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Iran on Monday claimed Israeli intelligence involvement in nationwide unrest after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly voiced support for protesters challenging the Islamic Republic’s leadership. At a weekly press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei accused Israel of attempting to fracture Iran from within, warning that the government would not tolerate foreign-backed destabilization. […]

The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — leaving other immunizations, such as flu shots, open to families to choose but without clear guidance. Officials said the overhaul to the federal vaccine schedule won’t result in any families losing access or insurance coverage for […]

Rabbi Chezky Lifshitz, head of Chabad of Nepal, said he did not intend to accuse the owner of the organization’s longtime building of antisemitism after they were evicted from their Kathmandu premises last week. In an interview with The Times of Israel, Lifshitz sought to clarify remarks made in a recent Facebook post by Chabad […]

Large numbers of Americans are increasingly using ChatGPT as a substitute source for medical guidance, with roughly 40 million people saying they turn to the tool for health-related information, according to new findings cited by OpenAI and reported by Axios. The report indicates that health questions now account for more than 5 percent of all messages sent to the AI system worldwide, even though medical decisions are often highly personal and depend on individual circumstances.

The data suggests that many users rely on ChatGPT when traditional medical care is harder to access. Underserved rural areas alone generate “an average of nearly 600,000 health care-related messages every week,” and seven out of ten health-related questions are submitted outside standard office hours, Axios reports.

Beyond symptom-related concerns, users are increasingly employing the technology to navigate the financial side of health care. The report estimates that between 1.6 million and 1.9 million insurance-related searches are conducted weekly, with people seeking help to understand coverage, compare prices, identify possible overcharges, and even challenge denied claims.

Survey responses included in the report show that a majority of U.S. users have turned to ChatGPT for direct medical exploration. Among respondents, 55 percent said they had used the tool to “check or explore symptoms,” 48 percent reported using it to “understand medical terms or instructions,” and 44 percent said they relied on it to “learn about treatment options.”

The report notes that its findings focus solely on ChatGPT usage and do not account for other artificial intelligence tools, including AI-generated responses that appear at the top of Google search results.

{Matzav.com}

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro repeatedly tried to speak during his first court appearance in New York City on Monday, insisting “I am innocent.” Maduro made the remarks during his arraignment in federal court on Monday, but Judge Alvin Hellerstein repeatedly shut down his attempts to speak. Maduro pleaded not guilty to all four counts against […]

An urgent meeting of leading roshei yeshiva and rabbonim from across the tri-state area was convened last night in Lakewood, NJ to address what participants described as the growing spiritual dangers posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to safeguard yeshivos from its influence.

The gathering was held at Ateres Chana Hall at Bais Faiga and drew senior Torah leadership. The meeting was called amid rising concern that rapid advances in AI technology present unprecedented challenges to kedusha, focus, and the integrity of the Olam HaTorah.

Those in attendance included Rav Yosef Mermelstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Novominsk; Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Yerachmiel; Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood; Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Elya Kanarek, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr Hameir of Peekskill; the roshei yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Dovid Schustal, Rav Yeruchem Olshin, and Rav Yisroel Neuman; Rav Yisroel Ehrlich, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Mishkan Hatorah; Rav Eliyahu Yagid, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Keren Hatorah; Rav Avrohom Bromberg, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar Hatalmud; Rav Yaakov Horowitz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Meir; Rav Dovid Breslauer, rosh kollel of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Shmuel Abba Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Hillside; Rav Yitzchok Lichtenstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rav Simcha Bunim Paler, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Mekor Chaim; Rav Uri Meir Kanarek, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Noam Hatalmud; Rav Moshe Pruzansky, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chemdas Hatorah; and other rabbonim.

Speakers emphasized that while technology in general — and AI in particular — is advancing at a pace never before seen, the Torah world must respond with clarity and firm boundaries. The discussion focused on how AI tools can quietly penetrate yeshiva environments, affect purity of thought, undermine discipline, and introduce influences that can be damaging to a ben Torah.

In his remarks, Rav Wachtfogel framed the challenge in stark but nuanced terms, describing AI as an “Eitz Hadaas Tov V’Ra.” He explained that the difficulty lies precisely in the fact that AI contains elements that are beneficial alongside components that are deeply harmful. “Halevai that it should only be ra, if only it would only have bad components,” he said. If that were the case, he noted, the battle would be far simpler. It is the blend of usefulness and danger, he explained, that makes AI so complex and so perilous for the Olam HaTorah.

Speakers stressed that what makes AI especially threatening is not only what it can do, but how subtly it can enter a person’s life, reshape thinking, and erode sensitivity without immediate awareness.

The assembled rabbonim spoke about the responsibility of roshei yeshiva and mechanchim to act proactively and establish clear policies.

{Matzav.com / Photo: Yissochar Dunoff}

Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Zini has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking 500,000 shekels against Haaretz, accusing the newspaper of orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign aimed at him and his family in the lead-up to the appointment of his nephew, David Zini, as head of Israel’s Shin Bet. According to the lawsuit, filed through attorneys Yechiel Weinrot, […]

Prime Minister Netanyahu met this evening in his office in Jerusalem with U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D – NJ).

TRUMP: Minnesota’s Corrupt Governor will possibly leave office before his Term is up but, in any event, will not be running again because he was caught, REDHANDED, along with Ilhan Omar, and others of his Somali friends, stealing Tens of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars. I feel certain the facts will come out, and they will […]

The Trump administration is ending universal CDC recommendations for several childhood vaccines, including rotavirus, Covid-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B — instead advising parents decide with healthcare providers. The CDC is also changing guidance for RSV, dengue and meningococcal vaccines so they are recommended only for high-risk children.

At a public gathering marking the return home of a yeshiva bochur who had been released from Israeli military prison after refusing to report to the Draft Office, Rav Tzemach Mazuz delivered pointed remarks urging reconciliation and mutual respect across Israeli society.

The rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Kisei Rachamim focused his comments on tensions between the chareidi community and the Israel Defense Forces, warning that internal strife only weakens the nation.

Calling for a shift in mindset, Rav Mazuz stressed that the relationship between Torah learners and soldiers should not be viewed as adversarial. “It’s a shame that we have baseless hatred, as if we and the army are against each other. No, we complement each other!”

He went on to invoke the historical consequences of division, urging the public to replace animosity with genuine care and unity. “Enough with baseless hatred, it caused the destruction of the Second Bais Hamikdosh. Let’s increase ‘baseless love.’ I love every soldier. I love the army. They are doing their job, and we are doing our job. Together, with G-d’s help, Am Yisroel chai.”

{Matzav.com}

Under heavy security, a motorcade believed to be transporting Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, departed a Lower Manhattan federal courthouse following their arraignment.

A crowd gathered outside New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center, singing in celebration as Nicolás Maduro is held there following his capture by the U.S. in Venezuela.

The Bank of Israel has cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 4% for the second consecutive time — despite most economists expecting no change. The bank cited a stronger shekel, easing inflation after the December CPI, and declining risk levels. Governor Amir Yaron said policy will remain cautious due to continued uncertainty.

Tim Walz: “I don’t want to mince words here. Donald Trump and his allies in Washington and in Saint Paul and online want to make our state a colder, meaner place.”

Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro will be represented by defense attorney Barry Pollack, known for representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, while his wife, Cilia Flores, will be defended by former Houston federal prosecutor Mark Donnelly.

Governor Tim Walz holds a press conference after announcing he will not seek re-election in 2026.

An American military operation in Venezuela killed 32 Cuban officers over the weekend, the Cuban government said Sunday in the first official death count provided of the American strikes in the South American nation. The Cuban military and police officers were on a mission the Caribbean country’s military was carrying out at the request of […]

A defamation lawsuit seeking half a million shekels has been filed by Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Zini against Haaretz, alleging that the paper carried out a coordinated effort to damage his reputation and that of his family. The suit was submitted through his legal team, Dr. Yehiel Weinrot, Tal Shachaf, and Yehuda Schwartz.

According to the filing, the campaign began on September 4, 2025, when a prominent article appeared on the front page of a Haaretz weekend supplement. Written by Hilo Glazer, the piece carried the headline “There Have Been Extremists in Israel’s Leadership, But a Shin Bet Head Like David Zini Has Never Been Seen.”

The lawsuit claims the presentation of the article was designed to cultivate what it describes as a “dramatic and dark atmosphere,” featuring oversized text and a black background. The article allegedly cast suspicion on Major General David Zini, the incoming head of the Shin Bet, and focused particular attention on his uncle, Rabbi Eliyahu Zini.

At the center of the complaint is Glazer’s assertion that Rabbi Zini authored an article in the book Baruch HaGever. In that piece, Glazer allegedly wrote, Rabbi Zini praised the massacre at the Cave of the Patriarchs and claimed that “the prohibition of ‘Do not kill’ does not apply to a Jew who kills a non-Jew.”

Rabbi Zini flatly denies those claims, calling them entirely fabricated. The lawsuit states that “the plaintiff never wrote or contributed an article to this book; his name does not appear in the list of authors; there is no reference to him regarding the massacre at the Cave of the Patriarchs; and he has never made the claims attributed to him on any platform.”

The suit further alleges that the accusations were repeated weeks later. On September 22, 2025, another Haaretz article, this time by Doron Koren, again attributed the same statements to Rabbi Zini, adding what the lawsuit describes as heightened “sensationalism,” including the claim that “His nephew (Rabbi Dr. Zini) praised the massacre at the Cave of the Patriarchs in an article in the book Baruch HaGever and claimed that ‘Do not kill’ does not apply to a Jew who kills a non-Jew.”

According to the filing, additional Haaretz writers echoed the allegations after the initial publication, including in an editorial titled “Zini’s Test” and in a separate article by Yossi Klein.

Rabbi Zini contends that the cumulative effect of these publications amounted to a “coordinated and timed campaign of intimidation designed to tarnish the reputation of the family and relatives of the new head of the Shin Bet, Major General David Zini, with the goal of thwarting his appointment.” He argues that readers could reasonably come away believing he praised the massacre, an assertion he insists is completely untrue.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a forceful response this evening to opposition criticism during a 40-signature debate in the Knesset, rejecting claims about the government’s conduct and laying out what he described as the strategic consequences of its decisions.

Turning to the opposition benches, Netanyahu addressed Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid directly, saying, “Keep shouting.” He followed with a pointed jab at the party’s political standing: “You should carefully measure the level of shouting in your faction because there are only four realistic seats.”

Netanyahu then launched a broader attack on the opposition’s approach, accusing it of reflexive resistance to critical government actions. “You are an extremist opposition that automatically opposes the fateful decisions we make, and thanks to which we guarantee the eternity of Israel. It’s lucky we didn’t listen to you, because otherwise there would have been hostages alive in Gaza, Sinwar would have been alive, Nasrallah would have been alive, and Iran would have rushed towards nuclear weapons. Reality clearly proves that we are not the extremists. We are very balanced, determined, and powerful.”

Addressing Iran, Netanyahu warned that Israel and the United States remain aligned on preventing Tehran from rebuilding its military capabilities. “Trump and I will not allow Iran to restore its ballistic missile industry and nuclear program,” he said. He added that Israel stands with the Iranian public while underscoring the gravity of the moment: “We identify with the struggle of the Iranian people. We may be standing at a crucial moment. If we are attacked, the consequences for Iran will be very serious.”

Referencing his meeting with President Trump in Florida last week, Netanyahu said the two leaders reaffirmed shared objectives regarding Gaza. “The President emphasized our shared commitment to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza,” he told the Knesset.

In closing remarks aimed again at his critics, Netanyahu accused the opposition of undermining national strength while claiming to promote unity. “You, with your defeatism and bowing your heads, in opposing every decision the government has made for Israel, are the extremists who are harming our national cohesion and resilience. This is expressed in many areas. You talk about unity and at the same time, you are dividing.”

{Matzav.com}