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Houthi terrorists have released footage showing their missile attack on the “Eternity C” bulk carrier, leading to its sinking in the Red Sea.

PM NETANYAHU: “I completed a second meeting with President Trump. President Trump and I share a common goal — the release of the hostages and the end of Hamas’s rule in Gaza.”

The US Embassy in Yemen confirms that the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists have abducted multiple surviving crew members of the Eternity C, a commercial vessel that was attacked and allegedly sunk by the Houthis.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio imposes sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her “illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt ICC action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.”

[Video below.] Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu appeared on Fox Business Wednesday, where he addressed a range of pressing regional issues and highlighted the strength of his partnership with President Donald Trump.

During the interview, Netanyahu said that negotiations for the release of hostages were progressing and expressed confidence that every individual held captive would ultimately be brought home. He also made a stark comparison, warning that allowing Hamas to continue ruling Gaza would be akin to permitting the Nazi SS to remain in control of Germany following World War II.

He went on to speak highly of the recent operation inside Iran, calling it a coordinated mission between Israel and the United States. Netanyahu credited Trump’s unwavering support for Israel, calling him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

Turning to recent threats against Trump, Netanyahu issued a grave warning about Iran’s intentions. “I think this is very serious. They mean it. They are threatening to murder him and murder me – but this is the kind of people we are dealing with. They are enemies of America. They’re enemies of everything we stand for,” he said. He added that the Iranian population is suffering under a regime that does not represent their best interests.

On the topic of sanctions, Netanyahu said he would only support lifting them if a truly beneficial agreement with Iran were reached. However, he made clear that he does not see such a possibility as long as the current regime remains in charge.

The prime minister also spoke about his recommendation of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He said Trump had earned the recognition due to his work on the Abraham Accords—a diplomatic breakthrough that required three years of intensive effort—and his role in brokering peace agreements between India and Pakistan, as well as Rwanda and the Congo.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Joe Biden’s former White House physician is refusing answer questions as part of the House Republican investigation into Biden’s health in office. Dr. Kevin O’Connor invoked doctor-client privilege and his rights under the Fifth Amendment during an appearance Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee, his attorneys said. Republicans are conducting a sweeping investigation into Biden’s actions in office and questioning whether the Democrat’s use of an autopen in office may have been invalid. They have also claimed that some policies carried out by the White House autopen may be invalid if it is proven that Biden was mentally incapacitated for some part of his term. Biden has strongly denied that he was not in a right state of mind at any point while in office, calling the claims “ridiculous and false.” David Schertler, one of O’Connor’s lawyers, said in a written statement he prepared for the committee that the doctor would not violate his oath of confidentiality with his patients. He also said the House Oversight committee should hold off on its investigation until Attorney General Pam Bondi concludes an investigation that the Oversight Committee’s chair, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, said she has launched into the use of the autopen. “The pending Department of Justice criminal investigation leaves Dr. O’Connor no choice but to invoke his constitutional rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to any questions posed by the Committee,” Schertler said in the statement. Republicans on the Oversight Committee had no immediate comment. In a June subpoena of O’Connor, Comer said that claims of physician-patient privilege under the American Medical Association’s code of ethics “lack merit” because that code is not part of federal law. He said the committee’s subpoena meets the AMA’s own requirement that physicians must share a patient’s medical information if “legally compelled to disclose the information” or “ordered to do so by legally constituted authority.” Comer has said his committee will release a report of all its findings after the probe is complete. He has issued subpoenas for O’Connor and Anthony Bernal, former chief of staff to former first lady Jill Biden. Last month, Neera Tanden, former director of Biden’s domestic policy counsel, gave voluntary testimony. Comer has requested testimony from nearly a dozen former senior Biden aides, including former White House chiefs of staff Ron Klain and Jeff Zients; former senior advisers Mike Donilon and Anita Dunn; former deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed, former counselor to the president Steve Ricchetti, former deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and a former assistant to the president, Ashley Williams. President Donald Trump’s White House has waived executive privilege, a right that protects many communications between the president and staff from Congress and the courts, for almost all of those senior staffers. That clears the way for those staffers to discuss their conversations with Biden while he was president. (AP)

Iran planned to shower Israel with thousands of ballistic missiles in the coming years. Even after Israel destroyed thousands of its missiles and launchers, the Islamic Republic still boasts that it can cause serious damage to Israel and/or the US if it chooses to do so. “Our armed forces are at the height of their readiness,” said Major General Ebrahim Jabbari of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), speaking to the semi-official Mehr News Agency. “The warehouses, underground missile bases, and facilities we have are so enormous that we have yet to demonstrate the majority of our defense capabilities and effective missiles.” “In case of a war with Israel and the U.S., our facilities will not run out even if we launch missiles at them every day for two years,” he added. Of course, Iranian officials are not known for telling the truth. According to an investigation by Fox News Digital, on the eve of the attack on Israel in the opening days of the campaign, Iran’s stockpile of ballistic missiles stood at about three thousand, along with a reserve of between five hundred and six hundred launchers. These were considered the Islamic Republic’s main strategic capability to strike Israel. International experts note that one of the main reasons for the Israeli offensive was Iran’s ambitious plan to produce thousands of new missiles and distribute them to terror proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. Now, after numerous precise Israeli strikes deep inside Iran, intelligence sources estimate that Iran has only about a thousand active missiles and only about two hundred launchers left. According to the report, this is a dramatic reduction that does not allow for a large-scale attack, and replacing the missile launchers after Israel degraded their production capabilities will be extremely difficult, according to Danny Citrinowicz, Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies. “Israel attacked every place that the Iranians manufacture missiles,” he told Fox News Digital. Iran may have the capacity to attack Israel with its missiles, but “not in the hundreds.” However, Can Kasapoglu, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and Middle East military affairs expert, asserts that Iran “is still the largest ballistic missile power in the Middle East.” He told Fox, “We saw that during the war, as Iran was able to penetrate Israeli airspace—even when Israeli and American interceptors were firing interceptor after interceptor to stop a single ballistic missile.” Kasapoglu also noted that Iran still maintains a deeper stockpile of missiles than Israel, even with U.S. assistance, and has interceptors. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Avraham Azoulai, a resident of Shaked Farm in the hills near Yitzhar, was killed while operating engineering equipment in Gaza, just three months after marrying. The Shomron Regional Council confirmed his passing on Wednesday.

Azoulai becomes the third individual from Yitzhar to be killed during the ongoing conflict. Like many from his community, he had volunteered to assist the IDF by working with heavy machinery in the Gaza Strip.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, delivered a heartfelt tribute: “Avraham was a hero, a true pioneer, one of the builders of the hilltops and farms. He worked on the preparation and development of farms and road construction in Samaria, fully dedicated to the settlement of the Land of Israel and its defense. He came to Samaria as a young man to build Samaria and was one of our finest who built the hilltops with courage and love. Avraham is the 31st from the region to fall in the Swords of Iron War. He gave his life for the people and the land when he did what he loved and believed in — building the land. The Samaria Regional Council family will support Ruth with everything she needs. The Samaria settlement family and the entire Itamar community are grieving and embracing the Azoulai and Yogev families.”

Golan Avgi, who heads the Yitzhar local council, also mourned the loss: “Avraham was a pioneer. He established a Jewish labor business. He enlisted in the reserves together with a large group of friends from the Itamar settlement, and they worked with heavy machinery in Gaza. I knew him as a man of integrity, talented, with good character traits, and beloved by everyone, by all who knew him and by all his friends.”

As previously reported, Azoulai is the third casualty from Yitzhar in this war. About eighteen months ago, Sergeant Yehonatan Luber was killed in combat in southern Gaza. Eight months later, Sergeant Shneur Zalman Cohen fell while fighting in the northern part of the Strip.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a series of behind-closed-doors fundraisers recorded in 2024 and obtained exclusively by CNN, President Donald Trump is heard describing aggressive foreign policy threats, hardline domestic crackdowns, and eyebrow-raising fundraising tactics — offering a glimpse into the unfiltered rhetoric he reserved for high-dollar donors. According to the audio, Trump told one private gathering that he had warned Russian President Vladimir Putin he would “bomb Moscow” if Russia invaded Ukraine. “With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the [expletive] out of Moscow,’” Trump said. “And then he goes, like, ‘I don’t believe you.’ But he believed me 10%.” In the same breath, Trump claimed he gave a similar warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping over a potential invasion of Taiwan: bomb Beijing. Xi, Trump recounted, “he thought I was crazy” — but added, “we never had a problem.” The remarks, which have not previously been aired, were recorded during intimate donor events in New York and Florida in early and mid-2024. They were obtained by Washington Post reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf, who cite them in their upcoming book, 2024. The recordings show a version of Trump more candid and aggressive than in public — especially as he pitched himself as the only candidate who could prevent further wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. “If I were president, you wouldn’t have Ukraine, you wouldn’t have Gaza,” Trump said, before shifting into a tirade against Putin’s unwillingness to make peace. Trump’s unfiltered commentary extended well beyond foreign policy. At one event, Trump vowed to deport student protesters, specifically targeting pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. “Any student that protests — I would throw them out of the country,” he said. “Those people made a big mistake. Throw them out, and I think that will stop it.” He also claimed that his administration had begun efforts to revoke visas and crack down on foreign students involved in activism — igniting legal battles with federal courts over the constitutionality of such policies. At another event, Trump urged donors to open their wallets more generously, arguing that Republicans were at a systemic disadvantage. “The unions give big money, the civil service stuff gives big money, and they have the advantage of welfare,” he said. “The welfare people will always vote for Democrats.” He called on Jewish donors in particular to mobilize: “You’ve got to get them to start voting Republican.” Trump also bragged about his success in persuading ultra-wealthy donors to dramatically increase their contributions. In one instance, he said a donor offered $1 million for a lunch with Trump — and walked away pledging $25 million. “You have to have the courage to ask,” Trump said. “You have to get them into the mindset.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

[COMMUNICATED]

The RCCS Pre-Campaign is Now Live! 

Donations are now being accepted for the Pre-Campaign portion of a major two-day push to provide RCCS with all they need to care for cancer patients in our communities. 

The 2025 “Attention” Campaign is dedicated to hearing the Call of cholei Yisroel and opening doors for them to receive all the assistance they need as they struggle through the grim challenges of a dreaded diagnosis. 

No matter where you live, the word “cancer” is a frightening reality for all too many of your neighbors, R”L. This dreadful disease and its treatment regimens afflict men, women, teenagers, even young children, of all ages and backgrounds – as well as their family and friends.

In our communities, virtually every one of these suffering souls relies on RCCS as a lifeline – the one stop resource that guides them from diagnosis through recovery and makes sure that everyone has access to the absolute best medical care available anywhere in the world.

RCCS provides medical referral and support, getting each patient into the best doctor for their diagnosis; this includes handling their medical records and expediting appointments. To this end, they conduct extensive medical research to avail patients to the most cutting-edge medical treatment. They provide crucial financial support to cover insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses. In essence, they serve as the patient’s virtual “back office” from beginning to end. 

They arrange insurance guidance and advocacy, helping a patient navigate the complex world of insurance, and advocating for them when an insurer rejects a claim. They ensure that finances never stand between a patient and world-class treatment. 

In addition, the RCCS Care Management team opens doors for patients and their families to access the full gamut of financial and logistical assistance available through individual donors and other organizations. 

It now costs over $31 million a year for RCCS to cover its global operations; including paying insurance premiums and other patient expenditures. RCCS is currently helping over 5,000 patients and their families with everything they need to fight cancer – with dozens of new patients reaching out for help each week. Jewish communities around the country have united to support RCCS’s lifesaving operations through a special two day “ATTENTION” online fundraising campaign. This is RCCS’s primary community fundraising event in these communities for the year.

You now have an opportunity to help RCCS save lives. The start of the Pre-Campaign means that you can submit your donation now. Please jump in and be among the first to grab this zechus. With your support, RCCS will get off towards a great start to reach its goal! 

Make a life-saving donation today by clicking HERE

On the 13th of Av (August 7), the Thursday after Tisha Be’Av, thousands are expected to gather at one of the world’s most legendary musical venues, Bethel Woods in upstate New York, for a historic outdoor celebration of Jewish pride, soul, and connection. Less than twenty-four hours before Shabbos Nachamu, Yamim Baim will deliver a full-length Ishay Ribo concert with guest performances by Chassidic music legend Avraham Fried, as well as Zusha and Shmuel. The star-studded concert will include the first-ever live performance of Kol Pa’am Mehadesh, Ribo and Shmuel’s brand-new duet that has already struck a chord across Jewish communities worldwide. Shmuel described it simply: “A prayer from a restless heart, to lean on Hashem with full trust.”  “I was moved to join this beautiful song,” Ribo shared about the duet. “Its words, inspired by King David, carry a sweetness and honesty that belong to these days of Nechama and gratitude for the miracles happening for Am Yisrael.” For many, the timing of the event holds special meaning. As thousands head to the Catskills for Shabbos Nachamu, it’s the perfect moment to come together. The spirit of comfort and renewal will infuse an evening of uplifting music in a breathtaking open-air setting. Bethel Woods offers two experiences for concertgoers: The Pavilion Covered seating with great views and a focused concert atmosphere. The Lawn An open hillside perfect for families, camps, and groups to sit together, relax, and celebrate under the stars. Yamim Baim is produced by Davidson Artists Management in partnership with Bnei Akiva of the United States and Canada. Thursday, August 7, 2025 (13 Av 5785) Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Upstate New York  Tickets: Ticketmaster Groups and VIP tickets: YamimBaim.com שמואל וישי ריבו – כל פעם מחדש | Shmuel & Ishay Ribo – Kol Pa’am Mehadash

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sat down on Wednesday with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon for a significant conversation focused on military collaboration and strategic stability in the region. The dialogue underscored a strong bond rooted in shared values and mutual defense, and looked ahead to greater prospects built on that alliance.

As the meeting began, Netanyahu recalled his long history of visits to the Pentagon. “Do you know how many times I’ve been in this room?” he asked. When Hegseth encouraged him to guess, Netanyahu replied, “I’d say 40, 50 times.”

Throughout the meeting, both leaders spoke with deep appreciation for the United States Armed Forces, especially the contributions of US Central Command (CENTCOM) to Israel’s defense posture. Netanyahu voiced his admiration, saying, “Thank you, absolute thanks, gratitude and admiration for CENTCOM, for the US military, for the Secretary of Defense, and the President of the United States. Magnificent. You have the gratitude of the people of Israel and the State of Israel, and I think of many, many others around the world.”

Hegseth echoed that sentiment, pointing out the extraordinary professionalism and valor of American troops involved in missions that support Israel’s safety. “The skill and the bravery and the courage of US forces involved in that operation, including in the defense of Israel, whether it was in the Mediterranean or with THAAD batteries or others, was incredible,” he said. “And so, CENTCOM played a — he did it in his own quiet way, but just incredibly effective.”

Their exchange also covered the impact of Operation Rising Lion, which came to fruition after two months of behind-the-scenes planning. Hegseth commended the careful coordination between Israeli and American forces and their remarkable precision during the mission. “The precision with which you went at the nuclear capabilities and then the opportunity we had through those B-2 pilots, the F-35, F-22, F-15 pilots that accompanied the refuelers to help put the finishing touches, you might say, on those facilities, it was an honor to be a part of it.”

Netanyahu responded with strong affirmation, highlighting the significance of the strike and how it resonated across the globe. “I think the entire world took note. I think Iran took note. I think everybody in the Middle East took note of American resolve and of the strength of our alliance. I think it was a — frankly, it was like the roar of two lions, and it was heard around the world.”

The meeting naturally moved into a discussion about diplomacy rooted in strength. Netanyahu referred to his ongoing conversations with President Trump, remarking, “President Trump and I always talk about peace through strength, first comes strength, then comes the peace. And we hope we’ll realize the fruits of strength very soon in peace.”

Hegseth affirmed that idea, agreeing that military power can pave the way for diplomatic breakthroughs. “It does start with strength, but it always goes to peace, and we have that opportunity in the region because of your efforts and the efforts of our president.”

As their discussion concluded, Netanyahu reflected on the unique alliance between the US and Israel, describing it as one of the defining partnerships of our time. “We are blessed with two great free societies that have joined together.” Hegseth wrapped up the meeting with praise for Israel’s role as a dependable and courageous partner. “Thank you for being a friend, a model ally, and showing leadership and strength,” he said, reaffirming the enduring strength of the US-Israel relationship.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk’s plan to create a new political party puts him in the company of a long line of business and political titans looking to upend the two-party system that has dominated U.S. politics since almost the beginning. From the Anti-Masonic Party in the early 1800s to last year’s ill-fated No Labels, nascent political parties have been a near-constant feature of U.S. politics. Some are impactful, others ephemeral, but few endure for long. Though the Republican and Democratic parties have had a lock on political power since the Civil War, they have remade themselves over and over, often when faced with the prospect of losing voters to third parties. The name Musk chose, the America Party, is bland compared to some of history’s more memorable movements — the Know-Nothing Party, the Bull Moose Party, the Dixiecrats. Musk’s plans remain murky, but some of his public comments suggest he’s eying a limited goal, focusing on a handful of House races to gain influence without trying to win a majority. “One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts,” Musk wrote on X. “Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people. Here’s a look at how third parties have made their mark through American history, even without winning the White House or congressional majorities. Anti-Masonic Party The first third party, the Anti-Masons emerged in 1828 in opposition to the Freemasons, a secret society. The disappearance of William Morgan, a former Mason who had threatened to expose secrets, fueled widespread paranoia about the shadowy group, which many believed was covertly controlling the government. The Anti-Masons evolved into a broadly anti-elite party. They were the first party to hold a convention to nominate a presidential candidate and to adopt a party platform, pioneering enduring staples of American democracy. They held seats in the House for a decade, peaking at 25 after the 1832 election. That year, Anti-Mason presidential nominee William Wirt won Vermont, becoming the first third-party candidate to get electoral college votes, though his seven electoral votes did not affect Andrew Jackson’s decisive victory over Henry Clay. The Anti-Masons were largely absorbed into the Whig Party. Free Soil Party “Barnburner Democrats” and “conscience Whigs,” anti-slavery factions, joined with remnants of the short-lived abolitionist Liberty Party to form the Free Soil Party after the Mexican American War. Free Soilers won a handful of House seats between 1848 and 1854. Former President Martin Van Buren, who had served one term as a Democrat a decade earlier, was the Free Soil presidential nominee in 1848 but didn’t win any electoral votes. As the U.S. expanded westward, the Free Soil Party advocated banning slavery in the new territories but not abolishing it in the places it already existed. The party described its principles with the slogan “free soil, free speech, free labor and free men.” Free Soilers pitched opposition to slavery on economic rather than moral grounds, arguing that expanding slavery would take jobs from Northern whites. The party dissolved after the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 thrust slavery further into the political fray, upending the political coalitions. Despite its short life, however, the Free Soil Party […]

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has come under scrutiny after attending Friday services in January at a Brooklyn mosque long linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Some Muslim critics are now urging voters to reexamine Mamdani’s alignment with the Brotherhood, a movement known for backing various terrorist groups and advocating for a global Islamic rule. The Brotherhood, which was recently outlawed in Jordan for destabilizing activities, has consistently shifted toward authoritarian rule wherever it gained power. Its vision includes the revival of an Islamic caliphate reminiscent of the pre-1924 era.

Mamdani’s alignment with the Muslim Brotherhood is not new. In 2013, as widespread demonstrations broke out in Egypt against then-President Mohamed Morsi, Mamdani publicly sided with Morsi’s Brotherhood-led administration. That same June, he took to Twitter to defend the group’s record in Egypt, publishing a lengthy thread titled “Unpacking Anti-Muslim Brotherhood Discourse.”

The Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, the mosque Mamdani visited, has a controversial past. The former imam once hailed Reem Al-Riyashi, a Hamas suicide bomber who blew herself up in 2004, as a “martyr” and rejected the notion that Hamas commits terrorism. The mosque’s association with extremism traces back to 1994, when a Jewish student was murdered near the Brooklyn Bridge in a retaliatory attack tied to the group, following the massacre of Palestinians in Hebron by an Israeli gunman.

President Donald Trump criticized Mamdani over his far-left economic views, declaring him “a communist” for advocating government control over industries and food distribution. Mamdani himself once joked on X (formerly Twitter), “the commie routine is cover for Sharia law” and added, “communism IS Sharia law.”

Zuhdi Jasser, who leads the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, voiced his concern over Mamdani’s dual ideological leanings. “This is a primary example of the red-green axis where you have a trained progressivist and Marxist promoting Socialism and also Islamism,” Jasser said.

The mosque’s imam, Sheikh Mohamed Elbar, who hosted Mamdani during the January visit, is affiliated with the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), a Qatari-financed group known for opposing normalization with Israel. Elbar has publicly denounced Muslim leaders willing to make peace with Israel and condemned those who called on Palestinians to lay down their weapons in 2018.

IUMS, largely led by Muslim Brotherhood members, has a history of supporting Hamas and harboring extremists, including individuals linked to al-Qaida. The group’s founder, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, once gave his blessing to suicide bombings and declared that Islam would conquer the West—not by war, but through missionary work and immigration. “Islam will prevail and overcome all the religions,” Qaradawi said at a 1995 convention in Ohio. “Conquest through dawah, that is what we hope for. We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America! Not through the sword but through dawah.”

The IUMS’s platform aligns with the Muslim Brotherhood’s charter, which defines it as a global religious-political movement working to establish Islamic rule and ultimately a theocratic state.

Elbar has also made openly antisemitic remarks. In a 2014 protest in New York against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, he accused Saudi Arabia of being “dirtier than the Jews” and accused them of selling out Egypt to Jewish interests. His hostility toward Israel is not confined to politics—it clearly crosses into hatred of Jews as a whole.

The New York Post revealed last August that Elbar prayed for the destruction of Israel and praised Hamas fighters. “Oh Allah, annihilate those who occupied their lands, and those who betrayed and deserted them, and those who spilled their blood,” he said. “The mujahideen [Hamas fighters] in Gaza are achieving more than our Arab armies could in 1967 and 1973.”

After the fall of the Brotherhood regime in Egypt, Elbar became a leading voice for Egyptian Americans for Democracy and Human Rights (EADHR), a group filled with Muslim Brotherhood loyalists. Egyptian officials have linked the group to fundraising for terrorist activities and promoting violent rhetoric. Elbar himself once expressed hope that President El-Sisi would be executed. “[O]nce people pledge allegiance to a Muslim ruler, it is forbidden to struggle against him and remove him, and if anyone removes him, he should be beheaded,” he said in Arabic at a 2016 rally. “Do you know who ought to be beheaded? Who should be stricken with the sword or hanged or detained? He who came to fight, and not the legitimate president [Morsi].”

At that same 2016 conference, which his organization co-hosted, Elbar appeared alongside Gamal Heshmat, a senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Guidance Bureau, revealing Elbar’s connections to the Brotherhood’s upper ranks.

Elbar’s veneration of the late Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mahdi Akef, who lauded Osama bin Laden as a “mujahid,” raises further concerns. When Akef died in prison in 2017, Elbar declared, “We ask Almighty Allah to elevate Mahdi Akef to the ranks of the martyrs … Oh Allah, he died as a Mujahid for your cause, so grant him the status of the Mujahideen.” A memorial for Akef was also held at the Bay Ridge mosque—an event only Brotherhood insiders would organize.

Zahack Tanvir, an Indian Muslim writer critical of Islamist ideology, said Mamdani’s engagement with Elbar and the Bay Ridge mosque reflects troubling priorities. “Zohran Mamdani’s visit to the Bay Ridge mosque and meeting with Imam Sheikh Mohamed Elbar, linked to Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood, raises concerns about his priorities,” Tanvir told Newsmax. “While Mamdani champions progressive causes like Pride rallies, the imam’s views reportedly clash with those values, including harsh stances on issues like socialism and LGBTQ rights based on his interpretation of Islamic law.”

Tanvir added, “This Ilhan Omar league, supports the Islamists and empower them come what may. Quran speaks against Socialism, and the Imam is well-aware of it, and would be teaching his followers about how communism, socialism are the tools of Satan and Muslims eventually have to eliminate all Isms and establish Shariah.”

Mamdani’s supporters have dismissed the controversy, attributing it to anti-Muslim bigotry. Defenders include prominent Democrats and Islamist-leaning activists, as well as organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “Many of the trends we are seeing mirror common Islamophobic content — Muslims as other and as a threat,” said CAIR’s Corey Saylor in a statement to The Guardian.

But CAIR’s roots raise their own questions. The organization was established in 1994 by figures tied to Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzook and the Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee, according to federal court documents. The Palestine Committee’s mission, per internal records, was to build support for Hamas in the U.S. In 2009, Judge Jorge Solis ruled in the Holy Land Foundation terror funding case that prosecutors presented “prima facie evidence” linking CAIR to a plot to back Hamas.

Mamdani’s admiration for the five men convicted in that 2008 case was publicly expressed in a rap he released in 2017, in which he declared his “love” for the “Holy Land Five.” The charity at the center of that case, the Holy Land Foundation, was founded by Marzook in 1990 and operated under the Brotherhood’s umbrella.

“He seems to be comfortable with … Islamist groups and speaks to the demagoguery,” Jasser observed. “Ideologically, he is obviously … because of his aspirations he stays silent on the theology, but that’s pretty typical of the political Islamists … Even though they don’t say it publicly, they are part of the political Islamist movement represented by the Muslim Brotherhood and the Khomenists that want to achieve the global caliphate.”

{Matzav.com}

Staff and children at Camp Yeka in western Ukraine were forced to take shelter overnight as drone sirens sounded overhead, triggering emergency safety protocols. The camp, which serves Jewish children from across the country—many from areas still affected by war—temporarily suspended activities as staff guided campers to bomb shelters. All individuals were reported safe. The alert marked a disruption in what has otherwise been a summer of respite and community for the campers. Located in a region previously considered more stable, Camp Yeka has implemented safety procedures to respond to the evolving security situation in Ukraine. Despite the incident, camp programming has resumed, and operations continue as planned. Donations can be made to the kiruv camp at charidy.com/Yeka (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Trump issued a fresh series of tariff warnings on Wednesday, notifying six nations that they’ll face steep duties on their exports to the U.S. unless new trade deals are finalized by August 1.

The Philippines was told it would be hit with a 20% tariff rate. Brunei and Moldova were warned of a 25% duty, while Algeria, Iraq, and Libya are now staring down the possibility of a 30% tariff unless negotiations succeed.

“It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship,” Trump wrote in each of the letters sent to the respective countries.

The letters emphasized the justification for these proposed levies, with Trump stating, “Please understand that these Tariffs are necessary to correct the many years of Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, causing these unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States.”

He further argued that the consequences of these trade imbalances were not limited to the economy. “This [trade] Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!”

The proposed rates largely aligned with those Trump introduced back on April 2 during his so-called “Liberation Day” announcement, where he outlined a sweeping plan of tailored tariffs targeting nations around the globe.

Although originally scheduled to go into effect shortly after that announcement, the tariff rollout was postponed for 90 days. Trump later pushed the implementation date to August 1, giving countries a final window to negotiate and avoid the penalties.

{Matzav.com}

Kamala Harris once recorded an interview ahead of the presidential election that was ultimately deemed too bizarre to release, according to a social media host who recently disclosed the incident.

The then-candidate participated in a taping of “Subway Takes,” an internet-based show hosted by Kareem Rahma, where guests reveal controversial or unexpected opinions. The segment, filmed during the summer of 2024, never made it online. Rahma explained the situation in an interview with Forbes reporter Steven Bertoni, which was posted to TikTok on Monday.

“Her take was really confusing and weird, not good, and so [we] mutually agreed we shouldn’t publish it,” Rahma told Bertoni during their conversation.

Rahma admitted the taping had gone so poorly that he genuinely worried the backlash could have been pinned on him if Harris lost the election. He shared how unsettling the exchange felt at the time.

“Her take was that bad?” Bertoni asked.

“It was really, really bad,” Rahma responded. “It didn’t make any sense.”

Trying to recall the strange moment, Rahma described Harris’s “hot take” with visible discomfort: “Bacon as a spice.”

According to Rahma, Harris’s team had initially informed the show’s producers that her chosen opinion would be a stance against people removing their shoes during flights.

However, when the cameras started rolling, Harris unexpectedly pivoted to an entirely different statement.

“Bacon is a spice,” Harris declared, as reported by The New York Times, which obtained a copy of the unreleased video.

Rahma, who follows a Muslim diet and refrains from eating pork, seemed startled and replied uncertainly, “I don’t know.” But Harris stuck with her position.

“Think about it, it’s pure flavor,” she elaborated, explaining that crispy bacon bits could function like a seasoning to enhance dishes.

Rahma then asked if an alternative like turkey or beef bacon could be used instead. He paused to clarify to Harris that he doesn’t consume bacon at all.

He suggested returning to the original plan — a segment about airline etiquette involving shoe removal.

Instead, Harris pivoted once again. After a brief exchange with one of her advisers, she launched into an unexpected endorsement of anchovies as a pizza topping.

The conversation rapidly deteriorated into awkwardness, prompting Rahma to bring it to a close.

“Well, I’m 100 percent unsure on both of those,” he said, ending the segment with an uneasy laugh.

{Matzav.com}

Chipmaker Nvidia became the first public company to top $4 trillion in value on Wednesday after two-year investor frenzy. Nvidia shares rose 2.5%, or $3.97, in early trading Wednesday, topping $164 each. At the beginning of 2023, Nvidia shares were around $14 each. The poster child of the AI boom, Nvidia has grown into the most valuable company in the world, surpassing Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Google parent Alphabet. The stock’s movement carries more weight on the S&P 500 and other indexes than every company except Apple. Two years ago, Nvidia’s market value was below $600 billion. In its most recent quarter, Nvidia overcame tariff-driven turbulence to deliver another quarter of robust growth amid feverish demand for its high-powered AI chips. Nvidia earned $18.8 billion, or 76 cents per share, in the period, a 26% increase from the same time last year. Revenue surged 69% from a year ago to $44.1 billion. If not for a $4.5 billion charge that Nvidia absorbed to account for the U.S. government’s restrictions on its chip sales to China, Nvidia would have made 96 cents per share, far above the 73 cents per share envisioned by analysts. Nvidia reports its second-quarter results next month. Wall Street is expecting another quarter of record sales and profit for the Santa Clara, California, company. Nvidia and other companies benefiting from the AI boom have been a major reason the S&P 500 has climbed to record after record recently. Their explosion of profits has helped to propel the market despite worries about stubbornly high inflation and possible pain coming for the U.S. economy from tariffs and other policies of President Donald Trump. (AP)

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who previously served as the White House physician, chose not to respond to questions on Wednesday regarding Joe Biden’s cognitive health. Instead, he invoked the Fifth Amendment and left a high-stakes congressional deposition without offering any insight.

O’Connor, who has been closely connected to the Biden family for years, departed from the House Oversight Committee session after roughly an hour. As he left, his attorney, David Schertler, addressed reporters with a brief statement: “No comments to press.”

“Dr. O’Connor pleaded the Fifth Amendment,” stated Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky shortly after O’Connor’s exit. “I’m gonna read the first two questions that were asked.”

“‘Were you ever told to lie about the president’s health?’ He pleaded the Fifth Amendment,” Comer recounted. “‘Did you ever believe President Biden was unfit to execute his duties?’ Again, President Biden’s White House physician pleaded the Fifth Amendment.”

An Oversight Committee spokesperson confirmed that the only answer O’Connor gave was stating his name. The spokesperson also noted that doctor-patient confidentiality would not have prevented him from addressing many of the questions posed.

Calling the situation “unprecedented,” Comer asserted that the physician’s refusal to answer only intensified suspicions of a coordinated attempt to hide the president’s mental deterioration.

In a press release following the deposition, Comer further alleged there had been “a conspiracy to cover up” the mental state of the nation’s 46th president.

“Congress must assess legislative solutions to prevent such a coverup from happening again,” he continued. “We will continue to interview more Biden White House aides to get the answers Americans deserve.”

The committee has already scheduled its next conversation for Friday with Ashley Williams, who once served as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations.

Annie Tomasini, who previously held the title of Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff, is slated for an interview on July 18.

According to Comer, O’Connor’s decision to take the Fifth lent further weight to the claims made in the book Original Sin, published in May by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which portrays a group of Biden aides — dubbed the “Politburo” — as the true power brokers within the administration.

The group described in the book included Tomasini, along with several other senior staffers who are also expected to appear before the committee. These include Ron Klain, former White House chief of staff (scheduled for July 24); Steve Ricchetti, who served as counselor to the president (July 30); Mike Donilon, another longtime adviser (July 31); and Bruce Reed, the former deputy chief of staff for policy (August 5).

Anita Dunn, who stepped down from her role as senior communications adviser in August 2024, has agreed to appear for a transcribed interview on August 7.

One of the central questions O’Connor declined to answer was whether he had ever been directed to lie about Biden’s condition — a refusal that has become a flashpoint for critics.

The Trump White House, according to sources, opted not to exercise executive privilege to block any of O’Connor’s responses.

“There’s more and more evidence that comes out every day that would suggest that the president was in a pretty severe mental decline, so we’re going to ask about that,” Comer said ahead of the hearing.

“We can’t have the physician’s office not being truthful about the health condition of the president,” he added, noting that this inquiry is part of a broader probe into who within the administration was permitted to use an autopen for official signatures, including executive orders and pardons.

Schertler, who accompanied O’Connor at the deposition, is a well-known criminal defense attorney who also represented Dr. Anthony Fauci during his testimony before a separate Oversight subcommittee last year focused on the coronavirus pandemic.

{Matzav.com}