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A Brooklyn nursing home property has changed hands in a major transaction, as investor Daryl Hagler sold the Boro Park Center facility for $161.5 million.

The nine-story building, which contains 504 beds and is located at 4915 10th Avenue, has been run by Centers Health Care, a company jointly owned by Hagler and Kenny Rozenberg.

The sale represents a dramatic increase in value from when Hagler first acquired the property. City records show he purchased the nursing home in 2011 for just $19 million. Several years later, in 2017, he refinanced the asset with a loan totaling $78.4 million.

Centers Health Care operates a wide network of facilities, including assisted living centers, adult day care programs, rehabilitation services, and home healthcare operations throughout New York City and the broader Tri-State region. The Boro Park Center is described on the company’s website as its primary flagship location.

The buyer is listed in property filings as 4915 10th SNF Realty LLC, a company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, and registered to Shmuel A. Serle.

Financing for the purchase included a $64 million mortgage issued by Huntington National Bank, which was part of a broader $130.7 million loan package, according to documents filed with the city.

In a separate development tied to the broader Centers network, Elevance Health completed the acquisition of Centers Plan for Healthy Living — the company’s insurance division — at the end of 2024, in a deal that valued the business at more than $1.1 billion, based on filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump discouraged Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu from publicly urging Iranians to rise up against their government last week, warning that such a move could lead to widespread civilian deaths, according to U.S. and Israeli sources, Axios reports.

“Why …. should we tell people to take to the streets when they’ll just get mowed down,” Trump said to Netanyahu during their call, according to a U.S. official briefed on the conversation.

Although Washington and Jerusalem are largely aligned on their military goals in the ongoing conflict, they remain divided over whether toppling Iran’s regime should be an explicit objective and how much instability is acceptable in pursuit of that outcome.

While Netanyahu has emphasized the importance of fostering conditions for a grassroots uprising in Iran, U.S. officials indicate that Trump views regime change as more of a “bonus.”

At the beginning of the war, Trump suggested that Iranians might have an opportunity to seize control of their government after U.S. military operations conclude, but he has seldom repeated that idea since.

In a series of coordinated operations last Tuesday, Israel carried out targeted killings of Ali Larijani, Iran’s national security chief and effective acting leader, as well as Gholamreza Soleimani, who led the Basij militia, along with several senior aides.

Israeli officials said Soleimani’s assassination was intended to weaken the regime’s ability to suppress dissent, as he was responsible for quelling protests.

Later that same day, Netanyahu told Trump in a phone call that Iran’s leadership appeared to be in disarray, presenting what he described as a strategic opening to intensify pressure on the regime, according to sources familiar with the discussion.

Netanyahu suggested that he and Trump jointly call on the Iranian public to take to the streets.

Trump, however, pushed back, voicing concern that such encouragement could spark a deadly crackdown. Thousands of Iranian demonstrators had already been killed prior to the current conflict.

Instead, the two leaders agreed to wait and observe whether Iranians would independently mobilize during the annual Festival of Fire the following day, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In the interim, Netanyahu issued his own public message.

“Our aircraft are striking terrorist operatives on the ground, on roads and in public squares. This is meant to allow the brave Iranian people to celebrate the Festival of Fire. So go out and celebrate…we are watching from above,” Netanyahu said, speaking from air force headquarters.

Despite the anticipation, only a small number of Iranians participated in public gatherings the next day, with U.S. and Israeli officials attributing the low turnout to lingering fears of regime retaliation.

Days later, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, said in an interview that Israel’s strategy remains focused on weakening the regime to the point where it can no longer suppress internal opposition.

“Hopefully that would trigger that combustion point where the people are able to take charge of their own lives… I think we can degrade this regime to the point the it collapses from the air. The boots on the ground have to be Iranian boots,” he said.

As the military campaign continues and the U.S. weighs the possibility of a broader escalation, Trump is also exploring diplomatic options that could preserve elements of Iran’s existing leadership.

Israeli officials, however, say Netanyahu remains doubtful that any near-term agreement would meet Israel’s security requirements.

{Matzav.com}

The White House has declined a proposal from billionaire Elon Musk to personally cover the salaries of TSA employees during the ongoing partial government shutdown, despite the idea being reviewed at high levels, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Officials in the administration did examine the concept, but concerns quickly surfaced over potential legal complications. One source indicated that Musk’s extensive ties to federal contracts could make any such arrangement — even indirect — difficult to carry out within existing rules.

Another factor influencing the decision was the expectation within the White House that the shutdown may be resolved in the near future, sources said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt placed responsibility for the impasse on Democrats and urged immediate action to restore funding.

“It’s the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six weeks,” Leavitt said Wednesday. “The president and the Republicans’ position has been very clear — fund the Department of Homeland Security.”

Musk had publicly floated the idea over the weekend, posting on his platform X: “I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.”

President Donald Trump initially reacted favorably when asked about the offer, telling reporters Monday, “I’d love it. I think it’s great. Let him do that.”

According to sources, the total cost of covering TSA payroll during the shutdown would come to roughly $250 million.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Musk also did not issue further statements.

Within the administration, discussions included the possibility of Musk contributing funds to the federal government’s general treasury, which could then be used to compensate workers. However, existing ethics rules prohibit private individuals from directly paying federal employees, according to guidance from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson acknowledged the offer but underscored the obstacles. “We greatly appreciate Elon’s generous offer,” she said, adding, “This would pose great legal challenges due to his involvement with federal government contracts. The fastest way to ensure TSA employees — and all DHS employees — get paid is for Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security.”

As the shutdown continues, TSA employees are now on the verge of missing their second full paycheck. So far, they have received only a partial payment early in the shutdown period.

The agency’s acting chief said Wednesday that by the end of the week, TSA workers will have collectively lost about $1 billion in wages across the current 40-day shutdown and an earlier 43-day lapse in funding last fall.

Travelers have encountered a perfect storm of chaos at some U.S. airports in recent days, as spring break crowds jammed into short-staffed security lines.

On Monday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement entered the mix, sent by President Donald Trump to assist Transportation Security Administration workers who are not being paid due to a partial government shutdown – and who are calling out of work in large numbers.

At some airports, hours-long lines have covered multiple levels or snaked outdoors. Some travelers have given up and rebooked their flights when it became clear they would not make it through security in time. Others reported sleeping at airports.

Democrats and civil rights groups have raised concerns about an ICE presence at airports, though administration officials have said they expect them to work in a supportive role to the TSA. Here’s what travelers should know.

Which airports have ICE agents been sent to?

The Department of Homeland Security said it would not confirm the locations for “operational security reasons,” but The Washington Post confirmed 14 airports with ICE officers Monday. The airports share a common trait: They have some of the highest callout rates – 41.5 percent at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, for instance, and 42.3 at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, according to DHS data from Sunday.

Nationwide, the agency reported 11.8 percent of TSA officers, or more than 3,450 employees, did not report for their shifts Sunday, the most absentees since the start of the partial government shutdown.

The airports with an ICE presence are:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH)
• Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

Keith Jeffries, a former TSA director for Los Angeles International Airport, said DHS could dispatch ICE agents to other airports, especially ones with mounting callout rates.

What are ICE officers doing at airports?

TSA acting deputy administrator Adam Stahl told Fox News on Monday that ICE agents would be “conducting non-specialized security support – manning the exit lanes, crowd management, line control … to help alleviate the challenges that our officers are facing.”

In a statement, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport said ICE would be responsible for “supporting TSA operations in a non-screening role, including assisting with passenger flow and divesting.” The Ohio airport said the agents are not checking IDs or screening passengers.

Kimberly Kraynak-Lambert, a District 3 manager of the American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing federal workers, said at Pittsburgh International Airport, ICE will be in charge of crowd control and directing foot traffic, such as moving passengers to shorter lines – jobs, she said, that a volunteer could perform.

“They will be standing next to and working with people not getting paid, as ICE receives a paycheck,” Kraynak-Lambert said.

How long will ICE be at airports?

No specific timeline has been released, but agents have been deployed in response to TSA staffing shortages. Senators said late Monday that they were working on a deal to fund much of DHS, including TSA. An agreement could pave the way for airport operations to return to normal.

Will ICE agents substitute for TSA officers?

Not likely. They will be playing more of a supportive role than running operations, especially in the technologically advanced screening area.

“They clearly can’t come in and take over for TSA without a huge disruption, because do they know how to perform explosives-trace detection on hands or resolve an alarm? If somebody has a pacemaker, can they go through?” said John S. Pistole, a former TSA administrator. “There are all those subtleties and nuances that TSA officers are trained to understand.”

Jeffries said screening makes up about 80 percent of the TSA “pie.” To become a TSA officer, or TSO, recruits must commit to eight months of training on average.

The schooling starts with two weeks at a federal law enforcement center, where they learn how to operate the vast array of equipment found in the field. They next receive on-the-job training, often focusing on such basic tasks as checking documents, guarding exit lanes, pushing bins and reminding passengers to remove their coats and shoes, if applicable, and toss their liquids.

Jeffries and Pistole said ICE will primarily monitor and control the crowds or maintain the PreCheck lanes, positions airline personnel will sometimes fill during peak travel periods such as spring break and holidays.

The former administrators worry that bad actors could take advantage of the long, chaotic lines or possible gaps in security.

“[ICE agents] can’t work at the checkpoint. That’s not their training or background or experience. And heaven forbid a potential terrorist sees this as an opportunity to try to get through a checkpoint because it’s less secure,” Pistole warned.

Will ICE be checking travelers’ immigration status?

Democrats have raised alarms about agents potentially harassing travelers, checking papers and citizenship, or detaining people without due process.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement that federal officials had “indicated that this deployment is not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities.”

Trump, however, warned on Truth Social on Saturday that ICE agents would “do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country.”

Can ICE agents ask for proof of citizenship?

The airport is no different from any other public space, said Nicole Hallett, director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic and a clinical professor of law at the University of Chicago.

If an ICE agent suspects an airport patron of an immigration violation, they can briefly detain the individual, requesting identification and issuing an arrest if they believe the person has broken the law.

“If they are acting in their capacity as ICE agents at the airport, then they essentially have the same duties and responsibilities that they would have in any place, which is to say if you were on a public street, they could walk up to you and ask you questions,” Hallett said.

There are limits to their powers, however. Without a warrant, Hallett said, they cannot search a passenger’s personal belongings, such as a carry-on bag, or scour their phone or laptop for incriminating evidence. They can conduct those types of probes only if they are authorized to work on behalf of the agency that performs such security duties, such as TSA at domestic checkpoints and Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry.

“If they’re acting as a TSA agent, they have to follow TSA rules. If they’re acting as a CBP agent and doing Border Patrol work, then they have the authority that Border Patrol has,” Hallett said. “And if they are just merely standing in the airport as ICE officers, then they have the same legal authority that any ICE officer standing in a public location has.”

What should you do if an ICE agent tries to interrogate you?

If an ICE agent approaches, Hallett does not recommend running away, which could raise suspicions. If an officer starts to pepper you with questions, you can invoke the Fifth Amendment.

“You can calmly say, ‘I’m exercising my right to remain silent,’” she said. “They should allow you to do that, but whether they actually allow you to do that is another story.”

By law, you do not have to carry proof that you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident. However, if you fear that ICE may target you because of certain physical features, presenting a document verifying your status could quickly quash any inquisition.

The American Civil Liberties Union has said that noncitizens without legal status “should consider the risks of flying, including on domestic flights within the U.S.”

Can ICE approach you anywhere in the airport or just at security checkpoints?

There are no ICE-free zones. They can approach passengers anywhere, anytime – in the arrivals terminal, in the security lanes, in line for a Dunkin’ coffee, at the gate. Hallett recommends travelers stay alert during their entire time in the airport.

“Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared, and know what you’re going to do if you’re approached.”

Are ICE agents helping the TSA lines move any faster?

Lines remained long at some airports Monday, when more than 2.6 million people went through TSA checkpoints. As The Post reported late Monday, the deployment of the agents “appeared to have limited effect in reducing security lines, as passengers reported wait times as long as five hours in Houston and lengthy delays in other major cities.”

On Tuesday, a day when passenger numbers are generally lighter, results varied by airport. Lines at the Atlanta airport had eased by late morning, according to news reports. But Bush airport in Houston continued to warn that waits could last more than four hours.

Doesn’t TSA already have backup – the local police?

A consortium of law enforcement entities and federal agencies oversees security at airports. Depending on the facility, the police may be on staff, on loan from the local force or on call from the city’s police department.

Each unit has a distinct role, but they often work in concert. TSA has “a very narrow search authority,” Jeffries said. The agency’s primary role is to identify dangerous prohibited items such as guns, explosives and incendiary devices, he said. If the officers discover contraband, they will contact law enforcement.

“TSA doesn’t arrest anybody,” Jeffries said. “They find items that are not authorized into the transportation sector.”

How should passengers prepare for long TSA lines?

Travelers should start monitoring wait times, watching for airline updates and seeking out airport information long before their flight starts boarding. They should not rely on official TSA times, which are generally estimates and are not being updated during the partial shutdown anyway.

Some airports have stopped providing specific wait times due to extremely long lines. Atlanta, for example, does not give them but warns travelers on its website to allow at least four hours or more for security screenings.

Passengers should go for the fastest lane they can use at the airport. If open, TSA PreCheck is generally faster than a standard line if travelers have paid for the service. PreCheck Touchless ID, a separate lane, can be even faster – but passengers need to opt in before checking in for their flight. Clear, a subscription service, is offering a two-month free trial and day pass through its app.

If you expect to miss your flight, check options for later in the day to reschedule or contact the airline for help. Don’t want to brave the chaos? Some airlines are offering flexibility to change flights proactively without fees, including Delta in Atlanta and United in Houston.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Andrea Sachs, Hannah Sampson

The cockpit voice recorder of an Air Canada Express jet captured how the air traffic control tower at New York’s LaGuardia Airport failed to recognize that it had granted permission for both the plane and an emergency vehicle to use the same runway before their deadly collision late Sunday, federal officials said.

At a news conference Tuesday, National Transportation Safety Board officials shared a timeline of events heard during the last three minutes of audio from the recorder, which investigators recovered at the crash site Monday by cutting a hole through the roof of the plane.

The LaGuardia air traffic controller granted permission for an emergency vehicle to cross the runway, but about two minutes earlier, officials said, another controller had cleared the flight to land on the same runway. The controller instructed the emergency vehicle to stop at least twice, according to officials’ summary, but it was too late.

The NTSB officials said breakdowns across both the air traffic control staff and aviation safety technology at LaGuardia may have contributed to the collision, which happened about 11:40 p.m. Sunday, killing two pilots and leaving dozens of passengers injured. The agency’s probe is ongoing, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters, and investigators have yet to interview the air traffic controllers or the two firefighters who were in the emergency vehicle Sunday night.

Officials have not publicly identified the pilots who were killed in the crash. Most of the people taken to the hospital afterward have been released. Both firefighters were in stable condition, officials said Monday.

Though there were two air traffic controllers working the night shift during Sunday’s crash, one appeared to have dual responsibilities, which is typical during overnight shifts, officials said. And while LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the United States, has a surveillance system intended to help air traffic controllers track aircraft and vehicles and ultimately prevent collisions, that system did not send an alert to the tower Sunday, officials said, probably because the emergency vehicle was not equipped with a device that would have helped trigger one.

In the tower Sunday, officials said, were one local controller, managing active runways and LaGuardia’s airspace, and a “controller in charge” responsible for the safety of operations. One of them was also functioning as the “ground controller,” directing all movement on taxiways rather than active runways, officials said.

While the ground controller is sometimes its own position, it is standard procedure at LaGuardia to combine those responsibilities with another position during the night shift, Homendy said. She said it was unclear as of Tuesday afternoon which of the two controllers was also handling ground movements.

They were both working a shift that typically spans from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., when air traffic controllers have historically experienced fatigue, Homendy said.

“We have no indication that was a factor here, but it is a shift that we have been focused on in past investigations,” she said.

The cockpit voice recorder had more than 25 hours of good-quality audio, which will be fully transcribed Wednesday, Homendy said.

Its last few minutes capture overlapping instructions from the control tower – and calls for the vehicle to stop crossing – moments before the crash.

About two minutes and 22 seconds before the cockpit recording ends, the flight crew checked in with LaGuardia. Five seconds later, the tower cleared the plane to land on Runway 4, adding that it was second in line for landing.

Shortly after, the flight crew began adjusting the plane’s flaps to prepare for landing. One minute and 12 seconds before the recording ends, the crew told the tower they had completed their landing checklist.

At one minute and three seconds, the emergency vehicle, which was responding to an issue with a separate aircraft, made a radio transmission – but it was “stepped on,” meaning someone else was communicating on the same frequency and the transmission was disrupted, according to the NTSB. Doug Brazy, an NTSB aviation accident investigator who is leading the LaGuardia probe, said investigators have not yet identified the source of the overlapping transmission.

Twenty seconds before the recording ends, the tower granted permission for the emergency vehicle to cross Runway 4. By then, the plane was only about 100 feet from the ground.

Eight seconds later, the tower told a different aircraft, a Frontier Airlines flight, to hold its position. At the same time, the Air Canada Express flight was about 30 feet above ground.

Three seconds after that, the controller told the vehicle to stop. One second later, the recording captured what was probably the sound of the plane’s gear touching down on the runway, the NTSB said.

Four seconds before the recording ended, the controller told the vehicle to stop again. By that time, it was too late.

There were other vehicles behind the firefighting truck that did not begin to cross the runway, Homendy said, but she did not share how many there were.

The vehicle that collided with the plane did not have a transponder, she said, meaning LaGuardia’s surveillance system did not have information on its exact location and movement the way it would have for the aircraft.

Air traffic control audio posted to LiveATC.com, a website that broadcasts tower communications in real-time, captured some of the crash’s aftermath.

Just over 15 minutes after the crash, a controller told a pilot that he tried to prevent the collision, according to the recording.

“I tried to reach out to ’em … and we were dealing with an emergency earlier, and I messed up,” the controller said.

“No, man, you did the best you could,” the pilot responded.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Praveena Somasundaram 

New York City apartment residents are being put on notice of a potential strike by building staff as soon as next month as the union representing the workers and an advisory board to building owners negotiate a new labor contract.

Property owners are alerting occupants of 3,500 co-ops, condos and apartment buildings across the five boroughs that services will decrease if a work suspension begins on April 21. That’s the day after the four-year-old contract expires for nearly 34,000 doormen, porters and maintenance workers.

If there’s a strike, residents will need to wear badges to enter buildings, non-emergency renovation work will stop and moving in or out of the buildings will halt, according to notices sent this month to residents at three separate buildings.

The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, or RAB, says the city’s housing industry faces the prospect of diminished income with a potential freeze on rent increases looming for about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, seeking to deliver on his campaign promise to freeze rents, last month announced six new appointments to the nine-member panel that governs rent-stabilized units.

– – –

Contract positions

The RAB is asking the workers to contribute to their health-care premiums and to form a “Tier II” classification for future employees hired under the new contract, according to a statement released Tuesday.

The union – 32BJ SEIU – called RAB’s latest offer “insulting,” according to a statement from the labor organization. The union says workers in the proposed new tier would earn less than their counterparts and that RAB wants to use more temporary staff, according to the statement.

“Our members are fighting to live with dignity in the city they serve every day,” Manny Pastreich, 32BJ SEIU’s president, said in the statement. “Through snowstorms, global pandemics, and even in the face of violence, our members are there. We won’t let the real estate industry cut costs on the backs of these essential workers.”

Representatives from RAB and 32BJ SEIU declined to provide the specific wage increases they’re seeking while negotiations continue. The union wants to maintain workers’ health insurance that’s fully covered by employers, wage increases that keep up with inflation, stronger pension benefits and better working conditions and paid leave.

The talks come as working families contend with high grocery costs, rising gasoline prices and other affordability issues. A strike would mean thousands of buildings throughout the city would have to scale back day-to-day operations that keep apartments in good repair, ensure packages get delivered to residential units, oversee moves into and out of buildings and allow construction workers to renovate apartments.

The parties are set to meet again on March 30 to continue negotiating. The two sides avoided a strike in 2022 by reaching a deal that boosted annual wages by an average of 3% over four years, along with a one-time bonus of $3,000.

The last work stoppage by door workers was in 1991 and members have yet to vote on such a move, according to the union. The average doorperson or porter earns about $62,000 a year, according to RAB.

“To keep the industry strong going forward, we must continue to work together to negotiate a fair contract that ensures its long-term sustainability,” Howard Rothschild, RAB’s president, said in a statement Tuesday.

(c) 2026, Bloomberg · Michelle Kaske 

President Donald Trump showed a classified map he retained from his first term in office to passengers on a 2022 private plane flight and retained another record so sensitive that only six high-ranking government officials had access to it, according to a prosecution memo released to Congress this week.

The Justice Department shared those findings, detailed in a January 2023 briefing document written by then-special counsel Jack Smith’s team, with lawmakers as they conduct a review of Smith’s now-abandoned efforts to prosecute Trump.

The memo, which was obtained by The Washington Post, was penned as investigators moved toward indicting Trump on charges of illegally retaining sensitive government material after he left the White House. It offers a snapshot of an early moment in Smith’s investigation and adds new shading to the public understanding of Smith’s probes, even as a final report on his findings remains under court seal.

The memo, for instance, reveals that Smith’s team gathered at least some evidence to suggest that Trump had retained classified material pertinent to his personal business interests and that prosecutors were investigating whether his decision to hold on to those records was motivated by financial gain.

The eventual indictment – filed against Trump five months after the memo was written – did not mention Trump’s business interests as a possible motive. That could suggest prosecutors ultimately concluded they did not have sufficient evidence to prove that theory at trial. It is also not uncommon for prosecutors to leave some allegations out of their initial charging documents, even if they intend to prove them later at trial.

The memo recounts an alleged incident in which Trump, on a June 2022 flight to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, allegedly shared a classified map with passengers. Among them, according to the memo, was Susie Wiles, then the CEO of Trump’s super PAC, who has since become Trump’s White House chief of staff. The memo did not detail what the map showed.

Smith’s 2023 indictment of Trump included a similar claim that Trump in 2021 had shown others a classified map tied to a military operation and boasted that he had access to a “plan of attack” that the Pentagon had prepared for him.

Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and maintained that he was entitled to keep classified records when he left the White House in 2021. The case Smith filed against him was dismissed by a federal judge in Florida, who cited issues with Smith’s appointment as special counsel, before it could go to trial.

Smith was appealing that decision when Trump was elected to a second term in 2024, prompting him to abandon his efforts in line with Justice Department policies preventing the prosecution of a sitting president.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson on Wednesday panned the conclusions detailed in the newly released memo from Smith’s team.

“President Trump did nothing wrong, which is why he easily defeated the Biden DOJ’s unprecedented lawfare campaign against him and then won nearly 80 million votes in a landslide election victory,” she said in a statement.

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, cited the memo in a Wednesday letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi in which he demanded more information on its allegations, including a full manifest of the passengers aboard Trump’s plane for that 2022 flight.

“It is now clear that DOJ is in possession of evidence that President Trump has already endangered national security to further the interests of Trump family businesses,” Raskin wrote. “It is time for you to stop the cover-up and allow the American people to know what secrets he betrayed and how he may have cashed in on them.”

Smith has been largely barred from publicly discussing the efforts of his investigative team in the classified-documents investigation. Last year, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon – the same judge who dismissed the case – issued an order preventing the release of Smith’s final report on the probe, saying doing so would unfairly damage the rights of people, including Trump, who had not been convicted at trial.

She made that order permanent at the request of Trump and his former co-defendants last month and additionally barred the public release of “any information or conclusions” from Smith’s findings in the classified-documents case.

Raskin suggested Wednesday that the Justice Department may have inadvertently included Smith’s memo in a larger batch of documents from Smith’s investigations of Trump that it has released in coordination with congressional Republicans over the past year.

Since Trump’s return to the White House, House and Senate Republicans have released scores of what Raskin described Wednesday as “cherry-picked” records from Smith’s probes in an effort to discredit his work as politically motivated.

Released documents have included records revealing that Smith’s team – as part of its separate investigation of Trump’s efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 election – sought phone records from Republican senators and Trump allies including Wiles and Kash Patel, now FBI director, during the years Trump was out of office.

Republicans have sought to paint that move as evidence Smith was pursuing a partisan vendetta. But the former special counsel has defended the decision as a routine investigative step as he was building a conspiracy case against Trump and investigating whom he was communicating with in the weeks after his election loss.

Raskin, in his letter to Bondi on Wednesday, suggested the coordinated dissemination of documents from Smith’s probes by the Justice Department and congressional Republicans in recent months has violated the spirit – and possibly the letter – of Cannon’s orders.

“Apparently blinded by the frenzied search to find any scrap of evidence that could be twisted and distorted to level an attack against Special Counsel Smith (despite constantly coming up empty-handed), you have, quite amazingly, missed the fact that some of the documents you provided include damning evidence about your boss’s conduct and may well violate the gag order your DOJ and Donald Trump demanded from Judge Aileen Cannon,” he wrote.

A Justice Department spokesperson rejected that assertion in a statement dismissing Raskin’s letter as little more than “a cheap political stunt.”

“We understand that [Raskin], much like Jack Smith, is blinded by hatred of President Trump,” it read. “However, he needs to get his facts straight – this Department of Justice is the most transparent in history in part because of our efforts to expose the weaponization of the Biden administration in full compliance with the law and the court.”

For his own part, Smith in testimony before Congress earlier this year defended his investigations and stood by his conclusion that Trump “willfully broke the very laws that he took an oath to uphold.”

“If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat,” Smith told members of the House Judiciary Committee in January. “No one should be above the law in our country, and the law required that he be held to account. So that is what I did.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Jeremy Roebuck, Maegan Vazquez 

President Donald Trump has installed a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds, his latest effort to remake the presidential campus and celebrate the famed and controversial explorer.

The statue is outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where it is visible from Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 17th Street NW. The White House had considered putting the statue on the South Lawn, The Washington Post reported in February.

The piece is a reconstruction of a statue that President Ronald Reagan unveiled in Baltimore in 1984. After it was dumped into the city’s harbor by protesters in 2020 as a racial reckoning swept the country, a group of Italian American businessmen and politicians, working with local sculptors, obtained the pieces and rebuilt the statue with financial support from local charities and federal grant funding.

“Destroyed July 4, 2020,” reads a panel affixed to the base of the sculpture. “Resurrected 2022.”

The panel also says that the sculpture was gifted to the White House last year and that Trump rededicated it in October.

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero. And he will continue to be honored as such by President Trump,” Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman, said in a statement. The New York Times first reported Sunday that the statue had been installed.

The Columbus statue is just one of numerous sculptures that Trump has taken steps to place on the White House grounds and on other federal land. Several statues of revolutionary-era political leaders now stand in the White House’s Rose Garden, and the president is planning a large sculpture garden to commemorate 250 famous Americans, a project that he has dubbed the Garden of Heroes – and that could be erected in Washington’s West Potomac Park.

Trump is also planning to install a towering bronze statue of Caesar Rodney – a signer of the Declaration of Independence and an enslaver – on a plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The Rodney statue has been gathering dust in storage after being removed from public view in Delaware during the 2020 racial justice protests.

Trump condemned efforts in 2020 to tear down statues of Columbus and other historical figures, issuing an executive order that called those actions an “assault on our collective national memory” and creating a task force to rebuild monuments.

Columbus was long celebrated for his voyage in 1492 to the Americas, which opened up trade routes with Europe and built his reputation as a heroic discoverer. The Italian explorer’s journey also set the stage for colonization and enslavement, and academics and activists in recent years have called for an end to honoring him, noting the brutal treatment of Native people that followed his arrival on the continent.

Some U.S. states now recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day; Joe Biden in 2021 became the first president to mark the holiday.

Trump has framed his moves to honor Columbus as a political act. He campaigned in 2024 on promises to celebrate Columbus Day, and in October he signed a presidential proclamation to recognize Columbus as “the original American hero” and commemorate the annual holiday.

“You Italians are going to love me,” Trump said at a political rally last year, adding that Italian Americans had been “badly treated” by past efforts to remove Columbus Day and that he would restore the holiday.

Nino Mangione, a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates, was involved in efforts to recover the Columbus statue from the Baltimore harbor. He praised Trump’s plan to install it at the White House in an email to The Washington Post last month.

“This world is full of haters and screamers who want to silence our voices, our values, and our votes,” Mangione wrote. “President Trump is standing up to them because it is the right thing to do and I applaud his courage in doing so.”

Others have panned Trump’s plan, saying that installing a statue of the explorer would generate controversy. Jeff Miron, the vice president for research at the Cato Institute, a prominent libertarian think tank, said that museums, documentarians and other outside groups are better positioned than the White House is to “present a complete perspective on Columbus.”

“President Trump’s decision to erect a Christopher Columbus statue at the White House exemplifies why government shouldn’t be in the statue business at all,” Miron said in a statement last month.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Dan Diamond, Olivia George 

Air travelers across the United States are facing some of the longest security lines in the history of the Transportation Security Administration, with certain passengers waiting more than four and a half hours to pass through checkpoints, a senior official told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Appearing before the House Homeland Security Committee, TSA acting administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the agency is struggling to maintain operations, noting that it is “being forced to consolidate” and warning that smaller airports could face closures if staffing shortages persist.

“It is a fluid, challenging and unpredictable situation. We understand this is frustrating and disruptive,” she added. “This is unacceptable.”

McNeill disclosed that more than 480 Transportation Security Officers have resigned during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, and cautioned that the number continues to rise.

She also highlighted a sharp increase in absenteeism among remaining personnel. On Sunday, the nationwide call-out rate reached 11.76%, the highest level recorded since the shutdown began on Feb. 14. At certain airports, absentee rates have surged to between 40% and 50%.

By comparison, before the partial shutdown, call-out rates hovered around 2%, according to McNeill’s deputy, Adam Stahl.

In additional testimony, McNeill said incidents of assaults against TSA officers have risen dramatically, increasing by 500%.

The acting administrator credited President Trump with helping ease the strain by deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to assist at airports nationwide.

She explained that these agents are currently handling “non-specialized screening functions.”

“We’ve been spending time training them the last few days,” McNeill claimed. “And we’re seeing relief, signs of early relief at the airports.

“It’s been incredibly helpful to alleviate the burden on our workforce. And we’re getting positive feedback from passengers and our field leadership.”

Despite the short-term assistance, McNeill warned that the prolonged shutdown could have serious consequences for aviation security, including the agency’s ability to prevent potential terrorist threats.

She pointed to the extensive six-month training process required for Transportation Security Officers, expressing concern that staffing shortages could hinder readiness for major upcoming events, including the 2026 World Cup, which is set to begin in June and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

“As the shutdown drags on, we will likely see our attrition rates continue to spike, which means that we may not have the adequate headcount to staff the airports that are supporting the FIFA locations adequately,” she explained.

“The ongoing shutdown is also impacting our ability to procure and deploy technology, from checkpoint technology to some of our counter UAS [unmanned aerial vehicle] technology, in advance of the FIFA World Cup,” McNeill continued. “So we’re really running short on time.”

{Matzav.com}

A new AP-NORC survey finds that most Americans believe recent U.S. military operations against Iran have exceeded appropriate limits, while a growing number are anxious about the cost of gasoline as the conflict continues.

Now entering its fourth week, the war involving the United States and Israel is beginning to pose political challenges for President Trump, even as his overall approval ratings remain largely unchanged, according to data from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Although the administration has increased its military presence in the Middle East, including additional ships and personnel, roughly 59% of Americans say the U.S. response in Iran has been excessive.

At the same time, economic concerns are rising. About 45% of respondents say they are “extremely” or “very” worried about affording gas in the coming months, a notable increase from 30% in a similar poll conducted shortly after Trump’s reelection, when he had pledged to lower living costs.

There is broad agreement on at least one major policy goal: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Approximately two-thirds of Americans say this objective should be considered “extremely” or “very” important. However, a similar proportion also prioritizes keeping domestic oil and gas prices from climbing, creating a potential conflict in policy priorities for the administration.

About 40% of adults in the U.S. continue to approve of Trump’s job performance, a figure that has remained stable since last month. His approval ratings on foreign policy are slightly lower but have also shown little change.

Trump has not clearly outlined his next move regarding Iran. While issuing strong warnings, he has also suggested that diplomacy could still bring an end to the fighting. Many Americans, however, remain uneasy about his judgment when it comes to using military force overseas, and there is broad opposition to more aggressive steps such as deploying ground troops.

Concern about fuel prices cuts across party lines, with large majorities of both Republicans and Democrats saying it is important to prevent increases at the pump.

Around three-quarters of Republicans and roughly two-thirds of Democrats say keeping oil and gas prices stable should be a top priority. Still, the level of concern differs significantly between the parties. Only about 30% of Republicans say they are “extremely” or “very” worried about paying for gas in the near future, compared to about 60% of Democrats.

Republicans also place greater emphasis on stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While about two-thirds of Americans overall view that goal as highly important, roughly 80% of Republicans say it is at least “very” important, compared with about half of Democrats.

The war has also fueled debate over the role of Israel in U.S. foreign policy, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu advocated for military action against Iran. Only about 40% of Americans say preventing Iran from threatening Israel should be a major priority.

Even fewer Americans support the idea of regime change in Iran. About 30% say it is at least “very” important for the U.S. to replace Iran’s government with one more aligned with American interests.

Public opinion on the military campaign itself shows a clear divide. About 90% of Democrats and 60% of independents believe the U.S. strikes in Iran have “gone too far.”

Republicans are more split. Roughly half say the level of military action has been “about right,” while relatively few support escalation. Only about 20% believe the U.S. has not gone far enough, while around one-quarter say it has already exceeded appropriate limits.

Previous AP-NORC polling has shown that about 60% of Americans feel Trump has “gone too far” on various issues, including tariffs and executive authority. That figure closely mirrors his overall approval rating, suggesting that while his approach to Iran is unpopular, it aligns with broader perceptions of his presidency.

Further escalation could shift those views. Around 60% of Americans say they “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose sending U.S. ground troops into Iran, including about 80% of Democrats and roughly half of Republicans. Opposition is also notable when it comes to airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership or military infrastructure, with just under half opposed, about 30% in favor, and another 30% undecided.

Trust in Trump’s decision-making on military matters remains limited. About half of U.S. adults say they have “only a little” trust or “none at all” in his ability to make the right choices regarding the use of force abroad, consistent with findings from a February poll.

Roughly 34% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of foreign policy, nearly unchanged from 36% earlier this year. That level of support has remained steady despite a series of controversial actions, including tensions over Greenland and a strike on Venezuela.

Similarly, the new poll shows that about 35% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the situation with Iran, closely matching his broader foreign policy ratings.

{Matzav.com}

OpenAI is discontinuing its Sora video platform less than a year after launching it, signaling a major change in direction as the company turns its attention toward productivity-focused tools and positions itself for a possible public offering.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI has decided to phase out Sora, a consumer-oriented product that debuted with significant hype but has since receded from public attention. The move reflects a broader shift away from consumer entertainment products and toward enterprise and software development solutions.

CEO Sam Altman informed employees of the decision on Tuesday, explaining that all products tied to the company’s video-generation models would be wound down. This includes not only the Sora app itself, but also its developer tools and video-related features within ChatGPT.

The decision is part of a wider restructuring effort aimed at directing OpenAI’s computing power and engineering resources toward tools designed to boost productivity for both businesses and individual users. The change comes as the company lays the groundwork for a potential initial public offering that could take place as soon as the fourth quarter.

Last week, OpenAI outlined plans to merge several of its key offerings—including the ChatGPT desktop app, its Codex coding tool, and its browser—into a single integrated platform described as a “superapp.” The company believes this unified system will help streamline its efforts and concentrate its workforce on a single strategic vision.

Sora was originally introduced in September as part of OpenAI’s push to expand its presence in the consumer market. The platform included a social feed similar to TikTok, allowing users to generate and share AI-created video content. Following the launch, Altman encouraged users to experiment creatively, including inserting themselves into well-known scenes from popular media.

Internally, however, some employees questioned the scale of resources devoted to Sora, particularly given the lack of clear demand from users. Despite those concerns, Altman urged the company to continue pursuing ambitious ideas, including plans for a future AI-powered hardware device.

The rollout of Sora also drew criticism early on. Initially, the platform lacked sufficient safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted material, leading to a brief legal dispute over intellectual property. OpenAI later introduced measures that allow content owners to restrict the use of their likenesses and protected works.

In December, Disney announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, with plans to license more than 200 characters for use on the Sora platform. The agreement would have enabled users to create AI-generated videos featuring iconic figures, placing themselves alongside characters such as Luke Skywalker or within scenes from Toy Story.

That partnership will now not proceed. A Disney spokeswoman stated, “As the nascent AI field advances rapidly, we respect OpenAI’s decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere.”

{Matzav.com}

A jury on Wednesday ruled that Meta and YouTube are responsible for designing platforms that contributed to harmful and addictive behavior among young users, marking a significant decision that could influence future lawsuits against social media companies.

Jurors awarded $3 million in damages to the lead plaintiff, a woman identified in court documents as Kaley, or “KGM,” who claimed that early exposure to YouTube and Instagram led to compulsive use and played a role in her mental health struggles, including depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.

The verdict follows a trial that spanned several weeks and featured testimony from high-profile executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who were called to defend their platforms. The case drew comparisons to litigation against tobacco companies in the 1990s. The jury deliberated for more than a week in a Los Angeles courtroom and at one point informed the judge that they were having difficulty reaching agreement regarding one of the defendants.

Kaley filed the lawsuit in 2023 against Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, as well as Google-owned YouTube. TikTok and Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, were initially included in the complaint but reached settlements before the trial began in late January.

Now 20 years old, Kaley testified that she spent extensive time on social media and experienced an emotional “rush” from likes and notifications, which kept her constantly engaged with her phone.

“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,” a Meta spokesperson told CBS News, noting that jurors were not unanimous in issuing the decision.

Her attorney, Mark Lanier of Lanier Law Firm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Throughout the proceedings, Lanier argued that both Meta and YouTube knew their platforms could harm younger users but chose to prioritize profits over user safety.

The case centered on two primary claims against the companies: negligence and a failure to adequately warn users about potential health risks associated with their platforms.

For years, social media companies have defended against similar claims by invoking Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields platforms from liability for content posted by users.

This lawsuit, however, focused not on user-generated content but on the design of the platforms themselves.

In a separate but related development on Tuesday, a New Mexico jury found that Meta violated state laws regarding child exploitation and ordered the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties. That verdict was reached after just one day of deliberations.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a post on X that the company plans to appeal that ruling, adding that “we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”

The New Mexico case marks the first time a state has successfully held a major technology company liable for harm caused to young users.

During the Los Angeles trial, both Meta and YouTube denied that Kaley’s social media use was the cause of her mental health difficulties. Their legal teams argued that other factors—including family background, challenges at home and in school, and learning disabilities—were more significant contributors to her condition.

“Not one of her therapists identified social media as the cause,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News earlier this month.

Several mental health professionals who treated Kaley testified during the proceedings. Among them was Victoria Burke, a former therapist who worked with her in 2019, who said that social media and Kaley’s identity “were closely related,” and that activity on the platforms could “make or break her mood.”

Attorneys for the companies also maintained that Kaley used social media as a way to cope with existing emotional struggles, rather than those platforms being the source of her problems.

{Matzav.com}

United Airlines announced plans to roll out a new cabin concept designed to give economy passengers more room and comfort on long-distance flights, introducing a premium seating option called “United Relax Row.”

The airline revealed that the new section will feature specially designed seats equipped with adjustable leg rests that can be raised or lowered, allowing travelers to create a flat, couch-like space to stretch out during flights.

“The entire row is alllllll yours,” United said Tuesday in a post on social platform X.

According to the airline, the new seating is “ideal for families traveling with small children, solo travelers and couples who want the value of United Economy but with a little extra comfort.”

Passengers who book the Relax Row will receive additional perks, including a fitted mattress pad, a soft blanket, and two extra pillows. Families traveling with children will also be provided with a plush toy and a dedicated travel kit.

United said the new seating option is expected to debut in 2027 and will eventually be installed on more than 200 of its Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030.

The Relax Row section will be positioned between standard economy seating and United Premium Plus, with each eligible aircraft offering as many as 12 of these upgraded rows.

Airline officials said the initiative reflects growing demand among travelers for more comfortable flying options.

“Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them,” said Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “United is the only North American airline offering a product like the United Relax Row.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran announced Wednesday that it launched cruise missiles toward the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, escalating tensions just hours after its military leadership rejected any possibility of reaching an agreement with the United States to end the war.

The semiofficial Fars News Agency, closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that the strike “forc[ed] the American naval fleet to change position.”

US Central Command did not immediately respond to the claim. In previous instances, however, CENTCOM has used social media to dispute Iranian assertions that American naval assets, including the Lincoln, had been successfully targeted.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Arabian Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury, which is nearing the end of its fourth week on Friday.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Trump told reporters that Iran had “shot 100 missiles at one of our aircraft carriers, one of the biggest ships in the world, actually.

“Out of 101 missiles, every single one of them was knocked down.”

The reported missile launches came shortly after a senior Iranian military spokesman issued a forceful rejection of any negotiations with Washington, following the transmission of a 15-point US peace proposal through Pakistani intermediaries.

“Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you. Not now, not ever,” Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari said in a video shared by Fars.

“The strategic power you used to talk about has turned into a strategic failure,” he added. “The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could. Don’t dress up your defeat as an agreement. Your era of empty promises has come to an end.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, the American proposal includes sweeping requirements for Iran, such as dismantling its nuclear infrastructure, abandoning any pursuit of nuclear weapons, transferring enriched uranium to international oversight, limiting its missile capabilities strictly to defensive purposes, ensuring open passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and ending support for terrorist proxy groups.

Tehran has countered with its own demands, including the complete lifting of sanctions and the removal of US military forces from the Persian Gulf—conditions that a US official described as “ridiculous and unrealistic,” according to the Journal.

There has been no indication that diplomatic efforts have reduced the intensity of the fighting.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Israeli military reported carrying out “several waves of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in Tehran” and said additional details would be released later.

The day before, the Israel Defense Forces said it had struck military production facilities in Isfahan, including sites used for submarine construction and naval support operations.

In a separate update, Israel’s defense ministry stated that more than 15,000 strikes have been conducted against Iran since combat began on Feb. 28, a figure more than four times higher than the number of strikes carried out during the 12-day conflict with the Islamic Republic last June.

{Matzav.com}

Iran on Wednesday dismissed President Trump’s proposed 15-point framework to end the war, instead presenting its own far-reaching conditions that would significantly expand its regional control and influence.

Despite Trump’s assertion that Tehran had accepted key elements of his plan, including abandoning its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iranian officials told mediators the proposal was unacceptable, according to reports from state media.

In response, Iranian lawmakers outlined an alternative set of terms under which the Islamic Republic would assume authority over the Strait of Hormuz and take responsibility for securing it, as well as safeguarding its network of allied forces abroad.

At the same time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has tightened its grip over what remains of Iran’s governing structure, signaled no willingness to de-escalate. The group said the conflict would continue until the United States shuts down all of its military installations in the Gulf and compensates Iran for damages caused by American strikes.

Iran’s leadership is also demanding complete American withdrawal from the region and insists on exclusive control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.

Under Tehran’s proposal, Iran would be permitted to levy transit fees on vessels moving through the strait, mirroring Egypt’s model with the Suez Canal. This potential revenue stream would be paired with a full lifting of international sanctions imposed on the regime.

In addition, Iran is calling for a permanent cessation of hostilities, including an end to Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terrorist organization operating in Lebanon.

While Iran’s proposal did not directly address its nuclear program, it made clear that its missile capabilities are not open for negotiation and would remain intact without restriction.

The Iranian terms stand in stark contrast to Trump’s plan, which a U.S. official described as “ridiculous” and “unrealistic,” according to the WSJ.

Key elements of the American proposal, many of which were reported by Israel’s Channel 12, include a series of sweeping requirements placed on Tehran.

1. Iran must dismantle existing nuclear capabilities.

2. Iran must commit never to pursue nuclear weapons.

3. No uranium enrichment on Iranian territory.

4. Iran must hand its stockpile of enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

5. The Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo nuclear facilities must be dismantled.

6. The IAEA must be granted full access to Iran’s nuclear facilities.

7. Iran must abandon its “regional proxy paradigm.”

8. Iran must cease funding, directing and arming its proxies.

9. The Strait of Hormuz must remain open.

10. Iran’s missile program must be limited in both range and quantity.

11. Iran must limit its use of missiles to self-defense.

In return, Iran would receive the following:

12. The end of sanctions imposed by the international community.

13. US assistance to advance its civilian nuclear program.

14. A “snapback” mechanism allowing for the automatic reimposition of sanctions if Iran fails to comply would be removed.

Iranian officials have rejected these conditions outright, with a senior figure telling PressTV that the demands are “excessive” and disconnected from realities on the ground, particularly as the United States has yet to achieve its objectives nearly a month into the conflict.

“Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met,” the official said.

“The end of the war will occur when Iran decides it should end, not when Trump envisions its conclusion,” he added.

With Washington and Tehran still avoiding direct talks, regional mediators in the Middle East are continuing efforts to bridge the divide and reach a negotiated resolution to the conflict.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has directed the military to intensify its campaign against Iran’s weapons infrastructure, ordering that as much of the country’s arms industry as possible be destroyed within 48 hours, according to a report published Tuesday by The New York Times.

The directive came after Netanyahu reviewed a copy of the United States’ proposed 15-point framework aimed at ending the war, the report said.

Responding on Monday to President Trump’s comments about ongoing contacts with Iranian officials, Netanyahu made clear that Israel would continue acting to protect its own security interests regardless of any diplomatic developments involving Washington.

“Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests,” Netanyahu said.

He added, “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece, and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah.”

“Just a few days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and more actions are forthcoming. We will safeguard our vital interests under all circumstances,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Meanwhile, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Iran has rejected the American proposal and has reverted to its earlier demands—conditions Washington had already dismissed before the war began.

Iranian officials also publicly derided the diplomatic effort. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard’s emergency command, mocked the U.S. president’s approach, saying he is “negotiating with himself.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Knesset has taken a significant step toward regulating the massive Lag BaOmer gathering in Meron, as the National Security Committee approved legislation on Wednesday aimed at ensuring a safer and more orderly event in 2026.

The bill, which passed through the committee chaired by MK Zvika Fogel of Otzma Yehudit, will now move forward to its final readings. Drafted as a temporary measure, the legislation is intended to provide clear structure and oversight for the annual pilgrimage, which attracts hundreds of thousands of participants each year. It establishes tighter safety protocols and new limitations designed to maintain order and prevent dangerous overcrowding.

Communications Minister Dr. Shlomo Karhi, who has been tasked with overseeing this year’s event, expressed appreciation to MK Zvika Fogel and MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism for pushing the legislation forward. “This law will allow us to hold a safe and joyful event for the people of Israel,” Karhi said.

Fogel underscored that the primary goal of the measure is to impose organization and accountability on the large-scale gathering. “The purpose of this law is to bring order, establish clear boundaries, and ensure that the pilgrimage takes place safely. Our first and foremost responsibility is to protect human life.”

MK Meir Porush, who previously oversaw the event in his role as Minister of Yerushalayim Affairs and Jewish Tradition, also welcomed the progress of the bill and commended both Karhi and Fogel. “This is an important and central step in the preparations for the celebration,” he said, adding that he hopes the security situation will permit the pilgrimage to be held with both joy and safety.

The Lag BaOmer event in Meron is among the largest yearly gatherings in Israel. Following the 2021 disaster, in which 45 people lost their lives in a crowd crush, authorities have implemented increasingly strict safety measures and closer supervision in an effort to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

{Matzav.com}

After nearly 20 years of legal battles, families of victims of Iranian-backed terrorism are set to receive compensation from a Manhattan office tower that had long generated income tied to the Iranian regime, despite outstanding court judgments, JTA reports.

On Monday, as fighting between Israel and Iran continues, a $318 million agreement was finalized, directing proceeds from the building’s sale to hundreds of victims. Those eligible for compensation include Jewish and Israeli families who lost relatives in attacks linked to Iran, both in Israel and abroad.

The dispute revolved around hidden Iranian ownership interests in 650 Fifth Avenue, a high-rise office building in Manhattan. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran assumed control of the Alavi Foundation, originally established under the shah, and entered into a partnership with Bank Melli Iran, a state-owned financial institution under U.S. sanctions.

Through a network of front companies, the bank allegedly funneled tens of millions of dollars in rental revenue back to Tehran while concealing its stake in the property, in violation of American sanctions laws.

Among those who will benefit from the settlement are families and estates connected to the 2001 bombing of the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, which left 15 people dead and more than 100 wounded. That attack, carried out by Hamas with Iranian backing, was among the most devastating suicide bombings during the Second Intifada.

The compensation also extends to victims of other suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians in the 1990s and early 2000s, as well as to the family of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who was murdered in 1990.

For years, victims of terrorism obtained default judgments against Iran in U.S. courts, but those rulings went unpaid. As a result, plaintiffs were forced to pursue Iranian-linked assets within the United States. The broader litigation involved claims totaling more than $5 billion, including those brought by families of victims killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

US Attorney Jay Clayton said the outcome reflects years of persistent effort to locate and secure those assets.

“For nearly two decades, we pursued hidden Iranian government assets tied to a Manhattan skyscraper to ensure those funds would ultimately compensate victims of Iran-sponsored terrorism rather than terrorists and their enablers,” Clayton said in a statement.

As part of the agreement, the Alavi Foundation will be dismantled, and its holdings — including the Fifth Avenue property — will be transferred to a newly created nonprofit organization known as the Amir Kabir Foundation. The new group will operate under oversight from U.S. authorities, with governing rules requiring it to remain independent of any government influence.

Hundreds of weddings were thrown into last-minute disarray after two major event halls in Bnei Brak were ordered closed, requiring couples to urgently find alternative venues.

Tel Aviv District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Chaim Sargrof, signed closure orders for the Dekel and Heichlei Malchus event halls after police alleged that the venues had employed and housed a total of nine illegal residents in violation of the law.

The action comes as part of a focused police campaign targeting offenses related to employing, transporting, and sheltering individuals residing in Israel illegally. Officers from the Bnei Brak–Ramat Gan station in the Dan region of the Tel Aviv District have been carrying out intensified inspections at businesses and construction sites where such individuals are suspected to be present, with the stated goal of safeguarding public safety.

Approximately three days prior, police conducted a business licensing operation during which inspections were carried out at several event halls in Bnei Brak. At the Dekel Hall on Ezra Street, officers located two illegal residents from the Palestinian territories who did not have valid permits to remain in Israel. At Heichlei Malchus on Shlomo Hamelech Street, police found seven individuals in similar circumstances.

According to police, in both locations the individuals were not only employed unlawfully but were also being housed on-site. The suspects were taken into custody, and the employers were questioned under caution by investigators at the Bnei Brak–Ramat Gan police station.

Following the investigation, licensing enforcement officers in the Dan region, together with local police, moved to shut down the halls. The Tel Aviv District commander issued administrative closure orders for a period of 30 days, effective from February 23, 2025, through March 24, 2025. The investigation into the employers is ongoing.

{Matzav.com}