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Two individuals from China are facing federal charges in the U.S. after being accused of conspiring to smuggle a dangerous biological agent into the country.

According to U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., the defendants—33-year-old Yunqing Jian and 34-year-old Zunyong Liu, both Chinese nationals—have been apprehended on multiple conspiracy-related offenses. Among those allegations is the illegal importation of Fusarium graminearum, a fungus known in scientific research for its potential use as an agroterrorism tool, the Justice Department revealed in a statement.

The FBI took Jian into custody following accusations that she and Liu were responsible for bringing Fusarium graminearum into the United States. This hazardous pathogen is linked to “head blight,” a disease that severely impacts key agricultural crops like wheat, maize, rice, and barley, leading to global economic losses in the billions. Exposure to the fungus’ toxic byproducts can result in nausea, liver failure, and reproductive harm in both people and animals.

Investigators claim that Jian had received funding from the Chinese government to work on this pathogen in China. Additionally, digital data seized from her devices reportedly contains material tying her to the Chinese Communist Party, including proof of her loyalty and affiliation.

“It is further alleged that Jian’s boyfriend, Liu, works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into America—through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport—so that he could conduct research on it at the laboratory at the University of Michigan where his [partner] Jian, worked,” noted the Justice Department.

U.S. Attorney Gorgon emphasized the broader implications of the charges, stressing the potential threat to national security posed by the couple’s alleged plans to utilize a university lab while residing in the country on student visas.

“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns,” said Gorgon. “These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme.”

Cheyvoryea Gibson, head of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, stated that the duo took advantage of their ability to work in academic labs to carry out their biological smuggling activity.

As noted by Breitbart News, recent government actions coincide with these developments. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed last week that the State Department has initiated measures to cancel visas of Chinese students tied to the CCP.

“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio said in an announcement on X.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump placed the blame for Sunday’s violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, on what he described as “Biden’s ridiculous Open Border Policy,” declaring that the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, should be deported immediately under his administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.

“Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America. He came in through Biden’s ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under ‘TRUMP’ Policy,” Trump stated on Truth Social in his first comments regarding the incident, which left eight people wounded.

Records revealed that Soliman, age 45, entered the United States from Egypt in August 2022 on a tourist visa valid through February 2023. He subsequently applied for work authorization, which extended his lawful presence until March 28, 2024. As a result, he had been residing in the U.S. without legal status for the past two months.

As outlined in a federal criminal complaint, Soliman allegedly hurled two improvised firebombs at a group affiliated with Run For Their Lives — a movement primarily consisting of elderly participants advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas following the October 7, 2023, massacre.

Authorities reported that Soliman shouted “Free Palestine!” as he launched the explosive devices. After the attack, law enforcement officers discovered an additional 14 Molotov cocktails stored inside a black plastic bin at the scene.

The complaint also indicated that during questioning by federal agents, Soliman expressed a desire to “kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead.”

He confessed to watching online tutorials to learn how to build the weapons and said that he had been preparing for the attack for a full year, delaying execution of the plan until his daughter had graduated.

Investigators said Soliman, a resident of Colorado Springs who lived with his wife and five children, recorded and uploaded a video to X while carrying out the assault. The footage shows him shirtless, pacing, and gripping the incendiary devices.

According to the complaint, he can be heard in the video saying, “how many children killed” and “end Zionist.”

The eight victims — four women and four men ranging in age from 52 to 88 — were injured during the attack.

Soliman was apprehended and charged on Monday with a federal hate crime. State prosecutors also filed charges, including attempted first-degree murder.

“Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law,” Trump declared in a follow-up post.

“This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!”

Trump’s immigration stance has emphasized the removal of undocumented criminals, but Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s border policies, has recently called for a broader crackdown on illegal entry and overstayed visas.

Reacting to the Boulder attack, Miller wrote on X, “Suicidal migration must be fully reversed.”

{Matzav.com}

Palestinian terrorists responsible for a deadly bombing that killed three Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza had launched their attack from a tunnel concealed beneath a damaged structure, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated during a press briefing.

According to Defrin, the assailants emerged from the tunnel to plant explosive devices along a route in the Jabalia area. “The terrorists set out from a tunnel shaft in a building and planted the explosive devices. This is an active tunnel that is used for terror,” he said.

Defrin explained that the tunnel’s entry point was hidden inside a bombed-out building located near a commonly used path. “The entrance to the tunnel is located inside a destroyed building, close to a route. Therefore, it is important to emphasize, this building is a military target, like tens of thousands of other buildings in Gaza that are used for terror,” he said.

He went on to stress that the IDF’s policy of demolishing such structures was based on the serious threat they posed. “Nearly every other building is booby-trapped and contains a tunnel entrance. We are demolishing these homes, not for the sake of destruction. Every building that is destroyed poses an operational threat and could harm our forces,” Defrin added.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk took aim at the sweeping tax and spending legislation championed by President Donald Trump, calling the bill a “disgusting abomination” and warning that it would significantly worsen the nation’s fiscal outlook.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk declared on X, the social media platform he owns.

Blasting lawmakers for approving the measure, Musk said, “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.”

He added, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.” Musk had only recently stepped down from leading the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative to reduce federal spending.

In a subsequent post, Musk predicted the bill “will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt.”

His public rebuke came shortly after a CBS News interview aired in which he argued that the legislation pushed by the Republican president “undermines” DOGE’s original goals.

The White House dismissed Musk’s criticism without hesitation.

“Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Tuesday briefing when asked about Musk’s online remarks.

Leavitt continued, “It doesn’t change the President’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.”

She reaffirmed the administration’s position that claims of the bill inflating the deficit were unfounded.

Leavitt also went after the Congressional Budget Office, which projected the measure would boost the deficit by $3.8 trillion over a decade, accusing the agency of harboring anti-Republican bias.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who helped shepherd the legislation through the lower chamber, defended the package when asked about Musk’s comments.

“With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill,” said Johnson, R-La.

He doubled down on his support in a post on X, promising that Congress would pass a follow-up rescissions package to lock in savings associated with DOGE.

Musk, responding to a user’s post criticizing GOP lawmakers, fired back with a warning: “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”

Though some Republicans stood by the bill, others publicly aligned with Musk’s assessment, including Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Massie, who was one of just two House Republicans to oppose the measure, responded to Musk’s post with, “He’s right.”

“Simple math,” Musk replied to him.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also voiced support for Musk’s concern over deficit spending.

“Congress has hollowed out America’s middle class through reckless deficit spending and the inflation it causes,” Lee posted on X.

“The Uniparty propels this vicious cycle, and must be stopped in its tracks.”

President Trump, earlier that day, took to social media to attack Sen. Rand Paul after the senator criticized a section of the bill that authorizes a massive debt ceiling increase.

Trump fired back, saying Paul didn’t grasp that the plan would bring “tremendous GROWTH.”

Paul later responded on X, writing, “I agree with Elon.”

“We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake. We can and must do better,” the senator posted.

Musk reacted to Paul’s post with an American flag emoji.

Although Musk was the top donor to Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign—pouring over $250 million into it—his time leading DOGE included sharp disagreements with the administration, especially over tariffs, and clashes with figures like trade advisor Peter Navarro and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

{Matzav.com}

Amid mounting reports suggesting that chareidi lawmakers have adopted a more aggressive tone toward the government, the Israeli Yated Neeman is now striking a more moderate chord. While easing immediate threats, the newspaper will make clear tomorrow that continued support for the coalition will depend on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s concrete actions, not just promises.

Despite fierce warnings earlier in the day from Degel HaTorah MKs about a possible withdrawal from the coalition due to the stalled Chok HaGiyus (Draft Law), the Yated Neeman is set to publish a statement Wednesday clarifying that Rav Dov Landau has not yet instructed the party to leave the government. The article says that the community is waiting to see what steps the prime minister actually takes in the coming days.

According to new information obtained Tuesday evening, there remains a strong inclination among chareidi political circles to exit the government, based on the widespread understanding that the draft legislation is unlikely to pass—not due to lack of will alone, but because of insurmountable opposition to key elements such as sanctions and enlistment quotas.

A senior insider told Kikar HaShabbat: “The meeting with Yuli Edelstein and chareidi representatives just ended. There seems to be willingness to move forward, and if there’s visible progress, another chance may be given. But patience is wearing thin, and the de facto deadline is the end of this week.”

Edelstein’s office later confirmed that the meeting—lasting over four hours—was held in good spirits, and that both sides intend to continue discussions to seek a resolution.

Tensions had intensified earlier in the day when the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch released a statement warning that “in the absence of a dramatic change regarding the draft law, he will instruct United Torah Judaism to leave the coalition.”

Political analyst Yishai Cohen noted that one of the primary sticking points in negotiations between Edelstein and the chareidim is the definition of who counts toward the draft targets. Edelstein, aligning with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, insists that only those entering IDF service should be counted, excluding those performing national or civil service. Furthermore, Edelstein reportedly demands that only recruits entering combat or combat-support roles be tallied toward the quota—setting the bar far beyond current expectations.

Given these conditions, the prospect of reaching a mutually agreed draft law appears increasingly remote.

Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni sent a pointed message to Netanyahu Tuesday afternoon, acting on behalf of both Rav Landau and Rav Hirsch. According to reports, he warned that if no real progress is made on the draft law by Tuesday night, the party would begin escalating its response immediately. While no details were given as to what that escalation would entail, the threat was taken seriously.

Meanwhile, political maneuvering continued behind the scenes. Motty Babchik, a top aide to UTJ minister Yitzchok Goldknopf, reportedly met today with National Unity leader Benny Gantz. According to journalist Michael Shemesh, the two discussed possible cooperation on legislation to dissolve the Knesset, with support from both opposition and chareidi lawmakers.

In parallel, opposition leader Yair Lapid addressed the developing crisis at the start of his Yesh Atid faction meeting. “Let me speak directly to the gedolei Yisroel—to the Rebbe of Ger, to Rav Landau, to Rav Hirsch, to Rav Yitzchak Yosef: They are deceiving you,” Lapid declared. “Netanyahu knows this draft exemption law will never pass. He’s just stalling to get through the summer session.”

Lapid went on to say, “All he cares about is staying in power while he’s under cross-examination in court. He’s feeding you fairy tales and empty pledges. He doesn’t know how—and can’t—deliver the law you want.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a dramatic turn at the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took the stand for cross-examination in his long-running corruption trial—nearly five years after it first began. The prosecution wasted no time, working to cast doubt on Netanyahu’s reliability and attacking the consistency of his testimony.

Prosecutor Yehonatan Tadmor of the State Attorney’s Office opened the session by focusing on Case 1000, in which Netanyahu is accused of accepting lavish gifts—including cigars, champagne, and jewelry—from billionaires Arnon Milchan and James Packer. According to the indictment, Netanyahu allegedly returned the favors by helping Milchan with U.S. visa issues and other business interests, including media mergers.

From the outset, Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman reminded the prime minister of his obligation to answer truthfully. Over the course of the session, Netanyahu’s attorneys frequently objected to the line of questioning, prompting recesses during which Netanyahu briefly exited the courtroom as the judges conferred.

Tadmor delved into Netanyahu’s initial police questioning in 2016, pressing him on whether he had been aware in advance that the investigation centered on gifts from wealthy associates. Netanyahu said he had some recollection of that and insisted, “I don’t do favors for businessmen.”

He was then asked about a list compiled by his legal team of ten wealthy individuals—Milchan and Packer among them—in preparation for his questioning. Netanyahu responded, “I don’t remember,” and suggested that the entire investigation stemmed from a politically motivated article by journalist Gidi Weitz. “It’s persecution,” he said bluntly.

The prosecutor attempted to portray Netanyahu’s repeated memory lapses as strategic. Tadmor highlighted that the prime minister said “I don’t remember” a staggering 1,778 times during his police interrogations in Cases 1000 and 2000, often leaning on that phrase more as the sessions progressed. “You said ‘I don’t remember’ when it suited you,” Tadmor asserted.

Netanyahu pushed back, arguing that no one could recall every minor detail from years past. “Some meetings stand out more than others,” he said. At one point, Judge Friedman-Feldman interjected, asking directly if he had used memory lapses as a tactic to avoid answering. “No,” he replied.

The prosecutor then attempted to dismantle Netanyahu’s narrative that his relationship with Milchan was purely personal and devoid of political interest. Recounting a 1996 meeting between Netanyahu and Milchan in New York—arranged while Netanyahu was staying at a hotel with his wife Sara—Tadmor presented a story meant to illustrate the transactional nature of the relationship.

Sara Netanyahu, according to Milchan’s past testimony, asked him to bring a stuffed Bugs Bunny doll for their son Yair. Milchan reportedly arrived with a small one, only to be told it wasn’t large enough. “He ran through the streets of New York in the rain to find a bigger one,” Tadmor said.

Milchan’s 2023 testimony was read aloud: “I didn’t have a driver, it was raining, but I got a pretty big Bugs Bunny, very big… I stood there with the Bugs Bunny… eventually I made it to the hotel… Sara said it was okay… then we had dinner.”

Tadmor challenged Netanyahu over the oddity of making such a request of someone he had just met. Netanyahu claimed he didn’t recall any movie being changed and said he had no knowledge of the Bugs Bunny episode. He then quipped, “Sounds like something out of ‘Who Killed Roger Rabbit.’”

Pressing further, Tadmor demanded that Netanyahu admit Milchan had a strong desire to meet him, to which Netanyahu shrugged, “Many people wanted to meet with me.”

The prosecution later turned to Netanyahu’s political career after his 1999 electoral defeat. Tadmor suggested Netanyahu had always planned a return to politics, citing a passage from his own 2022 autobiography that stated he had “no doubt” he could make a comeback and that he “remained a major force in Israeli politics.” Netanyahu countered, saying at the time he genuinely believed he was finished: “I was a political corpse.”

The ongoing trial centers around three major cases. In Case 2000, Netanyahu is accused of negotiating a deal with publisher Arnon “Noni” Mozes for more favorable coverage from the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper in return for legislation that would harm rival publication Israel Hayom.

The most serious, Case 4000, revolves around allegations that Netanyahu advanced regulatory decisions favoring Bezeq’s controlling shareholder, Shaul Elovitch, to the tune of hundreds of millions of shekels. In exchange, Netanyahu allegedly received positive coverage from the Walla news site, which Elovitch also owned.

With the prosecution still in its early stages of cross-examination—a process expected to last roughly a year due to scheduling complexities and Netanyahu’s governmental obligations—the courtroom battle is only beginning to unfold.

{Matzav.com}

Two rockets launched from Syrian territory toward the Golan Heights on Tuesday marked the first such incident in over a year and were swiftly followed by a Houthi missile launched from Yemen, setting off alarms across central Israel. Though neither attack caused injuries, Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz declared that a full retaliation against the Syrian government would follow.

Responding to the Golan incident, Israeli forces fired artillery at the source of the launch near Tasil, roughly 12 kilometers from the Israeli border. The military also carried out a wave of airstrikes in southern Syria targeting weapons systems it said were under the control of the regime now led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.

“The Syrian regime is accountable for everything that happens on its soil and will be held responsible for continued aggression originating from there,” the IDF said in a statement.

Katz issued a separate declaration, placing personal responsibility on Sharaa: “Israel holds Sharaa directly responsible for every rocket fired and every threat against our citizens. The full response will come soon. We will not return to the situation that existed before October 7.”

The two rockets fired from Syria landed near Ramat Magshimim, with warning sirens also sounding in the nearby town of Hispin. Authorities said both impacts occurred in open areas.

The Syrian foreign ministry claimed it had no confirmation of the rocket launches but condemned Israel’s retaliatory strikes, saying they inflicted “severe human and material damage” and constituted a breach of sovereignty. It called for international intervention, asserting Syria was actively working to contain militant groups in its south and was not a danger to others in the region.

“This is a time for calm and political solutions,” the ministry’s statement added. “We urge the global community to take action to prevent further attacks and support efforts to restore regional stability.”

The attack marked the first rocket fire from Syrian territory since May 2024, when Syria was still under the rule of Iran-backed Bashar al-Assad. That changed seven months later when a radical faction led by Sharaa overthrew Assad in a surprise coup.

Although the United States once offered a reward for Sharaa’s capture, it has since shifted its stance, lifting Assad-era sanctions and recognizing Sharaa’s regime. Reports now suggest Sharaa is set to address the UN General Assembly this September—something no Syrian head of state has done in nearly six decades.

Despite the apparent U.S. pivot, Israel has maintained a cautious posture. After Assad’s removal, Israeli troops were stationed inside the buffer zone separating the two countries. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes across Syrian territory have continued unabated.

Later on Tuesday, just 20 minutes after the Syrian attack, a Houthi missile triggered warning sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv. The IDF confirmed that the projectile was intercepted, but not before residents received early alerts via push notifications.

Authorities also reported that fragments—either from the Houthi missile or from the interceptor—landed in the city of Modiin. Police responded to secure and remove debris from the area. Sirens also briefly blared in Nof HaGalil and other towns near Nazareth, which were later deemed false alarms caused by misidentification of potential threats.

In line with routine protocol, Ben Gurion Airport suspended takeoffs and landings for 25 minutes following the Houthi launch.

The Houthis, aligned with Iran and known for their slogan “Death to America, Death to Israel, a Curse on the Jews,” have been targeting Israel and international shipping since November 2023. Their strikes tapered off after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January 2025, by which time they had launched more than 40 ballistic missiles and a wide array of drones and cruise missiles—one of which killed a civilian and wounded several others in Tel Aviv.

Since Israel renewed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have launched an additional 45 ballistic missiles and at least 10 drones. While a number of those attacks were intercepted or fell short, the frequency of launches has stirred continued concern among Israeli defense officials.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, addressed the media following widespread reports that Israeli tanks had allegedly opened fire on Palestinians seeking humanitarian assistance from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The reports claimed that a number of individuals sustained gunshot injuries and that some had died after being transported to medical facilities.

In her statement, Leavitt said, “The President is aware of those reports and we are currently looking into the veracity of them, because unfortunately unlike some in the media, we don’t take the word of Hamas with total truth. We like to look into it when they speak.”

She went on to criticize certain outlets for rushing to publish unverified information, adding, “Unlike the BBC, who had multiple headlines about Israeli tanks killing various numbers of civilians and then they found out that they had to correct and take down their entire story, saying ‘we reviewed the footage and couldn’t find any evidence of anything’.”

Leavitt emphasized that the administration would investigate thoroughly before making any official statements or policy decisions. “So we’re going to look into the reports before we can confirm them from this podium, before we take action, and I suggest that journalists who actually care about truth do the same to reduce the amount of misinformation that’s going around the globe on this front,” she concluded.

{Matzav.com}

After their most successful postseason in a quarter-century, the New York Knicks announced on Tuesday that they have dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau.

The move comes just days after the Knicks were eliminated in six games by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite the loss, New York had exceeded expectations during the playoffs, toppling the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the second round and doing so with a recently restructured roster.

Earlier this season, Thibodeau passed Pat Riley on the Knicks’ all-time wins list, placing him fourth in franchise history. He had guided the team to consecutive 50-win campaigns—their first since 1995—and had been the franchise’s most successful coach in over twenty years. Just last offseason, the Knicks had extended his contract by three years.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” said team president Leon Rose in a statement. “This pursuit led us to the decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction. We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach.
“… Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Thibodeau’s ties to the Knicks date back decades, to his time as an assistant on Jeff Van Gundy’s staff in the 1990s. One of his current assistants, Rick Brunson, played on those Van Gundy-coached teams and would often bring his son, Jalen Brunson—now the face of the franchise—to team practices.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, more than 30 NBA teams have made head coaching changes following runs to the conference or NBA Finals.

Following New York’s final playoff loss, reporters asked Jalen Brunson about his coach’s status. He replied, “Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he’s the right guy? Yes. Come on.”

The Knicks pulled off a surprising series win over Boston despite being swept by the Celtics during the regular season—three of those losses by double figures—and playing with a lineup that had undergone significant change.

Ahead of the playoffs, the front office made aggressive moves, trading five first-round picks to Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges, then sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. While those trades impacted their bench depth, they resulted in one of the league’s most formidable starting units.

True to his reputation, Thibodeau leaned heavily on his starters, keeping them on the floor longer than any other group in the NBA this season—despite the broader trend toward rest and load management across the league.

Thibodeau had previously held head coaching roles with the Chicago Bulls from 2010 to 2015 and the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2016 to 2019 before landing in New York.

With a career winning percentage of .579, Thibodeau holds the distinction of having the best record among coaches who have never reached the NBA Finals, according to data from ESPN Research.

{Matzav.com}

The United States has put forward a revised diplomatic proposal to Iran that would allow the Islamic Republic to continue enriching uranium at low levels for a limited timeframe, according to a report by Axios journalist Barak Ravid.

The offer, which was reportedly presented on Saturday by the Trump administration, signals a departure from its prior hardline stance in nuclear talks.

In earlier negotiations, Washington had insisted that Tehran completely halt its uranium enrichment activities as a non-negotiable condition of any deal aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, however, has consistently rejected any such demand. The newly floated plan would defer the enrichment ban, allowing Iran to maintain limited enrichment for an interim period.

The exact parameters of the arrangement—specifically the level of enrichment allowed and the duration of the temporary window—have not been disclosed.

As part of the updated framework, Iran would be expected to refrain from constructing additional enrichment sites and to begin dismantling some of its existing uranium facilities.

The White House did not dispute the Axios report. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the outlet, “President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it’s in their best interest to accept it. Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media.”

Despite the report’s claims, Trump issued a statement later that seemed to reject the premise, writing on Truth Social: “The autopen should have stopped Iran a long time ago from ‘enriching.’ Under our potential Agreement, we will not allow any enrichment of uranium!”

{Matzav.com}

Almost a year after E. S.—a chassid affiliated with the Vizhnitzer community in Beit Shemesh—was taken into custody for allegedly collaborating with Iranian intelligence, further details have emerged about how he was drawn into the scheme.

According to a report from Walla, E. S. was in serious financial trouble, with debts totaling roughly 70,000 shekels, when he was targeted through the Telegram app. Hoping to explore cryptocurrency opportunities, he had recently acquired a smartphone, an action that ultimately made him vulnerable to recruitment. He soon entered contact with a woman who identified herself as “Anna Elena,” claiming to be a Canadian activist.

“Anna” presented herself as part of a campaign aimed at preventing traffic-related deaths. She offered to pay E. S. $20 for each ad he helped put up around the country. The first task she assigned him was to print and distribute 150 posters bearing the image of a blood-soaked hand and the message: “History will write that children were murdered. Let’s stand on the right side of history.” E. S. paid someone from Beitar Illit 1,800 shekels to hang the signs throughout Tel Aviv.

The assignments quickly became more serious. “Anna” asked E. S. to discard his phone and pick up a replacement device that had been hidden in Haifa. Soon after, she began urging him to take part in destructive acts, such as vandalizing property, torching cars, and even starting a forest fire—for which he was promised $7,000. When he declined to carry out the arson, she upped the ante and asked, hypothetically, what he would do for $75,000 if asked to shoot someone.

Though E. S. admitted that he suspected early on that “Anna” might be connected to a hostile foreign entity, he said he continued the relationship because he was desperate for the money. Under interrogation, he confessed that he understood he was providing assistance to an enemy, but added that he felt “neutral and less committed” to the country.

{Maztav.com Israel}

On Tuesday evening, The Washington Post issued a correction and a partial apology after it inaccurately reported on a deadly event in Gaza earlier in the week, in which the newspaper and other outlets incorrectly suggested Israel was responsible for the deaths of over 30 civilians.

In a post shared on X, the newspaper acknowledged the error, writing, “deleted the post below because it and early versions of the article didn’t meet Post fairness standards.”

The paper explained that its initial coverage stated that “Israeli troops had killed more than 30 people near a U.S. aid site in Gaza,” and that this claim was attributed to “health officials” in the headline.

“The article failed to make clear if attributing the deaths to Israel was the position of the Gaza health ministry or a fact verified by The Post,” the statement continued. The updated version, posted later on Sunday, clarified that “there was no consensus about who was responsible for the shootings and that there was a dispute over that question.”

While all versions of the report included Israel’s response that it was unaware of any injuries it may have caused, the newspaper admitted that “The Post didn’t give proper weight to Israel’s denial and gave improper certitude about what was known about any Israeli role in the shootings.” It concluded, “The early versions fell short of Post standards of fairness and should not have been published in that form.”

According to reports that circulated on Sunday, Palestinian Arab sources claimed that an Israeli military strike had taken place near a humanitarian aid center in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah, killing over 30 people and injuring many more. These allegations were widely picked up by global media and fueled international backlash.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement denying the claims, saying, “The IDF is currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site. The matter is still under review.”

Later, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) released footage from security cameras positioned at the aid site during the time in question. The video did not support the accusations made by Palestinian sources and contradicted the reports of a strike in that area.

That same evening, the IDF shared results from its preliminary investigation. The findings confirmed that Israeli troops had not opened fire on civilians in or near the aid center, discrediting the earlier accusations.

The military emphasized its cooperation with humanitarian organizations, stating that its operations are conducted in partnership with groups like the GHF to ensure aid reaches Gazan civilians—not Hamas.

“Hamas does everything in its power to undermine food distribution efforts in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that starves and endangers the population in order to preserve its control over the Gaza Strip. As part of its brutal behavior and its attempts to disrupt humanitarian aid, Hamas directly harms the residents of Gaza,” the IDF stated.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Elazar Pesserman zt”l, one of Bnei Brak’s great talmidei chachamim, who learned in Yeshivas Rashbi for over fifty years and devoted his life to Torah. He was 80 years old.

Rav Elazar was born in Tel Aviv to his father, Rav Avraham Aba Pesserman zt”l, a devoted chossid of Stutchin, and his mother, Mrs. Sarah. Raised in a home of yiras Shamayim, he witnessed firsthand his father’s unwavering dedication to shmiras Shabbos in a secular environment, working together with Rav Yonah Stenzel zt”l to uphold the sanctity of the day.

As a young man, Rav Elazar enrolled in the Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he became closely attached to its leadership, including the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shach, and the mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l. There, his dedication to Torah and avodah was legendary, and his hasmadah knew no bounds.

After marrying the daughter of Rav Yom Tov Friedman z”l—one of the founders of the Chug Chasam Sofer community in Petach Tikvah—he continued his aliyah in Torah by joining the kollel of Yeshivas Rashbi in Bnei Brak, under the leadership of Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman. Rav Pesserman’s diligence only intensified, and he quickly became renowned as one of the most revered lomdim in the city.

He developed a close kesher with Rav Bergman and was known to consult him on every matter, living a life entirely immersed in Torah, to the extent that he remained completely removed from worldly affairs. Once, when a secular member of the Israeli government visited the kollel, a fellow avreich asked Rav Pesserman if he would learn a sugya with the guest and explain the Gemara to him. Rav Pesserman simply responded by asking, “Who is that?”—he had never even heard the man’s name.

Even during the last year of his life, as he battled a difficult illness, Rav Elazar continued learning with tremendous exertion, undeterred by the pain and challenges he faced.

He leaves behind his only son, Rav Yom Tov Pesserman; his daughters; and many grandchildren.

The levayah was held today (Tuesday, Isru Chag in Eretz Yisroel), beginning at Yeshivas Rashbi on Rechov HaShelah in Bnei Brak, passing by his residence on Rechov HaRav Dessler, and proceeding to the Ponovezh Bais Hachaim for burial.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The IDF reported the deaths of three soldiers from the Givati Brigade’s 9th Battalion during combat operations in northern Gaza on Tuesday. Staff Sergeant Lior Steinberg, 20, from Petah Tikva, Staff Sergeant Ofek Barhana, 20, from Yavne, and Staff Sergeant Omer Van Gelder, 22, from Ma’ale Adumim, lost their lives after their vehicle hit an explosive device.

Steinberg and Barhana served as combat medics, while Van Gelder was a squad commander.

According to military sources, the incident began when troops from the Rotem Battalion, operating in Jabaliya under the 9th Armored Battalion, encountered a mine while riding in a Namer armored personnel carrier. Although the vehicle caught fire, the soldiers on board managed to escape without injury.

In response, a team consisting of a Hummer and a military fire truck was dispatched to extinguish the blaze and recover the disabled APC. While en route, the Hummer hit another explosive device, killing all three soldiers inside and injuring two others.

Upon realizing the area was heavily mined, IDF engineering units began clearing what was later identified as a vast minefield containing numerous explosive devices.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep sorrow over the soldiers’ deaths, stating: “On behalf of all Israeli citizens, my wife and I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the heroic soldiers Staff Sergeant Lior Steinberg, Staff Sergeant Ofek Barhana, and Staff Sergeant Omer Van Gelder, who fell in Gaza in the campaign to defeat Hamas and free our hostages. Our hearts ache for the families in their darkest moments. We will forever appreciate the heroism of our soldiers, Lior, Ofek, and Omer. May their memories be blessed and forever in the heart of the nation.”

Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, 861 IDF soldiers have died in the line of duty.

{Matzav.com}

The White House sent Congress a $9.4 billion rescissions package, codifying DOGE cuts, including $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (funding NPR and PBS) and $8.3 billion from foreign aid and USAID.

Fragments from the latest Houthi ballistic missile or an interceptor missile, landed in Modiin this evening.

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin revealed a map detailing the IDF’s ongoing ground offensive against Hamas, showing the Gaza Division operating in Rafah, the 36th and 98th divisions advancing into Khan Younis from the south and east, the 252nd active in Gaza City and the Netzarim Corridor, and the 162nd engaging Hamas in northern Gaza.

Thousands particpate in a Hachnosas Sefer Torah to the Ponavezh Yeshiva on Motzei Shavuos, written in memory of the Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein ZT’L.

The IDF foiled a weapons smuggling attempt from Egypt into Israel, downing a drone carrying 11 rifles and ammunition after it crossed the border, with the contraband and drone subsequently handed over to the police.

Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip, including terror operatives, buildings used by terror groups, tunnels, and other infrastructure that posed a threat to troops, the military says.