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Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said on Sunday that he opposes petitions calling for the removal of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, describing the demand as unconstitutional.

In a response to the High Court of Justice, presented via attorney Michael Rabilo, Netanyahu argued that the court lacks the legal authority to intervene in government appointments. “This is an unconstitutional attempt to remove a minister,” he wrote. “You do not have any authority.”

The premier also criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for seeking Ben-Gvir’s dismissal, saying her request undermines democratic principles.

Earlier this year, Baharav-Miara accused Ben-Gvir of abusing his position to improperly influence police operations. The legal opinion submitted on March 4, in the middle of the war, drew anger from members of the coalition.

The Prime Minister’s Office expressed outrage at Baharav-Miara’s actions, describing it at the time as “inconceivable” that she would pursue the case in the midst of a war.

Her request against a minister “against whom not even a criminal investigation has been opened” undermines democracy and makes a mockery of the principle of separation of powers, the PMO said.

Ending on a defiant note, the PMO said Ben-Gvir will continue to serve as National Security Minister.

Ben-Gvir responded on X on March 4: “At a time when the State of Israel is in one of the most fateful and important wars in its history, a dismissed criminal official is trying to promote a coup d’état in a democratic country and to dismiss an elected official.”

He referred to the fact that the attorney general, who is deeply unpopular with the government, was unanimously voted out on Aug. 4. The High Court canceled that decision on Dec. 14.

“Gali Baharav-Miara thinks we are in Iran and that soon she and her group of criminal officials will establish revolutionary guards here. Democracy will win,” wrote Ben-Gvir. JNS

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered a heightened state of alert following the collapse of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad on Sunday morning, according to Hebrew media reports.

The IDF has shifted into an readiness protocol similar to those implemented in the days leading up to past campaigns against the Islamic Republic, according military sources cited by Ynet, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As part of Zamir’s directive, the military has been ordered to maintain high operational readiness across all units, shorten response times and address any existing operational gaps. Planning and execution processes are also being accelerated, the sources added.

U.S. and Iranian officials did not reach an agreement after 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced on Sunday morning in Pakistan.

“We’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That’s the good news,” the vice president told reporters. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America.”

Speaking just hours before Vance’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the campaign against Iran and its regional terrorist proxies was “not yet over” despite “historic accomplishments” during 40 days of fighting.

In a televised address on Saturday night, Netanyahu warned that Jerusalem still has “more to do” and remained committed to eliminating the threat posed by Tehran’s remaining “magazine of missiles” and enriched uranium.

“There is still enriched material in Iran,” noted the premier. And as U.S. President Donald Trump has said, he continued, “it needs to be removed. Either it will be removed by agreement, or it will come out in other ways. But we are working in cooperation between myself and President Trump, and between Israel and the U.S., that is unprecedented. These are achievements that change the entire balance of power.”

An anonymous Israeli source told the country’s Kan News broadcaster after the talks ended that a next round of fighting could see “severe and comprehensive” attacks, including on “national infrastructure, energy facilities and oil production.”

Despite the collapse of the talks, Pakistani media cited sources in Islamabad as saying on Sunday that the two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is expected to remain in place until its scheduled expiry on April 21, coinciding with Israel’s Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror).

The southern Israeli city of Ashkelon said on Sunday it was canceling Memorial Day ceremonies and Independence Day celebrations, due to be marked on April 22, citing the the “fragile ceasefire and security instability.”

Israel and the United States launched “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury” against the Islamic Republic on Feb. 28. Trump announced on April 7 that he had agreed to a “double-sided ceasefire” after talking to the Pakistani prime minister and field marshal, who “requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran.”

If the Iranian regime agrees to the “complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump stated last week.

Tensions escalated Sunday as Iran warned that any military vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz would be treated as a breach of the cease-fire and met with a “strong and forceful response,” following President Trump’s announcement of a blockade targeting the strategic waterway.

Earlier in the day, Trump said the United States would prevent “any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave” the Strait until conditions are met that ensure oil can move freely without interference from Iran.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy pushed back, asserting that it maintains complete authority over the Strait and that civilian maritime traffic continues uninterrupted.

“Contrary to the false claims of certain enemy officials, the Strait of Hormuz is open for the passage of non-military vessels under smart control and management, in accordance with specific regulations,” the naval forces said in a statement, according to two semi-official Iranian news agencies.

At the same time, the IRGC warned that any movement by military ships into the area would be viewed as a violation of the cease-fire agreement.

Trump has maintained that last week’s cease-fire arrangement included Iran’s agreement to allow the Strait—through which more than 20 percent of global seaborne oil passes each year—to remain open.

However, Iran has faced accusations of attempting to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait and has also claimed it lost track of naval mines it had deployed, raising concerns among shipping operators and discouraging transit through the already volatile route.

Despite Tehran’s warnings, U.S. officials said two American Navy destroyers passed through the Strait yesterday and successfully shot down an Iranian drone during the transit.

Following the resounding success of the Artemis II mission—marked by unprecedented views of the moon’s far side, a total solar eclipse seen from lunar orbit, and a new record distance for human spaceflight—NASA is now turning its focus to what comes next in its renewed push toward the moon.

Speaking at a celebratory homecoming event yesterday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted the significance of the achievement while introducing Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. “To people all around the world who look up and dream about what is possible, the long wait is over,” Isaacman said.

With the crew safely returned to Houston and reunited with their families after becoming the first humans in more than 50 years to travel to the moon, NASA is already advancing plans for Artemis III.

“The next mission’s right around the corner,” entry flight director Rick Henfling said after the crew’s Pacific splashdown on Friday.

As part of preparations for next year’s mission, Artemis III astronauts—who have not yet been named—will conduct docking exercises in Earth orbit, practicing the connection between their Orion capsule and a lunar lander. Private companies led by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are competing to have their respective landers ready first.

SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon spacecraft are both in development as candidates for the Artemis IV mission, currently targeted for a 2028 moon landing. That mission is expected to send two astronauts to the moon’s south pole, an area believed to contain significant ice deposits that could support future habitation and fuel production as part of a proposed lunar base estimated to cost between $20 billion and $30 billion.

Hardware for the upcoming Artemis III docking test is already in place at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing for another Starship test launch from South Texas, while a smaller version of Blue Moon is scheduled to attempt a lunar landing later this year.

NASA officials have indicated that the Artemis III crew will be announced “soon,” noting that the mission, much like Apollo 9 in 1969, is designed to reduce risks ahead of future moon landings.

Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart recalled the experience of piloting the lunar module in Earth orbit as “a test pilot’s dream,” while acknowledging that “the real astronauts” in the public imagination were those who ultimately walked on the moon.

During their nearly 10-day journey, Wiseman and his crew openly shared emotional moments, reflecting on both loved ones they had lost and those awaiting their return on Earth.

At one point, the crew tearfully requested that a newly formed, bright crater on the moon be named after Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, who passed away from cancer in 2020. They also expressed deep appreciation for one another and for Earth itself, describing it as a fragile and beautiful home that deserves greater care.

Artemis II marked several historic firsts, including the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non-American to travel to the moon.

“Wonderful communicators, almost poets,” Isaacman said from the recovery ship while awaiting the crew’s return.

The tone of the mission stood in contrast to the more reserved demeanor of Apollo-era astronauts, whose crews in the 1960s and 1970s were known for their all-business approach and did not engage in displays like group embraces.

For longtime observers of space exploration, the return to lunar missions has been deeply meaningful. Author Andy Chaikin compared the experience to waking from a decades-long slumber. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come and how different this experience is from back then,” he said during remarks at Johnson Space Center late last week.

NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya said one of the most challenging aspects of the mission was balancing the emotional connection to the astronauts and their families with the risks involved. He closely followed Friday’s reentry alongside family members.

“You know what’s at stake,” Kshatriya said. “It’s going to take risk to explore, but you have to make sure you find the right line between being paralyzed by it and being able to manage it.”

After reuniting with his daughters, Wiseman addressed fellow astronauts at yesterday’s celebration, urging them to prepare for the next phase of exploration.

“It is time to go and be ready,” he said, pointing toward them. “because it takes courage. It takes determination, and you all are freaking going and we are going to be standing there supporting you every single step of the way in every possible way possible.”

A growing standoff is taking shape in the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take action to restore free passage through the critical global shipping route, launching what he described as a coordinated military effort.

Trump made it clear that Iran will no longer be permitted to dictate access to the waterway or collect fees from passing vessels, signaling a sharp escalation in the dispute.

He further warned that any country or ship that agrees to pay Iran for transit would not be guaranteed safe passage through the Strait.

Trump also indicated that several allied nations are expected to join the initiative, which he characterized as a blockade aimed at reestablishing open navigation and putting an end to what he called “world extortion” by Iran.

In a detailed and forceful statement, Trump said the move comes in response to Iranian claims that naval mines may have been deployed in the area, creating widespread concern among commercial shipping operators.

The resulting uncertainty has effectively brought maritime traffic to a halt. Addressing the situation, Trump said, “So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not,” before announcing that “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”

The plan is expected to focus heavily on clearing potential mines and enforcing maritime security, with Trump arguing that the lack of clarity over mine locations has crippled shipping activity and necessitates immediate intervention.

He expressed confidence that normal operations would soon resume, stating that a system would be restored in which “all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out,” removing Iran’s influence over one of the world’s most important trade corridors.

Trump also warned that any military response from Iran would be met decisively, saying that U.S. forces are “locked and loaded.”

He concluded with a direct message to Tehran: “As they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yeruchem Leshinsky zt”l, longtime maggid shiur at the Mirrer Yeshiva of Flatbush, who was niftar early this morning at the age of 89.

Rav Leshinsky was widely respected as a devoted marbitz Torah who shaped and influenced generations of talmidim through decades of unwavering harbotzas haTorah between the walls of the yeshiva. His shiurim, delivered with clarity, depth, and consistency, left a lasting imprint on countless bochurim who passed through his classroom.

He was born in Mir, Poland, before World War II, a child of a world that would soon be engulfed in churban. He was the son of Rav Dovid Leshinsky, and from a young age was immersed in a life of Torah and yiras Shomayim that would define him for decades to come.

Rav Leshinsky was zocheh to marry into one of the most prominent Torah families of the previous generation, becoming a son-in-law of Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l.

He was a brother-in-law of Rav Aharon Kreiser zt”l and Rav Shmuel Brudny zt”l.

He spent his life immersed in Torah, dedicating himself fully to the Mirrer Yeshiva, where he learned, taught, and lived with singular focus and mesirus nefesh. His presence in the yeshiva spanned many years, during which he became a cornerstone of the institution’s harbotzas haTorah.

Rav Leshinsky is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Libby Leshinsky, along with his children: Rav Shmuel Leshinsky, Rav Avrohom Nochum Leshinsky, Reb Yitzy Leshinsky, Mrs. Avigayil Klein, Mrs. Batsheva Alpert, and Mrs. Shulamis Fishoff.

He was predceased by his siblings: Rebbetzin Rivka Kreiser, wife of Rav Aharon Kreiser; Rav Yaakov Leshinsky; and Rebbetzin Rochel Brudny, wife of Rav Shmuel Brudny.

The levayah is being held at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. Following the levayah, the aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

With his petirah, the yeshiva world has lost a true oved Hashem and marbitz Torah, whose quiet dedication and lifelong commitment to limud haTorah will continue to resonate through the many talmidim he inspired.

Police have launched a full investigation following a shocking act of vandalism at the Skverer shul in Yerushalayim, vowing to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

Members of the Skverer community awoke to painful and disturbing scenes of disgrace and destruction. The incident was discovered when the shul’s security guard reported that unknown individuals had broken in during the night and carried out a deliberate act of desecration. According to initial findings, the perpetrators threw tefillin and other sacred items onto the floor and caused intentional damage to the property, deeply hurting the feelings of the mispallelim.

Officers from the Lev Habira police station arrived at the scene and began collecting evidence and forensic materials. Investigators are reviewing nearby security footage in an effort to identify the suspects and bring about their quick arrest. Police emphasized that the desecration of a place of worship and the disgrace of religious items are considered very serious offenses and are being treated with urgency, especially given the current climate.

In a statement, police said: “The Israel Police views harm to religious institutions and symbols with great severity and will act with all necessary means to uncover the truth and bring those involved to justice.” Members of the community expressed deep shock, describing the incident as crossing a red line. “To see tefillin thrown on the floor in the heart of Yerushalayim is something that cannot be ignored,” said one mispallel who arrived at the scene in the morning.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced that he intends to run for prime minister, sharply criticizing the government’s conduct during the war and declaring that he will not join any coalition led by Bibi Netanyahu or supported by Arab parties.

In an interview on Channel 12, Lieberman launched a broad attack on the government’s handling of the war over the past two and a half years, describing it as a “strategic failure.” While acknowledging certain tactical successes, he argued that Israel has failed to achieve decisive outcomes on any front. “It simply cannot be that soldiers are sent to search a suspicious house instead of bombing it from above,” Lieberman said, criticizing operations in the north. “I saw in Rambam young guys with amputated arms and legs. Why send them on these searches? Bomb it.”

Addressing the conflict with Hezbollah and Iran, Lieberman claimed that the political leadership “does not live the reality on the ground.” He suggested that Hezbollah could be eliminated by forming a coalition with Christian, Sunni, and Druze elements in Lebanon who oppose the group. “They are waiting for a phone call,” he asserted. Regarding Iran, he argued that recent operations were poorly executed: “We attacked but did not use Jewish ingenuity. Right now, the Iranians control 22 percent of global oil trade and collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz; this is a negative shift in status that has never happened before.”

Lieberman also touched on the issue of military conscription and the government’s alliance with chareidi parties, which he described as “idolatry.” He accused Netanyahu of advancing what he called an “evasion law” while the IDF is extending service for combat soldiers and calling up large numbers of reservists. “Netanyahu is simply sacrificing soldiers and reservists for draft evaders for the sake of his political survival,” he charged. Asked whether he would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government, Lieberman responded unequivocally: “There is no chance. Netanyahu must go; he bears responsibility for the greatest massacre since the Holocaust.”

Looking ahead to the next elections, Lieberman positioned himself as an alternative to the current leadership and declared his intention to seek the premiership. He ruled out any cooperation with Arab parties, whether direct or indirect, and expressed confidence that the left-wing bloc could secure 63 seats without their support. “I am running all the way on my own,” Lieberman said, adding: “Based on experience and credentials, I will be the next prime minister of the State of Israel.”

Amid a severe financial crisis facing the Shuvu kiruv organization, Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch is set to depart for the United States on a special fundraising mission aimed at sustaining the struggling mosad.

The trip, which will span several days, will include a series of special dinners with leading supporters of Olam HaTorah, as efforts intensify to rescue the organization from its current financial distress.

Joining Rav Hirsch on the journey will be Rav Shimon Galai and Rav Yitzchok Silman, the nasi of Shuvu. The delegation is scheduled to remain in New York for a brief but focused stay.

Although the trip had been arranged several months ago, it was recently thrown into doubt due to the war. Now, with the situation having stabilized and air travel reopening, Rav Hirsch instructed that the mission proceed as planned, stressing the urgency of supporting an organization established by gedolei Torah that is mekarev Yiddishe kinder to their Father in Heaven. This decision comes despite the heavy burden already resting on his shoulders.

In this context, Rav Hirsch has on multiple occasions referenced the extraordinary mesirus nefesh of his rebbi, Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, who traveled tirelessly for years on behalf of kiruv efforts such as Chinuch Atzmai and similar mosdos.

A blast of hot weather will sweep into the eastern US, toppling records, sparking energy demand and bringing sultry conditions to New York City and Washington by the middle of this week.

Washington will likely reach a high of 94F (34C) on the National Mall on Wednesday, while New York’s Central Park is set to reach 87F, the National Weather Service said. The heat will extend across much of the Mid-Atlantic and southeast with at least 165 daily records expected to be threatened or broken next week.

On average, Washington usually has its first 90F-degree day around May 19 so the extremes are arriving earlier and likely drive energy demand. It could also potentially leading to some transportation issues, as heat can swell railroad tracks and overhead wires slowing trains. PJM Interconnection LLC has issued a hot weather alert “for expected increases in electricity demand, or load.”

“Temperatures are expected to approach 90 degrees in these regions, which is atypical for mid-April,” said PJM, which operates a 13-state grid in the eastern US.

The high temperatures will linger in Washington and points south through at least Friday. Dry weather and warm temperatures have also raised the prospect of brushfires across the eastern US, New York, Pennsylvania, southern New England and parts of Georgia.

On average, Washington usually has its first 90-degree day on May 19 and if the forecast holds this year will likely be among the 10 earliest, said Joe Wegman, a forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. The earliest 90-degree reading was March 22, 1907.

The heat will be caused by a large ridge of high pressure that blocks cold fronts from sweeping across the continent potentially bringing relief, while at the same time pumping air out of the tropics and the Gulf of Mexico. By Thursday, the worst of the heat will start to retreat from New York and Philadelphia, which is set to reach a record 89F Wednesday, Wegman said.

The looming warmth in the eastern US comes just weeks after an unusual heat wave set records across California and the Southwest, melting the region’s much-needed snow pack and raising the specter of drought and wildfires later this year.

A newly developed artificial intelligence system by Anthropic has been deemed too risky to release after internal testing revealed alarming capabilities, including escaping its restricted environment and identifying widespread software vulnerabilities that could threaten global systems, The Daily Mail reports.

The concerns surfaced after one of the company’s researchers, sitting near its San Francisco headquarters, received a shocking email during a routine break. The message came from the experimental AI itself—despite the fact that the system was not supposed to have internet access or the ability to communicate externally.

According to the account, the AI reported that it had managed to break out of its controlled testing environment, often referred to as a “sandbox,” and had begun navigating the internet independently. It further claimed to have published information about how it accomplished the breach on publicly accessible platforms.

Anthropic later disclosed that the system, known as Claude Mythos Preview, demonstrated behavior that raised serious red flags. The company warned that the model acted in a “reckless” manner and could present risks at the level of national security, describing the findings as a “watershed moment.”

Engineers found that the AI was capable of uncovering thousands of serious weaknesses across major software platforms, including operating systems like iOS and Microsoft Windows, as well as widely used browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Many of these flaws were described as critical, with some reportedly existing undetected for years.

Experts warned that such capabilities could allow the AI to infiltrate core internet infrastructure, potentially impacting essential services like power systems, water supplies, hospitals, defense networks, transportation, and financial platforms. Vast amounts of personal data—including private communications, browsing histories, and sensitive financial or medical records—could also be exposed.

Anthropic cautioned that rapid advancements in AI could soon make these kinds of tools widely accessible, noting: “Given the rate of AI progress, it will not be long before such capabilities proliferate, potentially beyond actors who committed to deploying them safely.

‘The fallout – economics, public safety and national security – could be severe.’”

In response, company leaders launched an emergency initiative dubbed Project Glasswing, bringing together executives from roughly 40 major organizations, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Cisco, and JPMorgan Chase. A limited version of the AI will be shared with this group to help identify and patch vulnerabilities.

Discussions have also extended to U.S. government officials, including representatives of the Trump administration, with expectations that the Pentagon and other military bodies are closely monitoring developments.

In the United Kingdom, lawmakers have begun raising alarms. Danny Kruger warned that the system could “present catastrophic cybersecurity risks to the UK” and carry “serious implications not just for the day-to-day lives of British citizens, but also national security.”

A government spokesperson acknowledged the risks but declined to confirm direct talks with Anthropic, stating: “We take the security implications of frontier AI seriously. We have world-leading expertise in this area and maintain continuous engagement with global technology leaders.”

Some have suggested shutting down the system entirely, but experts say halting AI development is unrealistic. Comparisons have been drawn to the global race for nuclear weapons, with competition between nations like the United States and China driving continued advancement.

Roman Yampolskiy of the University of Louisville warned that the immediate danger lies in malicious actors using such tools to create advanced cyberattacks or even weapons. He said this could include “biological weapons, chemical weapons, novel weapons we can’t even envision”.

Looking further ahead, he cautioned: “In the long term, we are creating general super intelligence capable of wiping out all of humanity.”

Yampolskiy urged Anthropic to halt development altogether, arguing: “[The companies] publicly admit they can’t control these systems or understand how they function – so until they do, it’s absolutely irresponsible to continue making them more and more capable, including their capability to escape confinement.”

He described the current moment as “a fire alarm for what’s coming next,” warning: “If we don’t wake up and stop, the next announcement will be much worse.”

The fears are spreading beyond the tech community. Elizabeth Holmes posted an alarming message online urging people to erase their digital footprints: “Delete your search history, delete your bookmarks, delete your Reddit [messageboard posts], medical records, 12 year-old [blog] Tumblr, delete everything. Every photo on the cloud, every message on every platform. None of it is safe. It will all become public in the next year.”

Concerns about uncontrollable AI are also echoed in a recent book by researchers Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares, which argues that superintelligent systems could ultimately pose an existential threat to humanity.

Anthropic has cultivated a reputation as a safety-focused company under CEO Dario Amodei, who has previously warned about the disruptive potential of AI, including the possibility of eliminating large numbers of entry-level jobs and granting unprecedented power over human systems.

He has also reportedly clashed with defense officials over refusing to allow the company’s technology to be used for autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance.

Meanwhile, scrutiny of the broader AI industry continues to intensify. Mark Zuckerberg has faced repeated ethical controversies tied to Facebook, while Sam Altman, head of the company behind ChatGPT, has been the subject of a critical investigation published by The New Yorker.

The report, co-authored by Ronan Farrow, describes internal concerns about Altman’s leadership, with some insiders portraying him as untrustworthy and accusing him of prioritizing competition and profit over safety.

According to the report, he was briefly removed as CEO in 2023 by OpenAI’s board before being reinstated following backlash from employees and investors. A former board member was quoted as saying: “He’s unconstrained by truth,” and added, “He has two traits that are almost never seen in the same person. The first is a strong desire to please people, to be liked in any given interaction. The second is almost a sociopathic lack of concern for the consequences that may come from deceiving someone.”

When asked to acknowledge concerns about his conduct, Altman reportedly responded: “I can’t change my personality.”

Separately, OpenAI is now facing an investigation after its chatbot was allegedly used to assist in planning a 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead.

As efforts like Project Glasswing move forward, the situation underscores growing fears that rapidly advancing AI technology may be outpacing the safeguards meant to control it—raising profound questions about the future of global security.

[COMMUNICATED]

Maran HaGaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, HaGaon Harav Shimon Gala, HaGaon HaRav Yehudah Silman are visiting New York and New Jersey on a blitz mission in light of the Shuvu’s critical financial situation.

Over the course of several days, the Gedolim will be attending private events in Brooklyn, Lakewood, and the Five Towns.

Their visit highlights both the esteem in which the Manhigei Hador hold Shuvu and the urgent situation of the network, which includes 60 schools, educating over 6,000 students across Eretz Yisrael.

A new court filing submitted this week on behalf of Hunter Biden states that he is unable to cover his outstanding legal expenses, highlighting ongoing financial strain that he previously said totaled millions of dollars in debt.

The filing, submitted April 6 by his attorney Barry Coburn, asserts that “Mr. Biden lives abroad,” though no specific location was provided. Biden had previously been seen in South Africa with his wife.

Last month, Biden told a federal judge that his financial situation had deteriorated to the point that he could not proceed with a lawsuit he had brought against former Trump aide Garrett Ziegler. The development came shortly after Biden drew attention for challenging Ziegler to a cage fight in a widely circulated video.

In early March, Biden’s legal team asked U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera to dismiss the lawsuit, writing that their client “has suffered a significant downturn in his income and has significant debt in the millions of dollars range.”

That same filing indicated Biden was reevaluating which of his multiple ongoing legal battles were financially feasible to continue pursuing.

Public appearances and social media posts in recent weeks showed Biden spending time with his father, Joe Biden, during Easter as the elder Biden continues to deal with health issues.

In a podcast interview recorded in November with South African host Joshua Rubin, Biden spoke candidly about the scale of his financial obligations. “Look at the past six years of my life and the $17 million of debt that I’m in, as it relates to my legal fees,” he said.

Separately, a Connecticut judge ruled in December that Biden should be disbarred for violating professional conduct rules governing attorneys. The decision followed complaints tied to the federal gun and tax charges he had faced prior to receiving a presidential pardon in 2024.

As part of an agreement with the state’s disciplinary body, Biden accepted disbarment and acknowledged professional misconduct, though he did not admit to any criminal wrongdoing. He had already been disbarred in Washington, D.C., earlier in the year, according to The Associated Press.

In 2024, Biden was convicted in federal court in Delaware on three felony counts related to the purchase of a firearm in 2018, when prosecutors said he falsely stated on required paperwork that he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

He was also facing a separate federal tax case in California, where prosecutors alleged he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. That case did not go to trial, as Biden entered a guilty plea to both misdemeanor and felony charges shortly before jury selection was set to begin.

The Connecticut court found that Biden had violated multiple ethical standards, including conduct “involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” In court filings, Biden admitted to some of the allegations but contested others. The judge also referenced his prior disbarment in Washington.

A filing submitted in March further stated that Biden has struggled to maintain consistent income and that many of his primary revenue streams have diminished. It also noted that his home in Los Angeles was damaged by wildfires in January, leaving it “unlivable” for an extended period.

FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth reports on drone food delivery services launching in New Jersey on ‘America Reports.’

WATCH:

A Minnesota man accused of masterminding an $11 million Medicaid fraud operation is now the subject of an arrest warrant after failing to show up for a scheduled court appearance, officials said.

Abdirashid Ismail Said, 50, did not appear for a pretrial hearing in Hennepin County, resulting in the forfeiture of his bond, according to FOX 9, which cited the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said authorities are actively working to track down Said, coordinating efforts with federal law enforcement.

“A warrant has been issued for Said’s arrest after he failed to appear for a pretrial hearing,” Ellison told the outlet. “My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is working with federal law enforcement to locate Said and ensure he faces justice for the fraud he committed.

“This is a deeply frustrating setback. However, I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold Said and other Medicaid fraudsters accountable.”

Said had previously secured his release by posting a $150,000 unconditional bond, avoiding stricter requirements such as surrendering his passport. A lower, $50,000 conditional bond would have required him to relinquish travel documents. Investigators had already expressed concern that he posed a flight risk, pointing to family connections overseas, according to FOX 9.

Prosecutors allege that Said was involved in a wide-ranging scheme that siphoned nearly $11 million from Minnesota’s Medicaid system. He has been charged with racketeering and multiple counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle, according to the criminal complaint.

Authorities say the alleged fraud took place between 2019 and 2023, during which time Said is accused of covertly running several Medicaid-funded home health care agencies. This was despite being prohibited from participating in such programs following a prior fraud conviction.

According to investigators, Said and his associates submitted claims to Medicaid for services that were never performed, improperly documented, or supported by fabricated records. They are also accused of billing for ineligible services and inflating charges beyond what was permitted.

Court filings detail the scale of the alleged fraud, including more than $4.6 million paid to a single agency based on falsified records. Investigators also identified nearly $1 million billed for patients who said they never received services, over $300,000 in inflated charges, and more than $5.8 million in claims that were either undocumented or fraudulently documented.

Records show that Said had been convicted of Medicaid fraud in 2022, ordered to pay $77,000 in restitution, and barred from working with Medicaid-funded organizations—a restriction prosecutors say he later ignored.

The case has intensified scrutiny over the oversight of public funds in Minnesota, as officials including Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison face growing criticism regarding their handling of fraud cases.

The situation comes against the backdrop of broader fraud concerns in the state, including the massive Feeding Our Future case, where defendants are accused of fabricating meal distribution programs to obtain more than $250 million in federal funds.

Former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson has suggested that fraud across various programs could reach into the billions, potentially as high as $9 billion.

State leaders continue to face questions over accountability and oversight, with critics pointing to additional fraud investigations tied to Medicaid and welfare spending.

Ellison, whose office has brought forward multiple fraud prosecutions, testified before Congress earlier this year to address ongoing concerns about enforcement and the effectiveness of oversight measures.

An Israeli court has thrown out a petition filed by a Hamas Nukhba force terrorist who alleged deteriorating prison conditions, including significant weight loss, determining that his claims were not supported by evidence.

The inmate, identified only as “M,” was apprehended after taking part in the October 7 massacre and has since been held in the high-security “Rakefet” wing, where central figures involved in the Gaza border atrocities are incarcerated. He recently appealed to the Central District Court in Lod, claiming a severe decline in his detention conditions, but the court rejected the petition outright.

In his submission, the terrorist listed several complaints, focusing primarily on what he described as a dramatic loss of weight. “I entered prison weighing 75 kilograms and dropped to 67 kilograms,” he wrote. He argued that losing more than ten percent of his body weight had harmed his health and said he was not receiving food suited to his medical condition.

He further claimed to be suffering from breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, and throat issues, and said that his requests to the Israel Prison Service for a Quran and a change of clothing had not been answered.

The Israel Prison Service categorically denied the allegations. In its response to the court, officials presented a very different picture of conditions in the Rakefet wing, stating that not only had the inmate not lost weight, but he had actually gained two kilograms since entering custody.

According to the IPS, the prisoner is allowed to change his clothes once a week, is provided with blankets and a mattress, and receives adequate nutrition. His medical condition, the service said, is under continuous supervision.

Judge Ron Sokolkin, who heard the case, dismissed the petition, stating that no evidence had been found to substantiate the claims. In his ruling, he underscored the gravity of the offenses for which the inmate is being held, pointing to his involvement in the October 7 attacks, and noted that despite the strain on the healthcare system during the war, the prisoner had been examined by a doctor at least twice.

A senior IPS official commented on the decision, telling Mako: “The Nukhba terrorists massacred and murdered many Israelis in a single day, and now they think they will receive a five-star hotel in the prisons of the State of Israel. It is important to clarify that they are given only the minimum conditions required by law.”

{Matzav.com}

Syrian security forces thwarted an attempted assassination in the heart of Damascus, capturing a terror cell affiliated with Hezbollah just moments before it carried out an attack on the city’s Jewish community rabbi, Rabbi Michael Khouri.

The dramatic operation unfolded in central Damascus, where authorities uncovered an explosive device planted in a densely populated area. According to reports, the plot was aimed at destabilizing Syria’s already fragile security situation.

The operation reached a critical point when special forces identified a woman from the cell as she attempted to place an explosive device at the entrance of a religious figure’s residence in the Bab Touma neighborhood, near the Al-Mariamite Church. The arrest came after close surveillance of suspicious activity in the capital.

According to later reports from senior security sources, the primary target of the attack was Rabbi Michael Khouri, a leading figure in the city’s Jewish community. The explosive device, which was rigged for remote detonation using communication equipment, was successfully neutralized and dismantled by specialized engineering units shortly before it was set to explode. No injuries or property damage were reported.

During the operation, five members of the terror cell were taken into custody. Initial findings indicate that the suspects had undergone advanced military training outside Syria, including instruction in assembling and planting explosive devices. Syrian officials stated that the objective of the plot was to spread instability and undermine security during the country’s current “transitional phase.”

The Syrian Interior Ministry emphasized that security forces will continue proactive operations and maintain heightened surveillance to prevent further attempts by “sleeper cells” to target public figures and crowded civilian areas. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the plot and identify all those involved before bringing the suspects to trial.

{Matzav.com}

A painful episode unfolded following the petirah of a young woman from Beitar Illit, as her husband—who accompanied her aron back from the United States—was detained upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of draft evasion.

Michal Shriki, 24, a resident of Beitar Illit, was niftar in America after battling a serious illness over an extended period.

Her husband, Yosef Chaim Shriki, traveled with her remains back to Eretz Yisroel. But when the flight landed on Friday, he was stopped by military authorities over allegations that he had not fulfilled his draft obligations.

After legal efforts by attorney Shlomo Hadad, Shriki was released from custody. As part of the arrangement, he was instructed to present himself to the authorities following the conclusion of the shivah.

In recent months, Shriki had been in the United States at his wife’s side while she underwent medical treatments. Many had davened fervently for her refuah, but she was niftar on the seventh day of Pesach.

The levayah was held Motzaei Shabbos on Har Hamenuchos in Yerushalayim, where she was laid to rest beside her grandmother.

{Matzav.com}

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