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Business owners in the Shikun Dalet neighborhood and the municipal market in Tiveriah are reporting a widespread fraud scheme after a recent surge of high-quality counterfeit 200-shekel bills circulated through the area. According to multiple accounts, groups of young individuals purchased large quantities of food, clothing, and footwear using fake cash that was convincing enough to pass even electronic verification machines. In many cases, unsuspecting merchants accepted the bills and even returned legitimate change, only to later discover the deception.

As reported by Mako, the scheme only came to light when store owners attempted to deposit their daily earnings at the bank. One local shopkeeper described the moment he realized what had happened: “At the end of the day, I went to deposit the money at the bank. The next day I got a message that at least 15 of the 200-shekel bills were fake. And the same thing happened to other shop owners and market vendors.”

Another merchant, who operates a clothing and footwear business, said he suffered significant losses after falling victim to the scam. “They looked like trustworthy young guys, not the type who come to rip you off or pull a scam,” he recalled. “They made purchases worth several thousand shekels and said a close friend of theirs was getting married. The next day I deposited the bills in an envelope at the bank and was told they were fake. That’s a loss of 5,000 shekels. After the war we took a serious economic hit, and probably our eagerness to sell merchandise we were stuck with — along with the damage we suffered from being closed during the war — caused us not to check the bills.”

Authorities and sources familiar with the issue say the operation appears to be part of a larger, organized counterfeit network. Criminal groups reportedly conducted preliminary “test” purchases to gauge whether merchants would detect the fake bills. Once they realized checks were minimal or ineffective, they escalated to purchases totaling tens of thousands of shekels.

Investigators estimate that around ten underground counterfeit printing operations are currently active in northern Eretz Yisroel and areas under Palestinian Authority control, many located in Arab-sector communities. Much of the counterfeit currency is distributed through Telegram channels, which also offer forged biometric IDs, driver’s licenses, and passports. Profits from these operations can reach as much as five million shekels in a strong month. Bills that are not sold directly are reportedly circulated by members of criminal organizations and their relatives, who use them to purchase everyday goods and produce in local markets.

A criminal figure from northern Eretz Yisroel described how easily the scam works, especially in busy marketplaces. “The easiest place to use fake bills is in markets. Most vendors don’t have special machines and they just take the bills and put them in their pocket without checking. It’s very easy to fool them. The bills then get passed on to suppliers, and if no one catches it, they go through many hands. Only at the bank is the forgery discovered, but by then it’s too late for the business owners.” In some cases where the counterfeit was identified immediately, the suspects simply switched to 100-shekel notes and claimed they were unaware the earlier bills were fake.

Israeli military prosecutors filed charges on Thursday against two IDF personnel serving as Air Force technicians, accusing them of carrying out espionage activities on behalf of Iran.

The two suspects were taken into custody last month in a coordinated operation involving the Shin Bet, the Military Police, and the Israel Police, after investigators concluded there was sufficient evidence to support the allegations.

According to the charges, the soldiers maintained communication over a period of several months with Iranian intelligence operatives. During that time, they allegedly carried out various assignments at the direction of their handlers in exchange for payment. The indictment states that one of the soldiers transferred sensitive materials from his Air Force training, including information related to fighter jet systems, along with video recordings of locations within a military base.

During questioning, the suspects said their connection with Iranian agents ended after they declined to perform missions involving weapons. However, investigators claim that even after contact was severed by the handler, the two continued reaching out in an effort to receive additional payments.

One of the accused faces serious charges, including assisting the enemy in wartime, passing intelligence to hostile elements, and facilitating contact with a foreign agent, among other offenses. The second soldier has been charged with maintaining contact with a foreign agent, transferring information to the enemy, and additional related violations.

In the aftermath of joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that wiped out large portions of Iran’s senior leadership at the outset of the war, a single figure has quietly consolidated control behind the scenes, reshaping the country’s direction. The NY Post reports that according to analysts, Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, a top commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has rallied a close group of allies to oversee both Tehran’s military operations and its negotiating efforts.

Soon after Vahidi, now 67, assumed de facto control alongside his inner circle, Iran adopted a more uncompromising posture. Officials declined to participate in peace discussions with the United States this week, while attacks intensified against vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.

Vahidi, who has long been under heavy Western sanctions and has been tied to terror incidents in Argentina, is seen as representing the regime’s most hardline camp. That faction has effectively pushed aside more moderate figures in Tehran, including those formally tasked with negotiating with Washington.

Even if American officials were to reach an agreement with Iran’s representatives, questions remain about whether such a deal would carry any weight as long as Vahidi and his associates retain actual control.

Earlier in his career, Vahidi led Iran’s elite Quds Force during the 1990s, expanding Tehran’s regional reach before handing leadership to Qasem Soleimani.

Both Vahidi and Soleimani are widely credited with building the infrastructure that enabled Iran’s proxy network to flourish across the region, including the Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Unlike his two immediate predecessors at the IRGC, Vahidi also built a career within Iran’s political establishment, serving in high-ranking posts such as defense minister and interior minister under separate governments.

The veteran commander was named deputy head of the IRGC last December by then–Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

After Khamenei and IRGC chief Mohammad Pakpour were killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, Vahidi moved into the top leadership position within the powerful paramilitary organization.

Following Khamenei’s death, Vahidi backed the appointment of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as successor, despite reports that the elder ayatollah had not intended for him to inherit the role.

With Mojtaba reportedly wounded in the same February strikes and absent from public view, analysts argue that the new supreme leader serves largely as a figurehead, according to Khosro Isfahani of the Washington-based National Union for Democracy in Iran.

“If Mojtaba is alive, and that is a big if, he is just a sock puppet. He is the first AI-generated supreme leader in human history,” Isfahani told The Post, referencing the fake photos the regime had posted of Mojtaba following his appointment.

“He has zero political capital, zero public support, and zero sway over the decision-making. The regime has and will continue attributing statements to him,” Isfahani added.

Vahidi’s grip over Iran’s negotiating team became apparent when he brought in Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a longtime IRGC figure, to join the delegation earlier this month.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Zolghadr’s role was to ensure that negotiators adhered strictly to IRGC directives.

That influence was reportedly demonstrated when Zolghadr filed a complaint against Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi after the diplomat was said to have signaled a willingness to make concessions during early rounds of talks.

“Zolghadr sent a complaint to senior IRGC leaders, almost certainly including Vahidi, that Araghchi had surpassed his mandate during the negotiations by expressing flexibility regarding Iran’s support for the Axis of Resistance,” the ISW said of the initial peace talks.

“Zolghadr’s anger caused senior leaders in Tehran, including former IRGC Intelligence Organization Chief and long-time member of Mojtaba’s inner circle, Hossein Taeb, to call the negotiating delegation back to Tehran,” the think tank added.

Iran’s negotiating team has not returned to Pakistan to resume discussions with the United States, a sign that Vahidi and Zolghadr’s influence remains dominant.

With talks still stalled, Isfahani described Iran’s approach as a calculated strategy in which different officials play contrasting roles, with Vahidi taking a hardline stance while others project moderation.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is said to be leading the delegation alongside Araghchi, may appear more pragmatic, but Isfahani argued that his background aligns closely with Vahidi’s.

“A comparative study of the two key players in the arena, Vahidi and Ghalibaf, shows that they grew through the ranks of the IRGC together and have historically advocated for identical policies and strategies,” he pointed out.

Vahidi has also been linked to major terror attacks abroad, including the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people.

Interpol issued a red notice for Vahidi, calling on global law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest him, effectively labeling him a wanted international fugitive.

Argentine investigators have also connected him to the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires.

In addition to those allegations, Vahidi has faced U.S. sanctions over his involvement in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Further sanctions were imposed in 2022 in response to the regime’s violent crackdown on protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.

The European Union likewise sanctioned Vahidi that year over the use of live ammunition against demonstrators during the protests, which human rights groups say resulted in nearly 500 deaths.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli chief rabbi Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar issued a sharp warning regarding the growing phenomenon of individuals presenting themselves as mekubalim and tzaddikim, gaining influence among unsuspecting members of the public despite lacking authenticity.

“We often refrain from condemnation, because today there is no truth – if I speak about someone, he presents himself as a persecuted saint. But when it reaches a situation in which G-d’s Name is desecrated, we respond forcefully,” Rav Amar explained.

Rav Amar cautioned that many are easily misled by external appearances and superficial impressions, stressing that not everything presented to the public reflects genuine greatness. “We must be careful, because people are not careful. There are all kinds of appearances – one comes across as knowledgeable, another as humble and lowly, one who hasn’t read two lines of Gemara. And even if he has read and remembers, is that what makes a great man? People are mistaken and mislead others, and they do not want to learn the truth.”

He concluded with a strong directive, urging complete distance from such figures and comparing their influence to something spiritually dangerous. “One is called ‘holy’ and another ‘kabbalist’; we must distance ourselves from all of them, not look at them and not come within four cubits, like idolatry – the further away you move, the better,” he concluded.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that growing internal disputes within Iran have left the country without clear direction at the top, while asserting that the United States now maintains full control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The infighting is between the ‘hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!”

Trump went on to state that the U.S. has effectively taken command of one of the most important global maritime routes.

“We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!” he wrote.

The remarks come as uncertainty continues to surround Iran’s leadership following the elevation of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to supreme leader, as reported by The Times of Israel.

He has yet to appear publicly since assuming the position, with reports suggesting he sustained serious injuries in the strike that killed his father.

Against this backdrop, authority in Tehran is believed to be largely in the hands of hardline figures within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, even as other senior officials appear to be pursuing a different course.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, both involved in ongoing talks with the United States, are seen as more inclined toward reaching an agreement.

According to the White House, these internal fractures have made it more difficult for Iran to respond to proposals for a lasting ceasefire, a factor that played into Trump’s decision to extend a temporary truce that had been set to expire earlier in the week.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s defense leadership convened Thursday evening for a high-level security review at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, as Defense Minister Yisroel Katz met with top military and intelligence officials to assess the situation regarding Iran.

Among those participating in the meeting were IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram, Military Intelligence chief Shlomi Binder, Operations Directorate head Itzik Cohen, Planning Directorate head Hedi Zilberman, Home Front Command chief Shai Klepper, and several other senior officers and defense figures.

Following the assessment, Katz delivered a stark message about Israel’s readiness. “Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The IDF is ready in both defense and offense, and the targets have been marked.”

“We are waiting for a green light from the United States – first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty – the architect of the extermination plan against Israel – and the successors of the successors of the Iranian terror regime’s leadership, and in addition to return Iran to the Dark Ages by blowing up its central energy and electricity facilities and crushing its national economic infrastructure,” Katz said. “The terror regime in Iran specializes primarily in the internal repression of the population through the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, and in energy blackmail through threats to raise global oil prices.”

“It is lying on the ropes, its leaders are hiding in tunnels and struggling to communicate and make decisions, its skies are completely exposed, and all of its national infrastructure and strategic facilities are vulnerable to attack – yet it declares that it is winning,” he stated. “Because, just like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, it does not care about the heavy price paid by the population – only about personal survival, which itself is not guaranteed.”

“This time the attack will be different and deadly, and will add devastating blows in the most painful places – on top of the enormous blows the Iranian terror regime has already suffered – blows that will shake and collapse its foundations,” the Defense Minister concluded.

The Trump administration on Thursday announced that it was loosening restrictions on marijuana to boost medical research, days after President Donald Trump appeared to express frustration with the pace of easing federal restrictions on illegal drugs.

The Justice Department said that it was immediately reclassifying marijuana products that had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as lower-risk drugs and establishing a new registration process for state medical marijuana licenses. Acting attorney general Todd Blanche also said that the administration would hold a new hearing to “fully” reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

“These actions will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana’s safety and efficacy, expanding patients’ access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions,” Blanche wrote on social media.

Marijuana has long had the same Schedule I classification as heroin, but administration officials have sought to reclassify the drug as Schedule III, similar to some common prescription painkillers. Medical marijuana is now reclassified as Schedule III under the Justice Department’s order, which does not decriminalize marijuana for recreational use.

Some health care advocates have spent years pressing for more access to marijuana as a potential treatment, warning that restrictions on the drug made it too hard to conduct research. The administration’s moves also bring national policy closer to legitimizing state laws that have authorized medical marijuana businesses, after years of stalemates over whether states should be in compliance with federal law.

“It’s a long-overdue correction that finally treats cannabis as medicine,” Howard Kessler, a longtime Trump supporter and founder of the Commonwealth Project, a pro-medical-cannabis group, said in a statement. “It’s a clear win for patients and responsible healthcare innovation.”

Other groups panned the administration’s announcement, with some citing last weekend’s move by Trump to ease access to psychedelics, too.

“With this move, we are now confronted with the most pro-drug administration in our history,” Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which opposes legalization, said in a statement. “Policy is now being dictated by marijuana CEOs, psychedelics investors, and podcasters in active addiction – it is a travesty and injustice to the American people of unprecedented proportions.”

Trump administration officials had deliberated on the best path to loosen restrictions on the drug. White House officials said Wednesday that the administration was working to “expeditiously” implement Trump’s December executive order to increase medical marijuana research.

Trump in December ordered federal agencies to quickly ease restrictions on marijuana and make CBD more available, framing the moves as efforts to improve medical research. He also stressed that he was not decriminalizing marijuana on a federal level, as many states have for recreational or medical use.

“Unless a drug is recommended by a doctor for medical reasons, just don’t do it,” the president said last year. “At the same time, the facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered.”

But until Thursday, there had been little public action to reschedule the drug since Trump’s order, frustrating advocates who have spent years urging the federal government to relax restrictions.

Trump over the weekend expressed his own frustrations as he prepared to sign an order loosening federal restrictions on psychedelics.

“Will you get the rescheduling done, please?” Trump said this past weekend in the Oval Office, appearing to direct his comments toward White House policy officials. “Joe, they’re slow-walking me on rescheduling,” the president added, addressing podcaster Joe Rogan, a proponent of rescheduling marijuana and psychedelics. It was not clear which drug the president was referring to.

President Joe Biden’s Justice Department in 2024 formally recommended that marijuana be reclassified as Schedule III, but the move stalled amid legal disputes and a pending Drug Enforcement Administration hearing.

Drug policy experts said that federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services were required to undertake reviews related to public health and safety, even if the pace of that work agitated Trump.

“His frustration with government processes, particularly those that protect public health, is evident,” said Regina LaBelle, director of the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at the Georgetown University Law Center and a former drug policy official in the Obama and Biden White Houses. “The executive order doesn’t negate the need for the analysis that HHS and DEA are obligated to follow.”

Most Americans support relaxing restriction on marijuana. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted this month found that 53 percent of adults supported legalizing the drug, including 35 percent of Republicans.

Some critics of the Trump administration’s plans noted that support for legalization has softened as the drug has become more available, with much of the shift coming from Republicans. An April 2022 YouGov poll found that 60 percent of adults supported legalizing marijuana, including 46 percent of Republicans.

“I think that people are seeing the effects of marijuana in their community as it’s become more ubiquitous,” Sabet said. He cited data on the effects of the drug, including studies that have linked youth use of marijuana and later schizophrenia, as well as quality-of-life concerns, such as the smell of the drug that has become familiar in major cities.

Advocates for legalization of marijuana have argued that federal restrictions are outdated and unnecessary.

“I feel like it should be like alcohol,” Rogan said on his podcast in December. “I think you should be of a certain age to be able to use it.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Dan Diamond 

Widespread anger and alarm gripped Jewish communities after disturbing footage surfaced in recent days from Osh, where a hotel displayed a blatantly antisemitic message at its entrance. Management at Hotel Villa had posted a sign declaring that “Jews and animals” were not permitted inside.

The notice, presented in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English, featured images of a Star of David and a dog each struck through with a red line. The imagery echoed the degrading symbols used during the Holocaust, recalling the systematic dehumanization carried out by Nazi Germany.

Yoav Bistritsky, Israel’s ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, moved quickly in response, coordinating with local authorities to have the sign taken down and to initiate proceedings against those responsible.

“I welcome the swift action by the authorities to remove the antisemitic sign and launch a criminal investigation against those responsible,” the ambassador said, emphasizing that hatred of this kind has no place in modern society.

Amid mounting public outrage and diplomatic pressure, the offensive sign was taken down within a day of its discovery.

{Matzav.com}

The widely circulated video showing two yeshiva bochurim being mocked has now led to actual legal action, with a formal warning letter sent to a Channel 12 journalist demanding an apology and threatening a lawsuit if the matter is not addressed.

The Emes L’Yaakov Yisroel organization, through attorney Natan Rosenblatt, sent a sharply worded letter to Channel 12 reporter Inbar Tuizer following the publication of footage in which two young yeshiva bochurim appear at her door and are subjected to ridicule and invasive questioning.

The incident, which drew strong public criticism, began when the bochurim arrived to request charity assistance for a hachnasas kallah. According to the organization, what began as a routine act of tzedakah turned into a humiliating episode filmed and shared publicly. The group is now demanding a public apology and warning of legal consequences over what it describes as harm to the minors.

The letter claims Tuizer used her media platform to turn a charitable act into a subject of mockery and harassment. The attorneys strongly object to what they say was an attempt to portray the bochurim as draft dodgers, arguing that while Tuizer benefits from public resources funded by taxpayers, the chareidi community fills societal gaps through systems of mutual aid and chesed.

Rosenblatt also included personal criticism of Tuizer’s military service, writing: “Before you dare to use terms such as ‘sharing the burden,’ it would be appropriate for you to engage in some personal reflection. Your military service, like that of your political patron Yair Lapid, consisted of writing for a military publication for 32 months. This amounts to paid draft evasion in every sense.”

The letter contrasts Tuizer’s behavior with what it describes as the inclusive approach of chareidi charitable organizations, emphasizing that such groups assist anyone in need regardless of religious background. “See the profound difference: can you imagine two secular individuals coming to a charitable organization (most of which are chareidi) asking for help, and being turned away because they do not observe Shabbos? Never! Chareidi charitable organizations – Yad Sarah, Ezra L’Marpeh, hospital meal services – assist every Jew regardless of sector or level of observance. They would never do what you and your colleagues are doing: persecuting and rejecting those who think differently from you. While the students acted out of love for a fellow Jew, you acted out of baseless hatred,” the letter states.

The attorneys further argue that the incident constitutes public humiliation—halbanas panim—of two minors in pursuit of online attention. The letter accuses Tuizer of targeting a law-abiding chareidi public while remaining silent in the face of more aggressive groups. It adds, “History has shown that cultures of lost identity such as the one you represent are ‘a passing cloud destined to disappear,’ in contrast to Torah scholars who have endured for 3,000 years.”

The letter concludes with a firm demand that Tuizer issue a public apology and correct what the organization calls a serious injustice, including the publication of the minors’ images without blurring. It calls on her to retract her use of the term “draft evasion” in reference to Torah students and to immediately stop any actions that infringe on their privacy. The warning ends with a clear threat: “If you do not act immediately to correct the injustice, we will take all legal measures available, including claims for damages and legal proceedings, without any further warning.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced Thursday that he has directed the U.S. Navy to use lethal force against any Iranian vessels attempting to deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a sharper military stance even as a fragile cease-fire remains in place.

“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat — small boats though they may be — that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There is to be no hesitation.”

“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he added. “I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled-up level!”

The announcement followed confirmation earlier in the day from the War Department that U.S. forces had seized a tanker in the Indian Ocean carrying Iranian oil in violation of sanctions, marking the second such interception in recent days.

These developments place additional strain on a cease-fire that has already been extended multiple times in an effort to stop weeks of hostilities between the United States and Iran, including military strikes and disruptions to key shipping routes.

Trump most recently renewed the truce on Tuesday, stating that it would remain in effect while Iran prepares a “unified” proposal ahead of a planned second round of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Despite the extension, tensions have remained high.

Vessels linked to Iran and its proxy forces have repeatedly posed threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil transport, using naval mines and fast attack boats to harass and damage passing tankers.

Separately, a report on Thursday indicated that British military divers are preparing to carry out mine-clearing operations in the strait as part of a possible multinational initiative. According to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense, Royal Navy personnel trained in explosive ordnance disposal are ready to deploy alongside advanced unmanned mine-detection systems.

European nations, including the United Kingdom, have been discussing a broader coalition effort for weeks aimed at securing the waterway and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels, though those plans have yet to be fully implemented.

In the meantime, the United States has intensified its maritime enforcement operations, targeting vessels suspected of helping Iran evade sanctions as part of a wider effort to cut off financial support for its military activities.

Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with negotiations aimed at reducing tensions encountering setbacks, as Iranian officials have at times declined to engage even as U.S. representatives continue to press for renewed talks.

Trump’s latest directive underscores a more aggressive approach at sea, one that could either push Iran toward negotiations or further strain the already delicate cease-fire.

Speaking to The New York Post on Wednesday, the president said that “it’s possible” new developments regarding talks with Iran could emerge as soon as Friday.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has privately told associates that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for a position in his administration, including the possibility of serving as attorney general, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversations, Axios reports.

Sources said DeSantis has also shown interest in other high-level roles, including secretary of defense and even a future nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, based on discussions relayed by several individuals briefed on the matter.

With his second term as governor set to end in January, DeSantis has been exploring his next move, one source said, noting that Trump appears open to assisting the former rival who has since rebuilt ties with him.

The topic of DeSantis’ future reportedly came up during a recent lunch between the two at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami.

“Ron was begging me to be AG,” Trump told one confidant, who relayed the remark to Axios.

Another source described the exchange more cautiously, saying, “There was a conversation at that lunch. I don’t think AG is real. But he’s gonna be looking for work and Trump likes him.”

Talks between Trump and DeSantis have intensified in recent weeks following changes within the administration, including the removal of Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Pam Bondi as attorney general.

In the interim, Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney and held the No. 2 position at the Justice Department under Bondi, has taken over as acting attorney general.

One adviser said Trump is looking for Blanche to pursue charges against several political opponents as part of a case referred to as the “Grand Conspiracy,” which is being handled by the Justice Department’s Southern District of Florida.

“Todd has about 90 days to show what he can do,” that adviser said.

The White House declined to comment on the reports. A spokesperson for DeSantis, Alex Lanfranconi, responded by emphasizing the governor’s relationship with Trump, saying he “enjoys a great relationship with President Trump.”

“Some in the media prefer to focus on fake rumors rather than the many accomplishments of Florida’s partnership with the Trump administration,” he added.

“The governor looks forward to continuing to work with President Trump on enforcing immigration laws, restoring the Everglades, and helping to reform college athletics.”

According to sources, DeSantis first raised the idea of a future appointment with Trump last year after the election.

At that time, Trump was considering naming DeSantis as defense secretary but ultimately selected Pete Hegseth, who had been a commentator on Fox News.

Even so, sources indicated that DeSantis could still be a strong candidate for the role if it becomes vacant, though Hegseth currently remains in good standing with the president.

“DeSantis is 100% not interested in the AG job, but he would be interested in two things: War secretary or Supreme Court, which would be his dream job,” said another source familiar with the discussions.

That same source added that DeSantis has a close relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, saying the two “almost have a father-son relationship and would be a hell of a legacy for Trump.”

DeSantis previously ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, in a contest that was marked by sharp exchanges, even as many figures in Trump’s orbit remain skeptical of the Florida governor.

“Bygones are bygones,” said one Trump adviser. “But that doesn’t mean people forget.”

Another adviser was more blunt, saying, “There’s a big reason the president wouldn’t pick Ron to be his attorney general: There’s a way-too-high chance he would try to f*ck the president over.”

“Trump needs someone at Justice he absolutely trusts. But the Defense Department or Supreme Court or something else? Sure.”

A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that California cannot enforce a law requiring federal immigration agents to reveal their identities while on duty, preventing the measure from taking effect.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that a key provision of California’s No Vigilantes Act—mandating visible identification for federal officers, including those with Immigration and Customs Enforcement—conflicts with the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. The legislation had cleared both houses of the state legislature and was signed into law by Gavin Newsom in September 2025.

In its opinion, the court stated, “We conclude that § 10 of the No Vigilantes Act attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions,” The court’s opinion, authored by Trump-appointed Judge Mark Bennett, read in part. “The Supremacy Clause forbids the State from enforcing such legislation.”

The disputed section of the law required officers to display identification indicating their agency affiliation along with either their name or badge number. It excluded undercover personnel and those operating under specific conditions, and classified noncompliance as a misdemeanor.

Expanding on its reasoning, the court added, “Section 10 of the No Vigilantes Act attempts to directly regulate the federal government in its performance of law enforcement operations. It expressly applies to federal officers,” the ruling continued. “It seeks to control their conduct in performing law enforcement operations.”

Reacting to the decision, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli praised the outcome, writing on X, “Huge legal victory this morning in the Ninth Circuit, where the court permanently enjoined California’s unconstitutional mask law targeting federal agents.”

California has been a focal point of efforts to restrict ICE enforcement activity, as well as large-scale protests, including demonstrations that swept Los Angeles last summer. In October 2025, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of ten individuals accused of assaulting law enforcement during a chaotic anti-ICE protest at a marijuana farm in the state.

At the federal level, Democratic lawmakers have also sought broader reforms. In July 2025, legislation was introduced to require federal agents nationwide to operate without masks, led by Sens. Cory Booker and Alex Padilla. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down amid ongoing disputes in the Senate over proposed changes to ICE operations, including mandates for body cameras and restrictions on face coverings.

Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two young sons were murdered while in Hamas captivity, published a deeply emotional message on Wednesday night addressed to his family, expressing grief and longing following his return from captivity without them.

In the post, Bibas turned directly to his wife Shiri and their children Ariel and Kfir, who were killed during their time in captivity. The message, shared on social media, reflects the anguish of a father and husband grappling with devastating loss after months of isolation under harsh conditions.

“We moved to the Golan like we wanted… but you are missing every second. I feel so alone without you,” Bibas wrote, describing the painful reality of returning to a life without his family.

He continued with a line that captured the depth of his sorrow: “I also died that day, but only you stopped breathing. The fact that I am here and you are not – that is what hurts me the most.”

Bibas went on to describe how, in his darkest moments, he looks upward in search of connection to his loved ones. “I look to the sky and search for my three stars – Shiri, Ariel and Kfir,” he concluded.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that Iran’s seizure of two vessels does not constitute a violation of the ceasefire, emphasizing that the ships were neither American nor Israeli.

Speaking during an appearance on The Story on Fox News, Leavitt addressed questions raised by host Martha MacCallum regarding the incident.

MacCallum asked, “I want to ask you about these ships that Iran seized. We’re continuing to get reporting on this. Does the seizure of two ships — as we said, they were Greek and Mediterranean-owned ships with cargo on them, and the reports are that Iran basically seized them and then moved them into Iranian waters. We don’t know what’s going to happen to these crews. We’re not sure where all of this is going. Does the president view that as a violation of the ceasefire?”

Leavitt responded by rejecting that characterization, stating, “No, because these were not U.S. ships. These were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels. And for the American media, who [are] sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president’s facts that he has completely obliterated Iran’s conventional Navy, these two ships were taken by speedy gunboats. Iran has gone from having the most lethal Navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates. They don’t have control over the strait. This is piracy that we are seeing on display. And the naval blockade that the United States has imposed continues to be incredibly effective. And, to be clear, the blockade is on ships going to and from Iranian ports. And the point of this is the economic leverage that we maintain over Iran now. While there’s a ceasefire with respect to the military and kinetic strikes, Operation Economic Fury continues, and the crux of that is this naval blockade.”

A report showing the efficacy of the covid-19 vaccine that was previously delayed by the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been blocked from being published in the agency’s flagship scientific journal, according to three people familiar with the decision who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. The report showed that the vaccine reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations among healthy adults by about half this past winter.

The move, which has not been previously reported, has raised concerns among current and former officials that information about the vaccine’s benefits is being downplayed because it conflicts with the views of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been an outspoken critic of the shots. Kennedy’s vaccine agenda has received pointed questioning from lawmakers during budget hearings that began last week and conclude Wednesday.

The Washington Post reported two weeks ago that Jay Bhattacharya, who is temporarily overseeing the CDC, delayed publication of the report over concerns about methodology. The report had been scheduled for publication March 19 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

In recent days, a decision was made that the report would not be published, according to two of the people who spoke to The Post.

Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, confirmed the delay two weeks ago. At that time, he said it was “routine for CDC leadership to review and flag concerns about MMWR papers, especially relating to their methodology, leading up to planned publication.” Nixon said that Bhattacharya had raised concerns about “the observational method used in the study to calculate vaccine effectiveness” and that the scientific team was working to address them.

Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, is leading the CDC while Erica Schwartz, a top health official during President Donald Trump’s first term, awaits Senate confirmation.

On Tuesday, Nixon described the decision differently: “The MMWR’s editorial assessment identified concerns regarding the methodological approach to estimating vaccine effectiveness and the manuscript was not accepted for publication,” a characterization that differs from accounts by people familiar with the report’s review.

The report is gaining attention at a delicate political moment: The Trump administration has sought to soften its public posture on controversial vaccine actions ahead of the midterm elections. GOP pollsters have warned of the political risks of vaccine skepticism, and many voters oppose Kennedy’s efforts to roll back vaccine policies. Publishing findings showing the vaccine’s effectiveness would be at odds with the administration’s moves to restrict its use, particularly for children, former CDC officials say.

The report had cleared the agency’s scientific-review process, which includes dozens of scientists, according to two of the three people who spoke to The Post. Stopping an MMWR report at that stage is highly unusual, former CDC officials say.

“I cannot recall CDC stopping an MMWR report in the publication phase after scientific clearance and editorial review. On rare occasions we shifted the timing slightly to better align communications plans with competing or reinforcing pieces,” said Michael Iademarco, who was the director of the CDC center with oversight of the MMWR from 2014 to 2022.

Bhattacharya had concerns about a methodology that has long been used by the CDC to evaluate vaccine effectiveness for respiratory viruses, including influenza. A report about flu vaccine effectiveness this past winter – using the same methodology – was published in the MMWR a week earlier. An HHS official had previously said Bhattacharya was not in a position to review the earlier study and would have raised the same concerns.

A report using this methodology to gauge covid vaccine effectiveness in children was published in MMWR in December.

The methodology was also used in a 2021 study on covid vaccine effectiveness in clinics and hospitals published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Vaccine effectiveness estimates using the same methodology have also been published in other peer-reviewed journals, including JAMA Network Open, the Lancet and Pediatrics.

An HHS official said that Bhattacharya met with scientific staff and that the report’s authors did not want to adjust their methodology.

Kennedy, founder of a prominent anti-vaccine group, once referred to covid-19 shots as the “deadliest vaccine ever made.” Last year, he posted a video on X directing the CDC to stop recommending the vaccine for healthy pregnant women and children – an unprecedented move that bypassed the agency’s long-standing process of relying on its federal vaccine advisory panel. The decision drew widespread criticism from medical and public health experts.

Kennedy has said he is not anti-vaccine but is seeking to give Americans transparency and medical choice.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Lena H. Sun 

Just two days after chassidim were informed that the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak Rav Yisroel Hager, had returned to his home, a new update from his household reports that he is suffering from an infection and weakness, leading to the cancellation of scheduled kabbolas kahal for the evening marking his 81st birthday.

Earlier this week, the Vizhnitzer chassidus had shared uplifting news that the Rebbe had returned to his residence in Bnei Brak after an extended period away for rest and medical recovery in Netanya and Moshav Ora.

The announcement at the time noted that in recent days the Rebbe had been spending much of his time at the home of his father, the Yeshuos Moshe, and receiving people at the residence of his grandfather, the Imrei Chaim.

It was also reported that the previous evening, the Rebbe participated in a simcha marking the engagement of his great-granddaughter, a granddaughter of his son-in-law Rav Yitzchok Twersky, son of the Skverer Rebbe. The Rebbe sat at a tish for an extended period, encouraging singing with visible strength.

However, on Wednesday, chassidim received a more troubling update stating that the Rebbe is currently experiencing inflammation and weakness, and that all public receptions planned for the day have been called off.

“Since our master is feeling weak due to an infection, the public reception schedule this evening, as well as Maariv in the main beis medrash, will not take place. An update regarding the coming days will, with Hashem’s help, be issued separately.”

The message also called on anshei shlomeinu and all of Klal Yisroel to use the occasion of the Rebbe’s birthday on the 6th of Iyar to strengthen themselves and offer tefillos on his behalf for renewed strength and complete recovery.

{Matzav.com}

The New York Times has published an extensive feature on Rabbi Shalom Landau, portraying the Williamsburg-based speaker as an unlikely online figure whose Torah-based messages have reached far beyond the walls of his beis medrash, even as he himself remains detached from the digital world.

The article opens by contrasting the rabbi’s modest surroundings with the reach of his influence, describing his headquarters as “a humble wood and brick structure in the shadow of Woodhull Medical Center,” where “the facade is cracked and peeling, and the blinds are drawn.” Inside, it notes, “young men spend their days hunched over dense texts,” while “a tiny pool is hidden away in the basement.”

Despite being characterized as a kind of influencer, the piece stresses that Rabbi Landau himself has little connection to technology, writing that he “doesn’t use social media and favors a flip phone — and no phone at all from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.” The explanation is simple: “On Shabbos, it’s strictly forbidden.”

The Times identifies Rabbi Landau as “a 48-year-old Hasidic rabbi in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn,” explaining that “the young men are his yeshiva students; the pool a ritual bath called a mikvah.” It adds that “he’s the spiritual leader of Rivnitz,” a group following the teachings of the Ribnitzer Rebbe, who emphasized spreading divine light even in hostile environments.

At the same time, the article highlights the unusual nature of his recent visibility, stating that he is “of late, an unlikely star on Instagram and TikTok for videos offering pearls of Torah-based wisdom.” These clips, it explains, “marry self-help and ‘seichel,’ Yiddish for ‘common sense,’” often beginning with bold statements like “Wealth is in your wiring, not in your wallet” and “A child is not a second chance at your past,” before linking them to traditional sources.

According to the report, “his 250,000 followers on Instagram may not put him in the social media big leagues,” but they “greatly outnumber the several hundred men who come to study and pray at his shul.” The article underscores the contrast, noting that this is “an awful lot for a guy who speaks in Yiddish-inflected English and appears on video in front of bookshelves of Hasidic philosophy.”

The piece describes the rabbi’s online reach as spanning widely different audiences, stating that “from his digital pulpit, Rabbi Landau wields a particular kind of influence,” reaching “a mosaic of overlapping audiences, each of whom interprets him differently.” These include “practicing Jews who share his content earnestly over WhatsApp,” “secular internet addicts who take his videos with a heavy dose of irony,” “curious non-Jews seeking a pure form of religious authenticity,” and “young conservatives attracted to the traditional gender roles he preaches.”

It also notes that some responses are less positive, pointing out that certain commenters “make antisemitic jokes about Jews holding the secret to attaining material wealth,” reflecting the complexities of exposure to a broad online audience.

Tracing how the videos began, the article recounts that a talmid once asked Rabbi Landau, “Why are we keeping your light just closed into this small building?” That suggestion led to the recording and distribution of his talks. Rabbi Landau acknowledged his unfamiliarity with the medium, saying, “I was not so much understanding what social media is.”

The effort has largely been managed by his assistant, Shragi Kalmanowitz, who began uploading clips and later expanded production. Rabbi Landau, however, does not watch the videos, explaining, “I think when you see yourself, you can see too much.”

He also expressed concern that his message is being reduced in the editing process. “When you take all of this, you have to be a Torah-learning Jew to understand,” he said. “A lot of statements they take out, they cut it. So I’m questioning, Why do you take out my point?”

Kalmanowitz responded by explaining the reasoning: “We cut it out. Why do we cut it? Because we have to make applicable to everyone.”

The article reports that the videos have generated unexpected interest from people seeking conversion, with Kalmanowitz stating, “The answer is, Judaism doesn’t encourage conversion,” and adding, “No, Hashem likes it the way you are.”

Rabbi Landau himself appeared uncertain how to frame this level of exposure historically, recalling a recent question posed to him: “Has this ever been in the Jewish history that a Jewish rabbi can speak to so much non-Jewish people?” He responded, “I don’t know, we got to look it up.”

The Times places him within a broader landscape of religious figures gaining traction online, noting that “he seems to be the only rabbinical social media star from the patriarchal ultra-Orthodox world.” It also observes that much of his advice is directed toward men and has found an audience in spaces that emphasize “male authority and initiative.”

Addressing the presence of antisemitic followers, Kalmanowitz described one such idea, saying, “It means, basically, that you created the game, like us Jews rule the world, like you create the system and you’re leaking information about how to cheat the system,” and added, “A lot of our fans are actually big antisemites.”

Despite this, the approach remains unchanged. “Some of them end up turning into big fans of the rabbi,” Kalmanowitz said. “You just shine your light, and eventually they will learn to enjoy it.”

In closing, the profile presents Rabbi Landau as aware of the limitations of the medium he has entered. “The way the world is heading to is, basically, punchlines are taking it over,” he said. “And from the punchline becomes the next punchline.”

Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted to shut down a Democratic proposal aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military action against Iran, marking the latest failed attempt to force a congressional check on the ongoing conflict.

The measure, introduced under the War Powers framework, sought to prevent further U.S. military involvement, but it was defeated as Republicans again stood together to oppose it. According to The Hill, this is the fifth time GOP lawmakers have rejected similar efforts to halt or restrict the administration’s actions in the weeks-long confrontation.

The chamber voted 46-51 against advancing the resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rand Paul was the only Republican to break with his party and support moving the measure forward, while John Fetterman stood alone among Democrats in opposing it.

Leading the push for the resolution, Tammy Baldwin reiterated Democratic concerns during debate, arguing that Trump had campaigned on avoiding new overseas conflicts. Drawing parallels to past wars, she said, “In both wars, we had zero plans for the days to come and failed to outline our specific goals. In both wars, we had zero strategy to get out. And in both wars, we had servicemembers dying overseas for a cause that Americans did not support,” Baldwin said, comparing the current conflict to the Iraq war.

Lawmakers also pointed to public opinion data discussed during the debate. A Reuters/Ipsos poll cited in the proceedings indicated that just 36 percent of Americans support the strikes on Iran, according to The Hill.

Opposition to the resolution was led by Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who argued that repeated votes on the issue have already settled the matter. He told colleagues, “We’ve been through these votes before. We’ve been through these votes recently and nothing has occurred in the makeup of this body or in the situation in Iran or the Middle East to materially change since the last time we voted on this matter,” Wicker said.

He further warned that approving the proposal would be “unwise,” according to The Hill.

The outcome highlights the sharp divide in Washington over the president’s authority to carry out military operations in Iran, with Republicans largely supporting the administration’s approach and Democrats cautioning against a prolonged engagement without explicit approval from Congress.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. defense officials have told lawmakers that removing Iranian naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz could require up to six months, raising concerns that disruptions to global energy markets may persist well into the year, according to a report published Wednesday.

The update was delivered during a classified briefing to Congress, as reported by The Washington Post, which cited individuals familiar with the session. The projected timeline suggests that the financial consequences of the conflict could stretch on through the end of the year or beyond.

According to three officials, members of the House Armed Services Committee received the briefing on Tuesday. Lawmakers from both parties were said to be dissatisfied with the assessment.

Military officials indicated that Iran may have deployed at least 20 naval mines in and around the critical shipping corridor, a key route for a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. Some of the devices were reportedly positioned using GPS-guided methods, making them harder for U.S. forces to locate, while others were believed to have been placed by small Iranian vessels.

The Pentagon declined to elaborate on the details publicly. Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the topic had been addressed in a classified setting but dismissed the reported conclusions as “inaccurate.”

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a focal point in the ongoing confrontation. Iran has asserted that the waterway is closed and has carried out attacks on certain vessels, while both Washington and Tehran continue to press their respective conditions for ending the conflict.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments passed through the strait, with major Asian economies such as Japan, South Korea, and China relying heavily on that route.

President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran dismantle its nuclear program, relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and fully reopen the waterway, warning that failure to comply could lead to additional military action. Iranian officials, for their part, have said they will not return to negotiations unless the United States first removes the naval blockade imposed in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was extending a two-week ceasefire indefinitely, adding Iran’s leadership is “seriously fractured” and must “come up with a unified proposal.”

He later stated if the US lifts its naval blockade of Iran, a deal between the two countries would be possible if the US renews its strikes on the Islamic Republic.

“Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!” he added.

Iran carried out the execution of a man accused of working with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, the country’s judiciary announced Wednesday, as watchdog groups reported that the individual had been employed in Iran’s nuclear sector.

The man, identified as Mehdi Farid, was put to death in what marks the latest in a growing series of executions involving individuals accused of espionage, a pattern that has drawn increasing concern from international rights organizations.

In a statement published by the judiciary’s Mizan Online outlet, officials said, “Mehdi Farid… was hanged this morning for extensive cooperation with the terrorist spy service Mossad after the case was examined and the final verdict was approved,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said, adding that he had been convicted of the capital offense of “corruption on earth.”

The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights reported that Farid had been employed by Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization at the time of his arrest on May 31, 2023.

According to the organization, Farid was originally handed a 10-year prison sentence. However, following a retrial in July 2025, the charges were elevated and he was sentenced to death on allegations of spying for Israel.

A separate U.S.-based group, Human Rights Activists News Agency, also stated that Farid, 55, had worked for the atomic energy body and that the retrial was initiated after the prosecutor challenged the initial sentence.

Mizan Online, for its part, described Farid as a manager within Iran’s Passive Defense Organization, a civil defense entity. That organization later issued a denial, stating he held no affiliation, declaring he had “any membership, responsibility or position” there.

The execution comes amid a broader escalation, with Iran carrying out multiple hangings since the outbreak of its conflict with the United States and Israel on February 28. A tenuous ceasefire has been in effect since April 8.

Just days earlier, Mizan reported that two additional individuals accused of collaborating with Mossad were executed. The men, named Mohammad Masoum Shahi and Hamed Validi, were alleged to be part of an espionage network connected to the Israeli agency and were said to have received training abroad, including in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Human rights groups have long identified Iran as one of the world’s leading executioners, second only to China, and Iranian officials have signaled that those accused of working with Israel should not expect any leniency.