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Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu told cabinet ministers that the government plans to move ahead with legislation regulating military conscription and extending mandatory service immediately after Yom Tov, a move that has heightened tensions and drawn strong reactions from opposition leaders.

During the cabinet discussion, Netanyahu made clear that the government intends to proceed with the legislation regardless of legal objections. “Her role is to advise — we decide to move it forward,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs backed that position, emphasizing that both the conscription law and the extension of regular service would be advanced together. “There is no such thing. We are bringing together a draft law and an extension of service. That’s what we decided, and she does not determine it.”

Amid the debate, a senior cabinet official argued that the situation has been misrepresented publicly, saying the IDF Chief of Staff did not warn of a collapse of the military, but rather of the consequences of delaying the legislation. According to the official, the chief of staff stressed that without completing a draft law, extending regular service to 36 months, and updating the reserve duty law, the IDF would not be able to meet all of its operational demands.

The same official added that cabinet members broadly support advancing the legislation and blamed the delay on resistance from legal advisors. He also criticized opposition leaders, saying, “It’s interesting that suddenly Bennett, Lapid, and Eisenkot support the government’s draft law,” which, he said, the chief of staff had urged be passed urgently.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the government’s approach, warning against suppressing warnings during wartime. “Anyone who says we must not talk about dangers during a war because it weakens us has forgotten what we learned on October 7.”

Lapid said the responsibility of the security establishment is to issue warnings in advance, not after the fact, and stressed that the government cannot claim it was unaware. “This is the chief of staff they appointed — you cannot paint him as political and shift the blame onto him.”

The Shas party launched a sharp attack Thursday night against Naftali Bennett, ridiculing him as “a joke” after comments he made targeting party chairman Aryeh Deri.

The backlash followed an interview Bennett gave to Walla!, where he addressed the possibility of forming a coalition with Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party.

When asked whether he would be prepared to sit in a government together with Golan, Bennett responded that he would be open to partnering with anyone who serves in the military. “Anyone who can serve in a tank can serve in the government. [United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok] Goldknopf and Deri, who are working against the IDF, are not any closer to me.”

In response, Shas characterized Bennett’s remarks as a “panicked performance,” claiming that he appeared with an earpiece and was being fed anti-chareidi talking points by advisers during the interview.

“It’s sad that this is all he has to offer the people of Israel in the middle of a war – more incitement and tearing the nation apart,” the party stated.

The party continued its criticism by pointing to Bennett’s tenure as prime minister, saying: “The man who formed a government with Mansour Abbas and the Muslim Brotherhood now dares to criticize Netanyahu on security and victory. Embarrassing. Even the opposition bloc has figured out that he’s a joke.”

Britain’s Defense Secretary, John Healey, stumbled through a series of media interviews Thursday, offering unclear responses and even silence when pressed on straightforward questions about the country’s military strength, including the number of active warships.

Healey, who comes from a trade union background and has no military service, appeared on multiple radio and television programs to address defense issues at a time of heightened concern due to the ongoing war in the Middle East and growing doubts about the readiness of Britain’s armed forces. Despite the significance of the moment, he appeared unprepared to answer several key questions.

During an interview with LBC, Healey was asked about the condition of the Royal Navy and specifically, “How many frigates do we have in the fleet?”. He hesitated before replying: “we have, we have, we have, we have, ah… we have 17 frigates and destroyers”.

That figure was inaccurate. While 17 had once been the projected number of escort ships outlined in the 2021 Defence White Paper, the current reality is lower. Two frigates have since been retired early due to wear and tear, and delays in replacing aging Type 23 frigates have reduced the number of operational escort ships to 13.

Even among those 13 destroyers and frigates—the backbone of modern naval operations—only a small portion are currently available for deployment. One destroyer, HMS Dragon, is stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean to safeguard British bases in Cyprus, while most of the others are undergoing repairs or maintenance. Notably, one of the country’s six destroyers has been out of active service for nearly nine years and is not expected to return until late 2026 following an extended overhaul.

The situation is similarly strained among the frigate fleet. One vessel is deployed in the Atlantic tracking Russian submarines, and two are operating along England’s southern coastline, while the remainder are in various stages of maintenance or refitting.

Asked why so few ships are ready for duty, Healey said such availability levels are typical for a modern military. In a separate appearance on Sky News, he was questioned about concerns that Iran may now possess missiles capable of reaching Europe, including London.

Rather than directly addressing whether Iran has the ability to strike the British capital, Healey avoided answering multiple times and instead focused on whether there was intelligence indicating Iran intended to carry out such an attack. While Britain itself has limited missile defense systems, he remarked, “Our defence of Britain is part of the layers of defence of nations”, referencing broader NATO missile defense coverage across Europe that could intercept threats before they reach the UK.

The discussion comes after Iran launched an attempted strike on the joint British-American base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Although the attack failed, it challenged previous assumptions that Tehran lacked intermediate-range ballistic missile capabilities.

Questions remain about how many such missiles Iran possesses, whether the strike involved repurposed elements of its space program, and whether such an operation could have succeeded under different circumstances.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, has petitioned the High Court of Justice to issue an interim order suspending the national-civil service framework available to yeshiva students, arguing that the program should not continue while legal challenges are pending.

In a formal response submitted to the court, the Attorney General’s office stated that there is no justification to extend the current national service law, which provides an alternative to military service specifically for chareidi yeshiva students.

According to the filing, the arrangement effectively allows participants to bypass mandatory enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces, creating a parallel track that applies only to one sector of the population.

The Attorney General further argued that maintaining the program significantly undermines the principle of equality, particularly at a time when the IDF faces an increasing demand for manpower.

In light of these concerns, the court has been asked to immediately freeze the program through a temporary injunction, pending a final ruling on the matter.

{Matzav.com}

NASA will no longer move forward with its planned space station in lunar orbit, opting instead to redirect those resources toward building a $20 billion base on the moon’s surface within the next seven years, the agency’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, announced Tuesday.

Isaacman, who took office in December, revealed the decision during the opening session of a full-day event at NASA’s Washington headquarters, where he laid out a series of major changes to the agency’s Artemis moon program.

“It should not really surprise anyone that we are pausing Gateway in its current form and focusing on infrastructure that supports sustained operations on the lunar surface,” Isaacman told delegates at the event.

The Lunar Gateway—largely developed already through contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Vantor, formerly Maxar—was originally intended to function as an orbiting station around the moon. Transitioning its components for use in a surface-based facility presents significant technical challenges.

“Despite some of the very real hardware and schedule challenges, we can repurpose equipment and international partner commitments to support surface and other program objectives,” Isaacman said.

The Gateway concept had been designed to serve both as a scientific research hub and as a staging point where astronauts would transfer to lunar landers before heading down to the moon.

The adjustments introduced by Isaacman in recent weeks are reshaping major contracts tied to the Artemis program, involving billions of dollars.

Those changes are forcing aerospace companies to adapt quickly, particularly as China continues advancing toward its own goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump said Thursday that he plans to issue an emergency order to ensure Transportation Security Administration agents receive pay, as long security lines and delays continue to disrupt major airports across the country.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized Democrats for refusing to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security and said he would take action to guarantee TSA workers are compensated.

“Because the Democrats have recklessly created a true National Crisis, I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country, as I always will do!” Trump said.

“I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports. It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!,” he wrote.

The announcement comes as lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked over DHS funding, leaving TSA employees without pay for a second consecutive month.

Under the National Emergency Act, the president has the authority to redirect unused federal funds to temporarily cover TSA salaries, potentially sidestepping Congress.

Although Republicans control the Senate, they do not have the 60 votes required to move DHS funding forward through the legislative process.

Democrats have withheld support for the department’s funding for several weeks as they push for stricter limitations on immigration enforcement policies.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that he had presented Democrats with his “final” proposal, which would fund most of DHS while excluding the portion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for enforcement and deportation activities, in an effort to win Democratic backing.

Meanwhile, many TSA employees have been calling out sick in protest over missed paychecks, contributing to extended wait times and significant congestion at airport security checkpoints nationwide.

{Matzav.com}

The Pentagon is considering a plan to deploy as many as 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East, according to a report Thursday night, as President Donald Trump evaluates both military options and ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.

Citing Defense Department officials familiar with the discussions, The Wall Street Journal reported that the potential deployment would expand the range of choices available to Trump amid continued tensions with Tehran.

If approved, the additional forces—expected to include infantry units and armored vehicles—would join roughly 5,000 Marines already in the region, along with thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division who have been deployed as part of Operation Epic Fury targeting Iran.

The developments come shortly after Trump announced a temporary halt to planned strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, extending the pause by 10 days while negotiations proceed and setting a new deadline of April 6.

“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

In a Fox News interview later that day, Trump said Iranian officials had sought additional time through intermediaries before any escalation, and that he agreed to lengthen the window from seven days to 10.

“They asked for seven, and I gave them 10,” he said, adding that talks were ongoing and “going fairly well.”

The president cautioned that failure by Iran to meet U.S. demands could lead to further strikes, including against critical infrastructure such as power plants.

He also said in the interview that American forces had already dealt a significant blow to Iran’s military capabilities, including its missile systems.

Earlier Thursday, during a cabinet meeting, Trump highlighted what he described as the effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury.

“Over the past three weeks, we’ve been hitting Iran’s military capabilities at a level that few people have ever seen before. It’s a display of force and precision and skill like nothing the world has really witnessed.”

“We’re crushing their missile and drone stockpiles, destroying their defense industrial base, we’ve wiped out their navy completely, their air force completely. We’ve wiped out a large percentage of their missiles and missile launchers. Without the launchers, the missiles don’t do any good. We’ve wiped out probably close to 90 percent of the launchers [and] probably, more than 90 percent of the missiles themselves,” he added. “We’ve also destroyed a lot of the factories where they manufactured the drones and the missiles.”

Trump also asserted that Iran is eager to reach an agreement, suggesting its leadership is under increasing pressure.

Iran is “begging to make a deal, not me. They’re begging to make a deal. And anyone who saw what was happening over there would understand why they want to make a deal.”

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is postponing planned attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure for an additional 10 days while negotiations continue, establishing a new cutoff date of April 6.

“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The president indicated that diplomatic efforts remain underway, asserting that progress is being made even as critics dispute that characterization.

“talks are ongoing” and claimed they are progressing positively “despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others.”

Trump on Iran:

I gave them a 10-day period. They asked for 7, and I said I am gonna give you 10 because they gave me ships.pic.twitter.com/o7oVDYRyrM

— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 26, 2026

In a later interview with Fox News, Trump explained that Iranian officials had asked through intermediaries for more time before any escalation, prompting him to extend the timeline from an initial seven days to 10.

“They asked for seven, and I gave them 10,” he said, adding that talks were ongoing and “going fairly well.”

Trump cautioned that if Iran does not satisfy U.S. demands, additional targets could be struck, including power-generation facilities.

He also said during the interview that U.S. operations have significantly degraded Iran’s military capacity, including its missile arsenal and key systems.

The president earlier addressed the situation during a cabinet meeting, where he described the ongoing campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, as highly effective.

“Over the past three weeks, we’ve been hitting Iran’s military capabilities at a level that few people have ever seen before. It’s a display of force and precision and skill like nothing the world has really witnessed.”

“We’re crushing their missile and drone stockpiles, destroying their defense industrial base, we’ve wiped out their navy completely, their air force completely. We’ve wiped out a large percentage of their missiles and missile launchers. Without the launchers, the missiles don’t do any good. We’ve wiped out probably close to 90 percent of the launchers [and] probably, more than 90 percent of the missiles themselves,” he added. “We’ve also destroyed a lot of the factories where they manufactured the drones and the missiles.”

Trump further said that Iran is eager to reach an agreement and suggested that its leadership is under pressure.

Iran is “begging to make a deal, not me. They’re begging to make a deal. And anyone who saw what was happening over there would understand why they want to make a deal.”

He accused Iranian officials of being dishonest in public statements denying negotiations and said an agreement should have been reached earlier.

The president reiterated those points during remarks in Washington on Wednesday night, claiming that Iranian leaders are reluctant to openly acknowledge their interest in a deal.

“I’ve never seen anything like we’re doing in the Middle East with Iran. And they are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it, because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people. They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us,” the President stated.

He also made a pointed remark about the desirability of leadership in Iran, suggesting that even those in power are reluctant to hold such positions.

“There’s never been a head of a country that wanted that job less than being the head of Iran. We listen to some of the things they say, we hear them very clearly. They say, ‘I don’t want it, we’d like to make you the next supreme leader. No thank you, I don’t want it.’”

{Matzav.com}

Manischewitz is reviewing its packaging as some have warned on social media that the brand’s packaging doesn’t adequately differentiate between products that are and are not kosher for pesach and that grocery stores often shelve them together.

“We’re aware of the conversation and appreciate the community bringing this to our attention, especially at a time as important and detail-oriented as Passover,” Mirit Shalvi, senior vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships at Manischewitz, told JNS.

“At Manischewitz, we take our role in helping families prepare for the holiday very seriously. We understand that kashrut during this time is deeply meaningful,” she added. “That said, we also recognize that in a busy retail environment, particularly during the high-volume Passover season, similar packaging across product lines can sometimes create confusion.”

Rabbi Moshe Elefant, chief operating officer and executive rabbinic coordinator at OU Kosher, told JNS that “over the past century, matzah has evolved from a food reserved for Passover into a year-round product found in many kitchen cabinets.”

“Today, some matzah is specifically produced for Passover, while other varieties are made for use throughout the rest of the year, a distinction that has existed for decades,” he said. “Matzah not intended for Passover is clearly labeled as such under the OU symbol.”

Those who keep kosher “must remain vigilant when shopping and always check the product labels, especially as Passover approaches,” he told JNS. “This is particularly important for products that may have different formulations designated specifically for Passover use.”

Shalvi told JNS that manufacturers, businesses and customers have a “shared responsibility” in purchasing the correct products for the Yom Tov.

“This includes evaluating packaging differentiation and working with our retail partners to ensure clearer in-store separation and signage where needed,” she said. “Our goal at Manischewitz is always to make the Passover shopping experience as seamless and trustworthy as possible, and we remain committed to upholding that standard for our consumers.”

“Look before you buy,” advised Mordechai Lightstone, a Chabad rabbi and the founder of the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based group Tech Tribe, on social media. “Or you, too, might end up purchasing OU-certified Manischewitz brand bread.”

“Manischewitz sells a cracker with the kosher certification of OU Kosher that looks like matzah and says matzah, but it isn’t kosher for Passover,” he added.

“It’s heartbreaking when someone thinks they are keeping Passover and is unknowingly eating chametz,” wrote Rabbi Shais Taub of food that isn’t kosher on Pesach. “It happens way more often than you might think. Look at these two products and tell me nobody would confuse them.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

The Treasury Department announced Thursday that U.S. paper money will soon feature President Donald Trump’s signature as part of plans to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, marking the first time a sitting president’s name will appear on currency while also removing the Treasurer’s signature for the first time in more than a century and a half.

According to a statement provided to Reuters, the first $100 bills bearing Trump’s signature alongside that of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to begin printing in June, with additional denominations to follow in the months afterward.

For now, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing continues producing bills that carry the signatures of former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Treasurer Lynn Malerba.

Malerba is set to become the final Treasurer whose signature appears on U.S. currency, ending a continuous practice that dates back to 1861, when the federal government first issued paper money.

The change is part of a broader push by the Trump administration and its supporters to place the president’s name on a wide range of national symbols, including federal buildings, institutions, programs, naval vessels, and coins. A federal arts panel composed of Trump appointees has already approved the design of a commemorative gold coin featuring his likeness.

In a statement, Bessent said the decision reflects the significance of the upcoming anniversary and the country’s economic standing, citing strong growth, financial stability, and “lasting dollar dominance” during Trump’s second term.

“There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than U.S. dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial,” Bessent said.

Efforts to introduce a circulating $1 coin depicting Trump have faced legal hurdles, as federal law prohibits the use of living individuals on U.S. coins.

Under existing law governing Federal Reserve notes, the Treasury Department has broad authority to alter designs to prevent counterfeiting, though certain elements must remain unchanged. These include the phrase “In God We Trust,” and the rule that portraits may only depict individuals who have died.

Officials said the overall appearance of the bills will remain the same, with the only modification being the replacement of the Treasurer’s signature with that of the president.

In the weeks leading up to Pesach, when homes are cleaned from top to bottom, an unusual phenomenon takes place: enormous amounts of belongings are discarded—sometimes along with items of great value that are thrown away by mistake and later discovered in garbage dumps in Israel and around the world.

Among the most commonly lost valuables in Israel are wedding rings, often misplaced by kallos before or after their weddings and somehow ending up in the trash. Several times each year, reports emerge of frantic searches launched by volunteers digging through piles of garbage in hopes of recovering a missing ring—though not every story ends successfully.

Another frequently lost item, unfortunately, is tefillin. Each year, cases are reported of tefillin bags mistakenly discarded. Just a few months ago, a traveler at an airport in Florida realized before takeoff that his bag—containing a tallis and valuable tefillin—had gone missing.

Volunteers from the Chaveirim organization in South Florida responded by heading to the airport’s waste facility, manually searching through large quantities of garbage to locate the missing items. After an extended search, they were able to return the bag to the traveler, intact with both the tallis and tefillin.

One of the most well-known stories in Israel involves a woman from Tel Aviv named Anat, who bought her mother a new mattress as a surprise and discarded the old one.

The following morning, the mother revealed that she had hidden her life savings inside the old mattress—an amount estimated at nearly $1 million in cash, in both dollars and euros. Upon realizing what had happened, the mother was devastated.

The daughter rushed outside, but the mattress had already been taken by a garbage truck. A massive search effort followed, spanning multiple landfill sites and involving heavy equipment and the examination of tons of waste. Despite widespread media attention and extensive efforts, the mattress—and the money—were never found.

A similar incident in northern Italy, however, had a much happier ending. In the town of Montebelluna, an elderly woman was shocked to discover that her cleaner had mistakenly thrown out an old mattress containing hidden jewelry and cash.

According to local reports, the mattress had been taken to the municipal landfill. It contained valuables worth approximately €50,000. Once the woman realized what had happened, her daughter immediately contacted the police, who launched a search operation.

Within about an hour, the mattress was located, along with all the jewelry and cash, which were safely returned to the owner.

Another extraordinary case involves James Howells, a British systems engineer from Newport, whose story has become a symbol of loss in the digital age. In 2013, a hard drive containing the private key to 7,500 bitcoins he had mined in 2009 was accidentally thrown away.

As the value of bitcoin skyrocketed over the years, so did Howells’ determination to recover the drive. At the time of reporting, the lost bitcoin is estimated to be worth around $765 million.

Howells has been engaged in a prolonged legal and bureaucratic battle with the Newport city council, which has consistently refused to allow excavation of the landfill, citing environmental concerns and licensing restrictions.

He has secured backing from investors willing to fund the search, offered the council a share of the potential recovery, and even proposed a high-tech recovery plan involving artificial intelligence, advanced scanning equipment, and robotic dogs.

Recently, Howells escalated the matter by filing a lawsuit against the council for $500 million, arguing that he is being unlawfully denied access to his own property.

In another case, a family in New York purchased a simple white ceramic bowl at a garage sale in 2007 for just $3. For years, it sat unnoticed on a shelf in their home.

Eventually, curiosity led them to have it evaluated, revealing it to be an extremely rare Ding bowl from China’s Northern Song dynasty, dating back roughly 1,000 years.

Auction house Sotheby’s initially estimated its value at between $200,000 and $300,000. However, after intense bidding in March 2013, the bowl sold for an astonishing $2.225 million to a London-based art dealer.

The bowl, about five inches in diameter, features delicate leaf patterns and an ivory tone. According to Sotheby’s, the only comparable piece is held in the British Museum’s permanent collection.

In yet another remarkable discovery, a rare printed copy of the United States Declaration of Independence from 1776 was found in 1989 after a man in Philadelphia bought a framed picture at a flea market for $4.

Hidden between the image and the backing of the frame was the rare document, which was later sold for $2.42 million. It was one of just 25 official copies printed by the Continental Congress and distributed to spread news of independence.

An unusual find also occurred at a recycling center in California in 2014, when a woman in her 60s dropped off several boxes from her garage after her husband passed away, leaving without providing any contact information.

Weeks later, workers sorting through the boxes discovered an original Apple-1 computer beneath old cables and keyboards.

The Apple-1, built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976, was one of only about 200 units ever produced, with only a few dozen believed to still exist today.

Unlike modern computers, it was originally sold as just a motherboard, requiring buyers to assemble additional components themselves. The recycling center sold the machine to a private collector for $200,000.

Because the facility’s policy is to share 50 percent of profits with donors, staff launched a search for the woman in order to give her $100,000. The owner later said he still remembers her appearance and hopes she will return.

Even lottery tickets have found their way into the trash with dramatic consequences. In one case, a man in Pennsylvania accidentally threw away 25 winning lottery tickets, each worth $50,000, resulting in a total loss of $1.25 million.

In another instance, a man in Massachusetts found a discarded lottery ticket that turned out to be worth $1 million. Following a legal settlement with the original owner, he was able to claim the prize.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Donald Trump briefly shifted focus during a high-level Cabinet meeting Thursday, launching into a lengthy and unexpected discussion about his preferred Sharpie markers even as top officials were addressing major issues including the Iran conflict, airport delays, and economic concerns.

At one point early in the meeting, Trump held up a customized black-and-gold marker and began recounting how it became a staple in the White House. “See this pen right here?” Trump said at the start of a roughly five-minute, on-and-off diatribe on the Sharpie. “This pen is an interesting example.”

The extended aside stood out during a session that otherwise featured serious updates from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, envoy Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spoke about missile threats, Iran’s nuclear activity, and U.S. troops still deployed in dangerous areas.

Trump framed the story as an illustration of his approach to cutting costs in government, while also tying it to his ongoing criticism of expensive federal projects, including renovations to the Federal Reserve building.

“We’ve gotta get our priorities straight,” Trump said.

He began by describing how the White House had previously stocked expensive writing instruments. According to Trump, the pens used for ceremonial bill signings once cost as much as $1,000 each.

He said this became an issue because he regularly gives out pens during signing ceremonies to lawmakers, aides, and others involved in legislation—including children, who he suggested may not appreciate their value.

“Sometimes you have 30, 40 people,” Trump said.

Despite his reputation for favoring lavish projects, Trump said distributing so many high-cost items made him uncomfortable.

“I feel guilty by nature.”

“I love the government like I love myself, economically,” Trump said. “I want to save money.”

He explained that he worked with a manufacturer to produce a more affordable alternative and initially hesitated to mention the company by name, before revealing it was Sharpie—a disclosure that drew laughter from those in attendance.

Trump has long used Sharpies, both in his years as a businessman and during his presidency, whether signing documents or annotating materials with his signature bold ink style.

He said he contacted the company about creating custom pens featuring the White House insignia and was told they would provide them at no cost. Trump said he insisted on paying $5 per pen, even though standard Sharpies typically retail for $1 to $2.

“The head of Sharpie gets a call. I don’t even know who the hell he is. He said, ‘Is this really the president?’” Trump said.

The anecdote marked one of the most notable mentions of the marker since the “Sharpiegate” episode during Hurricane Dorian in Trump’s first term. However, the company that produces Sharpie, Newell Brands, later said it had no information about the exchange Trump described, while noting that the pens are widely used by public figures across various fields.

Trump concluded the story by presenting it as a practical lesson.

“For $5, I get a much better pen than for $1,000, and I can hand them out,” he said. “And, honestly, they’ve become hot as a pistol, so what can I tell you?”

After finishing his remarks, Trump joked about the challenge of following his storytelling before turning the meeting back to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“Good luck, Scott,” he said as the rest of the Cabinet laughed again.

“Well, sir,” Bessent offered, “as usual, you’re a tough act to follow.”

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Israel’s High Court of Justice is hearing a petition against the transfer of approximately 1.09 billion shekels to chareidi educational institutions, a case brought by Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, MK Naama Lazimi, and the Chiddush organization.

During the hearing, Justice Yael Vilner expressed sharp criticism of the funding decision, stating, “There is no dispute that the transfer of funds to the chareidi institutions was carried out unlawfully — and therefore the decision must be void.”

She added that a possible resolution could involve restarting the process through proper legal channels. “If there is agreement among all parties, it will be possible to decide that the previous decision will be canceled, to hold a new discussion in the Finance Committee, and a new decision will be made. There is clear illegality here.”

Ahead of the court session, Lapid used the opportunity to launch a strong public attack against the funding and against the chareidi parties.

Speaking about the allocation of more than a billion shekels, he said, “It is time for the Israeli public to stop being the cash cow of the chareidim. We will not allow them to continue stealing.”

He further claimed, “Netanyahu and Smotrich built a secret mechanism that stole billions from Israeli taxpayers and transferred them to the chareidim. This disgrace cannot continue.”

{Matzav.com}

A decades-long experiment in Japan has demonstrated both the potential and the limits of cloning technology, as researchers successfully replicated a single mouse across 58 consecutive generations—only to see the lineage ultimately fail when the final generation could not survive beyond birth.

The study, conducted over 20 years and published this week in Nature Communications, was led by scientists at the University of Yamanashi. It marks the longest continuous cloning of a mammal ever achieved. However, the 58th generation revealed a critical breaking point, as none of the cloned offspring lived past their first day.

The project began in 2005 under the direction of Professors Sayaka Wakayama and Teruhiko Wakayama, using the same somatic cell nuclear transfer technique that was used to clone Dolly the sheep. In its early phases, the experiment progressed with remarkable success: cloned mice were born healthy and genetically identical to the original, and success rates even improved over time. To help maintain genetic stability, researchers introduced a chemical compound called trichostatin A, intended to reduce errors in genomic reprogramming.

But after roughly 25 generations, signs of decline began to emerge. Researchers observed an increasing loss of the X chromosome, along with a steady buildup of genetic mutations—both microscopic and structural—that nearly doubled with each successive generation. By the time the 58th generation was produced, the genetic material had degraded to the point where it could no longer sustain normal life.

The findings provide the first experimental confirmation of “Muller’s Ratchet,” a theory suggesting that organisms reproducing without genetic mixing gradually accumulate harmful mutations until eventual genetic failure. “Our results clearly align with the principle of Muller’s Ratchet,” the researchers wrote. “Without sexual reproduction, the accumulation of genetic errors is a finite mathematical process.”

At the same time, the researchers identified a crucial insight. In a parallel experiment, when cloned mice from later generations were bred with non-cloned mice, their offspring—and subsequent generations—were healthy and fertile, with the previously observed defects largely disappearing. In effect, natural reproduction was able to “reset” the genetic system.

The study carries significant implications for efforts to preserve endangered species through cloning. While scientists have hoped that cloning could sustain rare animal populations, the findings indicate that such methods cannot fully replace natural reproduction over the long term.

“The results confirm that natural reproduction is an inseparable component of the long-term survival of mammals,” the researchers concluded. “Cloning may support temporary genetic preservation, but it can never serve as a true substitute for natural reproduction.”

President Donald Trump delivered a stark message to Iran on Thursday, urging its leadership to move quickly toward a negotiated settlement as U.S. officials simultaneously prepare potential military action they believe could decisively weaken the regime.

“The Iranian negotiators are very different and ‘strange,’” the president posted on Truth Social. “They are ‘begging’ us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only ‘looking at our proposal.’ WRONG!!!

“They better get serious soon, before it is too late,” Trump added, “because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”

Trump’s comments came as reports indicated that U.S. defense planners are developing a sweeping bombing campaign should diplomatic efforts collapse, with several strategic options under consideration to intensify pressure on Tehran.

Among the possibilities under review are operations targeting Iran’s key oil infrastructure and strategic islands. These include a potential move against Kharg Island, the country’s primary oil export hub; taking control of Larak Island, which serves as a military foothold near the Strait of Hormuz; capturing additional disputed islands near the strait’s western entrance; and intercepting or halting vessels transporting Iranian oil, a step that could significantly disrupt the regime’s revenue stream.

Alex Plitsas, a former Pentagon official now affiliated with the Atlantic Council, said seizing such territory would limit Iran’s ability “to strike at ships that are in the area.

“Kharg, in particular, is where 90% of the oil is loaded for Iran, so that is more of the US taking a chess piece off [Iran’s] board and putting another bargaining chip in its pocket to deal with the Iranians,” he added. “I think the thought there is that if they take Kharg and the Iranians were to attack and blow up their own infrastructure, that would be basically self-defeating. So in this case, it would be an operation to seize the island and force the Iranians to negotiate.”

He cautioned, however, that Iran might retaliate in other ways even if it refrains from striking U.S. forces directly on Kharg Island.

“they may attack regional energy, oil and gas infrastructure in other countries.”

Military planners also face logistical hurdles if ground troops are deployed. Any attempt to capture the islands would likely rely on aerial insertion rather than naval landings, due to the risks involved in navigating contested waters.

“You’d have to transit The Straits with the ships in order to get in there to [put Marines on islands using landing crafts], and we can’t do that,” he explained. “You’d give up the element of surprise, and the straits are contested right now.”

“If they come out by air, you’d be vulnerable to shoulder-fired missiles up to 12,000 feet and below. And then Iran has land attack cruise missiles, as well. So the US would have to account for all of that as part of the planning process.”

Other options reportedly being weighed include deploying special operations forces to secure highly enriched uranium at nuclear facilities previously targeted by U.S. strikes, or launching additional air raids to ensure the material cannot be accessed.

At the same time, diplomatic channels remain active. Pakistan’s foreign minister confirmed Thursday that indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are underway, with mediation efforts involving Islamabad as well as Egypt, Turkey, and other countries.

Speculation earlier in the week suggested Vice President JD Vance might travel to Pakistan to finalize a cease-fire, though a source indicated that while the idea remains a “possibility,” it is not “even close to happening.”

Trump had earlier signaled openness to a negotiated resolution, announcing on Monday a delay in planned strikes against Iran’s energy sector to allow room for talks. That pause was later extended by an additional 10 days on Thursday.

Even as negotiations continue, U.S. and Israeli forces have maintained sustained air operations targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership. Washington has also presented Tehran with a 15-point proposal outlining conditions for ending the conflict.

The U.S. framework calls for Iran to dismantle its nuclear capabilities, abandon efforts to develop atomic weapons, transfer enriched uranium to international oversight, restrict its missile program to defensive purposes, keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and halt financial support for proxy groups.

Despite Trump’s assertion earlier in the week that Iran had agreed to step back from pursuing nuclear weapons, Iranian officials rejected the American proposal and countered with their own plan, which would allow them to retain control over the strait and continue backing allied militant organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

As diplomacy unfolds, the U.S. military presence in the region continues to expand, with additional naval assets and thousands of troops heading toward the Middle East.

The conflict enters its fourth week on Friday. Trump had initially suggested early in the fighting that the campaign might last “four weeks or so.”

“What we had to do is get rid of the cancer,” Trump told Republican lawmakers Wednesday night. “We had to cut out the cancer. The cancer was Iran with a nuclear weapon. We’ve cut it out. Now we’re going to finish it off.”

“They are negotiating, by the way,” the president added, “and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people. They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday refused to throw out the drug-trafficking case against ousted Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro, while a heated dispute unfolded in court over who should pay for his legal defense.

Maduro, 63, appeared in court wearing a tan prison uniform and dark glasses, seated next to his wife and co-defendant, Celia Flores, 69, who was also dressed in jail-issued clothing. During the proceeding—his first since January, when he had insisted the U.S. military had “kidnapped” him—he quietly took notes.

The session took place in a crowded federal courtroom in Manhattan, as opposing demonstrators gathered outside, with tensions running high between supporters and critics.

Maduro’s defense attorney, Barry Pollack—who previously represented Julian Assange in securing a plea deal that allowed him to return to Australia—argued for dismissal of the charges. He contended that Maduro’s ability to mount a defense was being obstructed, violating his constitutional rights.

The judge, Alvin Hellerstein, quickly rejected that argument, stating, “I’m not going to dismiss the case.”

Pollack also warned that if the Treasury Department continues to deny a sanctions waiver that would allow Venezuela’s government to cover Maduro’s legal costs, American taxpayers could end up footing the bill.

“You have someone other than the US taxpayer standing ready and willing to fund that defense,” he told the court.

Prosecutor Kyle Wirshba opposed that request, arguing that allowing Maduro to access Venezuelan state funds would conflict with U.S. policy interests.

He told the court that the government has “national security” and “foreign policy” reasons for blocking such funding. He added that the sanctions were imposed “because the defendants are plundering the wealth of Venezuela,” and that permitting them to use those same funds “it would undermine the nature of the sanctions to let them use that wealth in their defense.”

Although Maduro and his wife claimed they lack the resources to pay for their lawyers, Wirshba said he was skeptical and asked the judge to require a deeper financial review, including compelling Maduro to submit a sworn statement detailing his assets.

Hellerstein, who joined the bench in 1998 after being appointed by President Bill Clinton, appeared open to the argument that Venezuela might be allowed to fund the defense.

“No matter the circumstances that brought them here, they are entitled to a presumption of innocence and have the right to defend themselves,” he said from the bench. “The current paramount goal and need is the right to defend themselves.”

The judge also questioned whether he had the authority to compel the U.S. government to grant the sanctions waiver, but Wirshba responded that he did not.

Outside the courthouse, several hundred demonstrators gathered, with pro- and anti-Maduro groups facing off. One protester opposing Maduro held a sign reading “Maduro, Rot in Prison,” while supporters waved Venezuelan flags and displayed messages such as “Free President Maduro.”

Some participants danced while draped in Venezuelan flags, and one group displayed an effigy of Maduro dressed in prison attire with chains around his neck and wrist.

Among those present was Janette Panzenbeck, 59, a Venezuelan-born translator who has lived in Manhattan for three decades and still has close family in Venezuela. She voiced strong support for President Trump’s role in removing Maduro from power.

“I actually have a lot of respect for President Trump. I like him, what he’s doing in Venezuela, and even in Iran because it’s a regime of 47 years where they have executed their own people,” she told The Post while waving a small Venezuelan flag.

“Venezuela is different from that, but people are just very happy and call him Uncle Trump,” she said, claiming that if asked, “85-95%” of people in the South American nation are “so happy” Maduro is gone and grateful for their “liberation” from the despot.

“Now Venezuelan people are breathing that air of freedom, and I’m just so happy here celebrating that this dictator is now in court in the United States,” she said.

Maduro and Flores are currently being held at the Brooklyn Detention Center. No trial date has yet been scheduled.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

From household-name foods to restaurants, simcha venues, and hotels, it’s easy to take the remarkable range of kosher options for granted. Rarely do we stop to consider the meticulous supervision, time, and effort required to ensure that each product and establishment meets the highest standards of kashrus.

OU Kosher’s new Keeping It Kosher podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of the world of hashgachos, revealing what it truly takes to certify food and facilities as kosher and highlighting the dedicated people who make it all happen.

Geared toward everyone from seasoned to new kosher consumers, the podcast, with the tagline Kashrus Conversations for the Curious, features firsthand insights from mashgichim, poskim, and global kashrus experts.

“Beyond certifying food and establishments as kosher, a key part of our mission is educating people about kashrus, something we find very fulfilling,” says OU Kosher Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Moshe Elefant, who oversees roughly 15,000 plants in 105 countries and was the podcast’s first guest.

“Keeping It Kosher is a wonderful opportunity to enlighten people about kashrus in a serious yet engaging way,” he says. “Kosher food doesn’t happen automatically, or because a rabbi blesses it. It takes tremendous effort, world travel, research, and care. Understanding what goes into kashrus certification adds a deeper dimension to keeping the mitzvah.”

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 24Six, and Naki Radio, Keeping It Kosher emphasizes transparency and explores the intersection of technology and culture. Episodes highlight fascinating stories behind the OU symbol, relationships between mashgichim and companies, and the reasoning behind kashrus halachos and minhagim.

Ahead of Pesach, the first episode, Gebrokts Unpacked: Origins of the Minhag and Its Applications, explored navigating situations where some family members eat gebrokts while others do not; why people in chutz la’aretz stop eating it on the eighth day of Pesach; and the thousands of Pesach questions OU Kosher fields each year. It reached over 9,000 views in just over a week.

OU Kosher Director of Education and Community Relations Rabbi Eli Eleff hopes the podcast will highlight the challenges kashrus professionals face and show their human side.

“I think people will gain a greater appreciation for kashrus professionals, who work tirelessly on behalf of the community,” he says.

OU Director of Torah and Halacha Initiatives Rabbi Ezra Sarna hosts the podcast, and is eager to learn about OU Kosher’s inner workings alongside podcast viewers and listeners.

“The easiest part of hosting this podcast is looking genuinely interested and curious about what my esteemed guests are saying,” he says. “It’s all new to me too. Their experience and knowledge are staggering. I’m excited for the Torah world to meet the giants that work at OU Kosher — serious talmidei chachamim, experts in the practical and modern application of halacha, food scientists, and business-minded individuals with rock-solid integrity and yiras shamayim. More than just appreciating their work, you’ll hear about their lives. It’s powerful.”

New episodes are released monthly on Motzei Shabbos. The second episode will explore alcohol and the halachic considerations of wine. The third episode ahead of Shavuos, will focus on cheese, including varieties that require waiting six hours before eating meat. The fourth, summer-themed episode, will cover kashrus considerations while traveling.

During his 37 years at OU Kosher, Rabbi Elefant has seen a significant shift in consumers’ interest in kashrus certification.

“In the past, people were satisfied with a limited selection of kosher food,” he reflects. “Today, kosher consumers want everything, including a different exotic wine for each of the four kosos. More than that, they are educated and genuinely care about what makes something kosher.”

The community’s fascination with every detail of kashrus is remarkable, he says.

“People are thirsty for knowledge. We see it in the volume of calls and emails we receive constantly. They are careful about what they eat and do not take anything for granted. An educated consumer is the best consumer. When consumers understand kashrus, they become true partners in maintaining its highest standards.”

To watch or listen to Keeping It Kosher: Kashrus Conversations for the Curious, visit https://keepingitkosher.org.

Rabbi Eli Eleff
Managing Director of Marketing and Community Relations
OU Kosher
212-613-8352
eleffe@ou.org

About OU Kosher
OU (Orthodox Union) Kosher is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international kosher certification agency, certifying 1.5 million products produced in more than 15,000 plants located in 108 countries around the world. The agency certifies two-thirds of all kosher-certified foods in the United States.

About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), or Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.