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Housing Minister and United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf revealed Wednesday night that he sought the position of deputy prime minister during coalition negotiations after the last election, but claimed that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, strongly opposed the move and prevented it from happening.

Speaking at the second educational conference in Beit Shemesh, led by Mayor Shmuel Greenberg and Deputy Mayor Itzik Elmalih, Goldknopf shared unusual details from the coalition talks and described efforts by the chareidi parties to secure legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service.

Goldknopf said the Gerrer Rebbe instructed United Torah Judaism representatives to insist during negotiations that Netanyahu pass a draft exemption law.

“We wanted what existed until now to continue,” Goldknopf said. “A yeshiva student comes with a note to his rosh yeshiva, gets it signed, receives approval, and continues learning.”

He added that, as part of the coalition demands, he requested appointment as deputy prime minister.

“The Rebbe of Gur told me to demand the position of deputy prime minister.”

According to Goldknopf, Sara Netanyahu unexpectedly intervened during the discussion with the prime minister and objected to the request.

“When I said this to Bibi, his wife jumped in and said, ‘You’re going to give them a deputy prime minister? Have you gone crazy?’”

Goldknopf said that afterward, alternative positions were offered to him, including what he described as a “double ministry,” but he saw no reason to accept additional titles or benefits.

“I told him, ‘What am I going to do with that? I don’t need more assistants or more rooms.’”

According to Goldknopf, Netanyahu then tried convincing him to accept the Housing Ministry portfolio so he could maintain close and ongoing contact with the Prime Minister’s Office and continue advancing the draft law issue.

“He told me, ‘You’ll be in my building, you’ll constantly be able to remind me that we need to act on the draft issue. You have a free pass — you can come here whenever you want.’”

Goldknopf stressed that throughout the entire period, he continued raising the issue of the draft law directly with Netanyahu.

“There wasn’t a single week that I didn’t put this issue on the table.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior Iranian leaders used Eid al-Adha messages on Wednesday to urge Muslim nations to unite against outside powers, even as many of those same countries remain furious over recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting neighboring Muslim states across the Middle East.

Muslims worldwide marked Eid al-Adha on Wednesday following the completion of the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage, which Muslims are required to perform once in their lifetime if physically able, drew approximately 1.7 million participants this year, according to Saudi officials, representing an increase over 2025 despite extreme desert temperatures.

The Saudi outlet Al Arabiya reported that pilgrims completed the symbolic “stoning the devil” ritual in Mecca, formally ushering in the Eid holiday.

Against that backdrop, Iran’s president, foreign minister, and parliament speaker each released separate statements emphasizing Islamic solidarity and cooperation against non-Muslim powers — widely understood as references to the United States and Israel.

Iran remains locked in a tense unofficial conflict with both countries following the Pentagon’s February launch of “Operation Epic Fury,” a military campaign that killed Iranian “supreme leader” Ali Khamenei along with numerous senior Iranian terrorist figures. While the operation is currently paused under an indefinite ceasefire, Iranian and American officials continue discussing a possible long-term agreement.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on social media that he had sent Eid greetings to leaders in Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, Tajikistan, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.

“I expressed my hope that God may bring the hearts of us Muslims closer together and that we may witness the expansion of cooperation in all areas and comprehensive support for one another in the face of threats,” Pezeshkian wrote.

But Iran’s appeals for regional unity come after months of attacks carried out by the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against several of those same Muslim nations.

Following “Operation Epic Fury” in March, Iran launched strikes against Iraq, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Iranian forces have also reportedly carried out missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Although Tehran denied responsibility for some of the attacks — including the strike on Azerbaijan — several governments have said they possess evidence linking Iran to the operations.

In April, Iranian officials escalated tensions further by demanding financial compensation from countries that maintained cooperative ties with the United States.

“The aggressors have utilised the territories of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the perpetration of acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iranian Representative to the U.N. Amir Saeid Iravani wrote. “The conduct of those States in allowing their territories to be used by the aggressors against the Islamic Republic of Iran qualifies as an act of aggression.”

Despite the growing regional anger toward Tehran, Iranian officials continued this week to promote the idea of Islamic unity, or the Ummah, against non-Muslim nations.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued his own Eid message, describing the holiday as “an unparalleled manifestation of sacrifice, devotion, and submission before Almighty God,” according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

“Araqchi expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would contribute to strengthening Islamic unity and enhancing cooperation and mutual support among Muslim countries in confronting war, discrimination, and occupation, particularly in the West Asia region,” IRNA added.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf likewise used the holiday to call for closer coordination among Muslim nations.

“Stronger unity among Muslim nations can play an effective role in resolving regional crises,” Qalibaf declared.

Qalibaf specifically pointed to “the criminal aggression of the US and the Zionist regime [Israel]” as a shared challenge facing the Muslim world and argued that Muslim countries should confront those threats together.

He also claimed that Iran emerged victorious in its confrontation with the United States despite the heavy losses suffered by the regime, including the deaths of numerous senior leaders and major damage to its military infrastructure.

That “victory,” he allegedly claimed, “conveyed an important message to Muslims worldwide: that unity and solidarity in confronting the enemies of Islam, especially the Zionist regime and its supporters, can lead to victory.”

Meanwhile, several of the region’s most influential Muslim governments have made clear that trust in Tehran has largely collapsed.

In March, amid the first wave of Iranian strikes against Gulf states, Saudi Arabia convened regional talks aimed at coordinating a response to Iran and addressing the growing threat to regional stability and commerce.

At the gathering, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan openly acknowledged the deep deterioration in relations with Tehran.

“What little trust there was before has completely been shattered,” Prince Faisal lamented at the time. “So when this war eventually ends, in order for there to be any rebuilding of trust, it will take a long time.”

“If Iran doesn’t stop… immediately, I think there will be almost nothing that can re-establish that trust,” he predicted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed directly to President Donald Trump and members of Congress for additional Patriot missile interceptors, warning that Ukraine’s air defenses are struggling to withstand a growing wave of Russian ballistic missile strikes.

According to Politico, Zelenskyy sent a letter Tuesday describing the worsening situation after Russia launched more than 90 missiles over the weekend in one of the war’s heaviest bombardments.

“For us — for a nation fighting for its survival — there is hardly anything more painful to see than Patriot batteries with no missiles loaded,” Zelenskyy wrote. “I ask for your help in protecting Ukraine’s skies from Russian missiles.”

Zelenskyy acknowledged that demand for Patriot missile systems has surged globally because of escalating tensions and military operations in the Middle East. He also indicated agreement with Trump’s long-held argument that European countries should shoulder more responsibility for regional defense.

In the letter, Zelenskyy described Russian ballistic missiles as one of President Vladimir Putin’s final significant military advantages in the conflict.

“They can be intercepted,” he added. “With Patriots. With your help. And you have the power to help.”

American-made PAC-3 interceptor missiles, which are used in Patriot defense batteries, remain Ukraine’s most effective tool for shooting down incoming Russian ballistic missiles.

The Trump administration has reportedly slowed the transfer of additional Patriot interceptors to Kyiv as U.S. allies in the Middle East continue consuming large quantities of the missiles during ongoing regional conflicts.

Last week, however, the United States Department of State approved a proposed $108.1 million assistance package aimed at sustaining Ukraine’s current HAWK missile defense systems.

The proposed package includes replacement components, engineering assistance, software maintenance, and technical support designed to keep the systems functioning.

In a statement, the State Department said the sale would advance “the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe.”

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has formally notified Congress about the proposed transaction, though lawmakers still must approve the deal before it can move forward.

Russia currently occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory after more than four years of fighting. Still, Moscow’s recent advances have slowed considerably, and some military assessments indicate Russian forces have suffered net territorial setbacks in recent months.

The war has exacted devastating costs on both sides. Estimates place Russian military casualties above one million, while Ukraine has endured tens of thousands of combat deaths.

The conflict has also devastated Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and forced millions of Ukrainians from their homes.

{Matzav.com}

More than $20 billion in tariff repayments have already been returned to American importers after the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled the central pillar of President Donald Trump’s tariff program earlier this year, according to newly released court documents.

Court filings show that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has processed approximately $20.6 billion in refunds so far, while another estimated $85 billion in additional repayments remain either pending or certified for future distribution, according to reporting first highlighted by NBC News.

Among the companies receiving repayments is toy manufacturer Basic Fun, which says it has so far recovered only a small fraction of the money owed to it.

The company’s CEO, Jay Foreman, said Basic Fun has received just $525,000 out of roughly $7.4 million in tariff repayments owed by the government, with the funds arriving sporadically throughout the month.

“It seems there is no method to this and no statements of why, how and when they are paying,” Foreman told The Post.

“It’s time to release the funds back into the economy, especially given how much we and others need these funds to support our businesses and fund our operations,” he added.

Most companies that have already received repayments have not yet been publicly identified.

However, major corporations and shipping firms including Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, FedEx, UPS, and DHL had previously sought recovery of tariff payments collected under Trump’s trade policies.

The repayments stem from the Supreme Court’s major February ruling striking down Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, known as IEEPA, to impose broad tariffs on imports from China, Canada, Mexico, and numerous other nations.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA does not grant presidents authority to impose tariffs, delivering a significant setback to Trump’s trade agenda and forcing the administration to begin refunding billions of dollars already collected from importers.

The White House said many companies still have not received payments because they failed to provide the federal government with the banking information needed to process electronic refunds.

According to the latest court filings, “4,185 consolidated refunds have not been transmitted to Treasury” because the importers requesting repayments had not submitted account details necessary for wire transfers.

The now-invalidated IEEPA tariff framework had included a baseline 10% reciprocal tariff on most imports, along with significantly higher country-specific tariffs that at times climbed as high as 125% on Chinese goods.

Trump’s tariff structure was created through a series of executive orders beginning in February 2025, when duties were first imposed on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China under the emergency-powers law.

The White House later dramatically expanded the program through Trump’s April 2025 “Liberation Day” order, which established a broad 10% tariff on most imported goods while threatening substantially higher tariffs against dozens of countries.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court sided with importers who argued that tariff authority belongs to Congress unless lawmakers explicitly delegate that power to the president.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that tariffs constitute a form of taxation and emphasized that Congress historically “speaks clearly” when granting presidents authority to impose such measures.

The ruling forced Customs and Border Protection to launch one of the largest refund operations in American customs history.

To manage the process, the agency established a new refund-processing system known as CAPE to handle repayment claims tied to the overturned tariffs.

Under current federal guidance, importers may seek refunds for many unliquidated import entries as well as certain entries finalized within the previous 80 days, though more complex claims have been pushed into later phases of the refund program.

Despite the Supreme Court defeat, Trump has continued imposing tariffs through a different legal mechanism.

Immediately after the ruling, the administration shifted to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes presidents to impose temporary worldwide tariffs of up to 15% for a period lasting as long as 150 days.

A separate 10% global tariff imposed under that authority remains in effect.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

What sweeter words can a parent hear than, “I love learning Gemara”? 

Unfortunately, for many boys, those words feel far from reality. When a child struggles to understand his learning or lacks confidence in his abilities, the sweetness of Torah can become difficult to access. Too often, boys who feel disconnected from the beis medrash begin searching elsewhere for fulfillment and belonging. 

This is where Lamdeini has been making a remarkable difference. 

Based in Yerushalayim and directed by Rabbi Meir Oratz under the guidance of הגאון הגדול רבי יצחק ברקוביץ שליט״א and leading Rabbonim and mechanchim, Lamdeini is dedicated to helping talmidim develop a genuine connection to Gemara learning. Through individualized techniques and one-on-one learning with specially trained avreichim, the organization gives each child the tools, confidence, and encouragement needed to succeed. 

Working together with mosdos Torah across Eretz Yisroel, Lamdeini has already seen tremendous success in more than twenty-five schools throughout Yerushalayim, with many more hoping to join the program. 

That spirit of growth and אהבת התורה was clearly felt at Lamdeini’s recent annual event, held on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, where nearly 200 talmidim and fathers gathered for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and chizuk. 

The evening opened with an engaging educational program and interactive activities centered around Gemara and Chag HaShavuos, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and genuine enthusiasm for learning. This was followed by a special Avos u’Bonim learning session, as the קול התורה echoed throughout the room with warmth and energy. 

A major highlight of the event was the participation of many Gedolei Yisroel, including  

מרן הגאון הגדול רבי דן סגל שליט״א 
הראשון לציון הגאון רבי דוד יוסף שליט״א 
 שליט״א הגאון הגדול רבי יוסף אפרתי 
הגאון הגדול רבי יצחק ברקוביץ שליט״א 
הגאון הגדול רבי יצחק קולדצקי שליט״א 

The Gedolim shared heartfelt words about the eternal greatness of Torah learning and the responsibility to pass the mesorah on to the next generation. Maran HaMashgiach, shlita, spoke passionately about the immeasurable value of Torah and praised the extraordinary efforts being invested in helping talmidim connect to learning. Rav Yitzchok Kolodetsky, shlita, emphasized that true simcha and fulfillment can only be found through dedication to Torah. 

One of the evening’s most emotional moments came during the recitation of Pirkei Tehillim led by Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, shlita, followed by the moving amiras Tefillas HaShlah. The atmosphere reached a powerful peak during the heartfelt Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim led by Maran HaMashgiach, shlita, as the entire crowd responded together with deep emotion and sincerity. 

Following the program, each talmid was given the opportunity to receive a personal bracha from the Gedolim — a moment that left a lasting impression on the boys and their families. 

The Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, shlita, encouraged the tzibbur to remain steadfast in strengthening Torah learning and transmitting its values to future generations, while expressing gratitude to the Ribbono Shel Olam for the gift of Toras Emes. 

The impact of the event continues to resonate deeply among the talmidim and parents, many of whom left uplifted and inspired by the warmth, encouragement, and powerful messages shared throughout the evening. More than just an annual gathering, the event reinforced the feeling that every talmid is part of something greater — a growing community devoted to nurturing the next generation of lomdei Torah. 

President Donald Trump has further cemented his status as the dominant force inside the Republican Party, boasting a flawless endorsement record so far in Republican House, Senate, and gubernatorial primaries this election cycle — a sign that his influence over the GOP may be stronger now than at any point in his political career.

“After years of weak globalists and elitists leading our party, President Trump transformed the GOP into the party of the working class,” Bernie Moreno told The NY Post on Wednesday. “Newsflash to those who still have not caught on: Support the America First agenda or lose your election.”

Although only about one-third of Republican primaries for the 2026 cycle have concluded, candidates endorsed by Trump have already secured victories in 110 congressional contests — including 101 House races and nine Senate races — along with eight gubernatorial primaries, according to a Fox News tracker. Many of those victories came in some of the most closely watched races of the cycle.

Among the prominent Republicans defeated after drawing Trump’s opposition were Sens. John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, as well as Rep. Thomas Massie, one of Trump’s most vocal critics in the House.

Cassidy’s loss on May 16 marked the first time since 2012 — when Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar lost renomination — that a sitting Republican senator failed to win renomination from GOP primary voters during a regular election cycle.

Trump’s influence has extended beyond federal races into state-level contests as well, where his endorsements have increasingly become political make-or-break moments.

Earlier this month, candidates backed by Trump defeated five out of seven Indiana state senators who had opposed him on mid-decade redistricting issues, though one of those races remains subject to a recount.

“The Republicans have real leadership — that’s unquestionable,” said longtime Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf. “And the party faithful respond to him, respond to that leader, Donald Trump, and it’s his political party.”

Overall, Trump has endorsed Republican candidates in 295 primaries for the 2026 cycle, and additional loyalty battles may still lie ahead after the president recently threatened Rep. Lauren Boebert with a possible primary challenge over her support for Massie.

Still, a source familiar with Trump’s thinking claimed Wednesday that the president is currently “not focused on Boebert right now.”

“That’s a next-cycle [2028] thing,” the source said. “He may or may not weigh in on the Georgia Senate race and a number of other target House races. Probably some statewides, too.”

Trump’s spotless primary record this cycle far surpasses his performance during the 2018 midterms, when he achieved a 95% success rate based on only 37 endorsements, according to Ballotpedia.

Even while out of office in 2022, Trump-backed candidates posted a 93% primary win rate, which later climbed to 96% in 2024, according to Ballotpedia.

Henry Olsen, an elections analyst and senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, argued that Trump’s role as the Republican Party’s chief kingmaker is likely to continue at least through the end of his second term in January 2029.

Olsen said Trump successfully “married a charismatic personality with a worldview that was represented by people who had not had that view represented before.”

According to Olsen, candidates endorsed by Trump tend to embrace an “aggressive” form of nationalism centered on “pursuing American interests but not international alliance interests,” while also seeking to root out what he described as “non-American” cultural values promoted by both governmental and private institutions.

“That is now a majority view among Republicans,” he added. “That philosophical change will outlast Trump’s personal endorsement … Nothing is permanent, but for the foreseeable future, which is, say, the next two to eight years, that is the dominant feature of the Republican primary process.”

Olsen, who hosts the politics podcast “Beyond the Polls,” added that Trump maintained his endorsement power even after the January 6 Capitol riot.

“Maintained his strong personal endorsement brand even after January 6th, before his return to strong popularity, he was able to push most of his choices through in the 2022 primaries, and I think we just need to remember that this is a long standing ability of his, and so there’s no reason to think that it will decline any time before he leaves the Oval Office.”

Trump has increasingly used his endorsement power both to avoid divisive Republican primary fights and to punish internal party opponents.

One example came in Michigan, where Trump endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers early, effectively discouraging Rep. Bill Huizenga from entering the race and allowing Republicans to focus on what they see as a major pickup opportunity.

Facing difficult historical trends ahead of the November 3 midterms, Trump’s political team has reportedly become more selective about endorsements after concerns from Republican strategists that weaker candidates hurt the party during the 2022 midterms.

Potential endorsees are now frequently vetted by White House political advisers before Trump formally gives his backing.

Whether that strategy will translate into general election victories remains uncertain.

According to Ballotpedia, Trump-backed candidates won general elections at rates of 89% in 2024, 83% in 2022, and 78% in 2020. During the 2018 midterms, only 59% of Trump-endorsed candidates ultimately prevailed.

“This [2026] is a referendum on him,” Sheinkopf said. “It’s not even a referendum on policies. Now in his own party, the referendum on him was played out in Texas … and he won that argument.”

“But when it comes to the referendum on him nationally, well, that’s a different question,” he added. “It’s about Donald Trump … the same way in ’94, it was about [President Bill] Clinton and the healthcare plan. Now it’s about Trump, the [Iran] war, and costs.”

“Larger figures in history tend to dominate the argument — and he’s a large historical figure.”

Trump’s endorsement dominance has also become a powerful weapon against Republicans in Congress who consider opposing him on key issues.

In the short term, that influence has created tensions within the Senate Republican conference, particularly as Cassidy and retiring Sen. Thom Tillis have become increasingly willing to criticize Trump publicly after falling out of favor with him.

Still, Trump’s demonstrated ability to politically destroy Republican rivals continues to give him immense leverage inside the GOP, sending a clear warning to potential dissenters that crossing him could carry severe political consequences.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing growing criticism over a proposal to open a $30 million city-owned grocery store in East Harlem after it emerged that the same location had already secured $25 million years ago for a separate taxpayer-funded redevelopment project — creating what critics describe as an extraordinarily expensive and confusing overlap of public spending, the New York Post reports.

The proposed supermarket would be built at La Marqueta, the longtime food market stretching beneath the elevated Metro-North tracks along Park Avenue between East 111th and East 119th Streets. Mamdani announced last month that the city intends to establish a government-run grocery store there that would be able to undercut surrounding businesses because it would not be responsible for paying rent or taxes.

But city officials confirmed that La Marqueta had already been approved nearly a decade ago for a separate $25 million overhaul through the city’s New York City Economic Development Corporation, meaning the total public investment tied to the site could balloon to $55 million.

“The $30 million is an outrageous number” by itself, said Stephen Zagor, an adjunct associate professor of food studies at Columbia Business School. “You’d expect the doorknobs and cash registers to be solid gold.”

“And to think there is another $25 million allocated years ago for the rest of La Marqueta, which is well past its prime, I’d think they would have to revisit that,” Zagor added.

Under the original 2017 redevelopment blueprint, which EDC officials recently presented to local business leaders, La Marqueta was slated for major upgrades that included a playground, outdoor dining areas, a dog park, and a revamped market space featuring fresh produce, groceries, prepared foods, and communal seating in a food hall-style setup.

Anthony Pena said Mamdani failed to mention the earlier EDC redevelopment plan when unveiling the city-run grocery proposal last month.

City officials have “not been transparent and open about anything they are doing,” Pena said of the La Marqueta plans.

One aspect of the proposal that has drawn particular criticism is a planned parking lot equipped with electric vehicle charging stations.

“Electric vehicles tend to be more expensive so are they catering to a higher-income market?” Zagor said. “It sounds like they aren’t focused on what they are trying to do in serving East Harlem residents.”

Mamdani has earmarked a total of $70 million for five city-operated grocery stores — one in each borough. With the remaining four stores averaging roughly $10 million each, critics say the East Harlem project’s $30 million price tag appears especially difficult to justify.

Pena pointed to another recently announced city grocery project in the Bronx as an example of the discrepancy. On May 18, Mamdani revealed plans for a 20,000-square-foot public supermarket in Hunts Point, located within a residential redevelopment at the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center site, which closed in 2011.

Industry executives say a typical 9,000-square-foot grocery store in Manhattan would normally cost only a fraction of what the city is proposing for the East Harlem location. The concerns are heightened by the fact that the neighborhood already contains more than a dozen grocery stores.

“They are going to spend $10 million on a 20,000-square-foot store and $30 million on a 9,000-square-foot store],” Pena said. “There is a massive disconnect right now and there are more questions than answers.”

Responding to inquiries from The New York Post, the Economic Development Corporation acknowledged that Mamdani’s proposed $30 million grocery store and the previously approved $25 million La Marqueta redevelopment are entirely separate projects.

According to the agency, the $30 million allocation would fund “the ground-up construction and fit-out of the public grocery store as well as back-of-house needs and parking with EV charging capability,” though officials declined to provide a more detailed breakdown of the costs.

The EDC also clarified that none of the original $25 million redevelopment funding would go toward the grocery store itself. Officials said the supermarket and adjoining parking lot are expected to occupy the northern end of La Marqueta between East 117th and East 119th Streets.

Earlier this month, city officials met with a grocery industry trade organization and presented a redevelopment proposal that had originally been drafted before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to presentation materials reviewed during the meeting, funding for the project “have already been committed” through the EDC, the City Council, and the city’s Neighborhood Redevelopment Fund.

Sources familiar with the planning process said the redevelopment stalled for years because of pandemic-era suspensions of nonessential projects and later due to a major Metropolitan Transportation Authority infrastructure project above La Marqueta that began in 2023.

“NYCEDC is working with the East Harlem community and relevant stakeholders including small businesses to help inform how La Marqueta’s public grocery store can help strengthen neighborhood food access, provide quality jobs and make New York City more affordable for everyone,” the agency said in a statement.

“NYCEDC is also working on the redevelopment of La Marqueta’s retail market and looks forward to sharing more information soon.”

Meanwhile, many current tenants at the historic market say they still have little understanding of the city’s long-term intentions for the property, which was first opened in 1936 by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia as a marketplace for pushcart vendors.

“The EDC’s plans for the spaces have changed so many times,” said Bella Karakas, whose shared commercial kitchen business Eterra opened at La Marqueta four years ago between East 113th and East 114th Streets.

Another longtime tenant, the Urban Garden Center, now faces growing uncertainty as the project evolves.

The business was relocated several blocks south in 2023 from its original 20,000-square-foot location between East 116th and East 118th Streets because of the MTA’s Park Avenue Viaduct reconstruction project.

Its owner, Dimitri Gatanis, said the relocation cut his space in half and severely damaged sales. He remains unsure whether he will ever regain access to his former location and fears additional competition from the city-owned grocery operation.

“Are they going to start selling potted herbs or plants as most grocery stores in the city do?” Gatanis told The Post. “It’s all very murky.”

Chareidi members of the Knesset launched a fierce public assault Wednesday against the Religious Zionist Party after the party refused to support legislation aimed at preserving daycare subsidies for yeshiva families affected by the Supreme Court’s ruling on draft exemptions.

Despite opposition from the Religious Zionist Party, the proposed law succeeded in passing its preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich reportedly ignored repeated requests from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to back the measure, insisting that until the chareidi factions cooperate on military conscription legislation, his party would not assist them.

“The Religious Zionists are not participating,” Smotrich declared, according to the report, referencing the ongoing dispute surrounding a draft law.

In response to the backlash, the Religious Zionist Party issued a statement defending its position and accusing parts of the chareidi political bloc of undermining coalition unity while simultaneously resisting compromise on enlistment legislation.

“While some of the chareidi parties are politically flirting with the left-wing bloc and simultaneously opposing a serious conscription framework, you can’t demand the Religious Zionists to be the sucker on call,” a statement on behalf of the party read.

The party further argued that Israelis serving in the reserves and bearing the burden of the war effort would not tolerate a situation in which chareidi parties reject a conscription arrangement while still expecting financial benefits from the government.

Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel Hatorah, fired back sharply at his coalition partners, accusing them of acting out of hostility toward the chareidi community.

“The hatred against the chareidi public drives them crazy and also hurts the working and weak public.”

Gafni escalated his criticism further, accusing the Religious Zionist Party of betraying the very coalition that helped strengthen its political standing.

“Their partners in their worldview in the Religious Zionist Party act with distortion and ingratitude. We gave them everything, with settlements, funding, and positions, and when it comes to issues that are important to the chareidi public, they turn their back and work against us. They lack integrity and values. We will take that into account from now on with anything concerning religious Zionists.”

Yitzchok Goldknopf also joined the attacks, targeting Smotrich directly over his failure to support the bill.

“Bezalel Smotrich’s absence from the vote on the daycare bill exposes his true face. When he tries to get votes from the chareidi sector, the public will remember that at the moment of truth, he couldn’t care less about chareidi families. As far as he’s concerned, the chareidi children are another tool in the political game to pass the electoral threshold.”

Meir Porush likewise condemned both the vote and the broader legal campaign surrounding the daycare subsidies.

“It’s shameful that opposition MKs, along with individuals from the coalition, chose to hurt little children. I call on the judicial system to stop this persecution of innocent children. United Torah Judaism will continue to fight with all means available to protect Torah students.”

{Matzav.com}

Iranian state-linked media outlets claimed today that President Donald Trump could soon independently declare the completion of a major agreement between the United States and Iran, despite mounting signs that negotiations between the two countries remain deadlocked.

Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that Trump may move ahead with a unilateral announcement regarding a deal, while Iranian state television simultaneously claimed that officials in Tehran and Washington had already drafted a memorandum of understanding.

According to the Iranian report, the proposed framework would require the United States to pull all military forces out of the region and fully lift the naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz. In return, Iran would guarantee the restoration and long-term security of international shipping traffic through the strategic waterway.

The White House quickly pushed back on the reports, dismissing the claims coming from Iranian media outlets.

“No one should believe what was published in the Iranian media. The facts are what matter.”

Iranian outlets went even further, publishing details of what they described as an agreed structure governing the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow shipping corridor through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply travels.

Under the reported arrangement, authority over the strait — including the management of shipping lanes and maritime navigation routes — would allegedly be handled solely through joint coordination between Iran and Oman, effectively eliminating American involvement in the area.

The sudden flood of reports from Tehran comes only days after The Wall Street Journal reported that direct talks between Washington and Tehran had slowed dramatically, with both sides hardening their positions as negotiations dragged on.

Sources familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that talks have effectively stalled for the time being because of major disagreements surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the scale of sanctions relief the regime is demanding.

The United States has reportedly insisted on firm and independently verifiable commitments from Iran to halt its nuclear activities and sharply curb uranium enrichment.

Inside the Trump administration, officials are said to be increasingly worried that Tehran could exploit negotiations as part of a broader delaying tactic. According to those concerns, Iran may seek immediate economic concessions and sanctions relief early in the process, while later dragging out talks over dismantling its nuclear infrastructure — all while preserving the ability to rapidly produce a nuclear weapon if it chooses.

President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to Iran on Wednesday, signaling growing frustration with ongoing negotiations and cautioning that the United States could “finish the job” if Tehran fails to agree to acceptable terms.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump cast doubt on reports circulating in Iranian media claiming that a major diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran was close at hand. Earlier in the day, the White House had already denied the reports outright.

“Iran is very much intent. They want very much to make a deal. So far, they haven’t gotten there,” Trump said. “We’re not satisfied with it. But we will be. Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”

Trump also pointed to what he described as the near destruction of Iran’s military capabilities following recent hostilities.

“Their Navy is gone, as I’ve said a thousand times. Their air force is gone. Everything’s gone, and they’re negotiating on fumes,” he said. “Maybe we have to go back and finish it.”

According to reports carried by Iranian state media, the proposed arrangement under discussion would involve Iran restoring commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to prewar levels within one month. In exchange, the United States would reportedly remove military forces from areas near Iran and end its naval blockade operations.

Iranian state television claimed the framework was still incomplete and said military vessels would not be included in the Hormuz agreement. The report also stated that Iran and Oman would jointly oversee commercial maritime traffic through the strategically vital shipping lane.

Tehran reportedly insisted that it would not implement any agreement without what it described as “tangible verification” that the United States had fulfilled its obligations.

Iranian outlets further claimed that if negotiators finalize an agreement within 60 days, the deal could ultimately be codified through a binding resolution at the United Nations Security Council.

Despite the wave of reports from Tehran, the White House forcefully rejected the claims, dismissing the alleged agreement as fiction.

Officials described the Iranian account as “not true” and labeled the supposed memorandum “a complete fabrication.”

{Matzav.com}

Pam Bondi is recovering after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after President Trump removed her from her role as attorney general, according to an Axios report.

Bondi, 60, underwent treatment for the illness and is now said to be recuperating, Axios reported.

The disclosure surfaced as reports emerged that Trump plans to appoint Bondi to a new advisory panel focused on artificial intelligence initiatives.

According to Axios, Bondi — who was dismissed from the Justice Department the same day she joined President Trump at the U.S. Supreme Court for oral arguments in a major birthright citizenship dispute — is expected to serve on the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, known as PCAST.

News of Bondi’s diagnosis prompted an outpouring of support online, with many praising the way she handled the health crisis away from the public spotlight.

“Pam has been quietly kicking cancer’s …. the last few weeks,” podcast host and former White House official Katie Miller wrote on X.

“[Bondi] has a heart of gold,” Miller added.

Medical experts say the vast majority of thyroid cancer cases can be successfully treated. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most forms of the disease are considered highly curable.

Doctors note that patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer generally face an “excellent” outlook, with survival rates exceeding 98% after five years.

Bondi is not the only figure tied to Trump’s orbit to confront the disease. Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, later disclosed in his memoir that he quietly battled thyroid cancer while serving in the White House during Trump’s first administration.

Kushner underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his throat while overseeing Middle East policy efforts for Trump, and later had an additional thyroid-related procedure in 2022 after leaving government service.

Following her removal as attorney general, Bondi publicly pledged to remain loyal to Trump and continue supporting his agenda.

“Leading President Trump’s historic and highly successful efforts to make America safer and more secure has been the honor of a lifetime, and easily the most consequential first year of the Department of Justice in American history,” she posted on X last month.

“I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”

President Trump has since selected Todd Blanche to serve as interim attorney general while a permanent replacement is considered.

{Matzav.com}

Years after leading the Republican charge to impeach President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the effort backfired because the public came to see it as a personal scandal rather than a serious legal matter involving perjury and obstruction of justice.

Speaking during an interview on the New York Post’s “Pod Force One,” Gingrich said Republicans made a strategic error in how they handled the impeachment proceedings tied to Clinton’s scandal.

“I think it was a mistake because the real problem wasn’t [the person involved],” Gingrich said when asked whether impeaching President Bill Clinton had been the wrong move. “The real problem was he had committed perjury in a case involving … harassment while he was governor.”

Gingrich argued that the public focus drifted away from accusations that Clinton lied under oath and obstructed justice and instead centered almost entirely on the affair itself, weakening Republican arguments.

“In fact, he was stripped of his law license in Arkansas after he left the presidency, and for five years couldn’t practice because he clearly committed a felony,” Gingrich said.

The impeachment case grew out of an investigation overseen by independent counsel Ken Starr, who had originally been appointed in 1994 by Attorney General Janet Reno to examine the Clintons’ involvement in the Whitewater land deal.

Over time, Starr’s inquiry expanded into allegations connected to Clinton’s personal relationships as well as testimony tied to a harassment lawsuit.

During sworn testimony, Clinton denied certain behavior, leading Starr to determine that the president had lied under oath.

That conclusion prompted House Republicans to impeach Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, making him only the second president in American history to face impeachment proceedings.

“I always argued the question, ‘Is he allowed to commit felonies?’” Gingrich said. “But by allowing it to be about [the relationship], it trivialized it.”

Gingrich also reflected on a moment during the 1998 impeachment fight when he realized the country — especially younger Americans — viewed the controversy very differently from how Republicans did.

“I realized at that point I had completely misunderstood how the culture was evolving,” he said, recalling a discussion with his daughters at an Atlanta restaurant. They warned him that younger voters would blame Republicans if the impeachment battle hurt the economy or retirement accounts “because of some stupid intern.”

Throughout the scandal, Clinton aggressively fought the allegations.

A federal judge later held Clinton in civil contempt for giving misleading testimony in the Jones case. His Arkansas law license was suspended for five years, and he also lost his privilege to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Despite the impeachment vote in the House, the Senate acquitted Clinton on both counts in 1999, allowing him to remain in office through the end of his second term.

Gingrich himself stepped down as speaker shortly before the Senate trial concluded, following disappointing Republican results in the 1998 midterm elections and growing scrutiny tied to ethics allegations against him.

{Matzav.com}