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Sen. John Fetterman blasted a rising group of progressive Democratic candidates in New York on Tuesday, accusing them of harboring hostility toward Israel, embracing radical policies, and steering the Democratic Party in a dangerous direction.

Speaking on Fox News Channel’s Hannity, the Pennsylvania Democrat expressed alarm over the success of several left-wing candidates in New York and suggested that traditional Democrats are being pushed aside by a more extreme faction.

“These are the kind of people that are trying to run out of office, I mean, they’re just good traditional kinds of Democrats. You would have expected it in New York City. And now this has just become really, it’s just the dancing days of the dirtbag left. You know, with some of these outrageous candidates. You know, you have candidates. They’re here to abolish ICE, abolish the police, abolish the border, and she even said, F Kamala Harris and more of these outrageous kinds of things.”

Fetterman went on to argue that many of the candidates gaining momentum within the party represent a deeply anti-Israel movement that is increasingly at odds with mainstream Democratic voters.

“I mean, these are the emerging full pro-Hamas wing. You know, a lot of these candidates that very likely are going to win tonight, just declaring a war on just regular Democrats.”

Host Sean Hannity then asked Fetterman why he believes some progressives display such strong opposition to Israel.

“Let me ask this: Why the deep hatred for Israel? Why?”

In response, Fetterman linked anti-Israel sentiment to broader opposition toward the United States and Western values.

“Because I mean, you have such contempt for Israel, I mean, of course, you’re also anti-American, and you’re anti-Western civilization. And you’re anti-capitalism and the American way of life.”

The senator also criticized what he described as the growing embrace of socialist, communist, and Marxist ideologies among some figures on the political left.

“Now, I mean, they’re all socialists, of course. Now there is communists and now Marxists and now they’re proud of this.”

{Matzav.com}

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called Tuesday for a sweeping increase in global climate spending, urging governments, development banks, and financial institutions to dramatically expand investments aimed at combating climate-related challenges and supporting developing nations.

Speaking during London Climate Action Week, Guterres argued that the world is not investing enough to address the growing effects of climate change and warned that communities across the globe are already experiencing its consequences.

“We must do far more to protect people and communities from the here-and-now effects of climate chaos,” Guterres said. “Because even at full speed, we cannot outrun climate change. Its impacts are already here, compounding and cascading.”

The U.N. leader also focused attention on Africa, describing the continent as rich in energy resources but largely overlooked by international investors despite its enormous potential.

“Africa is home to 60% of the world’s best solar resources, 30% of critical minerals, 1/5 of humanity,” Guterres continued. “Yet it receives just 2% of global clean energy investment. At the same time, more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. This is unjust and a lost opportunity for Africa and the world.”

Guterres called on wealthier nations to fulfill their climate-financing obligations and significantly increase support for developing countries, arguing that existing commitments must be transformed into far larger long-term investments.

“Developed countries must keep their promises, including support to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and the Green Climate Fund. The $300 billion pledged to developing countries must be delivered with concrete steps to mobilize the $1.3 trillion a year by 2035,” Guterres said. “In a world of shrinking aid, we must also unleash the catalytic role of multilateral development banks and the wider development finance system to help fund long-term infrastructure such as grids, mass transit, and water systems.”

The secretary-general further pressed international lending institutions to take a more aggressive role in funding major infrastructure projects and climate adaptation efforts, arguing that recent reforms have given them the financial capacity to do much more.

“Recent reforms and policy decisions have increased the lending capacity of multilateral development banks by 600 to 800 billion U.S. dollars. They must use it aggressively to finance the infrastructure of the future and climate adaptation,” Guterres continued. “They must also adapt their instruments to match the scale and time frame of the challenge, including 50-year finance where needed.”

Guterres’ remarks reflected the United Nations’ continuing push for large-scale international funding commitments as global leaders debate how to finance climate initiatives, energy transitions, and infrastructure projects in developing regions over the coming decades.

Why is there so much more Beis Yosef meat available today? What does “glatt” really mean? And are all glatt and Beis Yosef standards the same? Rabbi Zvi Fishbane, Rosh HaShochtim of the cRc, takes us inside the world of shechita, tracing the evolution of kosher meat standards and explaining what consumers should know.

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R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Hello everyone and welcome back to Let’s Talk Kashrus, presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project in conjunction with the CRC of Chicago. Today I am privileged to be joined by Rabbi Zvi Fishbane, long-time Rosh Hashochtim at the CRC of Chicago. Rabbi Fishbane, welcome. 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: Thank you, Shalom. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: I’ve been privileged in the past to talk to your son, Reb Sholem. 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: Yes, Baruch Hashem, we’re very proud. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: And today we are zocheh to have you after all this time. 

So you’ve been the Rosh Hashochtim at the CRC of Chicago. You’ve basically seen everything in the field of shchita. 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: I joined the world of shchita more than fifty years ago. And Baruch Hashem, I’ve seen a transition of the shchita standards from fifty years ago from the old time until today, and I’ve seen the transition to be on a higher and going on a higher, higher madreiga, then always looking for more hiddurim and more availability on a higher standard of kashrus, Baruch Hashem. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Very often when we hear people reminisce about the old times, they like to say how great things were back then. In the field of kashrus and specifically shchita, what do you see as the primary difference, or at least maybe even take us down memory lane, walk through what it was like five decades ago and then gradually to where we are today? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: Well, it’s just very simple is that today, Baruch Hashem, the Olam HaTorah and even the Olam HaChassidus is much more learned and much more broaderthan it was for the people who were living in America before the war. And because they are such on a higher and they’re more learned with such a higher learning background, they understand more and they are demanding more. Once you’re demanding more, so therefore the industry has to keep up with the demands. 

I’ll give you a very simple example is that when there was a controversy of nikur or a controversy of chalav Yisrael, what happened? People would rather abstain from eating than get into shailos and look for heterim. So mimaila that itself was a reason that they upgraded the standards to supply the demands of the tzibur, Baruch Hashem. And that’s when I started the shchita world over fifty years ago, the idea of Glatt Kosherwas just very didn’t wasn’t the norm. But like I say, the demand became bigger, so they had to find a higher standard of Glatt Kosher. 

But this is where the problem comes in. Was there enough to supply the tzibur for everything that they were asking for? So then already you have to look on the other side to find more Glatt Kosher. And that’s where the standard already became a little lenient to find more Glatt Kosher. For example, there is there was a when we started out, real Glatt Kosher was 100% Glatt Kosher, there was nothing more or less, you had to have Glatt Kosher if there was a request for it. 

Today, everything has to be Glatt Kosher and so they use the term today as being commercial glatt. It’s not the real glatt, it’s just called commercial glatt. Now you can stretch that to whatever it means. There is a sefer called Mateh Asher that people use to say up to three—I’ll explain what that is—three ririn, which is basically three sirchos, whatever it may be. 

We can still call that Glatt Kosher. So it became lenient. All of a sudden, the olam woke up to that and said, hey, this is not what we want. We want the real thing or else we’re just not interested in eating your product. 

We don’t need it. We’d rather have what we want. So we start asking for Bais Yosef. Bais Yosef is supposed to mean that the Bais Yosef said that we don’t take anything, so therefore the Bais Yosef is supposed to be without anything, nothing on it, no rir, no sircha, nothing, you didn’t play around with the lungs, you didn’t look at it. 

Okay, all of a sudden the demand for this Bais Yosef standard became higher. So we got to supply the Klal Yisrael with BaisYosef. Right. Once again, we had to find heterim. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: So let’s start at first base for listeners who are watching—listeners are listening, watchers who are watching—who are not shochtim, they don’t know anything about shchita, they’re relying on wonderful hashgacha. like the CRC and others for their, for their meat. What, what does glatt kosher mean in layman’s terms? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: Let’s, let’s go back and discuss the origin of what glatt kosher means. There’s basically, without going into all the background of all the lomdus in the Gemara, basically we’re talking about a machlokes of Rashi and Tosafos. 

It goes like this. If you find a something in the on the lung, it’s called a sircha. Sircha is somewhat of a thin membrane that develops and it’ll develop on the lung. So the question is, why as Chazal say, we don’t take this. 

If it’s in a certain position on the lung, we cannot accept this as kosher. So it’s a machlokes Rashi and Tosafos as to why we don’t accept it. Rashi says because anything you find on the lung, it’s indicative, it shows that there must be a hole inside the lung, and we know that a nekev mashehu is going to passul the, is one of the treifos, it’s in the nekev mashehu in the reiya, in the lung, it’s going to passul. Tosafos is cholek on Rashi and says if you find something on the lung, it’s not necessarily there’s a hole in the lung, it means that there is a, it’s going to eventually, since the lung is breathing and it’s expanding and it’s detracting, so because of the movement of the lung, it’s going to eventually make a hole, sof lei l’nakev. 

That’s why certain sirchos you would find on the lung, which would be 100 percent muttar because it’s not part of the expansion of the lung. So that’s already extended halacha in Yoreh Deah. But this machlokes of Rashi and Tosafos, how does, how does it affect, is that affect everything you find on the lung or not? So there was a time there was called the BeisYosef and the Rema were talking about a certain procedure that they saw a adhesion, a sircha, an adhesion on the lung, and they would determine if this is what Chazal meant. Meaning like this: they would take this sircha in their hands and they would rub it and expand it, and if it dissolved, oh, it dissolved, so it’s going to eventually dissolve anyway, and we’re going to call it a sircha bas yoma and it’s anyways going to dissolve anyway, so mi-mah nafshach according to Rashimeans it never made a, it was never a nekev there in the first place because something that’s going to dissolve on its own, it’s not, it’s indicative there’s nothing really there, and according to Tosafos it’s going to dissolve anyway, it’s, once you make this miyuch u-mishmush on this reiya, so then we’re going to, it’s not going to be sof lei l’iparek. 

So this idea of miyuch u-mishmush, it became a machlokesbetween the Beis Yosef and the Rema. The Beis Yosef says, no, we can’t accept such a bedika. And the, and that’s where the idea of Beis Yosef means it has to be completely clean without follow up with any type of bedika. The Rema says, no, our minhag in Klal Yisrael to do miyuch u-mishmush. 

That was fine and dandy, that was beautiful until about approximately 150 years ago, whatever it may be, that they discovered a different way of being bodek the lung. It’s called klipa. Klipa means that they took the sircha and with an expert way they can peel the sircha, the adhesion off the lung and check it: is there a hole underneath it or is there not? So that became the norm of how to check. The idea is, if you want to put it in layman’s term, the miyuch u-mishmushprocess was a bedika on the sircha, is this what Chazalwanted, were referring to. 

And the bedika of klipa is not a bedika on the sircha but it’s a bedika on in the lung, what the lung is once you peel it off. Once you peel it off, we’re checking the lung. So that’s the major difference of klipa and miyuch u-mishmush and it makes a whole difference in what kind of sircha, what’s a sircha, how it, but that’s, that would be the difference. The problem really is that hayos that it’s a machlokes Rashi and Tosafos what the origin of the sircha is, so this idea of klipa is only according to Rashi because what are you doing you’re checking for the hole in the lung but according to Tosafos that says it’s soifa liporek you’re not accomplishing anything with this kleipa. 

You don’t know what’s going eventually what’s going to happen. And the Simla Chadasha who is the of course the posek acharon in Hilchos Shechita and Bedika says since it’s a machlokes Rishonim we have to be machmir like both. So here we got a problem over here that everybody’s doing kleipaand that became the minhag in Klal Yisrael but it’s not according to all the shitos so it doesn’t fit in according to Tosafos mostly according to Tosafos because of this reason because of soifa liporek. So everyone’s that’s where glattkosher comes in. 

Glatt kosher comes in and says listen we’re going to we’re going to not have anything on the lung so you don’t have a problem with Rashi and Tosafos and everybody will be happy. That’s good if the glatt kosher is nothing on the lung. But if there’s something a little bit on the lung and you’re finding a heter is this a sircha this is what the Beis Yosef meant and go through that whole procedure of thought how does it fit in according to Rabbeinu Tam? That’s how it that’s where the major problem comes in. So what became a glatt kosher standard lowered itself to commercial glatt which you find something there and maybe we can take it maybe we can’t. 

People woke up to that. That’s not what we’re looking for. We want nothing on the lung. Okay we’ll give you Beis Yosef. 

The demand for Beis Yosef was overwhelming. 

All of a sudden the market is flooded with Beis Yosef. What’s going on here? I had the opportunity to speak to one of the rabbonim machshirim and he explained to me not every BeisYosef is the way I explained it. Vos heist? What’s the makorBeis Yosef? It’s from the acheinu haSephardim they have their masorah. And according to their masorah you can do certain things and you can accept certain things and certain sirchosyou could accept it according to their masorah. 

I’m not familiar with it but this is the way it was explained to me. So according to their masorah this is called Beis Yosef. Oh we could go with their masorah and call things Beis Yosef. I looked at him I said that’s what you’re doing? We’re talking about yungeleit we’re talking about people who are choreidlidvar Hashem they don’t want anything and you’re giving you’re saying I’m only giving it to a masorah. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: It’s like a chumra habah lidei kulabecause not only that if you would try and sell kitniyos on Pesach and not put on it Sephardim only try that it doesn’t work. 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: So mimmiela that’s what’s happening basically right now. I’m not saying all the machshirim have this lenient standard but if you find a influx of Beis Yosef meat in the market and on the shelf you have to be choshesh for it. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Choshesh for what? What practically? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: That they’re not using the standard that you want but rather a standard let’s say that this acheinuhaSephardim have a masorah for and they would take certain things off the lung. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: So are you better off not buying BeisYosef or is that what you’re insinuating? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: I’m not saying what better off what to do. I’m telling you everyone has to go and determine what where the meat is coming from what they want have be educated and follow accordingly. I’m not here to. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: But if people who are not shochtimthey’re not experts at shechita they don’t know the minutiae of or they don’t know the details so what should someone do? If they want to be machmir betachlis hahiddur they want to get the?

R’ Zvi Fishbane: There is a standard in the slaughterhouse today it’s called Shaish Beis Yosef Shaish. So the sellers are developing what Beis Yosef is this is for the hamon am but the Shaish means Shaish is the highest standard Beis Yosef highest standard and there is a they do mark that but the question how much can you get? Shaish you can’t play around with. Once you’re calling something Shaish it means it’s complete. It’s perfect. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: It’s perfect. So the question is if you’re able to get that upon your request or not depending on the. And obviously you might have to pay the price for it because if well I’m not going yeah it’s gonna cost perhaps more depending on what the market could supply. Or else this community they keep it for themselves. 

Let’s say you have a certain community that has their own shechita they’re rest assured they’re going to take care of their own community before although like you say they can get a better price. So you mentioned acheinu hasfaradim. When you’re referring to our Sephardic brethren with regard to BeisYosef and standards of shechita, are you talking about all Sephardim, are you talking about certain segments of Sephardim, if you could clarify that? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: I’m, well let’s put it this way, I know that Hacham Rabi Ovadia was very makpid in what you call BeisYosef. This is what we were saying was shaish Beis Yosef. 

He wouldn’t settle for anything less and that’s the way he instructed his talmidim and his tzibur. But there are other mesoras. I’m not familiar, I didn’t go personally, I didn’t interview other people, but this is what we’re told in the industry, that there are machshirim from acheinu hasfaradimthat said in that’s the they have a different mesora and this is what they’re transmitting and telling our machshirim who are copying that standard and giving using that as a standard for Beis Yosef. So it’s not necessarily by everyone. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: It’s only by certain ones. Now, to clarify also, tell me if I’m right about categorizing like this. Our whole conversation here is about a mehadrin level. We’re talking about those who desire the highest level of purity in shechita. 

So we shouldn’t mislead people. We’re talking about people who want Beis Yosef because it’s a higher level. And within Beis Yosef what you’re saying is because there became such a high demand for Beis Yosef, so whatever the providers of meat have found ways for the meat to be considered Beis Yosef. So we’re talking about within that realm of mehadrin, what is mehadrin, what may be mehadrin min hamehadrin and things of that sort, if you could elaborate on that? Exactly. 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: I just want to explain before the shechitastandards have definitely been improved. The quality, the standard of the shochet himself that should be on a ben Torah-dik level at least. I know by the Chassidish communities they have to meet their standards as being a representative of their community and a representative of Torah and what they stand for. 100%. 

It’s on a but to say that it’s not acceptable, chas veshalom, everything is beautiful according to but I’m just bringing out this nekuda because the demand is so great as compared to years before, so this demand has brought them to want to supply the tzibur and in that nekuda the hiddur demand has lessened the standard that people may want to accept. But it’s 100% there’s no problem, it’s 100% beautiful kosher shechitaon all the basically in all the machshirim today and it’s a kavod for the tzibur that the machshirim are well aware of the to keep everything on a higher standard with higher chumrasand aderaba yochlu anavim veyisbau. Right. So, you know, we like to provide a takeaway for those who listen and watch Kashrus Awareness, let’s talk Kashrus. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: And so I’d like to distill everything that you said into perhaps a practical takeaway. If someone wants the highest level of shechita today, so a two-part question: should they look specifically for Beis Yosef and if they should, how do they determine that it’s the highest level of Beis Yosef? What would you say? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: I would say basically learn through the sugya. No, basically I would… 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: No, on a serious note, people are not necessarily able to learn through the sugya. 

Those who learn Chullin in Daf Yomi may have a little more knowledge of what we’re talking about, but on a serious note, if someone really wants the highest level, what should they look for? 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: So basically what I’m saying is since the standards differ from one community from one shlachtoisfrom one hechsher to the other, it would be a responsibility of the rav of a community to be able to advise his tziburaccordingly. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Aha. So you go to your rav and you say to your rav I want the highest level of shechita, he’ll tell you which specific shechita, which store, which shlachtois and so on. Yes, I would think that should be the derech, yes. 

Rabbi Fishbane, thank you for being here. 

R’ Zvi Fishbane: It’s been my honor. 

R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: It’s a zechus to be able to sit with you and on behalf of all those who have benefited from your dedication and devotion to the world of shechita for half a century, we say thank you, thank you for enhancing the world of kashrus as you have and for all your wonderful avodas hakodesh, thank you so much.

{Matzav.com}

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez easily secured another term Tuesday night, turning back a Democratic primary challenge from a former Wall Street executive who argued that the congresswoman had become more focused on national prominence than the day-to-day concerns of her constituents.

Marty Dolan attempted to unseat Ocasio-Cortez in New York’s 14th Congressional District, which spans portions of Queens and the Bronx. Despite positioning himself as a more moderate alternative, he struggled to gain traction against one of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable figures.

The outcome came amid a broader political environment in New York City that has increasingly favored progressive candidates. Following the election of socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Dolan’s centrist message failed to resonate strongly enough to threaten the incumbent.

Ocasio-Cortez entered the race with substantial advantages, including a formidable fundraising operation, widespread name recognition, and a loyal political base that has repeatedly propelled her to victory.

The latest win further solidifies her standing in Congress and extends a political rise that began in 2018, when she stunned the Democratic establishment by defeating then-House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley in a historic primary upset.

Dolan’s campaign emerged at a time when Ocasio-Cortez’s influence within the Democratic Party continues to expand. The New York lawmaker has become one of the leading voices of the party’s progressive wing and one of the most outspoken critics of President Donald Trump and Republican initiatives.

Although some Democrats have expressed concern that the party has shifted too far to the left, Ocasio-Cortez—widely known simply as AOC—has maintained a commanding position in her heavily Democratic district, where challengers have repeatedly failed to mount a serious threat.

Her victory also arrives as attention increasingly turns to her political future beyond Congress, with growing speculation about whether she may eventually seek a higher office.

When asked by Fox News Digital in June about the possibility of a presidential campaign in 2028, Ocasio-Cortez declined to close the door on the idea.

“Could I be president? Could I not be president? Maybe, maybe not,” she replied coyly.

That response intensified discussion about her potential role in the next Democratic presidential contest, which is expected to feature a crowded and competitive field following the conclusion of President Trump’s second term.

Among the Democrats frequently mentioned as possible contenders are California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump celebrated the primary defeat of Rep. Dan Goldman on Tuesday, taking a victory lap after one of his most outspoken congressional adversaries was unseated by a progressive challenger in New York.

Goldman, who gained national prominence for his role as a lead House manager during Trump’s first impeachment trial, lost the Democratic primary in New York’s 10th Congressional District to former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

Trump reacted quickly to the outcome, posting a scathing message on social media in which he ridiculed Goldman and suggested voters had rejected him because of his efforts against the president.

“Weak and pathetic Congressman Dan Goldman just lost, BIG! I guess people didn’t like him illegally targeting President TRUMP. In any event, this jerk is finally GONE! President DJT”

The loss marked a significant setback for Goldman, who had been viewed as one of the Democratic Party’s rising figures since arriving in Congress. Throughout his time in office, he frequently positioned himself as a leading critic of Trump and remained closely identified with the impeachment proceedings that helped make him a national political figure.

Lander’s victory was widely seen as another win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who endorsed the former comptroller and has become an increasingly influential force in city politics.

The race also highlighted ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party, particularly over Israel and the direction of the party’s future leadership. Goldman enjoyed support from much of the Democratic establishment, while Lander drew backing from progressive activists and organizations seeking to reshape the party.

For Trump, however, the political implications of the race appeared secondary to the personal nature of Goldman’s defeat. The president has long viewed Goldman as one of the architects of congressional efforts against him and made clear that he viewed Tuesday’s result as a measure of political vindication.

With the primary now behind him, Lander enters the general election as the overwhelming favorite in the heavily Democratic district, while Goldman’s congressional career appears to have come to an abrupt end.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani scored a major political victory Tuesday night as three candidates he endorsed emerged victorious in Democratic congressional primaries, including two races in which sitting members of Congress were defeated.

One of the most closely watched contests saw former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander unseat Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District, which spans portions of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In another upset, Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th Congressional District, covering upper Manhattan and sections of the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Claire Valdez, the third candidate backed by Mamdani, secured the Democratic nomination in the open race for the 7th Congressional District, which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who chose not to seek another term.

Chevalier and Valdez also received support from the Democratic Socialists of America, which has played an increasingly influential role in New York City politics.

The victories come roughly a year after the DSA helped propel Mamdani to a stunning upset over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary, a victory that reverberated far beyond the city and was followed by a successful general election campaign.

Speaking Tuesday, Mamdani framed the results as part of a broader effort to reshape the Democratic Party.

“It’s not just a question of electing more Democrats. It’s a question of electing better Democrats, ” Mamdani said Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.

He added that the successful candidates share a commitment to prioritizing the concerns of ordinary Americans.

“When I look at these candidacies, I see in them a willingness to also put working people back at the heart of our politics,” Mamdani said.

Another high-profile race unfolded in Manhattan’s 12th Congressional District, where state Assemblyman Micah Lasher won a crowded primary to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler.

Lasher prevailed over fellow Assemblyman Alex Bores and several other contenders, including Jake Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy.

The race attracted extraordinary outside spending, with two political action committees linked to major artificial intelligence companies pouring a combined $20 million into efforts either supporting or opposing Bores.

Given the overwhelmingly Democratic makeup of the districts involved, the winners of all four primaries are widely expected to prevail in November’s general election and head to Washington next year.

A newly released federal investigation has concluded that the collapse of Florida’s Champlain Towers South was not a sudden event, but rather the culmination of a structural breakdown that had been unfolding for weeks before the building came crashing down and killed 98 people.

The findings, published Monday by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), determined that the 12-story beachfront condominium in Surfside suffered from critical structural weaknesses dating back to its original construction.

According to investigators, the chain of failures appears to have started in early June 2021 when two vital connections between columns in the underground parking garage and the concrete slab supporting the pool deck failed. Because the building’s original design did not comply with accepted engineering standards and decades of alterations further compromised the structure, the remaining sections of the deck were unable to withstand the redistribution of weight.

“When building structures are designed and built to required codes and standards, they have margins against failure, meaning they should be able to support much more load than they are expected to bear,” explained Judith Mitrani-Reiser, an investigation co-lead, in an accompanying video release. “In the case of Champlain Towers South, these margins against failure were too narrow from the start.”

The federal report adds significant detail to the growing body of evidence that emerged after the tragedy, pointing to longstanding design deficiencies and progressive structural deterioration. The building ultimately collapsed at approximately 1:22 a.m. on June 24, 2021, while most residents were asleep inside the oceanfront complex just north of Miami.

Among the 98 victims were members of the local Orthodox Jewish community, as well as relatives of Paraguay’s first lady, including her sister, family members, and their nanny.

The legal aftermath of the disaster resulted in a settlement exceeding $1 billion after a Miami judge approved a class-action agreement resolving numerous wrongful death and personal injury claims.

Mitrani-Reiser said investigators determined that the building failed to meet applicable structural requirements even under the standards in place when it was built in the late 1970s. In addition, portions of the completed structure differed from the original architectural plans. Among the unapproved changes were large decorative planters installed throughout the pool deck area.

Subsequent renovations added substantial weight to the structure. Sand and paving stones installed around the pool increased the load on what Mitrani-Reiser described as an “already structurally inadequate” platform. Investigators also confirmed extensive corrosion in reinforcing steel embedded within the pool deck and parking garage slabs.

Photographs taken in the weeks before the collapse provided further warning signs. Investigators identified a major crack running through a planter wall on the pool deck, along with additional fractures where the planter connected to a structural enclosure. The planter itself detached from the deck less than a day before the building failed.

The report also documented worsening water infiltration in the underground garage. Roughly a week before the collapse, investigators traced a growing leak from the garage ceiling. Witnesses later told officials that the flow had intensified to the point where it resembled a “water faucet” in the hours leading up to the disaster.

As the collapse began, residents reported seeing portions of the pool deck fail before the building itself came down. Mitrani-Reiser said witnesses described the deck collapse as occurring “one bay at a time as if dominoes were falling in a sequential chain reaction.” Others recalled a powerful blast of air moving through the lobby, accompanied by a deafening sound that survivors compared to a “jet engine.”

The tragedy led to major changes in Florida condominium law. In 2022, state lawmakers enacted requirements forcing condominium associations to maintain reserve funds for critical structural repairs and maintenance. After many property owners were hit with steep special assessments to address years of deferred upkeep, legislators later approved additional measures designed to provide associations and homeowners with greater flexibility in meeting the new financial obligations.

Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman was defeated in New York City’s Democratic primary on Tuesday, with former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander emerging victorious in a race that underscored growing divisions within the party over Israel and highlighted the expanding political influence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Lander’s victory in New York’s 10th Congressional District marked another success for candidates aligned with Mamdani, whose supporters have increasingly challenged incumbent Democrats as the mayor seeks to reshape the city’s political landscape following his breakthrough electoral success last year.

The loss made Goldman the fifth sitting member of the U.S. House to be unseated in a primary election during the 2026 cycle, reflecting broader dissatisfaction among many Democratic voters with the party’s established leadership.

Goldman had long been viewed as one of the Democratic Party’s emerging figures, gaining national attention for serving as lead counsel during President Donald Trump’s first impeachment proceedings. Since narrowly capturing a crowded primary contest in 2022, he had become a prominent critic of the Trump administration, particularly on issues such as immigration and abortion rights. His campaign also benefited from substantial personal financial resources and support from prominent Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and several influential labor organizations.

Despite those advantages, Goldman faced mounting opposition within a district that stretches into rapidly changing neighborhoods of Brooklyn, where his positions on Israel became a central issue. Goldman, who is Jewish, received support from both the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and J Street, a more liberal pro-Israel advocacy organization that also endorsed his candidacy.

Throughout the campaign, Goldman attempted to present himself as both progressive and supportive of Israel, arguing that criticism of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and opposition to aspects of the war against Hamas in Gaza could coexist with continued American military support for Israel.

Lander, who is also Jewish, took a markedly different approach. He has sharply criticized Israel’s leadership and its handling of the Gaza conflict, describing the war as a “genocide.” He pledged to support legislation imposing additional limits on U.S. military assistance to Israel and repeatedly highlighted Goldman’s backing from AIPAC in an effort to appeal to Democratic voters who have grown increasingly critical of Israel.

The challenger also benefited from a close political alliance with Mamdani. During Lander’s unsuccessful mayoral campaign, the two forged a partnership that continued into this race. Lander further strengthened his standing among progressives by securing endorsements from prominent national figures, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Another key theme of Lander’s campaign was opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. He frequently appeared in federal immigration court to advocate for defendants and drew national attention last year when he was arrested following a confrontation with federal officers. Earlier this month, a judge acquitted him of misdemeanor charges stemming from that incident.

Lander also pointed to his years of experience on the New York City Council and his tenure as the city’s comptroller, arguing that his record in government positioned him to take office immediately and respond to what many Democrats view as an urgent need to challenge the Trump administration.

{Matzav.com}

As thousands of protesters prepare to take part in Wednesday’s large-scale vehicle demonstration against the arrest of bnei yeshivah and yungeleit, new details have emerged about a possible confrontation between organizers and law enforcement over access to Military Prison 10.

According to reports, police officials are considering a dramatic move that would prevent protest convoys from reaching the prison complex near Kfar Yona and instead redirect participants to a parking area outside the city.

The planned demonstration is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., with convoys departing simultaneously from numerous locations across the country before converging on the military prison.

The protest is being organized in response to the ongoing arrests of bnei Torah, and organizers estimate that approximately 2,500 vehicles will participate, making it one of the largest vehicle-based demonstrations the chareidi community has seen in recent years.

Sources familiar with the discussions said that police are also considering issuing traffic citations to drivers who deliberately travel at unusually slow speeds as part of the protest.

Meanwhile, Kfar Yona Mayor Albert Taieb announced that he intends to organize a “human wall” to prevent demonstrators from entering the city.

“This has nothing to do with chareidim,” Taieb said. “The coalition includes chareidim as well. We saw a similar situation during the protests surrounding Sde Teiman. In the name of democracy, you cannot shut down an entire city. We will not allow it.”

The mayor added that municipal officials and residents are prepared to block access to the city if necessary.

“We will block Kfar Yona at the Givat Alonim and Yefeh Nof neighborhoods if protests indeed take place,” he said.

Organizers have designated 19 departure points throughout the country, including Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze’ev, Haifa, Chatzor HaGlilit, Yerushalayim, Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Emanuel, Afula, Arad, Tzfas, Kiryat Gat, and Rechovot.

The convoys are expected to merge into a single procession en route to the prison while carrying the slogan: “Enough! There is no path without the path of Torah!”

Earlier reports indicated that the Eidah HaChareidis would officially join the protest following guidance from the Badatz. If confirmed, the development would mark an unusually broad coalition of participation, bringing together Agudas Yisroel, the Eidah HaChareidis, and other segments of the chareidi community in a joint public demonstration.

President Donald Trump cautioned Tuesday that the United States stands ready to return to military action against Iran if Tehran fails to honor the terms of the newly reached agreement, signaling that Washington’s patience will depend on the Islamic Republic’s conduct in the weeks ahead.

Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump praised Iran’s behavior since the agreement was reached but made clear that the situation could change quickly if the regime does not act responsibly.

“Iran has been great – IF Iran is reasonable, IF they’re smart. Otherwise, we’ll have to finish the job,” Trump said at the event.

.@POTUS: "Iran has been great — IF Iran is reasonable, IF they're smart. Otherwise, we'll have to finish the job." pic.twitter.com/PSFh593afe

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 23, 2026

Trump also highlighted what he described as a landmark diplomatic achievement, emphasizing that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained the central objective of the agreement.

“As you know, we just achieved a historic peace agreement with Iran to end the conflict… and most importantly, we are ensuring one thing very importantly- because this is why I did it… Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, and they’ve agreed to that.”

His remarks followed a warning issued a day earlier in which he similarly threatened consequences if Iran failed to comply with its commitments.

“If Iran doesn’t live up to their agreement or they’re not behaving, I will do what I have to do.”

Trump also addressed American leverage in the region, particularly regarding the strategic waterway through which much of the world’s energy supply passes.

“As long as they respect us – I don’t want to use the word ‘fear’ because it’s inappropriate – as long as they respect us, we’re not going to have any trouble. We have total control of the strait,” Trump added.

When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position that Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon, Trump suggested that he may become involved in the issue and expressed confidence in his ability to broker solutions.

“We are going to take a look at it. I am a problem solver. I can solve problems fast, including with Bibi.”

The comments came after an intensive 18-hour negotiating session concluded early Monday. In a joint statement, Qatar and Pakistan announced that discussions between American and Iranian representatives had ended on a positive note.

According to the statement, the talks were conducted in a “positive and constructive atmosphere”.

The two mediating countries further reported that “encouraging progress” had been achieved and said a framework had been established to facilitate additional technical negotiations moving forward.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also offered an optimistic assessment of the discussions, crediting the mediators with helping advance efforts to end regional tensions.

“Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.”

Araghchi indicated that the next major challenge will involve implementing arrangements related to Lebanon and preventing renewed escalation there.

{Matzav.com}

A storm erupted Tuesday evening within the chareidi political world after senior Shas leader Rav Moshe Maya publicly urged participation in Wednesday’s planned vehicle protest, while a spokesman for the party later declared that Shas would not be taking part in the demonstration.

The protest, organized by broad segments of the mainstream chareidi community, including elements of Agudas Yisroel and other groups alongside the Eidah HaChareidis and Peleg Yerushalmi, is scheduled to take place Wednesday and is expected to be conducted in an orderly fashion through slow-moving vehicle processions.

One of the strongest endorsements of the protest came from Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of Shas’s Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah. Speaking on a community hotline operated by Itche Dzalovsky, Rav Maya called on the public to participate, describing the demonstration as a religious obligation.

“This is excellent. This protest is an obligation. Perhaps through it we will merit to fulfill our obligation to protest.”

Rav Maya praised the nature of the demonstration, emphasizing that it would not involve road blockages or property damage.

“This is excellent because it does not block roads and does not damage vehicles on the side. As you publicized in the media, it involves driving at a slow speed, and it is the strongest protest with the least amount of harm. It is excellent. Not only is it excellent, it is an obligation. From the very first moment they arrested a yeshivah student and put him in prison, I have not been able to sleep at night. Even today I do not sleep well. How can we remain silent? If we are supposed to protest and do not, then we share responsibility for the same sin.”

Quoting the Rambam, Rav Maya argued that failing to protest would carry serious spiritual consequences.

“The Rambam rules, and I am quoting his exact language, that ‘Anyone who disgraces Torah scholars has no share in the World to Come.’ A person must understand one thing: We believe that our entire World to Come is at stake. If we do not protest properly, it is a sin.”

At the same time, outrage spread among supporters and organizers of the protest after Shas spokesman Asher Medina publicly stated that the party would not participate in the event.

According to journalist Avi Moskoff, Medina said during an interview on Kol Barama radio that despite Rav Maya’s endorsement, both Shas and Degel HaTorah would refrain from joining the protest.

“We will not participate in tomorrow’s protest. Shas and Degel are avoiding participation in such actions at this time, whether they involve vehicles or horses, and we will invoke the name of Hashem our G-d.”

The comments sparked strong criticism from those involved in the protest effort, many of whom viewed the statement as a public contradiction of the position expressed by one of the senior members of Shas’s rabbinic leadership.

Sources familiar with the matter said that the remarks were deeply troubling.

“This is a shocking crossing of a red line. The party spokesman is allowing himself to publicly oppose an explicit directive from the senior member of the Moetzes. If the party chose not to participate officially for its own reasons, then at the very least he should have remained silent rather than issue provocative statements that undermine the honor of Torah.”

The controversy comes as organizers make final preparations for the vehicle protest, which they say is intended to express opposition to the arrest and imprisonment of yeshivah students while avoiding the road closures and confrontations that have characterized some demonstrations in the past.

{Matzav.com}

SpaceX shares struggled to regain momentum on Tuesday after briefly slipping below their initial offering price, a symbolic setback for a stock that only days ago was among Wall Street’s hottest stories.

The stock fell as much as 3% in early trading, dropping to roughly $149 after making its public debut on June 12 at $150 per share. While the shares later recovered and climbed about 6% during the session, most of those gains evaporated by the closing bell, with the stock ending the day up less than 1%.

The decline below the offering price was viewed as an important psychological marker, suggesting that SpaceX may be following the same path as several high-profile public offerings that initially surged before retreating beneath their debut levels.

Traders and major shareholders, including large institutional investors, are expected to face increasing pressure to support the stock after its recent slide. Investors are also watching another key threshold: the company’s IPO price of $135 per share.

Even at approximately $150, SpaceX remains only about 11% above its IPO price. From its recent highs, the company has shed roughly $400 billion in market value and is now at risk of falling below the $2 trillion market capitalization mark.

The pullback marks a dramatic shift from last week, when SpaceX soared to a record high of around $225 per share and surpassed both Amazon and Microsoft to become the fourth-largest publicly traded company in the world.

The weakness in SpaceX shares has also spread across the broader space sector, dragging down many companies that had rallied alongside the highly anticipated market debut.

According to Bespoke Investment Group, a basket of space-related stocks had gained an average of 99% for the year as of the close of trading on June 11, the day before SpaceX priced its shares at $135. Since then, those same stocks have declined by an average of 17%.

Another factor weighing on investor sentiment is the approaching expiration of several lock-up restrictions. At the time of its public offering, SpaceX made available just 4.2% of its total float.

Jeff Jacobson, a strategist at 22V Research, told Yahoo Finance that a 20% insider share unlock is scheduled to take place following the company’s earnings report, which is expected in early to mid-August.

Additional unlock events are also on the horizon. A further 10% of shares could become eligible for sale if the stock rises 30% above its IPO price, while separate 7% share unlocks are expected around Aug. 21 and again on Sept. 10, potentially adding more selling pressure in the weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli transportation officials say they are optimistic that a growing dispute involving American refueling operations at Ben Gurion Airport will soon be resolved, potentially averting widespread flight disruptions during the busy summer travel season.

Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken said he expects a breakthrough in the situation within the next day.

“I believe it will happen within 24 hours,” Ben Zaken said during an interview with Kan Reshet Bet. He noted that Transportation Minister Miri Regev held discussions Tuesday with the Defense Minister and senior security officials. “They also understood that there is a need for at least 24 additional aircraft so that we can enable flights for thousands of ticket holders who are facing the threat of cancellations in July and August.”

Ben Zaken expressed confidence that Israeli travelers will not experience major summer flight cancellations, rejecting more pessimistic forecasts that have circulated in recent weeks.

His assessment stands in contrast to warnings issued by Israel Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi, who has cautioned that millions of passengers could be affected by disruptions stemming from American military activity at the airport.

According to Kedmi, between two and three million Israelis may receive notices this summer informing them that their flights have been canceled because of operational constraints tied to the American presence at Ben Gurion Airport.

Kedmi has repeatedly warned that the airport is operating under severe limitations, claiming that approximately 70 percent of its normal activity has been curtailed due to ongoing American military operations.

“We are using only one-third of the airport’s operational capacity. We are at the very limit of our capabilities. There will be flights that, in the coming days, we will announce are being canceled, and airlines will not be able to return at the pace they want. There will also be delays in departures from abroad.”

Despite those concerns, transportation officials maintain that efforts are underway to expand capacity and prevent large-scale disruptions, expressing hope that additional aircraft and improved coordination with security authorities will allow airlines to meet expected summer demand.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Tuesday pushed back against growing criticism of his administration’s agreement with Iran, arguing that even some of his closest allies do not fully understand the advantages of the deal and need to take a closer look at the facts.

Speaking to reporters, Trump was asked how he would respond to supporters such as Sen. Ted Cruz, who has emerged as one of the most vocal Republican critics of the agreement.

Trump suggested that opposition to the deal stems largely from a misunderstanding of the leverage the United States currently holds over Tehran.

“Because we have Iran in a position that nobody’s ever had,” Trump continued. “This should have been done for 47 years by other presidents.”

The president argued that Iran has been left significantly weakened and enters negotiations from a position of unprecedented vulnerability.

“And we have Iran in a position where their military has been totally wiped out, their leadership has been wiped out, their radar has been wiped out. Everything has been wiped out. They have not a good negotiating position.”

Earlier in the exchange, Trump made clear that he believes even longtime allies who oppose the agreement have failed to appreciate the strategic circumstances surrounding the talks.

“Anybody that’s been critical” of the Iran deal “has to be educated, even if they’re friends of mine.”

Trump’s remarks come as debate continues within Republican circles over the administration’s diplomatic outreach to Tehran, with supporters arguing that Iran has been weakened to the point where a favorable agreement is possible, while critics contend that the regime cannot be trusted and should face continued pressure rather than negotiations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Tuesday that Tehran’s missile program is completely excluded from its understanding with the United States and insisted that the issue will never be open for negotiation.

Speaking during a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian addressed ongoing contacts between Tehran and Washington as well as questions surrounding Iran’s military capabilities, according to Reuters.

The Iranian leader stated that the country’s missile arsenal was not included in the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States and emphasized that it “will never be,” part of any negotiations, Reuters reported.

Pezeshkian further stressed that Iran has no intention of discussing its defense infrastructure with any foreign government, maintaining that the country’s military capabilities are not subject to bargaining or diplomatic compromise.

He also outlined Tehran’s view of regional diplomacy, saying that Iran believes “regional peace and stability can only be achieved through honest dialogue and intra-regional cooperation.”

During the appearance, Pezeshkian praised relations between Iran and Pakistan, describing the neighboring nation as a close ally whose ties with Tehran extend beyond ordinary diplomatic relations.

According to the Iranian president, Pakistan is “not only a neighbor, but a brother and sincere companion,” and recent events, he said, have demonstrated the depth of trust and cooperation shared by the two countries.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran emerged from the recent conflict with severe economic and military damage, while highlighting what he described as encouraging signs for global energy markets and ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

Addressing supporters at an event in Pennsylvania, Trump argued that the war had inflicted long-term harm on Iran’s economy and defense sector.

“The Iran economy has been crushed and the defense industrial base has been damaged so severely that it’ll take many years to rebuild, many, many years,” Trump told the crowd.

Despite that assessment, Trump indicated that his administration remains focused on pursuing a negotiated resolution with the Iranian regime.

“And now we’re trying to work out a deal that’s fair. And we also want to work out a deal,” Trump added.

The president also pointed to recent economic developments in the United States, citing stock market performance and energy prices as evidence that conditions are improving.

“You know, the stock market hit a new high today again. And oil, for the first time in months, hit $70 a barrel,” Trump said.

Emphasizing the significance of the figure, Trump argued that lower oil prices would ultimately benefit consumers and the broader economy.

“Think of it, $70 a barrel. And that equates to a very low price.”

He predicted that energy costs would continue to decline in the coming months, producing a ripple effect throughout the economy.

“That number is going to come charging down. And with oil comes everything else,” Trump said.

Trump also touted what he called “a historic peace agreement” involving Iran and efforts to restore stability in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

As part of those remarks, the president pointed to what he described as record-setting oil shipments moving through the waterway.

“Yesterday, 19 million barrels of oil flowed out of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said. “That’s the most oil in the history of the Strait.”

Highlighting the scale of the exports, Trump told supporters that the volume was unlike anything previously seen.

“You’ve never seen anything like that. It’s called oil production,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called Tuesday for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, insisting that no Israeli forces remain on Lebanese soil following the ceasefire reached amid the new U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending the broader regional conflict.

In remarks broadcast on Lebanese television and cited by The Times of Israel, Qassem said the ceasefire now requires full implementation on the ground.

“We now have a ceasefire,” Qassem said on state TV, according to The Times of Israel.

The Hezbollah chief argued that Israel must leave all Lebanese territory according to an established timetable and without maintaining any presence whatsoever.

“The withdrawal must take place according to a timetable. Israel has no choice but to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory, without retaining an inch,” he added.

Qassem further stated that responsibility for security in southern Lebanon should rest solely with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

“Israel withdraws, and the Lebanese army deploys exclusively south of the Litani River.”

The demand comes after the Lebanese government announced in 2025 that it had completed the deployment of its military throughout southern Lebanon and had disarmed Hezbollah forces operating in the area as part of a ceasefire arrangement.

Despite those commitments, Hezbollah subsequently resumed attacks against Israel from southern Lebanon, raising questions about the effectiveness of the agreement and the extent of the group’s continued presence in the region.

{Matzav.com}