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A whistleblower filing against Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has sparked debate in Washington over how classified material referencing Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, was managed within the intelligence community.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the dispute centers on an intercepted exchange between two foreign nationals who discussed Kushner. The conversation was gathered by a foreign intelligence service and subsequently shared with the National Security Agency. The material reportedly referenced Kushner’s influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in matters related to Iran.

The intercepted discussion, which occurred last year, included commentary about Kushner’s role in Middle East peace negotiations and Iran policy. However, U.S. officials from the Trump administration characterized the claims as largely unsubstantiated and dismissed them as inaccurate.

The whistleblower alleges that Gabbard’s office limited access to the intelligence assessment and delayed its circulation for several months. According to the Journal, the complaint contends that Gabbard narrowed the group permitted to review the report after a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Some officials involved reportedly believe that broader distribution might have led to the material being quickly deemed insignificant. The whistleblower, however, maintains that relevant agencies should have received the information and suggests that the restriction was politically driven.

Gabbard’s office has rejected the accusations, stating that the material was handled appropriately and in accordance with national security protocols. Still, the timing of the report’s limited release has prompted questions from members of Congress. A heavily redacted version of the complaint was eventually provided to select lawmakers, and several Democrats have called for additional scrutiny into why the complaint was not addressed sooner. The Journal noted that Gabbard’s team has defended her conduct, asserting that she adhered to established legal and procedural requirements.

The New York Times reported additional details about the contents of the intercepted conversation. According to the newspaper, the intelligence, which originated with a foreign partner, primarily focused on Iran but also mentioned Kushner, whose name was initially redacted in the report. The individuals in the conversation reportedly speculated about Kushner’s sway over U.S. policy during a period when his involvement in Middle East diplomacy was increasing. U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence said portions of the discussion amounted to unverified gossip, including claims that were demonstrably false.

The Times also pointed out that the reference to Kushner drew attention because U.S. officials, particularly those connected to the Trump administration, are typically masked in such intercepts. While Gabbard’s office restricted wider distribution of the material, some officials believe the move reflected caution, given the risk that disclosure could expose sensitive intelligence sources and methods.

Although the allegations tied to Kushner were speculative and unsupported by corroborating intelligence, the decision to limit access to the report has fueled controversy. Critics argue that Gabbard may have sought to shield an ally of President Trump from political fallout, while others contend that her approach was a pragmatic effort to avoid unnecessary controversy over dubious information.

The complaint and related inquiries remain classified. However, some lawmakers, including Senator Mark Warner, have called for comprehensive access to the underlying intelligence, which has not yet been fully disclosed.

Israel’s Health Ministry reported Friday that a nine-year-old boy who had not been vaccinated died after contracting measles, as officials continue to warn the public amid an ongoing outbreak.

According to the ministry, the child was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts.

Since the start of the current outbreak, 14 people have died from measles. Most of the fatalities have involved unvaccinated infants who were previously healthy and had no underlying medical conditions.

The Health Ministry emphasized that measles is a preventable illness and stressed the importance of immunization. Officials stated that the measles vaccine is both safe and effective and that it saves lives.

Under routine guidelines, all children are advised to receive the first dose of the measles vaccine at age one and a second dose at age six as part of the standard immunization schedule.

In areas experiencing outbreaks, the ministry recommends administering the second dose earlier, at age one and a half.

In addition, health officials advise giving an extra vaccine dose to infants between the ages of six and eleven months in outbreak zones and for those traveling to locations where measles cases are rising.

The ministry also urged individuals who are not vaccinated, as well as parents of infants who received a single dose between six and eleven months of age, to avoid large public gatherings in outbreak areas due to the heightened risk of infection.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is proposing $10 million in state funds to assist small businesses affected by recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, arguing that Washington should compensate local companies for economic losses tied to ICE operations.

Walz made the remarks after White House advisor Tom Homan announced Thursday that most ICE officers would be withdrawn from Minneapolis following the arrest of more than 4,000 illegal migrants. Reacting to the enforcement effort, Walz said, “They left us with economic ruin.”

The governor said his administration is prioritizing financial relief for businesses impacted by the raids, particularly immigrant-owned enterprises. “One of the first things we can do, and what we’re focusing on today, is: What can we start doing on the economic recovery, the damage that has been done to our economy, specifically to small business owners, and even more specifically, to immigrant small business owners … The federal government needs to pay for what they broke here.”

Matt Varilek, an economic development official in Walz’s administration, said many local companies are struggling due to the enforcement actions. “Many Minnesota businesses – especially small businesses — are facing economic hardships that may prove insurmountable” as a result of federal activity, he said.

He added that the impact has been widespread. “The massive negative economic impact that is resulting from the fact that a lot of [company] workers don’t feel comfortable showing up, a lot of customers don’t feel comfortable showing up, and so we’re seeing massive reductions in that foot traffic, massive reductions in revenue.”

Henry Garcia, a Colombian migrant who manages a grocery store in St. Paul, said his business has been severely affected. “My customers are afraid to go shopping,” Garcia said, explaining that his sales have fallen by roughly half, even though some white Minneapolis residents have begun shopping at his store.

He described the shift in business conditions following increased ICE activity. “Since federal ICE activity increased late last year, everything changed .. My customers are afraid to go in shopping. … Sales dropped by half, and goodwill doesn’t cover rent … We need more [grants].”

Throughout his public comments, Walz praised immigrants broadly, without distinguishing between those in the country legally and those who entered illegally.

He framed immigration as central to American identity. “Immigrant small business owners, which … for most of our history, [are] the epitome of the American Dream: ‘Come to this country with nothing and build something to be proud!’”

Addressing immigrant communities directly, Walz said, “I want to speak directly to Minnesota’s immigrant community, by extension, America’s immigrant community. We see you, we hear you, we value everything that you bring … We believe in those words. ‘Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be breathe free.’”

Walz also emphasized the broader role of immigration in shaping the state and nation. “There is no Minnesota without our immigrant community,” he said, adding that “immigration is the core of who we are.”

The debate comes amid broader disputes over so-called “Sanctuary City” policies, which critics argue create economic systems dependent on migrant labor and consumer bases. Supporters counter that immigrant communities fuel local business growth and contribute to cultural and economic vitality.

In Minneapolis, supporters of the governor point to the growth of immigrant-owned restaurants and retail establishments. Walz highlighted what he described as “a food scene across this state that is second to none.”

The New York Times recently profiled Oscar Murcia, who arrived in St. Paul from El Salvador in 2000 and later opened a restaurant and bakery called El Guanaco. As federal enforcement increased in December, customer traffic at his Minneapolis location reportedly fell 80 percent, prompting its closure. He has reduced hours and staff at other locations and sought relief from landlords and lenders. According to the report, four of his 64 employees were detained, despite having work permits and pending asylum cases.

Critics argue that enforcement of immigration laws is restoring federal authority in cities that had previously limited cooperation with ICE. They contend that tighter enforcement is reshaping local labor markets and housing dynamics in cities such as Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

In Minneapolis, median income stood at approximately $52,000 in 2024, while annual rent costs climbed to around $16,500. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, three full-time minimum-wage jobs are needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment in the city. In 2023, Minnesota ranked fortieth among states in median household income growth.

Meanwhile, Walz on Thursday said his administration wants to participate in a federal investigation into alleged fraud involving Somali-operated programs that received federal funds. The probe is expected to examine whether large sums of taxpayer money were misused, and several individuals reportedly face potential criminal charges.

President Donald Trump, for his part, has promoted a different economic approach focused on productivity and technology. Speaking to Breitbart News in August, Trump said, “We’re going to need robots … to make our economy run because we do not have enough people,” adding, “So we have to get efficient … we’ll probably add to [the existing workforce] through robotically—it’s going to be robotically … It’s going to be big. Then, somebody is going to have to make the robots. The whole thing, it feeds on itself … we’re going to streamline things. We need efficiency.”

Supporters of Trump’s immigration enforcement say it is part of a broader strategy aimed at tightening labor markets and raising wages for American workers. RestaurantBusinessOnline.com reported January 23: “Fewer workers mean restaurants will once again have to compete for employees the only way they can, by paying higher wages. Wages over the next two years are expected to accelerate, according to Oxford Economics, from 3.7% this year to 5.6% by 2027.”

The clash between the two approaches reflects a deeper divide over immigration policy and economic priorities, with Walz and other Democrats favoring expanded protections and benefits for immigrant communities, and Trump emphasizing enforcement, reduced migration, and productivity-driven growth.

A team of four astronauts is on its way to the International Space Station following a predawn launch Friday from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ignited before sunrise, lighting up the dark sky as it climbed into orbit during a roughly nine-minute ascent. The crew is scheduled to rendezvous and dock with the space station Saturday afternoon, Eastern time.

The orbiting laboratory has been staffed by only three astronauts since last month. Under normal circumstances, incoming crews overlap with departing teams for several days to allow for a smooth transition and knowledge handoff. However, NASA’s previous mission, Crew-11, returned to Earth earlier than planned in January, a month ahead of schedule. The agency cited a “serious” but stable medical condition affecting one crew member. The incident marked the first medical evacuation in the station’s 26-year history.

The current mission, Crew-12, is led by NASA commander Jessica Meir, with Jack Hathaway serving as pilot. They are joined aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft by Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The four astronauts are expected to remain on the station for approximately eight months, during which they will carry out scientific experiments, conduct research, and perform maintenance on the facility.

For Meir and Fedyaev, this marks their second journey to the space station. Hathaway and Adenot are making their first trips to space.

During her previous stay aboard the station in 2019, Meir made history alongside NASA astronaut Christina Koch by participating in the first all-female spacewalk. The pair spent more than seven hours outside the station replacing a malfunctioning battery charger.

Democratic lawmakers who control Virginia’s legislature are moving quickly to approve a new congressional map that could create as many as four additional Democratic-leaning U.S. House districts before this year’s midterm elections.

The proposal, which Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign early next week, comes as voters prepare to decide this spring whether to shift redistricting authority from the current bipartisan commission back to the legislature through the 2030 election cycle.

Republicans have blasted the effort as an “unconstitutional power grab,” while Democrats argue the move is necessary to counter what they describe as aggressive partisan gerrymandering by the GOP in other states.

Virginia has become the newest front in a broader nationwide struggle over congressional maps, with Florida poised to follow. The clash reflects a larger political contest between President Donald Trump and Republican allies on one side and Democrats on the other, as both parties seek to shape districts ahead of November’s elections.

With Republicans defending a razor-thin majority in the U.S. House, Democrats need to gain just three seats to reclaim control. As a result, redistricting battles in Virginia and elsewhere could determine which party holds the chamber next year.

“It’s happening all over the country,” the narrator in a new ad by Virginians for Fair Elections says. “Politicians redrawing maps to rig the midterm elections. And Virginia can’t sit back and do nothing.”

The Democratic-aligned advocacy organization told Fox News Digital it is committing an initial seven-figure sum to air the advertisement statewide.

If enacted in time for the midterms, the proposed Virginia map could give Democrats a chance to flip four Republican-held districts, transforming the state’s current 6-5 GOP advantage in its House delegation into a potential 10-1 Democratic edge.

Opposition has emerged from Virginians for Fair Maps, a Republican-backed group challenging the plan. The organization argues that “Virginians came together to pass bipartisan redistricting reform — a process that took the power to draw maps out of politicians’ hands. Now, politicians in Richmond want to undo that progress.”

The Republican National Committee has also criticized the proposal, labeling it a “power grab.”

Democrats suffered a setback when a local court halted their attempt to amend Virginia’s Constitution to enable the redraw. A circuit court judge in Tazewell County ruled that lawmakers failed to follow proper procedures.

The decision has been appealed, and both sides are awaiting word on whether the Virginia Supreme Court will intervene.

Time is a critical factor. Early voting for the April 21 referendum is scheduled to begin March 6.

Trump had floated the idea last spring of pursuing mid-decade redistricting, a tactic that is uncommon but not unprecedented. His aim was to avoid a repeat of 2018, when Democrats regained the House majority during his first term.

The strategy centered on redrawing maps in Republican-controlled states to strengthen the GOP’s slim House majority ahead of midterms, which historically tend to favor the party out of power.

Texas was the first focus of that effort.

When questioned by reporters last summer about adding Republican-friendly seats nationwide, Trump said, “Texas will be the biggest one. And that’ll be five.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott subsequently called a special session of the GOP-led legislature to approve a revised map.

Democratic lawmakers in Texas responded by breaking quorum and leaving the state for two weeks in an attempt to delay the vote, energizing Democrats across the country.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom emerged as a leading opponent of Trump’s redistricting push.

In November, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a ballot measure that temporarily sidelined the state’s independent redistricting commission and restored map-drawing authority to the Democratic-controlled legislature.

That change is expected to yield five additional Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, a move designed to counter Texas’ redistricting effort.

The conflict has expanded beyond Texas and California.

Republican-led legislatures in Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina have also drawn new congressional maps as part of the broader effort.

In Utah, a district judge late last year rejected a map crafted by the Republican-controlled legislature and instead approved an alternative that would create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the midterms.

Utah Republicans have appealed that ruling to the state Supreme Court in hopes of blocking the court-ordered map for this year’s elections.

In Indiana, Republican state senators in December rejected a redistricting measure that had passed the House, defying Trump and drawing national attention.

Florida is now expected to become the next battleground.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers in the GOP-dominated legislature are pursuing a special session in April aimed at adding three to five Republican-leaning districts.

That effort has already sparked litigation. A group aligned with Florida Democrats filed a lawsuit arguing that DeSantis and Secretary of State Cordy Byrd lack the legal authority to alter election procedures after Byrd moved congressional qualifying dates from April to June.

Democrats in Maryland are also pressing for redistricting that could add one more Democratic-leaning seat. The proposal, backed by Gov. Wes Moore and approved by House Democrats, faces resistance from Senate President Bill Ferguson, also a Democrat.

Meanwhile, Republicans in South Carolina, Nebraska, Kansas, and New Hampshire, along with Democrats in Illinois and Washington state, are considering their own redistricting efforts.

Overshadowing these state-level battles is the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to rule in Louisiana v. Callais, a significant case that could reshape interpretations of a key section of the Voting Rights Act.

If the Court sides with its conservative justices, the decision could trigger widespread redrawing of majority-minority districts nationwide, a development that analysts say would likely benefit Republicans.

For now, however, the timing and scope of the Court’s ruling remain uncertain, leaving both parties watching closely as the redistricting fight intensifies across the country.

Amid the ongoing draft crisis affecting Torah students, hundreds of avreichim from Belz’s network of Iyun kollelim across Israel gathered for a special event titled “Mipninim Yekarah,” led by the Belzer Rebbe, who delivered words of praise and encouragement to the lomdei Torah.

The gathering marked the completion of intensive study of the laws of bosor becholov and taaruvos, subjects that had been learned with dedication and sustained effort over recent years. The event was held in the Rebbe’s presence and included participants from Belzer kollelim throughout the country.

Following the singing of stirring melodies, the Rebbe made a l’chaim, and addressed the assembled bnei Torah. He said: “They called me to say a few words. It is a great merit for me to participate in a celebration of a mitzvah at a time like this, when everyone knows what is happening in the street. And we see the contrast with the avreichim who sit and learn and give themselves over completely, all the time and with their entire minds, to understand another section of Shulchan Aruch, another passage of Gemara, another Rishon and another Acharon, to rise higher in understanding of Torah. If only I could have a share in all the Torah that you are learning.”

He continued with a blessing: “May Hashem help all those who are here and those who are not here to rise higher and show that this is how a Belzer avreich elevates himself through Torah study, and that they should be able to continue learning and rising more and more, without making calculations. And you should know that the purpose of life — for which Hakadosh Boruch Hu created the world — is to learn and to teach, to observe and to fulfill, and to reach high spiritual levels. May you be blessed with all the blessings promised to those who learn Torah, that your children and grandchildren continue further, and with all good influences.”

{Matzav.com}

Cigarette prices in the Gaza Strip have surged to unprecedented levels, with a single pack now selling for as much as 1,300 shekels, according to recent reports. The sharp spike comes amid a reduction in supply and stricter enforcement measures targeting smuggling into the territory.

Just four months ago, a pack of cigarettes cost about 70 shekels. This week, however, the price climbed to 1,300 shekels. A Gaza resident told Kan News that many smokers have begun searching for alternatives. According to him, residents have reached the point where they are smoking herbs and adding nicotine to them.

In October 2025, a single cigarette sold for between two and three shekels. Today, individual cigarettes are priced between 30 and 50 shekels each. Reports attribute the dramatic increase to a significant decline in cigarette shipments into Gaza, as well as tougher measures aimed at curbing smuggling operations.

The resident who spoke with Kan News accused local traders of exploiting the situation, saying they are hoarding goods and creating monopolies at the expense of Gaza’s residents, in addition to the taxes imposed by Hamas.

Smoking rates in Gaza are considered very high. Residents consume an estimated 600 million cigarettes annually — roughly 30,000 packs per year — generating a market valued at approximately one billion shekels each year.

The same resident noted that nicotine used in improvised cigarette substitutes has also risen sharply in price. A liter of nicotine, which previously cost 3,000 shekels, now sells for 20,000 shekels, he said.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s ongoing draft crisis has once again shaken the coalition, but this time the decisive influence may not lie solely with politicians. According to a column published this morning in Yediot Achronot by commentator Yuval Karni, one central figure is effectively holding the fate of the proposed enlistment law in her hands: Attorney Miri Frenkel-Shor, the legal adviser to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

The report states that after a period in which it appeared that constructive dialogue was taking place between the chareidi factions and committee chairman Boaz Bismuth, it became clear that the emerging draft of the legislation does not meet legal standards. As a result, the bill cannot advance without substantial revisions.

At the heart of the dispute is Frenkel-Shor’s firm position that any draft law must comply with principles set by the High Court of Justice in recent years, particularly the principle of equality in bearing the national burden and the imposition of meaningful sanctions. In closed-door discussions, Karni reports, she has made clear that she will not approve wording that is likely to be struck down by the court.

Standing alongside her is Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik, who is said to be providing full backing to her stance. Sources within the Knesset describe intense behind-the-scenes pressure but emphasize that neither legal adviser has shown any sign of retreating.

One of the most contentious issues involves the structure of sanctions. While the chareidi parties are seeking to scale back or soften the penalties for those who do not enlist, Frenkel-Shor is reportedly insisting on a framework referred to in committee discussions as “sanctions for all.” Under this model, even if overall recruitment targets are met, individuals who fail to fulfill their personal obligation would still face consequences.

Among the measures under consideration are reductions in daycare subsidies, restrictions on leaving the country, suspension of driver’s licenses, and limitations on various financial benefits.

Chareidi sources quoted in the column argue that the position is excessively strict and effectively locks in principles previously established by former committee chairman Yuli Edelstein. Those close to Frenkel-Shor, however, stress that her position is strictly professional and intended to ensure that the law is both stable and constitutionally sound.

Karni notes that despite criticism from some political quarters, few in the Knesset question Frenkel-Shor’s professionalism. Unlike the more public confrontations seen in other committees, Bismuth’s approach toward her is described as respectful and measured.

Frenkel-Shor brings three decades of experience in the Knesset to the role. The issue of military enlistment has accompanied her throughout her career, and she is widely regarded as one of the most seasoned figures in the field of defense-related legislation.

As the column makes clear, the future of the current draft law will not be determined solely through political negotiations among coalition partners. Ultimately, its viability hinges on whether it can withstand scrutiny by the High Court. In practical terms, even if a coalition agreement is reached, without supportive legal approval the bill could stall.

For now, the drama continues, and attention is focused not only on the politicians’ negotiating rooms but also on the legal office of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC to move forward, scheduling the case for trial in early 2027, according to The Associated Press.

The US District Court for the Southern District of Florida has tentatively set February 15, 2027, as the start date for a two-week trial. The ruling followed Judge Roy K. Altman’s decision to deny the BBC’s request to postpone the proceedings.

Trump brought the lawsuit in December, claiming that the BBC manipulated footage of his January 6, 2021 speech in a manner that defamed him and violated trade laws. He is seeking $5 billion in damages for defamation and an additional $5 billion for what he alleges were unfair trade practices.

The legal action stems from a documentary aired by the BBC’s “Panorama” program shortly before the 2024 presidential election. According to the complaint, the program combined segments from different portions of Trump’s speech to suggest that he urged supporters to “march with me and fight like hell.” The broadcast did not include a segment in which Trump called on supporters to protest peacefully.

While the BBC issued an apology acknowledging an editing mistake, the broadcaster rejected the accusation that it defamed Trump. The fallout from the controversy resulted in the resignations of the organization’s chief executive and its head of news.

The BBC had moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the Florida court did not have jurisdiction because the documentary was not aired in the state and asserting that Trump’s complaint failed to establish a valid legal claim. The network also asked the court to pause the discovery phase, which would compel it to produce internal communications and documents related to its reporting on Trump. Judge Altman ruled that the request for a delay was “premature,” permitting the case to proceed on schedule.

In response to the latest ruling, the BBC declined to elaborate, stating only, “We will be defending this case.”

An Arizona sheriff is preventing the FBI from obtaining crucial evidence in the investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie, limiting the bureau’s ability to assist in the case, a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

According to the official, the FBI requested that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos transfer physical evidence — including a glove and DNA samples recovered from the Tucson home of the 84-year-old victim — to the FBI’s national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for testing. Nanos, however, has opted to have the materials examined by a private forensic lab in Florida instead.

The decision to send the evidence to a Florida contractor, rather than to the FBI, has effectively restricted federal access to key materials and slowed the bureau’s involvement in the case, the official said.

A representative for the sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to an emailed request from Reuters seeking comment.

Earlier in the day, the sheriff’s department issued a routine press update stating that investigators had “recovered several items of evidence, including gloves,” and noted that all viable evidence is submitted for analysis.” No additional details were provided.

Under the law, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office holds primary jurisdiction over the investigation, and federal authorities can only participate if the county formally requests assistance. The official said that approximately $200,000 has already been spent by the county to send evidence in the Guthrie case to the Florida laboratory.

“It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute,” the official told Reuters, referencing unspecified “earlier setbacks” in the investigation.

The same official also expressed concern that the sheriff’s office did not seek FBI support at an earlier stage of the inquiry.

“It’s clear the fastest path to answers is leveraging federal resources and technology. Anything less only prolongs the Guthrie family’s grief and the community’s wait for justice,” the official said.

Strains between federal authorities and local law enforcement have become more visible as the search for Nancy Guthrie entered its 12th day, with investigators stepping up efforts to uncover evidence in what is believed to be a kidnapping for ransom.

Authorities said Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 after relatives dropped her off at her home following dinner. Family members reported her missing the next day.

The sheriff has stated that Guthrie had severely limited mobility and could not have left her residence on her own, leading investigators to determine early in the case that she was likely taken by force.

Officials disclosed last week that blood discovered on her front porch was confirmed through DNA testing to belong to Guthrie. Law enforcement and family members have described her as frail and dependent on daily medication.

Since her disappearance, at least two alleged ransom notes have surfaced. Both were initially sent to media outlets and included deadlines that have since passed. Authorities have not reported receiving any proof of life.

Savannah Guthrie, 54, co-anchor of NBC News’ morning program “Today,” has released several video messages alongside her siblings, urging those responsible for their mother’s disappearance to return her safely. She has also appealed to the public for assistance and indicated a willingness to comply with ransom demands.

On Wednesday, investigators released doorbell camera footage from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson-area home. The video shows an armed individual wearing a ski mask and gloves attempting to disable the camera at approximately the time authorities believe Guthrie was abducted.

A former FBI agent said investigators were likely hoping to apply facial recognition tools to the footage to generate a composite image that could be compared against a national database of U.S. drivers holding RealID licenses.

Law enforcement officials also revealed Thursday that a black latex glove discarded along a roadside had been recovered and was undergoing forensic testing.

That same day, the FBI increased its reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s location or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, raising the amount to $100,000.

The Central Election Committee announced Friday morning that the Likud party must take down a social media post containing a manipulated image of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid together with leaders of Arab parties.

Deputy President of the Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg, who chairs the Election Committee, ruled in favor of a petition filed by Bennett. In his decision, he wrote: “Likud must immediately remove the subject of the petition from all of its social media accounts. Likud will bear the petitioners’ expenses in the amount of 8,500 shekels.”

Following the ruling, the Bennett 2026 party welcomed the decision and issued a sharp response: “We are defeating the poison machine. We will not allow Likud to spread false poison. We will continue to fight with all our strength against lies, fake AI, and poison. We will win and fix Israel.”

At the same time as the petition was submitted to the Election Committee, Bennett’s party also turned to law enforcement, filing a police complaint against Likud for what it described as “distributing an edited and false image.”

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the vessels accompanying it have been reassigned from the Caribbean to the Middle East, postponing their anticipated return home until late April or early May, US officials told The New York Times on Thursday.

The move significantly lengthens the strike group’s deployment. The mission had initially been scheduled to wrap up with the carrier returning to its home port in early March.

According to officials who spoke anonymously, members of the Ford’s crew were notified Thursday about the change in plans. The carrier strike group is now set to operate alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group in the Persian Gulf, bolstering American naval forces in the region amid continued friction with Iran.

The shift in deployment comes as President Donald Trump intensifies his administration’s pressure campaign targeting Iran’s leadership.

Trump met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. During their discussions, Netanyahu sought to convince the US President not to agree to a limited arrangement with Iran and to ensure that Israel’s security concerns remain protected.

On Thursday, Trump urged Tehran to reach an agreement, cautioning the Islamic Republic “it’s going to be very traumatic if they do not.

Earlier this year, aircraft from the USS Gerald R. Ford participated in the January 3 operation in Caracas that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. So far, US military officials have not issued a public statement regarding the latest redeployment.

Avraham Ben Dayan, yungerman who had been held in military custody for failing to report for enlistment, was released this morning after nearly a week in detention.

Ben Dayan had been arrested at his home in the moshav of Tifrach and transferred to a military prison, where he remained since Motzoei Shabbos. His detention stemmed from allegations that he did not comply with a draft summons.

During his incarceration, Ben Dayan reportedly complained of harsh treatment. According to his account, he was transported while shackled at both the hands and feet, was not permitted to study in the shul within the detention facility, and on his first day in custody was prevented from putting on tefillin.

The case sparked significant reaction within the chareidi community. Prominent rabbonim reached out to the family to offer encouragement and support. Shas Knesset member Uriel Busu visited Ben Dayan’s relatives at their home in Tifrach.

Upon his release, Ben Dayan was greeted by family members and friends. Later in the day, he visited Rav Dov Landau, who spoke with him and his family and offered words of chizuk.

{Matzav.com}

Trump Administration Says Repeal of Obama Emissions Policy Will Cut Vehicle Prices by $2,400

The Trump administration announced Thursday that rolling back the Obama-era “endangerment finding” will reduce the average cost of a new vehicle by roughly $2,400, a move the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency say will ease financial pressure on both automakers and consumers.

President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin revealed that the administration is rescinding the 2009 policy first implemented under President Barack Obama. That rule enabled the EPA to regulate and limit emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases from vehicles and engines beginning with the 2012 model year.

Supporters of the repeal argue that the prior regulations imposed enormous expenses on manufacturers and buyers alike. One policy expert suggested that the economic impact of removing the rule could exceed the administration’s current projections.

“The EPA has estimated benefits to the economy from rescinding the endangerment finding for vehicles to be as much as $4.7 trillion for the period 2027-2055. This is a gross underestimate,” Steve Milloy, a former Trump EPA transition adviser and senior fellow at the Energy & Environment Legal Institute, told The Post.

“Because of this move, gas prices will remain low and car prices will decline,” the biostatistician and environmental lawyer added. “Lower gas prices and lower vehicle prices will ripple through the economy for decades to come.”

Milloy also emphasized that lifting emissions requirements could allow individuals and businesses to use money once spent on compliance and higher vehicle costs for other purposes.

“All these benefits are impossible to calculate. But there’s one thing for sure: The costs of regulating greenhouse gas emissions is incalculably large while providing absolutely no environmental benefit,” he said.

According to the EPA, eliminating the policy will also reduce “regulatory compliance costs” and avoid expenses tied to “purchasing equipment related to [electric vehicles],” which automakers ramped up production of following the 2009 rule.

Speaking at the White House, Zeldin declared that “manufacturers will no longer be burdened by measuring, compiling or reporting greenhouse gas emissions for vehicles and engines.”

Ford Motor Company, one of Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers, expressed support for the administration’s decision to withdraw the Obama standards.

“We appreciate the work of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin to address the imbalance between current emissions standards and customer choice,” a spokesperson told The Post.

“Ford has consistently advocated for a single, stable national standard that aligns with customer choice, the market, societal benefit, and American job growth.”

Tim Pohanka, vice president and executive manager of Virginia’s Pohanka Automotive Group, said consumers could see savings but warned that price reductions may not be immediate or as steep as projected.

“Is there a potential opportunity for people to save? Yeah, there is. But it can’t be coupled with having to pay more at the gas pump, so it’s all relative,” Pohanka said.

“Would we see a price reduction of $2,400 right away on a car? Probably not,” he added. “I would have a hard time really saying exactly how that number would break out.”

Pohanka noted that car buyers are already grappling with rising costs and hopes the regulatory rollback will help reverse that trend.

“The cost of a car has outpaced inflation dramatically,” he pointed out.

Trump and Zeldin further announced that the automatic start-stop feature introduced under the endangerment finding will no longer be required in new vehicles. The system, designed to shut off engines when cars are idle, has been a point of frustration for some drivers.

Pohanka said removing such features could help reduce manufacturing expenses.

“Every time they put new components in the car, it adds cost,” he said. “When you start to look at auto-start, auto-stop buttons, it plays an impact on the car.

“Removing the complexity from that hardware will make a difference.”

He also remarked that the start-stop mechanism can cause “harm to the engine and battery components,” potentially increasing repair bills for owners.

Lauren Fix, an automotive analyst at The Car Coach, agreed that the policy change could lead to lower vehicle prices, though she questioned the exact savings figure cited by the administration.

“On every car brand, it’s going to be slightly different,” she explained.

Still, she maintained that “this is a win, making cars more affordable,” Fix continued.

“There are some people saying this is a bad thing, but the truth is you can’t always go with what the government says because they don’t know the industry – they don’t build cars.”

The FBI has unveiled additional identifying information about the individual suspected of abducting Nancy Guthrie and announced that it is significantly increasing the reward for information that could help solve the case.

“Today, the FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance,” the FBI’s Phoenix office posted on X.

Investigators said a forensic review of doorbell camera footage from the 84-year-old’s home in Tucson, Arizona, provided clearer details about the masked and armed person captured on video outside her residence.

According to the FBI’s Phoenix office, the suspected kidnapper is believed to be a man standing between approximately 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10, with an average build. Authorities also noted that the individual was carrying a black, 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack at the time he appeared on the home’s doorbell camera.

“We hope this updated description will help concentrate the public tips we are receiving. Since February 1, 2026, the FBI has collected over 13,000 tips from the public related to this case,” the FBI said in the statement.

Officials further stated that agents are carefully evaluating each lead that comes in, assessing its reliability and determining how it can be “acted upon by law enforcement.”

A new crew led by a Jewish commander rocketed toward the International Space Station on Friday to replace the astronauts who returned to Earth early in NASA’s first medical evacuation. SpaceX launched the replacements as soon as possible at NASA’s request, sending the U.S., French and Russian astronauts on an expected eight- to nine-month mission […]

A 20-year-old Yeshiva University student was beaten by a group of masked attackers Thursday night inside a Washington Heights subway station, according to police and university officials.

Officers responded shortly after 7 p.m. to a 911 report of an assault at the 1 train station located at West 181st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, the NYPD said.

Police said four unidentified individuals punched and kicked the student, who attends the private Jewish university. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, a clinical assistant professor of Jewish values at Yeshiva’s Sy Syms School of Business, also confirmed details of the attack.

“A Yeshiva University student was violently assaulted tonight by a gang of masked thugs,” Bashevkin wrote in a post on X.

“This is beyond frightening for a visibly Jewish community in NYC,” he said.

Authorities said the victim was transported to Columbia University Irving Medical Center and was listed in stable condition.

University officials indicated that investigators do not believe the assault was bias-related.

“This evening at approximately 7 p.m., one of our students was assaulted in an unbiased attempted robbery off campus in the subway station at 181st Street,” a Yeshiva University spokesperson told The Post in a statement. “He is back on campus in good condition.

“YU Security is aware of the incident and is coordinating with law enforcement authorities.”

As of late Thursday, no suspects had been taken into custody. Police said the case remains under active investigation.

{Matzav.com}

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