Kamala Harris offered a blunt assessment of the Democratic Party’s current direction while stopping short of signaling whether she plans to seek the presidency again, saying she has not yet decided on her political future.
Speaking on the “At Our Table” podcast hosted by former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Harris was asked directly whether she was considering a run in 2028 and whether she felt there was unfinished work ahead of her. “I have not made any decisions about that,” Harris replied.
During the conversation, Harris also reflected on what she sees as deeper issues facing her party, telling Harrison that Democrats are struggling to adapt. She said she believes the party is “stuck in the past.”
Harrison, for his part, made clear that Harris would not lack backing if she chooses to move forward. “If you do make a decision, and whatever the decision that you make, there are going to be millions of people who will support you with whatever you want to do. There’s so much love for you, you’re seeing it on your book tour, you’re selling out,” he said.
Speculation about Harris’s intentions has intensified following a report by Axios, which said she was “stepping toward” a 2028 campaign. The outlet pointed to her recent appearance before the Democratic National Committee and the continuation of her nationwide book tour as signs of renewed political activity.
At the DNC gathering last week, Harris delivered remarks that took aim at both major parties while urging Democrats to think beyond the next election cycle. “Obviously, we must focus on the midterms,” Harris said in her Friday speech. “But Democrats, we must also have a clear vision for what comes after the midterms — and then after Trump. We need to answer the question. We need to answer the question: what comes next for our party and our democracy?”
She went on to argue that voter frustration runs deep, saying that “both parties have failed to hold the public’s trust” and that “people are done with the status quo, and they’re ready to break things to force change.”
The Democratic National Committee’s annual winter meeting, held in Los Angeles, drew several high-profile figures, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, adding to the sense that early maneuvering for the party’s future leadership is already underway.
{Matzav.com}
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday sharply criticized Israeli military actions in Gaza, warning that continued strikes jeopardize the ceasefire agreement and complicate the role of mediators, while calling on Israel and Hamas to move forward to the second phase of the deal.
Speaking after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Al Thani said there is an “urgent need” to advance to the next stage of the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement. He noted that Qatar and the United States had agreed to intensify diplomatic efforts to facilitate that transition and that preparations are underway for a meeting of the mediating countries to formulate a framework for the second phase.
“There is an urgent need to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement,” Al Thani said. “We agreed with Rubio to double our efforts to reach this goal, and we are preparing for a meeting of the mediators to shape a plan for moving to the next stage.”
Al Thani accused Israel of repeatedly violating the terms of the agreement, asserting that such actions threaten the fragile ceasefire. “The main challenge facing continued implementation is clear violations that are occurring on a daily basis,” he said. “As we see and monitor, there are assassinations, attacks, and the demolition of homes in the Gaza Strip.”
He added that Qatar has raised these concerns because of their serious implications. “This raises many concerns for us, endangers the ceasefire, and also puts us, as mediators, in an embarrassing position, because we cannot address matters like this,” he stated.
Despite the criticism, Al Thani emphasized ongoing coordination with Washington, saying Qatar views the United States as committed to preserving the agreement. “We see commitment from the United States to the continuation of the agreement, and we emphasize our commitment to work with them to protect this agreement, maintain it, and move it from one stage to the next,” he said.
{Matzav.com}Ukraine reported a major escalation in its maritime campaign against Russia on Monday, announcing that it had carried out what it described as the first successful underwater drone attack against a Russian submarine.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation targeted a Kilo-class submarine docked at the port of Novorossiysk, a key Russian naval facility in the Krasnodar region. Kyiv said the strike left the vessel critically damaged while it was stationed at the pier.
The Security Service of Ukraine said the attack was conducted using its “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drones and was jointly executed by the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence. The submarine, officials said, was equipped with four launch tubes for Kalibr cruise missiles that Russia has repeatedly used in strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Footage released by the SBU showed multiple Russian naval vessels moored at the Novorossiysk base, followed by a powerful explosion near the docked ships.
Novorossiysk has taken on increased strategic importance for Moscow as Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Sevastopol and other ports in occupied Crimea, forcing Russia to relocate much of its Black Sea Fleet.
Ukrainian officials said the submarine had remained in Novorossiysk due to earlier Ukrainian actions, including the deployment of Sea Baby surface drones that pushed Russian naval assets out of Sevastopol Bay.
Russia rejected Ukraine’s claims. A spokesperson for the Black Sea Fleet said on Telegram that the attack caused no damage and that no submarines or crew members were harmed.
Military analysts say the strike underscores the growing role of unmanned systems in modern warfare. “[Ukraine] once again proved that minnows can swallow sharks using innovation,” drone expert Brett Velicovich told Fox News Digital. “Underwater drones are the next evolution in drone warfare.”
The reported attack comes as Russia continues to carry out large-scale drone and missile barrages against Ukraine, even as diplomatic efforts intensify to bring an end to the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of his negotiating team met Sunday in Berlin with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Earlier in the week, Zelenskyy also held discussions with European leaders focused on shaping a broader political framework to end the conflict, ensure long-term security commitments for Ukraine, and lay the groundwork for the country’s postwar reconstruction.
{Matzav.com}
A powerful and inspiring national halachah quiz focusing on the laws of Chanukah was held this week for thousands of students from the Shuvu educational network, culminating in an impressive final event attended by leading rabbinic figures.
After several intensive weeks of studying the halachos of Chanukah in Shuvu schools across the country, approximately 800 students gathered at the Ramat Elchanan Auditorium in Bnei Brak for the final round of the nationwide competition. The event featured remarkable displays of Torah knowledge and was widely described as a sanctification of Hashem’s Name.
Each Shuvu school had previously conducted its own internal quiz to select outstanding representatives. Those students advanced to the national finals, where they competed against one another. The morning session was dedicated to students in grades 4–6, followed later in the day by the competition for grades 7–12.
The audience itself also demonstrated exceptional mastery of the material. In order to actively involve all students while their peers competed on stage, halachic questions were projected on large screens, and students responded using electronic clickers. Valuable prizes were awarded to participants who answered correctly.
Shuvu CEO Rabbi Chaim Michael Gutterman described his deep emotion at witnessing the uplifting scenes and expressed gratitude to all those who made the event possible. He singled out Deputy CEO Rabbi David Ivgi, who initiated and conceptualized the quiz; network supervisor Rabbi Aharon Elmaliach, who directed the competition; Deputy CEO for Development Rabbi Motti Buterman, who served as master of ceremonies; and Rabbi Chaim Bruner, coordinator of Shuvu’s Batei Midrash project in partnership with Knesses Yisrael. After speaking about the miracles of Chanukah, Rabbi Gutterman concluded by declaring, “Shuvu itself is a miracle.”
The Shuvu network was honored to host the renowned posek, Rav Amram Fried, along with the Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Aharon, Rav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, a member of Shuvu’s leadership. The rabbinic guests posed questions to the students, expressed profound admiration for their extraordinary knowledge, and blessed them to continue growing in yiras Shamayim, Torah, and mitzvos.
In the elementary school division, the title of Chassan HaHalachah was awarded to student Lavi Toviana of Shuvu Be’er Sheva. In the high school division, two students earned the distinction: Amir Cohen Neizov of Shuvu Rishon LeZion and Alon Yadgarov of Shuvu Petach Tikvah. The honorees received their certificates from Harav Amram Fried, Harav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, and CEO Rabbi Gutterman.
A particularly moving moment took place at the conclusion of the event, when Rav Amram Fried turned to Rabbi Gutterman and asked to receive his brocha. “You are bringing forth what is precious from what is overlooked,” the posek said emotionally. “About you it can truly be said: ‘You shall be as My mouth.’”
As one Shuvu educator summarized the spirit of the day: “It doesn’t truly matter who received the title. Every student in the Shuvu network is a winner—because all of them invested effort and learned the halachos thoroughly.”
{Matzav.com}
Australian authorities on Wednesday filed a sweeping set of criminal charges against the surviving suspect in the deadly terror attack that struck a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as investigators continued probing possible ties between the assailants and the Islamic State terror group.
Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder, following Sunday’s mass shooting that left 15 people dead and nearly 20 others wounded. The attack, which targeted Jews gathered for a community event, has sent shockwaves through Australia and intensified national debate over antisemitism, security at Jewish institutions, and gun policy.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said Akram could face life imprisonment if convicted. She emphasized that the investigation remains active but sought to reassure the public, stating that authorities see no immediate ongoing threat. Speaking about the impact of the attack, Barrett said the grief felt across Sydney underscored the cruelty of the assault and stressed that the Jewish community should not feel alone in its mourning.
Akram was formally charged after regaining consciousness from a coma in a Sydney hospital, where he has remained since police shot him during the attack. His father and alleged accomplice, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed at the scene. According to police, the charges against the younger Akram include one murder count for each victim, a terrorism offense, dozens of counts related to attempting to kill those who survived, and an additional charge connected to placing an explosive near a building with intent to cause harm.
Investigators said the suspects’ vehicle, found at the scene, contained improvised explosive devices. Akram appeared in court via video link from his hospital bed, where his lawyer did not enter pleas or seek bail. He is being represented by Legal Aid NSW and is expected to remain under police guard until he is medically cleared to be transferred to prison.
Authorities have described the massacre as a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State ideology. While the group has been significantly weakened since losing territorial control in Iraq and Syria more than a decade ago, officials note that it continues to motivate lone-actor and small-cell attacks in Western countries.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement agencies are examining a trip the suspects took to the Philippines in November. Philippine officials confirmed that both men entered the country on November 1 and traveled to the southern region of Mindanao, an area long affected by Islamist insurgencies. However, Philippine authorities strongly rejected suggestions that the country served as a training ground for the attackers, saying there is no evidence the suspects received any form of terrorist training during their visit.
Military and security officials in the Philippines said armed Islamist groups in Mindanao have been severely weakened in recent years, particularly after the 2017 battle for Marawi, though analysts cautioned that some training camps and extremist networks may still exist in fragmented form. Philippine military officials also noted that the brief duration of the Akrams’ stay would have been insufficient for meaningful weapons or combat training.
The revelations surrounding the attack have fueled renewed scrutiny of Australia’s preparedness to confront hate-driven violence. Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne, home to the vast majority of Australia’s Jewish population, have reported a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents over the past year. Jewish leaders and survivors of the Bondi Beach attack have criticized authorities for failing to act decisively on earlier warnings.
In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to take firm action against antisemitism and announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws. Proposed measures include limiting firearm ownership to Australian citizens and reducing the number of weapons an individual may legally possess. The move follows reports that the older suspect had legally acquired multiple firearms.
Albanese and several state leaders said the proposed changes would mark the most significant overhaul of gun regulations since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, after which Australia enacted sweeping reforms that made mass shootings rare. The Bondi Beach attack, they said, underscores the need to reassess both security protections and legal safeguards in the face of evolving threats.
{Matzav.com}Israel has formally signed off on what officials say is the largest natural gas transaction ever concluded by the country, a deal valued at NIS 112 billion, or roughly $35 billion. The approval was announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu together with Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen.
Speaking publicly after the decision, Cohen characterized the move as transformative for Israel’s economy and regional standing. “a historic moment for the State of Israel, both in the security-diplomatic sphere and the economic sphere,” he said. He noted that, “This is the largest export deal in the history of the country, totaling NIS 112 billion,” adding that “the deal establishes our status as a regional energy power and a leader that its neighbors rely upon.”
According to Cohen, the agreement was finalized only after a lengthy process that addressed both strategic and financial concerns. “The approval of the agreement comes after several months of intensive negotiations, and only after we had secured Israel’s security and economic interests,” he said. He also outlined the anticipated benefits, stating, “The state’s revenues from taxes and royalties thanks to the deal will stand at approximately NIS 58 billion, and the scope of direct infrastructure investments in the economy will exceed NIS 16 billion.” Those investments, he added, “will create jobs and strengthen the economy.”
Netanyahu, addressing the nation, underscored the magnitude of the agreement and its contribution to public finances. “Dear citizens of Israel, today I approved the largest gas deal in Israel’s history. The scope of the deal stands at NIS 112 billion. Out of this, NIS 58 billion will go to the state treasury,” he said.
The Prime Minister explained that the state’s income from the deal will increase gradually as development progresses. “Initially, in the first four years, we will receive about half a billion shekels for the state treasury,” he said, pointing out that during that time the participating companies will be making “massive” infrastructure investments, including expanding pipelines. “Afterward, it begins to rise,” Netanyahu continued, “and within a few years, it reaches NIS 6 billion every year for the state treasury. This money will strengthen education, health, infrastructure, security, and the future of coming generations.”
Netanyahu said the agreement involves Chevron alongside Israeli partners and includes gas exports to Egypt. He stressed that strategic considerations were carefully weighed before approval. “I approved the deal after ensuring our security interests and other vital interests, which I will not detail here in full,” he said.
Beyond the immediate financial impact, Netanyahu argued that the agreement enhances Israel’s broader regional role. “This deal greatly strengthens Israel’s status as a regional energy power and contributes to stability in our region,” he said, adding that it is expected to spur further exploration. “More gas will be found,” he said, emphasizing that “first and foremost, this deal obligates the companies to sell gas at a good price to you, the citizens of Israel.”
The Prime Minister also revisited earlier public debates surrounding offshore gas development. “There were those among us who fiercely opposed taking the gas out of the water,” he said. “They said we would destroy the Israeli economy.” He concluded, “Today, it is clear that extracting the gas from the depths of the sea has brought a massive blessing to the State of Israel.”
Describing the agreement as a continuation of earlier policy decisions, Netanyahu said, “The persistence of myself and then-Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, our insistence on extracting the gas, has proven itself beyond all expectations. And I promise you, it will be the same with this deal.”
Netanyahu publicly thanked Cohen for his role in the process, saying, “You persisted and fought in very tedious and firm negotiations on our behalf,” and extended his appreciation to Cohen’s staff and other officials who took part in the talks.
Cohen, for his part, highlighted provisions aimed at protecting Israeli consumers. “This is the first export approval that guarantees priority for the local market,” he said, explaining that arrangements were put in place “that will improve the price of gas for the Israeli market.”
Calling natural gas “a strategic asset for the state,” Cohen addressed Netanyahu directly. “Prime Minister, you resolutely led the Gas Framework exactly a decade ago, and today we are reaping the fruits,” he said. “We will continue to work toward bringing in additional local and international companies to invest in Israel.”
Netanyahu concluded his remarks by tying the announcement to the Chanukah. “This evening is the fourth night of Chanukah, and on this day, we have brought an additional jar of oil to the people of Israel,” he said. “But this time, the flame will burn not just for eight days, but for decades to come. Happy Festival of Lights, citizens of Israel.”
Cohen closed by acknowledging senior officials and partners involved in finalizing the deal, including Energy Ministry Director General Yossi Dayan, Natural Resources Administration Director Chen Bar-Yosef, Gas Authority head Moshe Garazi, and representatives from the Finance Ministry who participated in the negotiations.
{Matzav.com}
An agreement between New York’s governor and state lawmakers is expected to make medically assisted suicide legal in the state, with the measure slated to take effect next year following a delayed implementation period.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she intends to sign legislation permitting terminally ill residents to obtain medical assistance to end their lives. The law is designed to apply only to New Yorkers diagnosed with a terminal condition and estimated to have fewer than six months to live.
Under the framework reached with legislative leaders, the bill will be formally approved when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Hochul said she will then sign it into law, with implementation scheduled for six months later to allow time for regulatory preparation.
“New York has long been a beacon of freedom, and now it is time we extend that freedom to terminally ill New Yorkers who want the right to die comfortably and on their own terms,” Hochul said.
The governor explained that her decision was influenced by personal experience, referencing her mother’s battle with ALS. “Although this was an incredibly difficult decision, I ultimately determined that with the additional guardrails agreed upon with the legislature, this bill would allow New Yorkers to suffer less, to shorten not their lives, but their deaths,” she said.
Earlier versions of the legislation already included provisions aimed at preventing abuse, such as protections against coercion and assurances that physicians and religiously affiliated medical institutions would not be compelled to participate in the process.
As part of the final agreement, further safeguards were added, including a mandatory five-day waiting period between the writing and dispensing of the prescription used for medical aid in dying.
The law also mandates a mental health evaluation, requires that a patient’s oral request be documented through audio or video recording, and bars witnesses or interpreters who stand to gain financially from the patient’s death.
Additional restrictions limit eligibility to New York residents, require an in-person evaluation by a physician, permit faith-based hospice providers to opt out, and define violations of the statute as professional misconduct.
The delayed effective date is intended to give the Department of Health time to issue detailed regulations and allow hospitals, hospices, and other health care providers to adjust their policies and procedures.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal praised the compromise, calling it a landmark moment. “This agreement on Medical Aid in Dying is a monumental victory for every New Yorker who has wished to peacefully end their suffering from a terminal illness,” he said. He added, “This bill is not about ending life, it’s about shortening death.”
According to the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, New York would become the 13th state in the nation to legalize medically assisted suicide.
{Matzav.com}
