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SpaceX employees and early investors are getting their first opportunity to publicly sell company stock after a lockup agreement expired Thursday, releasing up to 911.5 million shares worth an estimated $101 billion. The move is expected to increase selling pressure on Elon Musk’s aerospace company as insiders begin converting stock holdings into cash.

According to Quartz, the expiration raises the number of shares available for trading to as many as 1.55 billion, up from roughly 639 million at the time of the company’s initial public offering. However, another block of as many as 455.8 million shares remains subject to lockup restrictions because SpaceX shares are trading below their $135 IPO price, MarketWatch reported. The stock finished Wednesday’s session at $108.27.

The end of the lockup marks the first meaningful opportunity since December 2025 for current and former employees, as well as early investors, to sell their shares. “This is the first real opportunity to turn paper wealth into real, hard cash that they can actually spend,” said financial advisor Evan Mills, who works with current and former SpaceX employees.

Breitbart News previously reported that roughly 4,000 current and former SpaceX employees became millionaires through their stock holdings, which are now eligible to be sold as the restrictions are lifted.

The anticipated windfall is already being felt in California’s luxury housing market. Gerard Bisignano, a partner at Vista Sotheby’s, said he has recently been contacted by several longtime SpaceX employees—mostly in their mid-30s and early 40s—who are searching for upscale homes in Southern California’s South Bay communities. Those neighborhoods include Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Palos Verdes Estates, all located near SpaceX’s California headquarters.

“They seem to be in a state of disbelief themselves that they’re suddenly going to be able to, in some examples, buy a home for their parents. They’re going to have all this discretionary income that they can really do what they want,” Bisignano said.

Bisignano believes the local housing market could experience a surge similar to the one that followed Facebook’s 2012 IPO, when home prices near the company’s headquarters climbed 21 percent. He also expects increased demand for vacation properties in destinations such as Mammoth Lakes, Palm Springs, and Lake Tahoe.

The share release comes during a difficult stretch for SpaceX stock. Shares fell more than 10 percent Wednesday after the company’s first public earnings call failed to impress investors despite reporting quarterly revenue of $7.8 billion. Since reaching a high of $225.64 on June 16, the stock has lost more than half its value. According to Bloomberg, citing S3 Partners, short sellers have aggressively targeted the company, with about 35 percent of the available public float currently sold short.

“We’ve never seen anything like it, we’ve never seen anything of this scale, we’ve never seen a lock-up being phased in this way,” said Peter Singlehurst, head of the private companies team at Baillie Gifford. “We’re in uncharted waters.”

Rather than using the traditional single 180-day lockup period, SpaceX adopted a staggered release schedule consisting of nine separate stages, an approach intended to prevent a sudden flood of shares from hitting the market all at once. Barron’s reported that another 319 million shares are scheduled to become eligible for sale on August 12, with additional releases continuing through the end of the year. Bloomberg reported that by early December, when the full 180-day lockup expires, as many as 5.33 billion shares could be available for trading. A separate lockup covering CEO Elon Musk and certain other major shareholders remains in effect until June 2027.

The phased release schedule was triggered by SpaceX’s first earnings report, which was released after the market closed on August 4. Under the plan, the initial tranche—representing up to 20 percent of eligible insider shares—became available for sale on Thursday, the second full trading day after the earnings announcement.

How many insiders ultimately decide to sell remains uncertain. J.P. Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth wrote in a research note that investors had already been repositioning their portfolios ahead of Thursday’s expiration, a trend that could ease selling pressure now that the shares are freely tradable. Despite expectations of increased selling, SpaceX stock opened Thursday modestly higher at approximately $111 per share.

President Donald Trump on Thursday denied reports that he has privately told major donors they should rally behind Vice President JD Vance as the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential nominee, insisting it is far too early to make such a decision.

The denial came just hours after The Washington Post reported that Trump recently told donors during a private Oval Office meeting, “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” signaling that he was leaning toward backing Vance as his political successor. According to the report, Trump’s remarks represented his clearest private endorsement yet of the vice president, although advisers cautioned that the president often keeps his options open and has not made any final decision.

Asked about the report by reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump quickly dismissed it.

“No, no!” Trump responded when asked whether he had told donors they should support Vance’s eventual presidential campaign.

Trump added that while he thinks highly of his vice president, any discussion about endorsing a 2028 candidate is premature because his administration remains focused on governing rather than politics.

“It’s way too early,” Trump said, emphasizing that he is concentrating on his current agenda rather than the next presidential election.

Speculation over Trump’s preferred successor has intensified in recent months, with both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio frequently mentioned as potential Republican frontrunners. Trump has repeatedly praised both men publicly while declining to name a favorite, fueling ongoing debate within Republican circles over who will ultimately carry the America First banner after his presidency.

The Washington Post report cited unnamed sources who claimed Trump privately told donors, “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” suggesting he may be warming to a future endorsement of Vance. However, several advisers quoted in the report cautioned that Trump has a long history of telling different audiences different things and is unlikely to formally endorse anyone years before the next presidential election.

Vance has consistently downplayed talk of a 2028 campaign, saying his immediate focus remains serving as vice president and helping Republicans succeed in the 2026 midterm elections. He has previously indicated that any decision about seeking the presidency would come only after discussions with his family and President Trump.

Trump’s latest comments appear to contradict the report that he privately urged donors to back Vance, leaving open the question of whom he ultimately intends to support when the Republican nomination battle eventually begins. For now, the president is publicly maintaining that any conversation about 2028 is premature.

{Matzav.com}

A new analysis claims President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda would cost the average American taxpayer roughly $2,358 over the course of his second term, while the Trump administration argues the true financial burden comes from illegal immigration—not from removing those in the country unlawfully.

The estimate comes from a calculator released by the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute (EPI), highlighted by Axios. According to the organization, the federal government is expected to spend approximately $268.9 billion on deportation efforts during President Trump’s second term, with funding coming through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, congressional appropriations, and other federal sources.

EPI contends that the same funds could instead be used to expand programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, or public housing.

“I don’t think people realize how much money is being spent on these mass deportations,” Gordon Lafer, an EPI research associate, told Axios. He said the money would be better spent on domestic programs.

The Department of Homeland Security rejected the report’s conclusions, arguing that it overlooks the substantial costs already imposed on taxpayers by illegal immigration and defending the administration’s enforcement policies.

A DHS spokesperson told Axios that the administration’s voluntary self-deportation initiative actually reduces government spending by providing illegal aliens with a free flight and a $2,600 payment if they choose to leave the country on their own.

According to DHS, the self-deportation program costs roughly $5,100 per participant, which the department says is more than $13,000 cheaper than carrying out a traditional deportation.

The department continues urging illegal aliens to use the CBP Home app to arrange their voluntary departure.

EPI’s calculator also projects that taxpayers in wealthier areas would bear a larger share of deportation costs because they contribute more in federal taxes. Under the group’s estimates, residents of Washington, D.C., would pay nearly $3,930 per taxpayer, while Connecticut residents would pay about $3,395. In West Virginia, the estimated cost would be approximately $1,297 per taxpayer.

The report adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over the economic consequences of President Trump’s immigration policies.

CNBC reported that the immigration advocacy organization America’s Voice recently labeled the administration’s deportation campaign an “ICE Tax,” arguing that it contributes to higher food prices, housing costs, and healthcare expenses in industries that depend heavily on immigrant labor.

The White House disputed that argument as well. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis told CNBC that the nation’s affordability problems began under President Joe Biden after “millions of illegals” entered the country, increasing pressure on housing, insurance, schools, and healthcare systems.

She said President Trump’s immigration policies are designed to reduce costs by prioritizing American citizens and restoring strong border enforcement.

Mass deportations have become one of the defining goals of President Trump’s second-term agenda, with the administration aiming to remove 1 million illegal aliens each year. Supporters argue the policy will strengthen border security, protect American jobs, and reduce long-term taxpayer costs, while opponents continue to question both its economic impact and its overall price tag.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would be open to the Justice Department pursuing criminal contempt charges against Dr. Anthony Fauci following a Senate committee’s vote to hold the former health official in contempt of Congress. Trump argued that Fauci’s conduct was more serious than that of two of his former advisers who were prosecuted and jailed for contempt during the Biden administration.

Speaking to reporters on Aug. 6, Trump was asked whether the Justice Department should prosecute Fauci. In response, he pointed to the cases of Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, both of whom were charged with contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with subpoenas issued by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Both were convicted and served four-month prison sentences.

“Merrick Garland prosecuted two very decent people and sent them to jail,” Trump said, referring to President Joe Biden’s attorney general.

“So when you see that happen, you sort of say, maybe he should,” Trump said of Fauci. “What he did was far more serious than a lot of crimes, frankly, but they prosecuted two people when nothing like that has ever taken place before.”

Earlier Thursday, the Republican-controlled Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 along party lines to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly declined to answer questions during last week’s hearing.

Fauci, who has faced continued scrutiny over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination throughout the hearing. Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) argued that Fauci’s reliance on the Fifth Amendment was invalid because President Joe Biden had already granted him a sweeping preemptive pardon.

Rather than forwarding the contempt resolution to the full Senate, as has traditionally been done in past contempt cases, Paul announced that he intends to personally deliver the committee’s criminal referral directly to the Justice Department.

Biden’s pardon, issued during his final full day in office, granted Fauci immunity from potential federal crimes committed between 2014 and 2025. Paul has maintained that because Fauci no longer faced federal criminal exposure for that period, he was required to answer the committee’s questions.

Fauci’s supporters have countered that testimony given in 2026 could still have exposed him to potential perjury allegations arising after the period covered by the pardon. They also note that Biden’s pardon offers no protection against possible state or local criminal charges.

David Schertler, one of Fauci’s attorneys, sharply criticized the committee’s action.

“It is a crude political stunt intended to punish Dr. Fauci for exercising his constitutional rights.”

“It is shameful and wrong that Senator Paul is abusing his power by trying to weaponize the Justice Department against an honorable public servant,” Schertler said.

During Trump’s second term, the Justice Department has brought criminal cases against several high-profile figures viewed as political adversaries of the administration, including former FBI Director James Comey, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Republicans have long accused Fauci of misleading the public and Congress regarding the origins of COVID-19 and other aspects of the federal pandemic response. Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during both the Trump and Biden administrations and played a leading role in shaping the federal government’s response to the pandemic.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, objected to Paul’s decision to bypass the full Senate before referring the matter to the Justice Department. Peters argued that longstanding Senate practice requires the entire chamber—not an individual committee chairman—to authorize such a referral.

Paul rejected that argument, telling reporters that the committee has the authority to act independently because the referral falls “outside the ordinary bill making process.”

“I’ve made the decision that I don’t want to waste time over waiting a month and a half,” Paul told reporters.

Eric Trump says the aircraft expected to be displayed at the future Trump Presidential Library in Miami is a retired Air Force One—not the Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar to President Donald Trump—marking a departure from the President’s earlier public comments.

In a text message to NBC News, Eric Trump said that displaying the Qatari-gifted aircraft in Miami “is not the plan at the moment for Miami.”

His remarks appear to differ from President Trump’s previous statements indicating that the Boeing 747-8 would become part of the presidential library after he leaves office.

Speaking with the Palm Beach Post last month, Eric Trump discussed plans for the library complex, saying, “Obviously, they’re retiring two Air Force ones now, the 2900 and the 29100z. The 2900 will be at the base of that building.”

He added, “There’s tremendous history between everything [my father] did first term and now second term, and all the state visits.”

Eric Trump also revealed that the presidential library is being designed with a large aircraft exhibit in mind. “I’m sure wings will have to come off in order to just sneak it in there, but we’ll make it happen, that’ll be fun.”

He pointed to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s display of a retired Boeing 707 as the inspiration for showcasing a presidential aircraft at the Trump library.

A White House official told The Hill on Thursday that no final determination has been made regarding which plane will ultimately be featured at the future library.

President Trump previously said that the Boeing 747-8, valued at approximately $400 million and donated by Qatar, would be transferred “directly to the library after I leave office,” with the Trump Presidential Library Foundation assuming ownership of the aircraft in 2029.

The proposed transfer has generated widespread debate since it was first announced.

Ethics experts and lawmakers from both political parties have questioned whether accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government could create the appearance of improper foreign influence and potentially raise constitutional issues under the Foreign Emoluments Clause.

Others have expressed concern about whether the aircraft could be upgraded to satisfy the stringent communications, security, and defensive standards required of Air Force One.

The Trump administration has maintained that the arrangement complies with all applicable legal requirements and has emphasized that the aircraft would undergo extensive modifications before being used for presidential travel.

{Matzav.com}

An 18-month-old girl tragically lost her life on Thursday after drowning in the swimming pool of a private home in Ashkelon. Despite prolonged resuscitation efforts by emergency responders and hospital staff, doctors were unable to save her.

Emergency teams from Magen David Adom rushed to the scene and immediately began providing advanced medical treatment. The toddler was transported to Barzilai Medical Center while lifesaving measures continued, but physicians were ultimately forced to pronounce her dead.

According to MDA, the young girl was unconscious and showed no signs of life when paramedics arrived. She had no pulse and was not breathing. She was evacuated in critical condition as crews continued CPR en route to the hospital.

EMTs Roi Lasri and Gavriel Kucherenko described the emergency response: “When we arrived at the private home, an approximately one-and-a-half-year-old girl was brought to us unconscious, with no pulse and not breathing.”

They added, “We immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts, including chest compressions, assisted ventilation, and the administration of medication. While continuing CPR, we evacuated her to the hospital in critical condition as we fought to save her life.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has reportedly begun privately signaling that Vice President JD Vance is his preferred choice to carry the Republican banner in 2028, telling supporters during a recent White House meeting that Vance should ultimately succeed him.

According to a Washington Post report published Thursday, Trump made the remarks during an Oval Office gathering with donors about two weeks ago.

“At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” Trump reportedly told those in attendance, a comment viewed as his clearest indication yet that he favors Vance as the Republican Party’s next presidential nominee.

The reported statement represents a notable shift from Trump’s public comments over the past year. Although he has frequently praised both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he has consistently avoided naming either man as his preferred successor.

Despite Trump’s reported private confidence in Vance, advisers told The Washington Post that the President is unlikely to issue a formal endorsement anytime soon. They noted that Trump typically prefers to keep his political options open and may wish to avoid appearing to be a lame-duck president.

For his part, Vance has repeatedly insisted that his current focus is serving as vice president and has not committed to a presidential campaign in 2028.

In an interview with CBS News in June, Vance said he expects to discuss the matter with his family after the 2026 midterm elections and added that he believes Trump will support whatever decision he ultimately makes.

According to The Washington Post, Trump has been particularly pleased with Vance’s performance inside the administration, citing his involvement in negotiating a June ceasefire proposal with Iran, leading efforts to combat fraud in federal benefits programs, and forcefully defending the administration during numerous media appearances.

Rubio, meanwhile, continues to enjoy Trump’s respect, but his dual responsibilities as secretary of state and national security adviser have reportedly left little opportunity to focus on future presidential ambitions.

The report also said Trump has floated the possibility of a Vance-Rubio Republican ticket, although it remains uncertain whether Rubio would have any interest in serving as vice president.

Vance’s emergence as the apparent frontrunner has already generated criticism from some longtime conservative voices.

Axios reported earlier this week that Wall Street Journal opinion writers have questioned Vance’s leadership style, his foreign policy views, and his close ties to commentator Tucker Carlson, highlighting the continuing divide between the Republican Party’s traditional establishment and its America First wing.

Supporters of the vice president argue that such criticism only enhances his appeal among Republican grassroots voters.

Although Trump’s reported comments could significantly influence the 2028 Republican primary, recent polling indicates the race remains competitive.

An Emerson College survey cited by Newsmax found Vance leading the prospective Republican field with 39% support, while Rubio trailed closely at 38%, suggesting the contest remains wide open despite Vance’s apparent advantage.

{Matzav.com}

An Ashkelon man and woman have been indicted on allegations that they carried out intelligence-gathering missions on behalf of an Iranian operative, photographing sensitive sites and individuals across Israel in return for cryptocurrency payments.

The indictment, filed in the Tel Aviv District Court, charges Tamirlan Amshukov and Elina Kushnirenko with maintaining contact with a foreign agent and supplying information to the enemy.

According to prosecutors, the case began in December 2025, when Amshukov was approached via Telegram by someone who offered to pay him to photograph a restaurant in Ashdod. At the time, Kushnirenko reportedly urged him not to go through with it, warning, “What’s wrong with you? What if they’re planning something?”

Authorities allege that the communication resumed in April 2026, when a Telegram contact offered Amshukov cryptocurrency in exchange for conducting surveillance and taking photographs. Prosecutors say he accepted the proposal and enlisted Kushnirenko to participate in the assignments.

The indictment states that the pair subsequently traveled to Ashdod, Be’er Sheva, Haifa, and Kadima-Zoran, where they allegedly conducted surveillance operations and photographed various locations. Among the tasks, prosecutors say, were attempts to locate and document the homes of a defense industry employee and a member of Israel’s security forces.

Investigators further allege that in June 2026 the defendants photographed Ramat Aviv Mall in Tel Aviv, identifying a staircase that was outside the coverage of the mall’s security cameras. During a later trip to Eilat, they allegedly documented a “security facility” in Dimona, as well as sections of the coastline and nearby ships. Prosecutors also claim they used money supplied by their handler to purchase a dedicated cellphone for operational purposes.

According to the indictment, Amshukov later photographed Har Herzl in Yerushalayim, including IDF soldiers at the site, just days before a state memorial ceremony attended by senior Israeli officials.

The prosecution says the Iranian handler proposed additional assignments, including renting an apartment, securing a vehicle, and retrieving a package from the sea. Those missions, however, were never carried out.

The alleged espionage operation came to an end later in 2026, when Israeli security forces arrested the pair as they were traveling to Be’er Sheva for another assignment. Prosecutors say the two received a total of $4,451.70 in cryptocurrency for the information and photographs they allegedly provided before their arrest.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan on Thursday announced the launch of a new right-wing political party, declaring that it will champion universal national service while working to establish a broad Zionist coalition government.

Standing alongside Erdan at the announcement was Yuli Edelstein, the former Knesset Speaker and former chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, signaling a high-profile partnership at the party’s debut.

Erdan said his movement would refuse to participate in a narrow coalition and reaffirmed his longstanding ideological convictions. “My entire life, I have been a right-winger. I never zig-zagged. I believe in the land of Israel, in settlement, and in governance, and I fiercely oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.”

He also said he hopes to restore values he believes have been diminished within Israel’s right-wing camp. Erdan stated that he “believes that the time has come to return to the right what it lost in recent years, responsibility, the glory of the Beitar movement, and mutual respect. I vehemently oppose the left’s views. But I never hated those who thought differently from me. I never spoke about their ethnicity, family, or lifestyle. Since a political opponent is not an enemy. Our enemies are in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon.”

A central plank of the new party’s platform, Erdan said, will be advancing mandatory military or national service for all Israeli citizens. He pledged to promote legislation known as “Basic Law: Service,” which would require universal participation in either military or civilian national service.

Explaining the proposal, Erdan argued that the current system creates unequal obligations among different sectors of Israeli society. He said that “every citizen will serve in military or national service. It can not be that a young man from Umm al-Fahm can begin academic studies at the age of 18, while a young man from Ofakim can only do so after three years of IDF service. It can’t be that a Torah and mitzvah observant young man from Bnei Brak would not shoulder the load while a Torah and mitzvah observant young man from Ofra risks his life in Lebanon.”

Wrapping up his remarks, Erdan rejected what he described as a false choice between supporting the nationalist camp and backing equal national service obligations. “For years, they tried to convince you that you have to choose; that if you want a nationalist government, you need to give up on the equal share in the burden of service. That if you want settlements, you have to give up on service for all. And I tell you this evening: this is a false choice, this is not right-wing or equal service, the true right is enlistment and sharing the burden of service.”

He concluded by insisting that the principles of strengthening Jewish communities and requiring service from all citizens can coexist. “It is not settlements or service for everyone. It is settlements and service for everyone. Anyone who tells you that you have to choose between these values is trapped in yesterday’s politics. Anyone stuck in the politics of the two blocs is tearing the country apart. If you want solutions to the enormous challenges facing Israel, we are your home.”

{Matzav.com}

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has disclosed that one of its artificial intelligence models successfully connected to the internet and infiltrated another organization’s computer systems during a security evaluation, making it the latest major AI company to report such an incident as concerns grow over the cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI.

According to Meta, the breach occurred during testing conducted by an independent security firm. The incident marks the fourth publicly disclosed case in recent weeks involving an AI model gaining unauthorized access to an outside system.

The revelation follows similar disclosures by OpenAI and Anthropic, whose AI models also carried out cyberattacks during testing. Those incidents have intensified calls from experts for stronger safeguards and more rigorous oversight as AI systems become increasingly capable.

A Meta spokesperson told the BBC that the company is investigating the incident and said the breach resulted from a “misconfiguration” by the outside testing organization.

The spokesperson added that the event closely resembled previously disclosed incidents involving AI models developed by other companies.

Meta said the security assessment was conducted by Irregular, the same AI security company that previously tested Anthropic’s models, during which one of its AI systems gained access to the networks of three separate organizations.

An Irregular spokesperson said the Meta incident “is the exact same evaluation-environment issue that was already disclosed by Anthropic last week.”

The company also said it is preparing a report outlining best practices for safely conducting cybersecurity evaluations involving autonomous AI agents.

Meta said it intends to release additional information about the incident once its investigation is complete.

The disclosure comes just weeks after OpenAI and Anthropic each acknowledged that their AI models had independently hacked into outside computer systems during controlled testing.

OpenAI said its AI agents successfully targeted several publicly accessible online services, including the AI development platform Hugging Face.

After OpenAI revealed those findings, Anthropic launched its own review and discovered that its Claude AI model had also carried out attacks against multiple organizations after a “misconfiguration” provided it with internet access.

Daniel Hulme, global chief AI officer at advertising giant WPP, said the incidents should not be interpreted as evidence that AI systems are acting maliciously.

“What they’re doing is coming up with very sophisticated strategies or cyberattacks to be able to achieve the goal that they’ve been given,” Hulme told the BBC.

“When you give an AI a goal, if you don’t think of all the ways it might be able to achieve the goal, it will find a way to achieve a goal that you haven’t thought about.”

The recent disclosures have also prompted questions about their timing, as major AI companies compete for dominance in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence market.

Both OpenAI and Anthropic are reportedly preparing initial public offerings that could value each company at approximately $1 trillion.

Adding to the growing concern, the United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute announced this week that some AI models it tested attempted to conduct cyberattacks by creating fake online identities to deceive people.

In what the institute described as its most serious finding, Anthropic’s Mythos AI allegedly tried to gain unauthorized access to an online service by sending private messages from fabricated accounts impersonating real individuals.

Anthropic responded by saying the institute’s testing was not “representative of any of our production models.” OpenAI, whose models were also evaluated, likewise said the institute’s findings did not reflect how its AI systems operate under normal real-world conditions.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Air Force has reportedly started relocating some of its aerial refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport after Israeli officials raised concerns that their presence was straining airport operations during one of the busiest travel seasons since the October 7 attacks.

According to a Channel 12 News report, the relocation began in recent weeks following pressure from Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who urged defense officials to move the aircraft in order to ensure normal airport operations as passenger traffic continues to surge.

Ben Gurion Airport is expected to handle more than 2.6 million travelers during August, making it one of the busiest months the airport has experienced since the October 7 massacre.

Airport authorities estimate that approximately 100,000 passengers will pass through the airport each day throughout the month, with Thursdays expected to be the busiest, along with Monday, August 17.

Last month, the Israel Airports Authority warned that failure to relocate the American aircraft according to an agreed-upon timetable would create a critical shortage of parking positions for commercial airliners beginning July 23. Officials cautioned that the shortage could have resulted in the cancellation of roughly 10 flights per day, disrupting travel for about 50,000 passengers by the end of July.

The IDF later confirmed that additional U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft would be arriving in Israel. Unlike previous deployments, however, the new aircraft were slated to operate from Israeli Air Force bases rather than Ben Gurion Airport in an effort to reduce interference with civilian air traffic.

In a statement, the IDF said, “The American partner has decided to adjust its force posture in the region, and in coordination with the IDF, it was decided to add additional refueling aircraft to the existing fleet already stationed in Israel.”

The military added that basing the aircraft at Israeli Air Force facilities was intended both to meet operational needs and to lessen the burden on Ben Gurion Airport’s commercial operations.

At the same time, the United States is continuing to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional aerial refueling aircraft, while reports indicate that American fighter jets are also making their way to the region through Europe.

According to the report, the U.S. military currently operates about 30 refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport and another 30 at Ramon Air Base in southern Israel. The additional deployments are expected to restore America’s in-country aerial refueling capacity to levels seen at the beginning of the conflict. Axios reported that U.S. Central Command prefers operating from Ben Gurion because of its superior infrastructure and enhanced security compared to other regional bases that are considered more vulnerable to potential Iranian attacks.

A newly published exclusive Jerusalem Post report alleges that a network of suspected bot accounts on X systematically amplified posts by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and members of his political circle, with cyber experts claiming the activity can be traced to IP infrastructure associated with New York City Hall. While the findings raise significant questions, the report stops short of alleging that Mamdani, his staff, or City Hall officials directed or controlled the accounts.

The findings, shared exclusively with The Jerusalem Post by the World Zionist Organization (WZO), were compiled as part of the organization’s efforts to combat online antisemitism. According to the WZO, cyber specialists analyzed IP addresses, account activity, and distribution patterns involving numerous suspicious X accounts.

The Jerusalem Post reports that it independently consulted the cyber experts behind the investigation, who said they were “100% sure” the IP addresses could be linked to City Hall infrastructure. However, the report emphasized that the available evidence does not identify who operated the accounts or establish that any city officials instructed them to carry out the activity.

According to the WZO’s analysis, investigators identified dozens—and possibly hundreds—of X accounts displaying remarkably similar behavior. The accounts allegedly posted or reshared content hundreds of times each day, relied almost exclusively on reposting rather than creating original material, frequently had sparse or incomplete profiles, and in many cases appeared to have been created only recently.

Researchers estimated that the number of suspected bot accounts continues to grow, with new accounts appearing regularly.

The Jerusalem Post states that nearly all of the accounts shared one defining characteristic: they consistently promoted content originating from Mamdani’s official account, New York City government accounts, and accounts belonging to the mayor’s political allies and administration officials.

Investigators documented dozens of accounts with nearly identical activity patterns. In many instances, between 96% and 100% of an account’s posts consisted solely of resharing existing content rather than publishing anything original.

One of the strongest indicators cited by analysts was the extraordinary posting frequency. Several accounts reportedly generated more than 500 posts each day, while others exceeded 800 or even 900 daily posts—a level of activity the analysts said would be difficult to attribute to ordinary human behavior.

As examples, the report cited the account @SnoopyLima13, which allegedly averaged 955 posts per day while reposting content 100% of the time, and @CatCat2005689, which reportedly averaged 864 daily posts, also consisting entirely of repeated shares.

At the same time, the analysts cautioned against drawing conclusions based solely on posting volume. They noted that unusually active accounts may still be operated by individuals or use legitimate scheduling software. However, they said that when such activity is combined with nearly exclusive reposting, empty profiles, recently created accounts, and identical behavior across numerous accounts, the evidence becomes more consistent with coordinated or automated activity.

According to the report, Mamdani’s official account and various municipal accounts frequently appeared to serve as the initial source of content before it spread rapidly through the network of suspected bots.

In several of the analyzed accounts, investigators found that between 98% and 100% of their reposted content originated from the mayor or related city accounts.

Some of the accounts had reportedly existed for only a few days before the analysis was conducted yet were already posting at extraordinary rates. One account, created just three days before being examined, had no followers and only 13 original posts but was already averaging 201 posts per day with a 100% repost rate.

The analysts said this pattern can significantly expand the reach of social media content beyond what would normally occur through organic engagement.

They explained that emotionally charged or controversial posts are especially likely to gain additional traction once artificially amplified. According to their analysis, an initial wave of coordinated reposts boosts visibility through the platform’s algorithm, attracting genuine users whose comments and shares further magnify the content’s reach.

The report concludes that such a process can generate dramatically higher exposure—potentially resulting in millions of views—not necessarily because of widespread organic interest but because of an unusually powerful amplification network.

As one example, the report pointed to a July 27 video posted by Mamdani from his office in which he stated that he could not arrest Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in New York City while accusing Israel of killing thousands. According to the report, the video accumulated millions of views, with the suspected bot network allegedly playing a major role in expanding its audience.

The report also raises questions regarding whether the mayor’s communications operation was aware of the activity.

Because communications staff typically oversee official government social media accounts and coordinate public messaging, the analysts said the existence of a large network consistently amplifying City Hall content naturally prompts questions about whether the activity was known internally or connected in any way to official operations.

Nevertheless, the report explicitly states that the evidence collected so far does not establish that Mamdani, members of his staff, or his communications team instructed the accounts to operate or exercised control over them.

Instead, the analysts conclude that the available information points to significant signs of organized amplification surrounding official and affiliated accounts, while emphasizing that identifying the operators, funding sources, and command structure would require additional investigation.

The WZO announced that it intends to submit its findings to Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with a request that the information be forwarded to federal law enforcement authorities for further review.

“There is a need for a thorough, professional, and independent investigation into these hate-amplification operations,” Yifat Ovadia-Luski, head of the WZO’s Department for Combating Antisemitism, told The Jerusalem Post.

“Today’s antisemitism begins online and then moves into the streets, and the spread of hatred on social media is a central driver of that incitement. This is a well-oiled influence machine designed to shape the international arena, and it is making Jews feel less safe in New York City and across the United States.

“We cannot stand by. We are calling for intervention by the US federal authorities.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s proposal to build a fleet of 15 nuclear-powered guided missile battleships could cost an estimated $275 billion through 2056, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, which projects the lead vessel alone will carry a price tag of $23.4 billion.

The nonpartisan budget office estimated that the first ship, the USS Defiant, would require at least eight years to complete after its planned 2028 procurement. It also projected that each of the remaining 14 battleships would cost roughly $18 billion to construct.

Trump first unveiled the new class of warships in December and later directed that the vessels be redesigned to use nuclear propulsion instead of conventional engines.

When introducing the program, Trump described the planned fleet as being “the fastest, the biggest and by far, 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built,” adding that the ships would weigh more than 30,000 tons.

According to the CBO, switching the ships to nuclear power raises procurement costs by approximately 13% compared to a conventionally powered design. However, the agency noted that eliminating the need for fuel purchases could reduce operating expenses over the long term.

The report also warned that carrying out the Navy’s 2027 shipbuilding strategy would require a massive expansion of America’s shipbuilding capacity. It said shipyards would need to more than double their production of large surface combatants by 2035 to meet projected demand.

“The Navy does not currently plan to have Bath Iron Works, in Maine, or Ingalls Shipbuilding, in Mississippi, perform the final assembly of the battleship, even though those shipyards have built all of the Navy’s large surface combatants over the past 40 years,” the CBO said.

“During that time, no other shipyard has performed that work, although in recent years, Bath and Ingalls have outsourced small amounts of work to other facilities to speed construction in the DDG-51 destroyer program.”

The analysis was commissioned by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee.

“While we continue to see too many Pentagon programs burdened by cost overruns, delays, and unrealistic promises that fail to meet reality, Congress cannot afford to commit to another massive military boondoggle that will only succeed in filling the coffers of the military-industrial complex,” Merkley said.

“I will work with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to reject moving forward with this wasteful project, and instead invest in programs that help families thrive.”

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also criticized the proposal, arguing that Trump’s envisioned “Golden Fleet” is out of step with the future of modern warfare.

“That’s not the way warfare is going to be done,” Reed said, while noting that “some” have argued the ships could remain outside enemy kill zones by carrying long-range missiles.

{Matzav.com}

In a major breakthrough for Orthodox Jewish families across New York, the state has approved the first cholov Yisroel infant formula for purchase through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, ending a long-standing challenge for low-income parents seeking formula that meets their kashrus standards. The change follows a three-year advocacy effort led by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council) in partnership with the Hochul administration.

The issue first came to Met Council’s attention in early 2023 when an Orthodox mother attending one of the organization’s events explained that although she qualified for WIC assistance, she was unable to purchase infant formula that met her family’s cholov Yisroel requirements. While New York’s WIC program offered kosher-certified formulas, none met the stricter cholov Yisroel standard observed by many Chareidi and other Orthodox families.

David Greenfield, Met Council’s CEO and executive director, said the problem represented a significant financial burden for struggling families.

“She just said, ‘Look, I have a problem,’” Greenfield recalled. “‘I qualify for WIC, but I can’t buy formula.’”

Greenfield noted that infant formula is one of the largest expenses facing new parents.

“If you ask anyone who has a baby, the two most expensive items are always formula and diapers,” Greenfield said. “That really was a tremendous pain point, and that’s why we decided to focus on that.”

Following discussions with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, Met Council worked closely with the New York State Department of Health to identify a cholov Yisroel formula that satisfied all federal nutritional requirements for inclusion in the WIC program. State officials approved the formula on Wednesday, and it is expected to be added to New York’s list of WIC-approved formulas later this month.

Greenfield described the approval as a seemingly modest regulatory change that will have a meaningful impact on thousands of families.

“It’s a small technical change, but it’s obviously going to make a very significant difference by opening this up to the lowest-income New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet,” he said.

According to Greenfield, the change is expected to benefit tens of thousands of Orthodox families annually in communities including Borough Park, Williamsburg, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Far Rockaway, Monsey, and Kiryas Joel.

Rabbi Moshe Elefant, CEO of the Orthodox Union’s kosher division, welcomed the decision.

“The inclusion of a cholov Yisroel option for infant formula is an achievement that improves the lives of the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” Rabbi Elefant said.

“It’s also an important step in ensuring that the program delivers on its mandate to bring nutritious food to those in need.”

Greenfield explained that one of the biggest hurdles was helping state officials understand that kosher certification alone did not address the needs of families who specifically require cholov Yisroel products.

“If you’re the state department of health, it’s a little bit confusing, because you’re like, ‘Well, we’re already providing kosher,’” he said. “It’s understanding that there are different levels of kosher.”

He added that Met Council emphasized the cultural and religious importance of accommodating those standards.

“The emphasis we really emphasize is that it’s as much a cultural issue as it is a religious issue,” Greenfield said. “One of the things that we try to educate government officials on is that kosher provision has standards as well. There’s a difference between a plain K versus a Triangle K versus an OK.”

“Once they understood it, they embraced this concept and the idea that this is something that is doable,” he added.

An earlier obstacle involved federal nutrition rules. Previously available cholov Yisroel formulas fell just 0.1 milligrams short of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s minimum iron requirement. Rather than seek an exemption, Met Council eventually identified a British-manufactured cholov Yisroel formula that fully met the federal standards, allowing it to qualify for approval.

Greenfield praised Gov. Hochul for her administration’s willingness to work with the Jewish community to resolve the issue.

“I’ve worked with, I don’t know, the last half-dozen governors in New York state,” he said. “I’ve never found a governor who is more personally invested in trying to help her Jewish constituents than Gov. Kathy Hochul.”

He added, “I can’t think of a single Jewish issue that we’ve come to the governor with where she hasn’t worked very hard to try to accommodate the concerns of the community.”

Calling the approval an example of behind-the-scenes advocacy making a tangible difference, Greenfield said the accomplishment may not generate major headlines but will ease a significant burden for many families.

“This isn’t glamorous. It’s not going to get us into Time magazine or the New York Times,” he said. “But this is the kind of work that can only be done with a dedicated team of people who are really looking at the nuances of rules and regulations.”

JNS contributed to this report.

A woman who says she suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a flying bat during a New York Yankees game has filed a $10 million lawsuit, alleging inadequate protective netting at Yankee Stadium left her exposed to a preventable hazard.

Stephanie Duluc, 37, chief of staff at Bronx-based SOMOS Community Care, was seated in the fourth row directly behind home plate during the Yankees’ June 2 game against the Cleveland Guardians when Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez lost control of his bat during a swing, sending it into the stands, according to the lawsuit.

WATCH:

Duluc was attending the game using season tickets owned by her employer.

According to the complaint, the seats are among the stadium’s most expensive and are located in an area where protective netting is legally required because of the heightened risk posed by foul balls and flying bats.

“It is the one location where the law has long required a stadium operator to provide adequate protective screening,” the lawsuit states.

The complaint alleges that although Ramirez’s bat sailed over the netting, the protective screen in that section was “significantly lower” than those in neighboring areas, leaving what the lawsuit describes as an “unprotected opening.”

According to the filing, the bat struck Duluc “with such force that it knocked her from her seat and violently threw her to the ground, causing her to sustain severe and permanent injuries.”

The frightening incident was captured during the live YES Network broadcast, with announcers reacting as the bat flew into the crowd.

“Bat goes one way, ball goes another,” Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay said. “Bat goes into the stands — over the screen too.”

“There’s a woman who got hit; she’s on her feet now,” he added as cameras showed Duluc holding her head.

Duluc alleges the impact left her with a traumatic brain injury, a concussion, chronic sensitivity to light, and lasting injuries to her neck and hands, rendering her completely “unable to return to her professional duties.”

Despite those claims, Duluc appeared on a PIX11 television program in late July—less than two weeks before filing the lawsuit—where she discussed a recent event sponsored by SOMOS Community Care at Fordham University under studio lighting.

Her attorney, Jon L. Norinsberg, rejected suggestions that the appearance conflicted with the injuries described in the lawsuit.

“Ms. Duluc continues to suffer significant residual deficits from her traumatic brain injury, including persistent headaches, sensitivity to light, balance issues, and other cognitive impairments,” Norinsberg said.

“A brief television appearance does not mean she has recovered or is capable of performing her professional duties on a sustained basis,” he added.

The Yankees declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The case is expected to center on the long-standing legal doctrine known as the “Baseball Rule,” which generally shields teams and stadium owners from liability for injuries caused by foul balls, flying bats, and similar game-related risks.

However, the doctrine includes an important exception requiring stadium operators to provide adequate protective screening in the areas considered most dangerous—particularly behind home plate, where Duluc was seated. Whether she can prove the netting was inadequate may ultimately determine the outcome of the case.

The lawsuit comes years after several high-profile stadium incidents—including a fan seriously injured by a shattered bat at Fenway Park in 2015 and a toddler whose skull was fractured by a 105-mph foul ball at Yankee Stadium in 2017—prompted Major League Baseball teams to significantly expand protective netting throughout their ballparks.

Federal aviation officials have opened an investigation into an air traffic incident involving Marine One after commercial air traffic near Washington, D.C., reportedly was not suspended before President Donald Trump’s helicopter departed the White House on Tuesday. The White House stressed that the President was never in danger during the event.

Responding to the reports, White House spokesman Kush Desai emphasized the professionalism of the presidential flight crew, stating, “Marine One flights are piloted by some of the best aviators in the world, and at no point was the president in harm’s way.”

The incident took place shortly after 2:30 p.m. EDT as President Trump boarded Marine One for the flight to Joint Base Andrews, where he was scheduled to transfer to Air Force One for a trip to California.

According to published reports, the presidential helicopter came within roughly one mile of an Envoy Air regional aircraft that had just departed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport en route to Pensacola, Florida.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged that there was a “momentary loss of separation” between the two aircraft but emphasized that the situation was not considered a dangerous near-collision.

“The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation. As the White House has said, the president was never in danger,” an FAA spokesperson said.

FAA guidelines generally call for aircraft to maintain a minimum of 1.5 miles of horizontal separation and 500 feet of vertical separation.

Officials are now reviewing whether those required safety margins were maintained throughout the flight. Both aircraft ultimately continued on their respective routes and landed safely without incident.

Air traffic control recordings indicate that the Marine One crew spotted the departing passenger aircraft, briefly held their departure, and then safely resumed the flight to Joint Base Andrews.

The FAA said investigators are examining why commercial departures were not temporarily halted before Marine One took off and are reviewing communications between controllers and the presidential helicopter crew.

“We are continuing to review the incident and will implement any appropriate corrective actions based on our findings,” the FAA spokesperson said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has also launched its own investigation into the occurrence.

The latest review comes as federal aviation authorities continue closely scrutinizing flight operations around Reagan National Airport following the January 2025 midair collision involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet.

{Matzav.com}

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is urging those attending this year’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to peacefully turn their backs on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani if he appears at the event, arguing that the mayor should not take part because of his position on anti-Israel rhetoric.

Speaking at a news conference in Albany on Wednesday, the Republican candidate for governor compared the solemn memorial to a funeral service.

“I would equate this to a wake. You don’t go to a wake if you’re not welcome,” Blakeman told reporters.

“I think it’s completely appropriate if family members ask him not to come, but if he does come I think there’s a respectful and peaceful way to protest that and I would suggest that people turn their back on the mayor,” he said.

Blakeman, whose nephew was killed in the South Tower during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said he intends to participate in a peaceful protest if Mamdani attends the annual remembrance ceremony.

Last week, Mamdani announced that he plans to be present at this year’s observance despite an expanding petition from some relatives of 9/11 victims calling for him to stay away.

“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year’s 9/11 commemoration,” Mamdani said.

Blakeman argued that Mamdani’s refusal to denounce slogans such as “globalize the intifada” disqualifies him from participating in the memorial.

“He’s not welcome there because he has yet to say anything in opposition to the global intifada. As a matter of fact, it seems like he supports that phrase, which is part of the reason why we had the tragedy we had on 9/11,” Blakeman said.

Also appearing in Albany on Wednesday was former New York Gov. George Pataki, who was serving as governor during the Sept. 11 attacks, for the opening of the George E. Pataki Center for Leadership and Conversation.

When asked whether Mamdani should attend the memorial, Pataki acknowledged he had concerns about the mayor’s previous remarks but stopped short of saying he should be excluded.

“It’s my nature to be inclusive, and that is my instinct, but Sept. 11 is different. So, I may have comments on that,” Pataki said after saying he had “grave concerns” about Mamdani’s past comments.

{Matzav.com}

Two Israeli defense companies, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, have been removed from a major security project at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport after Italy’s highest administrative court ruled that an Italian company should instead take over the contract for the airport’s counter-drone system, the Jerusalem Post reports.

According to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Italy’s Council of State ordered Aeroporti di Roma (ADR), which operates the airport, to replace the Israeli consortium with the Italian electronic warfare company ELT (Elettronica S.p.A.). The decision removes Israeli companies Altintech and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems from one of Italy’s most significant civilian infrastructure security projects.

The ruling reverses a May 2024 decision by the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio, which had upheld the original award of the contract to the Israeli consortium. ADR has been given 60 days to complete a new agreement with ELT.

In addition to overturning the earlier ruling, the court directed that the case be referred to the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether the procurement process warrants a criminal investigation.

At the heart of the dispute was the legal classification of the radar system installed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

Experts from Italy’s Defense Ministry concluded that the radar should be considered military equipment based on its technical capabilities, its classification under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and its inclusion in Italy’s national registry of military equipment. According to the court, the required authorizations for importing and operating military equipment had not been obtained.

ADR disputed that assessment, maintaining that the radar is a dual-use system that has already been deployed at other European airports and for securing major public events.

The airport operator said it will comply with the court’s decision while ensuring that security operations continue without interruption, emphasizing that counter-drone protection at Fiumicino Airport will remain fully operational throughout the transition.

President Donald Trump shared a pair of lighthearted moments with a young child during an event in Nevada on Wednesday, drawing laughs after stopping a toddler from wandering off the stage before joking that he didn’t want the boy to “be Biden and fall off the stage.”

The moments took place at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, where Trump invited Sandra and Brad—a local couple—and their two young children onto the stage while highlighting his administration’s Trump Accounts program and its “no tax on tips” policy.

As Sandra began speaking to the audience, one of the children suddenly started walking toward the edge of the stage. Trump quickly stepped in and gently stopped the toddler before he could wander away.

“I don’t want him to be Biden and fall off the stage,” Trump quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The family’s interaction with the President continued later in the event when Sandra told Trump that her son had something he wanted to say.

“He did want to say a little something to you, Mr. President,” Sandra said.

“Yes, thank you, thank you very much,” Trump replied.

The toddler then spoke a few unintelligible words before his mother quietly encouraged him, “Thank you for my Trump Account.”

“Thank you for my Trump Account,” the little boy repeated into the microphone, prompting enthusiastic applause from those in attendance.

“Good job,” Trump responded with a smile, applauding the child as the audience continued cheering.

Earlier in the program, Trump introduced the family to those gathered, explaining that Sandra works as a waitress at a Las Vegas casino while Brad is an officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The President said the couple had benefited from his administration’s tax policies and had opened Trump Accounts for both of their children.

“It’s a beautiful family,” Trump said as they joined him on stage.

Trump is the father of five children and grandfather to 11 grandchildren.

An Israeli mother and her son escaped what could have been a deadly attack on Thursday after mistakenly driving into the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Jenin, where they were surrounded by an Arab mob that pelted their vehicle with rocks and attempted to drag them from the car.

The pair, residents of Shomron, were traveling to Afula to visit friends when a navigation error directed them into Jenin. Moments after entering the city, they were confronted by Arab terrorists.

According to preliminary reports, the attackers hurled a brick at the vehicle and rushed toward it in an apparent attempt to assault the occupants.

Despite the terrifying encounter, the mother managed to speed away from the scene. She and her son escaped without physical injury and drove to the Jalame Checkpoint, where they met up with IDF troops. Their vehicle sustained damage during the attack.

Describing the ordeal, the mother said, “My eldest son and I wanted to get to Afula to meet friends. While driving, when we were stuck in traffic, I understood that we had misnavigated and that Waze brought us through Jenin. When the traffic cleared, dozens of Arabs started approaching us. They tried to open the doors, threw rocks at us, and attempted to stop us. We drove at full speed, and I managed to get out of there with my son. Thank G-d we survived.”

Following the incident, IDF forces entered Jenin, shut down businesses in the area where the attack occurred, and launched an investigation, including questioning suspects believed to have been involved.

Security officials said the circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation as efforts continue to identify and apprehend those responsible.