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A head-to-head clash between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the 2028 Republican primary is unlikely, Rep. Mike Lawler said Monday, suggesting instead that the two could ultimately join forces.

Speaking on CNN’s “The Arena” with Kasie Hunt, the New York Republican said, “frankly, I think it’s more likely that you’ll have a Vance-Rubio ticket than anything else.” While stopping short of a formal endorsement, Lawler said the vice president would enter the race with a clear advantage, calling him a “formidable candidate” who has a “leg up” should he decide to run.

Lawler also framed the next cycle as crowded and competitive. “It’s going to be a robust 2028 cycle,” he said. “I know many of the players involved and considering it, and like and respect many of them. But of course, it’s always healthy to have debate and discussion.”

Vance has not declared his intentions but has left open the possibility of a presidential bid. He received a prominent endorsement last week from Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and the widow of Charlie Kirk, during the organization’s AmericaFest gathering in Phoenix. “We are going to get my husband’s friend, JD Vance, elected as 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she told the crowd.

Recent polling underscores Vance’s early strength. In Race to the White House’s national polling average, the vice president holds more than 45 percent support among potential Republican contenders. He is followed by Rubio, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump Jr., and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, with support levels of 10.9 percent, 9.4 percent, 8.6 percent, and 4.2 percent, respectively.

Reports have also pointed to a cooperative relationship between the vice president and the secretary of state. Politico said last month that Rubio would support Vance if he entered the race, and Vance told the New York Post in October that Rubio is his “best friend” in the Trump administration.

Not everyone in the party is on board. Sen. Rand Paul suggested in an interview with ABC News on Sunday that Vance would not be his top choice for 2028, pointing to disagreements with the administration’s protectionist trade agenda.

Despite policy differences, Lawler praised the vice president’s abilities, describing him as “one of the smartest and most articulate” Republicans in national politics. He added that a general-election debate between Vance and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would be a “debate for all ages.”

Ocasio-Cortez last week drew attention to a survey showing her narrowly ahead of Vance in a hypothetical 2028 matchup, with 51 percent support to his 49 percent.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter in the government’s initial estimate, marking an acceleration from 3.8% growth recorded in the previous quarter.

The Louvre Museum has installed metal bars over the windows of the Apollo Gallery, where crown jewels were stolen in a daylight robbery that took place 2 months ago, as part of strengthened security measures to prevent any future break-ins at the Paris landmark.

In a mall in Toronto, footage shows a mid day robbery at a Charm Diamond Centre. One bystander is seen hitting one of the suspects with a cane before the group flees. All 5 suspects were arrested shortly afterward.

JOE KERNEN: What you hear is tariffs are a tax on US companies, and when you tax something, you get less of it. How do you dispute that? NAVARRO: As soon as you add that third-party foreign countries, it becomes not a tax but a form of leverage…

Kim Jong Un was seen with his daughter Ju Ae at the opening of several hotels in a newly announced “tourist hot zone,” highlighting Pyongyang’s effort to promote a curated image of leisure and economic growth.

WATCH: Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Shahed drone using a U.S.-made M2 Browning heavy machine gun.

An atmosphere of excitement and uplift filled the bais medrash of Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok on Monday night during the Zos Chanukah tish held at the chassidus’ center in Yerushalayim’s Meah Shearim neighborhood. Hundreds of chassidim gathered for the tish were surprised and deeply moved when the Rebbe entered wearing the traditional kolpik hat.

While the Rebbe has worn the kolpik on isolated occasions in private settings—such as during bedikas chometz—this was the first time he donned the distinctive garment publicly for the entirety of a tish, before the assembled chassidim.

It is widely known that the Rebbe is a devoted talmid and deeply bound, heart and soul, to the Rebbes of the Vizhnitz dynasty, foremost among them the Imrei Chaim and Yeshuos Moshe. Having drawn from their wellsprings throughout his formative years, the Rebbe has consistently instilled Vizhnitzer teachings and conduct among his followers, guiding his own path in accordance with their sacred traditions.

The kolpik has long been identified as the distinctive headgear of the Vizhnitzer Rebbes throughout the generations. Seeing it worn openly by the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe during a public tish was understood by chassidim as a powerful expression of the unbreakable bond between the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok court and the legacy of Vizhnitz.

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{Matzav.com}

A chareidi mother who was forcefully shoved along with her daughters by police officers during a protest in Bnei Brak has spoken out sharply against what she described as police brutality, following the circulation of disturbing footage from the incident.

In an interview with Yaakov Grodka on Kol Barama Radio, the woman recounted the moments shown in the video, which spread widely on social media. “Nazis! Anyone who drags a small child along the road and pushes a mother who is trying to protect her. I have no other word for him,” she said. “He violently pulled my daughter when we were standing on a traffic island into the road. She’s a small child, she started crying, and when I tried to protect her, he pushed me too, and my other daughter as well.”

The mother stressed that she and her daughters were not participants in the demonstration. “We weren’t part of the protest. We came to shop and were standing on the side with our bags,” she said. “My daughter was just filming, and suddenly a police officer appeared out of nowhere and dragged us by force.”

The footage shows the mother and her daughter attempting to cross the road amid the protest in Bnei Brak. Police officers at the scene are seen using force against them, initially striking the mother and then pushing her without apparent cause, in full view of her daughter, who was also shoved.

In response to the video, Israel Police issued a statement rejecting the characterization of the incident. “These were not innocent women, but two women who were present at an illegal protest that led to the blocking of a road and disruption of public order,” police said. According to the statement, one of the women shouted insults at officers—calling them “Nazis”—and pushed a camera into an officer’s face. “Israel Police will continue to maintain public order and prevent harm to freedom of movement for road users,” the statement added.

{Matzav.com}

TEHILLIM: Former Jerusalem mayor and ba’al chessed Rabbi Uri Lupolianski is hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. Lupolianski, 74, was admitted in serious condition due to acute pneumonia and breathing difficulties. He previously was ill with cancer and recovered. Lupolianski founded and chaired the renowned Yad Sarah organization, the largest national volunteer organization […]

BORO PARK: The FDNY is on the scene of a 2 alarm structure fire at Sterns Bakery, located at 4322 15th Avenue near 44 Street. The extent of the damage is unknown. Additional details shortly.

The IDF announced on Tuesday that its forces carried out an airstrike, eliminating three Hezbollah terrorists involved in planning attacks against Israeli troops and in efforts to rebuild terror infrastructure in the Sidon region of southern Lebanon. One of the terrorists was simultaneously serving in the Lebanese Army’s intelligence unit. Another terrorist was responsible for […]

Nobody hit the jackpot in Monday night’s Powerball lottery, raising the ultimate prize to a whopping $1.7 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing.

A Brooklyn man accused of stabbing a Jewish man just centimeters from his heart after boasting that he wanted to “kill a Jew” was arrested Monday following a nearly week-long manhunt. Armani Charles, 23, was taken into custody on hate crime charges for the attack on 35-year-old Elias Rosner outside a Lubavitch shul in Crown […]

[Video below.] Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich used a meeting of his Religious Zionist Party faction on Monday to lay out his positions on the economy, the fighting in Gaza, and Israel’s diplomatic agenda ahead of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s expected trip to Washington, Arutz Sheva reports.

Turning first to domestic concerns, Smotrich said easing the financial burden on Israeli families remains a central priority. “The cost of living is deeply important to me. The budget now coming to the Knesset after government approval includes very significant measures to address it.”

He pointed to structural changes in the dairy sector as an example of why reform is necessary. “The dairy reform proves its necessity and urgency more with each passing day. While the public is being frightened by lies about the collapse of the dairy industry, they are being denied this basic consumer product, and some think this will convince the public that the reform is a mistake. It’s exactly the opposite – the absolute, monopolistic control you hold over the dairy market only proves how desperately it must be opened.”

According to Smotrich, more steps are imminent. “The import reform, which will be signed in the coming days, will also reduce costs for the citizens of Israel. The same goes for the deposit reform and additional steps we will soon take to address the cost of living.” He summed up his approach by saying, “The reason we are doing this is simple – I am determined to prove to everyone that things can be affordable here.”

The minister then shifted to security and diplomacy, stressing that Judea and Samaria must be central to discussions with Washington. “We are carrying out a revolution on the ground in Judea and Samaria, but in terms of security and diplomacy, we are still far from internalizing and implementing the lessons of October 7. Oslo was a mistake, the establishment of the Palestinian Authority was a mistake, and the PA is a terrorist entity that must be eradicated.”

Expanding on that point, he warned against repeating past failures. “So that Kfar Saba does not, God forbid, become Kfar Aza, and Netanya does not become Be’eri, and Nitzanei Oz does not become Nahal Oz, we must – absolutely must – dismantle the Palestinian Authority, collect the weapons, and apply Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.”

Smotrich cited remarks by President Donald Trump to underscore his argument about Israel’s security depth. “President Trump himself compared Israel to the tiny tip of a pen on the large desk in the Oval Office, explaining better than anyone how indefensible these borders are.”

He cautioned that inaction would carry a heavy price. “If we fail to act now in these areas, we will be responsible, God forbid, for the next October 7. As a member of the government, I bear responsibility for October 7, and I have no intention of bearing responsibility for the next one.”

Addressing Gaza, Smotrich said the coming White House meeting is critical. “The Prime Minister will soon, God willing, travel to the White House to meet Israel’s friend, President Trump.” He added that the objectives of the war must remain unchanged. “The Prime Minister must ensure in that meeting that – just as we committed – we do not stop until we achieve the primary objective of the war that we defined: the destruction of Hamas. We promised total victory, and we are not there yet.”

While acknowledging delays, including the issue of the hostages, Smotrich said attention must now be on firm conditions for the future. “There will be no reconstruction without demilitarization. This is mandated by President Trump’s plan, and we must not deviate from it by even an inch. There is no such thing as partial demilitarization, fictitious demilitarization, or watered-down demilitarization. Hamas cannot exist in Gaza at the end of this war. There will be no involvement of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza – neither directly nor indirectly.”

He concluded by listing further red lines. “There will be no entry of multinational forces into our part of Gaza. International forces must dismantle Hamas and demilitarize Gaza, and they must do so in the red zone of the Strip. The State of Israel will not pay in any way for Gaza’s reconstruction. If anything, the Gazans should bear the enormous costs of the war they forced upon us in the October 7 massacre. There must be a clear and short deadline for attempts to dismantle Hamas the easy way, after which Israel will have full freedom to act on its own.”

WATCH:

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The U.S. military said Monday that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person. In a social media post, U.S. Southern Command said, “Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in […]

When Yad L’Achim came to David Altshuler of the Jewish Ad Group (JAG) with a bold Chanukah raffle idea, nobody expected what happened next! The entire campaign sold out, every ticket, in under three days! This wasn’t luck. And it definitely wasn’t “just another raffle.” This was a full-throttle, all-systems-go campaign built, branded, and executed […]

A new generation of American battleships bearing President Donald Trump’s name is being planned, with the Navy outlining vessels that would carry nuclear capabilities and represent a return to a class of warship not used in combat for decades.

Speaking Monday, Trump said the ships are intended as a broad show of strength rather than a message to any single rival. “It’s a counter to everybody. It’s not China. We get along great with China,” he said. “It’s just everybody. You don’t know who comes along, but we just wanted peace through strength. Hopefully we never have to use them, but there will never be anything built like these.”

The announcement was made at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Navy Secretary John Phelan described the vessels as “Trump-class battleships.” He said an upcoming ship, to be known as the USS Defiant, would be “the largest, deadliest and most versatile and best-looking warship anywhere on the world’s oceans.”

According to officials, the battleships will be outfitted with a wide array of weaponry, including traditional guns and missiles alongside hypersonic weapons, electronic rail guns, and high-powered laser systems. Phelan added that the ships will also be equipped with the “nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile.”

Trump said the goal is to establish an entirely new fleet of such vessels over time. “We envision that these ships will be the first of a whole new class of battleships to be produced in the years to come,” he said, adding that the long-term plan calls for as many as 20 to 25 ships.

The president also framed the idea as a revival of an older naval concept. “These have been under design consideration for a long time, and it started with me in my first term, because I said, ‘Why aren’t we doing battleships like we used to?'” Trump said.

The Defense Department said the Navy will take the lead in designing the ships, which are expected to be completed in the early 2030s. Trump indicated he intends to be involved in the process as well, saying he would participate “because I’m a very aesthetic person.”

Battleships have been largely absent from modern U.S. combat operations. The last time the United States deployed them in active fighting was in 1991, during the first Gulf War against Iraq.

The move fits into a broader pattern of Trump’s name and image being attached to federal institutions and projects during his second term. In recent weeks, a board selected by Trump voted to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the Trump-Kennedy Center. His name was also added to the U.S. Institute of Peace headquarters, and the Interior Department last month showcased a 2026 national park pass featuring Trump’s likeness. Several of those actions are now facing legal challenges.

Despite the sweeping scope of the new naval plans, Trump emphasized that the battleships are intended to preserve stability rather than provoke conflict, portraying them as a tool to maintain U.S. dominance and deter any potential adversary that might emerge.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. regulators have authorized the first pill taken by mouth to treat obesity, opening the door to a new option for patients who until now needed injections to access GLP-1 weight-loss therapies. The Food and Drug Administration signed off on the drug Monday after studies showed meaningful weight reduction along with heart-health benefits, according to its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk.

The newly approved tablet is designed to be taken once a day and uses semaglutide, the same compound found in the company’s injectable Wegovy and Ozempic. It is the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in the United States for long-term weight management.

Approval covers adults with obesity, as well as those who are overweight and have at least one related medical condition such as heart disease, provided the medication is used alongside diet and exercise.

Clinical results played a central role in the decision. In the OASIS 4 phase 3 study, participants taking a 25-milligram daily pill shed an average of 16.6% of their body weight over 68 weeks, while those given a placebo lost 2.7%. Novo Nordisk said roughly one in three patients in the treatment group dropped at least 20% of their body weight.

The FDA’s decision was also backed by findings from the large SELECT trial, which showed that semaglutide lowered the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, in adults with obesity or overweight who already had cardiovascular disease.

Until this approval, all FDA-cleared GLP-1 medications for weight loss were delivered by injection. Drugs in this class work by mimicking a hormone that helps control appetite and slows digestion, allowing patients to feel full for longer periods.

“With today’s approval of the Wegovy pill, patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection,” Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk, said in a news release. “As the first oral GLP-1 treatment for people living with overweight or obesity, the Wegovy pill provides patients with a new, convenient treatment option that can help patients start or continue their weight-loss journey.”

Novo Nordisk has indicated that the drug could enter the U.S. market at an initial price of about $149 for a month’s supply, far less than many injectable GLP-1 treatments that can run uninsured patients hundreds of dollars each month.

The company has argued that pills may be easier for insurers to cover than injections, potentially broadening access for people who have avoided shots or encountered insurance barriers.

Investors responded quickly to the announcement, pushing Novo Nordisk shares up more than 9% in after-hours trading on news of the approval and the company’s first-mover advantage in oral obesity treatment.

The manufacturer said it plans to roll out the Wegovy pill in the United States in early January and has already submitted the medication for regulatory review in Europe and other regions.

The approval arrives as competitors move closer to the same space. Eli Lilly and Company is developing its own once-daily oral weight-loss drug, orforglipron, which has delivered double-digit percentage weight loss at higher doses in late-stage trials and met key study goals. The company is expected to seek FDA clearance next year, setting up a head-to-head race in what analysts see as a future multi-billion-dollar global market.

Like other semaglutide-based products, the Wegovy pill carries warnings about gastrointestinal side effects and includes a boxed warning tied to thyroid tumors observed in animal studies.

{Matzav.com}

A small Mexican Navy plane transporting a young medical patient and seven others crashed Monday near Galveston, killing at least five people and setting off a search in waters along the Texas coast, officials said. Four of the people aboard were Navy officers and four were civilians, including a child, Mexico’s Navy said in a […]