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Canadian authorities have arrested an 18-year-old male following an extensive investigation into two separate shooting incidents that targeted shuls in the Toronto area earlier this year, with officials warning that the suspect may not have acted alone.

The arrest was made public on Wednesday after a joint investigation conducted by the Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police.

Because the suspect was 17 at the time the alleged crimes took place, his identity has not been released under provincial law. He is now facing nine charges, including two counts of discharging a firearm into a building and two counts of causing significant property damage exceeding $5,000.

The troubling sequence of incidents began on the night of March 6. Just before midnight, police were called to the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT) shul in Vaughan, near Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard. Officers who arrived at the scene found that the front entrance had been struck by gunfire. Two people who were inside the shul at the time were b’chasdei Hashem unharmed.

Roughly 20 minutes afterward, authorities received another report of shots fired, this time at the Shaarei Shomayim shul in Toronto, located near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue. Police confirmed that the entrance to that building had also been hit in what appeared to be a targeted shooting.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw spoke about the seriousness of the attacks, saying, “These incidents were a terrible act of violence against the Jewish community in our cities. The investigation remains ongoing.”

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca likewise spoke out strongly, stressing that those who carry out attacks on houses of worship must be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

“I know the Jewish community has been deeply shaken by these acts, and it’s important for me to state clearly: in Vaughan, you are not alone. And we will do everything possible to make sure you are safe. The criminals who engage in this deplorable behaviour belong behind bars. They must all be held accountable,” Del Duca stated.

In a joint statement, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and United Jewish Appeal (UJA) thanked law enforcement for their efforts while underscoring the gravity of the situation.

“These attacks shook the sense of safety not only for those congregations, but for Jewish communities across the region. We thank the Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police for their diligence and coordination in advancing this investigation. Their work sends a clear signal that those who target our community will be identified and held accountable,” the organizations noted.

The groups added a warning that “multiple shootings targeting synagogues represent a dangerous escalation” and urged authorities to enforce the law consistently in order to restore a sense of security.

Investigators said last week that they suspect additional individuals were involved in the attacks, and efforts are ongoing to locate and identify possible accomplices who may have helped plan or carry out the shootings.

The incidents come amid a sharp rise in antisemitic activity across Toronto and surrounding areas following the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023.

In the days leading up to the March 6 shootings, gunfire struck Temple Emanu-El in North York. While no one was injured, the building sustained damage.

Later in April, a male suspect attempted to force his way into a shul in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, assaulting an individual before escaping.

The following day, a rock was thrown through the window of Aleph Bet Judaica, a Judaica store in the city, marking the third time that store has been targeted.

In another recent incident, a suspect driving a vehicle discharged a replica firearm toward visibly Jewish individuals in the North York section of Toronto, near Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West.

The suspect fled quickly in a blue SUV, and the victims sustained only minor injuries.

Authorities have since released surveillance footage from a nearby home showing the suspect vehicle traveling through the area as part of the ongoing investigation.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump posted a graphic on Truth Social this evening drawing attention to the duration of major U.S. military conflicts, contrasting them with what he described as a brief “Iran Excursion.”

In the post, Trump wrote, “Wow. Study this Chart! President DJT,” alongside an image titled “Length of Wars.”

The chart lists several major conflicts and their durations in weeks, including the Afghanistan War at 543 weeks, the Iraq War at 457 weeks, and the Vietnam War at 439 weeks.

Also included are earlier conflicts such as the U.S. Civil War at 209 weeks, World War II at 196 weeks, the Korean War at 161 weeks, and the War of 1812 at 139 weeks.

At the bottom of the chart, a smaller highlighted entry labeled “Iran Excursion” is marked at just six weeks.

Trump did not provide additional commentary.

{Matzav.com}

Kash Patel said the FBI misled a secret court in order to secure surveillance warrants used to monitor Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential race and into his presidency, alleging a wider pattern of misconduct within federal law enforcement.

Speaking Tuesday on “Hang Out with Sean Hannity,” Patel told Sean Hannity that he spent years uncovering what he described as a coordinated effort involving political actors and intelligence channels. “It took me two years of my life to prove the following: that a political party in the United States of America, in the 21st century, would go overseas and hire some bogus intelligence asset to manufacture fraudulent, fake, unverified information,” Patel said.

He continued by describing how the material was allegedly used, stating that it was “funnel[ed] … to, not just the intelligence community, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” before being presented in court. According to Patel, authorities then took “those packaged lies that they had paid for with campaign finance funds and go into a secret surveillance court,” and “illegally spy on your opponent to be the next President of the United States.”

Recounting the outcome of his investigation, Patel said, “That took two years of my life,” adding, “And what did we find out? The FISA court themselves came back and said these warrants were illegal, that the FBI did not provide evidence of exculpatory evidence and innocence, and that the FBI essentially lied in those applications.”

Patel indicated that the issue extended beyond those initial findings, calling the episode only the beginning. “I knew it didn’t stop there,” he said.

He went on to claim that the practices continued during the years when Trump was out of office. “I knew in the four years that we were out of office that they continued to regenerate that institution of weaponization,” Patel said, asserting that during that time he discovered, “I was illegally spied on by the likes of [former U.S. deputy attorney general] Rod Rosenstein and [former FBI director] Chris Wray.”

According to Patel, others were also affected. He stated that “ten other staffers on the Hill, and people who were elected to serve this country in the halls of Congress” were similarly targeted.

“They were actually continuing the weaponization that Donald Trump and I exposed during Trump One [President Trump’s first term], and we caught them,” Patel said.

He further argued that officials involved documented their own actions. “I knew walking in the door the following: These individuals, these purported leaders of law enforcement and government are so arrogant that they write the stuff down themselves to memorialize how great they are,” Patel said.

Pointing to the origins of the evidence, he added, “That’s how we caught them in RussiaGate. It wasn’t my documents. It was their emails.”

Patel continued by citing specific materials, saying, “It was their FISA application. It was their bogus Steele dossier. It was their unverified reporting that was documented in FBI holdings that we put out and that you covered.”

He concluded by noting that additional information had been uncovered. “I knew there were other places that that information was hidden,” he said. “So, day one I set out to find it and we found it.”

Patel’s remarks come at a time of renewed attention on federal surveillance authorities, following Congress’s recent 45-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

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{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Barack Obama argued that the justice system and military must remain free of political influence during a wide-ranging interview with Stephen Colbert, in which he suggested that President Donald Trump had contributed to politicizing key institutions.

Speaking in a pre-recorded segment for one of the final episodes of CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Obama said, “We can’t overcome the the politization of the criminal justice system,” as he discussed concerns about the role of politics in law enforcement.

He continued by warning against the use of government power for partisan purposes, stating, “You can’t have a situation where whoever is in charge starts using that to go after their political enemies.”

Obama went on to emphasize the importance of independence within the Justice Department, saying, “Restoring some sense of the Justice Department being independent in making judgements about specific cases and prosecutions.”

Turning to the armed forces, Obama said, “The second thing is the military,” adding, “Don’t politicize our military.”

He elaborated on the role of the president as commander in chief, explaining, “As president, you are commander in chief,” and adding, “You are responsible for directing our military, but there had been a whole series of norms that were in place to ensure that you weren’t trying to make that military loyal to you as opposed to the constitution and the people of the United States.”

Obama said structural safeguards are needed, stating, “We’re going to have to find mechanisms to restore that,” and added, “And a good policy that I’d like to see followed is that the President of the United States shouldn’t have a bunch of side hustles.”

Elsewhere in the conversation, Obama engaged in a lighter exchange with Colbert, encouraging him to consider a political run and remarking, “The bar has changed.”

Colbert responded by noting, “I’m looking for a new gig soon, and a lot of people tell me I should run for president,” prompting Obama to reply, “Well, you certainly have the look.”

The host dismissed the idea, saying, “Well, for the record, I think it’s a stupid idea,” and asked, “How dumb do you think it is for people to say that I should run for president?”

Obama answered, “Well, you know, the bar has changed,” adding, “Let me put it this way, I think that you could perform significantly better than some folks that we’ve seen.”

He concluded, “I have great confidence in that,” leading Colbert to ask, “Was that an endorsement?” to which Obama replied, “It was not.”

The interview comes shortly before “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” is scheduled to air its final episode on May 21, bringing an end to the long-running CBS program.

Violent antisemitic attacks in the United States climbed to unprecedented levels in 2025, even as the total number of reported incidents dropped sharply, according to a newly released audit by the Anti-Defamation League. The findings indicate that while fewer overall cases were recorded nationwide, physical violence against Jews intensified significantly.

The ADL’s annual report, published Wednesday, documented 203 antisemitic assaults in 2025. That figure marks a four percent rise from the 196 assaults recorded in 2024 and represents the highest number since the organization began tracking such data in 1979.

Incidents involving weapons rose dramatically, with cases increasing by 39 percent—from 23 the previous year to 32 in 2025. The report also noted that at least 300 individuals were victims of these violent attacks.

Three people lost their lives in antisemitic incidents during 2025, making it the first year since 2019 in which Jews were killed in such attacks in the United States.

Among the fatal cases were two Jewish individuals who were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, last May. Another victim later died from injuries sustained in a firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, which targeted a “Run for Their Lives” event held in support of Israeli hostages.

Additional high-profile attacks cited in the report included the firebombing of the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the stabbing of an Orthodox Jewish man leaving a synagogue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

“Our 2025 Audit, which shows it was one of the most violent years for American Jews on record, is a reminder of how dramatically the threat landscape has shifted,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “Numbers that would have shocked us five years ago are now our floor.”

“People are being murdered because of antisemitism on American soil, and thousands more are threatened,” he added.

In total, the ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the country in 2025, including assaults, harassment, and vandalism. While that figure reflects a 33 percent decline from the 9,354 incidents reported in 2024, it still stands as the third-highest annual total since tracking began.

On average, the data translates to roughly 17 antisemitic incidents occurring each day across the United States.

Breaking down the numbers further, the report identified 4,003 cases of harassment—a 39 percent drop from the previous year—and 2,068 instances of vandalism, down 21 percent.

New York recorded the largest number of incidents at 1,160, followed by California with 817, New Jersey with 687, Florida with 319, and Pennsylvania with 281.

New York also saw a disproportionate share of violent assaults, accounting for 90 cases. Nationwide, Orthodox Jews were the targets in 38 percent of all antisemitic attacks, according to the findings.

The ADL attributed the overall decline in incidents largely to a sharp reduction in campus-related activity. Cases tied to college campuses dropped 66 percent, falling from 1,694 in 2024 to 583 in 2025, as the wave of anti-Israel encampments that drove last year’s surge subsided and universities faced mounting pressure to respond.

Similarly, incidents connected to anti-Israel protests on campuses fell by 83 percent. Overall, 45 percent of antisemitic incidents in 2025 were linked to Israel or Zionism, down from 58 percent the year before.

The decrease follows heightened federal scrutiny under President Donald Trump, whose administration took aggressive steps against universities accused of failing to protect Jewish students.

In May of last year, World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder praised President Donald Trump for cutting federal funding to institutions accused of tolerating antisemitism, stating Trump was “the only president with the courage to do this.”

Several months later, in August, Greenblatt himself acknowledged that the administration had “leaned in in ways that have been constructive,” saying that federal pressure had compelled universities that had previously resisted action to begin addressing antisemitism more seriously.

Federal efforts have continued, with the Department of Education opening an investigation late last month into New York City schools over allegations of discrimination against Jewish students and the activities of “NYC Educators for Palestine.”

“No child should be taught by his or her teachers to hate their peers,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey, adding that the administration would not “turn a blind eye to antisemitic harassment.”

The ADL report was released a day after President Donald Trump issued a proclamation marking Jewish American Heritage Month, in which he said his administration is “aggressively fighting the violence against Jewish Americans,” including by “working to end the scourge of antisemitism throughout our institutions, especially on college campuses.”

Oren Segal, the ADL’s senior vice president for counter-extremism and intelligence, cautioned that the decline in overall incidents should not obscure the growing danger posed by violent antisemitism.

“Behind every one of these incidents is a real person: a family threatened at their synagogue, a rabbi attacked on the street, a student harassed on campus,” Segal said.

“2025 brought some of the most violent antisemitic attacks in recent memory,” he added. “Even as overall incidents declined, the surge in physical assaults is a stark reminder that a historically high level of antisemitism puts Jewish lives at risk.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli media personality Yinon Magal publicly called on Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to move forward with the long-delayed draft law, warning that failure to do so would deepen frustration within the chareidi community and damage the coalition.

Magal, host of the program “The Patriots,” was responding Wednesday night to a report by political correspondent Avraham Freund indicating that Netanyahu had asked senior chareidi party officials to remove the draft law from the agenda and delay its advancement until after the elections.

Despite public denials from Moshe Gafni regarding efforts to advance the legislation, Magal said that messages coming from Netanyahu’s inner circle suggest a different reality. “I will be very disappointed if Netanyahu does not pass this,” Magal said.

“I hear from Netanyahu’s circle that he does not want to pass the law,” Magal stated, explaining that the hesitation stems from polling data indicating potential political fallout if the law is approved. However, he argued that failing to pass the measure could inflict even greater harm on the coalition. “The chareidim are ‘on the ropes,’ very frustrated and deeply disappointed. They feel they were screwed over in this coalition.”

Magal elaborated on what he described as a growing sense of grievance in the chareidi street, contrasting their situation with the achievements of other coalition partners. “Smotrich built an entire empire in Judea and Samaria; everyone in the coalition got what they wanted—and they (the chareidim) feel they got messed over,” he said. He also pointed to recent tensions surrounding events in Meron, incidents of police violence, and concerns over the arrest of draft evaders as factors fueling unrest.

“I trust Netanyahu knows what he’s doing; he’s a bigger politician than I am,” Magal added. “But personally, I think this law needs to be passed. It should be expedited—within two weeks, pass the law. Don’t count anyone, draft chareidim; this is an important and historic law.”

Concluding his remarks, Magal noted what he believes is a six-month window before elections and expressed hope that Netanyahu will act during that time. “I will be very disappointed if Netanyahu does not pass this.”

Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, is recovering after a serious medical emergency that left him hospitalized last weekend, with one source describing his turnaround as extraordinary.

Giuliani, 81, was admitted in critical condition suffering from severe respiratory distress, later diagnosed as a life-threatening case of double pneumonia. In recent days, his condition has improved enough for him to be transferred out of the intensive care unit.

“It was touch and go,” the source said of this past weekend. “But his recovery over the last several days has been remarkable.”

News of his improvement has brought relief to friends and political allies, many of whom had been closely following updates since his condition first became known.

Despite the severity of his illness, Giuliani is already said to be looking ahead to resuming his public role, particularly his media appearances in support of President Donald Trump.

“Rudy is anxious to get back on the media circuit,” the source said. “He wants to be out there fighting for President Trump as soon as doctors allow it.”

Giuliani has remained a steadfast and vocal supporter of Trump through years of political disputes and legal challenges.

After reports of his hospitalization surfaced, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Our fabulous Rudy Giuliani, a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR, has been hospitalized, and is in critical condition.”

The relationship between the two men dates back decades, well before Trump’s entry into politics.

They became closely linked during Giuliani’s tenure as mayor in the 1990s, when Trump was a prominent real estate figure in New York City.

Their connection grew stronger during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, when Giuliani was among the earliest high-profile figures to publicly support him.

In the years that followed, Giuliani became one of Trump’s most prominent defenders, frequently appearing on television and at campaign events.

More recently, Giuliani has served as a contributor to Newsmax, where his podcast is also featured on the network’s streaming platform, Newsmax2.

Medical professionals are expected to continue monitoring Giuliani following his release, though those close to him say confidence is growing regarding his recovery and overall condition.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said she believes the Supreme Court will ultimately affirm the legality of AR-15 rifles nationwide, following a new Justice Department lawsuit challenging Denver’s restrictions on certain semiautomatic firearms.

Dhillon made the remarks after the DOJ filed suit against the city of Denver this week, arguing that its long-standing ban on so-called “assault weapons” violates the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.

“We intend to make sure they do that,” Dhillon said during an interview with Just the News, referring to a potential Supreme Court ruling protecting AR-15 ownership nationwide.

She added that recent court decisions indicate the direction the justices may take. “The court has really signaled in several opinions where it is going with this. I think there is going to be a ruling eventually from the Supreme Court that AR-15s are legal for all law-abiding citizens to own and operate.”

The lawsuit focuses on Denver’s prohibition of certain semiautomatic rifles, including AR-15-style weapons, which the Justice Department argues are widely owned across the country.

The legal filing also takes issue with the term “assault weapon,” describing it as politically driven language advanced by gun-control advocates.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche framed the case as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to reinforce Second Amendment protections.

“The Constitution is not a suggestion, and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” Blanche said Tuesday.

“Denver’s ban on commonly owned semiautomatic rifles directly violates the right to bear arms.”

Dhillon credited President Donald Trump, former Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Blanche for placing a renewed emphasis on gun rights through the DOJ’s recently created Second Amendment Section.

“I want to thank the president for setting the tone at the beginning of his administration,” Dhillon said.

She argued that recent Supreme Court rulings have already laid the groundwork for overturning restrictions on AR-15-style firearms, citing cases such as District of Columbia v. Heller and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which affirmed protections for weapons commonly used for lawful purposes.

Dhillon pointed to language from the court identifying the AR-15 as the most commonly owned rifle in the United States.

“That leads to the inexorable conclusion that the AR-15 is presumptively legal all over America,” she said.

City officials in Denver, however, indicated they have no intention of reversing course.

Mayor Mike Johnston rejected the federal challenge, saying the city would continue to enforce its ordinance, according to CBS News.

“We’re here today to let them know that our answer is ‘Hell no,'” Johnston said, defending the restrictions as necessary to curb gun violence.

Denver’s law, originally passed in 1989, bans certain semiautomatic firearms equipped with high-capacity magazines.

Supporters of gun rights argue the measure unfairly targets weapons that are protected under the Constitution and owned by millions of Americans.

The Colorado State Shooting Association welcomed the DOJ’s involvement and said it recently met with Blanche to discuss firearm regulations in the state.

Legal experts say the case could set the stage for a split among federal appeals courts, a development that often leads the Supreme Court to take up the issue.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the planned White House ballroom will be significantly larger and more expensive than originally envisioned, but insisted the project is progressing efficiently and remains under budget.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump rejected media reports suggesting the project’s cost had unexpectedly surged, blaming what he described as inaccurate coverage.

“The White House Ballroom is going up rapidly on the East side of the White House,” Trump wrote.

He explained that the increase in cost is tied to changes in the project’s scope rather than mismanagement. “The only reason the cost has changed is because, after deep rooted studies, it is approximately twice the size, and a far higher quality, than the original proposal.”

According to Trump, the original estimate for the ballroom stood at around $200 million, while the updated design—featuring a larger footprint and upgraded specifications—will come in at “something less than $400 million.”

He said the expanded facility is intended to better accommodate large-scale gatherings, official functions, and future inaugurations.

“It will be magnificent, safe, and secure!” Trump wrote, adding that media portrayals of the revised cost as a budget overrun are misleading and that the project is actually “coming in ahead of schedule, and under budget.”

The ballroom initiative is part of a broader push by the administration to upgrade and reinforce security measures throughout the White House complex amid increasing threats targeting public officials.

As part of that effort, a recently approved Senate reconciliation bill allocates $1 billion for Secret Service enhancements connected to modernization efforts in the East Wing.

Republican lawmakers have emphasized that this funding is intended for security-related improvements rather than construction expenses.

The broader Republican-backed package, valued at nearly $72 billion, also includes substantial increases in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, as part of ongoing efforts to advance Trump’s border security priorities through the reconciliation process.

Trump has repeatedly maintained that the ballroom project is essential for both operational needs and safety concerns.

In the aftermath of last month’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, he renewed his call to relocate major presidential events to a secure venue within the White House grounds.

“What happened last night is exactly the reason” a secure ballroom is needed, Trump said in an earlier Truth Social post, arguing the facility would include “every highest level security feature there is.”

The project is currently facing a legal challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed suit seeking to block construction, claiming that congressional approval was required before work could begin.

However, a federal appeals court has allowed construction to proceed while the legal case continues.

Democratic leaders have criticized both the ballroom project and the associated security funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York accused Republicans of prioritizing a “ballroom” instead of focusing on broader economic issues.

Republicans have pushed back, arguing that enhancing security at the White House and safeguarding presidential events are legitimate national priorities in light of growing threats against officials.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Trump said the project is moving forward quickly.

“This was a necessary change,” he wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that a federal anti-fraud task force has uncovered widespread irregularities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including thousands of deceased individuals still listed as recipients.

Speaking at a rally in Iowa, Vance said, “We’ve got 186,000 dead people getting SNAP benefits. 186,000 dead Americans getting food stamps right now. I know the fake news media is going to say that the big headline from this speech is ‘JD Vance proposes that we take away food stamps,'” Vance said during an appearance at an Iowa rally Tuesday.

He continued, “That’s what they’re going to say. I actually think that we should take food stamps away from dead people. I am guilty of that. I think that’s a reasonable thing.”

The task force was created in March through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, as part of a broader effort to root out fraud across federal programs.

Trump has placed a strong emphasis on eliminating waste and abuse in government spending, particularly as economic concerns and cost-of-living issues remain top priorities for voters ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

The renewed focus on fraud enforcement follows earlier allegations involving misuse of public funds at day care centers operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis, which led to a federal immigration crackdown in the area and sparked widespread demonstrations.

Vance described the process of uncovering fraud within government systems as straightforward. He said Tuesday that finding fraud in the federal government is “kind of like fishing in a barrel with dynamite.”

He added that the scope of what has been uncovered has been surprising. He said he was “shocked every single day by the things” the task force has discovered.

Referring to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Vance said, “Brooke [Rollins] has found out that we’ve got 355,000 people on SNAP benefits receiving double benefits, that we’ve got 186,000 dead people getting SNAP benefits,” Vance said, referring to the agriculture secretary. “186,000 dead Americans getting food stamps right now.”

He also said that Rollins identified additional questionable cases, noting, “there are people who have Lamborghinis who currently receive SNAP benefits.”

Vance concluded by arguing that such situations defy common sense. “I’m a pretty conservative guy, but I would think that like 95% of the United States of America would agree that if you are wealthy enough to afford a Lamborghini, then you are wealthy enough to not receive SNAP benefits from the American people,” said Vance. “Is that common sense?”

The U.S. Air Force is working toward a July 4 target date to bring a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar into service as part of the Air Force One fleet, potentially aligning its debut with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, according to a U.S. official and another source familiar with the effort.

The luxury aircraft was accepted by the White House in 2025, after which the Air Force was directed to fast-track its conversion to meet presidential requirements. L3Harris was selected to handle the modifications, and if the timeline is met, President Donald Trump could have the upgraded jet ready for use during the upcoming national milestone.

According to one source, there had also been consideration of completing delivery roughly three weeks earlier to coincide with Trump’s birthday on June 14. The acceptance of the aircraft from Qatar has faced criticism from Democrats and government watchdog groups, who argued it could present a conflict of interest and potentially influence presidential decision-making.

Trump has rejected those concerns, saying it would be “stupid” to turn down the offer of the 13-year-old aircraft. At present, the Air Force One fleet includes two specially configured Boeing 747-200B planes, though any Air Force aircraft carrying the president is designated as Air Force One.

Experts have noted that converting the Qatari jet requires extensive upgrades, including advanced security systems, enhanced communications designed to prevent eavesdropping, and defensive capabilities to counter potential missile threats.

An Air Force spokesperson said, “The aircraft is on schedule to deliver this summer.”

The Air Force reported Friday that the plane has completed its modification phase and flight testing and is currently undergoing painting.

Meanwhile, the official replacement program for Air Force One—Boeing’s project to transform two 747-8 aircraft into next-generation presidential jets—continues to face delays. The initiative is now running about four years behind schedule, with delivery not expected until the middle of 2028.

Originally awarded in 2018 as a fixed-price contract valued at $3.9 billion, the program’s costs have since risen to over $5 billion, with Boeing absorbing approximately $2.4 billion in losses tied to the project.

In an effort to regain control of the timeline, Boeing brought in Steve Sullivan in 2025, a former Northrop Grumman executive with experience on the B-21 bomber program, to oversee the work. The Air Force also recently introduced a new paint scheme for its executive aircraft fleet, featuring red, white, dark blue, and gold—reviving a design long favored by Trump after an earlier version was abandoned in 2022.

This updated color scheme will be applied to the VC-25B, the military designation for the Boeing 747-8, replacing the white and blue design that has been used since the Kennedy administration.

Additionally, four Boeing 757-200 aircraft used by the vice president, cabinet members, and other senior officials are set to receive the same repainting treatment. In December, the Air Force also acquired two former Lufthansa 747-8i jets for $400 million—one to be used for training purposes and the other for spare parts—as preparations continue to phase out the current fleet, which has been in operation since 1990.

{Matzav.com}

A sharp decline in global oil reserves last month, tied in part to the ongoing Iran conflict, has sparked growing worries about fuel availability and rising prices as the summer travel season approaches.

New figures from S&P Global Energy, cited by the Financial Times, show that worldwide crude inventories dropped by close to 200 million barrels in April, equal to about 6.6 million barrels per day. The steep fall is attributed largely to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have interfered with shipping lanes and energy facilities.

“This is massive; it is far above the usual range,” Jim Burkhard, head of crude research at S&P, told the Financial Times, warning that “an inevitable market reckoning is coming.”

The plunge in reserves occurred even as global demand weakened significantly, with consumption reportedly declining by around 5 million barrels per day—marking the most pronounced drop outside the COVID-19 period.

Experts say the supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict have outweighed the effects of reduced demand, placing additional strain on already tight markets.

Oil markets have faced volatility since late February, when joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to a wider regional confrontation. In response, Tehran took steps to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage that carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas exports.

The Trump administration has sought to contain the fallout through Project Freedom, a US-led naval initiative aimed at safeguarding commercial vessels passing through the strait and maintaining the flow of global trade.

This week, however, President Trump indicated a potential shift toward diplomacy, announcing a temporary halt to the operation to allow renewed efforts at reaching an agreement with Iran.

“Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement,” Trump wrote on Truth Social while emphasizing the United States would continue pressuring Iran economically.

Oil prices initially spiked amid fears that disruptions in the strait would persist, but eased somewhat on Wednesday, according to the BBC, after Trump’s remarks raised expectations that a deal might be within reach.

Brent crude prices dipped below $110 per barrel after earlier surging by more than 6 percent during the latest escalation.

Despite the slight easing in prices, analysts caution that the situation remains unstable and could deteriorate further.

Goldman Sachs estimates that global supplies of refined fuels have dropped to roughly 45 days of available inventory, with especially sharp reductions reported in Asia and Africa.

In the United States, gasoline stockpiles are expected to fall to historic lows during the peak summer driving months.

“The speed of depletion and supply losses in some regions and products is concerning,” Goldman researchers warned.

Governments around the world have already begun taking steps to shore up energy security. Australia has announced plans to invest heavily in boosting fuel reserves, Norway is increasing oil output, and Qatar is working to conserve its domestic energy capacity, according to Semafor.

Even as fuel prices climb to around $4.50 per gallon in some parts of the United States, demand from American drivers has remained steady, adding further pressure on limited supplies.

Burkhard cautioned, “The worst of the crisis is ahead of us.”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Wednesday night that Israel remains fully aligned with the United States regarding developments in negotiations with Iran, dismissing reports suggesting Jerusalem had been caught off guard by recent progress in the talks.

Speaking at the start of a political-security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the ongoing coordination between the two countries. “We are in constant contact with our friends in the United States. I speak with President Trump almost on a daily basis. My people and his people speak on a daily basis, including today. And I will also speak with President Trump later tonight. We have full coordination, there are no surprises. We share common goals, and the most important goal is to remove the enriched material from Iran, all the enriched material, and dismantle the enrichment capabilities from Iran,” Netanyahu said.

He added that Israel is preparing for all possible outcomes, even as diplomatic efforts continue. “President Trump believes he can achieve it one way or another. But we are prepared for any scenario, and this is my instruction to the IDF and our security forces. Israel is stronger than ever, Iran and its proxies are weaker than ever,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported that Israeli officials had been surprised by what was described as a shift in President Donald Trump’s stance toward negotiations with Iran.

President Trump said on Wednesday that a deal aimed at ending the conflict with Iran could be finalized before his planned trip to China next week.

A separate report from Axios indicated that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a concise, one-page framework agreement designed to end the war. According to the report, the proposed deal would include mutual easing of restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, along with US steps to lift sanctions and release frozen Iranian assets. In return, Iran would agree to a “moratorium” on nuclear enrichment, with certain provisions dependent on a broader final agreement.

Following the Axios report, Trump issued a warning to Iran, stating that “if they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

At the same time, Trump told the New York Post that it is “too soon” to discuss direct negotiations with Iranian officials and said he does not believe new talks in Pakistan are imminent.

Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch has stepped back from his earlier resistance to moving forward with the Draft Law, bringing an end to a period in which the legislation was effectively delayed due to his concerns about its potential impact on yeshiva bochurim.

Rav Hirsch had initially been in favor of the bill, but later withdrew his support after legal advisors introduced revisions that, in his view, could result in stricter penalties for chareidim who do not enlist.

According to a report by Channel 12 News, Knesset members from the Degel HaTorah faction within United Torah Judaism—who act in accordance with Rav Hirsch’s guidance—worked to convince him to back the legislation. They maintained that failure to pass the bill at this stage could leave chareidi men vulnerable to even tougher consequences, including cuts in government funding and the possibility of arrests.

The MKs also cautioned that if the law does not go through, there could be growing frustration among chareidi voters, potentially leading to lower turnout in the upcoming elections.

Following these discussions, Rav Hirsch agreed to remove his opposition, contingent on the position of Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Dov Landau.

“Go to Rav Landau; if he approves, I will not oppose it,” he stated. Sources within the chareidi political sphere believe there is a strong likelihood that Rav Landau will give his backing to the move.

Separately, Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni met at length on Sunday with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. During their conversation, the prime minister indicated that should the leading rabbonim give their approval, the coalition is prepared to move the Draft Law forward for a vote before the elections take place.

The Torah world and the city of Yerushalayim are in mourning following the petirah of Rav Aryeh Stern zt”l, a prominent figure in the Religious Zionist rabbinic world, longtime marbitz Torah, and former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim. He was 81.

Rav Stern was born on November 27, 1944, in Tel Aviv, into a home infused with Torah, emunah, and yiras Shamayim, combining Religious Zionist ideals with a chassidishe warmth. His father, Asher (Yeshaya), and mother, Chava Leah, raised him with a deep attachment to Torah and mesorah. His grandfather, Rav Rafael Stern, served as a respected communal leader in Ungvar and was closely connected to prominent Admorim.

In his youth, Rav Stern learned at Yeshivas HaYishuv HaChadash and later in Yeshivas Chevron. In 1964, he entered Yeshiva Mercaz HaRav, where he became closely attached to the teachings of his rebbi, Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook. Already as a young ben Torah, he distinguished himself with exceptional diligence and depth in learning, and in 1966 was awarded a prize from the Ministry of Religious Affairs for his chiddushei Torah.

In the winter of 1967, he enlisted in the IDF and later served in the Paratroopers Brigade in the reserves, including during the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War.

Following his marriage in 1968 to Miriam-Yocheved, Rav Stern settled in Tel Aviv, where he continued his hasmadah in the Shevet MiYehuda kollel, a program dedicated to training dayanim under Rav Ephraim Borodiansky.

In 1970, at the request of his rebbi, Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook, Rav Stern helped establish the Machon Halacha Berurah u’Birur Halacha, together with Rav Yochanan Fried and others. He stood at its helm from its founding, serving as the chief editor of its monumental work, organizing the shitos of the Rishonim and Acharonim on the sugyos of Shas.

Over the years, Rav Stern was a central marbitz Torah in a number of leading yeshivos. He served as a ram in Yeshiva Mercaz HaRav during multiple periods, and later as rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat HaDarom in Rechovot. He also delivered shiurim in Yeshivat Or Etzion, Yeshiva Kiryat Shmona during its early years, Yeshivat HaKotel, Yeshiva Oros Shaul, and the Aish HaTorah yeshivas hesder.

He was also active in strengthening Torah education more broadly, including helping found the Merhavim Institute in Yerushalayim for training melamdim and educators, alongside other prominent figures and with the encouragement of his rebbi. In addition, he took part in restoring the historic home of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok HaKohen Kook, transforming it into a center dedicated to preserving and transmitting his legacy.

For many years, Rav Stern served as the rav of the Har Chorev kehillah in the Katamon neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he was known as a devoted manhig and moreh derech to his congregants.

In 2014, following years in which the position remained unfilled, Rav Stern was elected Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, receiving the support of a broad coalition. He was chosen by a majority of the electoral body, alongside Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, who was elected Sephardic Chief Rabbi.

Upon assuming the position, Rav Stern expressed his vision with clarity, stating: “I intend to serve as a rov for all of Yerushalayim’s residents: secular, religious, and chareidi. To head the Yerushalayim Rabbinate is a great privilege, but it also carries heavy responsibility. I will ensure that all religious services are accessible and welcoming, and in this way serve as a model for other rabbinates in Israel.”

A central focus of his tenure was strengthening the standards of kashrus in Yerushalayim. Through his efforts, the level of supervision was significantly elevated, and many within the tzibbur chareidi came to rely on the city’s mehadrin certification.

Rav Stern also addressed broader issues affecting the tzibbur, expressing opposition to increasing social division and advocating for greater unity among different segments of Klal Yisroel. He supported initiatives that encouraged dialogue and mutual understanding, including establishing forums for engagement between religious and secular communities.

Rav Stern is survived by his wife, Miriam-Yocheved, and their seven children, who continue in his path of Torah and avodas Hashem. Among them are Yekira, Sarah, and Rachel, as well as his son, Rav Yechezkel, a ram in a yeshiva. Their daughter Shira tragically passed away in 2007 at the age of 21.

Rav Stern leaves behind a legacy of harbotzas Torah, steadfast commitment to halacha, and a lifetime devoted to strengthening the רוחניות of Yerushalayim and Klal Yisroel. His impact will continue to be felt through his talmidim, his writings, and the many institutions he helped build.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that recent discussions with Iran have been productive and suggested that a potential agreement could be within reach, emphasizing that Tehran has indicated it is willing to forgo nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “They want to make a deal badly. And we’ll see if we get there. If we get there, they can’t have nuclear weapons. It’s very simple,” underscoring his administration’s central demand in the negotiations.

Trump also pointed to what he described as the significant weakening of Iran’s military capabilities, stating that “had a Navy with 159 ships, and now every ship is blown to pieces and lying at the bottom of the water. They had an Air Force, lots of planes, and they don’t have any planes. They don’t have any anti-aircraft. They don’t have any radar left. Their missiles are mostly decimated. They have some. They have probably 18, 19 percent, but not a lot by comparison to what they had. And their leaders are all dead. So I think we won.”

He added that while negotiations are ongoing, further action remains possible if talks fail. “Now we have to get what we have to get. If we don’t do that, we’ll have to go a big step further. But with that being said, they want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” said Trump.

Reiterating his stance, Trump said, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And they won’t. And they’ve agreed to that, among other things.”

The remarks followed an earlier ultimatum Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, where he wrote, “Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran.”

He also issued a warning, stating, “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

Trump’s comments came after a report by Axios indicated that Washington and Tehran are approaching a concise, one-page agreement aimed at ending the conflict. According to the report, the framework could include reciprocal easing of restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of US sanctions along with the release of frozen Iranian assets, and Iran’s commitment to a “moratorium” on nuclear enrichment, with certain provisions dependent on a broader final agreement.

A day earlier, Trump announced that “Project Freedom” operations in the Strait of Hormuz would be temporarily suspended to provide space for ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.