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It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Louise (Rechel) Mermelstein a”h, a devoted eishes chayil and matriarch, leaving behind a legacy of yiras Shamayim, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication to her family.

Mrs. Mermelstein was the beloved wife of R’ Chaim Aryeh Mermelstein z”l, with whom she built a home rooted in Torah and mesorah. Together, they raised a family that reflects their deep values and commitment to avodas Hashem, instilling in their children a profound appreciation for limud haTorah and a life guided by emunah and bitachon.

She was the mother of Rav Yosef Mermelstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Novominsk, and Mr. Moshe Mermelstein.

Those who encountered Mrs. Mermelstein remember a woman of quiet nobility, whose life was defined not by public recognition but by consistent chesed, humility, and an inner strength that anchored her family through the years. She carried herself with grace, always placing others before herself, and serving as a source of support and encouragement to her children and all those around her.

The levayah will take place today at 12:00 noon at Chicago Jewish Funerals, located at 8851 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, Illinois.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

Authorities have identified the suspect arrested in connection with Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as Cole Tomas Allen, a man from the Los Angeles area who, based on publicly available information, appears to be a Caltech graduate working as a part-time teacher and independent game developer.

According to a law enforcement official, Allen is about 31 years old and lives in Torrance, California, a coastal community in the South Bay region near Los Angeles along Santa Monica Bay.

The chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., said investigators believe the suspect had been staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the annual dinner was being held. However, officials said they have not yet determined a motive.

Social media posts believed to be connected to Allen indicate that he was recognized as “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024 by the Torrance branch of C2 Education, a national tutoring and test-preparation company.

A LinkedIn profile under his name describes him as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.”

According to that profile, Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and completed a master’s degree in computer science at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025. Caltech confirmed in a statement that a person with that name graduated in 2017.

The same profile lists his recent work as a part-time instructor with C2 Education and as a self-employed game developer. It also notes that he previously worked as a mechanical engineer at IJK Controls in South Pasadena and earlier served as a teaching assistant at Caltech.

Included in the profile is a reference to a local newspaper article highlighting “on a robotics competition my team won” at Caltech in 2016.

The Secret Service said the suspect was carrying a shotgun and was taken into custody after opening fire at a Secret Service agent inside the Washington Hilton Hotel, outside the ballroom where the event attended by President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several cabinet officials was taking place.

Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch visited the Spiegel family on Friday to offer comfort following the devastating loss of their two sons, who tragically drowned. During the visit, the grieving father shared both the anguish of the ordeal and a remarkable story of survival involving a third son.

According to Rav Spiegel, the days leading up to the recovery of the second son’s body were filled with intense suffering, describing it as “a decree within a decree.” In the midst of the pain, he recounted what he called a clear miracle: the third son had entered the water with his brothers, but for no apparent reason suddenly turned around and returned to shore, ultimately saving his own life.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, several chareidi news hotlines and unregulated media outlets approached the father requesting interviews. Despite his grief, he refused to take any step without consulting daas Torah and specifically reached out to Rav Hirsch, who was at the time on a trip in the United States.

Rav Hirsch instructed him firmly not to grant any interviews.

In footage from the visit, Rav Hirsch is seen speaking to the father with deep concern, asking, “Are they still calling you? Are people still reaching out?” He then made his position clear, stating that such news hotlines “are not appropriate for our community.”

Knesset member Boaz Bismuth launched a forceful critique of media reports surrounding Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s recent medical condition, accusing news outlets of overblown and sensationalized coverage.

Bismuth, who chairs the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, described the reporting as “a sick obsession,” saying he was dismayed by what he sees as deteriorating journalistic standards. A former journalist, he wrote that he was “ashamed to see how low the profession has fallen,” and asserted that commentators were attempting “to invent absurd speculations.”

He argued that the tone and focus of the coverage were intended to influence public perception, calling it an effort “to engineer a false and harmful narrative.” Referring to Netanyahu’s health, Bismuth added, “The prime minister, thank God, is strong and steadfast and will continue to lead us for years.”

Bismuth also expanded his criticism to what he described as a broader pattern of media bias, labeling it the “‘anything-but-Bibi’ disease,” which he said has become an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.

The remarks followed reports published Friday disclosing that Netanyahu had undergone surgery and radiation treatment several months earlier to remove a small cancerous growth in the prostate, according to an annual medical report released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to the report, Netanyahu had previously been treated in December 2024 for a benign enlargement of the prostate and had remained under regular medical supervision. Subsequent testing identified a small, early-stage growth, which was removed, followed by radiation therapy. Prof. Aharon Popovitzer, head of the Sharett Institute of Oncology at Hadassah Hospital, said the condition now appears to have been successfully treated.

In a statement, Netanyahu said the release of the report had been postponed by two months to avoid publishing it “at the height of the war,” explaining that there were concerns it could be exploited for propaganda by Iran.

He characterized the issue as “a small medical issue that was completely treated,” noting that a minor finding during a routine exam had been eliminated through focused treatment. “The spot disappeared completely. Thank God, I overcame that too,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that President Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin are contributing to a broader global realignment that he believes is unfavorable to Europe.

Describing the moment as pivotal, Macron said the three leaders are “fiercely” opposed to Europe, a blunt assessment that reflects rising friction between European governments and Washington as Trump pushes allies to assume a greater share of defense responsibilities.

Macron made the remarks during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, according to Liga.net. His comments point to growing concern in Paris that Europe is becoming increasingly isolated while major powers pursue their own competing priorities, particularly as Trump continues to reshape U.S. foreign policy and longstanding alliances.

He said the current environment should prompt the European Union to take a stronger, more independent role globally.

“This is the right moment for Europeans to take decisive action,” he said.

Trump has consistently urged NATO members to increase their military spending and rely less on the United States, arguing that European countries have leaned too heavily on American protection.

At the same time, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine remains a direct security concern for Europe, while China continues expanding its economic footprint across the continent.

Despite grouping Trump alongside Xi and Putin, Macron emphasized that the United States is still an ally, though not always “reliable” or “predictable.”

A longtime proponent of “strategic autonomy,” Macron said Europe can no longer assume it will remain aligned even with traditional partners and must be prepared to safeguard its own interests.

His remarks underscore a growing divide over the future of Western alliances, as Europe faces mounting pressure from multiple directions and increasing uncertainty about the dependability of past relationships.

Macron is in Greece for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening defense ties, particularly as tensions involving Iran have affected navigation in the Persian Gulf. Mitsotakis highlighted the European Union’s commitment to mutual support among member states in the face of threats, as outlined in EU treaties.

“This is a political signal: we are not relying solely on NATO,” said Mitsotakis, according to Liga.net.

Greece, home to one of the world’s largest merchant shipping fleets, also serves as a base for a European naval operation in the Red Sea.

Macron is expected to discuss with Greek officials the possibility of organizing a future multinational mission to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, potentially involving “neutral” countries once the situation involving Iran stabilizes.

{Matzav.com}

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran will not enter into “forced negotiations” with the United States while facing threats and pressure, underscoring continued tensions as diplomatic efforts stall.

Speaking during a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian said U.S. actions are eroding trust and complicating any potential progress toward talks. He warned that movement toward diplomacy would remain unlikely unless “hostile actions and operational pressures” by Washington are brought to an end.

Pezeshkian added that Washington would need to remove “operational obstacles, including the blockade” affecting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports before any meaningful resolution of disputes could take shape.

According to a statement from Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif told Pezeshkian that Islamabad “would continue its sincere and honest endeavors to promote regional peace and security.”

In a social media post, Sharif also expressed appreciation to Iran for dispatching a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for discussions aimed at ending the war.

That Iranian delegation departed Islamabad on Saturday and later arrived in Muscat, Oman, where additional regional talks are expected to take place.

Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, had been scheduled to travel to Islamabad for meetings, but the visit was abruptly called off.

“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership.’ Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”

Trump later elaborated in an interview with Fox News, saying, “I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18 hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.'”

Earlier in the week, Trump said that internal divisions within Iran had led him to extend the ceasefire for an unspecified period to give Tehran time to present a proposal for a potential agreement.

In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized that the U.S. naval blockade would remain in effect until Iran submits a proposal.

On Thursday, when asked how long he would wait for Iran to respond, Trump said he was in “no rush.”

He also told reporters that Iran’s leadership is “fighting like cats and dogs for who’s going to control” the country.

“We’ve taken out their military. We’ve hit about 75 percent of our targets. We stopped a little early because they wanted to have some peace, and we have a blockade that’s 100 percent effective. And they’re getting no business,” he said.

Trump further stated, “They want to make a deal. We have been speaking to them, but they don’t even know who’s leading the country. They’re in turmoil.”

“They came to us, and they said, ‘We will agree to open the Strait,’ and all my people were happy. Everybody was happy-except me. I said, ‘Wait a minute. If we open this strait, that means they’re going to make 500 million dollars a day. I don’t want them to make 500 million dollars a day until they settle this thing, so I’m the one that kept it closed. We have total control of it. And it’ll open when they make a deal or something else happens,” continued Trump.

The president also said he could reach an agreement with Iran “right now,” but emphasized that he is seeking a lasting solution rather than a temporary arrangement.

{Matzav.com}

A multinational convoy of vessels is advancing toward the Gaza coastline, with organizers saying the mission is to bring humanitarian assistance to Palestinian Arabs and challenge the ongoing blockade.

The effort, known as the “Global Sumud” flotilla, departed from Barcelona, Spain, in mid-April and reached the port of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, on Thursday as it continued its journey.

A similar initiative organized by the same group last September ended with decisive Israeli action. Israeli forces intercepted the ships in international waters, took control of the vessels, detained hundreds of activists onboard, and later deported them. That flotilla was subsequently found to have connections to the Hamas terror group.

Participants in the current mission include activists, volunteers, and members of civil society groups from multiple countries. Some individuals involved told a Turkish news agency that their objective is to establish a humanitarian corridor into Gaza, contribute to rebuilding efforts, and demonstrate support for residents of the Gaza Strip.

Organizers say the flotilla is expected to include roughly 100 boats, with vessels joining from countries such as Turkey and Greece.

{Matzav.com}

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Law enforcement officials say a suspect has been taken into custody following the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attended by President Donald Trump and the first lady, with multiple national outlets identifying the individual as a 31-year-old man from California.

The New York Times, CBS, the Associated Press, and other media organizations reported that the suspect is Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, citing unnamed law enforcement sources. USA TODAY said it has not independently confirmed the identity.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro told reporters that the suspect is expected to appear in federal court on April 27, where he will face charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. She said additional charges, including terrorism, have not been ruled out.

“If there’s anything like that we will find it, and we will file it,” she said.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said the suspect was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and confirmed that a Secret Service agent who was struck in his bulletproof vest was also transported for medical care.

Bowser and Jeffrey Carroll, the interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said investigators believe the individual in custody acted alone.

Carroll added that the suspect is believed to have been staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the event took place.

President Trump, who was escorted out of the ballroom after gunfire was reported in the lobby area, told reporters that the suspect “charged 50 yards” in an attempt to bypass a security checkpoint and was carrying multiple weapons.

He also shared security footage showing a person running past security and another clip depicting the individual being subdued on the ground.

Kash Patel said the suspect was armed with a long gun. Police in Washington, D.C., reported that the individual was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.

“The evidence response unit is examining all the ballistics that were found on scene to include the long gun and the shell casings,” he told reporters in the White House briefing room.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation remains active, with authorities working to secure search warrants as part of the ongoing probe.

“I promise you justice will be served,” Blanche said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump commended the swift actions of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies tonight after an armed suspect attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, describing their response as “incredible” and crediting them with protecting lives.

Speaking after being evacuated from the Washington Hilton, Trump recounted the tense moments and said the incident, while dangerous, also brought people together in an unexpected way.

“A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service,” Trump said at the White House. “They acted very quickly.”

Trump said one Secret Service agent was shot at close range during the confrontation but was unharmed due to a bulletproof vest.

He added that he spoke directly with the agent afterward, noting the individual was “in great shape” and maintaining a positive outlook following the incident.

The president also directed that video footage of the attack be released, saying it would demonstrate the professionalism and bravery displayed by law enforcement during the situation.

He referred to the suspect as a “thug” who “attacked our Constitution,” suggesting the episode reflects a broader trend of political violence in recent years.

The shooting unfolded outside the ballroom during the annual dinner—often referred to as the “Nerd Prom”—which Trump said is meant to honor free speech and bring together members of the media and political leadership.

Even amid the disruption, Trump said the experience fostered a sense of unity among those present.

“I saw a room that was just totally unified … Republicans, Democrats, independents … there was a tremendous amount of love,” he said.

Reports from Reuters and AFP indicated that the suspect was detained near a security checkpoint before gaining access to the main event area, likely preventing additional casualties.

Inside the ballroom, attendees took cover beneath tables as security personnel moved quickly to secure the scene.

Trump used the moment to advocate for stronger protective measures in Washington, including the construction of a more secure White House ballroom equipped with features such as bulletproof glass and defenses against drones.

“This is why we need levels of security that probably nobody has ever seen before,” he said.

He also referenced prior attempts on his life, including the 2024 rally shooting in Pennsylvania and another foiled plot in Florida, pointing to what he described as a continuing threat environment.

Despite the incident, Trump stressed that acts of violence would not disrupt public events or intimidate the nation.

“We’re not going to let anybody take over our society,” he said, adding that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the suspect, while Trump urged Americans to handle political disagreements peacefully, even as he reiterated his focus on maintaining law and order.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump delivers remarks following his evacuation from the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

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