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Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado held talks with President Donald Trump on Thursday in a meeting the White House described as constructive, even as Trump has publicly questioned her political standing at home and mused aloud about whether he, rather than Machado, deserved a Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump has repeatedly said that Machado lacks broad backing among Venezuelans following the removal of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro, and he has instead expressed support for Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, who now serves as interim president.

Seeking to maintain a favorable relationship with Trump, the 58-year-old opposition leader has gone so far as to suggest sharing her Nobel Peace Prize with him. Trump has indicated that such a gesture could occur when the two meet.

After the White House meeting concluded, Machado emerged to greet enthusiastic supporters gathered outside, celebrating her long campaign against Maduro’s leftist government.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been eager for the lunch meeting, their first since the U.S. military operation on January 3 that resulted in Maduro’s capture.

“He’s expecting it to be a good and positive discussion with Ms. Machado, who is really a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela,” Leavitt told reporters as the meeting began.

She added that Trump would also be “talking to her about the realities on the ground in the country and what is taking place.”

Despite the meeting, the president has continued to signal his preference for working with interim president Rodriguez, particularly after announcing that Caracas had granted the United States access to Venezuelan oil.

“The president likes what he’s seeing” from the interim government, Leavitt said. She added that Trump was “committed to hopefully seeing elections in Venezuela one day,” without offering a timeline.

Machado was expected to use the meeting to press Trump to refocus attention on a transition to democratic rule.

Addressing the Nobel Peace Prize she received for her years opposing Maduro, Trump said he understood that she “wants to” give it to him, adding in a Fox News interview that it “would be a great honor.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee responded by making clear that such a transfer is not possible.

“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time,” the committee said in a post on X.

“A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.”

Machado traveled to Oslo last month to accept the award after escaping Venezuela by boat, and she has remained outside the country in what amounts to exile.

Venezuela’s opposition maintains that Maduro fraudulently won the 2024 election against Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the candidate backed by Machado’s party, allegations that have been echoed by Washington.

Since Maduro’s arrest, Trump has said the United States would “run” Venezuela, though he has appeared willing to allow Rodriguez to continue leading the country.

On Wednesday, Trump described Rodriguez as a “terrific person”. Rodriguez said the conversation was “productive and courteous,” marked by “mutual respect.”

U.S. policy has largely centered on economic interests, particularly securing access to Venezuela’s oil resources.

American forces this week intercepted a sixth oil tanker as part of efforts to assert control over Venezuelan crude exports.

According to the U.S. military, Marines and sailors boarded the tanker Veronica in the Caribbean during a pre-dawn operation that concluded without resistance. Video released online showed troops descending onto the ship’s deck.

In a separate development, a U.S. official told AFP on Thursday that the first American-arranged sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at roughly $500 million, has been completed, though the buyer was not named.

Washington has also praised the recent release of dozens of political detainees, while acknowledging that hundreds of prisoners remain incarcerated.

The repercussions of the rapid U.S. operation that removed Maduro continue to be felt across the region.

Cuba on Thursday honored 32 soldiers killed during the raid, including members of Maduro’s security detail, at a memorial ceremony attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro.

{Matzav.com}

Wikipedia unveiled new business deals with a slew of artificial intelligence companies on Thursday as it marked its 25th anniversary. The online crowdsourced encyclopedia revealed that it has signed up AI companies including Amazon, Meta Platforms, Perplexity, Microsoft and France’s Mistral AI. Wikipedia is one of the last bastions of the early internet, but that […]

The Kremlin said Thursday that it shares President Donald Trump’s view that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rather than Russia, is responsible for the lack of progress toward a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks, delivered in an interview with Reuters, diverge from the position of many European governments, which argue that Moscow has little incentive to stop the fighting and is instead seeking to seize additional territory while avoiding harsher Western sanctions.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump expressed confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to reach an agreement. “I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump said ⁠of Putin when speaking to Reuters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.”

When asked why negotiations led by Washington have yet to bring an end to the most significant land war in Europe since World War II, Trump placed the blame squarely on Kyiv. “Zelenskyy.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow agrees with Trump’s assessment, saying Russia remains open to negotiations. “I agree, that is indeed the case. President Putin and the Russian side remain open (to talks). The Russian position is well known. It is well known to the ⁠American negotiators, to President Trump, and to the leadership of the Kyiv regime.”

Russia currently occupies roughly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Moscow is demanding that Ukraine pull its forces out of portions of the Donetsk region that Russia claims but does not fully control. Ukraine has rejected any proposal to cede land and is calling for a ceasefire along existing front lines. As part of its efforts, the United States has floated the idea of establishing a free economic zone if Ukrainian troops withdraw.

In recent weeks, U.S.-mediated discussions have focused largely on security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a postwar settlement, though some European officials have warned that Putin is unlikely to agree to several of the proposed conditions.

Negotiations suffered another setback last month after Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack a residence belonging to Putin, a claim that Kyiv dismissed as false.

Peskov also said Russia would be prepared to host further talks, adding that the Kremlin would welcome Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner once a visit date is finalized.

{Matzav.com}

LAKEWOOD: Hatzolah is at the scene of a rollover MVA at Spruce and Cypress, with at least one patient extricated with injuries.

In response to the unique challenges faced by bnei Torah arriving from abroad, Gedolei Yisroel have released a special letter of chizuk directed to yeshiva bochurim from France. The letter was issued by the leader of the Olam HaTorah, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, together with Rav Dovid Cohen, calling on French bochurim to unite under a new initiative of Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos designed to ease their integration into yeshiva life.

The letter publicly endorses the establishment of a dedicated spiritual support framework for bochurim from France, marking the first time that Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos has expanded its activities beyond Israel’s borders into the international arena.

In their message, the roshei yeshiva address the adjustment difficulties commonly experienced by overseas students in Israeli yeshivos, defining the new initiative as a vital necessity for their success in Torah learning. “Having merited that Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos in Eretz Hakodesh, which performs great and wondrous work for bnei Torah here, is now expanding its activity to bnei Torah living abroad, to strengthen and fortify them in all places of Torah,” the letter states.

The roshei yeshiva further describe the structure of the program, noting the collaboration with Ashreinu, led by Rav Yehuda Tolledano. “Under the framework of the Ichud, the precious bnei Torah from France have now joined, and we have merited that the rosh yeshiva, the great gaon Rav Yehuda Tolledano, invests much of his strength to sustain, strengthen, and encourage the activity, and to guide it along the proper path,” they wrote.

At the heart of the letter is an emphasis on individualized guidance. The roshei yeshiva stress the importance of personal accompaniment in order “to strengthen and fortify them, to ease the challenges of absorption into yeshiva life, and to reinforce them through organized vaadim led by marbitzei Torah.”

Concluding the letter, Gedolei Yisroel express hope that the initiative will expand to additional overseas communities and urge bochurim to join the effort. “With siyata diShmaya, additional communities from countries around the world whose sons are learning in the yeshivos of Eretz Hakodesh will join, and soon they too will unite under the Ichud—to increase Torah and glorify it.”

The new program will focus on two primary tracks: ongoing guidance for French yeshiva students both during the academic year in Israel and while they are at home in France, as well as targeted support for bochurim who have recently made aliyah from France with their families and require assistance with absorption, mentorship, and programming tailored to their unique background and mentality.

In preparation for the launch, leaders of the Ichud from France, together with Ashreinu, held a series of meetings at the homes of the organization’s presidents, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dovid Cohen, who also serves as president of Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos for French students and has been closely involved in the initiative since its inception.

{Matzav.com}

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado says she presented her Nobel Peace prize to President Trump.

DEVELOPING IN SPRING VALLEY: 911 received a call stating that there is a bomb inside the Viener Cheder at 33 Union Road. Spring Valley Police immediately evacuated the building and are conducting an active investigation. Police K-9 units are on scene searching the building and surrounding area. Monsey Scoop will provide updates as more information […]

Reporter: What is President Trump threatening to do if credit card companies don’t lower their interest rate to 10%? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Tariffs. Nah, I’m just kidding.

Thursday was the final day to select an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan across much of the country, as the expiration of federal subsidies drives up health costs and lawmakers remain locked in a debate over how to address the issue. That’s when the open enrollment window ends in most states for plans that […]

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A new poll released Thursday evening by Channel 14 presents an updated snapshot of Israel’s political landscape, pointing to a significant internal shakeup within the left-wing bloc, even as the ruling party remains firmly on top.

According to the survey, the Likud continues to lead the field with 35 seats, maintaining its position as the largest party if elections were held today. In contrast, the momentum of Naftali Bennett appears to have stalled, with his party slipping to 11 seats, down from 13 in the previous poll.

At the same time, the biggest gainer of the week is the Democrats party led by Yair Golan, which surged by three seats to reach 11 mandates, signaling a notable shift within the left-wing camp.

The chareidi parties remain stable, with Shas and United Torah Judaism each holding steady at 11 seats, matching Bennett’s current strength.

Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Liberman, rose by one seat to 10. Otzma Yehudit received seven seats, while the party led by Gadi Eisenkot dropped two seats to six.

The Arab party Ra’am also stands at six seats. Hadash–Ta’al and Yesh Atid each received five seats. Religious Zionism barely clears the electoral threshold with four seats, closing out the list of parties entering the Knesset. Blue and White (2.8%) and Balad (2.1%) fall below the threshold and would not enter the Knesset.

When broken down by blocs, the right-wing camp holds a commanding 66 seats. The left-wing bloc drops by one seat to 43, while the Arab parties together account for 11 mandates.

In the question of suitability for prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu leads decisively with 53%. He is followed by Bennett at 19%, Eisenkot at 11%, Yair Lapid at 9%, Liberman at 6%, and Benny Gantz trailing with just 2%.

{Matzav.com}

A new mandates poll published Thursday evening on Channel 14’s main news edition presents an updated snapshot of Israel’s political landscape and public preferences for prime minister, if elections were held today. According to the poll, Likud remains the largest party by a wide margin, holding steady with 35 seats. Naftali Bennett’s party, however, shows […]

Apartment seekers in Manhattan saw little relief this winter, with rents remaining near historic highs and competition showing few signs of easing.

Data from appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. and brokerage Douglas Elliman show that the median rent for new leases signed last month reached $4,720, representing an increase of nearly 9% compared with December a year earlier. That figure was only $30 below November’s median rent, which marked the highest level ever recorded by the firms.

Although New York’s rental market usually slows during the holiday season, that pattern failed to materialize. Competition for available apartments stayed strong throughout the year, even as the number of listings shrank. Inventory in December was down 16% from the same month last year, the steepest annual decline since the surge in leasing activity seen during the pandemic-era rush in August 2022.

According to Jonathan Miller, president of Miller Samuel, the sustained appetite for rentals runs counter to what would normally be expected. Home sales in Manhattan have been increasing, a trend that historically draws some demand away from the rental market.

Instead, both the sales and rental markets posted strong performances in December, a combination Miller said points to continued pressure on prices. With limited inventory and few quick solutions in a city where new construction takes time, competition is likely to remain fierce. As Miller put it, “it’s tough to build quickly.”

Miller expressed little optimism that renters will see meaningful relief in the near term. “I’m finding it difficult to come up with a way that affordability will noticeably improve this year,” he said. “The best case is to hope for rents to flatten out, but right now they’re rising at double the rate of inflation.”

Higher costs were not confined to Manhattan. Renters in other parts of the city also faced increases, with the median rent in Brooklyn climbing to $3,850 in December, a 10% jump from a year earlier. In northwest Queens, which includes Astoria and Long Island City, median rents rose nearly 8% year over year to $3,652.

{Matzav.com}

No pursuit of nuclear weapons. Confronting drug trafficking. An immediate recognition of the state of Israel. Exporting copious amounts of oil and gas. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi laid out his aspirations Thursday for Iran if its theocracy is toppled — and experts say they sound exactly like what U.S. President Donald Trump wants to hear. That plan […]

Prime Minister Netanyahu urged U.S. President Trump over the past day to delay any potential American strike on Iran, according to a senior U.S. official cited by The New York Times. The report says Trump and Netanyahu spoke yesterday about the issue, on the same day Trump publicly stated that he had heard “on good […]

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu asked President Donald Trump to hold off on any military action against Iran, according to a report published by The New York Times.

The two leaders spoke by phone around midnight, as protests continued across Iran and U.S. officials weighed whether to move forward with a possible strike.

During the call, Netanyahu conveyed concern that Israel is not fully prepared for an Iranian retaliation if the United States were to launch an attack, and he therefore requested that Trump postpone any military operation.

Trump has said he was informed by what he described as reliable sources inside Iran that the regime had stopped executing protesters and halted violent crackdowns, a development that could suggest efforts to reduce tensions.

U.S. officials, however, emphasized that military action remains a viable option and that any final decision will depend on how events unfold.

The report also cited a diplomatic source in the Gulf who said that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt delivered messages to the Trump administration urging restraint, warning that an attack on Iran could trigger wider regional instability. Those same countries reportedly contacted Tehran, pressing it to avoid a military response if a strike were to occur.

Iran temporarily shut down its airspace to civilian traffic overnight before later reopening it.

Separately, reports indicated that the Pentagon scaled back its alert status at a U.S. Air Force base in Qatar and began returning troops who had previously been relocated amid concerns that a strike was imminent.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. officials are signaling cautious optimism that Hamas could agree to disarm, even as they acknowledge deep skepticism from Israel and decades of mistrust on both sides. In a briefing with reporters, a senior U.S. official said Washington believes Hamas has indicated a willingness to pursue demilitarization as part of a broader effort to reshape […]

Senior IRGC military officer Mohsen Rezaee on Trump: I am reminded of Hitler’s armies getting stuck in the snows of Russia. When Hitler was defeated there, he could not even save Germany itself anymore; half of Germany was lost. They do not realize that Iran is [like] those same Russian snows. The further Trump advances, […]

A federal judge ruled that the $5B Empire Wind project off Long Island can resume construction after the Trump administration tried to halt it. * Judge Carl Nichols said the stop-work order would cause “irreparable harm.” * The Interior Department had paused the project over unspecified national security concerns. * Equinor said the project is […]

Clashes are unfolding at the ICE facility in Minneapolis, with one person taken into custody.