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Beginning August 1, restaurants and other food establishments across New Jersey will no longer be permitted to automatically include plastic utensils with takeout and delivery orders under the state’s new “Skip the Stuff” law, a measure aimed at reducing plastic waste and litter.

The law applies to restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias, cafés, and other establishments serving prepared food. Instead of automatically providing plastic forks, knives, spoons, or similar disposable utensils, businesses will be required to distribute them only when specifically requested by customers.

State officials say the initiative is intended to reduce the amount of single-use plastic entering landfills, waterways, and the environment, building on New Jersey’s previous efforts to curb plastic waste, including the statewide ban on single-use plastic shopping bags.

Customers who want plastic utensils will still be able to receive them. The new law does not prohibit their use or distribution altogether; it simply requires consumers to ask for them rather than having them included automatically with every order.

Businesses that fail to comply will initially receive a warning. A second violation can result in fines of $100 per day until the business comes into compliance, while a third or subsequent violation may carry penalties of $250 per day until the violation is corrected.

Supporters of the law argue that reducing unnecessary plastic waste will benefit the environment by cutting down on litter and pollution throughout the state.

At the same time, some business owners and industry advocates have expressed concern that the new requirements may create additional burdens for restaurants and other small businesses, which are already navigating rising operating costs and increased regulatory requirements. While many acknowledge the environmental goals behind the legislation, some worry it will add another operational challenge for food service establishments across New Jersey.

Newly released audio recordings from Joe Biden’s conversations with the ghostwriter of his 2017 memoir capture him discussing classified materials, warning that some documents may contain sensitive information, and at times appearing to lose his train of thought. The recordings, which surfaced Monday after a lengthy legal battle, were previously reviewed during Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents.

The heavily redacted recordings, totaling roughly 70 hours, were released to the House Judiciary Committee and the conservative Oversight Project after two years of litigation. The conversations were recorded while Biden worked with ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer on his memoir, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose.

The recordings had already been examined by former Special Counsel Robert Hur during his 2023-2024 investigation into Biden’s retention of classified records following the end of his tenure as vice president in 2017.

In one portion of the recordings, Biden appears to discuss discovering classified materials among his personal papers, saying, “So this was, I early on, um, in ’09 I just found all the classified stuff downstairs.”

At another point, Biden cautions Zwonitzer about documents they were reviewing together, saying, “Some of this may be classified so be careful with it. I’m not sure … It’s not marked classified but —”

According to Hur’s final report, Biden read “nearly verbatim” from notebooks containing sensitive national security and foreign policy information while working with Zwonitzer on the memoir.

The recordings also capture Biden apparently realizing in real time that some of the documents in front of him contained classified information. In one exchange, he says, “The next thing I have here is, um, this is classified …”

According to CBS News, which first reviewed the tapes, Biden also discussed White House meetings that may have involved classified information, including what he described as “a big meeting with the CIA and everyone,” “a big meeting down in the Situation Room,” and “a long meeting where DOD brief … POTUS.”

One recording dated October 10, 2016, includes Biden speaking about notes he had retained without others realizing it.

“I have extensive notes over this period of time … They didn’t know I have this,” he said.

The newly released audio also includes several moments in which Biden appears to struggle to recall information or loses his train of thought during conversations with his ghostwriter.

At one point, Biden says, “Alright — what was I going to ask you? Something else … Uh… um. Oh gosh. I can’t think of anything else.”

In another exchange, Biden pauses to review his papers, telling Zwonitzer, “Hang on a second,” before later adding, “Um … it’s confusing me.”

Hur ultimately concluded that Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials” after leaving office as vice president. However, he declined to pursue criminal charges, writing that Biden would “likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

After enduring two years of captivity in Hamas terror tunnels, former hostage Rom Breslavski marked a deeply emotional milestone by completing the final letter of a Sefer Torah that had been left unfinished until the day of his release.

The Sefer Torah had been commissioned specifically as a zechus for Breslavski’s safe return from Gaza. Its completion, with Breslavski himself writing the final letter, became a powerful symbol of emunah, hope, and survival, drawing an emotional response from those in attendance.

Breslavski shared footage of the ceremony on social media, revealing that the Sefer Torah had been commissioned while he was still being held captive by Hamas. Throughout his imprisonment, those behind the project refused to complete it, believing and praying that he would one day return to finish it himself.

The initiative was led by Tzachi Amoyal, who dedicated the Sefer Torah to Breslavski’s safe return. Demonstrating extraordinary faith and patience, Amoyal intentionally left the final letter unwritten, insisting that no one else would complete the Sefer Torah until Breslavski was freed.

Despite moments when he considered finishing the Sefer Torah himself, Amoyal remained steadfast in his commitment, waiting two full years for Breslavski to return and complete the sacred task. His decision ultimately became a remarkable expression of unwavering faith.

During the ceremony, Breslavski explained that Amoyal had refused to finish the Sefer Torah until he emerged from what he described as “the house of slavery.” Video from the event shows Breslavski writing the final letter before emotionally announcing that a Sefer Torah now bears his name.

“Father, thank You so much for the privilege of being the owner of a Sefer Torah,” Breslavski said, directing his words to Hashem. His brief but heartfelt expression of gratitude reflected his appreciation not only for surviving captivity, but also for returning to his family, his people, and a life centered on Torah.

Since his release, Breslavski has undertaken a highly public spiritual journey that has resonated with many across Israel.

Several weeks ago, he removed a tattoo from his arm that had identified him as Jewish in the eyes of his Hamas captors. According to Breslavski, the tattoo led the terrorists to force him to wear a jacket in the sweltering Gaza heat in order to conceal it.

He has also begun wearing a large yarmulka covering most of his head, describing the decision as another meaningful step in his renewed spiritual commitment.

“Call me a crazy Jew. I decided to take this upon myself,” he wrote at the time.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is expected to present President Donald Trump with new Israeli intelligence indicating that Iran is expanding activity at its deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility and is using ongoing negotiations with the United States to conceal continued advances in its nuclear program, according to a source in Yerushalayim.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump on Monday, with Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the recent conflict with the Islamic Republic expected to dominate the discussions.

According to the source, the Israeli delegation intends to share intelligence showing that Tehran has continued advancing its nuclear program while falsely portraying itself as committed to diplomatic negotiations. Israeli officials are expected to argue that Iran is not negotiating in good faith.

Israel has reportedly obtained evidence showing that nuclear centrifuges have recently been transported to the highly secretive Pickaxe Mountain complex—the first known transfer of such equipment to the site since construction began in 2020, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The underground installation is located more than 300 feet beneath Kolang Mountain near Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility and has long been suspected of serving as a key component of the regime’s nuclear infrastructure.

Until recently, there had been no publicly known evidence of active nuclear operations at the facility. President Trump previously cited the lack of such evidence as one reason the site had not been targeted during earlier military operations against Iran.

Last week, Trump also sought to dismiss reports of activity at the facility, telling reporters that the United States had no information confirming such developments.

More recently, however, the president has indicated that he would be willing to authorize military action against the mountain complex. Reports have also suggested that American forces have prepared contingency plans for a possible ground operation aimed at securing hundreds of pounds of enriched uranium believed to be stored deep inside the underground facility.

The source added that Israel also plans to present intelligence indicating that Iran has already begun rebuilding portions of its missile and drone programs, which suffered extensive damage during repeated American airstrikes.

Israeli officials believe the intelligence demonstrates that Iran has no intention of abandoning either its nuclear ambitions or its missile program despite participating in ceasefire negotiations with the United States.

President Trump recently decided to suspend what had been planned as a nearly two-week bombing campaign against Iran after new diplomatic efforts emerged in an attempt to halt Tehran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition to discussing Iran’s latest military and nuclear activity, Netanyahu is also expected to update President Trump on efforts to preserve the ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, where Iranian-backed terrorist organizations continue to operate.

Netanyahu is expected to remain in Washington through Tuesday, when he will join President Trump and other world leaders in paying their respects at memorial events honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Monday that he intends to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin over allegations that Moscow has been supplying Iran with intelligence used to target American military installations in the Middle East. While Trump said he wants to determine whether the claims are accurate, he added that any such assistance has done little to alter the outcome because of the devastating blows inflicted on Iran by recent U.S. military action.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about reports that Russia may be sharing intelligence with Tehran. He responded that he plans to raise the issue directly with Putin.

“Well, we’ll find out if that’s true,” Trump told reporters Monday on Air Force One. “I’ll ask Putin about it.”

The renewed scrutiny follows remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who announced Saturday that his government intends to provide the Trump administration with evidence it says shows Russia has been assisting Iran through satellite surveillance of U.S. military sites and Gulf nations.

“Since the beginning of July, we have recorded active Russian satellite surveillance of the Gulf states and U.S. military facilities located there,” Zelenskyy said on X.

“These images subsequently appear in Iran. At the same time, there is a clear correlation between Russia’s satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes — both before the attacks, in preparation for them, and afterward, to assess the damage inflicted.”

Trump said that even if Zelenskyy’s allegations prove accurate, the intelligence sharing has had little practical effect because of the extensive damage inflicted on Iran.

If Zelenskyy is right, Trump told reporters, it “hasn’t had much impact because we’ve knocked the hell out of” Iran.

Trump’s latest comments come just days after he publicly downplayed suggestions that Russia or China had been providing meaningful military or intelligence support to Tehran, a position that appeared to differ from testimony offered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee last Tuesday, Hegseth acknowledged that there were “ways in which both of those countries” were “enabling” Tehran “at different levels.” When pressed on how “enabling” differed from direct assistance, Trump later dismissed the distinction.

Speaking from the Oval Office last week, Trump said he had received assurances from both Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Putin that they would not become involved.

“Well, I don’t know that they’re enabling. I mean, I will tell you that [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping] said he will not partake, and President Putin said the same thing … I trust them,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

Trump concluded by acknowledging that some limited activity may have occurred but maintained that it has not significantly affected the conflict, adding that he believes neither leader wants to jeopardize America’s confidence in them.

“There could be some things you do, but thus far, at least, [it] has not been major. I don’t think they’d want to have me disappointed,” Trump added.

{Matzav.com}

Johnson & Johnson announced Monday that it has reached a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming its talc-based baby powder and other products caused ovarian cancer, marking a major step toward ending years of high-profile litigation against the healthcare giant.

According to the company, the agreement resolves approximately 69,000 lawsuits that have been consolidated in federal court in New Jersey, along with related state court cases. Altogether, the settlement covers 99.75% of the remaining talc-related claims currently pending against the company.

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs confirmed the agreement on Monday, describing it as a positive resolution following a legal battle that has stretched on for roughly a decade. The settlement still requires approval from the federal judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation.

Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnson’s vice president of litigation, maintained that the allegations against the company were unfounded but said settling the cases was the best way to finally bring the dispute to an end.

“While we are confident the company would have ultimately prevailed with further litigation, as it has in the vast majority of cases tried to date, this resolution allows the company to put this matter behind it and remain focused on its mission to develop medicines and devices that save lives,” Haas said.

The settlement follows a significant legal victory for Johnson & Johnson last week, when a federal judge questioned whether individual plaintiffs could demonstrate that talc itself specifically caused their ovarian cancer.

Throughout the litigation, Johnson & Johnson has consistently denied that its talc products were responsible for causing cancer, asserting that its talc was safe and free of asbestos contamination. The company discontinued sales of its talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020 and replaced it with a cornstarch-based version.

The lawsuits resumed in March 2025 after remaining on hold for more than three years while Johnson & Johnson unsuccessfully attempted to resolve the claims through the bankruptcy of a subsidiary created to handle the litigation.

Unlike the company’s earlier bankruptcy proposals, the newly announced settlement applies only to existing lawsuits and does not resolve or limit any future talc-related claims that may be filed.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step into the ongoing legal battle over President Donald Trump’s executive order tightening restrictions on mail-in voting, seeking emergency relief just 99 days before the November midterm elections.

The request follows a 2-1 ruling by a federal appeals court on Shabbos that left in place an injunction blocking significant portions of Trump’s March executive order. The order instructs federal agencies to compile voter eligibility lists and authorizes new limits on the U.S. Postal Service’s handling of mail ballots that are not connected to those lists.

A coalition of 23 states has challenged the executive order, arguing that President Trump does not have the constitutional authority to establish federal election rules governing voting systems that are administered by state and local governments.

The Department of Justice contended that the lawsuit was filed too early because federal agencies have not yet finalized the policies necessary to implement the executive order. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, concluding that the states are already being forced to prepare for election changes that could significantly affect the upcoming vote.

In its majority opinion, the appeals court warned that the executive order would create “unprecedented levels of involvement by federal officials in how states administer elections” and could lead to voter confusion while increasing the risk of disenfranchisement.

The ruling is limited to the 23 states participating in the lawsuit. However, a separate federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., recently lifted a nationwide injunction involving the Postal Service provision, leaving open the possibility that the agency could enforce the ballot restrictions in other parts of the country.

President Trump and his supporters have defended the voting changes as necessary measures to protect election integrity and prevent illegal voting. Democrats and voting-rights organizations, meanwhile, argue that the restrictions could make it more difficult for eligible voters to receive and return mail ballots.

The executive order is part of a broader push by President Trump to overhaul election procedures ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. In addition to the mail-in voting changes, he has urged Congress to approve legislation establishing a nationwide voter identification requirement and requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Under the U.S. Constitution, primary responsibility for administering elections rests with the states rather than the federal government, a central issue at the heart of the legal dispute now before the Supreme Court.

{Matzav.com}

Ashley L. Jackson, the daughter of “civil rights leader” and infamous anti-Semite Rev. Jesse Jackson, has revealed that she has converted to Judaism following what she described as a deeply personal spiritual journey spanning several years.

In an opinion essay published in The Washington Post, Jackson wrote that she formally completed her conversion – a non-Orthodox conversion – on June 12 after years of study, personal reflection, health challenges, and an ever-deepening connection to Jewish life.

Jackson, a writer, producer, and founder of the nonprofit Push The Next Generation, recalled a memorable moment two years before her father’s passing, when he accompanied her to Shabbos services at her synagogue. Despite being a lifelong Baptist minister, she said he embraced the experience with warmth and enthusiasm.

She wrote: “As the Saturday morning service proceeded, my father sat in the front row – holding my hand, dancing to prayers in a language he did not speak, eating the Sunkist candies the congregation had tossed to celebrate a bar mitzvah.”

Explaining why she ultimately chose Judaism, Jackson said she discovered a religious tradition that reflected the principles she had been taught throughout her upbringing.

“I was raised to believe that faith must lead to action,” she wrote. “In Judaism, I found an enduring expression of this belief.”

She said she was especially drawn to Judaism’s emphasis on lifelong learning, meaningful ritual, and the ideal of Tikkun olam—repairing the world. Jackson added that hearing the shofar for the first time on Rosh Hashanah left a lasting emotional impression on her.

Jackson also reflected on what it means to identify as both Black and Jewish, acknowledging that the intersection of those identities can bring unique struggles while also offering opportunities for greater understanding.

She wrote that “racism and antisemitism can surface in even the most intimate and familiar spaces”, but also described “the meeting of two diasporas” and the shared histories of Black and Jewish communities.

In her essay, Jackson argued that relations between the African American and Jewish communities have become increasingly strained in recent years, even though both groups have long shared a commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity.

“About 1 percent of American Jews identify as Black,” she wrote. “Their experience – my experience – shows that the alienation between these two communities can be overcome.”

She also recounted the emotional reception her father received during his synagogue visit after the rabbi invited him to come forward for a blessing.

“Before she could speak, the congregation was already on its feet,” Jackson wrote. “My father – one of the most recognizable Baptist ministers in America – wept as the congregation offered him a spontaneous ovation.”

After completing her conversion, Jackson chose the Hebrew name Miriam Yiskah. She explained that the name Yiskah was selected as “a feminine echo of Jesse”, serving as a lasting tribute to her father’s memory.

Closing her essay, Jackson said she hopes her own story will help strengthen ties between communities during a period marked by growing antisemitism and anti-Black prejudice.

“I feel as though I have been entrusted with a sacred charge,” she wrote. “Amid widespread concerns about antisemitism and anti-Blackness, it is necessary to recall that our differences do not preclude unity.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Monday that while he and Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu have “some disagreements,” the United States and Israel remain closely aligned on confronting Iran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump also asserted that Tehran only agreed to negotiations after suffering devastating military losses in recent U.S. strikes and expressed optimism that a deal could still be reached.

While traveling aboard Air Force One en route to Waterford Township, Trump said Iran’s willingness to negotiate is a direct consequence of the damage inflicted by recent American military operations. He argued that the regime would never have sought talks had the campaign failed.

Speaking about Netanyahu, Trump praised the Israeli leader’s wartime leadership, saying, “I think he’s done a great job. We’ve pretty much destroyed their military.”

Trump said diplomatic contacts with Iran are now underway, though he cautioned that the outcome remains uncertain.

“They want to meet, and we’re meeting. We’ll see what happens. There’s a chance we can make a deal.”

According to Trump, Iran’s outreach came only after the United States demonstrated overwhelming military strength.

“Without what we did, they wouldn’t even be talking to us,” he said. “They requested a meeting through their surrogates and directly and we’re meeting.”

He added that investors have reacted positively to the developments, pointing to gains in the markets and falling energy prices.

“Oil dropped very big today. Stock markets as of about an hour ago was like through the roof.”

Asked whether he was prepared to wait for results from the negotiations, Trump indicated he was in no rush.

“I have plenty of time.”

Describing the impact of the military campaign, Trump said Iran’s strategic coastline had been severely damaged while maritime navigation through the Strait remained secure.

“The whole shoreline is wiped out. The Strait is in very good shape. And we’re talking right now.”

Trump also revealed that Iranian officials had appealed to Washington to stop additional strikes.

“Their people said, please don’t drop, don’t shoot.”

While expressing hope that diplomacy would succeed, Trump warned that military action could quickly resume if negotiations fail.

“We’re having good talks, so we’ll see what happens. I think there’s a good chance something could happen. And if it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago.”

Reflecting on the recent conflict, Trump said Iran’s armed forces had suffered extensive damage.

“Iran took a beating over the last 14 days, and they asked us very nicely, please stop.”

Addressing concerns about America’s military readiness, Trump dismissed suggestions that U.S. stockpiles were running low.

“We have plenty. We have a lot of ammunition.”

He said the administration is rapidly rebuilding inventories after, in his view, the previous administration depleted supplies by sending large quantities of weapons to Ukraine.

“When I left, the cupboards were full,” he said. “We’re building it very rapidly. Plants are being built, the Patriots in particular.”

Turning to his relationship with Netanyahu, Trump acknowledged there have been occasional differences but emphasized that both governments remain largely in sync regarding Iran.

“We have a little difference, but pretty close.”

Trump argued that American intervention prevented a far greater threat to Israel by crippling Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“If I didn’t get involved, if I didn’t blow up those nuclear essentially soon-to-be nuclear weapons… Israel would have been terminated.”

Asked about reports that Russia may have supplied Iran with intelligence on U.S. military installations, Trump said he intends to investigate the matter.

“We’ll find out if that’s true. I’ll ask Putin about it.”

Even if the reports prove accurate, Trump maintained they made little difference on the battlefield.

“It hasn’t had much impact because we’ve knocked the hell out of it.”

Trump also suggested that Iranian assets under U.S. control could ultimately be used to compensate for damage caused by Iran.

“We’re going to use Iran’s money to pay for the damage they did.”

Shifting to domestic issues, Trump said the American economy continues to strengthen, highlighting what he described as a resurgence in manufacturing.

“The car companies are doing better than they’ve ever done,” he said, adding that new factories were being built and claiming Toyota was shifting operations from Mexico because of tariffs.

Trump also declared that inflation is declining while blaming the previous administration for creating the economic problems he inherited.

“I inherited the worst inflation in history from Biden. But costs are going down rapidly.”

He reiterated his call for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, arguing that doing so would accelerate economic growth.

“Rates should be lowered. This country could be at 8%, 9%, 10%, 12% GDP.”

Defending his overall economic agenda, Trump said the United States is stronger than ever and pointed to Netanyahu’s upcoming visit as further evidence of the close U.S.-Israel relationship.

“The strongest we’ve ever been,” he said, adding, “Israel. Bibi’s coming. He’ll tell you.”

Discussing relations with Turkey, Trump described President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a personal friend while recognizing Ankara’s strained ties with Israel.

“Turkey has been a tremendous ally for me,” he said, while acknowledging Ankara “is not a big fan of Israel” or Netanyahu.

Asked whether diplomacy or additional military action represented the better path forward with Iran, Trump again praised Netanyahu’s leadership during the conflict.

“Bibi has been great. He’s a wartime prime minister. We did very well together.”

Turning to Congress, Trump criticized senators for leaving Washington before approving the SAVE Act.

“The SAVE Act has to be done. They shouldn’t leave town.”

He also accused Democrats of opposing voter identification requirements and proof of citizenship while supporting higher taxes, transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, and open borders.

“The Democrats are going to vote 100% against voter identification and proof of citizenship,” he said.

Trump concluded by expressing confidence that the United States continues to lead the world in artificial intelligence development.

“We’re leading now China substantially in AI and we’re going to keep it that way.”

Ending on an optimistic note, Trump declared that America’s position remains unmatched.

“We’re leading everybody and everything. We have a country that’s doing well.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to permanently eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes, calling on the Senate to approve legislation that would put an end to daylight saving time shifts after the House already passed the measure.

Speaking at a July 27 rally at a General Motors plant in Michigan, Trump encouraged lawmakers to scrap the longstanding practice of moving clocks ahead in the spring and back in the fall.

President Donald Trump voiced his support for ending the mandatory clock changes, arguing that Americans should no longer have to reset their clocks twice each year.

“Let’s get rid of daylight saving time stuff, OK?” Trump said July 27 at a rally at a General Motors plant in Michigan.

Trump noted that the House has already approved legislation allowing states to stop changing their clocks, and said he hopes the Senate will now send the bill to his desk. The Senate previously passed similar legislation in 2022.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, has acknowledged that the proposal’s path forward remains uncertain, saying it is unclear whether supporters can secure the 60 votes necessary to overcome procedural hurdles.

“Hopefully, the Senate is going to approve that one,” Trump said. “The House approved it and we’re going to get rid of that.”

Under the current system, most Americans set their clocks ahead by one hour each March and turn them back one hour each November. The seasonal time change is intended to provide more evening daylight during the warmer months while shifting additional daylight to the morning during the winter.

Backers of ending the biannual time change argue that repeatedly disrupting sleep schedules contributes to health problems and increases the risk of traffic accidents.

Arizona and Hawaii, along with the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, already do not observe daylight saving time. Another 19 states have passed legislation that would eliminate the clock changes once federal law allows them to do so, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

“Locking the clock all year long would have positive impacts on sleep schedules, energy conservation, motor vehicle safety and our economy,” Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, said July 13.

The proposal, however, continues to face opposition in the Senate. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, has argued against making daylight saving time permanent and could use Senate procedures to slow or block the legislation. He contends the sun would rise at “dangerously late hours” if daylight saving time were adopted year-round.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal grand jury investigation into Simad Holdings and its controlling shareholders, brothers Michael and David Shabsels, according to a filing submitted to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, marking a dramatic escalation in the company’s unraveling, The Real Deal reports.

The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. As part of the criminal probe, federal prosecutors have requested that Simad produce company records and other documents.

In addition to the criminal investigation, Simad disclosed that it is also aware of a separate civil investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York involving alleged fraud connected to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The company said it is cooperating with both investigations.

The latest developments significantly intensify the legal and financial crisis surrounding Simad, which operated 30 well-known summer camps across the United States, and the mounting legal troubles facing its founders, David and Michael Shabsels.

The company raised approximately $200 million from Israeli bondholders in December but failed to make its first scheduled bond payment in May. Simad later disclosed that roughly $34 million belonging to bondholders had been transferred to companies controlled by the Shabsels brothers. Although the company demanded repayment of the $34 million, along with accrued interest, and the brothers initially agreed, Michael Shabsels later informed the company that he was unable to return the funds.

Both Simad and the Shabsels brothers filed for bankruptcy protection in June. Since then, the company has been placed under the management of a restructuring officer and has previously disclosed that it is also the subject of a criminal investigation by the Israel Securities Authority. As part of its restructuring efforts, Simad is selling off several of its camp properties, including Mohawk Day Camp, Camp Chen-A-Wanda, and Camp Achim.

According to the filing, the Justice Department’s criminal investigation encompasses Simad, the two brothers, and a network of companies under their control.

Over the years, David and Michael Shabsels established dozens of corporate entities tied to both their summer camp operations and broader real estate investments.

The brothers amassed a real estate portfolio of more than 80 properties, including shopping centers, apartment buildings, office properties, and SplashDown Beach Water Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Their financing strategy relied heavily on creating separate ground leases, allowing them to own both the land beneath a property and the property itself while obtaining loans against each interest separately. The approach was designed to maximize borrowing capacity and secure financing approaching the full value of the assets.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu emerged victorious in a high-stakes internal Likud showdown on Monday after party members overwhelmingly approved his controversial proposal to expand the number of reserved slots under his control on the party’s Knesset list.

Nearly 3,400 members of the Likud Central Committee participated in the vote, deciding on three proposals advanced by Netanyahu. The centerpiece of the package was his request to increase the number of reserved positions on the party’s electoral slate.

Voting began at 11:00 a.m. and continued until 8:00 p.m. By the close of polling, 3,387 Central Committee members had cast ballots, representing 72.7 percent of those eligible to vote.

At the heart of the contest was Netanyahu’s proposal to increase the number of reserved slots from five to eight within positions 2 through 29 on the Likud list for the next Knesset election. When the ballots were counted, the proposal passed by a wide margin, handing the prime minister a decisive win.

The additional reserved positions are widely viewed as a way for Netanyahu to strengthen the party’s slate ahead of the next election. Although the proposal generated significant debate within Likud, most ministers and Knesset members avoided publicly opposing it. The lone prominent exception was MK David Bitan, who released a video before the vote urging party members, saying, “Vote against the proposals.”

Central Committee members also considered a separate proposal allowing incumbent Likud lawmakers to compete in the party’s regional districts. The measure is expected to benefit lawmakers such as Avichai Boaron and others whom Netanyahu hopes will secure places on the party’s election list through district races.

That proposal narrowly passed by just six votes. The razor-thin outcome immediately sparked allegations of voting irregularities, with opponents raising the possibility of legal challenges in court.

Committee members also approved an additional amendment to the party’s constitution.

In the days leading up to the vote, the Prime Minister’s Office mounted an intensive campaign to rally support, with ministers and Likud lawmakers releasing videos urging Central Committee members to back Netanyahu’s proposals.

The Mamdani administration is facing mounting backlash after New York City published a searchable online database listing the names and home addresses of property owners whose residences could be subject to the state’s new pied-à-terre tax. Critics say the move unnecessarily exposed the personal information of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and raised serious concerns about privacy and public safety.

The city’s Department of Finance released the database, identifying what it says are non-primary residences across the five boroughs valued at more than $1 million. The public list includes both the names of the owners and the addresses of the properties, making the information easily searchable by anyone.

Council Minority Leader David Carr blasted the decision, arguing that many of the listed properties may not even qualify for the tax and that numerous owners are likely to challenge their inclusion.

“It’s a reckless and foolish move, especially considering there are potentially thousands of properties on this list that do not qualify as second homes or whose owners will successfully dispute their inclusion,” Carr, a Republican representing Staten Island whose own home appears in the database, told The Post.

The release follows Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recent social media message alerting affluent homeowners that notices about the new tax were on the way. In the post, he appeared to warn owners to expect official correspondence regarding the levy.

“Check your mailbox when you’re back in the five boroughs, because you’ve got mail,” Mamdani wrote.

Explaining the rationale behind the tax, the mayor added, “The best city in the world deserves the best parks, libraries, and schools in the world. That’s only possible when we all pay our fair share.”

Mamdani has made taxing wealthy New Yorkers a central part of his agenda and has championed the pied-à-terre tax approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Opponents, however, have warned that the measure could depress the city’s luxury real estate market and discourage investment.

Earlier this year, Mamdani also proposed increasing New York City’s property taxes by 9.5 percent unless Albany approved additional taxes targeting wealthy residents. At the time, he cited a projected $12 billion budget shortfall, a figure that was later revised downward to approximately $5.4 billion.

City Hall has projected that the pied-à-terre tax will generate roughly $500 million annually. However, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine’s office estimates the actual revenue will likely fall between $340 million and $380 million per year, with collections potentially declining over time.

The database includes numerous well-known New Yorkers, among them filmmaker Woody Allen, longtime Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and actress Cynthia Nixon, who has publicly supported Mamdani.

Even more surprising than the celebrity names was the sheer scope of the list. The Post counted more than 960,000 residences and property owners included in the database, despite the tax originally being presented as applying to only about 31,000 homes.

The list also appears to include numerous modest middle-class neighborhoods that bear little resemblance to the luxury second homes the tax was intended to target. Among them are approximately two dozen homes on Chaffee Avenue in the Bronx’s working-class Throggs Neck neighborhood.

Another neighborhood with dozens of listed properties is Challenger Drive on Staten Island, where many homes appeared in the database despite no clear indication that they are second residences.

The average home values on Chaffee Avenue and Challenger Drive generally range from the mid-$500,000s to the low $800,000s, far below the multimillion-dollar vacation homes many believed the tax would target.

The database also includes at least one clearly unusual entry: the Breezy Point Shopping Center in Queens, a commercial shopping plaza that is plainly not a vacation residence.

Carr argued that the administration’s policy could ultimately drive affluent homeowners and investment out of New York.

“All the mayor is doing is tanking the luxury home market in NYC and sending millions of dollars in real estate business to other states. But the upside is Mamdani is a shoo-in for ‘Realtor of the Year’ in Texas and Florida,” Carr railed.

Steven Fulop, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, said the publication of homeowners’ personal information extends far beyond a debate over taxation and creates unnecessary risks.

“Publishing individual property owners’ names and home addresses raises real safety and privacy concerns that go well beyond the tax debate itself. Transparency about how a new tax is administered doesn’t require putting private citizens’ addresses into a searchable public database that can put people in harm’s way,” he said.

“In a political climate this polarized, the mayor didn’t need to invite that kind of risk — we should be looking for ways to dial down tensions, not heighten them. We’d urge the administration to revisit this approach.”

The controversy comes as Mamdani continues advancing an aggressive tax agenda aimed at funding major spending initiatives. Since taking office, he has backed approximately $23 billion in tax increases and has begun a sustained campaign in Albany seeking additional taxes on property owners and other high-income New Yorkers.

Iran’s anti-American propaganda campaign has taken a disturbing new turn, with a newly released video reportedly encouraging supporters of the Islamic regime to assassinate First Lady Melania Trump while also threatening the President’s son, Barron Trump. The video follows a series of threatening displays in Tehran directed at President Donald Trump and members of his family amid soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The propaganda video, titled “How to Kill Melania Trump,” reportedly features images of the First Lady traveling in her motorcade and visiting various locations throughout New York City. It also identifies several high-end designer stores she is known to frequent, a detail that has heightened concerns over the video’s explicit nature.

Toward the conclusion of the video, the threats expand to include Barron Trump, 20, making him the latest member of the President’s family to be singled out in the regime’s propaganda campaign.

The video comes just days after massive billboards appeared across Tehran displaying calls for the deaths of President Trump and several of his family members, including Melania Trump, Barron Trump, and Ivanka Trump. The displays were part of an increasingly aggressive messaging campaign that has featured images and slogans threatening retaliation against the President and his relatives.

Melania Trump has maintained a relatively low public profile in recent weeks. She did not attend Friday night’s White House Correspondents Association dinner, with a source close to the First Lady telling the New York Post that she had a “scheduling conflict.”

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Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Monday that he remains in a rehabilitation facility as he continues recovering from a lengthy hospitalization, revealing that he has not yet been medically cleared to resume his duties in Washington or return home to Kentucky.

A statement from the Office of the Attending Physician said McConnell has been making steady progress since leaving the hospital and has been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program focused on restoring his strength through rigorous physical therapy.

“He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office,” the OAP said.

McConnell also addressed his recovery, saying he remains focused on returning to work as soon as possible. He explained that he is following his doctors’ recommendations and continuing an aggressive rehabilitation regimen.

The senator said he is “working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders.”

Because of his ongoing recovery, McConnell said he will be unable to attend one of Kentucky’s signature political gatherings, marking a rare absence from the annual event.

McConnell said, “Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky, this Saturday.”

The Fancy Farm picnic, held each year in western Kentucky, is one of the state’s premier political events, drawing elected officials and candidates from both parties who address large crowds in a lively campaign-style atmosphere.

Expressing his disappointment, McConnell said missing the gathering is especially difficult because it has long been one of his favorite traditions.

McConnell said, “There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton.”

[Video below.] Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio forcefully defended Muslim socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a contentious appearance on Fox News Monday, echoing Mamdani’s attacks on Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and declaring that Netanyahu is “literally a war criminal.” The remarks add to the growing political firestorm over Mamdani’s repeated calls to have the Israeli leader arrested if he visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

During the interview, de Blasio acknowledged the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered, but argued that Israel’s military response in Gaza had exceeded what he considered justifiable. He insisted, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” while making clear that he supports Mamdani’s criticism of Netanyahu.

De Blasio’s comments come just days after Mamdani released a video announcing that his administration had examined whether New York City possessed the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu during a potential September visit. After consulting with city attorneys, Mamdani acknowledged that the city has no such authority, though he nevertheless continued referring to the Israeli premier as a “war criminal” and urged the federal government to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant instead.

The controversy stems from Mamdani’s long-standing campaign pledge to seek Netanyahu’s arrest should he enter New York City. Although he has since conceded that municipal officials cannot carry out such an arrest, the issue has sparked nationwide debate and drawn sharp responses from leaders across the political spectrum.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the dispute last week, making clear that Netanyahu would be protected during any visit to the United States. Trump declared that the Israeli prime minister “will not be arrested” while on American soil, directly rejecting Mamdani’s position.

The escalating feud has also prompted a public exchange between Mamdani and Netanyahu. After Mamdani recently declared that Netanyahu is “not welcome” in New York City, the Israeli prime minister vowed to travel to New York regardless and dismissed the accusations against him, describing the International Criminal Court’s allegations as baseless while accusing Mamdani of encouraging hostility through his rhetoric.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israel has categorically rejected the allegations, calling the ICC politically motivated and lacking jurisdiction over Israeli officials. The United States likewise does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over American or Israeli nationals.

WATCH:

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Three women were wounded in a stabbing attack on a street in northern Paris on Monday, two of them seriously, after a man allegedly attacked them without warning before being subdued and arrested. Although the suspect reportedly declared that “Allah sent me to kill,” French authorities are not currently treating the incident as a terrorist attack.

The attack occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. The three victims, ages 19, 24, and 36, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said one woman suffered a stab wound to the back while another was stabbed in the abdomen. Both remain in serious condition, though neither is believed to be in life-threatening danger.

The suspect was apprehended by an off-duty police officer who happened to be in the area. After spotting the attacker, the officer pursued him and, with the assistance of several bystanders, restrained the suspect until uniformed police officers arrived.

French authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or announced an official motive. According to Nuñez, the attacker made what he described as “incoherent statements” during the assault. However, a source familiar with the investigation told Le Parisien that the suspect claimed “Allah sent him to kill.”

Despite that statement, investigators currently believe the suspect may be suffering from mental illness, and the case is not, at this stage, being investigated as an act of terrorism.

The stabbing came just two days after a deadly vehicle-ramming attack in Paris carried out by a man who had previously attempted to join ISIS. In that attack, one woman was killed and 29 others were injured.

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Russia appears to be positioning itself for a dramatic expansion of its war against Ukraine once September’s State Duma elections conclude, with new political messaging, legislative moves, and military preparations suggesting the Kremlin is preparing for a more intensive phase of the conflict, according to a new assessment by the Jamestown Foundation.

As those warnings mount, Ukrainian forces have continued carrying out deep strikes inside Russian territory. In a national address on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow is getting ready to launch a large-scale mobilization campaign while also preparing to deploy tens of thousands of additional North Korean troops.

The assessment comes as Ukraine sustains one of its most extensive long-range attack campaigns since the war began.

Using drones and missiles, Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted oil refineries, military logistics hubs, and strategic infrastructure in and around Moscow, highlighting Kyiv’s expanding ability to strike well beyond the battlefield.

At the same time, analysts say the Kremlin has noticeably altered its public messaging.

According to the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s recent statement describing Russia’s campaign as “a real war” marks a significant shift from the language Moscow has used since launching its invasion in 2022.

Throughout the conflict, Russian officials had consistently referred to the fighting only as a “special military operation.”

Jamestown believes Peskov’s remarks may be designed to prepare the Russian public for a broader military call-up and a prolonged war effort rather than any serious move toward negotiations.

The report highlights four key developments that, taken together, suggest the Kremlin is laying the groundwork for escalation.

The first is reports from sources said to be close to President Vladimir Putin claiming he has “resolved to escalate” the war instead of pursuing a negotiated settlement, reinforcing previous assessments by Western intelligence that his objectives extend far beyond Ukraine.

The second involves growing expectations within Russia that Putin could announce a nationwide mobilization shortly after September’s parliamentary elections.

According to the report, while the elections themselves do not determine Putin’s political future, they provide an opportunity to demonstrate public and elite support before unveiling potentially unpopular military decisions. Jamestown suggests Peskov’s comments may have served as a test of public reaction.

A third warning sign is proposed legislation requiring Russian citizens to obtain exit visas before traveling abroad.

Although the measure is initially aimed at travel to countries Russia considers “unfriendly,” analysts believe it could also make it far more difficult for military-age men to flee the country if another draft is ordered, similar to the mass departures that followed Russia’s partial mobilization in 2022.

The fourth indicator cited by the report is the Kremlin’s continued expansion of its nationwide Cossack mobilization system.

Jamestown says Russia is building reserve formations expected to eventually number about 60,000 personnel while simultaneously creating specialized drone units, expanding reserve training exercises, and strengthening volunteer battalions already fighting in Ukraine.

The report also points to increasing military cooperation between Moscow and North Korea as another major concern.

Speaking Saturday, Zelenskyy said Russia has been preparing since June to receive an additional 30,000 North Korean troops in the Voronezh region.

Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense agreement in 2024, and Pyongyang has already sent an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 personnel to support Russian military operations.

“Russia wants to receive another 30,000 troops from North Korea,” Zelenskyy said, warning that the partnership is allowing North Korea to gain valuable combat experience while advancing its military technology.

According to Politico, such a deployment would significantly deepen North Korea’s direct involvement in Europe’s largest ground war since World War II.

Zelenskyy also argued that Russia’s battlefield losses continue to exceed the pace of new recruitment.

He said Moscow has enlisted roughly 221,000 soldiers during 2026 while suffering approximately 225,500 casualties, including an estimated 131,000 troops killed.

Despite those losses, Ukrainian intelligence believes the Kremlin still intends to launch another mobilization campaign later this year.

The Institute for the Study of War similarly concluded that Putin is likely to wait until after the September elections before announcing another politically unpopular draft, while continuing to signal that Russia remains committed to achieving its maximum military objectives rather than freezing the conflict.

For Western officials, analysts say the combination of increasingly forceful Kremlin rhetoric, legal measures that could facilitate mobilization, the rapid expansion of reserve forces, and growing North Korean military involvement all point toward preparations for a significantly larger phase of the war as 2026 progresses.

Whether those moves ultimately lead to a nationwide mobilization or a major new offensive remains unclear.

Even so, analysts say the overall pattern increasingly suggests the Kremlin is preparing for escalation—not negotiations—as the next stage of the conflict.

President Donald Trump said the United States has temporarily suspended a broader military campaign against Iran to give diplomacy one more chance, but made clear that the pause will be short-lived if negotiations fail to produce results.

In an interview with Axios, Trump explained that he ordered a halt to expanded U.S. strikes so talks with Tehran could continue. He said the current discussions are centered on securing an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz while reviving negotiations on a wider nuclear accord.

“We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don’t work out, we will go back to very strong military action,” the President said.

Pressed on how long he is willing to let diplomacy play out, Trump indicated that Iran has little time to act.

“Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all,” he said.

Trump said he made the decision on Friday after countries helping mediate the negotiations urged him to hold off on further military action and give the diplomatic process another opportunity.

“All of the people that deal with Iran asked me: ‘Don’t fire,'” Trump said, adding that he believes Iran wants to reach an agreement.

Summing up his reasoning for pausing the strikes, Trump said, “Nothing gained, nothing lost.”

The President also pointed to the market reaction following the pause, noting that oil prices declined while stocks climbed after the decision to suspend additional military operations.

Trump is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, where Iran is expected to be a central topic of discussion.

“I am going to talk to Bibi about the fact that if I weren’t president, Iran would have had nuclear weapons by now and Israel would have been destroyed,” Trump said.

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Previously unseen documentary footage reportedly shows the late Sen. Lindsey Graham aggressively lobbying President Donald Trump and foreign leaders to dramatically expand the military campaign against Iran during the final months of his life. The recordings include a striking exchange in which Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu reportedly cautioned Graham against widening the conflict, urging restraint over a proposed strike on Hezbollah.

The footage, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, comes from more than 400 hours of filming conducted over the last three years by British filmmaker Alex Holder for an upcoming documentary titled Lindsey’s Game. The project offers an inside look at the South Carolina senator’s influence on Trump’s second-term foreign policy in the weeks leading up to Graham’s unexpected death on July 11.

One of the documentary’s most notable moments reportedly took place on March 4, just days after the United States and Israel launched their current military campaign against Iran.

As Graham prepared to travel to Florida to persuade President Trump to expand the conflict by targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, he first discussed the proposal during a phone conversation with Netanyahu.

The Israeli prime minister, speaking on speakerphone, urged Graham not to pursue the idea.

“We’re concentrating right now on Iran,” Netanyahu said, according to the footage.

“If we tell Hezbollah that we’re going all the way, we threaten them, but if we actually do it, then they have no reason not to go all the way against us.”

After hearing Netanyahu’s reasoning, Graham abandoned the proposal, responding, “That’s actually good counsel.”

The documentary also reportedly captures Graham’s enthusiastic reaction to the opening phase of the campaign against Iran.

“Look what we’ve done here. I almost cried,” he told the filmmakers, according to Ynet’s account of the Wall Street Journal report. He also recounted a conversation with President Trump, saying, “I talked to Trump this morning, he’s jacked, he said, ‘Best thing I have ever done.’ He loves blowing stuff up.”

According to CNN, Graham went on to compare the wartime partnership between Trump and Netanyahu to that of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

In another scene, during a March phone conversation with former Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Graham reportedly predicted that Iranian government forces would begin losing control of major cities within three to four weeks—a forecast that events on the ground ultimately did not bear out.

Holder followed Graham over several years, accompanying him on numerous overseas trips, including meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aimed at building international backing for the Iran campaign, as well as discussions with senior Israeli officials and members of the Mossad, according to reporting summarized by Political Wire.

The report notes that some individuals who spoke with Graham by telephone were apparently unaware their conversations were being recorded for the documentary.

The footage also reportedly reveals disagreements within President Trump’s foreign policy team.

According to The Times of Israel, Graham told Sullivan that Trump’s Middle East envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were “too conflicted” to oversee diplomacy with Iran and argued that responsibility should instead rest with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Holder said the documentary’s final interview with Graham took place at a bagel shop in Columbia, South Carolina, just weeks before the senator’s death. In that conversation, Graham expressed disappointment after President Trump signed a preliminary agreement with Iran in June.

“He’s letting this thing slip away,” Graham said. “I got to go talk to him.”

Graham, 71, died on July 11 after suffering an aortic dissection following his return from a trip to Ukraine.

Holder is continuing to edit the hundreds of hours of recorded material and hopes to release Lindsey’s Game in the coming months.