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A federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday refused to throw out the drug-trafficking case against ousted Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro, while a heated dispute unfolded in court over who should pay for his legal defense.

Maduro, 63, appeared in court wearing a tan prison uniform and dark glasses, seated next to his wife and co-defendant, Celia Flores, 69, who was also dressed in jail-issued clothing. During the proceeding—his first since January, when he had insisted the U.S. military had “kidnapped” him—he quietly took notes.

The session took place in a crowded federal courtroom in Manhattan, as opposing demonstrators gathered outside, with tensions running high between supporters and critics.

Maduro’s defense attorney, Barry Pollack—who previously represented Julian Assange in securing a plea deal that allowed him to return to Australia—argued for dismissal of the charges. He contended that Maduro’s ability to mount a defense was being obstructed, violating his constitutional rights.

The judge, Alvin Hellerstein, quickly rejected that argument, stating, “I’m not going to dismiss the case.”

Pollack also warned that if the Treasury Department continues to deny a sanctions waiver that would allow Venezuela’s government to cover Maduro’s legal costs, American taxpayers could end up footing the bill.

“You have someone other than the US taxpayer standing ready and willing to fund that defense,” he told the court.

Prosecutor Kyle Wirshba opposed that request, arguing that allowing Maduro to access Venezuelan state funds would conflict with U.S. policy interests.

He told the court that the government has “national security” and “foreign policy” reasons for blocking such funding. He added that the sanctions were imposed “because the defendants are plundering the wealth of Venezuela,” and that permitting them to use those same funds “it would undermine the nature of the sanctions to let them use that wealth in their defense.”

Although Maduro and his wife claimed they lack the resources to pay for their lawyers, Wirshba said he was skeptical and asked the judge to require a deeper financial review, including compelling Maduro to submit a sworn statement detailing his assets.

Hellerstein, who joined the bench in 1998 after being appointed by President Bill Clinton, appeared open to the argument that Venezuela might be allowed to fund the defense.

“No matter the circumstances that brought them here, they are entitled to a presumption of innocence and have the right to defend themselves,” he said from the bench. “The current paramount goal and need is the right to defend themselves.”

The judge also questioned whether he had the authority to compel the U.S. government to grant the sanctions waiver, but Wirshba responded that he did not.

Outside the courthouse, several hundred demonstrators gathered, with pro- and anti-Maduro groups facing off. One protester opposing Maduro held a sign reading “Maduro, Rot in Prison,” while supporters waved Venezuelan flags and displayed messages such as “Free President Maduro.”

Some participants danced while draped in Venezuelan flags, and one group displayed an effigy of Maduro dressed in prison attire with chains around his neck and wrist.

Among those present was Janette Panzenbeck, 59, a Venezuelan-born translator who has lived in Manhattan for three decades and still has close family in Venezuela. She voiced strong support for President Trump’s role in removing Maduro from power.

“I actually have a lot of respect for President Trump. I like him, what he’s doing in Venezuela, and even in Iran because it’s a regime of 47 years where they have executed their own people,” she told The Post while waving a small Venezuelan flag.

“Venezuela is different from that, but people are just very happy and call him Uncle Trump,” she said, claiming that if asked, “85-95%” of people in the South American nation are “so happy” Maduro is gone and grateful for their “liberation” from the despot.

“Now Venezuelan people are breathing that air of freedom, and I’m just so happy here celebrating that this dictator is now in court in the United States,” she said.

Maduro and Flores are currently being held at the Brooklyn Detention Center. No trial date has yet been scheduled.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

From household-name foods to restaurants, simcha venues, and hotels, it’s easy to take the remarkable range of kosher options for granted. Rarely do we stop to consider the meticulous supervision, time, and effort required to ensure that each product and establishment meets the highest standards of kashrus.

OU Kosher’s new Keeping It Kosher podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of the world of hashgachos, revealing what it truly takes to certify food and facilities as kosher and highlighting the dedicated people who make it all happen.

Geared toward everyone from seasoned to new kosher consumers, the podcast, with the tagline Kashrus Conversations for the Curious, features firsthand insights from mashgichim, poskim, and global kashrus experts.

“Beyond certifying food and establishments as kosher, a key part of our mission is educating people about kashrus, something we find very fulfilling,” says OU Kosher Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Moshe Elefant, who oversees roughly 15,000 plants in 105 countries and was the podcast’s first guest.

“Keeping It Kosher is a wonderful opportunity to enlighten people about kashrus in a serious yet engaging way,” he says. “Kosher food doesn’t happen automatically, or because a rabbi blesses it. It takes tremendous effort, world travel, research, and care. Understanding what goes into kashrus certification adds a deeper dimension to keeping the mitzvah.”

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 24Six, and Naki Radio, Keeping It Kosher emphasizes transparency and explores the intersection of technology and culture. Episodes highlight fascinating stories behind the OU symbol, relationships between mashgichim and companies, and the reasoning behind kashrus halachos and minhagim.

Ahead of Pesach, the first episode, Gebrokts Unpacked: Origins of the Minhag and Its Applications, explored navigating situations where some family members eat gebrokts while others do not; why people in chutz la’aretz stop eating it on the eighth day of Pesach; and the thousands of Pesach questions OU Kosher fields each year. It reached over 9,000 views in just over a week.

OU Kosher Director of Education and Community Relations Rabbi Eli Eleff hopes the podcast will highlight the challenges kashrus professionals face and show their human side.

“I think people will gain a greater appreciation for kashrus professionals, who work tirelessly on behalf of the community,” he says.

OU Director of Torah and Halacha Initiatives Rabbi Ezra Sarna hosts the podcast, and is eager to learn about OU Kosher’s inner workings alongside podcast viewers and listeners.

“The easiest part of hosting this podcast is looking genuinely interested and curious about what my esteemed guests are saying,” he says. “It’s all new to me too. Their experience and knowledge are staggering. I’m excited for the Torah world to meet the giants that work at OU Kosher — serious talmidei chachamim, experts in the practical and modern application of halacha, food scientists, and business-minded individuals with rock-solid integrity and yiras shamayim. More than just appreciating their work, you’ll hear about their lives. It’s powerful.”

New episodes are released monthly on Motzei Shabbos. The second episode will explore alcohol and the halachic considerations of wine. The third episode ahead of Shavuos, will focus on cheese, including varieties that require waiting six hours before eating meat. The fourth, summer-themed episode, will cover kashrus considerations while traveling.

During his 37 years at OU Kosher, Rabbi Elefant has seen a significant shift in consumers’ interest in kashrus certification.

“In the past, people were satisfied with a limited selection of kosher food,” he reflects. “Today, kosher consumers want everything, including a different exotic wine for each of the four kosos. More than that, they are educated and genuinely care about what makes something kosher.”

The community’s fascination with every detail of kashrus is remarkable, he says.

“People are thirsty for knowledge. We see it in the volume of calls and emails we receive constantly. They are careful about what they eat and do not take anything for granted. An educated consumer is the best consumer. When consumers understand kashrus, they become true partners in maintaining its highest standards.”

To watch or listen to Keeping It Kosher: Kashrus Conversations for the Curious, visit https://keepingitkosher.org.

Rabbi Eli Eleff
Managing Director of Marketing and Community Relations
OU Kosher
212-613-8352
eleffe@ou.org

About OU Kosher
OU (Orthodox Union) Kosher is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international kosher certification agency, certifying 1.5 million products produced in more than 15,000 plants located in 108 countries around the world. The agency certifies two-thirds of all kosher-certified foods in the United States.

About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), or Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.

A chareidi journalist working for B’Kehilla magazine was detained in Kuwait after authorities suspected him of espionage, with his tefillin reportedly triggering alarm during questioning before he was ultimately released.

Yitzchak Horowitz, who ended up in Kuwait due to wartime flight disruptions, was initially suspected of being Iranian. However, once tefillin were found in his belongings, officials began to suspect possible ties to Israeli intelligence. After an extended interrogation, he was released. Reflecting on the ordeal, he said, “We learned a lesson about who the real enemy is. Maybe one day we will make peace with Israel.”

Horowitz was first stopped after he was seen photographing activity near the shoreline involving American patrol vessels, even though local civilians were doing the same. Writing about the scene, he noted, “They are quite far away, but large, and their speed is amazing, creating waves and tremendous noise that can be heard from the shore.” Despite this, he was singled out because he was a foreigner.

Describing the moment of his detention, Horowitz said, “A policeman asked who I was, what I was photographing, and why. ‘It’s just a precaution,’ the officer said politely. ‘Because of the sensitivity, we want to make sure everything is okay.’” He recounted that more officers soon arrived and asked to search his belongings. “I handed it over, everything was spread out. A bottle of water. Dates. More dates. A charger, and a velvet pouch that was opened, revealing the tefillin. He took them out, and I suddenly heard everyone around gasp in astonishment. For a moment they didn’t understand what they were seeing. It looked to them like a communication device with all the straps. They had never seen such an object in their lives.”

He explained the item to them, saying, “This is a Jewish religious item,” and clarified, “Tefillin, and I pray with it every morning.” According to Horowitz, the officer noticed the Hebrew letter on the box and questioned him further. “Yes, this is the letter ‘shin,’ the first letter of one of the names of Allah. Inside are passages from the Jewish Torah.”

The officer then tried to determine his identity, asking whether he was Jewish and possibly Israeli. Horowitz described the confusion: “So you are Jewish? He looks at me carefully. I am apparently the first Jew he has ever seen. A real Jew. He is amazed and confused. If I am Jewish, then I am certainly not an Iranian spy. On the other hand, maybe I am Israeli. Then maybe I am a Mossad spy. But then what would a Mossad spy be doing in Kuwait?”

The questioning intensified when the officer asked directly, “Are you Israeli? Did you serve in the Israeli army? Do you have connections to Israel?”

Horowitz continued, “He seemed confused. He took my passport again, flipping page after page looking for any stamp suggesting a connection to Israel. There was none, but it still seemed strange to him. Finally he said, ‘Alright, we will have to check this matter.’” He was then taken into custody, though he noted that the facilities were surprisingly comfortable despite the heavy security presence.

He also described a hostile atmosphere once his Jewish identity became known. At one point, an officer pointed to images on a screen and said, “Look what the Israelis are doing in Gaza.” Horowitz corrected him, noting the footage was from Lebanon, but the officer responded, “It’s all the same, and you are all the same.”

As the hours passed, investigators went through his phone messages, finding nothing suspicious. Eventually, a senior officer arrived and continued the questioning. Horowitz told him, “Look, I have been in other Gulf countries. In all of them, Jews are treated with respect. In Bahrain there is even a synagogue. Because I am Jewish, the attitude toward me here is hostile. This is not fitting for an advanced Western country like Kuwait.”

The officer replied that the matter would be reviewed further, saying, “Listen, this needs to go to the general to decide. Maybe he will want to speak with you. You will have to wait.”

When Horowitz asked to contact his family, he was told, “The general says you can call your ambassador only after they examine your case in depth.”

He was then moved to another section and later questioned by intelligence officials. During that interrogation, he challenged their suspicions, saying, “Let’s speak honestly. You suspected me of being an Iranian spy. Well, I am Jewish and not hiding it, so that suspicion is gone. Now you suspect me of being a Mossad spy. Do you really think Israeli intelligence is so unprofessional that it would send an agent on a mission with tefillin?”

He also remarked to them, “From my perspective, you and Israel are actually on the same side in this war. Am I not right?”

After further review, the authorities decided to release him. He described the moment: “The general told me to tell you that if you want to call your ambassador, you may. But perhaps you would prefer to go home, because you are free.”

Following his release, Horowitz contacted a Kuwaiti acquaintance, who shared his view on changing attitudes in the region. “Know this,” he told him, “my impression is that this war has changed the attitude of many Kuwaitis and even people in the government toward Israel. Israel is not the enemy; on the contrary, it is the only one that had the courage to stop the Iranian enemy. It is the only one with the technology that can stop the missiles aimed at us. Maybe after the war Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel—and I wouldn’t be surprised if we do as well.”

A new report claims that hundreds of urban areas across Europe have developed into so-called “no-go zones,” with thousands more classified as “sensitive” neighborhoods, attributing the trend to decades of large-scale migration and unsuccessful integration policies.

The study, titled “No-Go Zones, Immigration and the Rise of Parallel Societies,” was produced by the New Direction Foundation for European Reform, a conservative think tank. It estimates that between 900 and 1,000 areas across European cities meet the criteria for “no-go zones,” citing elevated crime levels, weakened government control, and deep social fragmentation.

The report, authored by Maxime Hemery-Aymar of France’s Observatory of Immigration and Demography, links mass migration and open-border policies to rising crime, deteriorating social cohesion, and even the spread of Islamist extremism.

Researchers concluded that 63 percent of Islamist terrorist attacks in Europe between 2010 and 2025 had a “verified link” to areas identified as no-go zones.

“So-called ‘sensitive neighbourhoods’ in Europe remain fertile grounds where such vulnerabilities can be exploited: community withdrawal, perceived exclusion, and petty crime create a conducive context that jihadist recruiters know how to leverage,” the report stated.

The analysis also pointed to what it described as a clear connection between population demographics and urban dysfunction, noting that the average share of foreign-born residents in these areas stands at 40 percent, compared to 20 percent across the European Union and about 30 percent in urban centers overall.

“Therefore, the share of the foreign-born population in the studied no-go zones is more than 100% higher than in the rest of the EU,” the report noted.

The findings further suggest that increases in immigration levels have coincided with the expansion of such neighborhoods, “suggesting a parallel dynamic between rising immigration levels and the progressive development of high-crime, state-withdrawn urban enclaves.”

While some governments have acknowledged the existence of troubled neighborhoods—often using softer terminology—mainstream media outlets have frequently challenged the concept of “no-go zones,” sometimes disputing a literal interpretation of the term.

Recognizing inconsistencies in how countries label such areas—such as “priority urban districts” in France, “dangerous places” in Germany, or “vulnerable areas” in Sweden—the report attempts to establish standardized criteria for identifying them.

These benchmarks include rates of homicide and robbery per 100,000 residents, the presence of organized youth gangs, high unemployment and school dropout rates, and reports of antisemitism, homophobia, or restrictions based on gender.

The study also considers signs of reduced state presence, such as instances where police or emergency responders avoid entering certain neighborhoods due to safety concerns, along with increased reliance on non-governmental organizations, described as a “proxy for state retreat.”

Each area was evaluated on a scale from 0 to 10, ranging from “low risk” to a “critical no-go zone,” defined as a place functioning as a “de facto autonomous area; full disengagement of state and emergence of enclaves.”

Among the 17 locations examined in detail, the Franc-Moisin district in Saint-Denis, France, received the highest possible rating of 10. Other areas scoring highly included La Castellane in Marseille, Molenbeek in Brussels, and Rosengard in Malmö, each with a score of 9.4.

The report also identifies a connection between the rise in no-go zones and increasing levels of Islamization, stating that a “parallel trajectory can be observed between the number of officially registered mosques and the emergence of no-go zones” in France.

It further suggests that immigrants from regions such as the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and South Asia may face greater challenges integrating into European societies, citing “different norms regarding gender roles, education, religion, and civic life, areas that clash with European liberal democratic standards over time.”

The report also criticizes certain government social housing policies, arguing that concentrating low-income migrant populations in specific areas has contributed to social divisions, as immigrants are “disproportionately confined to the limited social housing stock,” rather than being more evenly distributed.

To address these issues, the think tank calls for significant changes to immigration policy, including tightening family reunification rules, expanding deportations, imposing stricter residency and citizenship requirements, increasing policing efforts, and encouraging native populations to return to affected urban areas.

Presenting the findings to the European Parliament, New Direction President and European Conservatives and Reformists Group co-chair Nicola Procaccini warned of the broader implications. “if we allow these enclaves to grow, we are not just losing our streets, but also the very values of freedom and equality that define our civilisation.”

“For too long, those in power, especially on the left, have tried to ignore the issue of no-go zones, claiming that it is nothing more than a right-wing conspiracy. Today, with data in hand, we are able to show that these places are tragically real and that the time to act to resolve the problem is now.”

{Matzav.com}

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has signed legislation prohibiting law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing face coverings during certain interactions, setting off sharp criticism from federal authorities who warn the measure could expose officers to harassment and danger.

The new law, encompassing SCS for S3114 and 3216/A1743, mandates that officers display their faces during specific public encounters and provide adequate identification before making an arrest or detention, according to a March 25 announcement.

Explaining her decision, Sherrill said the legislation reinforces legal accountability within the state. “These bills underscore that here in New Jersey, we still follow the Constitution and uphold the rule of law.”

She added that her administration’s priority remains public safety, while also criticizing federal immigration enforcement practices under President Donald Trump. “My focus as governor remains on keeping the public safe,” she said.

Referring specifically to ICE personnel, Sherrill argued that their conduct poses risks. “As we’ve seen across the country, Donald Trump’s untrained, unaccountable, masked ICE agents are putting people in danger,” she said.

“That’s why in New Jersey, we are protecting our communities — strengthening our protections, banning ICE agents from wearing masks, and protecting residents’ privacy from federal overreach,” Sherrill added.

The issue has also become a point of contention in the ongoing partial government shutdown, with Democrats pushing for changes to ICE practices, including restrictions on mask usage.

Republican lawmakers have pushed back strongly. “Senate Democrats want to ban ICE officers from wearing masks so their left-wing street militias can dox the officers and terrorize the officers’ wives and children at their homes,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said on Wednesday, offering further perspective on day 40 of the Senate battle over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

By Thursday, the shutdown had entered its 41st day.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson criticized the New Jersey measure in comments to NBC10, warning of risks to officers. “Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.”

The agency also indicated it does not intend to comply with the law, arguing it conflicts with federal authority. “The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that New Jersey’s sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement,” the spokesperson continued, describing the law as “irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous.”

Officials stressed that face coverings serve a protective function for agents, citing a rise in threats and violence. The spokesperson pointed to “a more than 1,300 percent increase in assaults, 3,300 percent increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them.”

“ICE officers wear face coverings for one reason: to protect themselves and their families from real-world threats, including agitators,” DHS said. “The danger is not hypothetical.”

{Matzav.com}

An 83-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran has died after being shoved onto subway tracks in New York City in what police describe as an unprovoked attack, with authorities alleging the suspect is a repeatedly deported illegal immigrant.

Richard Williams succumbed to his injuries weeks after the March 10 incident, during which police say 34-year-old Bairon Posada-Herandez of Honduras pushed both Williams and another man, Jhon Rodriguez, onto the tracks at an Upper East Side station as they waited for a train.

Investigators have said the assault appeared to be random. Rodriguez later recounted that after being pushed, he turned and saw Williams bleeding from the head on the tracks. Williams, a father of three daughters and grandfather of two, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

For several weeks, he remained hospitalized as his family held out hope for his recovery. This week, however, he died from the injuries he sustained in the attack.

Following his death, prosecutors upgraded the case against Posada-Herandez, who has now been indicted on charges of second-degree murder.

Federal immigration authorities had previously urged New York City officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, to ensure that Posada-Herandez would not be released from custody and instead be transferred to ICE.

According to ICE, Posada-Herandez first entered the United States by crossing the southern border on Jan. 2, 2008, and has since been deported to Honduras four separate times.

Officials say that after his most recent removal in 2020, he once again reentered the country illegally at an unknown time and location.

Authorities also point to an extensive criminal history, noting that Posada-Herandez had accumulated 15 prior charges in the United States, including allegations of simple assault, domestic violence, resisting police, weapons possession, drug offenses, and aggravated assault.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to reach agreement on requiring photo identification for voting in federal elections, as lawmakers clashed over a wider bill aimed at reshaping voter registration and ballot procedures.

In a 53-47 procedural vote, senators blocked an amendment introduced by Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted to the SAVE America Act. President Donald Trump and several Republicans have backed the legislation as a key priority, while Democrats argue it would place new barriers in front of voters.

Although similar language is already included in the broader bill, the amendment vote served as a way for Republicans to force Democrats to go on record regarding voter ID requirements.

California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla urged opposition to the measure, calling the effort an example of “showmanship and theatrics” from Republicans.

Padilla argued that the proposal would exclude certain valid forms of identification, saying it would prevent individuals from using student or tribal IDs without expiration dates from participating “in our democracy even though you are eligible.”

He also warned that imposing a photo ID requirement would complicate voting for those who cast ballots by mail, describing it as an “additional and unnecessary obstacle” affecting millions of Americans.

“In the 2024 election, 48 million voters chose to vote by mail,” he said. “And in case you missed the breaking news a couple of days ago, President Trump once again voted by mail in the special election in Florida. So what is it, good enough for the president but not good enough for the rest of us? Secure enough for the president but not secure enough for the American people?”

Republicans, however, defended the proposal as a basic safeguard. Speaking on the Senate floor, Husted said his amendment is “clean, simple, straightforward.”

“States across our country have shown that you can simultaneously make it easy to vote and hard to cheat,” he said. “Georgia, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, all along with my home state of Ohio, all have photo ID requirements, just to name a few.”

Husted maintained that verifying identity at the polls is a matter of common sense.

“Americans are required to show a photo ID when they rent a car, when they start a job, and when they board a plane. This is something that people do every single day,” he said.

Under the proposal, in-person voters would have been required to present valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, or a tribal ID that includes an expiration date.

For those voting by mail, the amendment would have required submission of a copy of photo identification. Voters unable to provide that could instead submit the last four digits of their Social Security number along with an affidavit explaining why they could not include ID.

The measure also called on election officials, “to the extent practicable,” to make scanners and printers available so voters could copy their identification for mail-in ballots.

In addition, state and local officials would have been required to notify voters of the ID requirement when they registered.

Despite the debate, the broader bill faces steep odds in the Senate due to Democratic opposition. Major legislation requires at least 60 votes to advance, under the chamber’s filibuster rules.

Republicans have floated the idea of advancing parts of the package through the budget reconciliation process, though several GOP senators have acknowledged the difficulty of using that route for policy changes unrelated to taxes, spending, or the national debt.

{Matzav.com}

The Justice Department has stepped up efforts this week to revoke citizenship from individuals accused of obtaining it through deception, securing two court-ordered denaturalizations and launching a third case involving alleged marriage fraud.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the moves are part of a broader initiative aimed at individuals who concealed criminal activity during the naturalization process, according to a report Thursday.

“American citizenship is a sacred privilege, not a cheap status that can be obtained dishonestly,” Bondi said.

On March 23, a federal judge stripped citizenship from Vladimir Volgaev, a Ukrainian national previously convicted of illegally exporting firearm components and committing housing fraud.

Prosecutors said Volgaev orchestrated a long-running operation beginning in 2011 in which he sold gun parts to overseas buyers while simultaneously exploiting federal housing assistance programs.

Although he became a U.S. citizen in 2016, authorities said he failed to disclose his criminal conduct, leading the court to determine he did not meet the requirement of demonstrating “good moral character” for naturalization.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division said the decision reflects the department’s stance on such cases.

“The United States provided Volgaev with safety, housing, and citizenship, and he returned those gains with malice, including by defrauding one of the federal agencies that provided him benefits,” Shumate said.

“We will not reward this kind of behavior by allowing such an individual to retain U.S. citizenship that should not have been granted in the first place.”

The following day, a separate federal judge revoked the citizenship of Mirelys Cabrera Diaz, a Cuban national convicted in 2019 for her role in a $6 million Medicare fraud operation.

Court records indicate that Cabrera Diaz admitted she took part in submitting fraudulent prescription claims prior to becoming a U.S. citizen in 2017, including paying illegal kickbacks to recruit patients. The court concluded that this conduct disqualified her from meeting the legal standards for naturalization.

The department has also filed a civil case against Alec Nasreddine Kassir, a Lebanese national accused of securing citizenship through a sham marriage.

According to prosecutors, Kassir falsely claimed to be living with a U.S. citizen spouse during the required timeframe and later acknowledged committing passport fraud related to his naturalization.

The latest actions come amid a broader rise in denaturalization efforts over recent decades.

From 1990 through 2017, the Justice Department brought 305 such cases, averaging about 11 annually.

That number increased significantly during President Donald Trump’s first term, when 168 cases were filed—an average of about 42 per year—compared to 64 cases, or roughly 16 annually, during former President Joe Biden’s administration, according to a July Washington Post report.

Preliminary data from Trump’s second term suggests the department has already achieved roughly the same number of denaturalizations as occurred during the entire four years of the Biden administration, a Justice Department spokesperson said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is reviewing an expansive proposal to redesign Penn Station, a plan that would include moving Madison Square Garden and rebuilding the transit hub in a grand, classical style, according to a report published Thursday.

The proposal reflects a broader effort by the administration to promote traditional architectural design in major federally backed projects, aligning with its emphasis on classical aesthetics.

Sources familiar with a previously unreported Oval Office discussion said representatives connected to the Grand Penn Community Alliance presented Trump with a vision to relocate the arena and reconstruct Penn Station in a style inspired by its original structure, which was torn down in the 1960s.

The plan carries an estimated cost of $7.5 billion and calls for sweeping design elements such as Greco-Roman columns, a large glass ceiling, and expansive public areas, while shifting the 19,000-seat arena across Seventh Avenue.

This concept is one of three leading proposals currently under review by Amtrak. The rail operator, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation, assumed control of the redevelopment effort from New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority under the Trump administration.

A lead developer is expected to be chosen in May, with the project anticipated to receive significant federal funding.

Although Trump has not formally endorsed the proposal, those familiar with his thinking say he views it as a serious option and potentially a defining project of his presidency.

“As a New York native, President Trump is personally invested in revitalizing New York Penn Station,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said.

Any effort to move Madison Square Garden would depend on approval from its owner, James Dolan, who has consistently opposed relocation.

The Penn Station project has become a central example of the administration’s architectural priorities.

Earlier, Trump signed an executive order requiring that new federal buildings reflect “classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome,” and current project guidelines now incorporate that directive.

Supporters of the Grand Penn proposal say it would restore the grandeur lost when the original station was demolished decades ago.

Opponents, however, argue that the process lacks openness and raise concerns that political considerations could influence the outcome.

“We don’t know how it’s going to be financed. President Trump is involved and maybe he’ll select the winning bidder. On what criteria? We don’t know,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter to former NYC Transit President Andy Byford.

“What are the criteria for selecting the winning proposals? How much money you gave to the Trump campaign?” Nadler questioned.

Despite the scope of the plan, significant obstacles remain.

Relocating Madison Square Garden would require coordination among developers, multiple levels of government, federal agencies, and property stakeholders, and could involve public funding. The arena’s structural connection to Penn Station adds further complications.

Officials say the redevelopment is likely to follow a public-private partnership model similar to the renovation of LaGuardia Airport, though key aspects—such as financing and how proposals will be evaluated—have not yet been finalized.

With several competing plans still under consideration, many of which would keep Madison Square Garden in its current location, the final decision will likely depend on practicality, cost, and political considerations.

For now, the effort to remake Penn Station sits at the crossroads of infrastructure planning, real estate interests, and architectural philosophy, as the administration’s push for classical design meets the complexities of modern urban redevelopment.

{Matzav.com}

Israel temporarily removed two senior Iranian leaders from its list of potential targets following a request conveyed through Pakistan, according to a source familiar with the matter, as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to explore a possible end to the conflict.

The officials—Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf—were reportedly spared after Islamabad urged Washington to prevent their elimination, arguing that doing so would undermine any chance for negotiations.

“The Israelis had their coordinates and wanted to take them out, we told the U.S. if they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the U.S. asked the Israelis to back off,” the source said.

Pakistan’s military and foreign ministry did not immediately issue a response to requests for comment.

Earlier reporting by The Wall Street Journal indicated that the two Iranian figures had been removed from Israel’s target list for several days while potential diplomatic channels were being considered. The report, citing U.S. officials, did not reference any involvement by Pakistan.

Pakistan, along with Egypt and Turkey, has taken on a mediating role between Tehran and Washington in an effort to bring the war to an end.

Islamabad has remained in communication with both sides at a time when most other diplomatic avenues have broken down, and it is also being viewed as a possible location for future negotiations if talks move forward.

At the same time, Iran is examining a 15-point proposal from President Donald Trump, which was delivered through Pakistan and is aimed at ending the conflict. According to Israeli cabinet sources familiar with the plan, it includes provisions to eliminate Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, stop further enrichment, limit its ballistic missile development, and cut support to allied groups in the region.

Trump has said that Iran is eager to reach an agreement, while Araqchi has indicated that Tehran is reviewing the proposal but is not prepared to enter negotiations to bring the fighting to a close.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday that NATO countries have failed to assist the United States in addressing the situation with Iran, issuing a pointed critique of the alliance as tensions in the Middle East remain at the forefront of global concern.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared: “NATO nations have done absolutely nothing to help with the lunatic nation, now militarily decimated, of Iran. The U.S.A. needs nothing from NATO, but ‘never forget’ this very important point in time!”

The remarks reflect Trump’s long-held view that the United States carries an outsized share of the burden in defending Western interests, while European allies contribute less than they should.

He has consistently argued that NATO, originally created as a unified defense alliance, has strayed from its intended purpose and become overly dependent on American military capabilities, particularly when dealing with crises outside Europe.

Trump’s latest comments come as the United States has taken a leading role in responding to Iranian threats and attempting to maintain stability in the region.

Although several European leaders have publicly condemned Iran’s actions, observers note that NATO countries have offered limited tangible military or strategic support.

Defense experts have also highlighted that many members of the alliance continue to fall short of agreed-upon defense spending targets, an issue Trump has repeatedly emphasized during his presidency.

Reports indicate that NATO has not acted collectively in response to the situation with Iran, instead allowing individual member states to decide independently how to engage.

Supporters of Trump argue that this lack of a coordinated response underscores the alliance’s difficulty in taking decisive action without strong direction from the United States.

His comments also align with his broader “America First” approach, which prioritizes national independence and questions the effectiveness of international organizations that, in his view, do not provide equal benefits.

Trump’s statement that the U.S. “needs nothing from NATO” may appeal to voters who are wary of foreign commitments and prolonged military involvement abroad.

Meanwhile, many establishment figures continue to defend NATO as a vital component of global security, maintaining that cooperation among member nations serves as a deterrent and helps preserve stability.

Allies of Trump, however, argue that deterrence is weakened when countries within the alliance fail to act during critical moments.

With global tensions remaining elevated, Trump’s call to “never forget” signals that questions surrounding NATO’s responsibilities and the U.S. role within the alliance are likely to remain a key issue in national discussions.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has announced that Sergeant Aviaad Elchanan Volansky Hy”d, 21, of Yerushalayim, was killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon.

Sergeant Volansky served as a combat soldier in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade.

In the same incident in which Volansky was killed, two officers and two additional soldiers from the 77th Battalion, 7th Brigade, sustained light injuries.

Those wounded were transported to a hospital for treatment, and their families were informed of their condition.

Volansky was the son of Brigadier General Yair Volansky and the grandson of Rav Oded Volansky, a senior rosh yeshiva at Har Hamor Yeshiva.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the full repercussions of the ongoing war in the Middle East remain uncertain, though some analysts are already likening its potential global effects to those seen during the COVID pandemic.

Speaking to business leaders in Moscow, Putin pointed to mounting disruptions across key sectors, saying the fighting is straining global supply chains, transportation networks, and industrial output, while placing heavy pressure on industries tied to energy, metals, and fertilizers.

“The consequences of the conflict in the Middle East are still difficult to accurately predict,” Putin told business leaders in Moscow.

“It seems to me that those who are involved in the conflict cannot predict anything themselves, but for us it is even more difficult.”

“However, there are already estimates that they can be compared with the coronavirus epidemic,” Putin said. “Let me remind you that it has dramatically slowed down the development of all regions and continents, without exception.”

{Matzav.com}

As Pesach approaches, leading figures in the chareidi community are urging authorities to free yeshiva bochurim who are currently incarcerated for avoiding military service, stressing the pain of their absence during the Yom Tov.

Prominent rabbonim and askonim have voiced strong objections to the continued imprisonment of bnei Torah, arguing that it is unconscionable for them to remain in custody, particularly during a time of war and as families prepare for the Seder.

“The call is sharpened ahead of Pesach, Zeman Cheiruseinu, as many chareidi families prepare for the chag while some yeshiva students will be unable to take part in the Seder night with their families,” the Hamevaser newspaper wrote Thursday morning.

The publication emphasized the deep emotional toll being felt throughout the community as Yom Tov draws near.

“In these days, as the chareidi public prepares for the chag, the painful feeling intensifies in light of the fact that there are Torah students who cannot celebrate with their families.

“Against the backdrop of the security situation, as the people of Israel are in the midst of a broad campaign against Iran, the power of Torah is the true protection for the people of Israel, and the yeshiva students devoted to their studies are those who carry the spiritual burden of the nation,” it added.

{Matzav.com}

A senior security official in Dubai has drawn widespread attention after publicly voicing unexpected support for Israel, marking a notable shift from his previously critical stance.

Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, who serves as Deputy Chief of Police and General Security in Dubai, made the remarks in a series of posts on X, reflecting sentiments increasingly heard in parts of the Gulf amid continued Iranian missile and drone threats.

“Oh, people of the Arabian Gulf, put trust in Israel. My advice to you: Nothing good will emerge from the countries of the region.”

His comments come at a time when Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, are facing ongoing security concerns tied to Iran, though they have so far avoided direct participation in military operations against it.

Behind the scenes, leaders in the region have voiced support for broadening the American military campaign with the aim of bringing down Iran’s Islamic regime, which many view as a serious and immediate danger to governments across the Arab world.

Tamim is widely known on the international stage for his involvement in the investigation into the 2010 killing of senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai. That inquiry uncovered details about the suspects’ movements and prompted accusations pointing toward Israeli involvement.

At the time, Tamim accused the Mossad of carrying out the assassination and called for international arrest warrants to be issued through Interpol against Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and then-Mossad chief Meir Dagan.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

There is a disturbing trend I’ve noticed recently.

Every time AI comes up, people get defensive. “It’s not as good as humans.” “It can’t replace me.” That reaction is understandable, but it avoids the real issue.

Be honest instead.

You’re not going to lose your job because AI suddenly becomes perfect. You’re going to lose your job if you don’t take AI seriously.

For example:

AI may not replace entire professions, but it will make each role far more efficient. That alone changes everything. A company that once needed two full-time bookkeepers may now need only one. The work still exists, but fewer people are required to do it. The second person is out.

The same applies to copywriters, analysts, designers, customer support, paralegals, and many others. The roles remain, but the headcount shrinks.

This is not a new phenomenon. Before Excel, QuickBooks, and similar tools, bookkeeping departments required large staffs. Tasks were manual, slow, and repetitive. Those tools did not eliminate bookkeeping, but they reduced the number of people needed and raised expectations for speed and accuracy. The people who adapted stayed. The ones who did not were replaced.

AI is the same shift, just faster and broader.

Don’t focus on whether AI is “as good” as a human. That is the wrong question. The real question is whether AI will shrink the job market in your field.  In many cases, the answer is already yes.

That is why this moment requires honesty. Not fear. Not denial.

If your work is mostly executing standard tasks, you are exposed.

The way forward is to move up the value chain.

Build skills that AI cannot easily replace. Judgment. Strategy. Decision-making. Accountability.

A bookkeeper should not remain only a recorder of transactions. Learn financial analysis. Understand cash flow strategy. Advise on budgeting, forecasting, and growth. Move toward a CFO-type role where you are guiding decisions, not just tracking numbers.

A copywriter should not remain only a writer of text. Learn positioning. Understand customer psychology. Build campaigns. Take responsibility for outcomes like conversion and revenue.

A designer should not remain only a creator of visuals. Learn brand strategy. Understand user behavior. Design with a clear objective tied to results.

An analyst should not remain only a generator of reports. Interpret data. Draw conclusions. Recommend action. Influence decisions.

The pattern is the same across fields. Move from doing the task to delivering a strategic outcome.

Another important point:

Be honest with your clients.

If you are using AI to assist your work, it changes the economics. Tasks that once took hours now take minutes. That gap will not stay hidden. If you quietly pocket the difference while charging the same rates, someone else will offer similar output faster and cheaper, and you will lose your clients.

Adjust your pricing to reflect the time needed to deliver the results.

Honesty and transparency will always come out on top in the long run.

Stop denying the changes. Stop being defensive. Accept the new reality and adapt.

Concerned About Your Parnassah

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President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran must agree to terms to halt ongoing U.S. and Israeli military attacks or risk further bombardment, signaling that Washington is prepared to escalate if negotiations fail.

“They now have the chance, that is Iran, to permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and to join a new path forward,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “We’ll see if they want to do it. If they don’t, we’re their worst nightmare. In the meantime, we’ll just keep blowing them away.”

His remarks came shortly after a senior Iranian official told Reuters that the U.S. framework to bring an end to nearly a month of hostilities is “one-sided and unfair,” even as diplomatic contacts between the sides remain ongoing.

Trump said that Iranian representatives are engaged in discussions with the United States and portrayed them as eager for an agreement, an assessment that officials in Tehran have rejected.

At the same time, he referred to Iranian negotiators as “great negotiators” and said his goal is to reach a deal that would ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while curbing Iran’s military capabilities.

Still, Trump indicated uncertainty about whether an agreement will be reached. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that,” he said of the prospects for a deal. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that.”

{Matzav.com}

The Shatz-Ashdod Rebbe, who serves as head of the Shatz Badatz and the international SKS kashrus organization, is urging the chareidi public to think carefully before traveling through Sinai, citing troubling experiences of harassment at Sharm el-Sheikh airport and the Taba border crossing.

Speaking from personal experience, the Rebbe—who has traveled extensively around the world for over four decades, including in many Muslim countries—described the airport in Sharm el-Sheikh as an especially difficult environment for religious Jews. According to his account, Egyptian security personnel show no tolerance for visible religious practices or even brief moments set aside for prayer.

“At the airport in Sharm, it’s forbidden to stand even for a minute for Shemoneh Esrei, and forget about putting on tefillin,” the Rebbe said. He recounted an incident in which three security officers approached a yeshiva student who had begun to daven Maariv, shouting at him until he fled to the restroom to avoid being detained. The Rebbe added that security staff insist on the removal of a yarmulke during inspection and strictly prohibit photography in the area. “Anyone who doesn’t absolutely need to go through this experience should avoid it,” he warned.

Similar reports have emerged regarding the land crossing at Taba Border Crossing, where travelers have described deliberate mistreatment of official documents. Testimony obtained by a Hebrew-language outlet detailed an incident in which an Egyptian official forcefully handled a traveler’s passport, tearing a page in half and forcing the individual to later obtain a replacement passport in Israel.

According to reports, officials at Israel’s Interior Ministry are familiar with such cases. In the incident described, the traveler was immediately asked upon arrival whether the damage occurred at the Taba crossing, suggesting a recurring pattern. Observers say this may reflect a quiet but consistent form of harassment directed at Israeli citizens, despite the longstanding peace agreement and steady tourism between the countries.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

It’s that time again.

The carts are full. The aisles are jammed. The conversations revolve around menus, meats, wines, and which brand of this year’s overpriced everything is “worth it.” Homes are being turned upside down in a frenzy of cleaning, kashering, and preparation for zman cheiruseinu.

And in the middle of all this noise, something is being buried.

Not the chometz. Our conscience.

Because while we are obsessing over every crumb, there are people among us who are drowning financially.

Not hypothetically. Not in some faraway community. Right here. In our shuls. In our neighborhoods. Sitting next to us, nodding politely, saying “Gut Yom Tov” as if everything is fine.

It isn’t.

But they won’t tell you that.

They won’t show up at your local distribution. They won’t sign up for assistance. They won’t let their name be whispered in the right ears. They still have too much dignity for that.

And we, if we’re being honest, are relying on that.

We hide behind the comforting fiction that “the organizations are taking care of it.” That “no one falls through the cracks.” That “there are funds, drives, and campaigns.”

Let’s stop pretending.

There are cracks. Wide ones. And people are disappearing into them quietly, respectfully, and completely unnoticed.

Because they don’t scream.

And we don’t look.

We have built a system that responds beautifully—to those who ask. But what about those who don’t? What about the family that will cut corners on food, on clothing, on basic dignity, just to avoid becoming “a case”?

Do they not count because they suffer silently?

Or is it just more convenient that way?

We pride ourselves on being a community of chesed. We tell ourselves that we take care of our own.

Do we?

Or do we take care of the ones who make it easy for us to take care of them?

Because real chesed is not reactive. It is not a response to a flyer, a campaign, or a publicized need.

Real chesed is uncomfortable. It requires noticing. It requires asking. It requires stepping into spaces we would rather not enter, because doing so shatters the illusion that everything around us is fine.

And maybe that’s the real problem.

It’s easier to scrub a kitchen for hours than to confront the possibility that someone you know—someone you respect—is quietly breaking under the weight of Yom Tov.

It’s easier to check lettuce three times than to check on a neighbor or friend once.

We search our homes with candles and flashlights, hunting down the smallest trace of chometz.

But we somehow miss the most obvious thing of all: people who are struggling to make Pesach with even the most basic sense of dignity.

What exactly are we so busy removing, if not the very sensitivity that Pesach is supposed to awaken?

We speak about cheirus. About freedom. About what it means to leave Mitzrayim.

Tell me: What kind of freedom is it when a family sits at their Seder table with forced smiles, knowing that no one thought of them, knowing that they have growing credit card debt?

What kind of redemption is that?

We didn’t forget them.

That would be too innocent.

We chose not to see them.

And until we are willing to admit that—to let it bother us, to let it disrupt us, to let it cost us something—then all the cleaning, all the preparations, all the talk of zman cheiruseinu is just noise.

Because a community that prides itself on seeing every crumb, but refuses to see its own people, has missed the point entirely.

This Pesach, the question isn’t whether we got rid of our chometz.

The question is whether we got rid of our blindness.

L. G.

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Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey is delivering a blunt message to aspiring homeowners: getting into the housing market is still possible, but not without first tackling overwhelming personal debt.

In a recent interview on Fox Business, Ramsey argued that many younger Americans have been put at a disadvantage by rising debt levels across the board.

“I’m afraid I have to tell you the truth, and that is that corporate America has screwed you,” Ramsey said.

He pointed to record-breaking debt burdens weighing on younger generations. “Car debt is at an all-time high… Student loan debt is at an all-time high… And of course credit card debt, thank you to the big banks, is at an all-time high,” he continued. “When you’re drowning in personal debt, you can’t afford to buy a house!”

Recent data from Experian underscores his point. As of November 2025, the average Gen Z borrower carried $34,328 in debt, while millennials owed an average of $132,280.

Ramsey placed much of the blame on large institutions and policymakers, arguing that multiple forces have contributed to the financial strain facing these age groups. “That’s what’s happened. We’ve had these big companies, the car companies, the banks, and Congress with the student loan debt screwing these two generations [millennials and Gen Z] at a record like never before.”

Despite the bleak outlook, Ramsey said younger buyers are not shut out of the market entirely, but only if they make significant financial changes.

“What we’re finding is lots of Gen Zers, lots of millennials able to buy a home when they fight through and sell the stupid car and get rid of these debts. Our message to Gen Z and to millennials…is clear this debt, get rid of the stupidity, chop up the cards, and work your way through it,” Ramsey said. “Once you do that, you can get there.”

Still, he acknowledged that personal debt is only part of the problem. Broader market forces are also making it difficult for first-time buyers to break in.

“We’re still recovering from this huge spike in house prices following Covid,” he said. “We had the most unrealistic real estate market in 100 years following Covid.”

Ramsey noted that once pandemic restrictions eased, buyers rushed into the market, taking advantage of initially lower prices. That surge in demand ultimately drove prices sharply higher.

“Now we’ve got a shortage of inventory,” Ramsey continued. “Supply-demand has not allowed those prices to come back down. We’re seeing these spikes in prices, and that’s pushed this age [group] out.”