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A senior Russian government official has reportedly fled the country and made his way to the United States after evading Russian security forces, marking what appears to be the first known case of a high-ranking Kremlin figure escaping the regime, The Sun reports.

Denis Butsaev, 49, who recently served as Russia’s Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, is said to have left the country shortly after being dismissed from his position. According to reports, he was removed from his post on April 22 and went into hiding the same day, though some accounts suggest he may have departed Russia even earlier.

His route out of the country reportedly took him through Minsk, Belarus, then to Tbilisi, Georgia, before ultimately arriving in the United States. During his departure, he is believed to have avoided detection by the FSB, Russia’s powerful internal security service.

Butsaev’s exit comes as authorities are reportedly examining allegations of high-level corruption tied to the Russian Environmental Operator, a state agency he previously headed until 2025. The investigation is said to involve multiple senior figures, though it remains unclear whether formal charges had been filed against him.

His departure is being viewed as a rare and notable development, as officials of his rank have not previously been known to flee Russia under such circumstances.

The reported defection comes at a time of growing internal strain within Russia, as the country continues its war in Ukraine while facing economic challenges and increasing restrictions on information. Internet outages in major cities have fueled frustration, and some figures who once supported the government have begun voicing criticism.

In recent weeks, a pro-government commentator publicly called for President Vladimir Putin to step down and face prosecution over the war. “It’s Vladimir Putin. It’s obvious. Everyone knows it,” he said.

Other voices have also warned of rising tensions between the public and the government. “A wall of mistrust and misunderstanding is growing between the people and the government,” one commentator said.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, issued a strong warning urging the public not to travel to Meron this year amid security concerns, stressing that even a possibility of danger is enough to stay away.

Speaking in a special interview on Kol Chai radio’s central news program with Avi Mimran, just one day before the hilula of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, Rav Amar addressed the security restrictions and police calls to avoid the site, making clear that halacha requires extreme caution. “If there is even a doubt, it is not advisable,” the rov said. “Security matters override everything. Preserving life overrides everything.”

Rav Amar emphasized that the public does not have the ability to properly assess the security situation and must rely on those responsible for making such decisions. “There are people appointed over this, who have up-to-date knowledge at every moment. We must listen and not try to outsmart the situation,” he said. He added that those who remain at home will not lose out spiritually. “Rebbi Shimon is present everywhere. His merit is great and reaches the entire world.”

Expanding on the spiritual significance of the day, Rav Amar spoke about the power attributed to Rashbi. “He said that he could exempt the entire world from judgment. We ask that he stand in prayer and not remain silent,” he said, also noting the many miracles that have accompanied Jews throughout the generations through the study of the Zohar.

Regarding his own traditional hadlaka, Rav Amar said it may take place in Yerushalayim instead. “I am not pushing and not insisting. If they say it is possible, I will do it. If not, then not. My satisfaction is that I am not going, because I know I am acting according to Torah law.”

He concluded with a call for the public to follow instructions carefully. “Do not go beyond what is allowed. Listen to the rules. Protect your children and your daughters,” he said, adding a closing tefillah: “A-lmighty G-d should have mercy and redeem the people of Israel with an eternal redemption.”

{Matzav.com}

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John Sterling, whose tenure as the New York Yankees’ radio voice spanned more than three decades and five World Series wins, and whose bombastic delivery and idiosyncratic catchphrases earned him a nomination to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, died Monday at the age of 87.

Sterling’s death was announced by WFAN, which did not say where he died or specify a cause. Sterling had suffered a heart attack in January.

Sterling became the Yankees’ play-by-play announcer in 1989 and spent 36 years in the position, calling 5,060 consecutive games (plus 211 more in the postseason) until he missed his first game in July of 2019. He called 5,631 Yankees games, including eight World Series appearances. By the time he retired in 2024, he was known as “The Voice of the Yankees.”

His run covered one of the Yankees’ greatest eras. He called every single game of Derek Jeter’s 20-year career and every pitch thrown by Mariano Rivera. He emceed the uniform number retirement ceremonies for Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams and Joe Torre, among others. He was there when Aaron Judge crushed his American League single-season record 62nd home run in 2022.

“He’s synonymous with those five championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009),” longtime broadcast partner Michael Kay said. “If you’re coming into people’s homes, at the beach, the pool or their car, and you’re constantly telling them good news — it made him part of the Yankee firmament. He became a part of forever, because those championships are never going to go away.”

Sterling was married to Jennifer Sterling for 12 years. They had four children: Abagail and triplets Veronica, Bradford and Derek.

The job was a childhood dream for Sterling, born John Sloss, who grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side as a Yankees fan listening to games on the radio and trying to learn from broadcasters of all types.

“I am a very blessed human being,” Sterling said in a statement announcing his retirement. “I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years.”

Sterling, a member of the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame, featured a distinctive baritone and drew adoration and criticism alike for his eccentricities and his unabashed Yankees fandom that resonated in his broadcasts. He marked victories with a thunderous “The Yankees win,” perhaps his most popular line. He personalized home run calls for players, starting with “Burn, Baby, Burn!” for Williams. He eventually had calls for every player, including “An A-bomb from A-Rod” for Alex Rodriguez and “Robbie Cano, don’t you know?” for Robinson Cano.

Though Sterling was almost exclusively on the radio, nearly every day he would dress as if he were going on TV, wearing a tailored suit, tie and dress shoes.

“It’s like he gets in that chair and it shoots life through him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s at home when he’s in his office. It’s a remarkable career, to be able to do it like that and as long as he did it. He’s left quite a mark on this organization and the game of baseball.”

Sterling’s peculiar speech patterns included sing-song inflections and the tendency to exaggerate the word “the.” Before a pitcher delivered the ball, Sterling would say, “Thuuhhh pitch.” After the final out of a victory, it was, “Thuuhhh Yankees win!”

“He was so witty, smart,” Judge said. “As a kid, you always heard it. You watch old Yankees games. You hear the old broadcasts.”

Humble beginnings

Sterling said he grew up playing sports and wasn’t an exceptional student. Much of his free time revolved around listening to the radio, sometimes mimicking different announcers. He knew early on he had an unusually deep voice and, “I learned I could use it to adapt to different radio styles,” he told The New York Times in 2011.

Sterling studied at Moravian College and Boston University, but when his mother died at 47, he returned to New York City and took classes at Columbia University’s School of General Studies. In 1961, he got his first radio job at a small station in Wellsville, N.Y., approximately 60 miles south of Buffalo, and around that time, he changed his name to Sterling. After a stop to work mornings in Providence, R.I., he went to Baltimore, beginning to blend sports talk into his general show, and getting chances to broadcast games for the Baltimore Colts and Bullets.

In 1971, he returned to New York City as a full-timer at WMCA.

“He would hang up on people and berate them: ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about!’” said Jim Rosenhaus, a Cleveland Guardians radio broadcaster. “It was awesome. We’d go to school the next day (and say), ‘Did you hear what John Sterling said last night?’ There was barely any sports talk back then, but he’d get on and just shred people.”

He also began working New Jersey Nets and New York Islanders games and started honing his unique style, giving on-air nicknames to players (Bernard King was “B.B. King”) and creating catchphrases (“Goal! Islanders goal! Islanders goal!”).

“If you didn’t know first names on the team,” Rosenhaus said, “you had no idea what he was talking about. Going back to the ABA days, their teams were phenomenal, led by Dr. J. His play-by-play was, ‘Doc’ has it at the top of the key, down low to ‘The Whopper,’ outside to ‘Super John,’ the ‘BT Express’ has it now.’ … If you didn’t know who these guys were, then you were lost.”

When Sterling moved to Atlanta in 1981, he joined TBS and WSB Radio and began broadcasting for the Atlanta Braves and the Hawks. He became known for punctuating Dominique Wilkins’ dunks with flair: “Dominique is Magnifique!”

The Yankees years

In 1989, Sterling took over as the Yankees’ play-by-play broadcaster for WABC. His stint began auspiciously with an encounter with the late owner George Steinbrenner in a hotel elevator in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Steinbrenner lifted a finger and pointed it at Sterling’s chest.

“It was just the two of us,” Sterling said, “and George said to me, the way he talks, ‘I just want you to know that I always wanted you to do Yankees games.’”

That started Sterling’s streak, which astounded his peers.

“I never once turned on the radio and said, ‘Boy, John sounds tired.’ He always brought his ‘A’ game,” Blue Jays and ESPN broadcaster Dan Shulman told Yankees magazine in 2024.

“Showing up to perform virtually every single day since 1989, he was a pillar for Yankees fans who relied on the comfort and familiarity of his voice to be the soundtrack of their spring, summer and fall,” the Yankees said in a statement upon his retirement. “Given the tremendous care he had for the team and his performance on the air, it’s not a stretch to believe that our fans live and die with every pitch because John Sterling did the same.”

Over that time, Sterling spent 10 seasons in the booth working alongside Kay. In 2005, Suzyn Waldman took over as his color analyst and remains in the position. The best-friends dynamic between Sterling and Waldman became an instant obsession for Yankees fans, who, in addition to hearing details about the game, would get their inside jokes and references to Broadway musicals or old-time movies.

Occasionally, Sterling would draw the ire of listeners and critics for starting home run calls too soon, only for them to become long fly-ball outs or have wrong details due to deteriorating hearing and eyesight.

He was also known for refusing to adapt to the times. He didn’t have a smartphone or use the internet. On the road, he would seek out that city’s newspaper in the morning and travel with books, typically suspense or crime novels. He had several TVs mounted on the walls of his apartment in Edgewater, N.J., and he would sometimes watch several games at a time.

“He’s one of a kind,” Waldman said. “There will never be another person like that, to have that kind of love for a team and that kind of love for his fan base.”

Sterling’s streak ended on July 4, 2019, when he fell ill and missed three games.

“Think about that,” Mets broadcaster Howie Rose said at the time. “Some Yankees fans have never heard anyone but John’s voice for the entirety of their life.”

Even players were astounded by Sterling’s commitment. In 2000, Sterling’s wife gave birth to their triplets before Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Early in the day, Sterling was at the hospital in New Jersey to witness their birth. Later that night, he called the Yankees’ victory over the Seattle Mariners and boarded the team’s charter to Washington. On the jet, third baseman Scott Brosius saw Sterling. He was baffled.

“John,” Brosius said, “didn’t you just have triplets? Why are you on the flight?”

Sterling shrugged.

“Nothing more I can do,” he said.

Sterling’s health would begin to falter later in his career. In 2020, he missed games while recovering from a blood infection. Soon after, his workload would begin to lighten, and traveling would take a toll on him. In 2023, a foul ball zipped over the netting behind the plate and struck Sterling in the broadcast booth, caroming off his table and leaving a cut over his eyebrow. Sterling continued to call the game.

In 2024, Sterling retired — twice. In early April, Sterling felt run-down after the Yankees opened the season with trips to the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He abruptly ended his career on April 15 of that year, and the team held an on-field, pregame ceremony in his honor about a week later.

“I hate packing, unpacking, traveling, getting to places, et cetera, et cetera,” he said. “But the games themselves, they’re as easy for me to do as anything I do.”

BUT STERLING RETURNED TO THE YANKEES’ BOOTH FOR THE FINAL WEEK OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND THE PLAYOFFS UNTIL THE YANKEES LOST TO THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS IN GAME 5 OF THE WORLD SERIES AT YANKEE STADIUM. HE THEN HOSTED A WEEKLY RADIO SHOW ON WABC THROUGHOUT MUCH OF 2025.

“How lucky can you be, for people to celebrate what you do for a living?” he said.

(C) The New York Times

As Lag BaOmer approaches against the backdrop of heightened security concerns, many seeking to be at the kever of Rav Shimon bar Yochai are turning to rabbanim for guidance on whether to travel to Meron despite potential road closures.

A Jew from the United States posed the question to Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, asking whether one must go to great lengths to reach Meron if access routes are blocked. “Should one sacrifice himself to travel or not?” he asked.

Rav Schechter responded clearly: “There is no need for mesirus nefesh (sacrifice oneself).”

The questioner then pressed further, asking whether it would be worthwhile to attempt reaching Meron through alternate routes, such as traveling through the mountains from the direction of Tzefas.

Rav Schechter replied, “If there is a normal way, then travel; if it works, it works, and if not, then not. One can accomplish things from a distance as well.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo delivered a forceful address during a visit to Yeshivas Ohel Torah in Ramat Shlomo, strongly condemning efforts to recruit yeshiva students into the military and warning against what he described as deceptive attempts to draw chareidi youth away from Torah life.

The rosh yeshiva spoke at a large gathering held in honor of his visit, offering words of encouragement ahead of Shavuos to hundreds of talmidim at the yeshiva, which is led by Rav Shlomo Muallem.

In his remarks, Rav Feinstein emphasized the unparalleled value of Torah study, describing the level of dedication required in learning as even greater than that of the Kohen Gadol entering the Kodesh Hakodoshim. He explained that through sustained immersion in Torah, a person forms a deep and personal connection, to the point that the Torah becomes his own possession.

Toward the end of his address, he turned to the challenges currently facing lomdei Torah, including government pressures and public criticism. He stressed that those who dedicate their lives to Torah are the very purpose of creation, and cited the Chofetz Chaim’s teaching that success in battle depends on aligning with the stronger side. In this struggle, he said, the stronger side is clearly that of Torah learners, the side of the Torah and Hashem.

Rav Feinstein also referenced the view of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik that such pressures are ultimately aimed at undermining Judaism itself, and warned talmidim not to be misled by programs targeting the chareidi public.

“What is being advertised as a chareidi unit or a chassidic group and the like is nothing more than a blatant falsehood intended to lead people away from religion. One who enters a military framework is comparable to one who goes to a church or a priest — places associated with religious persecution,” he said.

הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם הגר”ח פיינשטיין בישיבת אהל תורהצילום: באדיבות המצלם {Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Former White House national security adviser John Bolton said Sunday that the United States has yet to complete its objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran, even as the fighting has now stretched beyond two months.

Appearing on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Bolton argued that while the U.S. holds a strong position militarily, its broader goals remain unfulfilled. “Well, it’s anybody’s guess at this point, I think the United States holds a great advantage here, but it hasn’t finished the job that was started,” Bolton told host Chris Stirewalt.

He went on to outline what he believes would constitute a decisive outcome. “My definition of finishing the job is ousting the regime in Tehran, but there are steps less than that that [President] Trump could take, and I’m a little surprised that he hasn’t done it,” he added.

Bolton’s comments came after President Trump indicated last week that he was dissatisfied with the current situation between Washington and Tehran, particularly as nuclear negotiations between the two sides have stalled.

“We’ve already won, but I want to win by a bigger margin,” Trump said during an interview with Newsmax’s Greta Van Susteren.

He continued by emphasizing that, in his view, the damage inflicted on Iran has been extensive, but still insufficient. “We’ve destroyed everything. If we leave right now, it will take them 20 years to rebuild, if they ever could rebuild, but it’s actually not good enough,” he added. “We have to have guarantees they will never have a nuclear weapon.”

Iranian officials, for their part, have said they are reviewing Washington’s response to a recent proposal aimed at ending the war, while stressing that the discussions are not centered on nuclear issues.

Meanwhile, tensions in the region remain high. On Sunday, a cargo vessel traveling near the Strait of Hormuz reported coming under attack by several small boats, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The incident is one of at least two dozen similar attacks reported in the area since the conflict began.

Public opinion in the United States appears divided, with a recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll showing that a majority of Americans disapprove of the military action. According to the survey, 61 percent of respondents said they believe the Trump administration made the wrong decision in launching the operation against Iran.

The ongoing conflict has also had economic repercussions. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, has remained closed throughout much of the fighting. As a result, fuel prices have climbed significantly, with AAA reporting that the national average for a gallon of gas has risen to about $4.45, compared to $3.17 at the same time last year.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Federal investigators have opened an inquiry after a United Airlines aircraft hit a light pole while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport, officials said Sunday.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it has begun examining the incident involving United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400 traveling from Venice to Newark. In a statement posted on X, the agency said, “The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into Sunday’s incident involving United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400 operating from Venice to Newark, which struck a light pole while on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport.”

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft made contact with a pole on the New Jersey Turnpike as it was descending toward Newark on Sunday afternoon. According to the agency, the jet “struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike” but “landed safely.” The FAA noted it will also conduct its own review of the event.

United Airlines said in a statement sent late Sunday that Flight 169 reached its destination without further issue. The company said the aircraft “taxied to the gate normally” and confirmed that “no passengers or crew were injured.”

The airline added that its maintenance crews are now inspecting the plane and that a full internal review is underway. “Our maintenance team is evaluating damage to the aircraft. We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process,” United said.

Authorities reported that a truck traveling on the highway was struck by the pole after impact, and the driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The incident comes shortly after another event involving a United flight last week, when a plane approaching San Diego reported a possible midair encounter with a drone.

“United flight 1980 reported a possible drone strike just prior to arriving in San Diego. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate. Our maintenance team found no damage after thoroughly inspecting the aircraft,” United said in a statement issued Wednesday to NewsNation.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has climbed to its highest level yet, according to a newly released national survey, with voters citing concerns over rising costs, inflation, and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, published Friday, found that 62 percent of Americans disapprove of the president’s performance. That marks a 2-point increase since February, with respondents pointing to affordability issues and economic pressures as key factors shaping their views.

A large majority of those surveyed—72 percent—said they disapprove of how Trump is handling inflation, up 7 points from two months earlier. By contrast, 27 percent expressed approval, while 1 percent did not respond.

On the broader issue of living costs, dissatisfaction was even more pronounced. Seventy-six percent of respondents said they disapprove of Trump’s handling of the cost of living in the United States, compared to 23 percent who said they approve. Another 1 percent declined to answer.

Trump has previously insisted that he “won” the issue of affordability” and has argued that inflation tied to the war would be temporary.

Despite those claims, many respondents indicated they are feeling the impact of higher fuel prices and increased energy costs, which have climbed during the Iran conflict. Core inflation also rose to 3.5 percent in March, the highest level in two years.

The poll also found that 66 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s management of the Iran war, while 33 percent approve. One percent of those surveyed did not answer the question.

Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain uncertain, even as most U.S. ground operations overseas have largely wound down.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said the United States has received a new proposal from Iran aimed at ending the conflict, though he voiced doubt about its viability.

“I’ll let you know about it later,” he said, adding that “they’re going to give me the exact wording now.”

At the same time, tensions have surfaced between the United States and its allies, with Trump criticizing several countries for what he described as insufficient support during the Middle East conflict. Some European nations have voiced opposition to the U.S. military campaign.

In response, Trump announced plans to reduce the American troop presence in Germany.

“We are going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” Trump told reporters Saturday.

According to the survey, 65 percent of respondents said they believe Trump is handling relations with U.S. allies poorly amid these disputes.

The poll was conducted among 2,560 adults across the United States and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

{Matzav.com}

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With this year’s Lag BaOmer gatherings at the kever of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron significantly restricted, Yerushalayim is preparing to serve as the main hub of celebrations, with numerous hadlakos planned throughout the city.

The central hadlaka led by Rav Meilech Biderman is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. on Rechov Shefa Chaim. A designated area for women will be available at Ginat Ezrat Torah.

A major hadlaka will also take place at Yeshivas Oryasa on Rechov Strauss at 8:30 p.m., featuring Bentzi Stein, Arele Samet, and others. The Hachnasas Orchim Rashbi organization has made large-scale preparations, including providing significant amounts of food and meat for participants.

At Kikar Zaks on Rechov Shmuel Hanavi, the hadlaka of Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter will take place at 8:00 p.m.

Additional celebrations are expected at the kever of Shimon Hatzadsik, at Rav Shalom Arush’s shul, and at Toldos Aharon in Meah Shearim.

In Beitar Illit, the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak rebbe will light at the Kavim parking lot at 10:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Meron, only three hadlakos will take place in a limited format: the Boyaner Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Amar, and a hadlaka organized by the Dati Leumi community, each limited to approximately 200 participants.

{Matzav.com}

A wide-ranging recycling proposal in New York would require many companies to significantly reduce their use of plastic packaging, a move supporters say is necessary to address mounting waste, but critics warn could lead to damaged goods and higher costs for consumers.

The measure, known as the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, would apply to companies earning more than $5 million annually that sell or distribute certain products. It mandates a gradual elimination of packaging considered harmful or non-reusable, replacing it with materials that are reusable or more environmentally sustainable.

Similar initiatives have already been adopted in several states, including Maryland, Maine, Oregon, Colorado, California, and Minnesota, as well as in a number of countries. The push comes as New Yorkers generate nearly five pounds of waste per person each day.

Under the proposal, businesses would need to cut their use of non-environmentally friendly packaging by 10% within three years and by 30% over a 12-year period.

The legislation also sets benchmarks for reusable packaging, requiring at least 5% of materials to be reusable or refillable by 2032, increasing to 10% by 2040 and 20% by 2055.

In addition, a growing share of packaging would need to be recyclable, with a minimum of 25% by 2032, rising to 50% by 2040 and 75% by 2055.

“New York State must follow suit to meet the moment for environmental accountability,” said a memo supporting the bill, which is sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and state Sen. Peter Harckham.

“This legislation shifts the onus of recycling and waste hauling for packaging from municipalities and residents and ensures that producers of products are serving our interests by establishing solutions to sustainable packaging,” the memo said.

Companies that fail to meet the new requirements would face financial penalties, with funds directed toward improving recycling systems and infrastructure.

Industry representatives and supermarket groups, however, argue the changes would force a shift away from protective plastic materials toward less effective alternatives, potentially leading to product damage.

“Even with its recent amendments it will eliminate the plastic film packaging that keeps essential products like toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers dry and sanitary,” said Dan Felton, president and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association.

“Without it, retailers and consumers face increased product damage, higher replacement costs, and less reliable shelf availability.

“We agree that we must improve recycling systems and reduce waste, but good public policy will also avoid higher costs and keep critical packaging in place to protect public health,” he said.

Nelson Eusebio, director of government affairs for the National Supermarkets Association, said the impact would be especially felt in lower-income communities.

“For independent supermarkets serving New York City’s working-class and minority communities, even modest shifts in packaging policy can quickly translate into higher costs for families.

“When changes move forward without scalable, commercially viable alternatives, those costs ripple through the supply chain and affect prices at the register.”

A similar version of the bill cleared the state Senate last year but failed to pass in the Assembly amid strong opposition from plastics manufacturers.

The renewed effort comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul continues discussions with lawmakers over adjusting deadlines tied to a 2019 climate law aimed at transitioning the state away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro.

Glick and Harckham said the current proposal has undergone extensive revisions, including roughly 150 changes that extend deadlines and adjust restrictions on certain materials.

“The underlying challenge has not changed. New York is facing a growing solid waste and pollution crisis, and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is a real solution that must be passed this year,” Glick said.

Harckham added that industry concerns were taken into account during the revision process.

“We have forged a middle ground with these amendments to our bill, and now we are working to finally gain the necessary legislative and executive approvals that will save New Yorkers millions of dollars each year while helping to protect our environment,” he said.

The bill has received support from multiple environmental organizations, as well as the state Association of Counties, which argue that excessive plastic use is overwhelming landfill capacity.

“New Yorkers are drowning in plastic waste, and for too long, taxpayers have been stuck with the bill while multi-billion-dollar companies pump toxic chemicals into our communities,” said Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics and a former regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“These amendments are a major concession to the plastic industry, but the foundation of the bill remains important, necessary and impactful. We cannot afford another year of inaction.”

Business groups, including the Business Council of New York State and the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment, maintain that the legislation would impose heavy burdens on companies and consumers alike.

“This proposal includes requirements – such as stringent source reduction targets, material restrictions, and limited flexibility – that go well beyond those in EPR laws adopted by other states, most recently Minnesota, Washington, and Maryland,” the groups said in a joint statement.

“If adopted, this bill would impose significant operational challenges on business and result in significant impacts on consumer costs and product availability.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu placed a phone call to the Belzer Rebbe in recent days to inquire about his condition, following reports that the Rebbe had been experiencing weakness.

According to those familiar with the conversation, the Rebbe’s condition has been improving after a recent period of illness, as chassidim continue to follow updates and daven for his continued recovery. Amid that concern, Netanyahu reached out personally to check on his well-being.

The prime minister contacted the Rebbe’s residence and spoke with him for several minutes. Netanyahu asked about the Rebbe’s health, and the Rebbe responded briefly, expressing thanks and answering amen to the prime minister’s wishes.

During the conversation, Netanyahu also expressed strong appreciation for the efforts of the Belzer community’s leadership, particularly praising the work of the Rebbe’s son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach.

Toward the end of the exchange, after it was recently reported that Netanyahu himself had undergone a medical procedure, the Belzer Rebbe extended a brocha to the prime minister, wishing him continued good health.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Iranian lawmaker warned Sunday that any attempt by the United States to intervene in maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as a breach of the current ceasefire, as tensions rise following a new U.S. initiative in the region.

Ebrahim Azizi, who heads Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, issued a series of statements cautioning Washington against involvement in what he described as Iran’s maritime framework for the strategic waterway.

“Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire,” he said in a translated message posted on X.

Azizi also dismissed remarks by President Donald Trump regarding the situation, writing, “The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts!”

He further rejected accusations directed at Tehran, stating, “No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!”

In a separate post, Azizi reiterated that the region should not be used for political messaging. “The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are not a place for rhetoric,” he said.

The comments followed President Trump’s announcement of “Project Freedom,” a plan under which U.S. forces would begin escorting vessels through the strait starting Monday to ensure safe passage.

Trump’s move came after he voiced skepticism about a 14-point peace proposal put forward by Iran over the weekend.

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Tensions are mounting over transportation arrangements for a major Lag BaOmer gathering in Yerushalayim, where tens of thousands are expected to attend the lighting ceremony led by Rav Elimelech Biderman, but may face severe shortages in public transit.

Critics warn that without adequate service, participants could be left stranded or forced to pay high private travel costs, even as other large events receive extensive transportation support.

In an interview on Kol Chai Radio, Yisrael Gefner, head of the Emes L’Yaakov organization, described a growing crisis in planning for the event. He noted that while the situation in Meron is being handled separately, the large-scale gathering in Yerushalayim has not been matched with sufficient transportation infrastructure.

“We are essentially operating under two separate processes,” Gefner said, explaining that the Yerushalayim event requires its own dedicated logistical response.

Gefner pointed to a past case involving Israel Railways, which initially halted service during a mass protest near the entrance to Yerushalayim over the draft law, prompting a petition to the High Court of Justice. “The trains only resumed operation after the petition,” he said, arguing that the current dispute reflects the same broader issue — equal access to public services.

According to Gefner, while left-wing demonstrations and major entertainment events receive significant transit reinforcements, the chareidi tzibbur is often left without comparable support. “When a well-known secular singer performed, they added 14 trains,” he said, adding that protests and sporting events routinely receive expanded service. By contrast, for Lag BaOmer events, “not only is there no reinforcement — we are at risk of a shutdown.”

He also challenged the claim that the restrictions are based on genuine security concerns. “They conducted a review and found that the police actually requested increased security personnel, not a halt to train service,” he said, suggesting that the policy reflects systemic discrimination rather than operational necessity.

Gefner warned that without organized public transportation, many attendees will be forced to seek costly alternatives. “People are paying over 100 shekels for private rides — they don’t deserve that,” he said, emphasizing that public transit offers a safer, more affordable, and better-regulated option that also helps reduce congestion and risk.

In response, an urgent petition was filed with the High Court, seeking to establish a permanent policy requiring expanded transportation services for large chareidi events. “We want to ensure there is no situation where some receive and others do not,” Gafner said.

A decision from the court is expected by Tuesday morning, a delay that drew criticism from radio host Avi Mimran. “The same High Court that saw fit to convene in the middle of Shabbos to urgently discuss a protest in Kaplan suddenly shows surprising patience when it comes to the rights of the chareidi tzibbur. Even though the hilula begins tomorrow night, the court has until tomorrow morning to calmly deliberate the petition for increased transportation,” he said. Gefner added that even if the ruling does not impact the upcoming event, establishing a clear principle for the future remains the primary goal.

Shortly after the interview, Justice Yitzchak Amit ordered the relevant authorities — including the transportation minister, the Ministry of Transportation, the national transport authority, Israel Railways, the police, and the Yerushalayim municipality — to submit responses by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday regarding the petition, which argues that insufficient transportation poses a risk to public safety.

{Matzav.com}

Member of Knesset Meir Porush announced that he will not travel to Meron for Lag BaOmer this year following the cancellation of the annual hilula and called for serious reflection and lessons to be drawn from the situation.

In a personal column published late Sunday, Porush opened with a clear declaration: “I will start from the end. This year as well, unfortunately, I will not take part in the hilula of Rashbi at the holy site of Meron.”

Porush wrote that since childhood, attending the annual gathering had been a constant in his life. “Since I was a small child, there was almost no year in which I missed participating in the holy hilula. Meron, throughout the year, and especially on Lag BaOmer, is truly part of my very being — a feeling I am certain many people from Yerushalayim share.”

He added that in recent years he had played a central role in organizing the event, describing it as a significant merit. “My merit grew even more over the past three years, during which I had the privilege of leading the preparations for the holy hilula, and in the years 5783 and 5785, with the help of Heaven, we succeeded in holding these elevated gatherings with great crowds and dignity, attended by tens of thousands of the Jewish people.”

Even after stepping down from his government role, Porush said he continued to be involved in planning efforts under the guidance of senior rabbinic leadership. “In the past year, after my departure from the government, under the directive of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, I continued, with the blessing of our revered admorim, to assist in my role as a member of Knesset in the preparations for the hilula, alongside those engaged in this sacred work.”

Porush described being taken aback by the government’s decision earlier this month to cancel the event. “However, last Friday, the 7th of Iyar, we were astonished to hear about the cabinet’s decision to cancel the hilula. Those involved in the work at the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Heritage did not give up in the face of this decree, and with great creativity formulated an interim plan that was approved by the Home Front Command.”

He claimed that certain elements within government authorities worked to block that compromise plan. “On the other hand, certain parties within the government authorities acted with all their strength against this plan, placing obstacle after obstacle in order to prevent the arrival of the thousands to the hilula. The matter ended with the new decision of the Home Front Command last Friday, the 14th of Iyar, to further tighten the restrictions, which in practice do not allow the hilula events to take place.”

Porush said he would refrain from publicly detailing his full position on the decisions. “At this time, I will refrain from expressing my opinion regarding the decisions that were made. What I heard in the discussions of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, I heard, and what I said in the discussion with the prime minister, I said. I was not a partner to the decision that was later made, and I am not at peace with it, and I will not elaborate further.”

He acknowledged the deep disappointment caused by the cancellation, noting the personal significance the event holds for him. “The current situation is that the hilula of Rashbi in Meron will no longer take place in a format that meets the outline I established — ‘with prayer, with safety, and with joy.’ This pains me very much, the memories of the hilula in the years 5780, 5781, 5782, and 5784 are deeply etched in me, and the knowledge that once again we will not hold the hilula in its proper form is very distressing.”

Despite the situation, Porush stressed the importance of learning from past experiences. “I expect that nevertheless, the lessons that can be learned will indeed be learned. As I said in the Knesset plenum during a discussion on the Meron law, even before the security situation in the north became clear: ‘I want to emphasize that what happened in 5784 cannot repeat itself. The professionals, together with the police, must formulate a more balanced framework, one that does not end with unbearable scenes of violence and chaos.’ I very much hope that the message has been heard and will continue to be heard.”

He emphasized that he would stand in solidarity with the broader public who will be unable to attend. “The majority of the Jewish people will not merit this year to fulfill their desire to participate in the holy hilula, and I will share in their pain. Even though I have the ability, as someone who ‘benefits’ from parliamentary immunity, to go up to Meron — I do not feel it is appropriate for me to do so when you, my dear brothers, the people of Meron, cannot do so.”

Porush concluded with a message encouraging unity and introspection, even from afar. “Together with you, each person in his own city or by his rov, we will try to rejoice in the joy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, even from a distance, with closeness of heart, and we will examine our deeds and make an accounting of the soul as to why the ascent to Meron on Lag BaOmer — something that was once so natural — has over the years become such a great challenge, and sometimes even impossible.”

{Matzav.com}

A chareidi couple from Modiin Illit welcomed a second set of quadruplets on Sunday at Sheba Medical Center, marking an extraordinary event that comes four years after the birth of their first set of quadruplets.

Both births included three girls and one boy.

In the earlier delivery, which took place four years ago, one of the baby girls died shortly after birth, and another passed away about a year later.

The unusual case was first reported by Kol Chai Radio.

The family, members of the Breslover community, lives in the Brachfeld neighborhood of Modiin Illit.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu told senior Israel Defense Forces officers that Iran is increasingly worried Israel could bring about the collapse of its regime through economic pressure, and warned that Israel may ultimately move on its own to demilitarize the Gaza Strip if no outside party steps in.

Recordings aired Sunday evening revealed Netanyahu’s remarks during a briefing with top military leadership, in which he described growing concern inside Iran following recent developments.

“There is no doubt that by the end of this war, Iran is weaker than ever and Israel is stronger than ever,” he said. “But we know that we still face a challenge.”

He continued, “We saw that after the regime was struck and weakened, protests followed. And we see that the regime is very troubled by the possibility that we will collapse its economy, because it believes that could also bring down its rule.”

Referring to U.S. policy, Netanyahu said, “President Trump believes that through economic pressure he can also extract the nuclear material. That is all I can say in this forum.”

The prime minister also addressed the situation in Gaza, pointing to Israel’s current military positioning and the possibility of future action to dismantle hostile forces.

“We are holding a security zone inside enemy territory, in Gaza, more than 50% in terms of the ability to enter and begin dismantling it. If someone else dismantles it — all the better.”

He added that Israel has urged U.S. leadership to present an alternative, but is preparing for the likelihood that it will need to act independently.

“I don’t see that happening. I tell Trump and his people, ‘Please, bring it. Bring it.’ But if they do not, the task of dismantling the weapons and demilitarizing the Strip will fall on us. We need to choose the right time to do it,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey is based on more than a controversial Instagram post, emphasizing that prosecutors relied on a broader body of evidence gathered over nearly a year-long investigation.

Speaking on Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker pressed Blanche about the basis for the charges, referencing the social media post at the center of the case.

Welker said, “A grand jury has indicted the former FBI director for this Instagram post. I want to put it up. I think a lot of folks have seen it at this point. 86 47 and sea seashells, which the indictment says, quote, a reasonable recipient who is familiar with the circumstances would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the president of the United States. How does that image of seashells amount to a serious threat against the president’s life?”

Blanche responded that the investigation extended well beyond the post itself.

“Well, every case requires an investigation. And what you just showed is, is one part of that investigation. What you just showed is the Instagram post. Rest assured that the career assistant United States attorneys in North Carolina, the career FBI agents, the career Secret Service agents that investigated this case, didn’t just look at the Instagram post to walk away. That’s why you saw an indictment last week, not withstanding the fact that it was last May that the post was made. So I am not permitted to get into the details of what the grand jury heard or found, as you know. But rest assured that it’s not just the Instagram post that leads somebody to get indicted.”

Welker followed up by asking how prosecutors could establish intent given Comey’s own explanation.

“How do you prove intent, Mr. Blanche, when Mr. Comey himself said he didn’t understand that some people would look at that and think about violence?”

Blanche said that intent is demonstrated through multiple forms of evidence.

“You prove intent like you always prove intent. You prove intent with witnesses, you prove intent with documents, with materials. So again, this is not just about a single Instagram post. This is about a body of evidence that the grand jury collected over the series of about 11 months. That evidence was presented to the grand jury. And it’s not the government. It’s not the Department of Justice. It’s not Todd Blanche that returns an indictment against James Comey. It’s the grand jury.”

Welker then pressed whether additional facts exist beyond the social media post that establish a threat.

“Are there, are you in fact saying that there are facts beyond this Instagram post that clearly establish an intent to threaten the president’s life?”

Blanche reiterated that the length of the investigation itself indicates there is more to the case.

“I’ve said repeatedly this was an investigation that lasted 11 months.If the only facts that existed was the posting of the Instagram, obviously that wouldn’t have taken 11 months. And so when Mr. Turley talks about whether it’s facially unconstitutional absent unknown facts or circumstances, we will necessarily have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, at trial, every element of this crime — which we’re prepared to do.”

Welker asked whether those additional details would be made public.

“Can you and will you let the public know what any of those other facts are?”

Blanche said that information would come out during court proceedings.

“Absolutely. It’s called a trial. That’s what happens at every single case. We indict thousands of cases every year. Every one of those cases, there’s an indictment and then eventually there is a trial or some sort of disposition. At the trial, a public trial, that will be open to the public, everybody in this country will know exactly what evidence the government has against Mr. Comey.”

Welker also raised the issue of similar phrases being widely available online.

“It is worth noting that on Amazon.com — we looked this up — there are dozens of products with the same terminology, we’re showing it right here, 86 47 being sold and purchased right now. Should individuals selling or buying ’86 47′ merchandise be concerned that they’re going to be prosecuted by the DOJ?”

Blanche said the case is not about a single phrase in isolation, but about context and supporting evidence.

“This isn’t about a single incident, OK. I mean, of course not. That’s posted constantly. That phrase is used constantly. There are constantly men and women who choose to make threatening statements against President Trump. Every one of those statements do not result in indictments, of course. There are facts, there are circumstances, there are investigations that have to take place. And we have charged dozens and dozens of men and women this year with threatening President Trump and others. So this isn’t a new charge we’re bringing.”

{Matzav.com}