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In an unusual legal move, a chareidi family from Kiryat Shemonah petitioned Israel’s Family Court for special permission allowing their 17-year-old daughter to marry before reaching the legal age of 18. The request was rooted in halachic concerns regarding modesty and the prohibition of close contact before marriage.

The girl’s intended husband is 21 years old. The two met when the girl’s family was evacuated from their home during the recent war and temporarily took refuge with his family. Although her parents initially opposed the relationship due to religious concerns, they later warmed to the idea and ultimately gave their blessing for the shidduch.

During the legal proceedings, the girl’s father suffered a severe stroke, a factor which was raised in court as part of the reasoning behind the urgency of the request.

The couple had scheduled a wedding for the following month, at which point the girl would be 17 years and five months old. A court-ordered report by a social worker described the girl as mature and responsible and noted the couple’s strong and stable relationship. The report emphasized that the primary motivation for expediting the wedding was based on halachic values relating to tznius, not external pressure or immaturity.

When asked what would happen if the request was denied, the girl responded that “it won’t be easy, and they’ll have to meet less, but she doesn’t believe they’ll break up.”

Despite the professional opinion and the girl’s testimony, the legal representative of the Attorney General strongly objected to the petition, noting that “even in more extreme cases—such as one involving a minor just five days shy of turning 18—the court has refused to approve a marriage.”

Judge Ran Arnon ultimately ruled against the request, stating: “I am not convinced that there are special circumstances related to the minor’s best interest that would justify granting permission for her to marry before the age of 18.” The request was officially denied.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In what witnesses are calling an open miracle, a bris milah was performed last night just moments before sunset under extraordinary circumstances after a sudden and drastic drop in the infant’s hemoglobin levels made the bris halachically permissible. The event unfolded exactly as foretold earlier in the day by the baby’s great-grandfather, the renowned posek, Rav Moshe Sternbuch.

The father, who performed the bris himself, also served as the sandek, reciting all the brachos and filling all the kibbudim traditionally distributed among close family. The rushed ceremony took place in the final minutes before sunset, with no time to gather relatives, due to the urgent need to fulfill the mitzvah of bris milah bizmanah, on the eighth day.

Earlier that morning, bloodwork showed the baby had an unusually high hemoglobin level of 14.5, rendering a bris halachically prohibited. But when Rav Sternbuch heard the test results, he calmly told the family, “You’ll see—the bris will be today.” His words stunned those around him, as such a sharp drop in hemoglobin within hours seemed medically unlikely.

Yet, toward evening, in what many are calling a revealed mofes, a follow-up test showed that the baby’s hemoglobin had plummeted dramatically—just minutes before shkiah. The father acted immediately, performing the bris in the narrow window of halachic opportunity.

After the bris, the father brought his newborn son to Rav Sternbuch’s home, where the posek bentched the child at his table. Also present at the post-bris seudah was the baby’s other grandfather, Rav Chaim Uri Freund, member of the Badatz of the Eidah HaChareidis.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu paid a visit to the White House on Tuesday for a follow-up discussion with President Donald Trump, marking their second meeting within a 24-hour span.

The meeting, which lasted approximately ninety minutes, took place against the backdrop of high-stakes negotiations between Israel and Hamas. These talks, facilitated by Qatari officials in Doha, aim to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Neither Netanyahu nor Trump addressed the press following their closed-door discussion.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his second meeting with US President Donald Trump a short time ago.”

“The meeting, held in the Oval Office at the White House, was also attended by Vice President JD Vance,” the statement continued.

At the same time, journalist Barak Ravid reported that a delegation from Qatar had also arrived in Washington earlier that day to participate in discussions related to the hostage situation and efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza.

Earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu delivered remarks to reporters on Capitol Hill after his session with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

“The President and I believe in a doctrine called peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes the peace. Our resolute action, the resolute decision of President Trump to act with us against those who seek to destroy Israel and threaten the peace of the world has made a remarkable change in the Middle East,” said Netanyahu.

Speaking about the recent 12-day confrontation involving Iran, the prime minister praised American military efforts alongside Israel’s own. “The remarkable American B2 pilots showed remarkable perseverance, persistence and power. The soldiers of Israel fought like lions, our pilots struck like lightning and our common alliance roared like thunder. And this is having a great change in our region. There are opportunities for peace that we intend to realize. We’re working together on this.”

Touching on the ongoing war in Gaza, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s objectives. “We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas’s military and governance capabilities because Gaza must have a different future, for our sake, for everyone’s sake. And no country will settle for less. We certainly will not,” he said.

He concluded by highlighting the strength of the relationship between Washington and Israel. “These are all things that I discussed with President Trump. I may discuss further with him later in this visit. But I have to say that the coordination between our two countries, the coordination between an American president and an Israeli prime minister has been unmatched. It offers great promise for Israel, for America, for our region and for the world,” Netanyahu concluded.

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{Matzav.com}

During a speech delivered yesterday, the Satmar Rebbe responded strongly to reports of increased efforts by Israeli authorities to crack down on individuals evading military service, including yeshiva and kollel students. He urged unwavering commitment to derech haTorah, the path of Torah.

Opening his address, the Rebbe condemned what he described as oppressive tactics by the Israeli leadership. “There is very troubling news coming from the Holy Land – the wicked government has announced that they are sending over fifty thousand draft orders to yeshiva students, and they are going to set up roadblocks around all the haredi cities, to stop those coming in and out and check who is not reporting to the recruitment office,” he said.

Referring to a recent report highlighting a lack of prison capacity, the Rebbe warned that the state would be overwhelmed by resistance from Torah learners. “We want to inform the wicked government that hundreds of cells in the prisons will not be enough for them, they will need thousands of cells for the thousands of yeshiva students who will not show up.”

Standing in solidarity with the chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe declared that support from the diaspora must remain firm. “We, from here – from New York – can only strengthen the hands of the people in Tzion. A terrible decree seems to await a great trouble for the yeshiva students and kollel members.”

Despite the dire tone, the Rebbe questioned whether the state truly intends to carry out the sweeping draft orders or if the announcements are simply a manipulative tactic. “We don’t know at the moment if this is really their intention to do this, or if it is just a way to threaten the haredi Knesset members so they will agree to the new law.”

Casting doubt on the credibility of Israeli politicians, he concluded with sharp criticism. “Everyone there are liars, and it could be just another political spin to get the rabbis’ approval for the new law,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A disturbing video has emerged showing a former intern for Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani verbally harassing a Muslim NYPD officer during a pro-Palestinian rally.

The footage, taken at a demonstration on the City College campus, captures student activist Hadeeqa Arzoo Malik berating officers lined up near the protest. Malik, who once interned in Mamdani’s Assembly district office, can be heard shouting, “Let’s read the badges of the pigs,” as she begins calling out names that are common among Muslims.

Malik continues, directing her comments toward specific officers with names like Rahman, Muhammad, Ali, and Abdullah. “So to the Rahmans and the Muhammads, to the Alis and the Abdullahs,” she proclaims, eventually zeroing in on one officer in particular. “To the Rafids!” she yells, pointing out the visibly uncomfortable officer.

Her tirade crescendos as she accuses the officers of tarnishing their faith. “To the pigs who can call themselves by the name of Islam — put some respect on their names!” she screams. The clip concludes as another officer steps in to replace the one Malik had been addressing.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Malik interned for Mamdani during the summer of 2024, handling responsibilities in communications, outreach, policy, and constituent services. She was also active as president of the City College chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Mamdani himself helped establish the SJP chapter at Bowdoin College, where he studied.

The video, initially shared on X in late February, was posted by an anonymous student account known as “Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus at Columbia U.” The account claimed that Malik has a “extensive profile” on Canary Mission, a database that tracks antisemitic activity online.

“NYers take note! You’ll be getting a lot more very empowered Maliks if Mamdani wins the election. Don’t let this happen,” read the caption from the post.

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{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com mourns the petirah of Reb Aharon Dovid Yitzchok Rubinstein z”l, a devoted longtime volunteer with Hatzolah of Kiryas Yoel and the Catskills. He was 51 years old.

Reb Aharon Dovid, a resident of Kiryas Yoel, was known for his boundless dedication to helping others. As a veteran Hatzolah member, he responded to hundreds of emergency calls over the years, often being the first on the scene and the last to leave. His tireless devotion earned him deep respect and admiration from all who knew him.

He was born in the United States. His father was Reb Avrohom Yosef Rubinstein. He was a son-in-law of Reb Yosef Weiss.

Every aspect of Reb Aharon Dovid’s life revolved around acts of kindness and chesed. Whether saving lives or assisting those in need, he could always be counted on. In Kiryas Yoel, he was instrumental in organizing community events, including the annual dinners and melaveh malka gatherings on behalf of local mosdos.

A friend recalled, “I remember when I was arranging a bulk shoe purchase for talmidim, Reb Aharon Dovid approached me and asked if he could sponsor shoes for yesomim before Yom Tov. That’s just who he was—a true baal chesed.”

In recent years, Reb Aharon Dovid battled a serious illness. Over the past several weeks, his condition deteriorated significantly, and earlier today, he was niftar.

The levayah is taking place now at the central beis medrash in Kiryas Yoel, proceeding to the local beis hachaim, where he will be laid to rest.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A powerful moment unfolded at Ben Gurion Airport this week as volunteers from Naava Kodesh warmly welcomed a group of Yeshivishe families making Aliyah to Eretz Yisroel. Among the arrivals was a family from Lakewood, New Jersey — a sign of the growing trend among Bnei Torah families to establish permanent homes in Eretz Yisroel

What was once considered rare is becoming increasingly familiar: Yeshivishe families, grounded in Torah values and chinuch, are arriving with a sense of clarity and purpose, fulfilling a generations-old yearning to settle in Eretz Yisroel.

As the families emerged from customs, they were greeted with singing and heartfelt dancing, including a moving outpour of “Veshavu Banim Ligvulam.” The scene reflected the joy of return and the depth of what this moment represents: the culmination of centuries of tefillos, longing, and mesirus nefesh to settle in Eretz Yisroel.

“This wasn’t just another flight — it was the fulfillment of 2,000 years of yearning,” said Yosef Elyah Steinberg, a member of the Naava Kodesh Welcoming Committee.

“Watching choshuveh Yeshiva families arrive with that spark in their eyes, realizing that people like them were waiting to welcome them — it was deeply moving. It felt like a glimpse of Hashem’s light after years of galus, and a reminder that this is just the beginning. Their courage inspires others to consider their own journey home.”

Shmuel Shifrin, a fellow committee member and former Lakewood resident who made Aliyah two years ago, echoed the sentiment:

“Standing at the airport today, I had the incredible zechus to welcome Yidden finally coming home. I didn’t know most of their names — but it felt like greeting close family returning after years apart.

The energy was emotional, powerful, and unforgettable. Moments like this remind me that the geulah is unfolding before our eyes — one beautiful family at a time.”

“Welcoming these choshuveh families from Lakewood to Eretz Yisroel is nothing short of a historic moment,” said Tzvi Arnstein, Founder of Naava Kodesh.

“Seeing Bnei Torah settling in the Holy Land is a tremendous chizuk — not only for them, but for all of Klal Yisroel. At Naava Kodesh, we consider it a zechus to assist these families as they begin this next stage in their avodas Hashem, rooted in the kedusha of Eretz Hakodesh. We’re here to help make that transition smooth and uplifting — both b’gashmiyus and b’ruchniyus.”

{Matzav.com}

The Chabad-Lubavitch community is mourning the passing of Rabbi Avraham Korf z”l, the longtime head shliach to the state of Florida and one of the earliest Chabad emissaries in the United States. Rabbi Korf passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92, after 64 years of dedicated shlichus, during which he helped transform Florida into a vibrant center of Jewish life and learning.

Born in 1933 in Kharkov, then part of the Soviet Union, Rabbi Korf was the son of Rabbi Yehoshua and Rebbetzin Chaya Rivka Korf. Despite the harsh repression of Judaism under Communist rule, his parents instilled in him a deep and unwavering commitment to Yiddishkeit. They raised their children with fierce devotion to mitzvah observance, Chassidic values, and mesorah, even under the most dangerous conditions.

In 1942, the Korf family managed to escape Kharkov on the last train out, making their way to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. There, despite his young age and limited formal Torah education—having grown up in an environment where traditional melamdim were nearly impossible to find—Avraham Korf pleaded with his father to allow him to join a clandestine yeshiva that had opened in the city. His persistence bore fruit, and he soon began to flourish in Torah learning through great toil and determination.

In 1947, the family managed to flee the Soviet Union, eventually arriving at the displaced persons camp in Poking, Germany. A year later, they relocated to France, where young Avraham studied at the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Brunoy. During those formative years, two towering Chassidic figures left a profound mark on him: the legendary mashpia Reb Nissan Neminov, who embodied bittul and kabbolas ol, and Reb Bentzion Shemtov, who passionately urged the yeshiva bochurim to devote themselves wholly to Hashem.

In his youth, Rabbi Korf journeyed from France to New York to be near the Lubavitcher Rebbe in the early years of his leadership. Even then, he began spreading Chassidus by teaching in various yeshivos.

In 1961, Rabbi Korf embarked on his life’s mission: to serve as the shliach in Florida. He was only the second Chabad shliach in all of America. Despite not yet knowing English, he immediately began connecting with local Jewish leaders, most of whom were affiliated with Reform or Conservative congregations. Impressively, almost all of them welcomed him and even invited him to speak to their communities. He began giving shiurim to college students, launched a children’s camp, and slowly laid the foundation for the Jewish infrastructure that would soon blossom.

Over the decades, Rabbi Korf brought dozens of other shluchim to the state. Today, thanks to his pioneering work, Florida is home to over 200 Chabad centers, each a shining beacon of Torah and Yiddishkeit. These centers, along with the numerous schools, yeshivos, and community institutions he helped establish, are part of Rabbi Korf’s enduring legacy.

He is survived by his children: Rabbi Yossi Korf (Hollywood, FL); Mrs. Rashi Raices (Postville, Iowa); Mrs. Shevi Sossonko (Miami Beach, FL); Rabbi Benjy Korf (Miami Beach, FL); Mrs. Leah Jacobson (Crown Heights); R’ Mendy Korf (Miami Beach, FL); R’ Motty Korf (Miami Beach, FL); Rabbi Zalman Korf (Walnut Creek, FL); and Ms. Sari Korf (Miami Beach, FL), as well as by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of mesirus nefesh, Torah, and ahavas Yisroel.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a lower court’s block on President Trump’s initiative to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce through widespread layoffs across various government departments.

In an unsigned opinion, the justices granted the administration the go-ahead to proceed with the executive order Trump signed on February 13, which calls for “large-scale reductions in force” throughout the federal bureaucracy.

The decision marks another major legal win for Trump at the Supreme Court and received support from liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor. It nullifies a May 9 injunction from Northern California District Judge Susan Illston, who had temporarily halted the administration’s planned agency downsizing and program eliminations.

“Because the Government is likely to succeed on its argument that the Executive Order and Memorandum are lawful — and because the other factors bearing on whether to grant a stay are satisfied — we grant the application,” the justices wrote in their ruling.

At the same time, the Court clarified that it was not making any judgment on the actual agency restructuring blueprints created under the president’s directive. “We express no view on the legality of any Agency [Reduction in Force] and Reorganization Plan produced or approved pursuant to the Executive Order and Memorandum,” the opinion stated.

The majority found that Judge Illston, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, had blocked the executive order based on her opinion of its legality, rather than an evaluation of any specific agency plan — which, the Court pointed out, had not been presented in this case.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented strongly, accusing the Court of prematurely endorsing actions she characterized as constitutionally questionable. “Temporary, practical, harm-reducing preservation of the status quo was no match for this Court’s demonstrated enthusiasm for greenlighting this President’s legally dubious actions in an emergency posture,” she wrote.

She added that the administration’s strategy would have far-reaching consequences for the federal government. “This executive action promises mass employee terminations, widespread cancellation of federal programs and services, and the dismantling of much of the Federal Government as Congress has created it,” she cautioned.

Jackson argued that the president had overstepped his bounds by proceeding without legislative approval. “Under our Constitution, Congress has the power to establish administrative agencies and detail their functions,” she wrote, emphasizing the need for congressional consent before such a dramatic reorganization.

Justice Sotomayor, while echoing concerns about presidential overreach, agreed that the timing wasn’t yet right for the Court to issue a definitive ruling. “The plans themselves are not before this Court, at this stage, and we thus have no occasion to consider whether they can and will be carried out consistent with the constraints of law,” she wrote in a concurring opinion. “I join the Court’s stay because it leaves the District Court free to consider those questions in the first instance.”

Oversight of the administration’s agency restructuring has been handled by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, an entity formerly directed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The initiative has drawn legal opposition from federal employee unions and advocacy groups, who filed suit to prevent the layoffs, which would impact staff at numerous agencies including Agriculture, Energy, Labor, Interior, State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, along with the National Science Foundation, Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Reacting to the Court’s decision, Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the outcome in a post on X. “Today, the Supreme Court stopped lawless lower courts from restricting President Trump’s authority over federal personnel — another Supreme Court victory thanks to [Justice Department] attorneys,” she wrote.

“Now, federal agencies can become more efficient than ever before,” she added.

{Matzav.com}

The tragic loss of five Netzach Yehuda soldiers in Beit Hanun was attributed by Rav Yitzchok Yosef, the previous Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, to a decline in commitment to Torah learning. In a public letter, he pointed to spiritual failings as the root of the tragedy.

“We are to blame,” Rav Yosef stated, asserting that “weakness in Torah study leads to disasters, such as the terrible tragedy of the soldiers’ deaths in battle.”

Addressing bnei yeshiva directly, Yosef appealed for renewed dedication to Torah learning. “To the precious Torah scholars of the yeshivas, may God bless them. I come here with an urgent call to strengthen and be strengthened in Torah study, especially in these days, the end of summer, when there is concern for laxity,” he wrote.

Rav Yosef expressed grief over the incident and reminded the community of their spiritual obligations. “We received with great sorrow the bad news about the fall of the precious soldiers, may their memory be for a blessing, who gave their lives for the people of Israel. Our responsibility as Torah Jews is immeasurable,” he wrote.

He also urged the community to engage in introspection and expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. Rav Yosef emphasized the need for cheshbon hanefesh, personal and communal self-examination.

The Netzach Yehuda unit, to which the slain soldiers belonged, is composed largely of chareidi servicemen.

Rav Yosef served as the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel from 2013 until June 2024.

{Matzav.com Israel}

John Brennan, who led the CIA, and James Comey, the former FBI director, are currently subjects of a criminal investigation over potential misconduct tied to the Trump–Russia investigation, according to news reports. The probe includes possible false statements they may have made to Congress.

Sources within the Justice Department revealed that CIA Director John Ratcliffe forwarded evidence implicating Brennan to FBI official Kash Patel, prompting a criminal review of Brennan’s actions. Officials confirmed that a formal investigation into Brennan has begun, although they declined to elaborate further on its precise scope. It remains uncertain whether the inquiry extends beyond his possible misleading of lawmakers.

Regarding Comey, officials confirmed that he too is under investigation, but provided no details about what specific actions are being scrutinized.

While the precise boundaries of the criminal probes remain vague, two individuals familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that federal agents view Brennan and Comey’s actions as potentially constituting a “conspiracy,” a characterization that could broaden the range of possible legal charges.

The probe into Brennan follows the recent declassification by Ratcliffe of a review examining the process behind the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). That report had claimed Russian efforts were aimed at boosting Donald Trump in the 2016 election. The newly released analysis criticized the ICA process for being rushed and riddled with “procedural anomalies,” asserting that intelligence norms had been compromised.

The review also concluded that top officials’ choice to incorporate the Steele Dossier into the ICA conflicted with fundamental intelligence tradecraft and ended up undermining a critical assessment in the report.

The Steele Dossier, a collection of now-debunked allegations about Trump, was funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee via Fusion GPS. The dossier’s credibility has been widely discredited. The review’s findings represent the first time that career CIA personnel formally acknowledged that political bias from Obama administration appointees may have tainted the drafting of the ICA.

Documents released as part of the review indicate Brennan played a key role in advocating for the dossier’s inclusion in the assessment.

Despite this, Brennan told the House Judiciary Committee during testimony in May 2023 that he opposed including the dossier in the ICA.

Ratcliffe, a longtime critic of Brennan, reportedly wasn’t surprised by the findings of the review, a source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital. However, the seriousness of Brennan’s conduct compelled Ratcliffe to refer the matter to the FBI to assess for possible criminal violations.

The source, while unable to divulge the specific contents of the referral, said Brennan “violated the public’s trust and should be held accountable for it.”

One part of the investigation into false statements reportedly stems from a newly declassified December 2016 email sent to Brennan from the then-deputy CIA director. That message expressed concern that incorporating the dossier into the ICA in any form would jeopardize the credibility of the entire document.

“Despite these objections, Brennan showed a preference for narrative consistency over analytical soundness,” the new CIA review says. “When confronted with specific flaws in the Dossier by the two mission center leaders – one with extensive operational experience and the other with a strong analytic background – he appeared more swayed by the Dossier’s general conformity with existing theories than by legitimate tradecraft concerns.”

The review went on to note: “Brennan ultimately formalized his position in writing, stating that ‘my bottomline is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report.’”

Still, Brennan gave contradictory testimony before Congress.

“The CIA was very much opposed to having any reference or inclusion of the Steele dossier in the Intelligence Community Assessment,” Brennan testified before the House committee, according to the transcript of his deposition reviewed by Fox News Digital. “And so they sent over a copy of the dossier to say that this was going to be separate from the rest of that assessment.”

At the time of the ICA’s preparation, CIA analysts resisted efforts by the FBI to include the Steele Dossier, arguing that it lacked substantiation and dismissing it as “internet rumor.”

While the final ICA given to then-President Barack Obama did not incorporate the Steele reporting in the main body of the document, a footnote referencing it was added “largely at the insistence of FBI’s senior leadership,” as stated by both the Justice Department inspector general and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

In June 2020, Ratcliffe declassified a key footnote of the 2017 ICA, shedding more light on concerns about the Steele reporting. That declassified note acknowledged that Steele’s claims had “limited corroboration,” particularly in regards to allegations that Trump knowingly cooperated with Russian agents to win the election.

The footnote, dubbed “Annex A,” which Fox News Digital obtained exclusively in June 2020, was less than two pages long and outlined Steele’s findings. Steele, a former British intelligence officer, had been hired by Fusion GPS, which was paid by Clinton’s campaign and the DNC through law firm Perkins Coie.

The footnote spelled out that officials had internal reservations about the Steele material.

“An FBI source (Steele) using both identified and unidentified subsources, volunteered highly politically sensitive information from the summer to the fall of 2016 on Russian influence efforts aimed at the US presidential election,” the annex read. “We have only limited corroboration of the source’s reporting in this case and did not use it to reach the analytic conclusions of the CIA/FBI/NSA assessment.”

“The source collected this information on behalf of private clients and was not compensated for it by the FBI,” it added.

The annex clarified that the report was “not developed by the layered subsource network.”

“The FBI source caveated that, although similar to previously provided reporting in terms of content, the source was unable to vouch for the additional information’s sourcing and accuracy,” the annex states. “Hence this information is not included in this product.”

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz also examined the dossier’s inclusion in the ICA during his broader probe into the FBI’s FISA warrant practices.

His December 2019 report identified “significant inaccuracies and omissions” in the FISA applications for surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page. The FBI leaned heavily on the Steele dossier, despite lacking corroborating evidence for its claims about Page.

In October 2020, Fox News Digital reported that Brennan had informed President Obama and other senior officials about intelligence that Hillary Clinton planned to create a political scandal tying Trump to Russia.

That briefing was memorialized in Brennan’s handwritten notes, later declassified by Ratcliffe and published by Fox News Digital.

On July 28, 2016, Brennan briefed Obama on intelligence about a proposal by one of Clinton’s foreign policy advisers “to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.”

Attending that briefing were James Comey, then-Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Following that meeting, the CIA formally transmitted the intelligence to the FBI through a Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL) directed to Comey and then-Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok. The subject line of the memo was “Crossfire Hurricane.”

Fox News Digital later obtained that CIOL memo in October 2020. It stated: “The following information is provided for the exclusive use of your bureau for background investigative action or lead purposes as appropriate.”

“Per FBI verbal request, CIA provides the below examples of information the CROSSFIRE HURRICANE fusion cell has gleaned to date,” the memo said. “An exchange (REDACTED) discussing US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s approval of a plan concerning US presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering US elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server.”

Just days later, on July 31, 2016, the FBI formally opened its counterintelligence investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia — code-named “Crossfire Hurricane.”

That investigation was eventually handed over to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. After an exhaustive probe lasting nearly two years, Mueller concluded in March 2019 that there was no evidence of coordination or conspiracy between the Trump team and the Russian government.

Subsequently, John Durham was appointed to dig deeper into how the “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation originated.

Durham found that the FBI “failed to act” on an obvious warning sign that the Clinton campaign was attempting to “manipulate or influence the law enforcement process for political purposes” in the lead-up to the 2016 election.

“The aforementioned facts reflect a rather startling and inexplicable failure to adequately consider and incorporate the Clinton Plan intelligence into the FBI’s investigative decision-making in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation,” Durham’s report states.

“Indeed, had the FBI opened the Crossfire Hurricane investigation as an assessment and, in turn, gathered and analyzed data in concert with the information from the Clinton Plan intelligence, it is likely that the information received would have been examined, at a minimum, with a more critical eye,” the report continued.

Durham emphasized in his findings that the FBI missed what should have been “a clear warning sign that the FBI might then be the target of an effort to manipulate or influence the law enforcement process for political purposes during the 2016 presidential election.”

The Trump White House made clear that it expects accountability.

“President Trump was right — again,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Those who engaged in this political scandal must be held accountable for the fraud they committed against President Trump and the lies they told to the American people.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli police have opened a criminal investigation into far-left journalist Yisrael Frey following a social media post in which he celebrated the deaths of five IDF soldiers and called on Israeli mothers to oppose the war in Gaza. “The world is a better place this morning, without five young men who partook in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity,” Frey wrote on X early Monday. He went on to reference suffering in Gaza, writing: “Unfortunately, for the boy in Gaza now being operated on without anesthesia; the girl starving to death and the family huddling in a tent under bombardment — this is not enough.” In a message to Israeli mothers, Frey added: “Do not be the next to receive your son in a coffin as a war criminal. Refuse.” The post drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. While right-wing lawmakers and activists denounced Frey’s comments as incitement and treasonous, even left-wing critics of the war distanced themselves from his remarks, with some accusing him of glorifying death and undermining legitimate anti-war advocacy. By Monday afternoon, police had formally requested authorization from the State Attorney’s Office to open a criminal probe into Frey on suspicion of incitement. The request was approved, and a joint investigation is now underway by the police’s Investigations and Intelligence Division and an anti-incitement unit operating under the National Security Ministry. In a joint statement, police and the ministry vowed to take a hard line. “We will continue to act in accordance with the policy of Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levy, and take a firm and uncompromising approach against anyone who gives voice to incitement or support for the enemy,” the statement read. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Images of King Charles III sparked health concerns after the 76-year-old monarch sported a severely bloodshot eye during a visit with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

King Charles, who revealed an unspecified cancer diagnosis in 2024, displayed a bright red right eye while greeting the pair at Windsor Castle on July 8, prompting public worry over the septuagenarian’s well-being. A palace source spoke to People to address the rumors, citing a burst blood vessel as the culprit. Medically known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, the condition is typically benign and, despite its startling appearance, relatively common. It is the ocular equivalent to “having a bruise on your skin,” according to the Mayo Clinic, and can be the result of heavy coughing, sneezing, or even certain yoga positions. It usually resolves on its own in a week or two, and has no impact on vision, meaning the king’s visit with the French president was able to go as planned, including a carriage procession and lunch in the State Dining Room.

While there is no official word on whether headstands were behind King Charles’s eye woes, we can rest assured that this monarch probably won’t go monocular anytime soon. Read more at PEOPLE.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Army’s history is closely tied to its cavalry units, those soldiers who rode into battle on horseback. But the service announced Tuesday that it’s moving toward a future without the ceremonial horses and will put most of them up for adoption. The Army, however, will keep operating the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors. Ceremonial cavalry units will be closed down at bases including Fort Cavazos in Texas, whose horses were showcased during the military parade in Washington on June 14, which was the Army’s 250th anniversary and also President Donald Trump’s birthday. Army spokesperson Steve Warren said other ceremonial units will close at Fort Carson in Colorado, Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Fort Irwin in California, Fort Riley in Kansas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona. The Army estimates that closing down the units will save about $2 million a year, and the changes are being made as part of its overall warfighting realignment, Warren said. The Trump administration has moved to cut costs across the federal government and directed changes at the Pentagon like reducing top military leadership positions that it says will promote efficiency. Pentagon leaders have faced pushback from Democratic lawmakers for spending on the deployment of troops to protests in Los Angeles and expected costs to turn a Qatari jet into Air Force One. The Army is giving the affected bases 12 months to shutter the ceremonial cavalry units, and 141 horses will be adopted outside the military, Warren said. Some horses may be donated to organizations, but none will be sold, he said. The horses “are part of the Army family, we’re going to treat them with compassion,” Warren said. The Army has just recently resumed caisson operations at Arlington National Cemetery after an investigation found the horses in those units were mistreated, left to graze in lots with little grass, leading them to consume sand and gravel. Two horses died in 2022, and caisson operations were suspended until earlier this year. The Arlington National Cemetery horses are part of the caisson platoon of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, which is best known for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the cemetery, located just across the river from Washington. (AP)

A resurfaced video has sparked more controversy for Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani after it showed one of his former interns berating a Muslim police officer during a pro-Palestinian protest earlier this year. The video, originally posted on February 28, shows Hadeeqa Arzoo Malik — a student at City College and former intern in Mamdani’s Assembly district office — confronting a line of NYPD officers at what appears to be a protest on the CUNY campus. “Let’s read the badges of the pigs,” Malik is seen shouting before rattling off a list of traditionally Muslim names. “To the Rahmans and the Muhammads, to the Alis and the Abdullahs… to the Rafids!” she exclaims, appearing to target one visibly uncomfortable officer. “To the pigs who can call themselves by the name of Islam — put some respect on their names!” she continues. The officer is later relieved by another cop as the crowd looks on. Malik served as president of the City College chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and previously interned in Mamdani’s office during the summer of 2024, where she worked in communications, outreach, policy, and constituent services, according to her LinkedIn profile. Mamdani himself co-founded the SJP chapter at his alma mater, Bowdoin College. The footage was reposted to X by a student-run Columbia University account titled “Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus at Columbia U,” which alleged that Malik has a profile on the anti-hate watchdog Canary Mission. “New Yorkers take note,” the post warned. “You’ll be getting a lot more very empowered Maliks if Mamdani wins the election.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A senior source from Syria, with ties to President Al-Sharaa, has informed i24NEWS that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Syrian President Al-Sharaa plan to sign a security accord, which would serve as the initial move toward full diplomatic normalization.

According to the Syrian official, Netanyahu and Al-Sharaa are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., prior to the United Nations General Assembly in September. The meeting will reportedly be held at the White House.

The source further revealed that this encounter will include the signing of a security-focused agreement, overseen by U.S. President Trump.

The deal is intended to mark the beginning of broader peace talks and formal normalization of relations between Israel and Syria, the source added.

Meanwhile, insiders from the Gulf region told i24NEWS that the United Arab Emirates is playing an active role in mediating between Syria and Israel. These efforts are being carried out with the full awareness of Saudi Arabia.

Despite these efforts, Gulf officials noted that progress is being hampered by Israel’s refusal to pledge to pull out of the Syrian Golan Heights within the near future. Israeli concerns reportedly stem from the belief that Al-Sharaa still lacks complete authority over various armed groups operating in Syria, particularly in the country’s southern region.

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The recent arrest of R’ Binyomin Kubani — a father of seven, accused without evidence while simply trying to hire help at a car wash — has deeply shaken the Lakewood community. While his release is a relief, the incident raises troubling questions with implications far beyond one man’s story. What’s most concerning isn’t just the false accusation, but how quickly and unquestioningly the system responded. A 15-year-old made a claim with no evidence, and within minutes, a visibly Orthodox man was in handcuffs. No real investigation. No due process. Just a quick arrest — one that seemed all too easy. Now, those watching — including some in immigrant communities — are taking note. I’ve heard it directly: “Say a Jew tried to take you — they’ll arrest him right away.” “That’s how you get a U visa.” The risk is real. U visas are granted to individuals who claim to be victims of serious crimes — and an arrest, not a conviction, is often enough to get the process started. It creates a dangerous incentive: just say the right thing to the right person, and the system will do the rest. This is not paranoia. It’s a conversation already happening on the ground — people sharing what to say, who to accuse, and how to benefit. And in today’s climate, with heightened sensitivity and fear of backlash, a visibly Orthodox man makes an easy target.This is not just about one man. It’s about safeguarding the integrity of our justice system and ensuring that no group — especially a religious minority — becomes vulnerable to exploitation. We owe it to our community, and to the truth, to speak up before these troubling whispers become a dangerous norm. Sincerely, Worried Sick Lakewood, NJ The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

Controversial left-wing activist Yisrael Frey ignited widespread condemnation on Tuesday after posting a tweet in which he expressed approval over the deaths of five IDF soldiers who were killed the previous night during fighting in Gaza.

In his tweet, Frey wrote, “The world is better this morning, without the five young men who participated in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, for the child in Gaza who is now being operated on without anesthetics; for the girl starving to death and the family crammed into a tent under the bombs, it is not enough. This is a call to every Israeli mother: don’t be the next to receive your son in a coffin as a war criminal. Refuse this.”

The post triggered a storm of outrage from Israelis across all political lines. Both left-wing and right-wing figures slammed Frey’s remarks, accusing him of incitement and disrespect toward fallen soldiers. Multiple complaints have been filed with law enforcement for incitement and encouraging military insubordination.

Haaretz journalist Anat Kam responded critically, writing, “You can speak out against the war without celebrating the death of young men whose bodies have literally not yet cooled. You are not more righteous when you are cruel.”

The father of Ella Hamoui, who was killed at the Nova music festival massacre on October 7, issued a scathing statement, questioning Frey’s loyalty to the country: “Is a person like Yisrael Frey, who publicly celebrates the deaths of IDF soldiers, fighters who fell defending the lives of Israeli citizens, still worthy of holding an Israeli identity card? And isn’t there a provision in the law, particularly in cases of incitement, support for a terrorist organization, or desecration of the dead, that will allow him to be prosecuted, not in the name of revenge, but in the name of maintaining the boundaries of sanity, law, and society?”

He went on to say: “It is unacceptable for the State of Israel to continue granting civil rights to a person who has, in effect, chosen the enemy camp, curses the defenders of the Jewish people, and is concerned about the fate of those who massacred families, young people, and the elderly indiscriminately on October 7 and are still holding hostages.”

The organization “Torat Lechima” also took action, filing a police complaint against Frey. Authorities have since confirmed that an investigation is underway, citing suspicions of glorifying terrorism.

The group is also calling on Interior Minister Moshe Arbel to revoke Frey’s Israeli citizenship. “It is unacceptable for a supporter of Hamas to enjoy civil rights and journalistic privileges in the State of Israel,” the organization stated.

{Matzav.com}

Senior Israeli officials say most components of a hostage release and temporary ceasefire deal with Hamas are now agreed upon, though the broader question of ending the war in Gaza remains unresolved. “We are coordinated,” said Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who participated in the White House meeting. “We hoped Hamas would say yes to the Qatari proposal. They essentially said no. But the gaps are small enough to engage in talks.” A third round of indirect negotiations kicked off Tuesday morning in Doha. According to a senior Israeli official, between 80 and 90 percent of the deal’s terms have been finalized. Still, implementation could stretch beyond the coming days. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said both delegations are in Doha but that formal negotiations have yet to begin, with mediators still working to establish a framework. Negotiators are reportedly close to agreement on a clause covering humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. According to the Qatari outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Hamas is seeking United Nations oversight of aid during any ceasefire, instead of the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who is expected to travel to Qatar this week, told reporters ahead of the dinner that “we have an opportunity to finally get a peace deal.” After the meeting, a senior Israeli official emphasized the “total coordination” between the U.S. and Israel, describing the bilateral trust as deeper than at any previous stage of the conflict. Mediators involved in the negotiations have been informed that the White House expects a deal to be finalized within the week, according to an Arab diplomat and another individual familiar with the talks. In parallel with the aid discussions, negotiators are addressing the contours of a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza during the proposed 60-day ceasefire. An Arab diplomat said Israeli officials brought a map outlining their envisioned pullback. While Hamas initially demanded a return to IDF positions from before the March 2 collapse of the prior truce, the group has shown some flexibility, the diplomat said. Still, the core disagreement remains. Israel continues to frame the deal as a temporary pause in hostilities. Hamas, by contrast, is demanding an agreement that would amount to a permanent end to the war. Speaking Tuesday in Washington, a senior Israeli official outlined Israel’s endgame: Hamas must be dismantled, its leadership exiled or defeated, and an alternative governance structure established in Gaza. “There has to be a system there that manages life,” the official said, acknowledging the possibility of Israeli oversight in the interim. “Maybe for a certain amount of time, it is us.” The official added that Israel is now convinced Trump is committed to supporting emigration efforts from Gaza. “After tonight, I am [convinced],” the official said. “The plan is alive. What is needed is operational coordination, not only the aims, but how we achieve it.” Senior Israeli officials also pointed to close U.S.-Israel coordination on Iran. According to one official, the two countries were aligned diplomatically and militarily before, during, and after Israel’s 12-day aerial campaign last month targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites — an operation the U.S. ultimately joined. “We had diplomatic coordination before the attack, military coordination during the attack, and now once again diplomatic coordination,” the official said. “I measure my words — there has never […]