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Shin Bet Director David Zini has reportedly ordered an immediate investigation into the leak of the launch date of Israel’s operation against Iran to Channel 12, overruling objections from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the agency’s own legal advisers following a dramatic confrontation at last Thursday night’s Security Cabinet meeting.

According to a report by Channel 14, the unprecedented clash erupted after several cabinet ministers sharply criticized the Shin Bet’s failure to investigate the leak, despite what they said were direct instructions from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and the defense minister to do so.

During the meeting, ministers reportedly questioned how such a serious security breach—the disclosure of the launch of Operation Rising Lion to Channel 12—had not yet become the subject of a criminal investigation.

In response, Zini reportedly revealed that the delay was not due to reluctance on the part of the Shin Bet, but because the agency’s head of investigations and its legal adviser had blocked the probe under the direct guidance of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

The revelation reportedly triggered strong outrage among ministers. Following the criticism, Zini decided to move forward with the investigation immediately, despite the attorney general’s legal opinion and opposition from the Shin Bet’s legal department and senior investigative officials.

The report also says investigators may already be closing in on the source of the leak. Security officials from both the Shin Bet and the Defense Ministry’s security division (Malam) reportedly possess intelligence and evidence gathered from multiple independent sources that could directly identify the individual responsible for the unauthorized disclosure.

The affair has intensified criticism within senior government circles, where officials are questioning why an investigation into what many describe as one of the gravest national security leaks in Israel’s history required approval from legal advisers while operational security and human lives were potentially at risk.

In response, the Shin Bet issued a statement saying: “We do not comment on discussions that take place during closed-door meetings. We will, of course, continue to follow this matter and will not rest until it has been fully investigated and the individual who leaked information that severely endangered the security of the state is identified.”

{Matzav.com}

A new investigation has uncovered widespread deterioration across federal office buildings, revealing leaking roofs, mold, rodent infestations, failing infrastructure, and billions of dollars in deferred maintenance that critics say reflects years of government inefficiency and neglect.

According to a report by The New York Times, the federal government faces an estimated $50 billion backlog in maintenance and repairs across approximately 1,475 properties owned by the General Services Administration (GSA). The report warns that, within a few years, the cost of needed repairs could surpass the total value of the federal government’s real estate holdings.

The problems became more visible after President Donald Trump directed federal employees to return to in-person work last year, sending workers back into buildings where maintenance issues had been accumulating for decades.

One of the primary causes of the growing backlog is the lengthy federal approval process for major repair projects. Current law requires congressional approval for GSA projects exceeding $3.96 million, and agency officials say the average approval takes more than 435 days. During that time, building conditions often continue to deteriorate, increasing both repair costs and safety concerns.

The investigation highlighted numerous examples of serious infrastructure failures across the country, including chronic roof leaks at an IRS facility in Atlanta, mold contamination at Veterans Affairs offices in Hilo, Hawaii, elevators at Boston’s John F. Kennedy Federal Building that have trapped occupants dozens of times, and outdated plumbing, ventilation, and electrical systems in federal facilities nationwide.

The report also found that prolonged building closures during the COVID-19 pandemic created additional maintenance challenges. Water systems left unused for extended periods raised concerns about Legionella bacteria, although the GSA said recent testing at the Food and Drug Administration headquarters found no evidence of contamination. Agency officials nevertheless acknowledged that extended vacancies introduced new risks to aging infrastructure.

Conditions at several IRS facilities have drawn particular scrutiny. Employees at one Atlanta office reported recurring mouse infestations, while another building has relied on plastic sheeting, hoses, and trash cans to catch rainwater dripping through a roof that has leaked for years.

Following complaints from employees and coverage by local media, GSA Administrator Edward Forst visited the Atlanta campus and ordered repairs to be expedited. The agency confirmed it had found evidence of mice and said emergency roof work would proceed immediately rather than waiting for the full congressional approval process.

In Austin, Texas, inspectors identified more than 100 building code violations at another IRS office, citing exposed electrical wiring, malfunctioning HVAC equipment, plumbing deficiencies, and inadequate ventilation. The GSA said many of those repairs are expected to be completed by October.

The bipartisan Public Buildings Reform Board argues that simply allocating more money for repairs will not solve the underlying problem. Instead, the board has urged the federal government to sell underutilized properties and shrink its real estate portfolio, contending that taxpayers should no longer bear the cost of maintaining outdated and inefficient buildings.

Board member Nick Rahall said the mounting maintenance backlog is creating “unhealthy and sometimes unsafe work environments” while driving up costs for taxpayers, adding to calls for sweeping reforms in the way the federal government manages its vast inventory of office buildings.

{Matzav.com}

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Sunday that he will deliver a bipartisan housing affordability bill to President Donald Trump on Monday, signaling that the legislation will move forward despite Trump’s recent refusal to sign it until Congress advances a separate voter ID proposal.

Speaking during a televised interview, the Louisiana Republican expressed confidence that the measure’s path to becoming law is now clear.

“It’s passed by both chambers. I’m sending it to him on Monday, and it will become law,” Johnson said.

The announcement comes just days after Trump unexpectedly canceled a planned White House signing ceremony for the housing bill. The president delayed action on the legislation in an effort to pressure congressional Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, a controversial election security measure.

The proposed legislation would require voters to present photo identification in federal elections, require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and direct states to provide their voter registration rolls to the federal government.

Although the House approved the measure in February, it has remained stalled in the Senate amid strong Democratic opposition.

Johnson met with Trump on Thursday to discuss possible strategies for advancing the voter ID legislation while also arranging a new timetable for signing the housing bill.

Many Trump allies have advocated incorporating the SAVE America Act into a budget reconciliation package, which could be approved in the Senate with a simple Republican majority of 51 votes. They have also urged Senate leaders to override the parliamentarian if the voting measure is again ruled ineligible for reconciliation, as occurred earlier this year.

Democrats have sharply criticized the proposal, arguing that the voter ID requirements would make it more difficult for thousands of Americans—particularly those living in heavily Democratic areas—to cast ballots.

Because the housing affordability bill has already cleared both the House and Senate, it can still become law regardless of whether Trump signs it. Under the Constitution, the president has 10 days after receiving the legislation to either sign or veto it. If he takes neither action within that period, the bill automatically becomes law without his signature.

Johnson also said he has spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune about moving the voter ID legislation through the upper chamber.

“He’s got a big challenge on his hands, of course, and I’ve encouraged him to do everything possible within his power to move it. I believe he will,” Johnson said. “We’ll send them over a provision that fits.”

{Matzav.com}

Planned negotiations between the United States and Iran, which were scheduled to resume in Switzerland this weekend, have been canceled as military clashes between the two countries continue to escalate, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the latest round of talks was called off because of the ongoing hostilities, casting uncertainty over efforts to advance negotiations beyond the preliminary agreement reached earlier this month.

The development came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that Iran holds exclusive authority over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz under the preliminary agreement reached with President Donald Trump. He warned that attempts to bypass Iran’s authority could trigger additional confrontations similar to those seen in recent days.

Araghchi’s remarks directly contradict the U.S. position that the agreement does not grant Iran control over the vital international waterway and that commercial vessels should not require Iranian permission to transit the strait.

His comments followed several days of military exchanges between Iran and the United States. The latest fighting began after Iranian forces attacked a vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while navigating near the coast of Oman. Tehran, which has sought to redirect maritime traffic to a separate route closer to its own coastline, had warned ships against using the alternative shipping lane.

The renewed violence has unnerved shipping companies and raised fresh doubts about the reopening of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The disruption threatens one of the principal achievements of President Trump’s preliminary agreement with Iran, which envisioned moving negotiations into a second phase focused on more contentious issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program.

The negotiations had been expected to resume in Switzerland later this week but have now been postponed indefinitely because of the fighting, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal.

“Managing and fully restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s responsibility,” Araghchi said. “No other country or entity has responsibility or authority in this matter.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz warned that Washington would respond forcefully to any additional attacks on commercial shipping.

“If the Iranian regime thinks for a moment that President Trump will sit idly by, stand idly by, while Iran continues to attack international shipping without response or our bases without response, they are greatly mistaken,” Waltz said on Fox News. “And they have seen that loud and clear over the last several nights.”

In recent days, Iran attacked two commercial vessels—a container ship and an oil tanker transporting Qatari crude. The United States responded with strikes against Iranian communications facilities, drone sites, and missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently expanded the conflict by launching attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Reb Meyer Greisman z”l, a beloved machzik Torah and baal tzedakah, who was niftar following a serious illness. He was 75. He leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary generosity, quiet chesed, and unwavering dedication to the Torah world.

In recent months, countless tefillos were recited on his behalf as family, friends, and members of the broader community fervently hoped for his recovery. Despite those heartfelt tefillos, Reb Meyer was called to his eternal reward, leaving a profound void in the lives of all who knew him.

Reb Meyer originally lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and, in recent years, resettled in Jackson, NJ.

For many years, Reb Meyer was recognized as one of the community’s outstanding supporters of Torah. He gave generously—and often quietly—to an extraordinary range of mosdos, yeshivos, kollelim, organizations, and individuals in need. Whether the cause involved Torah learning, chinuch, chesed, or helping a family through difficult times, Reb Meyer was among those who could always be counted upon to respond with remarkable generosity.

Those who knew him speak not only of his philanthropy, but of the warmth with which it was offered. He possessed a heart of gold, always looking for ways to help another person, often without seeking recognition or acknowledgment. His kindness extended far beyond financial assistance; he offered encouragement, friendship, and genuine concern for the well-being of others. His life was a reflection of selfless giving and sincere compassion.

He leaves behind a distinguished family who continue to walk in his path of Torah, chesed, and tzedakah. They carry forward the values that defined his life and stand as a living testament to the enduring legacy he built.

He is survived by his wife; his children, Duvie Greisman, Moshe Greisman, Chaya Bienstock, Ariella Zicherman, Peri Parnes, and Shirah Sochaczewski; and many grandchildren.

The levayah will take place today at 4:30 p.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey. The aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

Watch the levayah live HERE.

Passcode: 363069

Yehi zichro baruch.

President Joe Biden returned to the political spotlight Saturday night, delivering a speech attacking President Trump at a Democratic Party gathering in Maryland before appearing uncertain about how to leave the stage at the conclusion of his remarks.

Appearing at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win summit outside Baltimore, Biden defended his presidency while launching a series of attacks against Trump. The event marked another public appearance for the 83-year-old after Democrats ended his 2024 reelection campaign following his widely criticized debate performance against Trump.

During the speech, Biden accused Trump of engaging in the “deliberate distraction – destruction of NATO” and mocked plans for a new White House ballroom, dismissing it as a “vanity project.”

After wrapping up his remarks with a familiar message about America’s resilience, Biden hesitated onstage as he searched for the correct exit.

He looked toward the side of the stage for direction, gestured in two separate directions while trying to determine where to go, and ultimately left by walking off with his back facing the audience.

The Maryland appearance, held at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, came only days after Biden attended the opening of the Barack Obama presidential library in Chicago.

That event also ended awkwardly for the former president. As the program concluded, Biden appeared uncertain about where to go and called out, “Where’s my granddaughter?” while approaching the podium. At various points during the event, he was escorted by former first lady Jill Biden.

Reading from a teleprompter throughout Saturday night’s address, Biden occasionally squinted at the screen and coughed several times during the opening portion of his speech. He repeatedly criticized the president, who defeated him in the 2024 election after Biden had won the White House in 2020.

“Have you noticed that Americans are saying the economy under the Biden administration is a hell of a lot better than under Trump?” he told party faithful in the deep blue state.

Continuing his criticism, Biden said, “It’s not just his vanity projects – tearing down the East Wing of the White House making room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool. Woah – what a loser,” drawing applause from the audience.

He also said it was “simply stunning to me” that Trump made “billions of dollars” after returning to the White House, adding that “he has no shame.”

The latest incident added to a series of well-publicized moments in which Biden appeared to struggle with stage directions during his presidency, including a widely discussed G7 photo opportunity in Italy in 2024.

Although he addressed national issues and criticized Trump, Biden did not mention the ongoing ideological divisions within the Democratic Party following victories by democratic socialist candidates in three New York primary elections.

Biden is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Meanwhile, former first lady Jill Biden has increased her public appearances while promoting her new book, in which she disclosed that she initially feared Biden might be “having a stroke” during his difficult 2024 presidential debate performance.

Hunter Biden has also become increasingly active online, using social media to promote his artwork while responding to critics of his father. In one recent post, he challenged Donald Trump Jr. to a cage match and criticized the UFC event that was held on the South Lawn of the White House.

{Matzav.com}