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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth forcefully rejected a CNN report Tuesday claiming the U.S. military’s missile stockpiles have been significantly depleted by the conflict with Iran, accusing the network of spreading false information and publicly rebuking its coverage.

The dispute centered on a CNN on-screen headline aired during anchor Kasie Hunt’s program that read: “Sources: U.S. has used nearly 80% of key missile interceptors in Iran war, top commanders warn stockpiles ‘dangerously low.'”

Responding on X, Hegseth flatly denied the report.

“That banner is NOT TRUE,” wrote Hegseth. “Shame on you. We don’t hate the Fake News media enough.”

CNN’s accompanying report, written by Zachary Cohen, Jim Sciutto, and Haley Britzky, cited multiple sources familiar with Pentagon assessments who said the United States has exhausted a substantial portion of its missile inventory during the war with Iran. According to the report, the U.S. has used nearly 80% of its THAAD missile interceptors and roughly half of its Patriot missile stockpile, prompting senior military leaders to warn the Trump administration that inventories have become “dangerously low.”

The report also noted that those concerns were raised before President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he intended “to hold off any attack” because “the perimeters of a deal ha[ve] been agreed to,” while also warning, “The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.”

Separately on Tuesday, Reuters published its own report citing multiple sources who said the U.S. has expended “virtually all” of its stockpile of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) during the conflict.

The White House disputed those claims, telling Reuters that the United States possesses “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and “far more than we need.”

The administration delivered a similar response to CNN. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the U.S. military “has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Rashida Tlaib easily defeated two challengers in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, securing the nomination for another term in Congress and reinforcing her standing as one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent progressive voices.

With roughly 31.6% of the expected vote counted Tuesday night, Tlaib was projected the winner after capturing a commanding 67.9% of the vote.

According to the preliminary results, Tlaib received 31,062 votes, well ahead of challenger Shanelle Jackson, who garnered 10,940 votes, or 23.9%. Byron Nolen finished third with 3,730 votes, representing 8.2%.

Although an estimated 99,000 ballots remained to be counted, the margin was large enough for news organizations to project Tlaib’s victory.

Tlaib, who has represented the Detroit-area district since 2019, remains one of the most recognizable members of the progressive “Squad” in Congress. Throughout her tenure, she has championed left-wing priorities including Medicare for All, environmental initiatives, criminal justice reform, and expanded social welfare programs.

She has also become one of Congress’ most outspoken critics of Israel, particularly following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Her repeated calls for a ceasefire, accusations against Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, and criticism of U.S. military aid have made her a polarizing figure both within the Democratic Party and nationally.

Unlike several other progressive lawmakers who have faced well-funded primary challenges in recent election cycles, Tlaib entered this year’s race as the clear favorite and maintained a substantial lead throughout the campaign.

With the Democratic nomination now effectively secured, Tlaib will move on to the November general election. Given the heavily Democratic makeup of Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, she is widely favored to win another term in the House of Representatives.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell secured victory Tuesday over former Rep. Cori Bush in Missouri’s Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District, prevailing in the state’s most expensive primary race of the year. Bell’s win sets him up for a strong position heading into November in the heavily Democratic district.

The Associated Press projected Bell as the winner shortly after 8 p.m.

Bell will now advance to the general election, where he is expected to face the winner of the Republican contest between Paul Berry III and Andrew Jones—neither of whom has established a fundraising committee—as well as Libertarian candidate Tom Schmitz.

Both Bell and Bush rose to political prominence in the aftermath of the 2014 Ferguson protests, which became a defining moment in the national conversation on race and policing. In recent years, however, the two have found themselves on opposite sides of one of the nation’s most contentious issues: Bell has been a strong supporter of Israel, while Bush has become one of Congress’ most outspoken advocates for the Palestinian cause.

Bell’s pro-Israel positions attracted substantial financial backing from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and allied political action committees, allowing his re-election effort to far outspend Bush’s campaign.

Overall, candidates and outside organizations poured roughly $8.4 million into the race, making it Missouri’s costliest candidate primary this election cycle. Approximately $7.2 million of that total was spent in support of Bell.

Over the past two years, Bell’s campaign has spent nearly $3 million, including about $864,000 on television advertising leading up to Election Day. Bush’s campaign spent nearly $1.2 million overall, with only about $66,400 devoted to broadcast advertising.

AIPAC once again played a major financial role in Bell’s campaign, investing approximately $3.1 million on his behalf. That included roughly $1.5 million in television advertising through its affiliated political action committee, United Democracy Project. Another outside organization, New Democrat Majority, added approximately $1.1 million in support of Bell.

The latest spending follows AIPAC’s heavy investment in Bell during the 2024 election cycle, when the organization and allied groups spent more than $8 million backing his campaign as part of a broader effort to defeat some of Congress’ strongest critics of Israel, including members of the progressive “Squad,” of which Bush was a member.

Bell was one of AIPAC’s largest-supported candidates nationwide during the 2024 election cycle. The organization, founded in the 1950s, has drawn criticism from progressive Democrats and some Middle East scholars, who argue it consistently supports military escalation and prolonged Israeli control of disputed territories.

Bell rejected that characterization of the organization.

“What they focus on is a strong U.S.-Israeli relationship,” Bell told The Independent in June. “I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of the current (Israeli) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not a fan at all, but what I know about that group is that no matter who’s in charge, they’re going to support a strong US-Israeli relationship.”

Since arriving in Congress, Bell has been appointed to both the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees the Department of Defense, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which handles issues involving U.S. foreign policy and national security.

Despite serving on committees with significant international responsibilities, Bell said his foremost priority remains the needs of his district.

“We have to focus on regional growth and development,” he said, “because I believe this region is a sleeping giant.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is preparing to extend a temporary waiver to the century-old Jones Act in an effort to ease gasoline prices for American drivers, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The move comes as President Donald Trump intensifies his criticism of oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron, accusing them of earning excessive profits while consumers continue paying high prices at the pump.

The Jones Act requires cargo transported between U.S. ports to travel on vessels that are built in the United States, owned by American companies, and staffed by U.S. crews.

By temporarily relaxing those requirements, the administration hopes to make it easier to transport fuel across the country, reducing shipping bottlenecks and increasing supply in regions facing higher prices.

Industry leaders had anticipated that the waiver would be renewed before the end of July. Instead, administration officials have continued negotiations with maritime industry representatives and members of Congress over possible revisions that would preserve flexibility for moving critical fuel supplies while narrowing the waiver’s scope, according to three people familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The existing waiver is scheduled to expire on Aug. 16. If renewed, it would continue what has already become the longest suspension of Jones Act requirements since the waiver program was established.

Government figures show the exemption was invoked nearly 200 times during the four-and-a-half-month period ending in late July.

With the November midterm elections approaching, the administration is searching for additional ways to reduce gasoline prices, which remain above $4 per gallon on average nationwide.

In recent months, the White House has pursued several strategies to ease fuel costs, including boosting oil supplies and providing regulatory flexibility. Trump also publicly increased pressure on Exxon and Chevron this week, saying the companies should return more of their profits to consumers through lower prices at gas stations.

Neither Exxon Mobil nor Chevron responded to requests for comment.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday in Brownsville, Texas, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the waiver has already helped bring down fuel prices in California and along the East Coast, adding that another extension appears likely.

Wright predicted gasoline prices would continue falling over the next several weeks.

“President Trump believes in markets and he believes in capitalism. But he’ll use every tool he has, including the bully pulpit, to try to encourage and put pressure to lower energy prices for Americans,” Wright said at a press conference when asked about Trump’s comments on Exxon and Chevron.

Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, said the most powerful tool available to any U.S. president would ordinarily be encouraging Saudi Arabia to increase oil production. However, he noted that option is currently limited because exports remain constrained by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz stemming from the conflict involving Iran.

McNally said other proposals—including a windfall profits tax, government-imposed gasoline price controls, or legal action against major oil companies—would either be politically difficult, economically risky, or unlikely to produce meaningful price reductions.

He added that while extending the Jones Act waiver would increase the number of tankers available to move fuel domestically, its overall impact on gasoline prices would likely amount to only a few cents per gallon.

Opponents of extending the waiver are urging the administration to impose tighter geographic restrictions and conduct closer reviews of each shipment permitted under the exemption.

Sources said White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, and members of the White House Energy Dominance Council have all participated in ongoing discussions about the future of the waiver.

No final decision has been reached, and officials cautioned that the details could still change before an announcement is made.

Several senior Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have urged the administration to limit the waiver’s reach, arguing that frequent exemptions could weaken the U.S. merchant fleet and undermine the national security objectives behind the Jones Act.

A White House official said the administration continues to evaluate how the waiver is being used and that discussions remain active. The official added that any decision will be announced directly by the president or the administration.

Maritime organizations have intensified their campaign against another extension, with the American Maritime Partnership resuming television advertisements on CNBC and Fox News while also launching a digital advertising campaign alongside the American Waterways Operators.

AMP President Jennifer Carpenter argued that the waiver has primarily benefited foreign shipping companies and major energy firms rather than American consumers.

“The waiver has shifted routine domestic commerce to foreign operators, including entities linked to China and Russia, while undermining the U.S. maritime industrial base,” Carpenter said.

Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday that the U.S. military campaign against Iran has ultimately left America in a weaker strategic position, arguing that diplomacy—not continued military action—is the only realistic way to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He also warned that the conflict is exposing growing divisions within the Republican Party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

During an appearance on MS Now’s Morning Joe, the Kentucky Republican described the conflict as unnecessary and said he never would have supported launching it.

“This is a war of choice, and it wouldn’t have been my choice,” Paul said.

Paul acknowledged that U.S. forces inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military but argued that the broader consequences have outweighed those battlefield successes.

“I think if you look at it objectively, one step forward, we decimated their military, but two steps backward in that they militarized the Strait (of Hormuz). The Strait has never been militarized. By any objective viewing, we are worse off than we were before the war.”

Asked by co-host Willie Geist what outcome would best serve U.S. interests, Paul answered that ending the conflict as quickly as possible should be the priority.

“The sooner the war ends, the better.”

Although Paul said eliminating Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium would be “a noble goal,” he argued that military force alone cannot accomplish that objective.

“The only way you’ll do that is you have to negotiate,” he said.

Paul’s remarks highlight the growing debate within Republican ranks over the administration’s approach to Iran. While many GOP foreign policy hawks have supported military action, others within President Donald Trump’s political base have voiced deep reservations about the United States becoming entangled in another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

That divide could create political challenges for Republicans as the midterm elections approach, with party leaders seeking to maintain support for the administration’s national security policies while addressing concerns among voters who favor a more restrained foreign policy.

Paul has become one of the leading Republican advocates for pursuing negotiations with Iran, maintaining that diplomacy offers the best chance of achieving a lasting agreement and preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons without extending the military conflict.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

British broadcaster Piers Morgan engaged in a heated confrontation with senior Hamas terror official Ghazi Hamad during a televised interview, forcefully condemning Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and rejecting the terrorist group’s attempts to defend its actions.

The exchange grew increasingly tense as Morgan accused Hamas of committing horrific atrocities against Israeli civilians during the assault, while Hamad repeatedly interrupted and disputed Morgan’s characterization of the events.

“Listen, I’m sorry, but you crossed every line of humanity and morality. On October the 7th, the actions of Hamas crossed every single moral, ethical and humanitarian line. Your people committed acts of utter barbarism against innocent Israelis. You did. We saw it with our own eyes,” Morgan said.

As Hamad continued insisting Morgan’s description was inaccurate, the journalist pushed back even harder.

“Your people, your Hamas terrorists…just to be clear: Your Hamas terrorists, your people, they deliberately posted themselves committing their atrocities in real time.”

Morgan went on to acknowledge Hamas’s stated rationale for its actions but firmly rejected it as a justification for the violence.

“I understand your position and I understand that you believe you’re fighting an occupation. You believe you’re there for ‘freedom fighters’…I understand Hamas’s position. However, I brand Hamas terrorists because the actions on October the 7th were the actions of a terrorist organization that committed a series of despicable crimes against the Israeli people. There is no justification.”

The terrorist responded by accusing Morgan of presenting an unfair account of the conflict, saying the interviewer was “not fair”.

Morgan then challenged Hamad with a direct question about one of the most shocking aspects of the October 7 attack.

“Let me ask you one simple question: Why would you take hostage a baby? What possible justification? Never mind all the other crimes that were committed that day. Why would you kidnap a baby?”

In response, Hamad denied that Hamas had intended to abduct civilians, claiming that its fighters “had no instruction to do that. We never planned to take civilians.”

A controversial advertising campaign for an adults-only museum that has appeared prominently on New York City buses for months will be removed from the MTA’s fleet far sooner than originally planned, following sustained pressure from parents, religious organizations, and elected officials who argued the displays were inappropriate for public spaces frequented by families and children.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority confirmed that the advertisements will be phased out of the bus system within the next 60 days, significantly shortening a contract that had been expected to remain in effect through the end of the year.

The decision comes after months of advocacy and growing public criticism over the campaign, which many community leaders said exposed children to adult-themed imagery in places where families have no practical way to avoid it.

The concerns took center stage at a recent meeting of the MTA Board, where transit officials were urged to reconsider allowing the agency’s buses to serve as rolling advertisements for an adults-only attraction.

Representatives argued that mass transit vehicles are used and seen every day by countless children, parents, and commuters, making them an inappropriate venue for advertising material many riders find offensive.

During the meeting, speakers called on MTA leadership to adopt advertising standards that better reflect the public nature of the transit system and the diverse communities it serves. They emphasized that while adults are free to visit such attractions, promoting them so prominently throughout the city imposes unwanted exposure on families simply going about their daily routines.

The public testimony capped months of outreach to transit officials, community leaders, and policymakers aimed at persuading the MTA to remove the advertisements before the contract expired.

In a written response to those efforts, the MTA informed advocates that the museum’s advertisements would be rotated off the system within 60 days, accelerating the previously scheduled timeline.

The announcement came as opponents were preparing to challenge the next phase of the campaign. According to advocates, the museum had planned to dramatically expand its advertising partnership with the MTA by wrapping the entire exterior of buses with promotional graphics and incorporating even more explicit imagery than what is currently displayed.

That prospect prompted additional concern among community organizations and elected officials, several of whom urged the MTA to halt the expansion and remove the existing advertisements altogether.

Politicians from multiple districts echoed the concerns raised by parents and religious groups, arguing that the widespread campaign was inappropriate for a public transit system used by millions of New Yorkers, including large numbers of children. They joined calls for the MTA to withdraw the ads, citing the need to preserve a family-friendly environment on the city’s buses.

With the MTA now confirming that the advertisements will disappear from its fleet over the coming weeks, advocates say the decision represents a significant victory for families who objected to the campaign and urged transit officials to exercise greater discretion over the advertising displayed on publicly operated vehicles.

A Canadian woman who was caught on video assaulting a teenage girl wearing patriotic clothing during a Fourth of July weekend confrontation on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk has been ordered deported from the United States after pleading guilty to a reduced assault charge.

An immigration judge in Texas ruled Tuesday that 33-year-old Kaitlyn Tracey will be removed to Canada. The deportation order came shortly before Tracey entered a guilty plea in New Jersey to a single count of simple assault, a misdemeanor, resolving the criminal case stemming from the July 3 incident.

Tracey participated in the hearing by telephone from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas, where she has been held since being transferred from New Jersey.

As part of the plea agreement, Tracey admitted guilt to one misdemeanor assault charge. She was sentenced to one day in jail but received credit for time already served after spending time in the Ocean County Jail following her arrest.

Authorities said the altercation began after Tracey confronted a group of four teenagers on the Point Pleasant boardwalk, including a girl wearing a USA 250 tank top. According to police, the confrontation escalated into an argument before Tracey slapped the teenager across the face in an incident captured on video.

The Department of Homeland Security previously said Tracey had overstayed her visa and was living in the United States illegally at the time of her arrest.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Tracey’s attorney urged the court to view his client more favorably, describing her as someone who had contributed positively while living in the United States.

“She arrived here on a passport some years ago. She met her husband and didn’t leave, but while she was [here], she maintained employment and was a productive member of society,” attorney Francis Hodgson told Judge Guy P. Ryan, characterizing the incident as simply “unfortunate.”

Hodgson also argued that Tracey had accepted responsibility for her conduct.

“[Tracey has] taken responsibility for her role in it, and this is a reasonable judgment, Judge, that is consistent with other similar-type matters that happen every day during the summer on this boardwalk,” Hodgson said.

Prosecutors told the court that the victim’s family, whose daughter was identified only by the initials M.H., agreed to the plea arrangement.

Although one of the girl’s parents attended the hearing virtually, the individual did not appear on camera or address the court directly.

Judge Ryan instead read portions of the family’s victim impact statement into the record.

“The parents recite that, ‘Thank goodness for cameras and cell phones to have documented this incident’,” he said, adding that the family comes from an immigrant background and is “proud of their country and celebrated its independence.”

“The notoriety and publicity of this matter has indicated that they’re proud of their country, love their country, they have core values and refer to the history of their family,” the judge stated.

The judge concluded by noting that the victim and her parents “look forward to justice being served, and they thank all the agencies involved.”

Tracey, who had been living in Asbury Park with her husband, Matt Geroni, for the past three years, originally faced multiple charges, including child endangerment, simple assault, harassment, and obstruction.

Following her arrest, she was initially detained at the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark before being transferred to an ICE processing center in Laredo, Texas, where deportation proceedings continued.

Officials have not announced when Tracey will be returned to Canada or whether she will ever be permitted to reenter the United States. During sentencing, however, Judge Ryan indicated that any prohibition on returning would likely remain in place “for a very long time.”

Tracey’s husband did not attend Tuesday’s court hearing. Previously, he posted videos on TikTok criticizing the conditions at the Delaney Hall detention center, describing them as “horrible,” and urging followers to help secure his wife’s release from ICE custody, “even if that means back to Canada.”

Geroni, who refers to himself on social media as the “Jester of the Jersey Shore” and the “Clown of Asbury Park,” has also drawn attention for a series of inflammatory online posts.

Among them were videos posted last August in which he expressed hostility toward President Donald Trump and his family.

“Praying the entire Trump family gets cancer. And I mean everybody, like little kids ….,” one caption read alongside a video showing Geroni kneeling with his hands clasped.

In another post published the following day, he wrote, “Praying the next assassination attempt works.”

Apple is escalating its legal fight against OpenAI, asking a federal judge to immediately block the artificial intelligence company from accessing or using what it claims are stolen trade secrets tied to its hardware business. OpenAI has forcefully rejected the allegations, accusing Apple of making major factual errors—including sending a legal warning to the wrong executive.

In a filing submitted Monday, Apple requested a preliminary injunction preventing OpenAI and two former Apple employees from using, disclosing, or benefiting from confidential information that the iPhone maker alleges was improperly taken. Apple argued that without immediate court intervention, it faces irreparable harm.

OpenAI responded within hours with a sharply worded blog post describing Apple’s lawsuit as “careless, aggressive and oddly personal,” while disputing the company’s version of events.

Apple had previously claimed it warned OpenAI about the alleged theft in February but received no response. OpenAI denied that assertion and said Apple has since acknowledged that its outside attorneys mistakenly contacted the wrong person.

“Apple had claimed that they contacted OpenAI in February and that we didn’t respond. They now admit that their outside lawyers emailed the wrong person after confusing two Asian last names — only after we brought this to their attention,” OpenAI said.

According to emails released by OpenAI, attorney Gabriel Gross of the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges mistakenly sent a warning letter to OpenAI General Counsel Che Chang instead of a former Apple employee whose last name was Wang.

The correspondence also included a reference to a telephone conversation that OpenAI says never occurred. According to the company, Apple later withdrew that claim after the mistake was pointed out.

OpenAI said Chang replied by forwarding the email to Apple’s legal department, explaining that he had never spoken with Gross and had no idea who he was.

Gross later apologized for the error and indicated that Wang had agreed to cooperate. OpenAI said Apple then took no further action for five months before filing suit.

Apple launched the lawsuit on July 10 in federal court in Northern California, accusing OpenAI of orchestrating a coordinated effort to obtain confidential hardware information as it develops its first consumer device.

The complaint names former Apple senior system electrical engineer Chang Liu and former Apple vice president of product design Tang Yew Tan, who spent years overseeing products including the iPhone and Apple Watch before joining OpenAI to lead its hardware division.

Apple alleges Liu copied dozens of confidential hardware documents after leaving the company by using another employee’s laptop. It also claims Tan emailed supplier information to his personal account and advised departing employees on how to avoid scrutiny during Apple’s exit procedures.

OpenAI has rejected those allegations, insisting it possesses no Apple trade secrets and has no interest in acquiring them.

The company also published internal iMessage conversations that it says contradict Apple’s claims. According to OpenAI, the messages show Apple employees repeatedly contacting Liu after he had left the company, asking for help locating technical files and other information. One former colleague even joked that Liu remained “the best” source, “even if you don’t work here anymore.”

OpenAI argued that any continued access to Apple systems resulted from Apple’s own employee offboarding process, which it claims allowed former workers to retain access they neither requested nor expected.

Regarding Tan, OpenAI said the longtime Apple executive has consistently instructed his team not to use confidential information belonging to previous employers.

Apple is also seeking expedited discovery, asking the court to quickly order depositions of Liu, Tan, OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng, and another former Apple employee whose identity has not been disclosed.

In its court filing, Apple argued, “Apple will be irreparably harmed absent a preliminary injunction.”

OpenAI said it is willing to comply with three of Apple’s five requested restrictions, including prohibiting future access to any Apple confidential information, refraining from using such material, and preserving relevant evidence. However, the company opposes Apple’s request to allow its lawyers and forensic investigators to inspect OpenAI’s computers, storage devices, and internal networks.

The legal battle carries enormous implications for both companies. More than 400 former Apple employees have joined OpenAI, which industry analysts believe is developing an AI-powered consumer device that could eventually compete directly with smartphones—and potentially challenge the iPhone’s dominant position in the marketplace.

The dispute marks another major courtroom battle for OpenAI, which earlier this year successfully defeated a separate legal challenge brought by Elon Musk’s xAI.

SpaceX delivered its first quarterly earnings report as a publicly traded company on Tuesday, reporting a 92% jump in revenue while exceeding Wall Street expectations despite posting a quarterly loss. The results come after a turbulent first few months on the stock market, as investors have grown increasingly wary of soaring artificial intelligence spending.

Elon Musk’s aerospace company reported second-quarter revenue of $7.8 billion, well above analysts’ expectations of $6.93 billion. SpaceX posted an operating loss of $143 million and a net loss of $541 million, while reporting a loss of $0.09 per share—significantly better than the $0.26 per-share loss analysts had projected.

The earnings release marks the company’s first financial update since its historic June initial public offering, when SpaceX debuted at $150 per share and raised $86 billion in what became the largest IPO on record.

Since going public, however, the company’s stock has fallen approximately 24%, erasing roughly $500 billion in market value as investors have become increasingly cautious about the lofty valuations of AI companies and their massive infrastructure spending.

Following the earnings announcement, SpaceX shares initially rose during regular trading before dropping as much as 8% in after-hours trading.

The company attributed much of its spending to continued investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, Starship development, and the expansion of its Starlink satellite internet network. During the second quarter alone, SpaceX invested $18.37 billion in those initiatives.

The company reported a $4.9 billion loss last year, largely driven by its aggressive investments in AI infrastructure.

While SpaceX’s rocket launch business continues to secure major government contracts—including missions for NASA—it remained unprofitable during the reporting period.

The company’s strongest financial performance continued to come from its communications division, led by the Starlink satellite internet service, which provides connectivity to consumers as well as government and military customers and remains SpaceX’s only profitable business segment.

During Tuesday’s earnings call, Musk expressed confidence in Starlink’s long-term potential.

“It’s not out of the question that, at some point, Starlink will deliver a majority of the world’s internet, at least in countries where we are allowed to operate, which is the vast majority of countries,” Musk said.

Investors could face additional volatility later this week as SpaceX’s post-IPO lock-up period begins to expire on Thursday, allowing insiders and early investors to begin selling shares on the open market.

Despite recent stock-market pressure, SpaceX has continued to win major government contracts that could strengthen its financial performance during the second half of the year.

In late July, the company secured a $1.6 billion launch contract from the U.S. Space Force. Earlier this year, it also won national security satellite contracts worth approximately $6.5 billion.

Meanwhile, SpaceX continues testing its massive Starship rocket, which is expected to eventually launch the company’s next-generation “V3” Starlink satellites—significantly larger spacecraft designed to expand the capacity and reach of its growing global satellite network.

Fresh attacks on commercial vessels in the Middle East are raising new concerns about efforts to secure an agreement with Iran that would ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, even as U.S. officials say negotiations continue to make progress.

The latest incidents unfolded early Tuesday, when a commercial vessel sailing near Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Authorities are also investigating a separate attack on another ship in the same region.

The renewed violence came on the same day Houthi rebels were blamed for sinking an Indian commercial vessel in the Red Sea, reinforcing fears that some of the world’s most critical shipping lanes remain vulnerable despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

In response to the attack, India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the violence, saying, “The continued incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome.”

Despite the deteriorating security situation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism that negotiations with Iran are continuing to move forward.

“There’s oil moving right now through the straits. You know there are ships moving through the straits. There’s oil moving right now through the straits. So the straits are open, nonetheless,” Rubio said.

He added, “I think that there’s a conversation and negotiation that we are involved in between Oman and Iran on how more ships can be able to go through there safely in the short term as we move towards these longer-term talks about denuclearization.”

Rubio concluded by saying, “And suffice it to say, there’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet.”

His comments followed remarks earlier Tuesday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who suggested an agreement could be reached within days.

“We are in talks with the Iranians,” Bessent said during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box. “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict.”

Bessent’s comments helped push oil prices lower, with crude falling below $77 per barrel as investors anticipated the possibility of a breakthrough that would stabilize one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

Even so, negotiations remain complicated by reports that Iran wants a central role in regulating maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, Tehran has proposed charging commercial vessels fees for using the strategic waterway.

Trump administration officials strongly disputed those reports, insisting Iran would not be permitted to impose tolls on international shipping.

“Any temporary routes will be without any impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions and no tolls or charges,” a U.S. official said. “The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and no party controls the lanes or the ability to transit through them.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the negotiations Monday, describing the current discussions as Iran’s “last chance for them to sign a good document” before “decapitation,” referring to the possibility of military strikes targeting Iran’s leadership.

Trump’s remarks came after he said he had called off a military operation against Iran that he claimed would have rivaled “World War II,” believing Tehran was prepared to pursue a negotiated agreement instead.

Iran also disclosed Monday that its proposed navigation plan would establish two designated shipping corridors through the Strait of Hormuz, with vessels entering along a northern route close to Iran’s coastline and exiting through a southern lane near Oman.

Meanwhile, UKMTO said the commercial vessel struck near Oman sustained damage after being hit by an unidentified projectile. Authorities are continuing to investigate the attack while urging all ships operating in the region to remain on heightened alert.

The latest attacks underscore the fragile security environment surrounding the negotiations, as Oman continues mediating talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz before broader discussions turn to Iran’s nuclear program.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, carrying roughly one-fifth of all globally traded seaborne oil.

Federal and local law enforcement officers arrested a heavily armed Southern California man outside President Donald Trump’s golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes on Sunday after authorities said he was photographing the property and observing security preparations just two days before the president’s scheduled visit.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele of Downey, California, was taken into custody after plainclothes FBI agents noticed what they considered suspicious behavior on the grounds of Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.

Investigators said Taele was allegedly documenting the property, taking photographs and videos, and monitoring security-related activity surrounding preparations for Trump’s upcoming appearance at the club.

According to authorities, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene at approximately 3:28 p.m. after receiving information from federal agents.

When deputies questioned Taele, they discovered he was already under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department in connection with a robbery case. A pat-down search allegedly uncovered a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition in his pants pocket.

A subsequent search of Taele’s vehicle parked at the golf course uncovered what authorities described as a significant cache of weapons and tactical equipment, including an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, an AR-platform upper receiver, a loaded 1911 .45-caliber pistol with a round chambered, two radio signal devices, body armor, multiple high-capacity magazines, large quantities of rifle and pistol ammunition, and several notebooks containing what investigators described as concerning writings.

Taele was arrested on charges including carrying a concealed firearm and possession of prohibited ammunition.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said detectives assigned to its Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant Monday at Taele’s residence in Downey as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities said the case has since been presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with additional criminal charges possible as investigators continue working alongside the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.

Although the investigation remains active, officials emphasized that they have found no credible threat to the surrounding community at this time.

Trump was scheduled to arrive in the Los Angeles area Tuesday evening for a series of events highlighting his administration’s economic policies, border security agenda, and public safety initiatives.

The president is expected to attend a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner at Trump National Golf Club before departing for Nevada the following day.

Ahead of the visit, the White House promoted the president’s agenda.

“President Trump will visit California on Tuesday to tout his wins for the people of the Golden State despite failed Democrat leadership: the largest middle-class tax cut ever, the most secure border in American history, and a plummeting crime rate,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said.

Wales also sharply criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom, accusing him of “raising taxes, inviting rampant fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, and protecting illegal immigrant drug dealers, rapists, and murderers.”

Newsom’s office responded by criticizing Trump’s visit, saying, “Donald Trump is coming to Los Angeles County to raise money while wildfire survivors are still waiting for the federal recovery funding he promised 18 months ago.”

The governor’s office added, “Californians deserve a president focused on helping families rebuild — not raising money for himself at his golf course.”

In advance of Trump’s appearance, Newsom’s office also sought to counter expected criticism by highlighting declines in crime and efforts by the state to combat fraud.

Trump’s last official visit to California came in January 2025, when he toured areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.

The Trump Justice Department has launched an active effort to investigate antisemitic crimes in New York City and has sent Mayor Zohran Mamdani a letter seeking answers over allegations of the “unequal treatment” of Jewish residents, according to federal officials and community leaders.

The development follows a pair of violent attacks on Manhattan’s Upper West Side last month, when police say 51-year-old Raul Morales shouted “Allahu Akbar!” while stabbing a Jewish man and, in a separate incident, an Asian man.

In the aftermath of the attacks, a number of prominent Jewish leaders placed blame on Mamdani, citing his repeated criticism of Israel. The mayor has accused Israel of committing “genocide” during the war in Gaza and has called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

New NYPD statistics released Monday also showed that hate crimes have continued to rise across New York City under Mamdani’s administration, with more than half of all reported hate-crime incidents this year targeting Jewish New Yorkers.

Last week, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, met with Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former New York state assemblyman, to discuss concerns surrounding antisemitic hate crimes in the city.

Dhillon’s office also sent a letter to Mamdani requesting information regarding the allegations.

“The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is actively investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, including antisemitism, in New York City and nationwide,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

“The Civil Rights Division has an extensive and active portfolio of antisemitism enforcement, including indictments, prosecutions, settlements, and investigations across the country.”

Hikind said Dhillon personally informed him that the letter seeks a response from the mayor concerning what it describes as the “unequal treatment” of Jewish New Yorkers.

“The Justice Department is taking antisemitism very seriously,’’ Hikind said.

“The king of antisemitism is none other than Mayor Mamdani.’’

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, also suggested that Mamdani’s rhetoric toward Israel has contributed to a climate that encourages antisemitic violence.

“Hey,@NYCMayor Mamdani — Law enforcement says the man they arrested for attacking a synagogue in Sarasota, FL, was motivated by social media propaganda,” Greenblatt wrote on X.

“The man reportedly reposted your video demonizing the Jewish state. Words have consequences. Your inflammatory rhetoric can lead to violence.

“Jewish people and institutions are being attacked in NYC and across the country because of hateful and demonizing rhetoric,’’ Greenblatt said.

“The Jewish community deserves leaders who will confront antisemitism and protect Jewish New Yorkers, not fan the flames of hate.”

The mayor has previously said he takes antisemitism seriously and has pointed to increased city funding for anti-hate initiatives as evidence of his administration’s commitment to combating antisemitic violence.

{Matzav.com}

The soaring cost of wigs in the Chareidi community has sparked a growing debate, with some high-end wigs now selling for as much as NIS 40,000 (more than $11,000). Claiming the prices have spiraled far beyond what is reasonable, Chabad attorney Nechama Tzivin has launched a campaign urging rabbinic courts to intervene and regulate the industry, arguing that wigs have become an essential religious necessity rather than a luxury item. Wig manufacturers, however, insist the rising prices simply reflect increased demand, higher-quality materials, and far greater production costs.

Tzivin, a longtime resident of Kfar Chabad and a veteran attorney, recalls a time when quality wigs cost only a few thousand shekels. Today, she says, married women routinely spend tens of thousands of shekels on natural-hair wigs, a trend she believes cannot be justified. She is preparing to submit a formal petition to the Chabad rabbinical court asking it to impose limits on pricing and says she intends to bring similar petitions before other rabbinical courts as well.

Coming from a multigenerational Chabad family, Tzivin argues that wigs should be classified under chayei nefesh—items considered essential to daily religious life under halachah. If that status is granted, she believes rabbinical authorities would have grounds to regulate excessive profits and establish limits on pricing.

“I am not claiming to speak on behalf of Chabad,” she emphasized. “I am simply expressing my opinion as someone who belongs to the movement and lives deeply within it.”

Tzivin noted that the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, gave clear guidance decades ago encouraging married women to cover their hair specifically with wigs.

“There is a categorical directive from the Rebbe that head covering should be with a wig,” she said. “That instruction dates back to the 1950s. The Rebbe encouraged women to purchase wigs and even instructed that financial assistance be provided to women who could not afford them.”

She explained that while wigs were once relatively uncommon and expensive, they gradually became an accepted and expected part of life for married Chabad women.

“Today the feeling is that a woman simply has to cover her hair with a wig,” she said.

According to Tzivin, the dramatic increase in prices has coincided with advances in wig manufacturing that have made them increasingly natural-looking.

“The more realistic wigs became and the more they resembled natural hair, the more dramatically prices climbed,” she said. “We’ve examined the issue, and the production costs simply do not justify these increases.”

She added that many young brides now insist on purchasing the most natural-looking wigs available, making the wig one of the largest expenses associated with a wedding.

“It isn’t only the bride who bears the cost,” she said. “The burden falls on her mother, her sisters, and the entire family.”

Reflecting on her own experience, Tzivin said the changes have been staggering.

“When I got married 50 years ago, wigs looked much less realistic and the prices were perfectly reasonable,” she said. “Even when my daughters married in the early 2000s, buying a wig was a significant expense, but it was still manageable.”

She noted that her most recent wig, purchased three years ago, cost NIS 18,000, compared with roughly NIS 5,000 to NIS 6,000 for the one before it.

“Today, the average wig in Kfar Chabad costs about NIS 30,000, and some sell for NIS 40,000,” she said. “There has always been healthy profit in this business, but today we’re talking about completely different levels.”

Tzivin attributes much of the increase to social media and growing pressure to achieve an ideal appearance.

“The demand for the most natural wigs continues to grow, and that demand is being fully exploited,” she argued. “Psychology plays a huge role. As demand rises, prices keep climbing.”

She recently heard from a friend whose granddaughter is preparing for her wedding.

“Her wig is going to cost NIS 40,000,” Tzivin said. “To me, this is similar to what has happened with other products associated with mitzvos, such as shmurah matzah, tefillin, and talleisim, where prices have also climbed far beyond what seems reasonable.”

She said her frustration ultimately prompted her to take action.

“I say this with pain, but today it feels as though in order to be a Chabad woman—or even a Chareidi woman—you have to be a sucker,” she remarked. “The prices have become outrageous, particularly for products that are an inseparable part of religious life.”

Rejecting comparisons between wigs and luxury consumer products, Tzivin insisted that a wig cannot simply be viewed as an optional purchase.

“People ask why we need to fight this. They say some people buy million-dollar cars while others buy used cars, so why should wigs be different?” she said. “But that’s the wrong comparison. Cars, homes, and cosmetics are not mitzvos. For a Chabad woman, a wig is a basic necessity. In halachic terminology, it is a chayei nefesh item.”

She stressed that her campaign is not directed against wigmakers earning a legitimate profit.

“Our argument is not against making money,” she explained. “If someone wants to buy a simple synthetic wig, they can do that. The issue is that some wigs generate profit margins of hundreds of percent.”

She continued: “We’re not asking anyone to sell at a loss. If a wig costs NIS 20,000 to produce, the seller is entitled to earn the profit permitted by halachah. But you cannot charge NIS 40,000 simply because it’s a mitzvah item and women feel obligated to buy it.”

Tzivin also criticized the high cost of wig maintenance.

“Products that can be purchased online for a few dozen shekels are sold by wig stylists for hundreds,” she said. “In the wig industry, there is a feeling of exploitation from beginning to end. Covering one’s hair is a mitzvah, and fulfilling a mitzvah should be within reach. Our problem is the excessive profits being made by wig manufacturers.”

Her proposal would place all wigs—whether synthetic or natural hair—under the same halachic pricing framework.

“The goal is for wigs to receive the status of chayei nefesh,” she explained. “Once that happens, every wig would be subject to the same rules regarding acceptable profit.”

Based on information she says she has received, profit margins in some cases reach 200 to 300 percent.

“And it doesn’t end with the wig itself,” she added. “After the purchase, customers are encouraged to buy special shampoos, serums, treatment products, and accessories. The ongoing maintenance has become part of the problem.”

According to Tzivin, the issue extends well beyond Israel.

She said women from France and other countries have contacted her to describe similar concerns. One activist from France, Gila Maman, founder of the FairWigs organization, wrote to express support for the campaign.

“I wanted to personally thank you for your courage and the incredible work you’re doing on behalf of women,” Maman wrote. “It was deeply moving to read about your initiative. It is inspiring to see someone willing to stand up to a system that has left so many women feeling unheard and powerless.”

Maman said many women in France have stopped wearing wigs altogether because of the financial burden and frustration surrounding the industry.

“Many women feel trapped, silenced, and alone under the dictatorship of wigs,” she wrote. “You have no idea how many women in France have told me they stopped covering their hair because of all the problems involved.”

She described how FairWigs provides free wigs, free repairs, charitable assistance, and legal help for women experiencing disputes with wig manufacturers, expressing hope that the movement would eventually expand worldwide.

Despite her criticism of current pricing, Tzivin emphasized that she has no objection to women wanting beautiful wigs.

“I have absolutely no criticism of women who want to wear an attractive wig,” she said. “On the contrary, I think it’s wonderful that we live in a generation where women—including religious women—want to feel good about themselves.”

She added that every woman has the right to look her best.

“If someone wants to look like a beauty queen or as though she just walked out of a Louis Vuitton fashion show, that’s her right,” she said. “But covering one’s hair is a mitzvah, and performing that mitzvah must remain affordable. Our problem is with the outrageous profits that have nothing to do with manufacturing costs.”

Tzivin expressed confidence that her effort would ultimately succeed.

“I can say with a high degree of certainty that this campaign to stop runaway pricing will succeed,” she said. “After extensive halachic research and consultations with numerous rabbanim and dayanim, I discovered broad agreement both about the seriousness of the problem and the tools available to address it.”

She noted that only about 20 major wigmakers would ultimately be affected by a rabbinical ruling.

“I cannot imagine they would openly defy a ruling from a beis din,” she said. “They would not risk a customer boycott.”

She called the campaign “a golden opportunity” for rabbinical leaders to address an issue affecting tens of thousands of religious women throughout Israel and around the world.

“Until now, women had no real voice to rescue them from this tremendous financial burden,” she said.

Not everyone in the industry agrees.

Zehava Weitzman, who has owned a boutique wig business for three decades, says rising prices are the natural result of changes in both demand and production.

“Demand has increased, and so have manufacturing standards and quality,” she said. “Customers want the highest-quality hair available.”

She noted that roughly 40 percent of her clientele are not religious at all.

“Many of my customers are women battling cancer, alopecia, or thinning hair,” she explained. “Others are Chareidi women. They all want the same quality. This is simply supply and demand.”

According to Weitzman, natural human hair has become an increasingly scarce commodity.

“Like diamonds, we’re dealing with a rare raw material,” she said. “Only in this case, it’s human hair.”

She said the wholesale cost of hair has risen dramatically.

“Twenty years ago we paid about $400 per kilogram. Today we pay between $6,000 and $7,000 per kilogram just for the raw hair.”

She explained that approximately 70 percent of raw hair purchased cannot be used for Israeli wigs because only long strands are suitable.

Manufacturing has also changed significantly.

“Years ago, most wigs were made in China,” she said. “I used to order thousands of finished wigs directly from factories. Today, most production is done here in Israel, where labor costs are much higher and craftsmanship is on an entirely different level.”

Weitzman believes current retail prices accurately reflect the amount of work involved.

“Think about a wedding gown,” she said. “People understand why a wedding dress can cost NIS 17,000 or NIS 18,000 even though it’s worn for only a few hours.”

She contrasted that with a custom wig.

“A wig requires countless hours of work, and the job doesn’t end after delivery,” she said. “For an entire year customers come back for adjustments, repairs, refinements, and improvements, all of which are included.”

She added that consumers always have options.

“Just as you can buy inexpensive clothing or luxury clothing, you can buy a simpler wig or one that’s handcrafted to look as though the hair is growing naturally from the scalp. People who want that level of craftsmanship pay for quality.”

Weitzman firmly rejected accusations that wigmakers are exploiting religious women.

“I’ve heard the claim that we’re making huge profits off religious women, but that’s simply untrue,” she said. “Yes, religious women today invest more in their appearance, but that doesn’t mean we’re taking advantage of them.”

She also disputed claims of enormous profit margins.

“When I imported finished wigs from China, it was easy to calculate profit,” she explained. “Today, when I produce a wig myself, I often don’t even know what my final profit will be. I spend a year continuing to work with each customer, making adjustments, replacing hair, and refining the wig. Many times I discover in the end that I barely earned anything.”

One notable exception exists within the Chareidi world. In the Gerer community, maximum prices have been established for wigs, while in most other Chassidic communities, prices remain largely unregulated and can reach substantially higher levels.

Israel has significantly tightened its policy governing targeted strikes in the Gaza Strip, with the IDF now requiring personal approval from Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir before carrying out most targeted killings, according to a security source.

The revised procedures were implemented in recent days after a decision by Israel’s political leadership to impose stricter oversight on offensive operations in Gaza.

Under the new guidelines, authority to approve targeted assassinations has been centralized, meaning such operations can no longer be authorized by lower-ranking commanders. Instead, they must receive the direct approval of the IDF chief of staff.

The new policy does not affect situations in which Israeli troops face an immediate threat in the field. According to the security source, soldiers will continue to respond without hesitation to attacks or other imminent dangers, following the same operational procedures currently in place.

The changes apply specifically to preplanned strikes against individuals who are not posing an immediate threat, including terrorists being monitored through intelligence operations. Previously, those missions could be approved by senior field commanders, including regional and division commanders. Going forward, only the chief of staff will have the authority to authorize such operations.

The security source said the directive stems from a decision by Israel’s political leadership and comes as Israel, the United States, and international mediators continue efforts to advance negotiations with Hamas.

According to the source, the stricter approval process is expected to substantially reduce the number of targeted killings carried out in Gaza. That trend, the source said, has already become evident, with the pace of Israeli strikes declining noticeably in recent days.

{Matzav.com}

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Britain’s Reform UK party, is under investigation by Parliament’s standards watchdog over whether he should have verbally disclosed a trip to Israel sponsored by a pro-Israel organization before participating in a House of Commons debate on alleged Israeli influence in British politics.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards opened the investigation on July 28, although the inquiry was not publicly disclosed until Monday. At issue is whether Tice should have made an oral declaration before speaking during a June 22 parliamentary debate that he had traveled to Israel in September 2025 as the guest of Reform Friends of Israel.

The Israel trip had already been properly listed in Parliament’s Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

Tice dismissed the complaint, arguing that it is politically motivated and stems from his outspoken opposition to antisemitism.

“I am being investigated for standing against antisemitism. You could not make it up,” he wrote Monday on X.

In the same post, Tice alleged—without naming the complainant—that the complaint was filed by an “antisemitic anti-Israel lobby group.” Under parliamentary rules, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards does not identify complainants while investigations are ongoing, and no individual or organization has publicly claimed responsibility for filing the complaint.

The September 2025 visit to Israel included airfare, lodging, and hospitality provided by Reform Friends of Israel, an organization that works with Reform UK candidates and elected officials to strengthen ties between the United Kingdom and Israel. The investigation will determine whether parliamentary rules required Tice to mention that sponsored trip orally before taking part in the June debate.

The Commons debate was triggered after a public petition surpassed 100,000 signatures, qualifying it for parliamentary consideration. The petition called for an investigation into what its organizers described as “pro-Israel influence.”

During the debate, Tice forcefully rejected the premise of the petition, calling it “antisemitic in its very motivation and at its core.”

He also argued that accusations of excessive Jewish or Israeli influence in politics echoed “the oldest antisemitic trope in the book” and defended the role of parliamentary organizations such as Conservative Friends of Israel and Labour Friends of Israel.

“We should celebrate the extraordinary genius and impact of Israeli scientists, entrepreneurs, and people specializing in medical research and AI applications, the work they do and the innovation they create, whether they are in the State of Israel or living somewhere else, such as London,” Tice said during the debate.

Tice also praised then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to combat antisemitism within the Labour Party and maintained that Parliament should reject claims that Jewish organizations or supporters of Israel wield improper influence over Britain’s political system.

In his X post, Tice further claimed that the same group responsible for filing the complaint against him had not sought an investigation into independent MP Ayoub Khan, whom he accused of failing to disclose a donation from a pro-Palestinian organization. Tice did not identify either the complainant or the organization involved, and Khan has not publicly responded to the allegation.

Mir, Belarus: A delegation from Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, led by Hagaon Harav Nachman Levovitz, shlita, traveled today to the town of Mir to mark the completion of the newly rebuilt ohel over the kever of his grandfather, the legendary Mashgiach Hagaon Harav Yerucham Halevi Levovitz, zt”l.

The restoration was undertaken as the Torah world commemorates the Mashgiach’s ninetieth yahrzeit. The project included the renovation of the matzeivah and the rebuilding of the ohel that once stood above the kever, creating a fitting makom where talmidim and visitors can come to daven and connect with the enduring legacy of the Mashgiach. The project was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Zevi and Dina Wolmark of Los Angeles, in honor of Rav Nachman and as an expression of appreciation for his decades of devotion to the Mir.

The visit followed a special tribute presented at the Yeshiva’s recent dinner, where Rav Nachman, an einikel of the Mashgiach and one of the Roshei Yeshiva of Mir, was recognized as a living link to his grandfather’s mesorah. For close to fifty years, Rav Nachman has carried significant responsibility for the Torah and continued growth of the Yeshiva, while helping shoulder the burden of its support.

At the new ohel, Rav Nachman and members of the delegation recited Tehillim and tefillos, followed by the first Kaddish in the completed structure. The delegation also visited the historic building of the Mir Yeshiva and davened at the mass grave where 1,592 Jews from Mir were murdered by the Nazis in November 1941.

Just over ninety years after the Mashgiach’s petirah, his teachings continue to shape the Mir and generations of bnei Torah throughout the world. His emphasis on shleimus ha’adam, clarity of purpose and bein adam l’chaveiro remains deeply embedded in the Yeshiva’s chinuch and mesorah.

The rebuilding of the ohel stands not only as a memorial to the past, but as a place of tefillah and connection for future generations, ensuring that the light of the Mashgiach continues to illuminate Klal Yisrael.

A potentially dangerous situation ended safely Tuesday night after a mother and her eight children, who had lost contact with their family during a hike in the Gush Etzion region, were located unharmed following an extensive search.

The family, from Beitar Illit, had set out earlier in the day for an outing near the community of Tekoa in eastern Gush Etzion. According to police, concern grew after several hours passed without any communication from the group and nightfall arrived. Family members eventually contacted Israel Police, fearing they had become lost.

In response, volunteers from the Etzion-Yehuda Police Rescue Unit, together with the security department of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, launched a wide-ranging search of the area.

The missing group consisted of a mother and her eight children, ranging in age from 3 to 18.

During the search, one of the rescue unit’s volunteers spotted the family after they safely arrived in the nearby community of Nokdim. The mother and all eight children were found in good health, bringing the anxious search to a successful conclusion.

Following the incident, Israel Police renewed their annual bein hazemanim safety message, urging families heading out on hikes to prepare carefully before entering the outdoors. Police advised hikers to familiarize themselves with their route, choose trails appropriate for the group’s abilities, carry an adequate supply of water, inform relatives of their plans, and schedule hikes so they conclude before nightfall.

{Matzav.com}

In a move aimed at encouraging additional shidduchim for older bochurim, the Satmar community in Williamsburg has announced a temporary 50 percent increase in the financial incentive awarded to successful shadchanim.

Under the new initiative, anyone who successfully arranges a shidduch for an older bochur will receive a $7,500 bonus, up from the longstanding $5,000 payment. The enhanced incentive will remain in effect through Sukkos, after which the reward will return to its regular amount of $5,000.

The announcement was made during a special trip to Kerestir, where a group of bochurim traveled under the leadership of Rav Yaakov Ber Teitelbaum, the Sigheter Rav of Boro Park and a son of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum. The initiative was shared with participants during the visit as part of the community’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and encourage shidduchim.

The incentive is being funded by noted Satmar philanthropist R’ Lipa Friedman, who also sponsors the community’s year-round shadchan bonus program. By temporarily increasing the award during this period, community leaders hope to inspire even greater efforts on behalf of older bochurim who are still awaiting their zivug.

The expanded incentive reflects the continued emphasis placed within the Satmar community on assisting older singles and recognizing the tireless work of shadchanim, whose efforts often require countless hours of dedication behind the scenes. Community members expressed hope that the increased reward will lead to many more simchos in the weeks leading up to Sukkos.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. military has reportedly depleted nearly all of its inventory of long-range precision surface-to-surface missiles during the five-month conflict with Iran, raising concerns inside the Trump administration about America’s ability to respond to future military crises involving adversaries such as China or Russia.

According to three people familiar with internal military data, the Army has used “virtually all” of its stockpile of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and the newer Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). The extent of the depletion has not previously been reported.

Both weapons are among the Army’s most important long-range precision munitions, allowing forces to strike distant targets with high accuracy while remaining outside the range of enemy defenses. Each missile costs more than $1 million. ATACMS has also been widely used by Ukraine against Russian targets, while the newer PrSM is gradually replacing the older missile because of its greater range and more advanced capabilities.

The sharp reduction in these weapons could leave President Donald Trump with fewer long-range strike options if the United States launches another major offensive against Iran, potentially increasing reliance on manned aircraft and bombing missions that carry greater risks for American pilots.

The sources declined to disclose exactly how many ATACMS or PrSM missiles remain in the U.S. arsenal.

President Trump launched the military campaign against Iran alongside Israel in February, initially predicting the conflict would be brief. However, as fighting has stretched into its fifth month, officials familiar with the matter have reportedly become increasingly concerned that dwindling missile inventories could weaken America’s deterrence against other global rivals.

A fourth source familiar with the situation said U.S. Central Command had nearly exhausted the land-based missile inventory it possessed at the start of the conflict but has replenished supplies by drawing weapons from stockpiles stationed elsewhere around the world.

All four sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the classified information publicly.

Asked about the reported stockpile levels, the White House released a statement from President Trump dismissing concerns over America’s military readiness.

The president said the United States possesses “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and “far more than we need.”

“Our defense companies are, at this moment, making more munitions than they have ever made before, in addition to expanding their plants and equipment at record levels,” Trump said.

Defense analysts generally agree that U.S. production of artillery shells and several classes of missiles has reached record levels. However, many caution that manufacturing may still be insufficient to sustain a lengthy, high-intensity conflict.

Lockheed Martin, which manufactures both ATACMS and PrSM missiles as well as the THAAD missile defense system, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Raytheon, which produces Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot missile interceptors, also declined to comment on reported inventory levels.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell rejected suggestions that the military’s readiness has been compromised.

“America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing. We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests.”

According to the report, internal figures detailing the missile inventories have circulated throughout the federal government over the past week, fueling discussions within the Trump administration about how long military operations against Iran can continue before the shrinking stockpiles begin affecting the nation’s ability to respond to emergencies elsewhere.

One source said the heavy use of ATACMS and PrSM missiles reflected a deliberate strategy by the Trump administration to reduce the risks associated with sending manned aircraft into heavily defended Iranian airspace.

Military experts note that these long-range precision weapons would also play a critical role in any future conflict involving an adversary with sophisticated air defenses, such as China. A March report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the missiles have already been used to strike targets inside Iran.

The CSIS report also noted that PrSM inventories were relatively limited even before the war because the missile is still entering service. However, the Army has placed substantial orders for additional missiles scheduled for delivery beginning in 2027, while ATACMS production is being phased out in favor of the newer system.

According to two sources, senior military officials have spent weeks warning President Trump that supplies of defensive weapons—including Patriot missile interceptors used against ballistic missiles—have also fallen significantly. Several media reports last week suggested Trump decided against launching another major attack on Iran after advisers raised concerns about the remaining stockpiles.

A U.S. official disputed that account, saying the president’s decision was instead influenced by pressure from Gulf nations.

The conflict has also renewed debate over President Trump’s authority to conduct sustained military operations against Iran without congressional approval. Congress has not received either a declaration of war or a formal authorization for the use of military force.

Last week, CSIS estimated that approximately 65% of America’s Patriot interceptor inventory had been used between February and July, while the nation’s stockpile of THAAD interceptors had declined by at least 38% since the conflict began. Both systems are designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles and are considered among the most advanced missile defense platforms in the U.S. arsenal.

Although Reuters was unable to independently review the classified inventory figures, two sources said the CSIS estimates closely matched internal government assessments.

One source also said the United States has expended just under half of its worldwide inventory of Tomahawk cruise missiles since the start of the war. The sea-launched weapon, fired from Navy destroyers, cruisers, and submarines, has long served as one of America’s primary options for striking heavily defended targets without placing pilots in danger.

As the Pentagon seeks to rebuild its inventories, Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, has reached a tentative multi-year agreement with the Defense Department to significantly increase production of Tomahawk missiles alongside several other critical munitions.