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Social Security to Enroll Newborns in Trump Accounts

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The Social Security Administration announced Friday that parents will soon be able to enroll newborns in the new Trump Accounts program through the same paperwork used to obtain a Social Security number at birth, simplifying the process as the first federal deposits begin reaching eligible accounts.

Beginning next week, the agency will revise its instructions to hospitals and coordinate with states to update the Enumeration at Birth forms, allowing parents who apply for a Social Security number for their newborn to automatically initiate the creation of a Trump Account at the same time.

The Enumeration at Birth system, which has been in use since 1987, is the primary method by which American newborns receive Social Security numbers. By integrating Trump Account enrollment into that existing process, officials say parents will no longer need to complete a separate application.

Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said the streamlined enrollment process is a key part of the program’s implementation.

“Social Security numbers are the backbone of Trump Accounts, and we will empower parents to enroll their newborns through the Enumeration at Birth program to take full advantage of this program from the day a child is born,” he said in the announcement.

The investment accounts were established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. Designed as custodial investment accounts similar to retirement savings plans, they are available for children under the age of 18.

Children born in the United States between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who are U.S. citizens and have valid Social Security numbers are eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury.

In addition to the government’s initial deposit, families, employers, relatives, and charitable organizations may collectively contribute up to $5,000 each year. The funds are invested in low-cost U.S. stock index funds and generally remain inaccessible until the child reaches age 18.

Ahead of the official rollout, President Trump announced on Truth Social that demand for the program had already exceeded 6 million account requests. He also revealed that the Treasury Department will now permit publicly traded stock to be donated to Trump Accounts.

“This opens the door for GREAT American Businesses, Philanthropists, and Job Creators to invest directly in the future of our children, and help build a Generation of Savers, Investors, and Owners,” he wrote.

Parents of children who have already been born may still open a Trump Account by visiting TrumpAccounts.gov and submitting IRS Form 4547. The new Social Security enrollment process is intended to automatically register future newborns at birth, eliminating the need for parents to complete a second application later.

Eligible children whose accounts have already been established began receiving the $1,000 Treasury contribution today.

{Matzav.com}

DOJ, FTC Turn Up Heat on Oil Industry as Trump Pushes Probe Into High Gas Prices

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The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are urging state attorneys general to investigate possible gasoline price gouging and anti-competitive conduct by oil companies, intensifying the Trump administration’s effort to bring fuel prices down as crude oil costs have fallen while prices at the pump remain relatively high.

In a letter sent Friday, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson told state law enforcement officials that federal regulators are closely monitoring developments in the petroleum market and warned that fluctuations in the market do not exempt companies from antitrust laws or consumer protection requirements.

Although neither the Justice Department nor the FTC has direct authority to enforce price-gouging laws, the officials noted that more than 36 states, along with several U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, have statutes prohibiting excessive price increases during emergencies. The agencies encouraged those jurisdictions to use those laws when appropriate.

Gasoline prices have remained elevated since the U.S.-Iran conflict led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for more than three and a half months beginning in late February, disrupting one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, which typically carries about 20 percent of global oil supplies.

According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.82 on Friday. While that is below the peak reached during the conflict, it remains significantly higher than the $2.98 national average recorded in the week before the fighting erupted.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized oil companies in recent days, arguing that consumers have not benefited from the sharp decline in crude oil prices.

In a Truth Social post on June 24, Trump accused the industry of keeping gasoline prices artificially high despite falling crude costs, writing that motorists were being “gouged” and announcing that he had directed the Justice Department to investigate the matter.

He renewed that demand Monday evening, writing that “Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY!” while saying prices should be closer to $2.50 per gallon.

Oil industry executives, however, contend that reductions in crude oil prices are not immediately reflected at gas stations.

Chevron Chief Financial Officer Eimear Bonner told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” that the adjustment takes time to work its way through the supply chain.

“It’s going to take time though,” she said, explaining that there is a delay between declining crude prices and lower retail gasoline prices. She added that consumers should see prices ease as market conditions stabilize.

The federal agencies also encouraged consumers who suspect unlawful pricing practices to file complaints through the Justice Department’s Citizen Complaint Center and the FTC’s online fraud reporting system, signaling increased scrutiny of gasoline prices as they remain a major issue for consumers ahead of November’s midterm elections.

{Matzav.com}

Paul Pelosi Faces Hit-and-Run Charge After Napa Crash

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Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is facing a recommended misdemeanor hit-and-run charge after authorities say he struck a parked vehicle in Napa County and drove away before his own damaged car came to a stop a short distance later.

According to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a reported hit-and-run on Yount Street in Yountville at approximately 2:30 p.m. on July 3.

Investigators said a witness called 911 after seeing a northbound convertible crash into the rear of a parked vehicle on the side of the road. The impact caused extensive damage and forced one of the parked car’s tires onto the curb.

The witness told deputies that the driver briefly stopped after the collision before leaving the scene.

Authorities later located Pelosi, 86, who acknowledged that he had struck something but told officers he did not realize what he had hit. He continued driving until his vehicle became disabled because of the damage sustained in the crash.

Deputies found Pelosi’s brown convertible partially obstructing the roadway on Yountville Cross Road. Officers observed significant damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle.

Investigators determined that alcohol did not play a role in the incident. Pelosi voluntarily submitted to a preliminary alcohol screening test, which registered a blood alcohol content of 0.00. Police said that “therefore, Driving Under the Influence was ruled out.”

Pelosi was not taken into custody. The sheriff’s office explained that “is common for this type of offense, in accordance with misdemeanor arrest laws spelled out in 853.6 of the California Penal Code.”

The investigation has been forwarded to the Napa County District Attorney’s Office for review. Authorities also said they will submit a driver re-examination referral to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a procedure commonly used in cases involving elderly motorists.

A spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office told The California Post that investigators are recommending a misdemeanor charge of property-damage hit-and-run without injuries under California Vehicle Code 20002.

The Pelosi family owns a vineyard estate in nearby St. Helena, roughly 10 miles north of Yountville. The 16-acre Zinfandel Lane property includes a residence and a licensed winery and generates revenue through grape production.

In a statement to The California Post, a spokesperson for Pelosi said, “Mr. Paul Pelosi has personally apologized to the owner of the vehicle and assured them that he would take responsibility for the damage to their vehicle.”

The spokesperson added, “Speaker Pelosi will not be commenting further on this private matter.”

Pelosi has previously spoken publicly about issues affecting the area surrounding the family’s vineyard. According to the Los Angeles Times, he once opposed a neighboring winery’s proposed expansion and also raised concerns about speeding on the local roads.

“One thing I would like to say while here, though,” he said, “all of us are concerned about the speed limit on Zinfandel Lane.”

Pelosi first became the focus of national attention in 2022 after an intruder broke into the couple’s San Francisco home and assaulted him with a hammer, causing a fractured skull.

The attacker, David DePape, had been searching for Nancy Pelosi, who was away on official business at the time of the attack.

Earlier that same year, Pelosi was involved in another crash in Napa County while driving his Porsche. Responding officers reported that he appeared intoxicated, alleging that he smelled strongly of alcohol, had difficulty maintaining his balance, and slurred his speech.

A blood alcohol test later measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.082%. Pelosi subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge involving injuries.

Pelosi has also drawn public attention over financial transactions. In 2021, he reportedly earned approximately $5.3 million through Alphabet stock options that he had acquired on February 27, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the U.S. economy. The timing of the investment prompted questions from critics about possible insider trading because of his connection to a senior member of Congress.

{Matzav.com}

Hate Crime Spree in Montreal: Suspects Target Chassidim, Steal Three Shtreimlach on Shabbos

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A series of suspected antisemitic attacks shook Montreal’s Outremont neighborhood over Shabbos night, as individuals riding in a vehicle allegedly targeted visibly Jewish pedestrians, stealing three shtreimlach and assaulting several victims in what authorities are investigating as a hate crime.

The incidents began at approximately 10:00 p.m. when a car carrying several suspects drove through the neighborhood, apparently seeking out chassidic Jews. According to reports, the group repeatedly stopped to harass pedestrians and snatch their shtreimlach before speeding away.

The first attack occurred near Mehudar, where one of the suspects exited the vehicle and struck a passerby’s shtreimel. When the victim shouted for help, nearby pedestrians rushed toward the scene, prompting the suspect to flee back into the waiting vehicle before he could take the fur hat. As the car sped away, it narrowly missed hitting another pedestrian.

The same vehicle was later linked to three additional attacks throughout the neighborhood. In three of the incidents, the suspects succeeded in stealing shtreimlach, while a fourth attempt was unsuccessful. During the spree, one victim was spat on, and another was struck by a thrown beverage can.

Members of the community pieced together the reports and concluded that the same vehicle and group of suspects were responsible for all of the incidents.

Police have launched an investigation and are treating the attacks as suspected hate crimes.

{Matzav.com}

Bnei Brak Driver Arrested After Police Discover Seven Illegal Aliens Hidden in Vehicle

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A Bnei Brak resident was arrested Sunday after police discovered seven illegal aliens concealed inside his vehicle during a targeted enforcement operation at the Rantis crossing.

Detectives from the Ariel Police Station, operating under the Shomron District, stopped the vehicle as part of an operation aimed at preventing the illegal entry of unauthorized individuals into Israel.

According to police, the driver—a man in his 30s from Bnei Brak—was allegedly transporting seven illegal aliens who had been hidden inside the vehicle in an apparent attempt to evade detection. Several were concealed behind the rear seat, while others were found covered with a blanket in the trunk.

Police arrested both the driver and the seven passengers at the scene. All were taken to the Ariel Police Station for questioning.

In a statement, Israel Police stressed that it will continue aggressively enforcing laws against the illegal entry of unauthorized individuals into the country and against anyone who assists them.

“Israel Police will continue to act decisively and with zero tolerance against the entry of illegal aliens into the State of Israel and against anyone who assists them. Such individuals are often involved in criminal or security-related offenses. We remind the public that transporting illegal aliens is a serious criminal offense punishable by imprisonment,” the statement said.

{Matzav.com}

Proposal Calls for 100 New Jewish Communities in PA-Controlled Areas Presented to Netanyahu

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Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu recently met with Yehoshua Sherman, a representative of the “Homeward – Returning to the Homeland” forum, who presented a sweeping proposal aimed at dramatically expanding Jewish settlement into portions of Judea and Samaria currently under Palestinian Authority control.

The initiative calls for the establishment of 100 new Jewish communities in Area A of Judea and Samaria, a region that, under the Oslo Accords, is under both the civil and security control of the Palestinian Authority.

The Oslo framework divided Judea and Samaria into three administrative zones. Area A falls under full Palestinian Authority control, Area B is administered civilly by the PA while remaining under Israeli security control, and Area C is under full Israeli civil and military authority. While Arabs are permitted to reside and work throughout all three areas, Jewish communities are currently limited to Area C, and Israelis who enter Area A face serious security risks.

During the meeting, Sherman outlined the details of the plan, explaining that the proposed communities would be built exclusively on undeveloped land, eliminating the need to evacuate existing residents.

Sherman also expressed appreciation to Netanyahu for what he described as the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Jewish settlement throughout Judea and Samaria, including the establishment of new farms and communities, and urged the prime minister to adopt the broader initiative.

The “Homeward – Returning to the Homeland” forum was founded approximately two months ago by Eliav Libi, a pioneer in the Judea and Samaria agricultural settlement movement whose son, David Libi, was killed while fighting in Gaza, together with Yehoshua Sherman, whose son, Yehuda Shmuel Sherman, was murdered in a terrorist attack near the Shuva Israel farm in the Shomron approximately three months ago.

{Matzav.com}

Captured Hamas Files Reveal Sinwar’s Secret Plan for Full-Scale Multi-Front War Against Israel

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Newly analyzed documents detailing communications between Hamas and Hezbollah leaders reveal that Yahya Sinwar spent years trying to orchestrate a coordinated regional assault on Israel, believing Hezbollah would launch a massive offensive alongside Hamas once the war began.

The documents, examined by researchers at the Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute and published Sunday by Doron Kadosh of Galei Tzahal, shed new light on Sinwar’s extensive strategic discussions with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the years preceding the October 7 massacre.

According to the documents, Sinwar presented Nasrallah with multiple operational plans for attacking Israel, not just a single proposal. Each envisioned cooperation among members of the Iranian-backed regional alliance, although the degree of participation varied from one scenario to another.

Even in the less ambitious proposals, one strategic objective remained unchanged. Sinwar consistently viewed Israel’s border with Jordan as a critical battlefield in any future conflict, alongside the traditional fronts in Gaza and Lebanon.

The correspondence indicates that as early as June 2022, Sinwar advocated for a coordinated assault in which guerrilla forces would infiltrate Israel simultaneously from Syria and Jordan. He believed opening multiple fronts at once would overwhelm Israel’s military and force it to divide its resources across several theaters of combat.

The exchanges also suggest that Nasrallah responded favorably to the proposals. According to the documents, he described one of the plans as a “realistic scenario that can be realized.” Nasrallah reportedly said he intended to present the proposal to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for approval. Despite that, the plans did not envision direct Iranian military involvement, with Tehran expected to remain outside the fighting itself.

Researchers concluded that Sinwar became increasingly confident after each meeting with Hezbollah’s leadership. He came away believing that Nasrallah was committed to participating in a major war and that Hezbollah would assume a central role once hostilities began.

By June 2023, Sinwar was expressing that confidence publicly within Hamas leadership circles. During a meeting of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza, he declared, “In recent months, we have succeeded in bringing Hezbollah and the Iranians out of their ‘psychological deterrence’ mindset that has existed since 2006 in the Dahieh. Now the Iranians and Hezbollah are prepared…” The documents indicate that Sinwar believed both Hezbollah and Iran had become increasingly willing to confront Israel directly.

His confidence only grew as October approached. Addressing Hamas’s Shura Council in August 2023—roughly six weeks before the attack—Sinwar predicted that the conflict would rapidly spread throughout the region.

“We are certain that if the great strategic battle breaks out, God willing, many fronts will be opened against this enemy,” he told the gathering.

Not everyone within Hamas shared that optimism. Internal military intelligence assessments painted a more cautious picture, warning that Hezbollah still faced a significant “psychological barrier” when it came to entering a large-scale war with Israel. The intelligence analysis suggested Hezbollah remained hesitant despite Sinwar’s assurances to Hamas’s leadership.

Nevertheless, the documents indicate that Sinwar never altered his expectations. He remained convinced that Nasrallah would honor their understandings and enter the war immediately once Hamas launched its offensive.

According to the report, at 6:29 a.m. on October 7, shortly after Hamas began its assault, Sinwar sent an urgent message to Nasrallah apologizing for not informing him beforehand of the exact timing of the operation while pleading for Hezbollah to join the battle without delay.

“We ask for support and assistance,” Sinwar wrote before urging Hezbollah to “hurry and take part… in concentrated rocket bombardments… and begin a major ground offensive.”

The report, first revealed by Israeli journalist Ben Caspit, indicates that one of Sinwar’s immediate priorities during the opening hours of the massacre was to transform the conflict into a broad regional war by bringing Hezbollah into the fighting at full strength.

That plan never materialized.

Although Hezbollah eventually entered the conflict a day later, its involvement remained far more limited than Sinwar had anticipated. Rather than launching the sweeping invasion he envisioned, Hezbollah confined its operations to a much narrower campaign along Israel’s northern border.

Researchers concluded that the documents highlight a striking disconnect between Sinwar’s expectations and reality. While he believed the October 7 assault would almost automatically trigger simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts, that scenario never fully developed.

The analysis concludes that although the October 7 massacre itself represented an unprecedented terrorist attack and intelligence failure, the consequences could have been substantially more devastating had Hezbollah executed the full-scale offensive Sinwar expected. According to the report, Hezbollah’s decision not to immediately launch a major assault likely spared communities throughout the Galilee from a far broader and more destructive attack.

{Matzav.com}

“WICKED WOMAN”: Likud Lawmaker Slams Attorney General Over Actions Targeting Yeshivos

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Israeli Finance Committee Chairman MK Hanoch Milwidsky launched a scathing attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of waging a campaign against the Torah world through measures affecting yeshivos that enroll students whose military status has not been resolved.

Milwidsky’s comments came in response to reports that the Israel Tax Authority has begun implementing new procedures requiring dozens of yeshivos and Torah institutions to certify that none of their students have unresolved military obligations if they wish to retain tax benefits for donors. The move follows guidance issued earlier this year by Baharav-Miara.

Speaking with Kol Barama Radio, the Likud lawmaker claimed the policy was politically motivated.

“The Attorney General’s witch hunt against the Torah-learning community is intended to discourage it, harm it, and distance it from the ballot box.”

Milwidsky went on to accuse the attorney general of deliberately targeting one of Israel’s most vulnerable communities.

“She is abusing this community because it’s easy and because she can. She does not hesitate to harm children, she does not hesitate to harm the weak. She does not hesitate to support, if not participate in, the fabrication of cases against our soldiers during wartime.”

He concluded his remarks with a blistering personal condemnation of Baharav-Miara and predicted she would one day face consequences for her actions.

“She is a cursed woman, a terrible woman, and as for the damages she causes, I am certain she will ultimately be held accountable somewhere. I doubt it [will happen] here, because no one here will judge her until we carry out comprehensive judicial reform, but I am certain there are greater forces.”

{Matzav.com}

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