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One person was killed and five others were wounded in a deadly shooting spree across the Sharon region, as Israeli security forces launched a large-scale manhunt and ultimately neutralized a terrorist believed to have carried out the attacks. The shootings occurred at several locations, including Kochav Yair, Tzur Yitzhak, and the area near Tzur Natan, triggering a massive emergency response.

The violence began at a gas station near Kochav Yair, where two men in their 30s were shot. Magen David Adom teams rushed to the scene and provided emergency treatment before evacuating the victims for further care.

Minutes later, reports emerged of another shooting in Tzur Yitzhak, where a 31-year-old man was wounded. MDA paramedics treated him at the scene and transported him to Beilinson Hospital in moderate condition.

As emergency crews responded to the unfolding situation, additional casualties were reported at other nearby locations, raising concerns that all of the shootings were connected.

MDA Paramedic Lior Zilberberg said: “We received reports at MDA’s 101 Emergency Dispatch Center regarding several casualties at different scenes, including reports of people injured in a shooting. At the scene at a gas station near Kokhav Yair, we began providing medical treatment to a man approximately 50 years old who was in serious condition, and to a man approximately 30 years old who was in moderate condition. At another scene in Tzur Yitzhak, we provided medical treatment to a man approximately 30 years old who was injured in his hand. At an additional scene on Route 5533, we treated another man in critical condition, as well as an additional casualty who was evacuated in serious condition. We continue to provide medical treatment at the various scenes.”

Another paramedic, Eyal Drori, described the extensive emergency operation that followed the attacks.

“We arrived at several scenes after calls were received at MDA’s 101 dispatch regarding shooting incidents at multiple locations. Large numbers of MDA responders were quickly dispatched to the various sites, and at each of the scenes, we reached the injured and immediately began providing medical treatment to stabilize their condition. We continue to operate at the scene and provide medical treatment to the casualties.”

Zilberberg, who manages MDA’s Kfar Saba station, said the response teams had been participating in a nearby training exercise when the first alerts came in.

“We were in a large training exercise in a nearby community when we received reports via the MDA 101 dispatch center about gunshot casualties at several scenes close to us. We immediately stopped the exercise and set out with intensive care units and ambulances to the gas station in Kochav Ya’ir, Tzur Yitzhak, and Tzur Natan. At the gas station, MDA EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment to two injured individuals who were evacuated to hospital in serious and moderate condition. At the entrance to Tzur Yitzhak, we saw two casualties: a man in his 30s who suffered a gunshot wound to his arm, and a 61-year-old woman who was in a vehicle and was injured by gunfire to her upper body. We provided both of them with medical treatment, and they were evacuated in MDA mobile intensive care units to hospital in moderate condition. I continued driving toward Tzur Natan, where we received reports of active gunfire. During the drive, civilians signaled me to stop and called me to provide medical treatment to an unconscious casualty inside a vehicle. He was pulseless and not breathing, with gunshot wounds to his body, and after medical assessments we were forced to pronounce him dead. Near the vehicle, another injured person was lying conscious, suffering gunshot wounds to the upper body. After initial medical treatment at the scene, he was evacuated in an MDA mobile intensive care unit to hospital in moderate-to-severe condition.”

As security forces swept the area, another victim was discovered along the road connecting Tzur Natan and Sal’it.

One of the victims who had initially been listed in critical condition later succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.

The terrorist fled following the attacks, prompting police and security forces to launch an intensive search operation. Authorities later announced that one suspect had been neutralized, while efforts continued to determine whether an additional assailant had been involved.

The IDF stated: “Following reports of multiple shooting incidents, IDF soldiers, in coordination with the security forces, were dispatched to the areas of Sal’it and Tzur Yitzhak a short while ago. The terrorist was neutralized at the scene. The soldiers, together with additional medical personnel, began extensive searches for additional terrorists and are providing medical treatment to the injured. Additional soldiers are on their way to the scene.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal appeals court appeared unconvinced Friday by the Trump administration’s argument that courts lack the authority to halt construction of the new White House ballroom, even if the project were ultimately found to violate federal law.

During a hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, two judges repeatedly questioned administration attorneys over their claim that the project has advanced too far to be stopped, particularly after the demolition of the East Wing and the commencement of large-scale construction.

Judge Patricia Millett pressed government lawyer Yaakov Roth on whether there were any limits to the administration’s position.

“When did it become a fait accompli?” Judge Patricia Millett asked. “If this were complete lawlessness by the government … it couldn’t be stopped?”

Roth responded bluntly.

“On these theories, I think that’s right,” replied Yaakov Roth, a Justice Department attorney.

Millett continued to challenge the administration’s reasoning, questioning whether the government could effectively shield any project from judicial review simply by acting quickly enough.

“If the government decides, very quickly, to bulldoze the Statue of Liberty — the people whose ancestors that was the first thing they saw coming to this country, but the government moved too fast — nothing can be done?” the judge asked.

“I think that’s right, yes,” Roth responded.

The dispute stems from President Trump’s ambitious White House renovation plan, which includes construction of a large ballroom that has become one of the administration’s highest-profile building projects. While a federal district judge temporarily blocked the work in March, the D.C. Circuit later suspended that ruling, allowing construction to proceed while the legal battle continues.

Friday’s arguments highlighted the administration’s aggressive defense of the project, which Trump has repeatedly championed as part of a broader effort to reshape and modernize portions of Washington’s most iconic buildings.

Millett was not alone in expressing concern. Judge Bradley Garcia also appeared skeptical of the administration’s sweeping legal arguments.

Judge Neomi Rao, meanwhile, focused much of her questioning on whether the lawsuit should be allowed to proceed at all. Rao suggested the National Trust for Historic Preservation may lack standing, particularly given the administration’s contention that the ballroom serves important security functions in addition to hosting events.

Roth argued that preservation concerns raised by opponents pale in comparison to the security considerations involved in the project.

“The balance of harms and public interest are so lopsided in favor of this project,” Roth said. “It’s an architectural preference on one hand and the safety and security of the president of the United States on the other hand.”

The administration also maintained that courts should not intervene even if the project were eventually determined to be unlawful. According to Roth, any corrective action would need to come from Congress rather than the judiciary.

“Congress can figure out how to deal with that, given the fact that we have these national security imperatives,” Roth said. “It’s well along. They’ve installed like 3 million pounds of steel rebar. … Congress would be the appropriate entity to decide: How do we balance these considerations at this juncture?”

Attorneys for the National Trust for Historic Preservation argue that the White House grounds are part of a federally protected national park and therefore cannot be substantially altered without congressional approval. They contend that the administration lacks authority to make such sweeping changes on its own.

“They just don’t want to go to Congress,” the trust’s attorney, Tad Heuer said, stressing that, under the Constitution, “Congress controls federal property.”

Heuer acknowledged that smaller additions to the White House over the years—including recreational facilities such as tennis courts and swimming pools—may also have been installed without explicit congressional authorization. However, he argued that the ballroom project is fundamentally different because it required the complete removal of the East Wing.

President Trump has repeatedly mocked the lawsuit and questioned the legitimacy of those challenging the project.

In a social media post, Trump claimed the lawsuit was “brought by a woman walking her dog, who has absolutely No Standing to bring such a suit.”

The National Trust, however, says its legal standing is based on historian and retired professor Alison Hoagland, who has served on preservation boards and frequently visits the White House area.

Notably, Hoagland’s sworn court declaration makes no mention of a dog.

The case now presents a significant test of executive authority, judicial oversight, and congressional control over federal property, as construction of Trump’s signature White House ballroom continues while the courts weigh whether it was authorized in the first place.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that individuals who assaulted law enforcement officers or damaged government property during the January 6 Capitol riot should never have been pardoned and should not receive any financial compensation.

Speaking during an appearance on HBO’s “Real Time,” Pence discussed the events of January 6 with host Bill Maher and drew a distinction between those who were simply present that day and those who engaged in violence or criminal conduct.

Maher suggested that Americans might be able to find common ground regarding the events at the Capitol.

“OK, so, I mean, it seems like we could, so many of these things we could come to some agreement with the middle, like January 6, like, Trump, pardon everybody. Could we say that, yes, some people were there just for reasons of who knows, they weren’t exactly tourists, but they weren’t t having horrible intent. Other people? Can we say some bad people were here, like the ones who wanted to hang you? Can we say those were bad people?”

Pence responded by reiterating a position he has expressed before, saying he did not object to pardons for some individuals caught up in the day’s events, but strongly opposed clemency for those who committed violent acts or attempted to interfere with the constitutional process.

“Bill, I made it clear I had no problem with the president pardoning people who got caught up in that day. But for anyone who assaulted a police officer, anybody that violated and vandalized the seat of our government and sought to disrupt the counting of electoral college votes, those people never should have been pardoned, and they should never get a dime.”

Maher then shifted the conversation to the threats directed at Pence during the riot, asking, “So, no ill feelings about the hanging thing?”

Pence replied, “You know, I get, you know…”

Maher followed up by pressing him on whether he feared for his life as the situation unfolded.

“Did you ever fear for your life? Do you, did you actually fear that they would, that that could happen?”

Pence answered by emphasizing his determination during the crisis rather than any personal fear.

“Well, to be honest with you, I never felt a greater sense of resolve any day in my life than on January 6.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

With the New York Knicks preparing to host their first NBA Finals game in nearly three decades, Madison Square Garden is implementing heightened security measures ahead of Monday night’s pivotal Game 3.

The organization announced a series of special protocols for fans attending the matchup, including a strict ban on bags and enhanced screening procedures modeled after airport security checkpoints. Officials are urging spectators to arrive well ahead of the 8:30 p.m. tip-off to avoid delays and ensure they are seated before the opening quarter begins.

“A strict no-bag policy will be in effect, and fans should make every effort to limit personal items to an absolute minimum,” the team wrote. “Fans should expect enhanced security measures when entering Madison Square Garden, including TSA-style screening procedures. Guests are strongly encouraged to arrive at least two hours before tip-off to allow additional time for screening and entry.”

In addition, attendees have been advised to review the U.S. Secret Service’s list of prohibited items before arriving at the arena.

Under normal circumstances, Madison Square Garden permits small bags that fit beneath a seat and do not exceed 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, according to arena guidelines. Those rules will be significantly tightened for Monday’s contest.

The increased security comes as President Donald Trump is expected to be among those in attendance for the highly anticipated game.

After reports surfaced this past week that Trump planned to attend the Finals at Madison Square Garden, the president later confirmed the plans himself.

The visit will mark the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended an NBA Finals game.

“[The Knicks] find a way to do it,” Trump told reporters Thursday. “They’re really great, a great team. I’m happy for [Knicks owner] Jim [Dolan] because Jim has really been fighting hard to produce such a team.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also welcomed the president’s attendance, noting Trump’s longstanding ties to New York and his history as a Knicks supporter.

“We’re seeing that in New York, and I think President Trump is very much a New Yorker, and I’m thrilled that yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knick team,” Silver said this week.

The Knicks enter Game 3 riding tremendous momentum after victories in the first two games of the series, giving them a commanding 2-0 advantage over the Spurs. New York now stands just two wins away from capturing its first NBA championship since 1973—and will attempt to take another major step toward ending that 54-year title drought on its home floor Monday night.

{Matzav.com}

The $2 bill remains one of the most unusual pieces of American currency, and despite being legal tender, many Americans rarely encounter one. While some collectors prize certain versions for their rarity and value, anyone hoping to obtain a freshly printed $2 bill this year is likely to be disappointed.

Although the denomination has been produced on and off for more than 160 years, federal officials have decided not to print any new $2 bills this year.

Despite their reputation as a rarity, $2 bills are far from extinct. An estimated 1.8 billion are currently circulating throughout the United States. By comparison, there are roughly 2.4 billion $10 bills and approximately 3.7 billion $5 bills in circulation.

Federal Reserve figures indicate that the current supply of $2 bills is the largest seen in the past two decades, helping explain why no additional notes are being ordered.

As a result, the Federal Reserve’s printing request for $2 bills this year falls within a range of zero to zero, meaning none will be produced.

This is not the first time the denomination has faced a lengthy pause. Between 1966 and 1976, federal authorities stopped printing $2 bills altogether. At the time, demand had fallen sharply, and officials hoped that suspending production for a decade might renew public interest in the note.

The strategy produced mixed results. When the bills returned in 1976, many people chose to save them rather than spend them. Some collectors even had the newly issued notes postmarked on April 13, the day the U.S. Postal Service offered commemorative stamps marking the denomination’s return.

While those commemorative bills may hold interest for collectors, other rare $2 notes have become far more valuable, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars.

The decision about how much currency to print each year originates with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which receives annual estimates of how many notes are needed to satisfy domestic and international demand. Those calculations take into account existing supplies, spending habits, and the number of worn-out bills that need replacement.

According to a 2017 episode of the U.S. Currency Education Program podcast, replacing damaged notes is generally the primary reason new currency is printed. The program also noted that the $2 bill is unique because it does not require annual production.

In recent years, federal officials have repeatedly chosen not to order new $2 bills. No new notes were requested in 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, or 2023, largely because previous production runs had already supplied more than enough bills to meet demand.

With between 307.2 million and 416 million new $2 bills scheduled for production in 2025, the absence of a new printing order this year comes as little surprise.

One reason the existing supply lasts so long is that $2 bills change hands less frequently than other denominations. Many cash registers do not even have designated slots for them, and people often save them as keepsakes, gifts, or collectibles instead of spending them. Because they experience less wear and tear, fewer notes need to be replaced.

Think back to the last time you saw a $2 bill. If you encountered one at all, chances are it was being saved, collected, or given away rather than actively circulating through stores and banks.

The notes are also relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Each bill costs roughly two-tenths of a cent to print, significantly less than the nearly four cents it once cost to produce a penny before the one-cent coin was discontinued last year.

Although collectors will not be able to obtain newly printed 2026 $2 bills, there will still be several new currency items attracting attention this year.

Among them are special quarters and other commemorative coins—including pennies—celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Collectors may also encounter paper currency bearing President Trump’s signature, as well as continued discussion about a potential $250 bill featuring Trump.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

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​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

 

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Former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak has broken his silence over the vandalism and unrest outside the home of Justice Noam Sohlberg, issuing a sharp condemnation of the protesters and warning that verbal attacks on judges can quickly escalate into physical violence.

In an interview with Kan News, Barak said the disturbances at Sohlberg’s residence represent a dangerous trend that threatens the independence of Israel’s judiciary and the rule of law.

“Once you feel free to engage in verbal bullying inside a courtroom, afterward you can also engage in verbal violence against the judge,” Barak warned. “Verbal violence quickly becomes physical violence—against his property, against his home, and against the judge himself.”

Addressing the protest outside Sohlberg’s home, which was sparked by anger over issues related to the military draft and the courts, Barak argued that the demonstrators crossed a clear line.

“People whom we call chareidim, but who have no fear of G-d in their hearts,” he said.

Barak emphasized that while public demonstrations are a legitimate part of a democratic society, he believes the events outside Sohlberg’s home went far beyond lawful protest.

“A normal protest is certainly legal, and every person has the right to demonstrate. But this is not a normal protest. This is a protest that is a criminal offense. It is directed at the home of a judge in Israel, and not merely at his home, but at his rulings—it is intended to influence his judicial decisions.”

When asked who bears responsibility for the growing hostility directed at judges and public officials, Barak said the problem extends beyond any single group.

“It doesn’t begin with the chareidim and it doesn’t end with the chareidim,” he said. “It begins with the person who blocked my vehicle and continues with those who riot in courtrooms.”

Nevertheless, Barak also directed criticism toward Israel’s political leadership, arguing that past failures to condemn such behavior contributed to the current atmosphere.

“Not everything is Netanyahu, but in the end everything also leads to him. Because the bullying directed at me, for example, he did not condemn. I am pleased that in the case of the bullying against Noam Sohlberg he did say it was wrong and that it should be dealt with within the framework of the law. I hope that this time it will help.”

Barak was also asked about a previous incident in which right-wing activist Mordechai David blocked his vehicle. The retired jurist said the experience did not frighten him.

“You get used to every trouble and wait for the next one that is worse. I was not afraid. As my mother used to say: ‘If we survived Hitler, we will survive this too.’”

Concluding the interview, Barak called on law enforcement authorities to respond forcefully to acts of intimidation and harassment.

“We must not come to terms with this bullying. It is contrary to the law,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

New details have emerged regarding last week’s violent disturbances outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg, with a report indicating that police intelligence had received advance warning that a protest was being planned but failed to identify the precise location in time to prevent the incident.

According to a report by Ynet, police intelligence officials received credible information as early as Wednesday afternoon indicating that activists were organizing a demonstration. However, authorities were reportedly unable to determine where the gathering would take place.

The apparent intelligence failure prevented police from deploying sufficient forces before the situation escalated into a major disturbance. Responding to questions about the issue, a police source said only that “the matter is being examined.”

As previously reported, dozens of protesters arrived outside Justice Sohlberg’s residence, where they allegedly smashed windows, destroyed flower pots, and caused significant damage to both the property and the judge’s vehicle.

The incident unfolded while Justice Sohlberg, his wife, children, and grandchildren were inside the home and witnessed the destruction firsthand.

According to the report, 62 suspects were arrested following the unrest. The detainees reportedly spent much of the night aboard the bus in which they were apprehended after allegedly attempting to leave the area following the disturbance.

Large police forces intercepted the bus shortly after the vandalism and mass arrests followed.

The suspects were scheduled to appear before the Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court, where police planned to seek extensions of their detention. Investigators are reportedly requesting lengthy remand periods for some of the suspects due to the seriousness of the allegations.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation across Israel’s political spectrum.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said he “strongly condemns the violent riot against Justice Noam Sohlberg” and stressed that “law enforcement authorities must pursue the rioters to the fullest extent of the law.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also denounced the violence, saying, “The freedom to protest is a fundamental right, but it does not include the freedom of anarchy. I strongly condemn the small group of extremists who threw stones, engaged in violence, and disrupted public order outside Justice Sohlberg’s home.”

He added, “This is not the way of the Torah, and it is not the way of a democratic state.”

The leaders of Israel’s chareidi parties—Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, and Yitzchak Goldknopf—issued a joint statement shortly after midnight condemning the violence while also criticizing what they described as the judiciary’s ongoing treatment of Torah students.

“We are pained and shocked by the ongoing persecution and trampling of Torah learners by the judges of the Supreme Court,” the statement said. “We warned time and again that these measures would lead to radicalization and anarchy, and unfortunately we are now seeing those fears materialize.”

At the same time, the party leaders emphasized, “We strongly condemn any act of violence, of any kind. Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and utterly unacceptable.”

The statement also called on right-wing political leaders to denounce what they described as continued persecution of yeshiva students.

“We demand that the leaders of the right-wing parties, who rightly rushed to condemn this incident, also condemn the ongoing and cruel persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students. The blood of Torah learners is not hefker,” they wrote.

Supreme Court President Justice Yitzchak Amit and Court Administrator Judge Tzachi Ouziel issued an unusually forceful statement to judges and court employees across the country, describing the incident as a direct assault on the judicial system.

“This is the crossing of a red line, behavior that goes far beyond the boundaries of legitimate protest and constitutes an attempt to undermine the sense of security of judicial officeholders and their families,” the statement read.

Amit added, “Attempts at intimidation will not deter us. Israel’s judges will continue to rule without fear.”

The unrest followed a controversial court ruling issued earlier in the week that overturned restrictions on Red Cross visits, a decision that sparked intense anger among segments of the chareidi public and helped fuel the protests that later erupted outside Justice Sohlberg’s home.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of the Barack Obama Presidential Center this weekend, ridiculing the massive Chicago project with a satirical AI-generated image and continuing a long-running series of jabs aimed at the future library and museum.

The Obama Presidential Center, an $850 million complex under construction on Chicago’s South Side, is scheduled to open on Juneteenth. The project has faced scrutiny over delays and rising costs during its development.

On Saturday, Trump shared an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform depicting the center towering over a low-income Chicago neighborhood with an enormous trash bag draped across the roof.

“The Barack Hussein Obama Library, in 10 years, when fully matured!” Trump trolled on his Truth Social platform.

The post marked the latest in a string of social media attacks targeting the Obama Center.

Just one week earlier, Trump posted another digitally altered image portraying the facility as a giant trash can standing in a parking lot beneath the caption “The Obama Presidential Library.”

Trump has also criticized the project publicly while discussing plans for his own presidential library.

Speaking to reporters at the White House in March while unveiling conceptual renderings for a planned presidential complex in Miami, Trump contrasted his vision with that of the Obama Center.

“I don’t believe in building libraries or museums … like the Barack Hussein Obama one in Chicago,” Trump told reporters at the White House in March, when he unveiled the renderings for his in Miami.

During those remarks, Trump offered a colorful description of what he envisioned for his own project.

Trump said his presidential library was “most likely going to be a hotel with a beautiful building underneath and a 747 Air Force One in the lobby.”

The latest exchange highlights the continuing rivalry between Trump and former President Barack Obama, with the president frequently using social media to mock projects and initiatives associated with his predecessor as construction on the Chicago center moves toward completion.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri declared that the longstanding partnership between the chareidi parties and Israel’s right-wing bloc will remain intact despite the ongoing tensions surrounding the military draft issue.

Speaking in an interview on Channel 14’s program “Sicha” with Oded Harush, Deri firmly dismissed suggestions that the draft controversy could lead Shas or United Torah Judaism to sever ties with their political allies on the right.

“It won’t happen,” Deri said when asked whether the dispute over military service could bring an end to the partnership.

Addressing the contentious draft legislation, Deri argued that the chareidi parties have never sought blanket exemptions for all chareidim.

“We have never promoted a law saying that someone who is chareidi does not go to the army,” he said. “Remember, in every law, throughout all the years, we have always said that only someone whose Torah is his occupation—meaning someone who is actively learning—should continue learning.”

Deri was also asked about chareidim who are not engaged in full-time Torah study. He responded that one of the primary goals of the chareidi parties is to ensure that the military can accommodate those recruits without compromising their religious standards.

“I tell them that we are working to achieve something that has not existed for decades—that the army will guarantee that whoever enters as a chareidi will leave as a chareidi. That is our responsibility, and I hope that at long last we will succeed.”

The Shas leader criticized the military’s historical approach toward religious soldiers, arguing that the issue has not received sufficient attention.

“For years, the army dismissed this,” Deri said. “They didn’t want them. Just as they don’t like the soldiers from the religious Zionist community. They change everything for them there. They don’t like their officers and they don’t like their soldiers.”

At the same time, Deri acknowledged that the current security situation has increased the military’s need for additional manpower and suggested that the army is now showing greater willingness to address the concerns of religious recruits.

“But despite everything, there is no doubt that the army today needs more combat soldiers, and therefore it is taking this more seriously, is prepared to invest more, and not only because the political leadership is pressuring it, but because it also understands the need,” Deri concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A senior liaison between President Donald Trump and the American Jewish community spent last week visiting several prominent chassidic leaders in New York, highlighting the administration’s ongoing outreach to Orthodox and chassidic communities.

Martin Marks, who serves as a key connector between the Trump administration and Jewish leaders across the United States, embarked on a series of visits to the courts of leading admorim during a special trip through New York’s chassidic centers.

His first stop was New Square, where he met with the Skverer Rebbe and personally delivered a letter of condolence sent by President Trump.

In the letter, the president expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the Rebbe, who is currently observing the mourning period following the passing of his sister, the Rebbetzin of Rachmastrivka a”h.

Later in the day, Marks traveled to Kiryas Yoel for a meeting with the Satmar Rebbe. Accompanying him during the visit was prominent philanthropist Reb Gedaliah Segedin, who serves as an administrator within the Kiryas Yoel community.

Marks also visited the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey as part of his tour of major chassidic centers.

The visit concluded with Marks attending the wedding celebration of a great-grandchild of the Skverer Rebbe, where he joined members of the chassidic community in marking the joyous occasion.

{Matzav.com}

The Nasdaq endured a historic collapse on Friday, shedding an unprecedented $1.71 trillion in market value in what analysts say was the largest one-day dollar loss ever recorded by the technology-heavy exchange.

The dramatic sell-off was fueled by a combination of factors, including unexpectedly strong economic reports, growing concerns over interest rates, weakness across artificial intelligence-related stocks, and escalating geopolitical tensions.

By the closing bell, the Nasdaq Composite had tumbled 4.18%, its steepest daily decline since April 2025.

Although the percentage drop was less severe than some of the market routs witnessed during the height of the COVID-19 panic in 2020, the sheer size of the losses eclipsed all previous records because of the enormous valuations now attached to major technology companies.

During the pandemic-era market turmoil, investors also endured staggering losses. On March 9, 2020, the Nasdaq slid 7.3%, eliminating approximately $825 billion in market value. Three days later, the index plunged 9.4%, wiping out roughly $1 trillion. On March 16, 2020, the Nasdaq cratered 12.3%, destroying an estimated $1.1 trillion to $1.3 trillion in value.

The only comparable declines in percentage terms remain the crashes of 2020 and the aftermath of the 1987 market crash, when the Nasdaq plunged 11.4% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered its infamous 22.6% collapse.

Even so, Friday’s sell-off appears to have set a new record for the largest single-day destruction of shareholder value in Nasdaq history.

Market observers pointed to several catalysts behind the sharp decline.

One major factor was stronger-than-anticipated employment data, which caused investors to rethink expectations that the Federal Reserve might soon begin cutting interest rates.

Higher borrowing costs tend to have the greatest impact on fast-growing technology firms because much of their valuation is tied to earnings expected years into the future.

At the same time, investors became increasingly uneasy about the enormous sums being poured into artificial intelligence projects and semiconductor infrastructure.

Several AI-focused companies and chip manufacturers came under heavy selling pressure after disappointing industry forecasts raised doubts about whether current spending levels can ultimately generate sufficient returns.

Traders also expressed concern about future capital demands tied to large-scale technology and aerospace projects, including anticipated fundraising activity connected to SpaceX-related ventures. Some market participants fear such fundraising efforts could draw investment dollars away from publicly traded stocks.

Geopolitical concerns added further pressure. Ongoing tensions involving Iran remained a major focus for investors, while the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz fueled worries about energy markets, international trade, and renewed inflationary pressures.

Those uncertainties have complicated the outlook for policymakers and increased concerns that stock prices may have become stretched after months of gains.

Volatility surged throughout the day as investors rushed to reduce exposure across a wide range of assets. The selling was not limited to equities, with cryptocurrencies, bonds, and even traditional safe-haven investments also coming under pressure.

Bitcoin, gold, and fixed-income securities all experienced notable declines as traders sought to raise cash and reduce risk.

Market commentator and fund manager Mitch Feierstein argued that investors should remain cautious despite signs of economic strength.

“The Trump administration has drastically improved the economy. However, the Biden dumpster fire, combined with too-late Jerome Powell’s misguided policies at the Federal Reserve, created the highest inflation in 40 years, gasoline prices 30% higher than during the Iran conflict, and grotesque bubbles in every asset class,” Feierstein said.

Feierstein also cited a range of additional risks, including rising oil prices, growing debt burdens, lingering supply-chain disruptions, concerns in private credit markets, and slowing economic activity in parts of Europe and Asia.

“While it’s impossible to call the top of a bubble, trading in many of these AI issues has become a form of casino capitalism,” Feierstein added.

Other analysts noted that technology stocks had risen so dramatically in recent months that even minor disappointments were capable of triggering a sharp reversal.

After a prolonged rally driven by enthusiasm over artificial intelligence, investors appeared quick to lock in profits at the first signs of weaker guidance or questions about future growth.

Whether Friday’s plunge proves to be a short-term correction or the beginning of a broader market reset remains unclear.

What is evident, however, is that the massive valuations created during the AI boom have magnified the consequences of even relatively modest declines, turning a 4.18% drop into the largest one-day dollar loss ever suffered by the Nasdaq.

{Matzav.com}

Newly released military footage is shedding light on a remarkable incident that occurred in the aftermath of the Chinese spy balloon controversy, when a U.S. fighter jet reportedly destroyed what was later identified as a Boy Scout research balloon using a missile worth roughly half a million dollars.

According to a report by the New York Post, the U.S. Air Force dispatched an F-16 over Lake Huron on February 12, 2023, to intercept what officials initially believed could be an unidentified aerial threat. The object was destroyed by what was likely an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile.

The footage, released last month by the Department of Defense as part of a new batch of declassified UFO-related records, shows a dark orb-like object with a string attached appearing briefly in the fighter pilot’s targeting system before being blown apart.

“The F16 shot at a balloon over Lake Huron. After the [Chinese spy] balloon embarrassment, DOD was shooting at every [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena] they detected,” Tim Phillips, a former interim director of AARO, told The Post.

The object was later identified as belonging to a Boy Scout group, according to Sean Kirkpatrick, the former head of the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

“[The balloon] had circumnavigated the globe eight times before we shot it down with a half-million-dollar missile,” Kirkpatrick said at a conference on April 27.

“You can imagine the response on the Hill when I briefed that,” he said at that conference.

Kirkpatrick added that the balloon had been part of an ongoing research initiative, though he did not provide further details about the project.

The incident occurred just days after the Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States, a controversy that generated intense criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the situation and led to heightened sensitivity regarding unidentified objects in American airspace.

The Lake Huron incident was not the only costly interception during that period. On February 11, 2023, a U.S. F-22 reportedly fired a missile costing approximately $439,000 to destroy a hobbyist research balloon over Alaska.

According to The Guardian, that balloon belonged to the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade and reportedly cost just $12 to build.

Kirkpatrick also recounted another episode involving a military pilot who reported encountering an object with what appeared to be advanced stealth characteristics. After receiving authorization to engage, the pilot ultimately destroyed what turned out to be a star-shaped Mylar party balloon purchased at Walmart bearing the message “Happy Birthday.”

Many of the military videos depicting unidentified aerial phenomena, some of which have been released by the Trump administration, have ultimately been traced to ordinary man-made objects that were initially misidentified by drone operators and military personnel.

“They’ve been on mission and they’ve got to get back to base to rearm and refuel. And you’ve got a bored operator looking around. And they pick something up and aren’t sure what it is,” Phillips said.

Phillips argued that the reporting system has improved significantly in recent years and that military personnel are increasingly willing to document unusual sightings for further analysis.

“We’re actually seeing, good reporting coming out of the fleet, coming out of the operation wings and squadrons, where they’re willing to report this stuff. And this is part of that outreach where we get our scientists to talk to the Reaper operators and actually go side by side and try to do some education,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Jewish communities in Canada were shaken over the weekend after two separate attacks targeted shuls in Toronto and Montreal within less than 24 hours, prompting strong condemnation from officials and renewed concerns about rising antisemitism across the country.

During the early hours of Shabbos, a window at Congregation Mishkan Avraham in Toronto’s North York neighborhood was shattered after an unidentified object was thrown at the building. The synagogue is located near the intersection of Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.

No injuries were reported, but authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. According to Canadian media reports, Toronto Police’s Hate Crime Unit is leading the probe and has appealed to the public for information.

Israel’s Consulate General in Toronto condemned what it described as an antisemitic attack on the synagogue, calling the incident part of a troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hostility seen across Canada in recent days.

The Toronto attack came shortly after another serious incident in Montreal. On Friday, assailants allegedly hurled Molotov cocktails at a shul in an apparent attempt to set the building on fire.

“Within less than 24 hours, two Jewish houses of worship were attacked in two major Canadian cities,” the Israeli consulate said in a statement.

The incidents occurred amid growing concern over antisemitism in Canada. Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned about a significant increase in incitement and attacks directed at the country’s Jewish community.

In its statement, the Israeli consulate noted that “the Jewish community has heard countless condemnations over the past two and a half years, yet Jewish institutions continue to be targeted.”

The consulate also praised Toronto police for their swift response while urging authorities to take stronger action against antisemitic violence.

“A synagogue must never become a crime scene, and Jews in Canada should not have to live with the feeling that the only question is which Jewish institution will be targeted next,” the statement said. “Authorities must make clear through actions, not only statements, that antisemitic violence has no place in Canada.”

{Matzav.com}

New details emerging from the investigation into last week’s violent demonstration outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg suggest that some participants allegedly intended to physically harm the judge, according to a report by Channel 12 News.

Senior officials involved in the investigation reportedly expressed surprise at both the level of planning and the brazenness of the operation. According to the report, police investigators have described the incident as displaying a “clear intention to carry out a pogrom.”

Investigators believe the disturbance was not a spontaneous protest that spiraled out of control but rather a carefully orchestrated operation that was carried out under the guise of a demonstration.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, many of those involved differed from the typical participants seen at public protests. Some reportedly arrived equipped with GoPro cameras, while others allegedly used false identities in an effort to avoid arrest and hinder law enforcement efforts.

A police source told Channel 12 that several of the suspects are believed to be military draft evaders and are not individuals usually associated with such demonstrations.

“These are people who came to carry out a pogrom and leave,” a source familiar with the investigation told the network.

Police officials reportedly believe they have identified the individual who organized and directed the event and expect to take further action as the investigation progresses.

According to the information gathered so far, the alleged organizer knew precisely that the target location was Justice Sohlberg’s residence, while some of those who took part in the protest were apparently told only that they were demonstrating outside the home of a senior public figure.

Investigators currently believe that the rapid arrival of a large police tactical force prevented the situation from escalating further. According to police assessments, had officers not intervened quickly and dispersed the crowd, some of the suspects may have carried out their alleged plan to physically attack Justice Sohlberg.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are continuing efforts to identify additional participants and determine who was responsible for organizing the demonstration.

{Matzav.com}

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot publicly rebuked Yair Lapid today, rejecting speculation that he is preparing to join a political alliance with Lapid and Naftali Bennett and revealing a significant breakdown in communication between the two camps.

In an interview with Channel 12 News, Eisenkot dismissed Lapid’s recent prediction that he would soon become part of a united opposition bloc, suggesting the comment stemmed more from political pressure than from any real discussions.

“That was a strange statement. I assume it came out of pressure,” Eisenkot said. He noted that he and Lapid have barely spoken in recent months, with only a brief phone conversation taking place during that period.

Eisenkot acknowledged that the two had worked together in the past but said those efforts ultimately failed. Looking ahead, he said his focus is on defeating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside a broad coalition of opposition figures, including Lapid, Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and others.

The former IDF chief of staff also disclosed that relations between the parties have deteriorated sharply. According to Eisenkot, regular communication ended roughly three months ago following decisions made by Lapid’s camp.

He said he had spent months advocating for a meeting of opposition party leaders to coordinate strategy, establish a common platform, and potentially present what he described as a “shadow cabinet” to the public. However, he claimed other opposition leaders were unwilling to participate.

Eisenkot also poured cold water on growing talk of opposition mergers and joint electoral lists, arguing that such decisions are premature given the uncertainty surrounding the political landscape.

He said party leaders must first determine what new political movements may emerge and when elections will actually take place, adding that the situation should be reassessed regularly with one central question in mind: what is most likely to produce victory.

At the same time, Eisenkot raised eyebrows by refusing to rule out the possibility of sitting with Netanyahu under certain circumstances. When asked whether he would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government rather than sending Israel to another round of elections, he declined to give a direct answer.

Instead, Eisenkot turned his attention to criticizing the prime minister and expressed confidence that Netanyahu’s time in office is nearing its end.

“I’m focused 24 hours a day, six days a week — on Shabbat I rest — in order to defeat Netanyahu,” Eisenkot said. He added that he is convinced Netanyahu will lose the next election and argued that it would be unreasonable for him to remain prime minister after the October 7 attacks and more than two years of war.

The comments underscore growing tensions within Israel’s opposition camp, where leaders remain united in their desire to replace Netanyahu but increasingly divided over how to achieve that goal.

{Matzav.com}

A new public opinion survey indicates that a clear majority of Israelis would prefer to see a new prime minister after the next election, while confidence in the government’s handling of the conflict with Hezbollah remains low and President Donald Trump is widely viewed as the dominant influence on Israel’s security policy.

According to a poll published by Channel 12 News, 58% of respondents said they want someone other than Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to lead the country following the next election. Only 32% said they would like Netanyahu to remain in office for another term.

The survey also revealed striking perceptions regarding Israel’s security decision-making. Fully 67% of respondents said they believe President Donald Trump is the person who effectively determines Israel’s security policy, while only 22% said Netanyahu is the primary decision-maker.

Even among voters who intend to support parties in the governing coalition, Trump was viewed as the more influential figure. Among that group, 47% said Trump sets Israel’s security policy, compared to 43% who credited Netanyahu.

Participants were also asked whether recent events had increased their concerns about the future of Israeli democracy. The question followed reports alleging that Likud lawmakers were pressured to photograph themselves while voting in the State Comptroller election, as well as protests and disturbances outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg.

A majority of respondents expressed concern, with 53% saying they are worried about the future of democracy in Israel. By contrast, 38% said they are not concerned.

When asked to evaluate the leadership’s performance in the war against Hezbollah, respondents delivered largely negative ratings to senior political officials.

Netanyahu received a negative overall assessment from 56% of those surveyed, while 39% said his performance had been generally positive.

Defense Minister Israel Katz fared even worse. Sixty percent rated his performance negatively, while just 31% gave him a favorable assessment.

In contrast, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir received significantly stronger marks from the public. Fifty-nine percent said he has performed well during the conflict with Hezbollah, while 28% rated his performance negatively.

The survey also examined which national leader Israelis view as the most trustworthy. Former IDF Chief of Staff and National Unity Party leader Gadi Eisenkot led the field with 38%, followed by Netanyahu at 27%. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett trailed with 12%.

Eisenkot also topped the list when respondents were asked who would best represent and care for the interests of his voters. He received 28%, followed by Netanyahu at 25% and Bennett at 16%.

On the question of who would best safeguard Israel’s security, Eisenkot again finished first with 36%, narrowly ahead of Netanyahu, who received 33%. Bennett remained far behind at 12%.

Economic issues produced a different result. Asked who would be most effective in addressing the economy and the rising cost of living, respondents placed Bennett first at 28%, followed by Netanyahu at 26% and Eisenkot at 16%.

The survey also found that Netanyahu received the weakest rating on the issue of healing divisions within Israeli society. Eisenkot led that category with 27%, Bennett followed with 21%, and Netanyahu came in at 20%.

{Matzav.com}

New reports from the United States have raised serious allegations that Israel has intensified intelligence-gathering efforts targeting senior members of President Donald Trump’s administration, claims that Israeli officials are strongly denying.

According to reports cited by Israeli media, American intelligence agencies believe Israel recently increased efforts to obtain information about high-ranking U.S. officials, sparking concerns within parts of the American security establishment.

A report in The New York Times stated that U.S. intelligence assessments allegedly point to surveillance activities involving several senior officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, and his deputy, Michael DiMino.

According to the report, one intelligence assessment was prepared after American security personnel stationed in Israel reportedly discovered software installed on their devices that investigators suspected may have been used for monitoring purposes. Another assessment allegedly claimed that U.S. military intelligence officials recently elevated the threat level posed by Israeli intelligence activities from “high” to “critical.”

Earlier, NBC News reported that concern has been growing within the Pentagon over alleged Israeli efforts to gain insight into internal administration deliberations, particularly amid policy disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem regarding Iran, the regional conflict, and broader Middle East strategy.

Israeli officials swiftly rejected the allegations. In a statement, Israel’s embassy in Washington described the claims as “completely false” and insisted that Israel does not conduct intelligence operations against American officials or members of the U.S. government.

The embassy further stated that Israel’s intelligence resources are focused on hostile actors and security threats, not on allied nations.

The reports emerge at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Israel relations. While the two countries continue to maintain close military and intelligence cooperation, tensions have surfaced in recent months over the handling of Iran, regional security challenges, and aspects of the Trump administration’s Middle East policies.

If the allegations gain traction in Washington, they could add a new layer of strain to one of America’s most important strategic alliances, even as Israeli officials continue to categorically deny any wrongdoing.

{Matzav.com}