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A controversial bill approved by New York Democrats would remove references to “mother” and “father” from numerous state laws and replace them with gender-neutral language, a move that is already drawing fierce criticism from Republicans and conservatives while supporters argue it reflects modern family structures.

Under the legislation, references to a “mother” would be changed to “gestating parent,” while “father” would be replaced by “non-gestating parent” or simply “parent” in various sections of family, domestic relations, and education law. The measure cleared the Assembly earlier this year and won Senate approval this week.

The legislation would also alter legal terminology used in family court proceedings. Cases traditionally classified as paternity matters would instead be referred to as parentage proceedings.

In addition, the bill would replace the legal designation of a “putative father” with the term “an alleged parent” in official state documents. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester and now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration.

Opponents blasted the proposal as an example of political correctness overriding common language and practical concerns.

“It’s woke culture run amok. It’s one-upmanship,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, a former longtime state Senate and Assembly staffer.

“It’s an example of how out of tune the New York legislature is. It’s an unnecessary and wasteful use of time,” Kassar said.

Kassar argued that the measure could encourage lawmakers to pursue additional language-related legislation while more pressing issues remain unresolved. He pointed to the prolonged budget process as evidence that Albany’s priorities are misplaced.

“Imagine people who are considering moving to New York seeing this and saying, ‘Do I need this silliness?’ This is a really weird group of elected officials. It comes out of left field,” he said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also criticized the proposal and linked it to broader Democratic policies.

“Democrats led by Kathy Hochul have continued their declaration of war on New York families by canceling the loving terms of Mom and Dad and replacing them with ‘gestating and non-gestating parent,’” Blakeman said in a statement. “The insanity ends when I’m Governor.”

Republican lawmakers who opposed the measure said it demonstrates how disconnected Albany has become from the concerns of ordinary residents.

“At a time when New Yorkers are being crushed by utility bills, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats have decided one of their final priorities in the last days of session should be replacing mothers and fathers in state law,” said Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Nassau). “That is not what families are asking for. I am a mother and proud to be called ‘mother.’”

“New Yorkers are proud to celebrate moms and dads, and they would rather we, as lawmakers, focus on the issues that actually matter,” she said.

The proposal reportedly generated skepticism even among some Democrats. As the legislative session winds down, not all members of the majority party appeared enthusiastic about the wording changes.

“I have a word we can use for this, ‘unnecessary,’” one Democratic lawmaker told The Post.

The debate unfolded shortly after lawmakers finally approved New York’s $268 billion state budget, which had been delayed for nearly two months amid disagreements within the Democratic majority.

Asked Wednesday whether she supports the legislation, Hochul declined to take a position, saying she had not yet reviewed the bill.

“Well, I’m not familiar with what was introduced,” Hochul said at an unrelated event in Brooklyn Wednesday. “I’ll take a look at it. This has been my practice for five years.”

Supporters of the measure argue that the language updates are necessary to reflect existing legal realities and the way family courts already handle certain cases involving surrogacy arrangements and same-sex couples.

According to a memorandum accompanying the bill, the revisions are intended to bring statutory language into line with current legal standards and family court practices.

Attorneys who specialize in adoption law said the traditional terminology no longer reflects the range of family structures recognized under New York law.

“You have adoptive parents who are of the same gender in New York. There are two male parents, two female parents,” said adoption lawyer Leslie Silver-Hoffman.

Sepulveda defended the legislation, saying it simply updates legal terminology to match existing statutes and judicial rulings.

“The bill was needed to be consistent with current statute and case law,” he said.

The proposal also drew criticism from Rep. Claudia Tenney, who argued that lawmakers should be focused on other concerns facing New Yorkers.

“At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with high taxes, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats are focused on redefining motherhood,” Tenney said. “This is yet another example of out-of-touch politicians prioritizing progressive ideology over the issues that actually matter to hardworking New Yorkers.”

The legislation is the latest example of a broader push toward gender-neutral language in New York government.

In recent years, the state has adopted requirements encouraging the use of terms such as “they,” “them,” and “theirs” in official laws, regulations, and resolutions rather than language tied specifically to males or females.

The trend also extends to identity documents. In 2018, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council approved legislation allowing residents to select an “X” designation on birth certificates to identify as non-binary.

{Matzav.com}

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon was reached in Washington after two days of intensive talks hosted by the United States, with the deal centered on ending Hezbollah’s military activity in southern Lebanon and advancing broader peace negotiations between the neighboring countries.

A joint statement released at the conclusion of Wednesday’s discussions said the ceasefire would only take effect if Hezbollah completely halts its attacks and removes all of its operatives from the area south of the Litani River. The agreement makes implementation of the truce directly dependent on those requirements being met.

As part of the arrangement, Israel and Lebanon agreed to move forward rapidly with the establishment of pilot security zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will exercise exclusive authority, without the presence of any armed non-state groups. Officials said the initiative is intended to create momentum toward a wider peace and security framework between the two nations.

The United States, Israel, and Lebanon also delivered a strong message against outside influence, declaring that they “rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” while emphasizing that relations between the countries “must be decided by the two sovereign governments”.

Both sides further stated that they “reaffirmed that they have no hostile intent toward one another and committed to continuing direct negotiations to build confidence”.

The latest diplomatic effort follows defense consultations held at the Pentagon on May 29, where officials began formulating a broader strategic vision for the region. According to the statement, the plan seeks to guarantee “ensuring the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Israel,” while requiring the “dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their re-emergence”. Participants also jointly “condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East”.

Washington reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Lebanese military so it can fully enforce government authority throughout the country. American officials also pointed to comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 2, when he said that “Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon”.

Israel maintained during the negotiations that its long-term security can “only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon”. Lebanon, meanwhile, emphasized “the necessity for mutual respect of internationally recognized borders” and underscored “the urgent need for full implementation of the cessation of hostilities”.

Under the agreement, negotiators are expected to “reconvene the political and security tracks the week of June 22, with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement,” while the United States continues to serve as the primary mediator.

The Washington meeting marked the fourth round of American-sponsored negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

Following the first round of talks on April 23, attended by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that a peace agreement between the two countries could be reached before the end of the year.

Trump also said he would like to host Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington within the coming weeks.

Aoun has made it clear, however, that a meeting with Netanyahu is not currently under consideration, arguing that securing and maintaining the ceasefire must come before any direct political engagement between the two leaders.

The Lebanese president has also recently reiterated that a complete Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a “non-negotiable” condition for any final agreement.

{Matzav.com}

A former NYPD detective was sentenced Wednesday to four years in federal prison after admitting his role in a large-scale fraud operation that helped dozens of people obtain pandemic-relief loans through falsified documents.

John Bolden, 47, of Valley Stream, was also ordered to repay $303,138 and surrender $112,002 in illicit proceeds. Prosecutors said the scheme sought to obtain nearly $3 million from the federal government through the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to help businesses survive the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19.

Federal prosecutors said Bolden abused both his position in law enforcement and his involvement in the tax-preparation industry to facilitate the fraud.

“Despite being a police officer sworn to uphold the law, the defendant organized a scheme that enabled dozens of individuals, including clients, family members and NYPD co-workers, to obtain millions in federal funds using fictitious tax records,” US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella said in a statement.

“Bolden brazenly took advantage of a COVID relief program created to help struggling businesses survive an unprecedented national crisis.”

According to court records, Bolden used his role as a partner in a tax-preparation business between May 2020 and October 2022 to prepare and submit fraudulent IRS Schedule C forms that were then used to secure PPP loans for clients.

Investigators said Bolden worked closely with the business’s owner, who was identified in court filings as a co-conspirator. Prosecutors alleged that the owner developed the strategy used to generate the fraudulent loan applications.

Court documents indicate that the owner instructed participants to calculate desired loan amounts by taking the target payout, dividing it by 2.5, and then multiplying the result by 12.

Authorities said Bolden’s mother, Jacqueline Johnson, and his cousin, Christian McKenzie, played key roles in recruiting participants. Prosecutors alleged that they connected numerous clients to the operation and received referral payments, typically between $3,000 and $4,000 for each successful application.

The investigation also found that another NYPD detective, Anthony Carreira, fraudulently obtained PPP funds for himself and his wife and later paid kickbacks to Bolden from the money received.

According to prosecutors, the business owner collected his share of the profits in cash in an effort to conceal the financial trail.

Evidence presented in the case included a May 2020 email sent to Bolden by the owner of the tax-preparation franchise. The email allegedly contained an audio recording advising participants to keep requested loans under $20,000 to maximize the likelihood of loan forgiveness.

“we all want the bread, but we also want the loan forgiveness,” according to court documents.

“That’s the big win,” the owner said.

Bolden pleaded guilty to the charges in February, paving the way for Wednesday’s sentencing.

{Matzav.com}

A 23-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman was assaulted aboard a Manhattan subway train Sunday afternoon after an alleged antisemite launched into a stream of hateful remarks before violently attacking her, police said, the New York Post reports.

Authorities identified the suspect as Diana Smith of the Bronx. According to investigators, Smith began shouting antisemitic comments on a crowded C train in Lower Manhattan shortly after 2 p.m. before targeting the young woman and allegedly grabbing, choking, and assaulting her.

“I was a ragdoll and I couldn’t defend myself – there should have been a human barricade around me,” the young Orthodox Jewish victim, who asked her name be withheld, told The NY Post.

“No one stepped up until it was too late.”

The victim, a nurse originally from Montreal, said she boarded the subway at Jay Street and had only been riding for a short distance when Smith entered the train and began making hostile remarks about Jews to other passengers.

According to the victim, Smith first spoke to one couple “about the dangers of Jews stealing wealth” before directing her attention elsewhere in the train car.

She then turned to another couple and wildly said, “You could always see the reflection of a Jew,” said the Jewish woman.

The victim said she soon realized she had become the focus of Smith’s attention.

“And then she turned towards me, like very targeted, stared me down, and smiled with this very eerie smile that I’ll never forget,” the brave nurse said.

Rather than look away, the victim said she chose to confront the hostility directly.

“I decided in that moment I really did not want to show fear in the face of that, so I stared at her right back down, and I said, ‘So you see my reflection?’ and she said, ‘Yeah, and I smell it on you too.’”

Part of the confrontation was recorded on the victim’s cellphone, capturing some of the suspect’s disturbing comments.

“Jews are eating kids,” she shouted.

According to the victim and police, the situation quickly turned physical. Smith allegedly put her hand around the woman’s throat, escalating the encounter from verbal harassment to violence.

Several passengers attempted to intervene, but the suspect continued shouting.

“It’s OK for Jews to eat kids, but I can’t choke her down.”

Moments later, the victim said her phone was knocked from her hand and Smith allegedly wrapped both hands around her neck before kicking and pushing her to the floor.

During the attack, the woman said the suspect yanked her hair so violently that a chunk was torn out.

When the train arrived at Canal Street, the victim ran off the subway car in search of police officers. Another rider activated the emergency alarm, helping authorities quickly respond and take Smith into custody.

The victim said the aftermath of the incident was almost as unsettling as the attack itself, as numerous witnesses approached her only after the suspect had been arrested.

“When I had to identify her, a ton of people were like, ‘Oh, we saw what happened, are you OK?’ And, that was extremely triggering for me, because, of course, I’m not OK. I kept just thinking, I’m not in Nazi Germany,” said the woman, who is only 5-foot-3.

“How is this happening, and how is it that you saw what happened, and just were a bystander?”

In addition to the hair loss and other injuries, the victim said she suffered a concussion during the assault.

Court records show Smith has been charged with hate crime assault, hate crime criminal obstruction of breathing, and aggravated harassment.

The victim said she believes the suspect deliberately singled her out because she was visibly Jewish.

“She’s pure evil, but she was lucid enough to know I was Jewish,” the victim said.

The attack occurred on the same day thousands gathered in Manhattan for the Israel Day Parade along Fifth Avenue. The victim also expressed frustration with city leadership, specifically criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani for not attending the event.

“I don’t think New York is protecting Jews. I don’t think Mamdani not going to the Israel Day Parade is helping,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Human remains discovered Wednesday evening in Kfar Aza have renewed hopes of answering one of the unresolved tragedies of the October 7 massacre, as authorities investigate whether a skull fragment recovered at the scene belongs to the late IDF officer Nirel Zini.

The remains were found in the Dor Tzair section of the kibbutz and transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for examination. Among the items recovered was part of a skull, prompting forensic experts to determine whether it is connected to Zini, whose head was never recovered following his murder during the Hamas attack.

Zini served in the Givati Brigade and spent approximately ten years in military service. In 2015, he suffered severe injuries during an operational mission in Chevron, but after an extensive rehabilitation process, he returned to active duty.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, Zini was at his home in Kfar Aza with his partner, Niv Raviv. As terrorists stormed the community, he sent a final message to his family at 10:04 a.m.

“I’ll update you. They’re here. I’m putting down the phone. Pray.”

Relatives later said that Zini attempted to divert the attackers’ attention in an effort to give Raviv an opportunity to hide. Both were ultimately murdered during the assault.

Their bodies were not recovered until six days later. During subsequent meetings with investigators from Lahav 433, family members were informed that Zini had been beheaded during the massacre.

The family has maintained that they were not told about those details before the funeral. They also contend that no government agency undertook a sustained effort to locate the missing remains. According to the family, Amir Zini repeatedly appealed to officials to have his son classified as a fallen soldier whose remains had been taken into Gaza, but those requests were denied.

In the absence of an official search effort, the family launched its own campaign to find answers. Assisted by volunteers and professionals, they conducted extensive searches throughout the devastated kibbutz grounds.

Over time, hundreds of items recovered from the area were sent to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for testing. Family members said many of those findings were ultimately identified as animal bones or materials from which no usable DNA could be extracted.

In correspondence sent to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Amir Zini wrote that the family had been left to carry the burden of the search largely on its own, while also struggling to obtain information from state authorities.

Now, almost three years after the massacre that devastated Kfar Aza and other communities near the Gaza border, the Zini family is once again waiting for answers. The results of forensic testing will determine whether the skull fragment recently uncovered is the final missing piece connected to Nirel Zini’s murder.

{Matzav.com}

In a unanimous ruling issued Wednesday, Israel’s Supreme Court overturned a government policy that barred representatives of the Red Cross from visiting terrorists held in Israeli prisons.

The restriction was implemented following the outbreak of the war and remained in effect until the court’s decision. The justices ruled in favor of a petition challenging the policy, finding that the government had failed to establish a legal foundation for the measure.

Justice Dafna Barak-Erez wrote that the state did not present a valid legal justification for preventing Red Cross officials from meeting with incarcerated terrorists.

Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg concurred, stating that the policy could not remain in force because the government had not identified any legal authority supporting its decision to impose the ban.

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit joined the opinions of his fellow justices, making the decision unanimous.

The ruling sparked an immediate and angry reaction from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who sharply criticized the court and renewed his call for sweeping judicial reforms.

“A shameful ruling by detached judges who sit in their ivory towers and continue to care for terrorists while citizens of Israel pay the price of terrorism. Any such ruling reminds us why the judicial system needs to change. Reform now!”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump expressed growing confidence Wednesday that a breakthrough with Iran could be imminent, suggesting that negotiators are nearing an agreement and that a deal could potentially be finalized within days.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said discussions with Tehran have been progressing favorably and indicated that momentum is building toward a formal agreement.

“I hear the negotiations with Iran are going very well. If a deal happens with Iran it could be done over the weekend,” Trump told reporters, adding that Iran is “close” to signing the papers.

The president also said one of Washington’s key objectives is securing control of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, a goal he believes could soon be achieved.

When questioned about the status of the ceasefire following Iran’s overnight attack on Kuwait, Trump suggested the incident must be viewed in a broader context and maintained that the situation remains fluid.

“There’s a reason for everything, and we hit them pretty hard”, while also acknowledging that “anything can happen when you are dealing with Iran.”

Trump’s remarks followed his repeated insistence that diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran have not been interrupted despite reports suggesting otherwise.

On Tuesday, the president rejected claims that discussions over Iran’s nuclear program had been halted.

In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized that negotiations have continued uninterrupted and said the responsibility now rests with Iran to move toward an agreement.

“Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S.A., stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous,” wrote Trump.

He added, “The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today. Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!’”

The president’s comments came after reports from Iranian media outlets claimed that Tehran had suspended indirect talks with Washington due to Israel’s expanding military campaign in Lebanon.

Trump subsequently pushed back against those reports and reiterated that diplomatic engagement remains active.

“Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The president struck a similarly optimistic tone during an interview with ABC News, where he predicted that a broader understanding with Iran could be reached soon.

According to Trump, he expects an agreement to preserve the ceasefire and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz “over the next week.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu broke his silence Wednesday regarding reports of a tense phone conversation with President Donald Trump, insisting that despite occasional disagreements, the two leaders remain aligned on the most important issues, particularly Iran.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu downplayed suggestions of a serious rift between Israel and Washington following reports that a heated exchange took place earlier this week over developments in Lebanon.

“President Trump and I agree on the main issues concerning Iran. Sometimes we have tactical disagreements, but we resolve them,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister said the central question now is whether Iran intends to resume hostilities or pursue a different course, emphasizing that both Israel and the United States continue to pursue common strategic objectives.

According to him: “The question is whether Iran wants to return to another round of fighting. We’ll wait and see, as they say. The United States and we have shared goals; we will see what we can achieve through an agreement.”

Although Netanyahu was asked about the reported phone call, he stopped short of discussing its details. At the same time, he did not dispute the reports that tensions surfaced during the conversation.

Instead, Netanyahu suggested that disagreements are natural even among close allies.

“There are arguments even in good families,” he emphasized.

The Israeli leader also used the interview to take aim at European governments, accusing many of failing to stand firm against growing radical Islamist influences within their own countries.

Netanyahu argued that Israel’s military and security efforts benefit not only Israelis but also Western nations more broadly, and he criticized European leaders for what he described as a lack of resolve.

“It is shameful how European leaders surrender to radical Islamic minorities in their countries. They know that we are defending them as well, but they do not have the courage to stand with what is right – the side that will save our civilization from the barbarians.”

{Matzav.com}

When the NBA Finals come back to New York for the first time in nearly three decades, President Trump is expected to be among the spectators inside Madison Square Garden.

Sources told The Post that Trump is planning to attend Game 3 of the championship series between the Knicks and Spurs on June 8. While the visit is expected to take place, officials noted that schedules can always change.

In preparation for the possible presidential appearance, Madison Square Garden has already conducted security inspections and planning exercises, according to sources familiar with the arrangements.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to be in attendance for Game 3. However, sources indicated that the mayor and the president are not expected to sit together during the game.

Trump had previously stated that he intended to attend one of the Finals games held in New York. Game 3 is scheduled for June 8, followed by Game 4 on June 10 and, if necessary, Game 6 on June 16.

The president had originally hoped to attend Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Those plans became unnecessary after the Knicks clinched their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 by eliminating the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep.

“I was invited to. I was going to go on Wednesday [Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals], but they closed it out very quickly. They’re great, and Jim Dolan’s a great guy — he’s, as you know, owns and in charge of Madison Square Garden. He’s having a good year,” Trump told The Post’s Emily Goodin on May 27.

Trump also praised the Knicks’ remarkable postseason run and said he was eager to see the team play on basketball’s biggest stage.

“Boy, what a team! They win all their games. They really have some great players. I think I’ll be going to one of the games, yeah. I was invited by numerous people, and Jim, and I think it’s great. Great to see it. The Knicks have really, they’ve really suffered for years and they’re doing right now very well.”

Trump has become a regular presence at major sporting events during his presidency. Among the high-profile contests he has attended were the Eagles’ victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans and the men’s championship match at the 2025 U.S. Open in Queens.

A group accused of orchestrating a sophisticated cargo theft operation that netted roughly $4.5 million in cigarettes, meat, cheese, copper, and other products was taken down Wednesday, according to authorities who say the suspects carried out a series of warehouse thefts across the Northeast using fraud rather than force.

Investigators allege that Murodullo “Murad” Khasanov headed the operation, which relied on cyber intrusions, forged shipping documents, and false identities to gain access to valuable cargo shipments. Rather than carrying out traditional armed robberies, the suspects allegedly tricked warehouse personnel into releasing merchandise by posing as legitimate trucking companies.

Authorities say the group enjoyed the proceeds of the scheme while living in upscale apartments overlooking the ocean in Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Brighton Beach and Coney Island. They allegedly spent lavishly on luxury vehicles and flaunted large amounts of cash at local nightspots.

“These guys acted like they watched every mob movie ever made and emulated American gangsters – the Hollywood version,” one law enforcement source said. “The great American dream, Cosa Nostra style.”

Khasanov was arrested during a pre-dawn raid at his apartment on Surf Avenue, according to law enforcement sources. Investigators reportedly seized computers, mobile phones, and boxes of records from the residence, which overlooks the Coney Island boardwalk.

Authorities also arrested two additional suspects as part of the operation. The arrests stem from a wide-ranging indictment filed in Manhattan that names eight alleged participants in the scheme.

Prosecutors said the three defendants taken into custody will face charges that include first-degree grand larceny and conspiracy. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Port Authority Police Department, and the NYPD.

According to court filings, the theft ring carried out at least six separate cargo thefts between October 2025 and April.

Investigators allege the group stole approximately $165,000 worth of lamb, $266,000 in copper, $295,000 in beef, $432,000 in cheese, and an estimated $3.3 million worth of cigarettes.

One law enforcement source claimed that Khasanov and his associates entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and do not speak English.

“These guys can’t speak English. Who knows how they got their [commercial driving] license, but they are right out of central casting,” the source said.

Court records allege that the crew worked alongside an unnamed organized crime group that helped penetrate the commercial shipping industry by masquerading as legitimate freight carriers and securing shipping contracts under false pretenses.

According to prosecutors, members of the criminal organization obtained shipment information through fraudulent means, while Khasanov allegedly supplied drivers with forged paperwork necessary to claim the cargo.

Authorities contend that the drivers traveled to pickup locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where they posed as authorized transport companies before taking possession of the shipments.

The stolen merchandise was then allegedly transported to New York City and sold through underground channels, generating substantial profits for the group.

Investigators say they assembled a significant body of evidence linking the defendants to the thefts, including WhatsApp communications, shipping records, photographs, and other documentation.

Among the evidence cited in court papers are photographs that allegedly show Khasanov loading stolen lamb into a Range Rover, arranging the sale of stolen copper at a Brooklyn scrap facility, and standing outside a warehouse containing stolen cigarettes.

Authorities are now examining whether the Brooklyn-based operation may have ties to a larger nationwide network involved in similar cargo theft schemes, according to law enforcement sources.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and other officials were expected to provide additional details about the investigation during a Wednesday afternoon news conference.

Khasanov and his co-defendants were also scheduled to appear in Manhattan Supreme Court later in the day. Court records did not immediately indicate who would be representing the defendants.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Bernie Sanders is preparing legislation that would require some of America’s largest artificial intelligence firms to hand over 50% ownership to the federal government, with the value placed into a national investment fund designed to provide financial benefits directly to Americans.

The Vermont senator has named the proposal the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act. Under the plan, companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI would be required to transfer a substantial portion of their equity into a government-controlled fund, with future proceeds used for public benefit programs and direct payments to citizens.

Rather than imposing a conventional tax, Sanders is proposing a one-time transfer of company stock. The affected firms would surrender half of their outstanding shares, making the federal government a major owner in each company.

Under the legislation, Washington would gain significant influence over the companies’ operations. In addition to ownership rights, the government would receive voting power and board representation.

The federal government would then receive voting rights and “an equal representation on each company’s board,” which Sanders said would allow it to “block decisions that hurt our citizens and to push for policies that help them.”

Sanders argued that the extraordinary wealth being generated by artificial intelligence should be shared more broadly because the technology itself was developed using knowledge and content created by society as a whole.

“Since AI is built on the collective knowledge of humanity, the wealth it generates must benefit humanity,” he said in a video posted to X, naming Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison as beneficiaries of what he called a wealth-extracting machine.

“The time has come to reclaim what was stolen from us.”

The senator portrayed the debate over artificial intelligence as a defining choice about who will shape and profit from the technology’s future.

“The question is not whether AI will change the world. It will,” Sanders said. “The question is, who will own and control that future?”

According to Sanders, the proposed fund could eventually accumulate enormous resources that could be used to support a variety of social programs.

The fund’s proceeds, which Sanders said could reach “billions, if not trillions,” would finance direct cash payments and help guarantee healthcare, education, and housing “as human rights.”

To support his argument, Sanders pointed to existing sovereign wealth funds around the world that use public assets to generate long-term returns for citizens.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, financed by oil revenues, now manages assets exceeding $2 trillion. Alaska has also distributed annual payments to residents for decades through a state fund supported by energy revenues.

The proposal comes as President Trump has already instructed federal officials to explore the creation of a national sovereign wealth fund through an executive order.

Sanders also noted that some major AI firms have floated similar concepts. He pointed to OpenAI’s discussion of a “public wealth fund” and Anthropic’s support for sovereign wealth fund structures tied to artificial intelligence investments.

Despite the attention the proposal is likely to generate, its path through Congress appears difficult. Democrats remain in the minority in both the House and Senate, and Sanders has recently struggled to attract support for other AI-related legislation.

His Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, introduced earlier this year, has yet to gain any Senate cosponsors.

Sanders acknowledged that implementing government ownership in companies whose AI divisions represent only part of their overall business operations would present challenges. He said additional details regarding governance, spending priorities, and implementation would be outlined when the legislation is formally introduced.

Industry observers noted that the proposal could have an immediate impact beyond Capitol Hill. OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI are currently pursuing major fundraising efforts, and analysts said public calls from a sitting U.S. senator to transfer half of their ownership to the government could create uncertainty among investors.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said he believes a face-to-face meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei could eventually take place, signaling optimism about ongoing diplomatic contacts despite the continuing conflict and the slow pace of negotiations.

During an appearance on Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One” podcast, released Wednesday, Trump said Khamenei continues to play a central role in Iran’s decision-making process, even though he has remained out of public view since the war erupted on Feb. 28 following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was reportedly wounded during those attacks. Reports have also claimed that the strikes killed his father, Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s supreme leader, along with other members of the family.

“He’s involved, absolutely,” Trump said. “Yeah, I think they have a lot of respect for him.”

Trump explained that Khamenei’s absence from public appearances has added complications to diplomatic efforts, requiring messages to be passed indirectly through intermediaries rather than through direct contact.

“I haven’t had the privilege of meeting him … If you believe the stories, he’s missing a lot of different parts,” Trump told Devine.

Even so, the president indicated that discussions between the two sides have continued to move forward and suggested that communication channels remain effective.

“They say he is giving approval because that’s the way it has been for a long, long time,” Trump said. “His father and then him, I guess it’s a succession. But we seem to be getting along quite well.”

When asked whether he would welcome a personal meeting with the Iranian leader, Trump responded positively and left open the possibility that such a meeting could occur in the future.

“Yeah, I’d like to meet him. I’d love to meet everybody. I would like to meet him, and we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out.”

Trump has long favored direct diplomacy with foreign leaders, including figures regarded as hostile to the United States, arguing that personal engagement can help reduce tensions and advance negotiations.

During his first term in office, he held three meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in an effort to address concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program. He also pursued plans to bring Taliban leaders to Camp David for peace talks, although that initiative was ultimately canceled.

The president’s latest remarks mark a notable change in tone from comments he made earlier about Mojtaba Khamenei. In the past, Trump criticized him sharply, referring to the Iranian leader as a “lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice to lead Iran.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Ben Tzion Mutzapi, one of the leading Sephardic gedolei Torah, has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s draft law, the status of bnei yeshivah, and the arrests of Torah students, declaring that efforts to weaken Torah learning will ultimately fail.

In a letter sent to avreichim learning in a kollel in Ofakim, Rav Mutzapi sharply criticized those he believes are targeting the Torah world and expressed confidence that the Torah community will remain steadfast despite mounting pressures.

“My beloved friends, for 70 years the Erev Rav have exerted all their strength and burst with anger when they see Torah-observant Jews sitting and learning Torah. They do not need us in the army at all because they have additional soldiers and even surpluses.”

The senior posek argued that opponents of Torah study have repeatedly attempted to curtail the growth of the Torah world through a variety of measures, yet have consistently failed to achieve their goals.

“What have they not done? Four times every year, corresponding to the seasons of the year, through various regulations, difficulties, decrees, sanctions, temptations, threats, and incitement against Torah learners—and they have accomplished nothing.”

Rav Mutzapi went on to cite promises from Tanach, emphasizing that the Jewish people have been assured that Torah will never be forgotten or abandoned.

“Hashem promised us through Moshe, His faithful servant, ‘For it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of his descendants,’” he wrote. “And through Shmuel Hanovi, ‘For Hashem will not forsake His people, nor abandon His inheritance.’”

Rav Mutzapi stressed that those seeking to diminish Torah observance would not succeed and accused them of attempting to uproot Torah through cultural and social influences.

“They will not overcome us, they will not subdue us, because their goal is to cause Torah to be forgotten. All of the entertainment programs, the permissiveness disguised as freedom, the parades of donkeys, only add to their shame and disgrace.”

Concluding his message, Rav Mutzapi urged Torah students to remain committed to their learning and to draw strength from Hashem’s enduring love for His people.

“We will not abandon the Torah, and it will never abandon us. Remember, my friend, that every night we bless, ‘And Your love shall never depart from us forever.’ Hashem declares, ‘I love you.’”

Rabbi Dovid Boaron, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Kibbutz Givat Ze’ev, says one of his talmidim is still struggling to recover after spending five days in military detention following his arrest as a draft evader.

Speaking in an interview with Kol Chai, Rabbi Boaron recounted the recent arrest of Reuven Lamenatzeach, a student at the yeshiva who was detained while returning from a family event.

According to the rosh yeshiva, undercover officers stopped the bochur on Highway 1 and quickly discovered that he had been classified as a draft evader.

“When they saw that he was a draft evader, they immediately identified him. Unfortunately, they did not even allow him to make a phone call to his parents. They immediately took him away in handcuffs,” Rabbi Boaron said.

Although Lamenatzeach was released after only five days—a relatively short period compared to some similar cases—Rabbi Boaron said the experience left a deep impact on the young man.

“He came out broken. There is a lot of humiliation that people go through there,” the rosh yeshiva said.

Relaying what the bochur told him after his release, Rabbi Boaron described difficult conditions in both detention and military prison. He said the student slept on a thin mattress placed on the floor, had limited opportunities for tefillah, and faced challenging living conditions.

“The hardest part, he said, was the humiliation. If a shirt was slightly out, there were immediate punishments. These are things a ben Torah is not accustomed to.”

Rabbi Boaron added that the bochur was housed together with Bedouin detainees and encountered circumstances that were entirely unfamiliar to him.

“He told me, ‘I would not wish this on anyone.’”

The rosh yeshiva said that although the detention lasted less than a week, its effects remain evident.

“Today he has already returned to the yeshiva, but I see that the bochur is still not fully here. It will take time for him to recover from the experience.”

Following his release, Lamenatzeach visited several gedolim to receive encouragement and guidance.

Rabbi Boaron said that during a visit with Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, the message was simple and repeated several times.

“Do not be afraid, do not be afraid.”

According to the rosh yeshiva, Rav Bergman emphasized those words repeatedly in an effort to strengthen the young man’s spirits.

The bochur later visited Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, where the conversation turned to a friend who had been with him during the incident but was not arrested.

“He asked whether the friend was Ashkenazi, and when they answered that he only looked Ashkenazi, he replied with a smile, ‘No, it is important that he is Ashkenazi.’”

Rabbi Boaron also shared details about how that friend managed to avoid arrest.

“He started talking with the officers about the draft, chatted with them for a bit, and then simply took off and left,” the rosh yeshiva said, describing the escape as another miracle that occurred that night.

During the interview, Rabbi Boaron also discussed the growth of the institutions under his leadership in Givat Ze’ev. He said the local cheder now serves nearly 300 students and that the yeshiva, founded approximately two years ago, operates three daily learning sessions with a strong emphasis on intensive Torah study.

Concluding the interview, Rabbi Boaron expressed concern that additional arrests of yeshiva students may lie ahead.

“This is only the beginning,” he said. “If there is no Torah, there is no derech eretz and there is no state.”

{Matzav.com}

A visit by a group of educators from a prominent Litvishe Talmud Torah to the city of Chevron reportedly ended with an ideological dispute after one of the institutions’ spiritual directors criticized aspects of the tour and declared that Jews are forbidden to reside in the city.

The unusual exchange took place during a recent educational trip attended by approximately 150 melamdim from a well-known Litvishe cheder in central Israel.

The educators visited several historic Jewish sites throughout Chevron, including the graves of Yishai and Rus, the resting places of the Sdei Chemed and Reishis Chochmah, and other revered figures associated with the city. The tour culminated with a visit to the Me’aras Hamachpeilah, where participants davened for personal and communal salvation.

The group was led by Rabbi Yeshayahu Rosenberger, a Gerer chossid, who presented the city’s Jewish history, tracing its story from Biblical times through the eras of Dovid Hamelech and Chizkiyahu, and continuing through the modern period, including the Chabad community, the arrival of the Slabodka Yeshiva, and the contemporary Jewish presence in Chevron.

During the tour, Rabbi Rosenberger recounted traditions connected to the Avrohom Avinu Shul, including accounts that Avrohom Avinu had revealed himself there. Some of the educators reportedly expressed skepticism regarding those traditions.

Rosenberger emphasized several times throughout the tour that his purpose was not to promote any particular ideology but rather to present historical narratives and traditions preserved by the Jewish community of Chevron.

The discussion intensified when he described one of the most famous episodes in the history of the renewed Jewish settlement in Chevron: the story of Sarah Nachshon, whose young son, Avrohom Yedidya, was buried in Chevron’s ancient cemetery in 1975. The burial was significant because it marked the first Jewish burial in the heart of the city since the 1929 Chevron massacre and the subsequent expulsion of the Jewish community.

Rosenberger recounted the statement Sarah Nachshon made at the graveside, words that later became closely associated with the modern Jewish return to Chevron.

“Thousands of years ago, Avrohom buried Sarah in Chevron, and thus acquired Chevron; and today I, Sarah, bury my son Avrohom here, and thus we will acquire Chevron in our generation.”

According to the report, some of the Litvishe educators were uncomfortable with the statement when interpreted literally, feeling that it drew a comparison between Sarah Nachshon and figures from Tanach.

Following the tour, one of the institutions’ spiritual directors reportedly approached Rabbi Rosenberger and expressed concern that elements of the presentation could encourage nationalist sentiment among educators.

“You have to be careful. It is forbidden to inject nationalism into the community of melamdim. And you should know that Jews are forbidden to live in Chevron; the holy Torah forbids living here. Nationalism must not be allowed to penetrate the younger generation.”

Despite the criticism, participants reportedly expressed appreciation for Rabbi Rosenberger’s extensive knowledge and engaging presentation. Sources said the comments were delivered privately and respectfully, reflecting the menahel’s worldview rather than an attempt to publicly challenge the guide.

Those familiar with the event noted that the overwhelming majority of the tour focused on the city’s ancient Jewish heritage, the Avos HaKedoshim, and the historical significance of Chevron. Only a relatively small portion of the program addressed the contemporary Jewish community and modern settlement activity in the city.

The Jewish community of Isfahan issued a sharply worded statement condemning Israel and the United States during a memorial ceremony held in recent days for Iranians killed during the war, declaring support for the Islamic Republic and expressing solidarity with the Iranian people.

The event was held in memory of 170 teachers and children who Iranian officials say were mistakenly killed at the outset of the conflict. According to reports, the tragedy occurred on February 28, 2026, when a cruise missile struck the Shajara Tayeba girls’ elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab during a U.S. military operation targeting military sites in the area.

Addressing the gathering, Hakham Suleiman Sadeghpour, one of the leaders of the Jewish community in Isfahan, criticized Israel and the United States while emphasizing the longstanding coexistence of Jews and Muslims in Iran.

“Jews and Muslims throughout the history of this land have lived side by side and played a significant role in creating stable coexistence. In Iran’s history, the solidarity and unity of the people have been important factors in helping the country overcome various challenges and crises.”

Sadeghpour delivered his remarks during a memorial service held at the Keter David Synagogue in Isfahan. He also condemned what he called the “Zionist regime” and praised social cohesion as a key factor in Iran’s endurance.

“Cooperation and social unity are central characteristics of the continuity and stability of Iranian society throughout different periods of Iran’s history.”

He went on to say that Iran has faced numerous hardships over the centuries and has consistently overcome them through national unity.

“Iran has faced many difficult events and conditions throughout history, and history shows that the presence of the people alongside one another and the strengthening of the collective spirit have always played a decisive role in overcoming those conditions.”

Sadeghpour added that the concept of national solidarity remains relevant today and can help preserve peace and stability.

“Reference to the concept of national solidarity, beyond being part of the country’s historical heritage, can still help strengthen tranquility, stability, and peace.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Jewish community of Isfahan released an official statement concerning the war, known in Iran as “Roar of the Lion.”

“We condemn the Zionist and American activity against the Republic of Iran.”

The statement stressed that Iranian Jews identify strongly with their homeland and see themselves as an integral part of the nation.

“We, the Jewish community, express our sympathy and support wherever the name of Iran is mentioned. The distinction between religion and faith is no longer meaningful. Iranian Jews have always seen themselves as Iranians, are filled with sorrow over the martyrdom of Iran’s great leader, and rejoice at the selection of his lawful successor.”

The statement also expressed condolences over the deaths of the children in Minab and condemned the attack as a war crime.

“The Jewish community of Isfahan expresses its deepest condolences over the martyrdom of the children of the noble lineage of Minab and condemns this shameful war crime. The names of the martyrs have touched all of our hearts. This war crime is reprehensible, and the perpetrators of these crimes must be taught a lesson that Iranians will never surrender.”

In perhaps the most striking remarks of the event, Sadeghpour invoked the Biblical story of Moshe and Pharaoh, comparing Iran’s struggle against its adversaries to that ancient conflict.

“Just as Moshe Rabbeinu defeated Pharaoh and the Egyptians, so too will Iran and the Iranian people overcome the perpetrators of these crimes. We will prove that we, the men, women, and children, are present in the field and have shed our blood for this homeland. We, the followers of the Muslim, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian faiths, have all sacrificed martyrs for this country and have always proven that America and the Zionist regime can only imagine bringing this nation to its knees.”

The statement concluded with a prayer that no more children would be harmed and a declaration of loyalty to Iran.

“With the hope that no student will be killed behind a school desk, and with the hope that no foreigner will be allowed to invade this land, Iran is our life.”

A major victory for the chareidi education system was secured this week after MK Moshe Gafni successfully negotiated a one-year reprieve for eight Talmudei Torah affiliated with the Chinuch Atzmai network that had been facing imminent closure.

Following intensive discussions involving Education Minister Yoav Kisch, senior Education Ministry officials, and direct involvement from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office, an agreement was reached postponing the planned closures and giving the institutions at least another year to continue operating.

The arrangement brings relief to hundreds of families, teachers, and administrators who had been facing significant uncertainty and provides the Chinuch Atzmai network with additional time to address regulatory demands imposed by the Education Ministry.

Just last week, concerns mounted across the chareidi community as several institutions appeared to be on the verge of shutting their doors. Among the schools reportedly at risk were well-known Talmudei Torah in Bnei Brak, including Talmud Torah Zichron Meir and others, due to government requirements concerning core curriculum studies.

According to reports, Gafni became deeply involved in the issue and spent days conducting negotiations with Education Ministry officials in an effort to prevent the closures.

The talks took place against the backdrop of a High Court petition filed by the Hiddush organization against Chinuch Atzmai. The petition alleges irregularities in instructional-hour reporting and claims that some institutions are not fully complying with mandated core curriculum requirements.

Education experts familiar with the matter explained that while government funding formulas in the past often allowed a degree of flexibility based on partial compliance, government ministries and the courts have recently adopted far stricter standards.

Central to the dispute is the requirement that schools comply with the licensing conditions established by the Education Ministry, standards that critics argue are not currently being met by certain boys’ educational institutions.

The crisis intensified when school administrators received notices from Chinuch Atzmai Director-General Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin instructing them to prepare for a collective hearing process involving educational staff, melamdim, and teachers.

Although the move was described as largely procedural and driven by regulatory obligations, it raised alarm throughout the community. Hundreds of families feared potential layoffs, while thousands of students faced uncertainty regarding where they would study in the coming school year.

The newly negotiated agreement has now provided what many view as critical breathing room.

With the closure threat delayed for at least another year, school leaders and Chinuch Atzmai officials will have time to evaluate government requirements, explore possible solutions, and formulate plans that would allow the institutions to continue operating while addressing regulatory concerns.

The agreement is being viewed as especially significant for the hundreds of educators employed by the affected schools, as well as for the thousands of students and parents whose educational future had been thrown into doubt.

For now, the threat that hung over the institutions and jeopardized the upcoming school year has been lifted, allowing classes to open as scheduled.

Supporters of the arrangement say the delay creates an opportunity to pursue long-term solutions that will preserve the unique character of Chinuch Atzmai schools while enabling them to continue functioning within the framework required by government authorities.

Sources in the Torah world expressed appreciation for Gafni’s efforts and for the direct involvement of the Prime Minister’s Office in reaching the compromise.

Attention now turns to the coming year, during which Chinuch Atzmai officials will be tasked with finding a sustainable path forward that will allow the institutions to remain open while satisfying the demands of the educational and legal systems.

{Matzav.com}

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Why? Because for over two years the funding has been frozen. The yeshivos are drowning, the kollelim are buckling, and bochurim are now being arrested for refusing to put down a Gemara. This is the fight for the survival of Torah in Eretz Yisroel, and the gedolim recognize there is no one left to send in their place. So they are coming themselves.

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The Israeli government’s campaign of economic measures targeting draft-eligible yeshiva students is intensifying, with Israeli Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon pressing ahead with efforts to revoke municipal property tax discounts from young chareidi couples whose husbands do not serve in the military.

In a sharply worded letter sent this week to Interior Ministry Director-General Israel Ozen, Limon rejected the ministry’s refusal to advance regulatory changes that would allow local authorities to deny arnona discounts to households headed by men classified as eligible for military service.

Limon argued that the Interior Ministry’s position conflicts with directives issued by Israel’s Supreme Court and instructed officials to continue promoting the measure without delay. The dispute stems from a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg requiring the ministry to determine how it would address the issue of municipal tax discounts for those subject to military draft obligations.

Last Thursday, the Interior Ministry informed officials that it did not intend to pursue the proposed sanction, citing several concerns. Among them were fears that the measure could undermine the financial stability of local governments, push vulnerable families deeper into poverty, and create legal and practical difficulties for municipalities being asked to enforce military service policy.

Limon dismissed those arguments, insisting that both the courts and government professionals have identified the loss of arnona benefits as an effective mechanism for encouraging military service.

“The arguments regarding harm to weaker populations and local authorities do not constitute sufficient justification,” Limon wrote. “We will not be able to defend this position legally.”

Addressing concerns about the financial impact on affected households, Limon acknowledged that eliminating the discounts could significantly burden many families but maintained that the measure was specifically chosen because of its effectiveness.

“Revoking an arnona discount may be economically significant for many households, and for that reason it was identified as an effective step to encourage those obligated to serve. If consequences materialize, government authorities can be expected to formulate appropriate responses.”

Limon also pointed to what he described as a procedural issue, noting that the matter had not been presented to the appropriate ministerial authority. He wrote that because Israel has been without a serving interior minister for approximately ten months, the relevant powers should have been formally transferred to the prime minister, as required by law.

The letter follows another controversial development announced a day earlier. Under new guidelines currently being prepared by government agencies, Torah institutions that enroll students classified as draft-eligible could lose eligibility for tax benefits tied to charitable donations.

Those guidelines were formulated during high-level discussions involving the Justice Ministry, the Israel Tax Authority, and the Corporations Authority ahead of a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for July.

The Israel Tax Authority is expected to publish an official notice on the matter in the coming days. The proposal would add another layer to a growing list of financial penalties that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and her office have sought to impose on draft-eligible yeshiva students and the institutions in which they study.

Leaders in the Torah world view the latest move as part of what they describe as an escalating campaign of economic pressure aimed at chareidi families and Torah institutions.

The issue has also sparked sharp disagreements within the government. During a cabinet meeting approximately two weeks ago, several ministers reportedly criticized the attorney general’s demands. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi voiced particular opposition, declaring: “The government’s policy is that those who do not learn Torah enlist—so why are we discussing measures against those whose Torah study is their occupation?”

{Matzav.com}

A tense overnight hostage crisis at a Chase Bank in Bakersfield came to an end early Wednesday when the suspect, who claimed to be carrying explosives on his body, was fatally shot during a law enforcement operation, authorities said.

Police reported that every hostage held inside the bank was safely rescued and suffered no injuries. Although none required emergency treatment, those involved were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene. The standoff concluded shortly after 4:20 a.m.

“The hostage situation concluded following an officer-involved shooting involving Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel,” Bakersfield police said in a news release.

Authorities have continued to block off streets surrounding the bank while investigators process the scene. Police announced that additional details would be released during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Earlier in the ordeal, negotiators succeeded in persuading the suspect to release two hostages. Law enforcement officials had maintained communication with him by telephone throughout the standoff.

As the situation unfolded, officials established a security perimeter covering the area between 18th Street and Truxtun Avenue and stretching from Chester Avenue to H Street.

When the suspect initially barricaded himself inside the bank on Tuesday, several customers and employees were still in the building. Some individuals managed to escape before the situation escalated further.

Authorities said no injuries were reported during the incident. In a statement issued around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Bakersfield Police Department said that “an adult male subject had barricaded himself inside the building with several community members.”

Several hours later, police announced that negotiators had secured the release of another hostage.

“We remain on scene at the Chase Bank building and have negotiated the release of a second hostage,” police said. “There are currently no injuries reported. Avoid the area as this remains an active scene. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.”

As the crisis continued into the night, the FBI assumed responsibility for tactical operations. According to reports, federal agents took over “SWAT operations,” while the FBI’s Sacramento field office said it planned to “support the response” throughout the overnight hours.

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said she was closely following developments as law enforcement worked to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution.

“The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties,” she said in a statement.

The incident began Tuesday when authorities received reports of a bomb threat inside the Chase Bank, according to Good Morning America.

Police communications during the standoff indicated that officers believed the suspect might have been carrying an improvised explosive device.

“The suspect possibly has a makeshift detonator in his hand and wires coming out from under his shirt,” a police radio broadcast said.

{Matzav.com}