President Donald Trump circulated an image online depicting him as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” drawing attention for its unusual presentation.
The image appeared to be a doctored Wikipedia entry listing Trump as the “incumbent Venezuelan president” as of January 2026, while also noting his real positions as the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
The post surfaced as Trump spoke optimistically about U.S. engagement with Caracas, saying relations with Venezuela’s leadership are progressing smoothly, citing energy cooperation and diplomatic contacts as evidence.
“Venezuela is really working out well. We’re working along really well with the leadership, and we’ll see how it all works out,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about ties with the new authorities in Caracas following the U.S. operation that removed Nicolas Maduro from power.
Trump said Venezuelan officials had requested that the United States receive a massive oil shipment. “She asked us, can we take 50 million barrels of oil? And I said, yes we can,” he said. “It’s $4 billion, $4.2 billion, and it’s on its way right now to the United States.”
When questioned about a potential meeting with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Trump indicated openness to talks. “At some point I’ll meet. Yeah, she’s been very good.”
He also hinted that a sit-down with opposition figure Maria Corina Machado could take place soon. “I hear Tuesday or Wednesday. I look forward to that,” he said.
According to Trump, major energy companies are eager to do business in Venezuela, though he singled out ExxonMobil for criticism. “I didn’t like Exxon’s response,” he said. “They’re playing too cute.”
Addressing concerns from energy firms, Trump said the administration would provide firm assurances. “Guarantees that they’re gonna be safe, that there’s gonna be no problem, and there will be. There’s not gonna be a problem.”
He blamed earlier complications on past U.S. leadership. “They had problems in the past because they didn’t have Trump as a president,” he said.
Trump also alluded to wider regional negotiations, including discussions involving Cuba, though he declined to elaborate. “You’re gonna find out pretty soon,” he said.
In an earlier social media message, Trump declared that Venezuela would no longer be sending “oil or money” to Cuba and said the U.S. military would play a role in ensuring separation between the two nations.
“Venezuela doesn’t need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years,” he wrote. “Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will,” Trump said.
{Matzav.com}United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Iranian officials on Monday, local time, to show restraint as unrest continues to grip the country, urging authorities to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld. He stressed that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly “must be fully respected” and safeguarded.
His comments come against the backdrop of widespread protests in Iran that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 420 demonstrators over the past 15 days, including eight children. The figures were cited by Human Rights Activists in Iran and reported by CNN.
In a message posted on X, the UN chief underscored the importance of avoiding what he described as the “unnecessary or disproportionate use of force” in responding to public demonstrations.
“Shocked by reports of violence & excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters resulting in deaths & injuries in recent days. The rights to freedom of expression, association & peaceful assembly must be fully respected & protected. I urge the Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint & refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force,” Guterres said in his post.
“I also urge steps that enable access to information in the country, including restoring communications,” the UN Secretary-General said.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Israel is “closely monitoring” developments in Iran as demonstrations calling for greater freedom continue to spread.
Netanyahu expressed firm backing for the Iranian population in its confrontation with what he labeled “tyranny.”
In a separate post on X, Netanyahu wrote, “Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran. The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran’s citizens.”
The unrest began on December 28 with protests over rising inflation and worsening economic conditions, before rapidly expanding into nationwide turmoil marked by violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
Rallies have since erupted in numerous cities, with authorities responding through arrests, sweeping crackdowns, and forceful measures. Human rights organizations have repeatedly voiced alarm over the number of casualties and allegations of mistreatment of those detained.
Iranian officials have attributed the violence to what they describe as “rioters” and foreign involvement, while insisting that legitimate economic complaints will be addressed through official channels.
Against this backdrop, U.S. officials told CNN that President Trump is considering multiple military options related to Iran following the deadly protests, after issuing warnings to Tehran over the use of lethal force against demonstrators.
Iran’s Attorney General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, said that the legal response to the protests would be uncompromising. According to Tasnim News Agency, he stated that cases would be pursued “without leniency, mercy or appeasement.” “The charges against all rioters are the same,” he said.
{Matzav.com}
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A federal bankruptcy judge has stopped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s attempt to step into the sale of thousands of rent-stabilized apartments across the city.
City officials under Mamdani had asked the court to delay the transaction after residents raised concerns that the current owner, Pinnacle Group, failed to properly maintain the buildings and that the buyer, Summit Properties USA, could continue those practices.
The administration argued that the city had standing to intervene because it is a creditor of Pinnacle, which owes more than $12 million in unpaid fines, according to Gothamist. However, Bankruptcy Judge David Jones rejected that argument, dealing an early setback to the mayor’s housing agenda.
Jones could authorize the sale to Summit as early as Thursday, though city officials say they are still reviewing possible next steps.
“We will continue to fight to ensure any owner of this portfolio makes necessary repairs to bring the buildings up to code and respects the rent stabilization regulations,” Leila Bozorg, the city’s deputy mayor for housing, told the outlet.
The court ruling follows another episode that has complicated Mamdani’s housing push: his decision to appoint Cea Weaver to head the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. Weaver has drawn criticism for past remarks in which she described home ownership as a “weapon of white supremacy” and said property should be treated as a “collective good.”
As scrutiny over those statements intensified, Weaver said she regretted “some” of her earlier comments. She did not specify which remarks she was referring to but said her focus in government would be addressing “racial inequalities” on behalf of city residents.
“But, you know, I do think my decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing sort of stands on its own,” Weaver said. “I’m proud to be in this role fighting for stronger tenants’ rights. And I think that for many years, people have been locked out of the property market, that has produced systemic and racial inequalities in our system.”
The controversy was discussed publicly by former Trump special advisor Catalina Lauf and Trump 2024 deputy communications director Caroline Sunshine during an appearance on ‘Kudlow,’ where they criticized Mamdani’s embrace of collectivist ideas.
“I want to make sure that everybody has a safe and affordable place to live — whether they rent or own,” Weaver added. “And that is something that I’m laser-focused on in this new role.”
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran appears to be edging closer to crossing American red lines, pointing to reports of civilian casualties and warning that any strike on U.S. interests would draw a powerful response as his administration considers what he described as “very strong options.”
Trump made the remarks while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One during his return flight from Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, D.C. He was asked whether recent developments in Iran had reached a point that would prompt action by the United States.
“They’re starting to, it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed,” Trump said. “These are violent — if you call them leaders, I don’t know if their leaders or just if they rule through violence. And, we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination.”
The president later said that some demonstrators died in a stampede while others were shot, adding that he is receiving updates on the situation every hour and will base any decision on the latest intelligence.
His comments followed warnings he issued earlier this week that the United States would respond aggressively if the Iranian government intensified its crackdown on protesters.
“Iran’s in big trouble,” Trump said. “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago. We’re watching the situation very carefully.”
Trump went on to emphasize that any response would be severe but would not necessarily involve deploying American troops. “We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”
Demonstrations had reached at least 190 cities across Iran by Saturday, according to figures released by the National Council of Resistance in Iran.
On Sunday, Associated Press reported that activists said at least 544 people have been killed so far, with concerns that the true number may be higher. Iranian officials have also warned that if the United States intervenes on behalf of protesters, both U.S. forces and Israel would be viewed as “legitimate targets.”
More than 10,600 people have been arrested during the more than two weeks of unrest, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which the AP noted has proven reliable during past periods of upheaval. The group said 496 of those killed were protesters, while 48 were members of Iran’s security forces.
Iranian authorities have also implemented a broad internet shutdown in recent days, largely isolating the country from the outside world as demonstrations expanded and officials threatened increasingly harsh punishment for those involved.
{Matzav.com}
The Sanzer chassidus has been informed in recent days of a significant development with the establishment of a Vaad HaPikuach al Kashrus HaTefillin, an oversight committee created in response to serious concerns and questions that emerged regarding the kashrus of tefillin.
The initiative was launched at the directive of the Sanzer Rebbe, who acted after a range of troubling issues relating to the manufacture and condition of tefillin housing came to light. According to sources, the Sanzer Rebbe had already convened an urgent meeting toward the end of the month of Av with rabbonim and dayanim of the Sanzer community, warning of the critical obligation to stand guard over the kashrus of tefillin and to address the emerging concerns without delay.
Among the serious kashrus problems identified were tefillin batim that are not perfectly square in accordance with halachah; batim containing holes that were filled with glue; batei tefillin shel rosh in which a mechanical saw was used between the four compartments, causing blemishes to the housing; and cases of artificially created or falsified grooves between the compartments of the shel rosh, among other deficiencies.
In light of these findings, the Sanzer Rebbe instructed that a formal oversight body be established. After months of preparation and intensive work, the vaad was officially launched under the Rebbe’s direct guidance. The Rebbe is personally involved in the committee’s activities and closely oversees its operations.
The newly formed vaad includes prominent rabbonim and dayanim of the Sanzer communities: Rav Mordechai Brand, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Hillel Deutsch, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Yitzchak Aharon Yisroeli, Dayan of Sanz Ashdod; Rav Mordechai Levinstein, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Avraham Shraga Stieglitz, Dayan of Sanz Beitar; and Rav Shlomo Stern, Dayan of Sanz Haifa.
On behalf of the Vaad HaPikuach, a special kol korei was issued in recent days to the broader Sanzer chassidus. The proclamation provides clear directives and detailed guidance, instructing chassidim that from this point forward, tefillin should be purchased only from sources operating under the vaad’s supervision, ensuring the highest standards of kashrus and hidur.
In an unusual step, the Sanzer Rebbe personally added his handwritten signature to the kol korei, along with several additional lines emphasizing the obligation to reinforce these measures with even greater strength.
{Matzav.com}
An apartment complex in the Bronx that Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently spotlighted to highlight the qualifications of his newly named housing commissioner is struggling under the weight of close to 200 unresolved housing-code violations.
The revelations have prompted renewed scrutiny of the administration’s broader effort to move rent-stabilized properties out of private hands and into nonprofit management.
According to reporting by the New York Post, the 102-unit building located in Morris Heights had at least 194 outstanding violations as of yesterday, with some records stretching back almost ten years.
City records indicate that 88 of the violations fall under the most serious “Class C” category, which denotes conditions that present immediate danger to residents.
Among the cited problems are infestations of rats and roaches, mold growth, malfunctioning doors and appliances, and failures to provide basic building services, the Post reported.
Mayor Mamdani visited the property on January 4 as part of an event to formally introduce Dina Levy as his choice to lead the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
During that visit, Mamdani highlighted Levy’s experience in nonprofit affordable housing and pointed to the building as a model of effective, publicly supported management.
Levy previously played a role in arranging a 2011 transaction that shifted ownership of the property from a private landlord to the nonprofit Workforce Housing Advisors, supported by a $5.6 million loan from the city’s housing agency intended to stabilize the building and maintain its rent-regulated status.
As commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development, Levy now receives an annual salary exceeding $277,000.
Tenants, however, told the Post that conditions inside the building have declined since the nonprofit assumed control. Several residents described chronic problems — including inconsistent heat and hot water, deteriorating interiors, broken lighting, and persistent rodent issues — that they say often remain unresolved for months at a time.
One longtime tenant said the building was better maintained under its former private owner, recalling quicker repairs and greater responsiveness to complaints.
Despite being held up by city officials as a success, the building reportedly carries a higher number of hazardous violations than many privately owned rent-stabilized buildings throughout New York City.
Mamdani has supported legislation designed to expand nonprofit authority over rent-stabilized housing while curbing private ownership in the sector.
Republican lawmakers and landlord organizations counter that the strategy is driven by ideology and disregards growing evidence that nonprofit-managed properties frequently perform worse, even as they benefit from public subsidies, government loans, and tax breaks.
{Matzav.com}
As tensions with Iran continue to escalate and questions swirl about whether the United States could take military action, the White House released a brief and enigmatic social media post on Sunday that drew widespread attention.
“We have three things to say…GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS AMERICA. AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED,” the message read, paired with an image of President Donald Trump standing alongside U.S. troops.
Earlier that day, Axios reported, citing two American officials, that Trump is reviewing a variety of measures aimed at bolstering the ongoing protests in Iran while increasing pressure on the country’s ruling authorities.
According to the report, internal discussions are underway within the Trump administration as demonstrations continue to expand across Iran and accounts emerge of a growing number of deaths. Trump has publicly cautioned that the United States could resort to military action if Iranian authorities proceed with mass killings of demonstrators.
That reporting followed a story published late Saturday by the New York Times, which said Trump has recently received briefings on updated military strike options against Iran, as he considers whether to act on his warning over the regime’s violent response to protests.
Officials told the Times that while the President has not yet reached a final decision, he is seriously weighing the possibility of authorizing a strike in response to the crackdown on demonstrations driven by widespread economic discontent. The briefings reportedly included a range of scenarios, among them potential strikes on nonmilitary targets in Tehran, according to officials who spoke anonymously.
Meanwhile, the The Telegraph reported that Trump has been advised by senior military commanders that more preparation time would be required before any strikes against Iran could be carried out.
{Matzav.com}
