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President Donald Trump is reportedly urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to move more aggressively in reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines, advancing a priority that has remained a focus throughout Trump’s second term, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Citing people “familiar with the matter,” the Journal reported that Trump questioned Kennedy in May about “why he wasn’t doing more to probe the alleged connection between vaccines and autism.” According to the report, Kennedy was “taken aback” because he had previously understood that he was expected to downplay vaccine-related issues until after the midterm elections. The Journal said Trump’s comments made clear that he wanted the issue moved to the forefront.

“The president steers nearly every conversation with his health secretary back to the issue, some of the people said,” the Wall Street Journal reported. According to the report, Trump wants Kennedy to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for children by revising federal guidance. The effort is tied to Trump’s stated goal of lowering autism rates among children. Autism diagnoses have risen sharply over the past quarter century. Federal data showed the prevalence among 8-year-olds was 1 in 36 as of 2020, while Kennedy later said the rate had increased to 1 in 31 children as he unveiled a series of studies aimed at identifying “precisely what environmental toxins” may be contributing to autism.

“The epidemic is real,” Kennedy said at the time.

“Instead of listening to this canard of epidemic denial, all you have to do is start reading a little science, because the answer is very clear, and this is catastrophic for our country,” Kennedy continued, adding, “This is added to already astronomical healthcare costs. And then there’s an individual injury. These are kids that — this is a preventable disease. We know it’s an environmental exposure. It has to be. Genes do not cause epidemics.”

While Kennedy has faced criticism from left-wing opponents for questioning vaccine policies, he has consistently maintained that his objective is simply to ensure the public has access to “good information.”

Last September, Trump drew widespread attention during a press conference with health officials when he cautioned pregnant women about taking acetaminophen, commonly sold as Tylenol, citing what he described as a “very increased risk of autism.”

“I think I can say that there are certain groups of people that don’t take vaccines and don’t take any pills that have no autism. That have no autism. Does that tell you something? That’s currently, is that a correct statement by the way?” Trump said.

“There are some studies that suggest that. Yeah, with the Amish for example,” Kennedy said.

Trump has repeatedly said he supports vaccines while also arguing that the media and medical establishment should be more willing to examine whether some vaccines or ingredients could carry risks.

Last year, the Trump administration directed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to remove the coronavirus vaccine from its recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.

During the same period, Kennedy announced that a mercury-based preservative previously used in certain influenza vaccines would be eliminated from flu shots distributed in the United States.

Under the current childhood immunization schedule, infants receive more than a dozen vaccine doses during their first six months of life. Including annual influenza vaccinations and COVID-19 shots, children could receive more than 72 injections by the time they reach 18 years of age.

In March, President Trump signed an executive order “to acknowledge a recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) scientific assessment on childhood vaccines as a guiding resource for the Federal Government.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, testified on the COVD-19 Pandemic before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk has taken another major step toward transforming X into an all-in-one digital platform with the official launch of X Money, a new financial services feature that allows users to bank, transfer money, pay bills, and make purchases without leaving the app.

According to Mashable, X Money is now available exclusively to X Premium and Premium+ subscribers, giving paying users access to a broad range of banking features directly within the platform. The new service combines peer-to-peer payments, money transfers, deposit accounts, and a physical Visa debit card into the social media experience.

X says users can handle many of the same financial tasks offered by traditional banks. Through the service, customers can send wire transfers, pay bills, mail checks, set up direct deposit for their paychecks, and transfer money to other X users. The company also says customers using direct deposit may receive their paychecks as much as two days ahead of schedule.

Among the centerpiece features is the X Card, a physical Visa debit card that provides three percent cash back on qualifying purchases and allows users to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide without fees. The card is also compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay, enabling contactless payments wherever those services are accepted.

The earnings on deposit accounts depend on a subscriber’s membership level. Premium+ members automatically receive a six percent Annual Percentage Yield on eligible deposits, while Premium subscribers can qualify for the same rate after meeting the company’s Direct Deposit eligibility requirements.

Customer deposits are maintained through Cross River Bank, X Money’s banking partner and an FDIC member institution. As a result, eligible deposits are federally insured for up to $250,000, providing the same level of protection available with conventional bank accounts.

Musk’s push into financial services is rooted in his earliest days as an entrepreneur. Long before purchasing Twitter, he launched an online payments company called X during the dot-com boom. That business later became part of what evolved into PayPal, where Musk built significant expertise in digital payments and financial technology.

The debut of X Money marks another milestone in Musk’s long-term effort to turn X into an “everything app”—a concept modeled after popular Asian super apps that combine social media, messaging, banking, shopping, and numerous other services within a single platform. Musk has repeatedly discussed this vision since acquiring the company, and it has also been highlighted by his biographers.

Musk had previously expressed confidence that financial services would arrive on X quickly, saying it would “blow his mind” if the platform failed to launch them before the end of 2024. After completing a limited testing phase earlier this year, X officially rolled out the service on Monday.

For now, X Money is being introduced to only a portion of U.S. users, with access restricted to Premium and Premium+ subscribers. The company has indicated that broader availability is expected in the future as the rollout expands.

The move represents a significant departure from the traditional separation of banking and social networking in the United States. While the concept is relatively new for the American market, similar all-in-one platforms have thrived overseas, particularly China’s WeChat, which combines messaging, social networking, payments, and a wide array of everyday services into a single digital ecosystem.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) warned Dr. Anthony Fauci that he could face serious consequences after the longtime public health official repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday, announcing plans to pursue a contempt of Congress resolution against him.

Following Fauci’s repeated refusals to answer questions, Paul accused him of obstructing Congress and said the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would vote on Aug. 5 on a measure holding Fauci in contempt.

“It’s against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress. There will be repercussions for your refusal to testify,” Paul told Fauci, the longtime top government health official who led the pandemic response.

Ordinarily, invoking the Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being penalized for declining to answer questions that could expose them to criminal liability, since the Constitution guarantees that right against self-incrimination.

Paul and other Republicans, however, argue that Fauci’s legal circumstances are unique because Joe Biden issued him a sweeping pardon covering all official conduct from 2014 through 2025. They contend that, with federal prosecution for actions during that period effectively off the table, Fauci cannot legitimately claim fear of federal criminal charges for questions related to those years.

Even so, Fauci could still theoretically face state or local criminal charges in some circumstances, as well as federal prosecution if he were to make false statements under oath. Fauci has maintained that he believes Paul’s objective is to trap him into making statements that could later be used in a perjury case.

The legal dispute is further complicated by Congress’ authority to hold uncooperative witnesses in contempt. The Senate could seek a civil contempt order compelling Fauci to testify, exposing him to possible fines or even jail if he continued refusing. Although Congress also retains the rarely used power of “inherent contempt,” which could allow the Senate sergeant-at-arms to arrest and detain a witness, that authority has not been exercised in nearly 100 years.

Lawmakers also have the option of pursuing criminal contempt by referring the matter to the Justice Department. Paul pointed to previous contempt cases involving Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, both of whom were convicted after refusing to cooperate with the House Jan. 6 investigation. Unlike Fauci, however, Navarro and Bannon declined to appear altogether and based their refusals on executive privilege rather than the Fifth Amendment. Each ultimately served four-month prison sentences.

After Paul declared that Fauci would face consequences, Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, attempted to address the committee, arguing that the Constitution protected his client’s actions. Paul instead directed security officers to escort Schertler from the hearing room.

“It was outrageous for Sen. Paul to exclude his counsel for counsel making a legitimate legal point,” Schertler said in a statement. “It proves the baseless and vindictive nature of this proceeding and Rand Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci.”

Legal experts have also noted another potential complication for Fauci. If a court ultimately determines that his invocation of the Fifth Amendment was not legally justified, he may not be able to defend himself by arguing that he relied on his attorneys’ legal advice. A 1961 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that an advice-of-counsel defense is unavailable to individuals charged with willfully defying Congress.

Although some judges have questioned the reasoning behind that decades-old precedent in more recent cases, the appeals court has thus far declined to reconsider the ruling.

During the hearing, Paul accused Fauci of concealing the true origins of COVID-19—which Paul believes emerged from a Chinese laboratory that received U.S. research funding—and criticized him over school and church closures implemented during the pandemic. Fauci repeatedly refused to answer those questions.

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution,” he said.

In his opening statement, Fauci argued that Paul’s investigation was motivated by a desire to prosecute him rather than uncover facts, citing what he described as the senator’s long-running campaign against him.

Fauci said in his opening statement he thought Paul aimed to entrap him, citing his “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me, and recently his publicly releasing my unredacted personal diary aimed at embarrassing and intimidating me.”

Paul closed the hearing by indicating that the investigation was far from over, saying he would explore “appropriate actions” to pursue Fauci further.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday, accusing the longtime public health official of promoting disastrous COVID-19 policies, shielding China from blame, and wielding harmful influence during the pandemic as Fauci prepared to testify before the Senate.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump defended his administration’s response to the coronavirus outbreak while contrasting it with Joe Biden’s record, arguing that the United States suffered far more COVID-19 deaths during Biden’s presidency than during his own first term.

The president praised Operation Warp Speed, describing the initiative as “a SPECTACULAR SUCCESS,” and declaring that it was “one of the most successful things ever done by an American President.”

Trump also reiterated his longstanding belief that the coronavirus originated at a laboratory in Wuhan, China, saying he believed that from the very beginning and accusing Fauci of repeatedly trying to discredit that conclusion.

“I said from the beginning that the Virus came from the Wuhan Laboratory in China,” Trump wrote. “Fauci strongly disagreed, always trying to protect China.”

Trump went on to say that he increasingly ignored Fauci’s recommendations during his presidency, criticizing the infectious disease expert’s shifting guidance on masks and his calls for broader government shutdowns.

“I overrode Fauci on this. His ideas were CRAZY!” Trump wrote. “I went the Federalist way, and let the governors decide. The Republican governors did a much better job than the Dumocrats.”

The president further claimed that after the 2020 election, he cautioned Biden against relying on Fauci, but said the warning went unheeded and that Fauci instead was given “vast destructive power.”

Trump’s comments came just hours before Fauci was scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after being subpoenaed by Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

Paul has spent years examining the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including whether U.S.-funded research conducted in China played any role in the outbreak.

Ahead of the hearing, the Kentucky senator released more than 1,000 pages from Fauci’s personal pandemic diary, contending that the documents reveal discrepancies between Fauci’s private views and the statements he made publicly during the health crisis.

Fauci’s legal team has dismissed Paul’s accusations as “absolutely baseless,” while more than 150 infectious disease experts signed a public letter backing the retired physician and calling on Congress to halt what they characterized as politically driven investigations.

A major focus of the hearing was expected to be whether National Institutes of Health funding routed through EcoHealth Alliance helped finance coronavirus research at a Wuhan laboratory that critics have argued involved dangerous experiments.

Fauci has consistently denied that NIH funding supported experiments capable of creating the virus responsible for the pandemic, maintaining that the available scientific evidence points more convincingly to a natural origin than to a laboratory leak.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump vowed a forceful military response Wednesday after Iran launched an overnight missile attack targeting American forces in Jordan, warning that Tehran would face severe consequences for the assault.

Speaking with Fox News, Trump made clear that the United States would not allow the attack to go unanswered.

“We are going to beat the …. out of them.”

He followed that warning with another blunt promise of retaliation.

“We’ll be hitting them hard. They are going to get a beating.”

Trump described the missile barrage as an attempted surprise attack, saying U.S. troops had only a matter of minutes to defend themselves before the incoming missiles reached their targets.

The attack occurred Tuesday night, when Iran fired missiles at sites in Jordan. It marked Tehran’s first missile strike against a U.S. military installation in the region since President Trump suspended American strikes on Iran last Friday, and the first Iranian missile attack in several days.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the assault began at approximately 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time, when Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched multiple ballistic missiles toward American positions in the Middle East. U.S. air defenses successfully intercepted every missile before it could inflict damage.

“At 5:45 p.m. ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East. All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. US forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness.”

Later in the evening, CENTCOM announced that American forces, working alongside the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, carried out coordinated precision strikes against Iran-backed terrorist targets in Iraq that had been directed by the IRGC to attack U.S. troops and Saudi energy facilities.

“US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” said CENTCOM.

The military emphasized that Iran’s latest offensive failed to achieve its objectives.

“It added, “The unwarranted attacks against US forces were not successful.”

CENTCOM also highlighted the broader pattern of escalating violence, noting that Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq carried out more than 600 attempted attacks against American personnel and facilities between February and April 2026.

{Matzav.com}

A boutique hotel on Thailand’s Koh Phangan island has come under fire after displaying a message on its Booking.com listing stating that Israeli guests are “not recommended,” prompting an investigation by the booking platform into possible discrimination.

The controversy centers on the Shanti Boutique Hotel in the Srithanu area, a destination that has long been popular with Israeli travelers. Despite the backlash, the hotel maintains strong customer ratings, earning an 8.6 score on Booking.com and a 4.8 rating on Google.

The message, written in red across several photos in the hotel’s online gallery, read: “Not recommended for Israeli guests.” It appeared on images of the property’s swimming pool, guest rooms, and other areas throughout the hotel.

The notice appears to conflict with Booking.com’s policies, which prohibit participating properties from refusing reservations or imposing different conditions on guests based on nationality or other protected characteristics.

Booking.com told Ynet that it has launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter following inquiries about the listing. As of now, the hotel has not issued a public response.

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A disturbing act of antisemitic vandalism has shocked the Lakewood, NJ community after swastikas fashioned from yellow tape were discovered inside a local shul on Wednesday morning.

The offensive symbols were found throughout Ohel Shulamit, a Sefardic shul located on Spruce Street, just east of River Avenue, where someone had carefully arranged strips of yellow tape into the shape of swastikas and affixed them to various locations inside the building.

Among the locations targeted were seforim shranks in the bais medrash and a hot water urn.

There were no signs of forced entry.

Authorities are expected to investigate how access to the building was obtained, as well as whether surveillance footage or other evidence can help identify the person responsible.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Dear Friend,

I have had the privilege of working for the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS) for many years. In this capacity, I have witnessed how this wonderful organization serves as a lifesaving source of support for the most vulnerable members of our communities and their families, showering them with love and much-needed assistance in their time of need. 

When Rabbi Hershel Kohn first founded RCCS out of his own boundless kindness to help a single friend in need, no one could have imagined what it would grow into. What started as a deeply personal act of compassion has since blossomed into a worldwide lifeline for countless families facing the most daunting medical challenges. Today, that singular vision stands as a global pillar of hope, ensuring that no patient ever has to fight their battle alone. 

The work of RCCS is complex and multifaceted, yet it is all focused on one singular goal – to serve as a beacon of hope for those facing extreme medical crises. From helping patients with funding for top-of-the-line insurance coverage to assisting them in securing the best medical care that is personalized for their unique condition, to the myriad of other services offered by RCCS, the underlying mission behind it all is the outpouring of love and concern for our brethren dealing with indescribable challenges. 

I am extremely grateful to all our dear friends who have stepped up in the past by generously donating to RCCS, and thereby earning an eternal share in this lifesaving work. 

On behalf of Rabbi Hershel Kohn and my colleagues who work tirelessly to help cholei Yisroel, I turn to you once again. RCCS is currently running its Annual Fundraising Campaign, and we need the support of every member of our community. As the number of patients seeking our assistance continues to grow, so too does the demand for our services. 

We respectfully ask you to consider increasing your gift this year to the greatest extent possible. Your generosity will enable RCCS to continue providing hope, healing, and lifesaving assistance to those who need it most.

In this incredible merit, may you only see bracha, nachas, and hatzlacha in all your endeavors.

Please visit the campaign webpage https://www.dryveup.com/rccs to make your generous donation. 

With much thanks,
Rabbi Aharon Steier
National Director of Development
Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society 

Dear Jewish News Media,

Please stop.

Stop what, you may ask.

Allow me to step back for a moment and provide some historical context.

Klal Yisroel is a nation because Hashem gave us the Torah at Har Sinai. From the very moment of Matan Torah, it has been understood that there are those entrusted with leading Klal Yisroel and faithfully transmitting the Torah and its laws from one generation to the next. What elevates these leaders to the status of Gedolei Hador is not merely their vast Torah knowledge. Rather, it is their singular devotion to understanding the Torah of Hashem to such a degree that their entire being becomes intertwined with the Torah itself. This is what we call Daas Torah.

The Torah commands us, לא תסור מן הדבר אשר יגידו לך ימין ושמאל. Chazal understood this as an eternal directive: we are not to deviate from the rulings and guidance of the Torah leaders of each generation.

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on ascending Har Habayis. A growing movement of so-called “Geulah activists” argues that encouraging large numbers of Jews to visit Har Habayis will diminish the Arab presence, increase visible Jewish davening and Torah learning on the mountain, and ultimately hasten the coming of Mashiach.

It is an appealing idea, but it is deeply misguided.

Since 1967, when the Old City came under Israeli control, the Gedolei Haposkim have repeatedly ruled that Jews should not ascend Har Habayis. Numerous reasons have been offered, foremost among them that it is impossible to determine with absolute certainty the precise boundary between the Machaneh Leviyah and the Machaneh Shechinah. Consequently, someone who unknowingly crosses into the prohibited area would be liable for an issur kares, as we are all considered tamei meis. Furthermore, even entering the Machaneh Leviyah requires immersion in a mikvah with a proper chafifah. While many people may indeed fulfill all the necessary preparations, public encouragement to ascend the mountain will inevitably lead others to do so without proper preparation, causing them to violate the prohibition of a baal keri entering Har Habayis.

To be sure, there are arguments on the other side. Many Rishonim and Acharonim conclude that the Dome of the Rock stands atop the location of the Kodesh Hakadashim, making it possible to calculate the boundaries of the 500-by-500 amos described in the Mishnah. Others argue that if we know the location of the Makom Hamikdash, there may even be circumstances under which certain korbanos could be offered, since tumah hutrah or dechuyah b’tzibbur. In addition, there are undoubtedly many mitzvos that can be fulfilled by ascending Har Habayis.

The problem with these arguments is not that they lack sources. The problem is that they lack the fundamental reverence for the rulings of our Gedolim. Is it reasonable to assume that the Gedolei Haposkim did not consider these very arguments before issuing their rulings? Our mesorah teaches us that one who follows the guidance of the Chachmei Yisroel never loses.

Let us ask a simple question in learning: ממה נפשך? If, chas v’shalom, the Gedolim were mistaken in ruling that Jews should not ascend Har Habayis, then we have nothing to fear, because by obeying their ruling we have fulfilled the Torah’s command of Lo Sasur. But if they are correct—and that is certainly the more reasonable assumption—then the consequences of disregarding their ruling are immeasurably more serious.

History has repeatedly shown that people can develop all sorts of cheshbonos. Yet Shmuel Hanavi told Shaul: החפץ השם בעלות וזבחים כשמע בקול השם הנה שמע מזבח טוב להקשיב מחלב אילים. Hashem desires obedience to His will more than even the loftiest spiritual aspirations.

The activists argue that the unprecedented access Jews now have to Har Habayis must itself be a sign from Hashem. Surely, they say, this is an indication that we are meant to ascend.

But this argument is equally flawed.

We no longer have nevuah. We no longer have the Urim V’Tumim to interpret Heavenly signs. Instead, Hashem gave us the Gedolei Yisroel—the Einei HaEidah. Through their Daas Torah, they are granted siyata d’Shmaya to discern what Hashem expects of Klal Yisroel in every generation.

And so I return to my original plea:

Please stop.

Stop publishing articles celebrating the growing numbers of Jews ascending Har Habayis, followed by a brief disclaimer reminding readers that the Gedolei Haposkim of this and previous generations ruled otherwise. Those disclaimers do not solve the problem. Such articles are themselves נותן יד לפושעים. We would be far better off giving these efforts no publicity whatsoever. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Every article normalizes this movement and encourages additional people to follow a path that openly disregards the rulings of the Gedolei Hador.

As for the claim that these efforts are bringing Mashiach closer, sadly, they appear instead to reflect precisely what Chazal describe at the end of Sotah regarding the period immediately preceding the coming of Mashiach: בעקבות משיחא חוצפא יסגא… נערים פני זקנים ילבינו.

B’ezras Hashem, the day will soon come when we will once again ascend Har Habayis with the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash. Until then, we continue to daven: והראנו בבנינו ושמחנו בתיקונו.

With a heart that yearns for that day,

Y. S.

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The Israel Defense Forces has eliminated a Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander who led a terrorist cell that took hostages during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the military said.

Muhammad Khalil Muhammad Aslam, identified as a platoon commander of an Islamic Jihad Nukhba cell, was killed in an airstrike in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza, according to the statement.

“In recent months, Aslam advanced attacks targeting IDF troops and Israeli civilians,” it stated. “The terrorist posed an immediate threat and was eliminated in a precise aerial strike.”

Soldiers remain deployed in the enclave in accordance with the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement “and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat,” it said.

The current ceasefire went into effect in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2025, ending the two-year war that began when Hamas, other Palestinian terrorist groups and Gazan civilians invaded the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, the IDF said it had struck several Hamas weapons storage sites in central and northern Gaza over the past week, including one that had been established inside a mosque.

The depots contained weapons intended for use against soldiers operating along the ceasefire line, as well as Israeli civilians, “and were dismantled in order to remove the threat,” according to the military.

The weapons storage site inside a mosque “is an additional example of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip exploiting civilian infrastructure for terrorist purposes by storing weapons in the heart of the civilian population, including in religious sites, to facilitate terrorist activity,” the IDF said. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Costco members in Washington state who received certain promotional emails over the past several years may qualify for a cash payment after the retail giant agreed to settle a $14 million class action lawsuit alleging it sent deceptive marketing emails advertising limited-time offers.

The lawsuit claims Costco violated Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA), a state law governing commercial email advertising. Under the statute, consumers may be entitled to recover as much as $500 for each qualifying email. However, the amount each claimant ultimately receives from the settlement will depend on how many valid claims are filed.

Although Costco denies any wrongdoing, the company agreed to resolve the case, known as Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corp., by paying $14 million.

The settlement covers Washington residents whose email addresses are on file with Costco and who received the promotional emails between June 2021 and July 2026.

Eligible individuals must submit a claim form no later than Aug. 24, 2026, in order to receive a share of the settlement proceeds.

According to the complaint, Costco allegedly violated state law by using email subject lines that suggested sales were about to expire even though the promotions were allegedly intended to continue beyond the advertised deadlines.

Among the examples cited in the lawsuit are the subject lines “Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings” and “Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only.”

After attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, and court-approved service awards are deducted, the remaining settlement funds will be divided equally among all class members who submit approved claims. Because the total number of valid claims is not yet known, the amount each person will receive has not been determined.

Regardless of how many qualifying emails they received, each eligible class member may file only one claim.

Consumers who do not wish to participate may opt out of the settlement or object to its terms by Aug. 24. Those who choose not to take any action will receive no payment and will forfeit the right to bring future legal claims against Costco over the allegations resolved by the settlement.

A final fairness hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time in federal court in Seattle, where a judge will decide whether to grant final approval to the agreement.

If the settlement receives final approval, payments will be distributed by paper check or through electronic methods such as Venmo, PayPal, or other approved digital payment services.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a dramatic Senate hearing on Wednesday, refusing to answer questions from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as a contentious investigation into his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic escalated.

At the outset of the hearing, Fauci sharply criticized Paul, accusing the senator of waging a relentless campaign against him and arguing that the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s inquiry was designed solely to build a criminal case against him.

“Given Senator Paul’s obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me, and recently his publicly releasing my unredacted personal diary aimed at embarrassing and intimidating me, the only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, ‘behind bars,’” said Fauci.

He continued by explaining why he would not respond to the committee’s questions.

“Any reasonable person who has followed his unhinged obsession with me would readily come to the same conclusion. Therefore, although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government and my decades long record of cooperating with Congress, under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions.”

As the hearing progressed, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases repeatedly declined to answer additional questions, invoking the Fifth Amendment at least a dozen more times while Paul pressed him about so-called “gain of function” research conducted in China.

Paul also questioned Fauci about the scope of the broad pardon granted to him by Joe Biden during the closing days of his presidency in January 2025, asking whether the pardon affected his decision to invoke constitutional protections.

“Have you refused this pardon, or do you have any reason to believe this full and unconditional pardon, this grant of immunity would somehow require you to plead the Fifth Amendment?” asked Paul.

Fauci again refused to provide a substantive response.

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully declined to answer, based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution,” answered Fauci.

In his opening statement, Paul outlined what he described as serious concerns regarding Fauci’s defense of federally funded “gain of function” research and alleged efforts to conceal or destroy government records connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is a crime to destroy federal records,” said Paul. “Yet our investigation reveals your assistant diligently reported that she deleted tons of emails in 2024. You testified that you did not delete federal records. Who’s telling the truth? You or your assistant?”

The Kentucky senator further alleged that the committee had uncovered multiple instances in which Fauci instructed government officials to erase communications, pointing to one specific email exchange from early 2020.

“The committee has obtained repeated instructions, from you, telling federal officials to delete communications,” added the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. “On February 2nd, 2020, one day after [a conference call on COVID-19 originas], you told [then-NIH Director Dr.] Francis Collins, ‘Please delete this email after you read it.’”

The hearing comes as federal prosecutors continue pursuing related investigations. In May, David Morens, a longtime adviser to Fauci, was indicted on charges alleging he concealed and destroyed federal records.

{Matzav.com}

The Senate took a major step Tuesday toward approving a broad new sanctions package targeting Russia, voting to advance legislation designed to punish countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, natural gas, and other exports. The procedural vote came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol, where he urged lawmakers to continue supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The bipartisan measure cleared its first hurdle by an 86-12 vote just hours after senators attended the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who had been the legislation’s chief architect. Zelenskyy, who traveled to Washington for Graham’s funeral, met privately with senators before the vote and told them Ukraine is gaining momentum on the battlefield but still requires additional American assistance.

After the meeting, Zelenskyy watched the Senate proceedings from the gallery, acknowledging lawmakers below with waves of appreciation as the vote unfolded.

Sen. Todd Young of Indiana said Zelenskyy stressed that the sanctions package carries significance beyond its economic impact.

At the meeting, Zelenskyy told senators that the sanctions legislation “is important as a moral signal to a country that is weary and tired, though holding its own and then some against Russia,” Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., said as he left the meeting.

Following the vote, Zelenskyy posted on X that the discussions focused primarily on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses and praised the Senate’s action as an important milestone.

“We discussed many issues, first and foremost, anti-ballistic defense.

“It was an honor to be present as the votes were counted,” he said. “This is the first step toward implementing Lindsey’s plans, and certainly a step toward peace.”

The legislation represents months of negotiations led by Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The two senators announced they had reached an agreement with the White House on July 10, just one day before Graham’s unexpected death, believed to have resulted from an aortic tear. Graham had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met personally with Zelenskyy.

Blumenthal recalled that Graham considered the agreement one of the defining accomplishments of his career.

Blumenthal said Graham told him that the deal they had struck was a “big [expletive] deal” in the last conversation they had just before he died.

“It’s a significant part of his legacy,” Blumenthal said.

According to Blumenthal, support for the measure has continued to grow because of Ukraine’s improving military position, the extensive bipartisan negotiations behind the bill, and lawmakers’ desire to honor Graham’s work.

He said the bill has momentum partly because Ukraine is turning the tide in the war, because the bill was carefully negotiated and “there’s feeling about Sen. Graham.”

Blumenthal added that Zelenskyy’s attendance during the vote made the moment especially meaningful.

Zelenskyy’s presence also helps, Blumenthal said, and “watching his face when he was in the gallery as we were voting was truly a moment of joy.”

Young said Zelenskyy projected confidence during the closed-door meeting, telling senators that Ukrainian forces are making meaningful gains in several areas of the conflict.

In Zelenskyy’s latest visit to the Capitol, his message was “positive,” Young said, and he talked about how the Ukrainians are making good progress against Russia in different areas of the war.

Young argued that the sanctions legislation is a critical tool for weakening Russia’s economy and increasing pressure on President Vladimir Putin to negotiate.

The bill is a “keystone in that overall effort” to handicap the Russian economy and drive Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, Young said.

Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia said Zelenskyy conveyed a striking level of optimism about Ukraine’s current position in the war.

Zelenskyy told them that “they are winning the war now,” said Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va.

“In the first year it was survival. The next three years was getting your feet under you. But now they are winning,” Justice said.

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said Zelenskyy believes stronger sanctions could significantly increase pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Rounds said Zelenskyy told the senators that “Putin would think a little bit more about trying to negotiate a settlement if the sanctions were in place and actually creating more irritation.”

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said the legislation sends a clear bipartisan message to Moscow while reinforcing American support for Ukraine.

The bill will “send Putin a bipartisan message in a language he understands,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

“This is our best opportunity to support Ukraine. We are defending not just their country but the rest of Europe from an increasingly aggressive Russia.”

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy also met with President Donald Trump, where the two leaders discussed additional ways the United States could assist Ukraine in its war effort.

The sanctions package is the product of more than a year of negotiations involving Graham, Blumenthal, and other lawmakers seeking legislation capable of winning support from both the White House and a bipartisan majority in the Senate.

Among its key provisions, the bill authorizes the president to impose tariffs on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, including China and India. It also exempts countries that receive less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are actively reducing those imports.

The legislation further targets Putin, senior Russian government and military officials, major financial institutions, and Russian energy projects. It also expands sanctions against aging oil tankers that Russia has used to evade existing restrictions on its energy exports.

Negotiators included language allowing the president to waive certain sanctions or restrictions if the administration certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

At President Trump’s request, lawmakers also added provisions extending certain sanctions against Iran.

Despite broad bipartisan support, some Democrats remain uneasy about granting the president expanded authority to impose tariffs.

“It is extremely dangerous to give Trump massive new tariff powers, particularly after we’ve seen the disastrous impacts of his corrupt, chaotic, and inflationary tariff spree,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a statement with Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.

Wyden said he intends to introduce an amendment modifying the tariff provisions as debate continues this week.

Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona said before meeting with Zelenskyy that he remained undecided because of the tariff language and planned to make “a game-time decision” after hearing the Ukrainian president’s appeal.

{Matzav.com}

Even as inflation has slowed significantly from its recent highs, Americans continue to feel the squeeze at the supermarket, with food prices climbing 33% over the past seven years—the steepest increase over such a period in roughly half a century, according to a report by the New York Post.

Although the annual inflation rate eased to 3.5% in June after reaching 4.2% in May, grocery bills remain stubbornly high. One striking example is ground beef, which sold for an average of $6.82 per pound in June—a 79% jump compared to 2019, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited by the Post.

Scott D. Martin, a partner at Kingsview Wealth Management, said consumers have gradually come to accept today’s elevated grocery prices as the new reality because they have remained high for so long.

“While inflation has cooled from its peak, grocery prices have not returned to where consumers remember them,” Martin said. “Food prices have effectively reset to a permanently higher level after years of supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, transportation costs, and broad inflationary pressures.”

Government data reviewed by the Post shows just how dramatically the trend has changed. Between 2012 and 2019, food prices rose only 6.4% in total over seven years. After the pandemic began in early 2020, however, grocery costs accelerated sharply.

Food prices surged approximately 21% between January 2021 and January 2023 and have climbed nearly another 10% in the years since.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, said several long-term factors have kept grocery prices elevated, including reduced cattle inventories and the global disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Grocery prices have gone up especially in 2021, but they have stayed high due to cattle disease and bad growing conditions,” he said. “The war in Ukraine hurt as well because it’s essentially the grain basket of the world.”

The impact has been so significant that many Americans have fundamentally changed the way they shop, seeking every possible opportunity to stretch their grocery budgets.

“Households are increasingly purchasing private-label brands, comparing prices across multiple retailers, buying in bulk when discounts are available, and cutting back on discretionary food purchases,” Martin said. “Even higher-income consumers have become far more price-conscious because groceries are one of the most visible household expenses.”

Martin cautioned that consumers should not expect meaningful relief anytime soon, pointing to the added pressure of tariffs along with rising transportation and energy expenses.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Food Price Outlook, cited by the New York Post, overall food prices are projected to increase another 3.1% in 2026, followed by an additional 3.1% rise in 2027.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu says he has no intention of backing away from his planned trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly this September, brushing aside repeated calls by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his arrest and accusing the mayor of spreading hatred against the city’s Jewish community.

During an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity” following his White House meeting with President Donald Trump, Netanyahu was asked about Mamdani’s remarks and responded unequivocally that his plans remain unchanged.

“I’m going to New York,” Netanyahu said during an interview with “Hannity” following his White House meeting with President Donald Trump Tuesday.

Netanyahu said he intends to confront Mamdani’s accusations directly, charging that the mayor is fostering division and inciting hostility toward Jews.

“I’m going to speak the truth in front of this hate-spewing elected official who’s pitting one group of New Yorkers against the others. He’s turning them against New York Jews.”

Mamdani has repeatedly condemned Netanyahu over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, accusing him of responsibility for alleged atrocities during the conflicts.

He recently called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.” Tens of thousands of Gazans were killed in the war.

Although Mamdani has acknowledged that New York City officials do not have the legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu, he has urged federal authorities to take action if the Israeli prime minister visits the United States.

Netanyahu responded by accusing Mamdani of deliberately fueling anti-Jewish sentiment and attempting to turn New Yorkers against the city’s Jewish residents.

“What are we in the 1930s? What is this? So much hate, so many lies,” Netanyahu told host Sean Hannity.

The dispute comes as criticism of Netanyahu has also emerged from other political figures. President Trump has expressed concern over Israel’s continued military strikes in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, saying “too many people are being killed,” while former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has echoed Mamdani’s calls for Netanyahu’s arrest.

Netanyahu also blasted the International Criminal Court, calling it a politically motivated institution that unfairly targets Israel while ignoring terrorist organizations.

“They don’t charge Hezbollah… Supposedly, they charged Hamas , but a guy who’s already dead. So no, it’s fake. It’s one big fake,” he told Fox News.

He warned that if the ICC’s authority goes unchallenged, it could eventually target American leaders and military personnel as well.

“They could say that the president of the United States is a war criminal, that American soldiers – valiantly fighting next to us, shoulder to shoulder, against the tyranny in Tehran – that they’re war criminals.”

Turning to his White House visit, Netanyahu praised his latest meeting with Trump, saying it underscored the close alliance between the United States and Israel.

The prime minister described the meeting as “one of the best meetings” he has ever had with the president.

“I always hate to disappoint our would-be critics who are trying to find cracks in our alliance. And what they find, like today, is a wall of granite,” he said.

Netanyahu added that he and Trump remain fully united in their determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“We don’t want to see this fanatic regime in Tehran have nuclear weapons to threaten every American and to threaten the peace of the world, and to threaten the existence of Israel,” he continued. “So we have a common goal, and it’s gonna be achieved, either through diplomatic means or other means.”

Fox News noted that Netanyahu will also appear on the next episode of “Hang Out with Sean Hannity,” which will be available Thursday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

{Matzav.com}

The United States has flatly rejected what it called Iran’s “unreasonable demands” to impose tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue over the future of the vital waterway amid broader diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran.

A U.S. official told Reuters on Tuesday that both Washington and Oman have dismissed Iran’s proposal, making clear that commercial vessels will not be required to pay tolls or fees to pass through the strategic shipping route.

The official stressed that no agreement under discussion would permit Iran to collect mandatory charges from ships using the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier in the day, a Gulf source told Reuters that Oman had secured support from several Gulf nations for a proposal that would create a joint regional framework with Iran to oversee the Strait of Hormuz through voluntary user fees.

The proposal was delivered to Iranian officials during meetings in Tehran over the weekend. If adopted, the arrangement would give Iran a shared role in administering the waterway rather than allowing it to exercise exclusive control.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central issue in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. Before the war, roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil exports and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow maritime corridor.

Iran has insisted that the strait cannot simply return to its pre-war status, when international shipping moved through without restrictions. Gulf Arab states, however, have firmly opposed any arrangement that would require vessels to pay compulsory fees to Iran.

President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran has been “tapped everyone along” for decades but indicated that negotiations between the two sides are moving forward in a positive atmosphere.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iran sought renewed talks after sustaining significant damage from recent U.S. military strikes.

“They want to meet, and we’re meeting. We’ll see what happens. There’s a chance we can make a deal,” said the President, who added that Iran’s request for talks resulted from US pressure.

“Without what we did, they wouldn’t even be talking to us,” he said. “They requested a meeting through their surrogates and directly and we’re meeting.”

When asked how long he was willing to continue negotiations, Trump said he was in no rush and suggested the military campaign had dramatically altered conditions in the region.

“I have plenty of time. The whole shoreline is wiped out. The Strait is in very good shape. And we’re talking right now.”

Trump expressed optimism that diplomacy could ultimately succeed but warned that military action remains an option if the talks collapse.

“We’re having good talks, so we’ll see what happens. I think there’s a good chance something could happen. And if it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago.”

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu declared Tuesday that anyone hoping to find signs of strain between Israel and the United States would instead discover a “wall of granite,” as he praised his White House meeting with President Donald Trump and underscored their shared determination to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Speaking with Sean Hannity on Fox News following the meeting, Netanyahu described his talks with Trump in glowing terms, saying they ranked among the best conversations the two leaders have had.

The prime minister said the meeting “was great” and described it as “one of the best meetings that we’ve had.”

BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin @netanyahu pushes back on reports of cracks in his relationship with President Trump:

"One of the best meetings that we've had."

"I always hate to disappoint our would-be critics who are trying to find cracks in our alliance. And what… pic.twitter.com/14qbzhd31I

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 29, 2026

Netanyahu dismissed speculation that cracks have emerged in the U.S.-Israel relationship, saying the meeting demonstrated the strength and unity of the alliance.

“And I always hate to disappoint our would-be critics who are trying to find cracks in our alliance. And what they find, like today, is a wall of granite, because the president is so clear. We have a common commitment,” the Prime Minister told Hannity.

He said that both governments remain firmly committed to ensuring Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, stressing that the goal will be achieved one way or another.

“We don’t want to see this fanatic regime in Tehran have nuclear weapons to threaten every American and to threaten the peace of the world and to threaten the existence of Israel,” continued Netanyahu. “So we have a common goal. And it’s going to be achieved, either through diplomatic means or other means. But we’re both committed to that. And that’s the main headline that I would tell you.”

Earlier Tuesday, Trump also highlighted the White House meeting in a Truth Social post, sharing photographs from the visit and expressing satisfaction with the discussions.

“Had a very good meeting! Obviously, many important subjects were discussed.”

The White House likewise praised the talks, with a spokesperson describing Tuesday’s meeting as “productive and good.”

Senior officials traveling with Netanyahu also characterized the discussions as highly successful, saying the leaders focused primarily on Iran while also addressing broader regional issues and the close strategic partnership between Washington and Jerusalem.

“It was a very good and highly positive meeting. The two leaders discussed all fronts, foremost Iran, and reiterated their shared commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. They also discussed the robust partnership between Israel and the US, as well as various opportunities across the Middle East.”

{Matzav.com}

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Dr. Anthony Fauci should not assume that President Joe Biden’s pardon gives him immunity if he provides false testimony before Congress, as the longtime public health official prepares to appear before a Republican-led Senate panel.

Fauci is scheduled to testify Wednesday before a Senate committee chaired by Sen. Rand Paul, just days after hundreds of pages from his personal COVID-19-era diary were released to the public, renewing scrutiny of his actions and public statements during the pandemic.

Comer argued that the newly disclosed documents help explain why Biden granted Fauci a sweeping pardon before leaving office.

“We now know why President Biden gave a blanket pardon to Dr. Fauci. While obsessing about his own fame, Dr. Fauci wasn’t truthful with the American people about the origins of COVID and advised schools to be closed,” Comer told Fox News Digital.

“Americans are still reaping the consequences of Dr. Fauci’s actions. Biden’s pardon doesn’t cover Dr. Fauci’s testimony this week and if he continues to lie, he must be held accountable.”

Fauci was one of several individuals who received broad preemptive pardons from Biden during the final hours of his presidency.

The pardon applies to any potential offenses committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and the date it was issued, including matters connected to Fauci’s work as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, his service on the White House Coronavirus Task Force and COVID-19 Response Team, and his role as chief medical adviser to the president.

Because the pardon covers actions taken during Fauci’s government service, legal observers are expected to debate whether it could shield him from liability arising from testimony he gives before Congress after the pardon was issued.

Other House Republicans also sharply criticized Fauci, arguing that his conduct during the pandemic severely damaged public confidence in America’s healthcare system. Among those speaking out were the physician co-chairs of the House GOP Doctors’ Caucus.

“Dr. Fauci, enamored with his own fame and vanity, put politics above science during the pandemic. He is primarily responsible for the resulting multi-generational erosion of trust in American medicine,” Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. “A perfect example of ego destroying whatever achievements he had prior to the pandemic.”

Rep. John Joyce of Pennsylvania likewise said Fauci should answer for his actions before both chambers of Congress.

“The release of Dr. Fauci’s diary entries validates what many Americans suspected all along: he was not honest about the origins of COVID-19,” Joyce said. “His fixation on preserving his own image and maintaining a position of power eroded public trust, undermined the integrity of our public health institutions, and failed the American people.”

The diary entries released by Sen. Rand Paul, a longtime Fauci critic who chairs Wednesday’s hearing, include reflections on Fauci’s public profile during the pandemic and discussions related to the origins of COVID-19.

Some of the writings also appear to suggest Fauci viewed himself as having played a significant role in policies that led to widespread school closures, an issue that remains one of the most contentious aspects of the government’s pandemic response.

During testimony before the House Oversight Committee in January 2024, however, Fauci denied personally shutting down schools, stating, “I did not close the schools.”

Fauci has consistently rejected allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that he has become the target of politically motivated attacks by critics who oppose the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.