Feed aggregator

A dramatic incident unfolded Tuesday evening during the Lag BaOmer hilulah near Tzfas, when a 64-year-old woman and her four children, ages 10 to 15, who had gone missing on their way to Har Meron, were located stranded on a steep cliff.

The initial emergency call was received by United Hatzalah at 6:43 p.m., after the family reported that they had lost their way in the mountainous terrain and were unable to find a route out.

Following the report, national search and rescue units were dispatched to the scene and began operations in a challenging, mountainous area under limited visibility. At the same time, an aerial search was launched to locate the family using advanced equipment.

During the search, a United Hatzalah drone identified the mother and her children standing on a steep cliff, unable to descend or move forward. The drone operators immediately relayed the precise location to rescue teams on the ground, who confirmed that the identification significantly accelerated the rescue effort.

Rescue forces quickly initiated a complex extraction operation, using guidance from the drone to safely reach the family. Officials noted that the terrain posed significant challenges, but coordination between the units allowed for swift and accurate progress.

At this stage, rescue operations remain ongoing as teams work to bring all members of the family down to safety. United Hatzalah emphasized that the drone played a critical role in the rapid location of the missing family, saving valuable time.

{Matzav.com}

MK Michael Malchieli of Shas addressed the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the mass Lag Ba’omer pilgrimage to Har Meron, offering cautious support for the decision by security officials while voicing measured criticism over how such decisions impact the chareidi public.

In an interview with the main news broadcast on Radio Kol Chai, Malchieli said that while it is easy to judge the move in hindsight, it becomes far more complicated when all security bodies—including the Defense Ministry, the police, and Home Front Command—present a clear and credible threat assessment.

He explained, “If we had seen missiles in the last 24 hours heading toward Meron, everyone would have said how wise it was to close.” He added that although many in the chareidi community feel that restrictions are imposed more quickly on their events, in this case it is difficult to ignore the security evaluations and Meron’s proximity to the northern border.

At the same time, Malchieli acknowledged that the reaction within the chareidi public is not simple, particularly given that other large gatherings across the country have continued to take place. “I have a lot of criticism when the chareidi public is harmed by such decisions,” he said, “but in the end, when a clear threat picture is presented to you, there is not much room to maneuver.”

Later in the interview, Malchieli turned to a central political issue for the chareidi parties—the effort to advance legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students. He described it as the most critical issue currently facing the chareidi public, but noted that there is still no agreed-upon draft that has received rabbinic approval. “If you had asked me a year ago whether we would reach Lag Ba’omer without a law, I would have said it’s impossible. And yet, here we are,” he said.

Malchieli revealed that despite extended discussions in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, full agreements have not yet been reached with legal and political stakeholders. He said representatives of the chareidi parties have been instructed to remain engaged in negotiations rather than withdraw, in the hope that a finalized version can be presented when the summer session opens.

Addressing the ongoing tensions between the government and the attorney general, Malchieli sharply criticized the judicial system, arguing that there is a “small but powerful group” that he claims directly limits the government’s ability to govern. He said ministers and Knesset members repeatedly encounter rulings, delays, and interventions that interfere with government decisions.

{Matzav.com}

In an interview on Kol Chai’s main radio broadcast, Mishpacha editor Aryeh Ehrlich sharply criticized the handling of this year’s Meron framework, calling it a collapse of leadership and a retreat by authorities. He argued that the near-total cancellation of access to the mountain—limiting participation to just 200 people—amounted to an abdication of responsibility, masking the state’s inability to enforce control and maintain sovereignty at the site.

Despite police efforts to project an image of calm, Ehrlich described troubling accounts of police violence directed at those attempting to reach Meron through alternate routes and access roads. He pointed in particular to a disturbing incident in which an officer was filmed violently choking an older, respected man, Yeshayahu Gotfarb, saying it reflects a degrading attitude toward the chareidi public.

“Chareidi blood is not hefker,” Ehrlich declared, comparing the shutdown at Meron to large-scale sporting events in the north that have continued under similar security threats. In his view, the state should have implemented a structured “capsule” system to allow for safe and controlled access, rather than leaving tens of thousands to attempt reaching the site on their own under risky conditions.

Amid what he described as organizational chaos, a significant bright spot emerged in Yerushalayim, where a massive gathering took place led by the mashpia Rav Meilech Biderman. The event drew approximately 70,000 participants and was carefully organized by Minister Meir Porush and his team to provide a spiritual alternative, discouraging large crowds from attempting to reach Meron under dangerous conditions. Ehrlich praised the initiative as an important lesson learned, noting that dispersing the crowds to multiple locations is essential given the rapid growth of the chareidi population, which no longer allows for hundreds of thousands to be safely concentrated in one place at one time.

The conversation then shifted to the political landscape. Ehrlich argued that the early alliance between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid proved to be a strategic misstep that weakened their standing in the polls, while Gadi Eisenkot has been acting with greater political discipline. He said Bennett has been accused of “intoxication with power” and of issuing threats toward senior police officials even before being elected, while Eisenkot has managed to position himself as a more consistent and credible governing alternative. Ehrlich added that the Bennett-Lapid partnership also contributed to the weakening of Benny Gantz’s party, which is paying a political price for its emphasis on statesmanship.

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a new federal effort aimed at reducing reliance on psychiatric medications, introducing the initiative during a Make America Healthy Again Institute summit focused on mental health and concerns about overmedicalization.

“Today, we take clear and decisive action to confront our nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the overuse of psychiatric medications —especially among children,” Kennedy said.

He added, “We will support patient autonomy, require informed consent and shared decision-making, and shift the standard of care toward prevention, transparency and a more holistic approach to mental health.”

As part of the plan, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will compile and release a report analyzing prescribing patterns across the country.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter issued Monday, senior officials at the Department of Health and Human Services stressed that psychiatric medications “should not be understood as the only treatment option.”

Kennedy has previously been outspoken in his criticism of psychiatric drugs, at times suggesting that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may be linked to school shootings. He has also claimed that such medications are more addictive than heroin, despite evidence contradicting that assertion. Kennedy has publicly spoken about his own past addiction to heroin.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 16.5 percent of adults in 2020 were taking psychiatric medications to manage their mental health.

The American Psychiatric Association, which represents more than 40,000 professionals in psychiatric care and research, responded Monday by expressing cautious support for aspects of the initiative while objecting to its framing.

“We are supportive of the Administration’s plans for further investment in research and clinician training on the issues of prescribing and deprescribing,” the organization said in a statement.

“That being said, while APA supports efforts to improve the quality, safety, and evidence base of mental health treatment, we strongly object to framing the nation’s mental health crisis as primarily a problem of ‘overmedicalization’ or ‘overprescribing,’” the APA added. “Deprescribing alone is not a sufficient response to this crisis.”

{Matzav.com}

The Lag BaOmer hilulah of the Tanna Eloki Rashbi in Meron took place this year under extreme conditions, as winter-like weather and continuous rain accompanied the limited number of participants who were permitted to ascend the mountain. Police spokesman for the chareidi sector, Shabtai Gerberchik, spoke with Betzalel Kahn on the main broadcast of Kol Chai, explaining that despite the widespread impression that the hilulah had been canceled, small-scale events did take place under strict Home Front Command directives.

Gerberchik noted that inside the tziyun, stewards were assigned to maintain order, while police focused primarily on the outer perimeter and ensuring the safe management of crowd movement.

Road closures became a central issue during the interview, with Gerberchik stressing that access was legally restricted to local residents and those renting accommodations in the area. Despite repeated explanations, many attempted to bypass the checkpoints. “There are people who try to reach the site… and we must make it clear to them that the law limits entry.” He rejected calls to reopen the roads due to the reduced crowds, emphasizing that police are bound by Home Front Command orders, which remain in effect until Thursday at 8:00 p.m.

Addressing reports of confrontations on the roads, Gerberchik said that calm was maintained within the village of Meron itself, but clashes occurred outside the area as individuals attempted to force their way up the mountain. He urged people not to endanger themselves, stating, “This way of thinking puts them at risk… the decision to close Meron is a very painful one, painful for everyone.” He added on a personal note that it is far easier for police to manage an open event with large crowds than to enforce restrictions and limit access, but the security situation required it.

Despite the reduced scale and harsh weather, this year’s hilulah once again demonstrated the deep longing of Klal Yisroel for Rashbi. Even with roadblocks and heavy rain, efforts to reach the site continued until the last moment, requiring ongoing police action to remove people and transport them back to their points of origin by bus. Gerberchik also mentioned that officers were called upon to handle internal disputes that arose over signage associated with various chassidishe courts.

{Matzav.com}

A 72-year-old Yid from Moshav Azrieli experienced an extraordinary turnaround after being diagnosed with severe pre-Alzheimer’s symptoms that had progressed to the point where he could no longer recognize letters. After several months of steady limud haTorah in a local kollel, the symptoms receded completely. His treating physician later remarked in astonishment that the condition had reversed without conventional medical treatment.

One question weighs heavily on every person who is zocheh to arichas yamim: Will the memory—the most precious matanah we possess—remain with us into old age? For R’ Yefet of Moshav Azrieli, the outlook appeared especially grim when the diagnosis struck him and his family. Early Alzheimer’s symptoms had begun to chip away at his daily functioning to the extent that he could no longer identify even the form of letters.

Yet it was davka from that low point that the yeshuah came—mibein koslei beis hamedrash.

The transformation began at the Tiferes Zekeinim kollel in the community, established for retirees who wish to fill their days with Torah and meaningful ruchniyus. It is part of a broader project of Torah across the country serving thousands of members of the older generation.

R’ Yefet, who had been grappling with a sharp cognitive decline, decided to strengthen himself and join the fixed morning seder. “I reached a point where I could not recognize letters,” he recalled painfully. “But in the kollel, I found an approach that was exactly suited to our challenges.”

With time, the consistent framework of daily limud—at an appropriate pace and with close guidance—gave him a steady seder that began to impact his overall functioning.

Within just a few months, family members began to see open nissim. The clarity returned to his face, names that had been forgotten came back, and the fog lifted. When he returned to the specialist for a follow-up, what unfolded left everyone stunned.

The physician, upon reviewing the new tests, was left speechless. “The Alzheimer’s has completely disappeared,” the specialist concluded, struggling to understand how such a persistent condition could recede without any standard medical intervention. The results were clear: the cognitive measures had returned to normal, and the symptoms were gone.

Rav Yosef Taizi, the rosh kollel, described the transformation with visible emotion: “It was incredible to see how within a few months r’ Yefet became a new person. Not only did he return to himself, he became an active participant who asks deep questions and is involved in the life of the community.”

It became evident that for R’ Yefet, Torah was not merely study. It was truly a sam chaim, a magical “drug,” restoring his ability to live a full and meaningful life.

Today, he serves as a source of chizuk and inspiration for those around him and for all who hear his remarkable story, a powerful reminder that even at an advanced age, and even when facing difficult medical challenges, limud haTorah has the koach to transform and bring back light into a Yid’s life.

Thousands gathered Monday night in the city of Rechovot for a central Lag Ba’omer hadlakah led by the Yenukah, Rav Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri.

The event began with a profound shiur delivered by the Yenukah in Zohar and in the teachings of the Tanna Rav Shimon bar Yochai, after which the maamad hadlakah commenced.

Later, during the day of the hilulah, the Yenukah received the joyous news of the birth of his son, b’shaah tovah u’mutzlachas.

Rabbonim and public figures were in attendance at the maamad, during which the Yenukah fulfilled the custom of throwing a bow and arrow. Following this, the Yenukah began a spirited rikud in honor of the Tanna Eloki Rashbi, joined by the large crowd that had come to participate in the event in Rechovot.

In his remarks, the Yenukah addressed the unique situation this year, with many being unable to travel to Meron to participate in the hilulah at the resting place of the Tanna. He emphasized that the main focus is the study of the Torah of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, and that this is the greatest maalah.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday granted its first authorization for fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes aimed at adult smokers, signaling a notable change in federal policy following sustained lobbying from the vaping industry directed at President Donald Trump.

The move is expected to draw strong criticism from public health advocates and parent groups, who have long argued that flavored products fuel underage vaping. The decision comes, however, as teen vaping has fallen to its lowest level in a decade and as manufacturers have pressed the Republican administration to ease restrictions.

Companies in the vaping sector have consistently argued that e-cigarettes can reduce the harms of traditional smoking among adults, which is linked to roughly 480,000 deaths annually in the United States from cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. Although these battery-powered devices have been sold since 2007, their reputation has been overshadowed by widespread use among middle and high school students.

The newly authorized products include flavors such as mango, blueberry, and two menthol options. Glas Inc., a vaping company based in Los Angeles, said it plans to sell them under the names Gold, Sapphire, Classic Menthol, and Fresh Menthol, according to the FDA announcement.

Until now, the FDA had limited approvals to tobacco- and menthol-flavored vaping products. Most authorized e-cigarettes have come from major companies, including Juul and Altria.

Officials emphasized that Tuesday’s action does not constitute an endorsement of vaping products. The agency reiterated that the Glas devices are intended solely for adults seeking to quit or reduce cigarette use.

The FDA pointed to the company’s digital safeguards, saying they reduce the likelihood of underage access. Users must verify their age using a government-issued ID on a smartphone, and the devices can only function when connected via Bluetooth to that verified phone.

The agency’s decision is likely to serve as an important precedent, according to anti-tobacco advocates. “a key test case,” said Kathy Crosby of the Truth Initiative.

“Ultimately, it’s critical that we remain vigilant in protecting young people, including closely monitoring the use of authorized products,” Crosby said in an emailed statement.

During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to “save” vaping and received support from e-cigarette companies, retailers, and users.

Under President Joe Biden, the FDA rejected more than one million applications for flavored vaping products, particularly those resembling candy or fruit, as part of a broader crackdown credited with reducing youth vaping following its surge in 2019. During his first term, Trump imposed initial restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes and raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

In recent months, vaping and tobacco policy have not been at the forefront of the agency’s agenda under FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who has instead focused on other issues, including COVID-19 vaccine policies, eliminating artificial food dyes, and accelerating approval of certain new medications.

Industry groups, including the Vapor Technology Association, have recently met with administration officials to push for expanded approval of flavored products.

In March, the FDA issued its first formal guidance on flavors, indicating that options such as menthol, coffee, mint, and spice may have a role in attracting adult smokers. At the same time, the agency reiterated concerns about sweeter flavors—such as fruit, candy, and dessert—that tend to appeal to younger users.

Despite regulatory efforts, most American teenagers who vape continue to use unauthorized fruit- and candy-flavored products, according to government data. Although these items are technically illegal, they remain widely accessible, often sold as inexpensive disposable products imported from China.

The United States has surpassed Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading exporter of crude oil over the past nine weeks, driven by disruptions to Middle Eastern shipments caused by Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a report by Bloomberg News, the U.S. delivered more than 250 million barrels of crude oil to international buyers during that period, drawing from both production sites and storage reserves, effectively serving as a “lifeline for global consumers.”

At the same time, the report warned that “record American exports also come with warnings that this supply cushion is rapidly being pushed to its limits.”

“Many energy experts are questioning how long shipments can be sustained at such levels. US domestic inventories are quickly depleting, with total oil and fuel stockpiles drawing down for four straight weeks to below historical averages. Meanwhile, America’s oil producers are struggling to keep up,” Bloomberg said.

The sharp increase in exports has also contributed to higher gasoline prices across the United States, creating a potential political challenge for President Donald Trump, who has highlighted the country’s export strength as “amazing” and beneficial to the economy.

“We have more oil production right now than at any time in history. And if you take a look at the ships, they’re all coming up to Texas, Louisiana, Alaska,” Trump gushed on Friday.

The administration has also drawn attention to gasoline prices, recalling the spike to $5.00 per gallon following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. With current prices averaging about $4.40 per gallon, the direction of fuel costs—and whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens—could influence the outcome of the November midterm elections.

Over the longer term, shifting demand patterns—particularly from traditional Middle Eastern buyers such as Japan and Southeast Asia—could work in America’s favor, provided U.S. producers can meet those needs. Analysts cited by Bloomberg noted that some Asian buyers may be nearing the end of their stockpiles, potentially fueling a surge in demand that could prove difficult to satisfy given current U.S. supply constraints.

Domestic oil production is already operating close to its maximum capacity, though experts differ on where that ceiling lies. Since the onset of the Hormuz crisis, U.S. reserves have declined by roughly 52 million barrels, reducing available supply should demand spike further. Some analysts have also cautioned that logistical systems—such as pipelines and port facilities—may face strain before production levels themselves reach their limit.

Bloomberg noted that the surge in American exports during March and April was made possible by the widespread adoption of fracking and the shale oil boom, which ultimately led to the lifting of export restrictions in 2015 and positioned the U.S. as a dominant player in global energy markets. This transformation has also expanded Washington’s foreign policy options, reducing reliance on overseas oil sources.

Trump expressed confidence that the U.S. energy sector can continue meeting international demand without significantly raising prices at home.

“Everybody was wrong. They thought that energy would be at $300, right? Three hundred dollars a barrel. And it’s, like, at $100, and I think it’s going down,” he said Monday at a White House small business summit.

“I see it going down very substantially when this is over,” he continued. “I think very rapidly too at levels that you’ve never seen, because there’s there’s a lot of energy out there. Ships all over the world that are loaded up with it. They can’t do much with it because they got kidnapped by a pretty evil place, but we’re taking care of it.”

However, the New York Times reported that fewer U.S. drilling rigs are currently in operation compared to the start of the conflict with Iran, and Energy Department forecasts suggest that total domestic production in 2026 may fall below 2025 levels. Much of the industry’s long-term investment planning predates the current crisis.

Oil executives are reportedly wary of rapidly expanding production capacity, fearing that if tensions ease and Middle Eastern supplies return to the market, prices could drop sharply, leaving them with costly overproduction.

For this reason, major firms such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron have held back on expanding output, citing both market caution and concerns about their assets in the Middle East. Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner described this approach as the “discipline” needed to play the market over the long term.

By contrast, ConocoPhillips has moved forward with increased production plans for the remainder of 2026, including the addition of a new drilling rig in the Permian Basin spanning Texas and New Mexico.

{Matzav.com}

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on Israel to immediately free activists detained during last week’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sharply criticizing the Israeli government’s actions.

Da Silva focused his remarks on the continued detention of Thiago Avila, a Brazilian citizen who participated in the flotilla effort to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. He used social media to condemn the situation, describing the detention as a violation of accepted international standards.

“Maintaining the imprisonment of Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila, a member of the ‘Global Sumud’ flotilla, is an unjustifiable action by the Israeli government,” he wrote.

Israeli naval forces stopped the flotilla last Wednesday after it set sail from multiple countries, including Turkey, Spain, and Italy. The effort involved more than 100 boats and roughly 1,000 participants, who said they intended to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The interception took place near the Greek island of Crete, about 600 miles from Gaza’s shoreline. Israeli officials said that, as in previous flotilla incidents, the vessels were not carrying “humanitarian aid” as organizers had claimed.

Da Silva argued that the circumstances surrounding the interception elevate the issue to one of international concern.

“The situation causes great concern and should be condemned by all,” the President wrote, asserting that stopping the flotilla in international waters constituted a breach of international law.

His demand followed a similar appeal from Spain, which has also called for the release of one of its citizens, Saif Abu Keshek, who was detained during the operation. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has stated that both Abu Keshek and Avila are affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, an organization sanctioned by the United States due to alleged ties to Hamas. The detainees are expected to remain in Israel at least until May 10.

Referencing Spain’s position, da Silva emphasized a joint stance between the two countries.

“Therefore, our government, along with that of Spain, which also had a citizen detained, demands that they receive full security guarantees and be immediately released,” he wrote.

Da Silva’s remarks reflect a broader pattern of criticism toward Israel, standing in contrast to his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who maintained strong support for the Israeli government. Last August, Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared da Silva persona non grata following repeated criticisms.

Tensions escalated further in 2024 when da Silva drew a comparison between Israel’s actions in Gaza and those of Nazi Germany during World War II.

“What is happening in the Gaza Strip is not war. This is genocide. It is not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It is a war between a trained military against women and children. What is happening in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people has not happened at almost any other time in history. In fact, it only happened once; when Hitler decided to kill the Jews,” the Brazilian President charged.

Following those remarks, Brazil’s ambassador to Israel was summoned by Israeli officials for a reprimand, and da Silva was formally labeled persona non grata.

In response, da Silva later announced that Brazil would recall its ambassador from Israel and summon Israel’s ambassador in Brazil for its own reprimand.

Despite the diplomatic fallout, da Silva reiterated his stance, writing on X, “What the Israeli government is doing is not war, it is genocide. Children and women are being murdered.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

LISTEN:

With the Memorial Day weekend approaching and the busy summer driving season about to begin, rising gasoline prices are emerging as a potential political challenge for President Donald Trump and Republicans heading into the November midterm elections. Analysts warn that unless tensions in the Middle East ease, fuel prices in the U.S. could climb to record levels.

According to GasBuddy, the national average price for gasoline reached $4.52 per gallon as of Tuesday evening. Prices first crossed the $4 mark in late March, a level not seen since August 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Prices vary significantly by region, with California posting the highest statewide average at $6.14 per gallon, GasBuddy reported.

The spike in gasoline prices has followed a sharp rise in crude oil markets, driven largely by concerns over disruptions in the Persian Gulf. The global Brent crude benchmark has increased by 58% since the conflict began.

“The Strait of Hormuz shutdown continues to slowly push oil and gasoline prices higher, but we’ve also seen refining issues that have enhanced some of those increases,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said.

Additional supply pressures emerged last week when BP’s refinery in Whiting, Indiana—capable of processing 440,000 barrels per day—temporarily shut down part of its operations due to a power outage. The company later confirmed that operations had resumed.

“If the Strait ⁠of Hormuz does not open, I would expect that gas prices this summer would ⁠probably stay above $4.50 a gallon,” De Haan said.

Before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passed daily through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for global energy markets.

Morgan Stanley analysts noted that U.S. gasoline inventories are being depleted more quickly than usual for this time of year. Their projections suggest stockpiles could drop below 200 million barrels by late August, approaching historically low summer levels.

Government data showed that U.S. gasoline inventories declined by more than 6 million barrels last week, bringing total stocks to 222.3 million barrels as of April 24—the lowest level since December and more than 2 million barrels below the five-year seasonal average. Meanwhile, demand averaged 8.95 million barrels over four weeks, reflecting a 1% increase compared to the same period last year.

Morgan Stanley added that consumer demand has remained steady even with prices above $4 per gallon. “It is not driving the draws but it’s also not soft enough to slow the supply-driven stock draws.”

U.S. gasoline futures were trading at approximately $3.64 per gallon.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has privately acknowledged to close associates that the country’s economy is on the brink of total collapse, warning that even if international sanctions are lifted, billions of dollars in American assistance would still be required to stabilize the nation, according to a report aired Tuesday evening.

The remarks, reported by Channel 14, reveal a far more dire reality behind the scenes in Tehran than what is publicly presented. Pezeshkian, who is associated with Iran’s reformist camp, reportedly expressed deep concern about the country’s future, stating that key systems have already broken down and that rebuilding them would be extremely difficult even under improved conditions.

“Without American assistance – we will not recover”

According to the report, the Iranian president told those close to him that the only viable path out of the severe economic crisis is reaching a political agreement that would allow for active financial support from the United States. Without such aid, Pezeshkian warned, Iran will be unable to recover from the economic damage it has suffered in recent years.

His comments come amid growing internal tensions within Iran’s leadership. Senior figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and hardline factions are reportedly pushing for increased military escalation against Western and regional powers. At the same time, Pezeshkian and his allies have attempted to restrain such moves, fearing the economic and international consequences. These divisions have become more visible in connection with recent attacks in the United Arab Emirates, where competing approaches within the leadership have come to the surface.

Deepening Rift in Iran’s Leadership

The president appears to recognize the severity of the country’s economic situation and is signaling that without a significant shift in foreign policy and improved relations with the West, Iran will struggle to survive economically in the long term. The country has been grappling for an extended period with soaring inflation, high unemployment, and a sharp decline in the value of its currency, all of which have fueled social unrest and protests nationwide.

Reports from Iran International indicate that Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are working together in an effort to remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi from his position. The two accuse Araghchi of acting as a subordinate to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi and of taking direct instructions from him regarding negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, bypassing the authority of the president.

U.S. Sanctions Taking a Heavy Toll

The American sanctions campaign appears to be having a significant impact. According to reports, Iran has been forced to return aging oil tankers—some decades old—to active service in order to cope with a growing storage crisis. One tanker, 29 years old and long inactive, has reportedly been redeployed near Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.

President Donald Trump described Iran’s economic condition in stark terms: “The naval blockade, to a certain extent, is more effective than the bombings. The Iranians are choking – like a fat pig. And it’s going to get worse for them.”

His comments come as the United States and Israel continue close security coordination regarding potential actions against Iran.

President Calls for Immediate Energy Cuts

Amid the worsening economic situation, Pezeshkian has also issued an unusual direct appeal to the Iranian public, urging citizens to immediately reduce electricity and energy consumption. While officials have publicly claimed there is no current shortage in Tehran, the president indicated that the country’s infrastructure is under deliberate attack by the United States and Israel.

Pezeshkian’s statements suggest that even at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership, there is a growing recognition that the situation has reached a critical point, and that without major external intervention, the country lacks the economic tools necessary to halt its continued decline.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli police have recommended that prosecutors file serious homicide charges against the driver accused of fatally striking 14-year-old Yosef Eisenthal z”l during a protest in Yerushalayim, according to a report aired Tuesday evening on i24news.

Authorities say the driver, Fakhri Khatib, 49, of East Yerushalayim, should be charged with causing death intentionally or through extreme indifference, one of the most severe categories of homicide offenses under Israeli law.

The recommendation was submitted to the Yerushalayim District Attorney’s Office following the conclusion of a months-long investigation that included witness testimonies, video footage, and forensic evidence. Prosecutors will now review the material before deciding whether to file an indictment. Additional offenses attributed to the driver include assault causing injury and reckless driving.

Newly released footage from the moments leading up to the incident sheds light on the chaotic scene prior to the fatal collision. The video shows Yosef Eisenthal standing near the bus while several youths gather around it. One teenager is seen climbing onto the bus and spitting toward the driver, while another pulls at the windshield wipers. Others can be heard calling to take a fire extinguisher. In the background, rhythmic chants and a countdown are audible, after which the driver appears to accelerate into the crowd, striking Yosef as he clung to the front of the vehicle.

Another teenager was injured by a lift at the rear door of the bus that had been left open, and three additional pedestrians, all around 15 years old, sustained light injuries. Yosef reportedly held onto the front of the bus in an attempt to find a moment to jump to safety, but the driver continued traveling at high speed along Shamgar Street for several hundred meters. At one point, the boy lost his grip, fell, and was run over beneath the bus.

The fatal incident occurred in June during a protest against the draft of yeshiva students. Yosef, a resident of the Ramot neighborhood, had latched onto the bus as it passed through demonstrators and was killed in the ensuing events. The driver was arrested at the scene and claimed during questioning that he had been attacked by rioters and accelerated in response. Reports also indicate that he had contacted police shortly before the incident, stating that he was under attack and felt threatened.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is now using artificial intelligence to identify and stop potential acts of violence, including planned school shootings, as part of a wider push to modernize federal law enforcement operations.

“AI was never used at the FBI till we got there,” Patel said. “I’m using it everywhere.”

Speaking Monday in an interview on Sean Hannity’s podcast, Patel explained that the FBI has incorporated AI into its investigative systems to handle the large volume of tips it receives each week. He described the move as a major shift from how the agency previously operated.

Patel said the technology has already played a role in preventing several potential attacks, including a suspected school shooting plot in North Carolina and another planned incident in New York.

In those cases, he said, incoming tips were quickly processed with the help of AI tools, enabling agents to identify credible threats and respond without delay.

He added that the bureau has been working more closely with private technology companies, noting that some of the intelligence used in these efforts has come from firms developing AI systems.

The comments come as the FBI seeks to improve its public standing after years of political criticism and declining trust.

During the Biden administration, the agency faced scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and others over its handling of politically sensitive cases, as well as accusations of bias.

Now operating under leadership aligned with President Donald Trump, the bureau is emphasizing technological advances and successful prevention efforts as part of a broader attempt to restore public confidence.

Officials say the growing reliance on AI-based threat detection is intended to position the FBI as more proactive, efficient, and responsive in addressing safety concerns.

While Patel described the technology as a significant step forward in preventing violence, the expanded use of AI in law enforcement is expected to face continued scrutiny from civil liberties groups concerned about surveillance, data privacy, and the risk of bias in automated systems.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that the “Operation Epic Fury” phase of the confrontation with Iran has concluded, marking a transition to a new stage centered on securing shipping routes and assisting stranded civilians.

Speaking during a briefing at the White House, Rubio said the operation achieved its primary objective, explaining that Iran’s capacity “to build a shield behind which they could hide their nuclear program was wiped out. That is a very substantial achievement and that was the purpose of this operation from day one.”

He added that the initial phase is now complete, stating, “The operation is over. Epic Fury, the president notified Congress, we’re done with that stage of it. We are now onto this project of freedom.”

BREAKING: Secretary Marco Rubio STUNS the press pool at the White House by announcing the Operation Epic Fury phase of the Iran conflict is now OVER.

RUBIO: “So their ability to build a shield behind which they could hide their nuclear program was wiped out.”

“That is a very… pic.twitter.com/6GNDVeBrpo

— Overton (@overton_news) May 5, 2026

Addressing diplomatic efforts, Rubio said any future agreement must go beyond uranium enrichment and deal with remaining nuclear materials. “As far as a negotiation is concerned, I think the president has been clear that part of the negotiation process has to be, not just enrichment but what happens to this material that is very deep somewhere that they still have access to it they ever wanted to dig it out. That has to be addressed and that is being addressed in the negotiation,” Rubio stated.

Rubio also elaborated on “Project Freedom,” a newly launched initiative announced by President Donald Trump aimed at escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and restoring safe passage for commercial traffic.

He described the mission as a humanitarian effort, saying its goal is “to rescue almost 23,000 civilians from 87 different countries that are trapped and left for dead in the Persian Gulf by the Iranian regime.”

Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s actions in the region, calling the blockade of the strait “not just criminal,” but “desperate and destructive,” and describing it as “piracy.”

Highlighting the global implications, he warned that “Nations from around the world, the overwhelming majority of whom are not even engaged in any military hostilities, are now at risk, not just of losing their cargo, but the lives of their own citizens, because of this blockade,” and noted that vessels could soon run out of essential supplies, including food and drinkable water.

Emphasizing the civilian toll, Rubio said, “These are innocent bystanders. These are countries and ships that have nothing to do with any of this, and nonetheless, are being caught in the middle of it and being held hostage, merely because Iran can do it. Just as the regime brutally slaughtered tens of thousands of its own citizens for the crime of peaceful protest.”

He added that ten civilian sailors have already died due to the blockade and related attacks, and said several countries have requested U.S. help in freeing their ships.

Rubio characterized Project Freedom as limited in scope, calling it a “defensive operation” in which American forces would only respond if attacked.

Earlier Tuesday, President Trump issued a warning to Iran, saying it “should wave the white flag of surrender” as U.S. operations continue to weaken its ability to threaten maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal. And who wouldn’t, when your military is totally gone?”

He further claimed Iran’s remaining capabilities are minimal, stating the country has been reduced to using “peashooters.”

Trump also asserted that “nobody’s going to challenge the blockade” of Iranian shipping.

However, he declined to define what actions would constitute a breach of the ceasefire, even after Iran launched cruise missiles and attack drones at the United Arab Emirates.

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy cruised to a decisive win in the Republican primary for Ohio governor, defeating businessman Casey Putsch and advancing to a competitive general election matchup against Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, with early polling suggesting a close contest in November.

Ramaswamy entered the race with significant momentum following his 2024 presidential campaign and quickly established himself as the leading candidate. His campaign was further strengthened by endorsements from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Vance traveled to Ohio on Tuesday to cast his vote for Ramaswamy, offering a final show of support as voters headed to the polls.

Ramaswamy ran on a platform aligned with traditional Republican priorities, focusing on reducing regulations, lowering taxes, and taking a tougher stance on crime.

He also highlighted education as a central issue in his campaign, pledging to strengthen academic standards and improve the performance of public schools across the state.

His opponent in the primary, Casey Putsch, is known as an online provocateur as well as a car designer and engineer, and had criticized Ramaswamy in part over his Hindu faith.

Further down the ballot, Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) advanced without opposition in a special Senate primary and will now face former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in the general election, a race Democrats view as one of their strongest opportunities to gain a seat.

Brown, who led the Democratic field, was challenged in the primary by first-time candidate Ron Kincaid.

Attention now turns to the general election, where both the gubernatorial and Senate races are expected to draw significant financial investment from both parties.

In the governor’s race, recent polling shows Acton mounting a strong challenge against Ramaswamy, with the Republican holding only a narrow advantage—about one percentage point—according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.

Democrats have sought to erode Ramaswamy’s support among Republican voters by highlighting his company’s conduct during the pandemic.

Acton previously served as Ohio’s health director, gaining statewide recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic as she worked alongside outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine (R) in shaping the state’s response.

In the Senate race, surveys indicate a tight contest between Husted and Brown, though Husted currently maintains a modest lead of 2.6 percentage points based on the RealClearPolitics aggregate.

Brown was defeated in his 2024 reelection bid by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), marking the end of his tenure as the last Democrat holding statewide office in Ohio at the time.

Democrats are hoping Brown’s previous success in statewide races, combined with expectations of stronger turnout this cycle, could position him for a return to the Senate.

Ohio remains one of several key battlegrounds Democrats are targeting as they look to flip control of the Senate, alongside Maine, North Carolina, and Alaska.

The party is also keeping an eye on longer-shot opportunities in Texas, Iowa, Florida, and Mississippi. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate.

{Matzav.com}

A group of House Democrats is urging the Trump administration to publicly acknowledge Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program, a move that would abandon decades of U.S. policy but confirm what has been an open secret among intelligence officials since the late 1960s.

In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio obtained by The Washington Post, more than two dozen lawmakers, led by Rep. Joaquin Castro (Texas), say Washington’s silence on the program is indefensible amid the war in Iran and the acute threat of military escalation.

“The risks of miscalculation, escalation, and nuclear use in this environment are not theoretical,” the lawmakers wrote. “Congress has a constitutional responsibility to be fully informed about the nuclear balance in the Middle East, the risk of escalation by any party to this conflict, and the administration’s planning and contingencies for such scenarios.”

“We do not believe we have received that information,” the lawmakers wrote.

The concerns about nuclear escalation are shared by some inside the Trump administration, who say Israel’s red lines may not be adequately understood, said U.S. administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

Israel does not acknowledge its nuclear weapons program – built in secret beginning in the late 1950s – and has no publicly stated doctrine on how it might use such weapons.

The letter is the latest sign of a shift in the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel amid growing frustration over the country’s killing of civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon and its high-profile lobbying in Washington for the war in Iran.

Avner Cohen, a leading historian on Israel’s nuclear program, said the letter breaks a taboo that has endured for more than half a century.

“This is something that people did not dare do before,” said Cohen, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and author of the book “Israel and the Bomb.”

“Even raising these questions publicly is a departure from a bipartisan norm,” he added.

The origin of U.S.-Israeli silence on the nuclear issue dates back to an informal agreement between President Richard M. Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1969, when Washington effectively accepted Israel’s policy of nuclear ambiguity and agreed to shield it from international scrutiny, Cohen said.

“Israel alone could not have maintained this policy over decades without the United States,” he said.

The letter’s authors argue the policy now undermines U.S. credibility, as Washington seeks to limit the nuclear programs of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without acknowledging the nuclear weapons program of their neighbor Israel.

“We cannot develop coherent nonproliferation policy for the Middle East … while maintaining a policy of official silence about the nuclear weapons capabilities of one party central to the ongoing conflict,” the lawmakers wrote.

The State Department did not respond to a request for comment on the policy. The Israeli government also did not respond to a request for comment.

Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the nonprofit Arms Control Association, said Israel’s position is “strongly against changing the status quo.”

“Nonrecognition allows the Israeli government to redirect attention at other countries in the region who are pursuing nuclear activities that could lead to nuclear weapons,” he said.

In March, Castro asked the State Department’s top arms control official, Thomas DiNanno, to describe Israel’s nuclear weapons capability during a public hearing and DiNanno declined. “I can’t comment on that specific question,” he said.

Castro, in an interview with The Post, said the United States “shouldn’t refuse to disclose this information about a foreign nation simply out of courtesy when there’s so much at stake for our own service members, our economy and our country.”

U.S. officials speak candidly about the nuclear weapons programs of Britain, France, India, Pakistan, Russia, North Korea and China, and Israel should be no different, Castro said.

The push for transparency by Democrats reflects a deeper soul-searching on Israel that is happening within the party, said Jeremy Shapiro, a former Obama administration official.

Last month, a record 40 Senate Democrats voted to block weapons transfers to Israel. According to the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of Democrats now view Israel unfavorably up from 53 percent in 2022.

“Many, perhaps most Democrats, at this point want to see fundamental changes in the U.S.-Israeli relationship,” Shapiro said. “The first change that these Democrats want to see is for the U.S. to hold Israel to the same standards as other countries on issues such as nuclear weapons.”

The U.S. executive branch under both political parties has maintained the secrecy policy, but there have been recent discussions among Trump administration officials about what might trigger an Israeli nuclear response and concerns that the threshold may be lower than Washington previously assessed, U.S. officials said.

“There is a low boil of unease about Israel’s nuclear program and what could compel them to use nuclear weapons short of facing a WMD attack,” said an administration official.

A scenario gaining fresh scrutiny among U.S. officials involves Israel’s air defenses becoming overwhelmed by missile or rocket fire from its neighbors. Whether Israel would resort to a nuclear response when faced with an unusually high civilian death toll has been discussed “frequently,” said the administration official.

In March, Iranian missiles hit the cities of Dimona and Arad, near Israel’s main nuclear research facilities, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. The Iranian counterattack did not cause a radioactive incident but exposed gaps in Israel’s vaunted air defense system.

The Democrats’ letter to Rubio requests detailed information about Israel’s nuclear program, including the level of its enrichment capabilities, where fissile material is produced and whether Israel has relayed to the U.S. its red lines for using nuclear weapons in the current conflict.

Castro said that he plans to make the Trump administration’s response public when he receives it. If certain answers can be revealed only in a classified setting, he could be amenable to that, the congressman said, but he won’t relent on the fundamental question of whether Israel has a nuclear weapons program.

“That’s not something that should be kept secret to the world,” he said.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · John Hudson