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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Tuesday that Mayor Zohran Mamdani should consider staying away from this year’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11 terrorist attacks if his attendance would add to the anguish of victims’ families, arguing that the day should remain centered entirely on those affected by the tragedy.

Speaking on Newsmax’s “Bianca Across America,” Giuliani, who earned the nickname “America’s Mayor” for his leadership in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks, said the emotions of the families who lost loved ones must take precedence over everything else.

“I think Mayor Mamdani has to take into consideration that the most important thing here, to me at least in terms of the human part of it, are the feelings of these people that went through an indescribable experience,” Giuliani said.

His remarks come as some relatives of those killed on September 11 have publicly voiced opposition to Mamdani’s participation in this year’s memorial ceremony.

The president of the Catholic League has likewise urged Mamdani not to attend, pointing to concerns over the mayor’s previous remarks regarding radical Islam and the September 11 attacks.

Despite the criticism, Mamdani announced last week that he intends to be present at the ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks, even as a petition circulated by some victims’ family members calls for his exclusion.

“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year’s 9/11 commemoration,” Mamdani said.

Giuliani suggested the controversy could be avoided if Mamdani voluntarily chose to remain away from the event as a gesture of respect toward grieving families.

“It could easily be decided that he, as a gracious act, decides, ‘I wasn’t really involved in this,'” Giuliani said. “He may say ‘they misunderstand what I say.’ I don’t think they do, but I’m sure he says that. ‘But out of deference to their feelings, I’m not going to make that day more difficult for them.'”

He emphasized that the annual observance exists to remember the victims and support the loved ones who continue to bear the pain of their loss, not to become a source of additional controversy.

“There is no point in evoking hurt on them,” Giuliani said. “This day is not about [him]. This is about these people who went through an indescribable loss.”

During the interview, Giuliani also reiterated his belief that the September 11 attacks were committed in the name of radical Islam, saying the terrorists themselves made that clear through their own words and actions.

“I know these people were killed in the name of his religion,” Giuliani said of Mamdani, a Muslim.

He acknowledged that many people interpret Islam differently but said the attackers repeatedly shouted “Allah Akbar” while carrying out the attacks.

Later in the conversation, Giuliani reflected on a recent meeting with Pope Leo XIV during the Canticle of Peace prayer gathering held in the Vatican’s Pontifical Gardens.

Describing the encounter as “very emotional,” Giuliani said the meeting carried special significance because of the renewed role his Catholic faith has taken in his life.

He explained that although he was deeply religious in his youth and even studied for the priesthood, he later drifted away from the Church. The events of September 11, personal losses, and more recent health struggles—including receiving last rites several months ago—ultimately drew him back to his faith.

“I’ve become much more spiritual,” Giuliani said. “I spend much more of my time reading about it, studying it, debating it.”

Before meeting Pope Leo, Giuliani said he made a lengthy general confession so he would be “in the proper state of grace,” explaining that he wanted to be spiritually prepared for what he viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Giuliani said the pope’s humility left the strongest impression on him.

“The first thing you come away with is, what a nice, regular man he is,” he said. “He is the Vicar of Christ. He’s the successor of Saint Peter … and he talks to you like you want to talk to him.”

He concluded by saying he hopes to have the chance to spend more time with Pope Leo in the future.

“I would just really enjoy having a half hour or one hour sitting with him and asking him a lot of questions,” Giuliani said. “I think he enjoyed it, too.”

{Matzav.com}

A North Miami woman has been charged with multiple felonies after police say she targeted a Jewish man in an unprovoked antisemitic attack inside the Starbucks at a Target store in North Miami Beach, allegedly striking him with a cellphone, attempting to hit him with a metal chair, and shouting, “I hate them.”

Authorities identified the suspect as 43-year-old Chyvonne Juanita Palmer. According to North Miami Beach Police, the incident unfolded Sunday afternoon at the Target located at 14075 Biscayne Boulevard. Palmer was taken into custody at the scene before later appearing in bond court.

Investigators said the victim was seated inside the Starbucks wearing a yarmulke, or kippah, when Palmer unexpectedly got up from her seat and approached him without any apparent provocation.

According to police, Palmer began yelling at the man before allegedly hitting him twice with her cellphone. Officers said she briefly returned to where she had been sitting, but the encounter was not over.

Police allege that Palmer soon stood up again, grabbed a metal chair, lifted it as though she intended to strike the victim, and repeatedly screamed, “I hate them.”

Before the chair could allegedly be used, two bystanders stepped in to stop the confrontation, investigators said. One of the witnesses escorted the victim into the men’s restroom to keep him safe until officers arrived.

Target condemned the incident in a statement released Monday evening.

“We’re deeply saddened by this incident, as the safety of our guests and team is Target’s top priority,” the company said in a statement. “We do not tolerate this kind of behavior in our stores and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”

The alleged attack has heightened concerns among members of the local Jewish community.

“I would say nowadays, it’s very strange because we want to be free,” said Alex Klein, a Jewish customer who was sitting at the same Starbucks on Monday, although he did not know the victim personally.

Klein said episodes like this highlight the importance of responding with compassion and unity.

“We need to spread more light to the world and kindness,” he said.

Palmer has been charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with prejudice, and disorderly conduct.

At her initial court appearance, a judge ordered that Palmer be transferred into the custody of Southern Winds Hospital in Hialeah for a mental health evaluation.

Court records show that Palmer had posted bond by Monday night and was no longer being held in custody. Police said the investigation into the incident remains active.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge has dismissed a sweeping lawsuit accusing George Washington University of allowing rampant antisemitism on campus, ruling that the complaint was far too lengthy to comply with federal court rules. While the case was thrown out on procedural grounds, the plaintiffs have been given 30 days to file a shorter version.

The decision, issued July 31 by a federal magistrate judge, rejected the lawsuit against the Washington, D.C.-based university, which alleged that school officials failed to address what the complaint described as “pervasive and severe” antisemitic conduct on campus, JNS reported.

The ruling did not address whether the allegations themselves have merit. Instead, the court found that the filing violated procedural requirements governing the format and length of civil complaints, while allowing the plaintiffs an opportunity to refile.

The lawsuit was originally filed in May 2025 by two former George Washington University students together with Compliance, Accountability, Policy, Ethics-Ed, an advocacy organization representing students, alumni, and other members of the university community. The plaintiffs argue that the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from a hostile campus environment.

In his opinion for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Trevor McFadden concluded that the nearly 200-page complaint, which contains more than 1,000 numbered paragraphs, does not comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8. The rule requires plaintiffs to provide “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.”

McFadden wrote that “Much of its length stems from excessive narrative,” while also recognizing “the serious nature of the allegations at issue.” He gave the plaintiffs 30 days to submit a revised complaint that satisfies the federal court’s procedural standards.

George Washington University is one of numerous American colleges that have experienced a surge in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel, including anti-Israel demonstrations and campus encampments.

Among the incidents cited during that period was an anti-Israel protest in which a demonstrator was photographed holding a sign reading “Final Solution,” the same term used by the Nazis for their plan to exterminate the Jewish people.

In another highly publicized episode, anti-Israel protesters staged a mock tribunal at the university and called for a “guillotine” to be used against university President Ellen Granberg and other school administrators.

{Matzav.com}

Ireland’s newly acquired $61 million government aircraft is entering service without an advanced landing system designed for poor weather after the country declined to purchase Israeli-made equipment, a decision that has drawn scrutiny given Ireland’s notoriously foggy climate.

The new Dassault Falcon 6X, which will serve as the primary aircraft for transporting Ireland’s senior leadership, was delivered without the FalconEye navigation system. The equipment, typically installed in the aircraft’s nose, enables pilots to land safely in low-visibility conditions such as heavy fog and mist, according to Irish outlet The Journal.

Sources cited by the publication said the FalconEye system is manufactured by Israeli defense company Elbit, making it incompatible with the Irish government’s policy of avoiding Israeli products.

The policy traces back to remarks made in 2024 by Ireland’s current Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, when he was serving as the country’s foreign minister. At the time, Martin stated that the Irish government would not purchase products made in Israel.

The omission is especially notable because Ireland is well known for its damp, overcast weather, with fog and low cloud frequently affecting air travel throughout the country.

The Republic receives only about 1,100 to 1,600 hours of sunshine each year, placing it among Europe’s cloudiest nations.

Cork Airport, the country’s second-largest airport after Dublin, records approximately 99 foggy days annually, underscoring the potential value of an advanced low-visibility landing system.

Built by Dassault Aviation SA, the Falcon 6X can accommodate up to 14 passengers and is intended primarily to transport the Taoiseach, Ireland’s prime minister, along with other senior government officials on official travel.

The aircraft entered service at the end of 2025, replacing the Irish government’s aging Learjet.

Despite Dublin’s stance against purchasing Israeli products, the report noted that Ireland’s newly acquired Air Corps helicopters are equipped with Israeli-made flight systems because those aircraft cannot operate without the technology.

Relations between Ireland and Israel have deteriorated sharply since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza.

In recent years, Ireland has supported international legal proceedings accusing Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice. The Irish government has also formally recognized a Palestinian state and imposed entry bans on senior Israeli officials.

The diplomatic dispute has continued to escalate, with Israel ultimately closing its embassy in Dublin, citing what it described as the Irish government’s policies and hostile rhetoric toward the Jewish state.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, declaring that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk a devastating American military response. While emphasizing that diplomatic talks are underway, Trump made clear that the military option remains on the table if negotiations fail.

Speaking during an interview with Fox News that aired Tuesday night, Trump said the United States is engaged in discussions with Iran but insisted he is fully prepared to use force if Iran refuses to allow shipping through the strategically vital waterway.

“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. They already can’t, but it’s going to be formal. The Strait’s going to be open very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard, and then the Strait’s going to be open,” said the President.

.@POTUS on Iran: "The Strait is going to be open very soon — or they're gonna hit very hard, and then the Strait is going to be open." pic.twitter.com/Phexz39YE8

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 5, 2026

Trump said the situation had previously come dangerously close to erupting into an unprecedented military confrontation before Iran reached out in hopes of avoiding war.

“We were going to a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War II. And they called me and said, very politely, ‘Please, can we talk? Can we talk?’ They didn’t want [an attack]. And I said, ‘Yes, we can talk. Let’s get it done. Finally, let’s get it done.’”

He argued that the crisis should have been resolved decades ago and said previous American administrations failed to confront the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“this should have been done by other presidents for 50 years. Other presidents or other countries should have been able to do this. And I did something that I had to do, because if they had a nuclear weapon, this whole world would be a different place.”

Trump also maintained that diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran are progressing, despite repeated public denials from Iranian officials.

He said the two sides are “having very good discussions” and continued, “They don’t like to admit that, but you know it’s a little bit disconcerting. You tell people ‘we’re having wonderful discussions’ and then some guy will come out of Iran and say ‘We have not met.’ It’s a lie. They want to make a deal.”

When asked how long he is willing to wait before concluding diplomacy has failed, Trump suggested he is in no rush to make that determination.

“I have plenty of time.”

The interview followed remarks Trump made on Monday indicating that he is ready to authorize a major military campaign against Iran if necessary, though he stressed that he hopes a diplomatic agreement can still prevent such a conflict.

“I think we’re going to maybe get something, but I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” Trump stated. “Very tough to do what we have planned, still planned. We’ll see what happens, but it’s a very, very tough thing to do.”

Trump reiterated that, despite ongoing military planning, he would rather resolve the standoff through negotiations than by launching a large-scale attack.

“I think I’m very proud of the fact that I will give people a chance,” Trump said. “This is a big move to do an attack that big on a country. I’d rather not do it.”

Earlier Tuesday, Trump sharply criticized Iran after its government publicly denied that negotiations with the United States are taking place, accusing Tehran of saying one thing privately while presenting a different story to the world.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Iranian officials had requested a meeting and that talks were already underway, with additional discussions expected soon.

“Iranian leadership is unbelievably duplicitous! They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’ talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with ‘Oman,'” Trump wrote.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is intensifying his push to make daylight saving time permanent, personally urging Republican senators to remove procedural roadblocks and send legislation to his desk after the measure cleared the House of Representatives.

In a lengthy Truth Social post Tuesday evening, Trump announced that the House had approved the Sunshine Protection Act and said the bill is now awaiting final action in the Senate. Calling the twice-yearly clock changes unnecessary and outdated, the president appealed directly to Senate Republicans to allow the legislation to move forward.

“For many years, the vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it done, until now. I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, and it has now gone to the Senate for final approval,” Trump wrote.

Trump argued that Americans have grown weary of changing their clocks every spring and fall, describing the current system as wasteful, inconvenient, and harmful.

“People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It is foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly. For Cities and States with Watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs Millions of Dollars,” he wrote.

The president also cited what he said were medical, economic, and public safety benefits of keeping daylight saving time in effect throughout the year.

“A recent case was made that it is also bad for your health in the anxiety it creates. Leading Medical, Crime, and Economic Studies have now shown that ceasing the biannual time change, giving us one extra hour of natural sunlight in the evenings, will help Decrease Robbery and Murder Rates, Reduce Car Accidents (especially those involving Pedestrians!), Lower Risk for Cardiac Issues, Stroke, and Seasonal Depression, Make It Safer for Children to Walk Home from School, Increase Time with your Family, Strongly Support Extracurricular Activities, Boost the Sports, Fitness, Tourism, Retail, and Restaurant Industries (and more!), and Save Money on Energy Bills, because everyone will be enjoying an EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT.”

He added that the legislation would simply preserve the current time setting year-round.

“In other words, leave it as it is now, and never change again.”

Trump concluded by framing the proposal as a rare bipartisan issue and called on Republicans to break the Senate impasse.

“This is an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to release their holds, and allow the hotline to clear on the Republican side. LET’S PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP. Thank you to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

The House approved the legislation in July despite opposition from members of both parties, sending it to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Trump has made permanent daylight saving time one of his signature quality-of-life initiatives and has devoted considerable personal attention to lobbying lawmakers to support the measure.

The proposal, however, faces resistance from several influential Senate Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has opposed previous efforts to make daylight saving time permanent, while Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas has also been a longtime critic of the change.

Support for the bill has been especially strong among lawmakers from Florida, where tourism, outdoor recreation, restaurants, golf, and other businesses are expected to benefit from longer evening daylight. Opponents, particularly those representing agriculture-heavy states, have warned that later sunrises could complicate farming operations and create concerns over darker mornings, particularly for schoolchildren, commuters, and sleep patterns.

With the House having already acted, the fate of the Sunshine Protection Act now rests in the Senate, where Trump is hoping his direct appeal will persuade enough Republicans to clear the procedural hurdles and bring the bill to a vote. If approved by the Senate, the legislation would permanently end the twice-yearly clock changes observed across most of the United States.

{Matzav.com}

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a group of faith leaders that the Trump administration is working to ensure the Supreme Court’s landmark abortion ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization becomes a lasting reality across all 50 states. Blanche also indicated that new limits on mail-order abortion pills are under consideration as the administration continues advancing its pro-life agenda.

Blanche made the remarks during a private conference call last week organized by the White House Faith Office and Intercessors for America, according to Politico.

“We will have victory, and victory will be soon, and it will be permanent,” Blanche said.

He acknowledged that efforts to restrict abortion in states where it remains legal have moved more slowly than administration officials had hoped.

According to Blanche, the Justice Department is coordinating closely with federal health agencies, the White House, and President Donald Trump’s team to achieve those objectives.

Blanche also suggested that the administration intends to curb the distribution of abortion medication through the mail.

“If states have said, ‘We are going to protect the unborn and we’re going to protect every life from the moment of conception,’ we’re putting practices and policies in place so that other states and other organizations can’t attack that,” Blanche said. “They can’t do things like they’re doing with mailing in mail-order drugs.”

He did not specify whether the administration plans to rely on the Comstock Act, an 1873 federal anti-obscenity statute that some conservatives have argued could be used to prohibit the mailing of abortion pills and certain medical equipment.

The Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion and returning authority over abortion laws to individual states.

Despite that ruling, the overall number of abortions nationwide has continued to increase, driven in part by the expansion of mail-order abortion medication and “shield laws” adopted by several Democrat-led states that protect abortion providers from prosecution.

The Biden administration permanently removed the requirement that patients obtain mifepristone in person in 2023, allowing the abortion drug to continue being distributed by mail. The Trump administration has not reversed that policy.

Meanwhile, Blanche moved a step closer Tuesday to winning Senate confirmation as attorney general after clearing a key procedural hurdle.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved his nomination by a 12-10 party-line vote, advancing President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney to consideration by the full Senate. Blanche has served as acting attorney general since succeeding Pam Bondi in April while helping implement the administration’s priorities.

The committee vote followed an agreement reached Sunday between Blanche and Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had previously threatened to oppose his nomination over the settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS concerning the release of the president’s tax returns.

Cornyn and Tillis ultimately backed Blanche after the Justice Department provided written confirmation that it would not proceed with a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for Trump allies who contend they were prosecuted for political reasons, a provision that had been announced as part of the settlement.

Blanche’s nomination now heads to the full Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority and are expected to have the votes needed for confirmation.

However, his recent comments on abortion could complicate support from Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, both of whom have broken with their party on abortion-related issues in the past.

Even if Collins and Murkowski vote against the nomination, Republicans could still confirm Blanche as long as no more than two GOP senators oppose him, assuming Sen. Mitch McConnell is absent and all senators aligned with Democrats vote no.

{Matzav.com}

A beloved South Bend, Indiana family and the broader Torah world are reeling after a devastating boating accident on Lake Michigan claimed the lives of two siblings, Chana Malka Zweig, 21, and her brother, Yosef Yehuda Zweig, 18.

The tragedy occurred Tuesday while the siblings were out boating on Lake Michigan. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after reports that the two had drowned. Both were pulled from the water and transported to a nearby hospital, where medical teams fought to save their lives. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts, both Chana Malka and Yosef Yehuda were pronounced dead.

The victims were the daughter and son of R’ Yehoshua and Hadassah Zweig of South Bend.

Chana Malka and Yosef Yehuda were also the grandchildren of Rav Yochanan Zweig, the esteemed rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva V’Kollel Beis Moshe Chaim in Miami Beach.

Officials have not yet released additional information about the circumstances that led to the drowning.

Levayah arrangements have not yet been announced.

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

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

Responding on X, Hegseth flatly denied the report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bell rejected that characterization of the organization.

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neither Exxon Mobil nor Chevron responded to requests for comment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The sooner the war ends, the better.”

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

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

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

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

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

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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