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Israeli security forces arrested more than 60 wanted suspects and seized a large cache of weapons, explosives, drones, and incitement materials during an extensive weeklong counterterrorism campaign across Judea and Samaria, the IDF announced. The operation included more than 250 offensive missions aimed at disrupting terrorist activity and preventing attacks against Israeli civilians.

According to the IDF, those taken into custody included suspected weapons traffickers and illegal firearms dealers, individuals believed to have been involved in terrorist planning and bomb-making, a suspect who intelligence indicated was preparing to carry out an imminent attack, stone-throwers, Molotov cocktail assailants, and suspects connected to a shooting in Chevron that occurred during a dispute between local clans. Military officials said the arrests were made possible through targeted intelligence that enabled security forces to locate and apprehend high-value suspects.

Throughout the operation, troops confiscated a wide range of weapons and military equipment. The seizures included two improvised Carlo-style submachine guns, three hunting rifles, a handgun, grenades, ammunition, and various firearm components. Forces also recovered bomb-making materials, military gear, three drones, and materials promoting terrorist incitement. The IDF said the discovery of the drones reflects ongoing efforts by terrorist organizations to incorporate advanced technology into intelligence-gathering and attack operations.

Military officials noted that the confiscation of the improvised Carlo weapons represents a significant blow to potential terrorist activity, as the homemade firearms have frequently been used in attacks. The explosives components recovered during the raids could have been used to manufacture bombs capable of causing mass casualties. The operations also included targeted raids on homes and other buildings where the weapons and equipment were being stored, with the missions carried out jointly by the IDF, the Shin Bet, and Israel Police.

The campaign spanned the entire Judea and Samaria Division, with forces conducting simultaneous operations in multiple locations. Among the areas where arrests were made were Chevron, Beit Lechem, Shechem, and Jenin, all of which have been major centers of terrorist activity in recent years. The operations relied on precise intelligence and close coordination among military units, special forces, and police, enabling security personnel to disrupt several alleged terrorist plots before they could be carried out.

The IDF noted that the intensified operations in Judea and Samaria are taking place alongside ongoing military campaigns on other fronts. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have eliminated dozens of terrorists in Gaza, conducted targeted strikes in southern Lebanon, and destroyed extensive underground tunnel infrastructure as part of Israel’s broader effort to neutralize security threats across multiple theaters.

The military emphasized that it will continue carrying out proactive counterterrorism operations wherever necessary, saying security forces remain committed to preventing attacks and safeguarding the residents of Judea and Samaria as well as all citizens of Israel.

{Matzav.com}

The United States has notified Israel that it intends to send dozens of additional aerial refueling aircraft to the country as President Donald Trump considers significantly expanding military operations against Iran, Axios reported Friday. The move signals that Washington is preparing for the possibility of a much wider campaign targeting key Iranian assets.

According to the report by Barak Ravid, the decision follows a high-level strategy session in the White House Situation Room, where senior officials examined military options that would extend well beyond the recent focus on the Strait of Hormuz. Among the potential targets reportedly being evaluated are Iran’s civilian electrical infrastructure, additional attacks on nuclear facilities designed to further bury enriched uranium stockpiles, and a suspected underground installation at Pickaxe Mountain.

Although President Trump has not yet approved a final course of action, officials from both the United States and Israel told Axios that a broader offensive could receive authorization within days. The strategy is aimed at increasing pressure on the Iranian regime to reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and agree to Washington’s proposed nuclear conditions.

The planning comes after five straight days of American military operations. During that time, U.S. aircraft struck seven bridges in the Bandar Abbas area, disrupting transportation routes used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). At the same time, Iranian forces have stepped up attacks on American positions in Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, while the IRGC also claimed responsibility for striking an abandoned U.S. military site in Syria.

American forces currently operate roughly 30 refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion International Airport and another 30 from Ramon Air Base in southern Israel. The arrival of additional tankers would restore U.S. aerial refueling capabilities in Israel to the strength maintained during the early stages of the conflict. Axios reported that U.S. Central Command prefers using Ben Gurion because it offers stronger infrastructure and greater security than other regional bases, which are considered more exposed to potential Iranian attacks.

The growing American military presence at Ben Gurion has sparked debate within the Israeli government. While the large number of refueling aircraft caused little disruption when Israeli airspace was largely closed, the return of normal summer air travel has changed the equation. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has urged that the number of U.S. aircraft be limited or moved elsewhere to avoid widespread commercial flight cancellations, which could become a political liability ahead of the upcoming elections.

Defense officials, however, have resisted any effort to relocate the aircraft, arguing that operational requirements take precedence. With the United States now formally requesting that Israel accommodate the expanded fleet, Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is expected to make the final decision.

{Matzav.com}

Visitors who entered the bais medrash of Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim this week witnessed a remarkable sight. Although the seat of the legendary maggid shiur, Rav Asher Arieli, stood empty as he sat shivah in Bnei Brak following the passing of his sister, Mrs. Miriam Stern a”h, wife of Rav Dovid Asher Stern, hundreds of talmidim continued learning with the same intensity and diligence as if their revered rebbi were present.

Before leaving for Bnei Brak, Rav Arieli suspended his daily shiurim because of the aveilus, but not before leaving detailed instructions to ensure that the uninterrupted rhythm of Torah learning in the Mir would continue.

Following Rav Arieli’s explicit directives, and in full coordination with Rosh Yeshiva Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, the talmidim continued learning from the exact point they had reached in Maseches Pesachim. Rav Arieli has remained closely involved throughout the week, receiving daily updates and guiding the precise pace of the learning schedule.

In addition, at the conclusion of each seder—the very time when Rav Arieli’s voice would ordinarily fill the bais medrash—hundreds of bochurim gathered throughout the hall to hear special chaburos. These presentations were delivered by the roshei chaburah and the sho’alim u’meishivim of the yeshiva, who developed the sugyos according to the distinctive methodology and profound foundations that Rav Arieli has instilled in his talmidim over many years.

True to his well-known practice of hatzneia leches and his determination to prevent any unnecessary bittul Torah, Rav Arieli specifically instructed his talmidim not to travel to Bnei Brak during the week to be menachem avel, sparing them from interrupting their learning in the middle of the zeman.

Instead, an unusual arrangement was made to allow the many talmidim to fulfill the mitzvah of nichum aveilim without disrupting the yeshiva’s schedule. On Friday, Rav Arieli was scheduled to travel to Yerushalayim for several hours to receive the talmidim, after which he would return to Bnei Brak in time for Shabbos.

Rav Arieli is expected to resume delivering his regular shiurim on Sunday, immediately after concluding the shivah, picking up from the exact place the talmidim have reached in their learning.

The report also indicates that, in order to make up for the missed material from the past week, Rav Arieli is expected to add extra shiurim during the upcoming Bein Hazemanim. Since he already customarily delivers shiurim for one week during Bein Hazemanim each year, this year’s schedule will likely be extended so that the talmidim can complete the planned material without falling behind.

{Matzav.com}

A group of House Republicans is urging the Department of Justice to investigate New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration for possible violations of the Logan Act after reports surfaced that a senior city official arranged a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations without federal authorization, Breitbart reports.

Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.) led the effort, sending a letter Thursday morning to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after reports revealed that a top Mamdani administration official had attempted to organize a meeting with a senior representative of the Iranian government while the United States remains engaged in hostilities with Iran.

Joining McDowell in signing the letter were Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Earl Carter (R-Ga.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), Randy Fine (R-Fla.), Clay Fuller (R-Ga.), Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Richard McCormick (R-Ga.), Max Miller (R-Ohio), Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.).

“We write with concern about the recent actions of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Administration,” McDowell wrote. “Last week, media outlets began to report Commissioner Ana María Archila, the head of the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, had scheduled a July 7 meeting with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani.”

According to screenshots of a calendar invitation obtained by City Journal, Archila and two other senior members of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs planned to meet with Iravani on July 7 at 11:00 a.m. The publication reported that sources familiar with both New York City’s international affairs office and the diplomatic community confirmed the meeting had been scheduled.

A State Department official also confirmed that Archila arranged the meeting, which was ultimately canceled after federal officials learned of it and confronted the Mamdani administration. The intended purpose of the meeting has not been publicly disclosed.

According to reports, State Department officials were forced to “clarify acceptable conduct” with members of the mayor’s administration. City Journal further reported that Archila allegedly failed to notify Mayor Mamdani about the planned meeting and was subsequently reprimanded by the mayor’s office.

“As you know, negotiations with Iran are in a critical stage,” the lawmakers wrote. “Given its timing, we believe this proposed meeting may have presented significant national security risks.”

The letter asks the Justice Department to determine whether officials in the mayor’s office violated the Logan Act, a federal law that prohibits unauthorized negotiations between private American citizens and foreign governments involved in disputes with the United States.

“Mayor Mamdani’s and Commissioner Archila’s actions create a clear conflict of interest with the United States’ strategic military actions in Iran and across the Middle East, warranting further examination by the Department,” the letter argued, before the lawmakers stated their support for President Donald Trump’s “effort to shore up American economic and national security interests in the Middle East.”

The lawmakers further wrote, “… [W]e understand the vulnerable nature of continued peace negotiations,” adding, “For that reason, we believe that a formal investigation is necessary to determine whether Commissioner Archila, acting on behalf of Mayor Mamdani, engaged in any unlawful activity or communication with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Responding to the reports, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs told City Journal, “This meeting did not and will not take place.”

Mayor Mamdani also addressed the matter during an unrelated press conference, saying the proposed meeting resulted from a “request that came in” to the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, “not one that originated from the office.”

He added that his administration is developing revised procedures for handling requests for meetings with foreign officials, according to The New York Times.

In a statement issued Friday, the State Department described it as “unconscionable” that a New York City official would consider meeting with Iran’s ambassador under the current circumstances and expressed appreciation that the meeting was ultimately canceled.

In an exclusive statement to Breitbart News, McDowell said, “undermining national security has serious risks, and the Mayor of New York should know better than to meddle in our foreign affairs during the height of negotiations between the White House and Iran.”

“The Department of Justice needs to look into Mamdani’s office and ensure they are not acting as rogue agents to the detriment of America’s national security,” the congressman continued. “Mamdani does not speak for America. President Trump earned the public’s trust to ensure the safety and security of the United States.”

Archila is a longtime progressive activist who previously drew national attention after confronting then-Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in an elevator over his support for Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez later invited Archila to attend President Trump’s 2019 State of the Union address as her guest following that confrontation.

Before joining the Mamdani administration in February, Archila had little background in international diplomacy. She previously served as co-executive director of the Soros-funded Center for Popular Democracy, was co-director of the Working Families Party, and helped found and lead progressive advocacy groups including Make the Road New York.

{Matzav.com}

A 22-year-old Yerushalayim resident has been indicted for allegedly setting fire to equipment at the Yerushalayim light rail construction site on Rechov Bar-Ilan, causing an estimated 700,000 shekels (approximately $200,000) in damage. According to reports, investigators identified the suspect in part because of the distinctive suspenders he was wearing.

Prosecutors allege that the incident occurred late at night about a month ago, when the suspect allegedly set fire to large pipes stored at the construction site. The blaze caused extensive damage to the project, with losses estimated at roughly 700,000 shekels.

According to i24NEWS reporter Shlomi Heller, investigators were able to identify the suspect based on several unique articles of clothing, including the suspenders he was wearing. Police also reportedly relied on the testimony of a passerby who said the suspect had asked him for a lighter just minutes before the fire was ignited.

In a separate but related development, Yerushalayim police and firefighters were called Tuesday to the Banks Junction area of the city after reports of explosions and a fire near another light rail construction site.

Emergency crews discovered that electrical cables at the construction site had been set ablaze, causing a widespread power outage that affected nearby homes and businesses.

Firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the blaze, while police launched an investigation and began searching for those responsible.

{Matzav.com}

Leading Gedolei Yisroel gathered Thursday in Bnei Brak for an unprecedented emergency conference with dozens of Talmud Torah administrators from across Eretz Yisroel, issuing a powerful call to strengthen chinuch and warning melamdim not to leave traditional Torah institutions for the higher salaries being offered by state-funded Chareidi schools.

The gathering, held at Yeshivas Slabodka, was led by Rav Dov Landau, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Don Segal, Rav Shraga Shteinman, Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rav Binyamin Finkel, and Rav Shimon Galei, together with prominent rabbanim from communities throughout the country. The conference focused on the growing shortage of qualified melamdim and ways to reinforce the sacred mission of Torah education.

At the center of the event were passionate addresses highlighting the irreplaceable role of mechanchim in shaping the next generation. The Gedolim spoke about what they described as increasing financial incentives drawing melamdim to transfer to state-funded Chareidi schools (Mamlachti Chareidi, or MMa”Ch) and other educational frameworks that, they said, do not have the approval of the Torah leadership.

The Gedolim stressed that no amount of money can compare to the privilege and responsibility of educating Jewish children, urging melamdim not to abandon such a vital mission for financial gain.

Participants received a special document prepared by the conference organizers outlining the key messages and resolutions adopted at the gathering.

The statement emphasized the foundational teaching of Chazal that the world exists because of the Torah learning of young children and described melamdim as those who illuminate the Jewish future. Quoting the principle, “If there are no young goats, there will be no mature goats,” the document stressed that the next generation depends upon educators who possess outstanding character, profound yiras Shamayim, and whose fear of Heaven precedes their scholarship.

Beyond teaching Torah Shebichsav and Torah Shebaal Peh, the statement said, melamdim must serve as living examples for their talmidim, instilling a love of Torah, yiras Shamayim, exemplary middos, and genuine warmth and affection toward every child.

The Gedolim also appealed to community rabbanim to encourage talented individuals to embrace the calling of becoming melamdim from the outset, emphasizing that anyone capable of succeeding in this sacred work should be regarded as a distinguished teacher of Torah whose contribution is beyond measure.

A separate appeal was directed to parents and the broader public, urging them to recognize and appreciate the dedication and sacrifice of the melamdim who devote themselves to educating the future of Klal Yisroel.

Addressing the attraction of state-funded Chareidi schools directly, the Gedolim warned educators not to be enticed by higher salaries or material benefits. Although the financial compensation may appear greater, they said, those who leave Torah institutions approved by Daas Torah ultimately forfeit a far greater reward. They cited the explicit guidance of Maran Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l on the matter and expressed confidence that those who resist financial temptation and continue teaching in institutions guided solely by Daas Torah will ultimately be blessed by the Ribbono Shel Olam with both abundant livelihood and lasting satisfaction.

Recognizing the financial challenges facing melamdim, the conference also called on school administrators and parents to make every effort to improve teachers’ salaries. A special appeal was issued to philanthropists and supporters of Torah to increase their assistance to Talmudei Torah, enabling them to provide better compensation. The statement further suggested that families with greater financial means consider paying higher tuition, noting that Chazal teach that the expense of Torah education is ultimately repaid by Hashem.

Before the conference concluded, school administrators raised another pressing concern with the Gedolim: the severe shortage of qualified female teachers and preschool educators in the Bais Yaakov school system. They warned that the crisis has become just as acute as the shortage of melamdim and requires an urgent, comprehensive solution.

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{Matzav.com}

American forces intensified their military campaign against Iran on Friday by striking key transportation infrastructure around the strategic port of Bandar Abbas, marking the seventh straight day of U.S. air operations aimed at weakening Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks come as President Donald Trump signals that last month’s ceasefire agreement with Iran has effectively collapsed.

Among the targets hit were multiple road and railway bridges serving Bandar Abbas, a critical hub for Iranian military logistics. U.S. aircraft also destroyed a prominent white surveillance tower in the southern city of Chabahar, a port situated along an important trade corridor connecting Iran with neighboring Afghanistan.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the tower formed part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ long-standing maritime surveillance system used to monitor commercial shipping traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The destruction of the tower directly degrades IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members,” CENTCOM said in a post on X. “Furthermore, the strike protects freedom of navigation in regional waters for all vessels, except for ships attempting to violate the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iran.”

The renewed military campaign began after Tehran allegedly fired on three commercial vessels and failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as required under the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and ceasefire agreement, prompting Washington to resume hostilities last week.

The initial wave of Friday’s strikes concluded shortly after President Trump declared during a nationally televised address that the United States was “winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly.”

Only hours later, CENTCOM launched another series of attacks.

The expanded offensive follows President Trump’s announcement that the ceasefire negotiated with Tehran was no longer in effect after Iran failed to meet its commitments under the agreement.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks,’” Trump said on July 10. “We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”

The latest escalation came after negotiations collapsed last weekend, leading Washington to begin its renewed bombing campaign against Iranian targets.

Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, sending global oil prices sharply higher and giving Tehran significant leverage during subsequent negotiations.

With maritime traffic through the strategic waterway falling to its lowest level in three weeks, Brent crude climbed above $86 per barrel, approaching its highest price in a month.

Iranian state television reported that the strikes in Hormozgan Province damaged at least six bridges and left at least eight people dead. Iran’s Health Ministry said the latest round of fighting has resulted in at least 39 fatalities and more than 400 injuries.

Although alternative routes into and out of Bandar Abbas remain operational, analysts say additional U.S. strikes could further disrupt both Iranian military supply lines and the flow of commercial goods serving the country’s population of roughly 90 million people.

The port of Chabahar, developed in part with Indian support, has also become a recurring target of American airstrikes during the current conflict.

Iran has maintained that it alone should control the Strait of Hormuz and has argued that vessels transiting the waterway should pay fees to Tehran, despite the international community’s longstanding recognition of the strait as an international shipping lane.

President Trump has recently warned that the United States could expand its campaign by targeting Iran’s electrical grid, bridges, and energy infrastructure while enforcing a renewed naval blockade designed to halt Iranian oil exports. He has also pledged to begin striking additional oil and energy facilities next week if Tehran continues to reject negotiations.

A White House spokesperson told the BBC that the United States “carried out strikes exclusively on military targets, including military logistics infrastructure.”

CENTCOM also announced that U.S. naval forces intercepted several commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade. According to the command, three ships were redirected, one vessel was disabled after refusing to comply with instructions, and another was boarded “to ensure full compliance.”

MarineTraffic.com reported that only eight vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday—the fewest in three weeks. Seven of those ships traveled along a route favored by Iran, while none used the route nearest Oman that has been encouraged by the United States.

Maritime security concerns continue to disrupt commercial shipping throughout the region. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported Thursday that some oil tankers are navigating the strait with their tracking systems switched off, while many others have opted to remain in port rather than risk the voyage.

Although an increasing share of Middle Eastern energy exports is now moving through pipelines, industry analysts say those routes remain insufficient to compensate for the sharp decline in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to disavow a proposal by the Democratic Socialists of America to abolish the U.S. Senate, instead arguing that portions of the chamber’s history were rooted in racism while avoiding a direct answer on whether she supports eliminating the institution.

During an interview with Newsmax congressional correspondent Kilmeny Duchardt outside the U.S. Capitol, the New York Democrat repeatedly avoided taking a clear position on the DSA platform’s call to abolish the Senate.

“I mean, again, I’m not running for any larger office presently,” Ocasio-Cortez said when asked whether she rejects the proposal.

She also emphasized that eliminating the Senate would not be a simple political decision, noting that abolishing the chamber “is, of course, a constitutional question.”

When Duchardt continued pressing her about whether she supports the Senate itself, Ocasio-Cortez shifted her focus to criticism of the institution’s history.

“We’ve all got our complaints,” she said. “I don’t support the filibuster. I don’t support elements of this institution that we know … were founded on Jim Crow.”

She further pointed out that dismantling the Senate would require a constitutional convention as well as approval from two-thirds of the states.

The interview aired Friday on Newsmax’s “National Report,” where Duchardt said Ocasio-Cortez “refused to distance herself” from what has become one of the Democratic Socialists of America’s most controversial policy positions.

The congresswoman’s remarks sparked swift reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., dismissed the idea that abolishing the Senate would address the nation’s challenges.

“My view is that you’re not going to solve our problems by simply suggesting they can all be solved by abolishing the U.S. Senate,” Welch told Newsmax.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., responded even more sharply, describing the argument as “historically illiterate.”

“I think that a lot of people who are spouting off of this have no concept of American history,” Schmitt said. “They have no concept of what it means to protect individual liberty. And it’s a pretty scary turn, I think, for the Democrats.”

The latest controversy comes amid reports that the Democratic Socialists of America has discussed offering Ocasio-Cortez an early endorsement if she decides to pursue the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Asked whether she would welcome such backing, the congresswoman brushed aside the speculation.

“I don’t think I’m seeking any endorsement from any office I’m not currently seeking right now,” she said. “I could run for dog catcher. I don’t know.”

The U.S. Senate was created under Article I of the Constitution in 1789 as one of the two chambers of Congress.

Conservatives have argued that proposals to abolish the Senate or reduce its constitutional powers are part of a broader progressive effort to weaken the nation’s system of checks and balances following repeated legislative defeats.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that Canada should face additional economic consequences over the wildfire smoke that has spread across the United States, arguing that the financial impact of the pollution should be factored into the tariffs his administration is already imposing on Canadian products.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared that, “The cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to tariffs Canada is currently paying,” according to Reuters.

Trump also criticized Canada for failing to better manage the widespread wildfires that have sent smoke into large portions of the United States for weeks.

“Canada must do more to prevent these massive wildfires,” Trump wrote. “The smoke is pouring into the United States, affecting millions of Americans. This cannot continue. They need to get their forests under control and protect both Canadians and their neighbors.”

The president’s remarks came as smoke from hundreds of active fires across Canada continued drifting into the Midwest, Great Lakes region, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic, triggering air quality warnings and public health advisories for millions of Americans.

Reuters noted that Trump’s comments connect the ongoing wildfire emergency with his broader trade policy toward Canada. His administration has already announced plans to impose a 35% tariff on certain Canadian imports beginning Aug. 1, while products covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will continue to be handled separately.

The Washington Post reported this week that smoke from the Canadian wildfires could impact air quality for nearly 100 million people across the United States, with hazy skies stretching from the Upper Midwest through the Northeast.

According to ABC News, Canada is battling more than 800 active wildfires, including several of the largest blazes burning in western Ontario. Favorable wind patterns have carried thick smoke southward into the United States.

The smoky conditions have significantly reduced visibility and worsened air quality in major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, and Philadelphia. Public health officials have advised children, seniors, and those suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory illnesses to remain indoors whenever smoke concentrations are high.

Wildfire smoke is especially dangerous because it contains microscopic PM2.5 particles, which are capable of traveling deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory distress and other serious health problems.

The latest wave of smoke is part of another intense wildfire season in Canada, continuing a trend that has repeatedly affected the United States in recent years. During Canada’s historic 2023 fire season, smoke blanketed much of the Northeast, turning skies orange and producing some of the worst air quality measurements ever recorded worldwide.

The fires have also forced thousands of residents to evacuate communities across multiple Canadian provinces while millions of acres of forest have been consumed. Fire crews remain engaged in battling hundreds of blazes that are still burning.

As of Friday, Canadian officials had not publicly responded to Trump’s proposal that the economic costs associated with the wildfire smoke should be incorporated into U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

{Matzav.com}

The Rebbe of Toldos Aharon, who is currently vacationing in Hungary, paid a special visit this week to the town of Kerestir, where construction work on the historic bais medrash of Rav Yeshaya’le of Kerestir was temporarily halted so he could daven in the newly restored sanctuary.

The visit came after the Rebbe traveled to Ohel to visit the kever of the Yismach Moshe on his yahrtzeit. From there, he continued to Kerestir, where, on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av—a time traditionally regarded as especially auspicious for prayer—he visited the kever of the renowned miracle worker, Rav Yeshaya ben Rav Moshe of Kerestir זי”ע.

Upon arriving in Kerestir, the Rebbe was warmly welcomed by the leadership of Rabbi Yeshaya’le’s House (Reb Yeshaya’les Hoiz) and members of the Rubin family, descendants of the tzaddik who have spearheaded the restoration of the town’s historic Jewish sites.

During the visit, the Rebbe toured the historic bais medrash of Rav Yeshaya’le, which is currently being rebuilt on the original foundations of the shul where the famed tzaddik davened and served the Jewish community. Although the restoration project remains under construction, all work was suspended and the building was specially opened in honor of the Rebbe’s visit, allowing him to daven Maariv within the very walls where Rav Yeshaya’le himself once stood in prayer.

The restoration is part of a major preservation effort led in recent years by the tzaddik’s descendants, headed by Rav Menachem Mendel Rubin, who directs the Reb Yeshaya’les Hoiz organization. After a lengthy process to return the property to Jewish ownership, the bais medrash has been painstakingly reconstructed according to its original design, based on uncovered foundations, historical documents, and eyewitness accounts.

Following Maariv, the Rebbe proceeded to the kever, where he remained for an extended period. Standing in the Kohanim room adjacent to the ohel, he read kvitlach and offered heartfelt tefillos on behalf of both the klal and individual petitioners. He later greeted the many visitors gathered at the site and bestowed blessings for yeshuos, refuos, and continued success.

{Matzav.com}

A longstanding fixture on Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights will no longer operate on Shabbos, marking the first time in years that every business along the neighborhood’s main commercial strip will be closed in honor of the day.

According to a report by COLlive, Happy Dry Cleaners, located at 316 Kingston Avenue, has announced that it will no longer open on Shabbos. For many years, the dry cleaner had been the only business remaining open on the neighborhood’s central shopping corridor during the Jewish day of rest, earning it the local nickname “the Erev Shabbos dry cleaner.”

The change follows a recent transfer of ownership. The store’s longtime owner, Yoon Bo Choon, retired at the age of 81 after operating the business for decades. About a month ago, ownership passed to his niece, Lee Young Kim, who now runs the business together with her husband, Sam.

One of the new owners’ first decisions was to revise the store’s operating schedule and discontinue business on Shabbos. Explaining the move, Lee Young Kim said, “We want to respect the Jewish community and honor the Jewish day of rest. From now on the store will be closed on Saturdays.”

The decision carries significance beyond the business itself. With the dry cleaner now closing on Shabbos, every storefront on both sides of Kingston Avenue’s main commercial district will be shuttered throughout the day. Many local residents welcomed the announcement. One regular customer remarked, “We’re very appreciative of this. It shows respect for the community. We wish the new owners much success.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Tax Authority has suspended the processing of war-damage compensation claims for Bnei Brak residents following the violent attack on its inspectors in the city this week. The freeze will remain in effect until the municipality issues a public condemnation of the incident.

The decision was announced Friday in a letter sent by Israel Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovitz to Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert. In the letter, Aharonovitz said he had instructed officials to halt work on compensation claims related to damages from Operations “Am K’Lavi” and “Roar of the Lion” until the city publicly denounces the assault.

The move comes one day after Tax Authority inspectors were attacked while carrying out their duties in Bnei Brak’s Kiryat Vizhnitz neighborhood. Video footage published by Kikar HaShabbat showed a crowd surrounding the inspectors’ vehicle, pelting it with eggs and damaging its windows before police officers arrived and rescued those inside.

In his letter, Aharonovitz wrote that the inspectors had come to the city as part of their official responsibilities when they were violently assaulted and ultimately required a police extraction. He noted that this was the second attack targeting Tax Authority personnel in recent weeks and said the Bnei Brak municipality had yet to publicly condemn either incident.

Aharonovitz stated that Tax Authority employees would not resume operations in Bnei Brak until the municipality issues a clear and unequivocal public statement denouncing the violence. As a result, he also directed the Compensation Fund to suspend all processing of war-damage claims submitted by city residents.

The Tax Authority director further requested that the city’s condemnation be published in media outlets serving the Chareidi community. According to the letter, the freeze on compensation claims will remain in place until such a public statement is issued.

{Matzav.com}

Apple reclaimed its position as the world’s most valuable publicly traded company on Friday, overtaking Nvidia as investors reevaluated the artificial intelligence sector and shifted attention beyond the chipmaker that had dominated Wall Street for nearly a year.

Apple’s market capitalization climbed to approximately $4.88 trillion as its stock traded little changed, while Nvidia’s value slipped to about $4.86 trillion after its shares fell 3.5%. The move marks Apple’s return to the top for the first time since April of last year.

The change reflects a broader shift in investor sentiment as markets look beyond the most obvious AI winners. Nvidia has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI boom, but investors are increasingly recognizing opportunities elsewhere in the technology sector.

“Apple was seen as a laggard in the AI race because it wasn’t spending to develop models, but now sentiment has changed,” said Toni Meadows, head of investment at BRI Wealth Management.

“Apple is less ⁠exposed to capex intensity and better positioned to monetize AI via services, ecosystem lock-in, and hardware upgrades,” Meadows added. “The re-rating reflects confidence in earnings durability rather than speculative AI upside.”

The milestone also represents a significant turnaround for Apple, which had long been viewed as trailing competitors in artificial intelligence. The renewed confidence could influence how CEO Tim Cook’s tenure is ultimately judged as he prepares to hand leadership of the company to longtime hardware executive John Ternus in September.

Apple has recently stepped up its AI efforts, including the release last month of a long-awaited overhaul of Siri. The company hopes the upgraded voice assistant will narrow the gap with major technology rivals and emerging AI companies competing in the rapidly evolving field.

Some Wall Street analysts believe Apple’s greatest AI advantage may already be in customers’ pockets. They point to the vast amount of personal information stored securely on iPhones, saying it could significantly improve Siri’s usefulness and capabilities if Apple finds a way to leverage that data while maintaining its privacy commitments.

Nvidia reached a historic milestone in October when it became the first company ever to surpass a $5 trillion market valuation, underscoring the enormous investor enthusiasm surrounding AI hardware. Although Apple has now moved ahead, many analysts believe Nvidia remains exceptionally well positioned thanks to its dominant role in supplying graphics processors that power much of today’s generative AI industry.

Several market observers cautioned that the rankings could easily change again if investor sentiment swings back toward AI chipmakers. At the same time, Apple faces its own challenges after raising prices to offset higher costs, a move that could weigh on consumer demand.

“I don’t see any meaningful distinction. Nvidia likely to be a significant participant in whatever happens going forward,” said Benjamin Hall, vice president, alpha research at Segal Marco Advisors.

Investor enthusiasm for AI has also expanded well beyond Nvidia. Memory-chip manufacturers have emerged as some of the strongest performers this year, with Micron surpassing a $1 trillion market capitalization in May as investors increasingly recognized the importance of memory technology in AI infrastructure. South Korea’s SK Hynix also joined the Nasdaq earlier this month, giving investors another major AI-focused semiconductor company to consider.

“The new entrants to the market could spread out the focus away from the pure Magnificent Seven names into a wider number of names,” Hall said.

Even with optimism surrounding AI remaining strong, the semiconductor sector has experienced increased volatility. In July, concerns about whether the AI rally could be sustained pushed the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index nearly 19% below its record high. Despite that pullback, however, the index has still outperformed Nvidia’s stock so far this year.

{Matzav.com}

In a landmark ruling, a federal appeals court on Friday declared New Jersey’s ban on so-called assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines unconstitutional, marking the first time a federal appellate court has invalidated a state’s assault weapons prohibition under the Second Amendment.

The decision was issued by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. The court ruled that New Jersey’s restrictions on semiautomatic rifles, including AR-15-style firearms, as well as its prohibition on magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, violate the constitutional right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

The ruling comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is already considering similar legal challenges. Last month, the nation’s highest court agreed to review lower court decisions that upheld comparable assault weapons bans enacted in Cook County, Illinois, and the state of Connecticut. The Supreme Court currently has a 6-3 conservative majority.

The New Jersey case was brought by several gun rights organizations, which argued that the state’s firearms restrictions could no longer withstand constitutional scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s landmark 2022 Second Amendment decision.

In that case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Supreme Court ruled that modern firearm regulations must be “consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of ⁠firearm regulation.”

A federal district judge had previously issued a split decision in 2024, concluding that New Jersey’s prohibition on AR-15 rifles was unconstitutional while allowing the state’s ban on magazines holding more than 10 rounds to remain in effect.

The full appeals court went even further. By a 10-5 vote, it ruled that New Jersey’s ban on all semiautomatic rifles—not just AR-15-style firearms—violates the Second Amendment. The court also struck down the state’s restriction on large-capacity magazines, concluding that both provisions are unconstitutional.

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of Shabbos-observant travelers found themselves stranded in London just hours before the start of Shabbos after an Israir flight to Israel was canceled when the aircraft was damaged in an unusual ground accident at the airport.

Israir Flight 116, which had been scheduled to depart for Israel on Thursday evening, was forced to cancel after an airport service vehicle struck the aircraft while it was being towed before takeoff. The collision caused damage that rendered the plane unfit for flight.

According to reports, this was the third such incident to occur at the London airport. As far as is known, airport management has not conducted a formal investigation into the previous similar accidents. The latest mishap occurred during the aircraft’s towing procedure, when the service vehicle responsible for preparing the plane for departure collided directly with it.

After the damaged aircraft was evacuated, passengers were escorted back to the terminal, where they waited to retrieve their luggage. Israir arranged hotel accommodations and transportation for those affected. The airline also informed passengers who chose to make their own lodging arrangements that they would be reimbursed for hotel expenses, transportation, and meals, in accordance with the company’s policies and the information provided to them.

Since the incident, Israir has been working with all relevant authorities in an effort to operate a rescue flight as early as possible and return the stranded passengers to Israel. Those who are unable to travel because they observe Shabbos will instead be flown back on Sunday.

Israir apologized to its passengers for the disruption, emphasizing that the incident was beyond the airline’s control. The company added that it will continue assisting travelers until they return to Israel and stressed that the safety and security of its passengers remain its highest priority.

{Matzav.com}

As Israel approaches the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre, debate continues over the security establishment’s performance during the attack, with senior former officials still publicly disagreeing over what went wrong and what must change.

Adding his voice to the discussion, former Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eitan Ben Eliyahu argued that the military branch specifically designed for rapid emergency response failed to be available during the crucial opening hours of the assault. He said the Air Force’s foremost lesson from the attack should be to maintain forces on constant standby that can be deployed within 30 minutes, even when facing a surprise offensive.

According to Israeli journalist Gideon Alon, Ben Eliyahu made the remarks Friday while addressing the Commercial and Industrial Club during a lecture at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv.

During his speech, Ben Eliyahu said, “the Air Force was built in a way that it could respond quickly, but on the morning of October 7th, it didn’t happen.”

He also stressed the importance of improving military preparedness for unexpected threats, saying, “one of the lessons that must be learned from the failure of October 7th is that a surprises can always happen and therefore, at least part of the Air Force must be ready within half an hour.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a groundbreaking new cholesterol-lowering pill that could transform treatment for millions of patients by providing the first oral alternative to injectable PCSK9 medications. The drug, developed by Merck and marketed under the brand name Lipfendra, is designed for people whose dangerously high cholesterol levels remain elevated despite taking statins.

The approval, announced Thursday, is aimed at patients suffering from artery-clogging LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol that continues to pose a serious cardiovascular risk even after treatment with standard cholesterol-lowering medications. Until now, drugs targeting the PCSK9 protein have only been available as injections, limiting their use because of high costs, insurance hurdles, and relatively limited prescribing.

Lipfendra is the first pill to work by blocking the liver protein known as PCSK9. That protein interferes with the body’s natural ability to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. Injectable medications that target PCSK9 have been on the market for more than a decade through companies such as Amgen, but their widespread use has been hampered by financial and access barriers.

While statins remain the foundation of cholesterol treatment by reducing the liver’s production of cholesterol, many patients are unable to lower their LDL levels enough with statins alone. As a result, additional therapy is often necessary to help patients reach recommended cholesterol targets and reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke.

Merck, headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, secured FDA approval after two clinical trials involving high-risk patients who took Lipfendra in addition to their existing cholesterol medications, including statins. In one study involving approximately 3,000 participants, patients who received Lipfendra experienced a reduction in LDL cholesterol of more than 55% after six months. A second trial found that patients taking the medication achieved an average LDL reduction of 59% compared with those who received a placebo.

Researchers reported that the cholesterol-lowering effects remained largely consistent over the course of a year. The most commonly reported side effects, including dizziness and diarrhea, occurred at rates similar to those seen in patients taking the placebo. One important requirement is that the medication must be taken on an empty stomach.

The FDA evaluated Lipfendra through its accelerated review program for promising treatments considered to serve the public interest. The expedited pathway was established under then-FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, who resigned from the agency in May following months of pressure from pharmaceutical companies, patient advocates, and other outside organizations.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with elevated LDL cholesterol recognized as one of the primary contributors to heart attacks and strokes. While an LDL level below 100 is generally considered acceptable for healthy individuals, physicians typically recommend reducing LDL to 70 or lower for patients with heart disease or high cholesterol, with even lower targets advised for those considered to be at the highest cardiovascular risk.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli singer Eyal Golan announced that he has accepted upon himself not to travel on Shabbos after participating in a shiur held in his home, urging others to take on their own kabbalos as a zechus for the recovery of Rav Dov Kook, who is currently hospitalized following a serious respiratory complication.

Rav Dov Kook is being treated at Poriya Medical Center in Tiverya after suffering an acute respiratory illness. Golan encouraged the public to strengthen themselves in some way for the Rav’s recovery, asking each person to accept a positive kabbalah in his merit.

According to Golan, the shiur was arranged by his daughter, Aline. Expressing his appreciation to her, he said: “This week, my righteous daughter Aline hosted a Torah class here in my home. At the end of the class, I went outside and took upon myself that I would not travel on this Shabbat.”

Calling on others to join him, Golan added: “For the recovery of Rabbi Kook, I ask each and every one of you: take something upon yourselves, this Shabbat, for the recovery of Rabbi Kook. I took upon myself not to travel.”

He concluded by once again thanking his daughter for inspiring the commitment, saying: “Thank you to my righteous daughter Aline, who gave me this merit. Thank you.”

{Matzav.com}

New York is now spending more on Medicaid than it does on K-12 education, according to a new fiscal analysis that highlights the state’s rapidly escalating healthcare costs and raises fresh concerns about the long-term sustainability of its budget, the NY Post reports.

A report released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found that New York spent $39.4 billion on its Medicaid program during the 2025-26 fiscal year, accounting for 26.5% of the entire state budget. That exceeded the $37 billion allocated for public schools, despite New York already ranking first in the nation in both Medicaid spending per resident and education spending per student.

The findings come as the Trump administration is investigating Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Medicaid program over possible waste, fraud, and abuse.

“When Medicaid outranks math, the state’s fiscal diagnosis isn’t complicated,” Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, told The Post. “Every tough decision New York makes to clean up Medicaid ensures that education is not crowded out.”

Federal officials have recently intensified their scrutiny of New York’s Medicaid system, with investigators focusing on several adult day care centers in New York City amid concerns over possible fraudulent billing and other abuses.

Medicaid is the federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals, with funding shared among federal, state, and local governments. New York already spends more on the program per capita than any other state, while also leading the nation in per-pupil education spending.

According to DiNapoli’s report, state Medicaid expenditures have more than doubled over the past decade.

“In recent years, all [state] agency Medicaid spending has overtaken spending on School Aid,” DiNapoli’s report said in its review of New York’s record $269 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

Together, Medicaid and education now consume more than half of the state’s overall budget.

Budget projections cited in the report indicate that state Medicaid spending will continue climbing sharply, reaching $53.3 billion within three years. That would represent approximately 29% of total state spending, while school aid is projected to rise to $43.7 billion, or 23.8% of the budget, leaving nearly a $10 billion gap between the two programs.

Bill Hammond, a senior fellow at the Empire Center for Public Policy who specializes in New York healthcare issues, argued that the current trajectory is unsustainable.

“Spending on Medicaid is too high. It’s a free for all. There’s no accountability. They don’t care about the results,” Hammond said.

He noted that virtually every segment of New York’s healthcare industry—including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and home healthcare providers—receives Medicaid funding.

“It’s not about serving the public interest. It’s about serving special interests,” he said.

Hammond acknowledged that Medicaid provides essential care for vulnerable populations, including low-income residents and individuals with disabilities. However, he argued that New York routinely spends beyond what is necessary, resulting in significant waste.

He pointed to the rapid expansion of adult day care centers serving elderly residents, where costs have surged and prosecutors have brought criminal cases alleging operators paid illegal kickbacks to recruit enrollees.

Hammond also said New York’s generous eligibility standards contribute to rising costs, noting that a majority of Medicaid recipients in the state have incomes above the federal poverty level.

DiNapoli’s report projects that Medicaid expenditures will increase by another $5 billion as hospitals absorb more uninsured patients arriving at emergency rooms after federal healthcare changes caused many residents to lose insurance coverage.

The comptroller also projects Medicaid enrollment will increase from 6.6 million to 7.2 million people as non-citizens transition from the state’s Essential Plan into Medicaid coverage.

According to Hochul’s Division of the Budget, the rising costs are being driven by mandatory wage increases for healthcare workers, higher prices for medical care and prescription drugs, increased reimbursement rates for hospitals and nursing homes, and continued growth among elderly and other high-cost patient populations.

The report also found a dramatic increase in the number of financially troubled hospitals across the state. Today, 75 of New York’s 261 hospitals—nearly 29%—are classified as financially distressed, representing a 200% increase over the past decade. As a result, federal and state financial assistance to struggling hospitals has risen by approximately 700%.

To address those financial pressures, the newly enacted state budget includes $500 million in one-time emergency funding for distressed hospitals.

DiNapoli concluded that Medicaid spending is now growing faster than the state’s statutory spending cap while healthcare-related tax revenues are declining. As a result, he warned that New York policymakers will eventually have to confront “the sustainability of the current trajectory of Medicaid spending.”

{Matzav.com}

Military prosecutors have filed an indictment against terrorist Shadi Juma for his role in the November 2007 murder of Ido Zoldan, bringing formal charges nearly 18 years after the deadly attack. The indictment was submitted Thursday evening following Juma’s recent capture by Israeli security forces.

The charges became possible after Juma was arrested roughly six weeks ago in Qalqilya during a joint operation conducted by the IDF, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), and the Gideonim Unit.

Israeli authorities said Juma was taken into custody immediately after completing a lengthy prison term in Palestinian Authority custody, where he had been incarcerated continuously since the time of the attack.

According to the indictment, the murder was not spontaneous but the result of extensive planning and a deliberate roadside ambush. “On November 19, 2007, Juma joined two additional accomplices, and together they formulated a detailed operational plan to carry out a targeted shooting attack against Jewish residents traveling on the main roads. The defendant and his accomplices traveled together to obtain weapons and prepare the vehicle that would be used both to carry out the attack and to facilitate their escape, while coordinating among themselves the manner in which the shooting would be executed and the specific weapons to be used,” the indictment states.

The indictment goes on to describe how the terror cell searched for Israeli targets before carrying out the fatal attack. “After completing the logistical preparations, the three members of the cell went into the field to locate vehicles driven by Israeli civilians. They agreed in advance that they would positively confirm the victim’s Jewish identity before opening fire, and they began lying in wait for passing vehicles. After identifying the car driven by the late Ido Zoldan, they closed in on it with their own vehicle. At that point, one of Juma’s accomplices opened fire at close range directly at Zoldan with the intent to kill him. As a result of the shooting, Ido Zoldan was killed. Immediately after carrying out the attack, Juma and his accomplices fled the scene.”

Military prosecutors have charged Juma with “causing death with intent while acting in concert,” the offense under military law that is equivalent to a murder charge.

{Matzav.com}