local Jewish community are working closely with Bulgarian authorities, along with representatives of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, to address all aspects of the situation, including arrangements to bring the nifteres to kevurah in Eretz Yisroel.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

President Donald Trump on Monday disclosed new details about the dramatic rescue of a U.S. Air Force colonel, known by the code name “Dude Bravo 44,” who survived for roughly 36 hours in hostile Iranian territory while severely wounded before being brought to safety.

According to Trump, the downed weapons systems officer, who had been “injured quite seriously,” managed to climb more than a mile up a mountainside and tend to his own injuries while hiding in a crevice in an area “teeming with terrorists.” Despite the dangerous conditions and complications during extraction, U.S. forces ultimately succeeded in evacuating him, even as their aircraft nearly became immobilized in soft ground.

“In the United States military, we leave no American behind. We don’t do it,” Trump told reporters during a White House briefing.

Military officials described the officer’s endurance as extraordinary. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the airman’s determination and “absolute commitment to surviving” played a decisive role in the mission’s success.

Trump praised the rescue effort as “a breath-taking show of skill,” highlighting the complexity of extracting the officer from “treacherous mountain terrain.”

While the pilot of the F-15E jet was quickly located and rescued near Isfahan after the aircraft was brought down late Thursday into Friday, the colonel landed far from that location, making it significantly more difficult to locate him, Trump said.

The injured officer had to remain alive long enough for the U.S. military to organize what Trump described as “one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat searches … ever attempted by the military.”

“The heroic F-15 weapons system officer had evaded capture on the ground in Iran for almost 48 hours. That’s a long time when you’re in tough shape and when you’re bleeding,” Trump said.

The rescue operation involved a massive deployment of resources, including 155 aircraft made up of bombers, fighter jets, refueling tankers, and dedicated rescue planes, according to Trump.

“A lot of it was subterfuge,” the president explained. “We wanted [Iranian forces] to think he was in another location.”

As part of the mission, many aircraft were forced to fly at low altitudes, exposing them to potential enemy fire. Trump noted that “We got a helicopter with a lot of bullets in it,’’ underscoring the risks involved.

At one stage, military planes landed in a field to assemble smaller helicopters for the extraction, and Trump described how the rescue nearly failed due to environmental challenges.

He explained that wet ground conditions and the heavy weight of the aircraft created serious difficulties during takeoff. “We … had all the men jumping back onto the planes, and they got pretty well bogged down. And we had a continued contingency plan which was unbelievable,” he said.

Reflecting on the operation, Trump added, “Before the rescue was successful, ‘I would have said that was impossible,’’ emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the mission.

Gen. Caine further stressed the critical role played by the airman’s own willpower. “The single most important contributor to a successful rescue operation is the spirit of attack inside the heart of that downed aviator.

“Their will to survive, their will to evade, their will to recover, is everything. In this case, the back seater’s absolute commitment to surviving made much of our efforts possible,” he said.

“Lastly, and most importantly, to Dude Bravo 4-4, welcome home. Job well done,’’ Gen. Caine concluded.

Trump reiterated that the rescuers demonstrated “a breath-taking show of skill,” noting that the colonel, described as “highly respected,” had landed far from the pilot and was “injured quite badly and stranded in an area teeming with terrorists from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”

According to U.S. officials, Iranian forces used tracking dogs in an effort to locate the downed officer, but were unsuccessful.

“They were given a tremendous incentive to find this pilot,” Trump said. “Despite the peril, the officer followed his training and climbed into the treacherous mountain terrain and started climbing toward a higher altitude, something they were trained to do in order to evade capture.”

“You want to go as far away because they all head right to that site. You want to be as far away as you can,” he added, explaining that the officer, who was “bleeding rather profusely,” had to stabilize himself before contacting “American forces to transmit his location.”

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency played a key role in the operation by carrying out a deception effort to mislead Iranian forces.

He said the CIA helped “confuse the Iranians who were desperately hunting for our airman’’ and also “deployed both human assets and exquisite technologies” to locate him, comparing the task “to hunting for a single same grain of sand in the middle of a desert.”

“Our intelligence reflects that the Iranians were embarrassed and ultimately humiliated by the success of this audacious rescue mission,” Ratcliffe added.

Trump acknowledged that not all military officials initially supported the rescue plan due to the high risks involved.

“Not everybody was on board,” Trump said, noting that Gen. Dan Caine and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who stood beside him, “were totally on-board.

“There were military people that said, ‘You just don’t do this, you don’t go into the heart of a very powerful military,’” the president said. “There were people within the military that said it’s unwise.”

When asked about the number of personnel involved, Gen. Caine declined to provide specifics, saying, “I would love to keep that a secret.”

Trump, however, indicated the scale of the operation. “It was hundreds,” he said, adding, “Hundreds of people could have been killed, so we had people within the military that said this was not a wise [idea].”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also characterized the outcome as a major setback for Iran.

“Ultimately, it was an impotent Iranian threat,” he said. “And today, as the CIA director mentioned, Iran’s military, and we know this, is embarrassed and humiliated, and they should be.”

Hegseth noted that the rescue took place over the weekend and highlighted the significance of a message sent by the officer after activating his emergency signal.

“When he was finally able to activate his emergency transponder, his first message was simple and it was powerful. He sent a message, ‘God is good,’ ” Hegseth recounted.

“In that moment of isolation and danger, his faith and fighting spirit shone through,” he said. “Shot down on a Friday — Good Friday — hidden in a cave, a crevice all of Saturday, and rescued on Sunday. Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising … a pilot reborn.”

A large kabbalas pnei rabo gathering held Sunday evening in Bnei Brak in honor of Pesach, attended by thousands, was ordered dispersed by police after public criticism and claims that the event violated Pikud HaOref regulations.

The event took place in a protected beis medrash, where participants gathered and listened to remarks from Hagaon Rav Dov Landau that were broadcast to the crowd. Organizers emphasized that the venue included a designated protected space for attendees.

After media outlets began criticizing the gathering and asserting that it contradicted Home Front Command guidelines, police announced that the event would be shut down, stating that it had not received prior authorization.

“Not long ago, police became aware of a large gathering taking place in an underground structure on the second level in Bnei Brak where there is no apparent danger,” the police said in a statement.

According to the statement, officers immediately engaged with event organizers, seeking either to reduce attendance in line with Pikud HaOref directives or to bring the event to an immediate halt. At that point, the dispersal process had begun.

The police announcement came against the backdrop of a recent High Court ruling that required the state to permit demonstrations in Habima Square involving hundreds of participants, despite opposition from Pikud HaOref.

The judges stated that enforcement of gathering restrictions appeared inconsistent, noting that such rules were being applied to some groups but not others. “It is difficult to reconcile such a situation,” the court ruled, instructing authorities to allow the protest to proceed.

A wave of joy has filled the Roteloy family of Arad, as twins—a boy and a girl—were born just two weeks after their young son, Yedidya, miraculously survived being thrown from a fourth-floor apartment during a missile strike.

The birth took place on Chol Hamoed Pesach, bringing a powerful sense of yeshuah and comfort to a family that recently endured a frightening and traumatic ordeal. Family members and local residents described the moment as a deeply emotional turning point after weeks of anxiety.

Roughly two and a half weeks ago, on Motzoei Shabbos, the family’s residential building—home to members of the Gur community in Arad—was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile. The force of the explosion sent three-year-old Yedidya, who had recently celebrated his upsherin, flying out of his bedroom window along with collapsing debris.

He was later found beneath the rubble and rushed to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. In extraordinary Hashgachah, he was released after just four days. When reunited with his parents that night, he said, “I didn’t get hurt at all, and suddenly people came and took me in an ambulance.”

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, Yedidya’s father, Reb Tzvi Meir Roteloy, described racing toward the children’s room and discovering that two of his children had survived—but Yedidya’s bed was empty. Trapped inside the shattered apartment, he said he drew strength from a deep sense of emunah even in those terrifying moments.

The direct hit on the fourth floor caused massive structural collapse, yet despite the devastation, the child emerged with barely any injury. The story spread widely and was described by many as a clear neis golui, strengthening the emunah of many who heard how, from such a destructive scene, no lives were lost.

Now, with the birth of the twins, relatives say the family has begun to heal, even as their home is still far from being rebuilt. The new arrivals have brought renewed light and hope to a household that recently witnessed both danger and open nissim.

[COMMUNICATED]

In a record-setting undertaking, tens of thousands of families all across Israel will enter Pesach with full tables and full hearts, thanks to a massive distribution by Oneg Shabbos V’Yom Tov, the organization led by R’ Ephraim Stern.

The Pesach distribution, unmatched in size and scope, consists of boxes handed out to needy households, each filled with meat, grape juice, matzohs, eggs, fruit, vegetables and pantry essentials. It was made possible through the support of the renowned Rechnitz Family, along with other ba’alei chesed around the globe.

The packages are valued at over $500 per family and include everything a family needs for Yom Tov, bringing the total cost of this pivotal operation to an astonishing $10 million.

This year, the need was bigger than ever. With the ongoing war and a tighter economy, many families who were getting by until now suddenly found themselves lacking. Rabbi Stern and his team responded to the growing need by expanding the program and adding thousands of new families to their rolls so that every home can welcome Pesach with dignity and simchas Yom Tov. 

Lots of work and effort was poured in to set up the distribution in a way that makes receiving help easier for those in need. Instead of a few crowded distribution centers, 150+ pickup points were spread across the country, including dozens in Yerushalayim alone. In many neighborhoods, families were able to pick up their packages just a short walk from home. This cut down on the waiting, made the process more convenient and ensured that it was much more dignified for those on the receiving end.

With a shortage of kosher-for-Pesach meat this year and prices climbing, the organization took extra steps to secure supply, importing livestock and arranging for shechita in Israel to make sure families still received meat as part of their package. The costs ran into the millions but the results were well worth it for the Oneg Shabbos V’Yom Tov team, and the Rechnitz family and other major donors behind them. 

This famed distribution has been part of life in Eretz Yisroel for 47 years. What started as a small chesed mission has over the decades grown into one of the largest relief operations anywhere, with ongoing weekly support for families throughout the year and expanded efforts before every Yom Tov.

But on Pesach, when costs rise and we are obligated to share Simchas Yom Tov with the less fortunate, the organization shines brightest, ensuring that every family and every child participates in a festive Zman Cheiruseinu.

כל דכפין ייתי וייכול!