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Newly released personal diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci paint a striking portrait of the government’s top COVID-19 adviser during the pandemic, revealing that as the global death toll climbed, he became increasingly preoccupied with his soaring public profile and celebrity status.

The journals, made public by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.), trace Fauci’s daily activities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including conversations with President Donald Trump, governors, foreign leaders, media engagements, and his own reflections on unfolding events.

Paul, who frequently sparred with Fauci over the federal pandemic response and the origins of COVID-19, released the diaries as part of the committee’s continuing investigation. Their publication comes just days before Fauci is expected to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee under a subpoena issued by Paul.

One of the most striking patterns throughout the journals is Fauci’s repeated focus on the dramatic rise in his personal fame during the height of the pandemic, which officially claimed more than seven million lives worldwide, including approximately 1.2 million Americans.

On April 7, 2020, after summarizing the latest developments in the pandemic, Fauci noted: “Press still hot and heavy about me. Multiple stories per day directly or indirectly involving me.”

Weeks later, on May 21, after recording pandemic statistics showing nearly 98,000 deaths worldwide and more than 27,000 in the United States, along with details from that day’s White House Coronavirus Task Force meetings, Fauci reflected on the extraordinary attention he was receiving. He wrote that his “national and international fame is explosive and really unimaginable” and that it was “not hyperbole” to say he was “the most famous and talked about person in the country.”

Fauci also observed that Trump “seems to be enamored of me even though I am taking the spotlight away from him,” adding that the two had developed “a very unique and interesting relationship.” He further remarked that Secret Service personnel had become so accustomed to seeing him that they frequently allowed him into the White House without asking for identification.

As his prominence continued to grow, Fauci’s journal increasingly chronicled opportunities that extended well beyond medicine. About a month later, after noting that the United States had recorded what he described as a record 40,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day, he wrote that he had received an invitation to appear on “Dancing with the Stars.”

The diaries also reveal Fauci’s mounting dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis. In an entry dated July 2, 2020, after expressing concern that the nation was heading toward an “exponential” increase in infections ahead of the Independence Day weekend, he wrote, “POTUS and his people have essentially dropped out and do not even recognize that an outbreak is ongoing.”

Fauci also expressed frustration that the White House was rejecting requests for him to appear on major television programs. Throughout multiple entries, he criticized communications officials for limiting his media appearances, questioned the administration’s messaging strategy, and lamented that news coverage increasingly portrayed him as being in conflict with President Trump.

The journals also show Fauci repeatedly responding to what he described as the “countless” media profiles written about him. He said White House officials believed those stories made it appear that he had become “a star that outshines” the president.

At the same time, Fauci maintained that several of the published profiles had been written without speaking to him directly and insisted he had “no desire to conflict with, embarrass or show up the POTUS.” He ultimately wrote that he decided to stop participating in profile interviews altogether.

Taken as a whole, the diaries provide an unusually candid glimpse into Fauci’s private thoughts during one of the most significant public health emergencies in modern American history, documenting not only high-level discussions within the government but also his evolving relationship with the Trump White House, his concerns over the pandemic, and the extraordinary public attention that accompanied his role.

Iran is warning that it will respond after a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea left one sailor dead and another wounded, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declaring that the attack “cannot go unanswered.”

According to Iranian officials, the strike caused an explosion aboard the vessel, killing one crew member and injuring another.

Araqchi delivered the warning during separate telephone conversations with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, later disclosing the discussions in a post on X.

In a statement released by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Lavrov expressed his condolences over the death of the Iranian sailor during the attack.

The Russian statement said Araqchi thanked officials in Russia’s Astrakhan region, where the ship had begun its voyage, for assisting the crew following the incident. It added that the Iranian foreign minister “and stressed the need to put an end to such adventures by the Kyiv regime.”

The Kremlin also said Araqchi briefed Lavrov on Iran’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives, informing him of “continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tension in the Middle East.”

The Lakewood community is in mourning following the heartbreaking petirah of 4-year-old Baily Sanders a”h, who succumbed after a tragic swimming pool accident earlier today.

Baily, the beloved daughter of Moshe and Rina Sanders, was pulled from a swimming pool and rushed in critical condition to Monmouth Medical Center.

Hatzolah paramedics worked tirelessly to save her, while medical teams at the hospital continued extensive lifesaving efforts, but she was niftar.

The levayah will take place tonight at 12:30 a.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey.

The family will be sitting shivah at 9 Rockbridge Road in The Woods development in Lakewood.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.

{Matzav.com}

A Western New York school district has shelved plans to introduce a humanoid robot into a high school classroom after facing swift opposition from state education officials, teachers’ unions, and members of the local Seneca Nation community.

The Salamanca City Central School District, located on the Seneca Nation reservation in Cattaraugus County, announced Friday that it was putting the initiative on hold. In a Facebook post, district officials said they would use the time to address expanded student data privacy requirements with the state and continue discussions with community stakeholders.

The proposal called for the use of a Realbotix M-Series humanoid robot known as Sally, together with an AI teaching assistant called Optio, in 11th- and 12th-grade artificial intelligence and robotics courses that are part of a STEM program developed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

The district’s decision came just hours after State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa sent a letter to Superintendent Mark Beehler, writing that the Education Department “remains concerned about the effect that a humanoid robot may have within a high school classroom.”

The agreement, valued at $57,590 and approved by the school board in June, represented a discounted price from the robot’s standard retail cost of $95,000, according to Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel.

Under the original plan, Sally would have remained stationary inside the classroom and operated on a closed internal network without internet access, facial recognition capabilities, or recording functions. The robot would have been loaded in advance with the district’s curriculum.

Students would have accessed tutoring services by logging in with individual ID codes and interacting with an on-screen AI avatar during class and outside regular school hours.

The strongest public criticism came from New York State United Teachers, which sharply objected to introducing the technology into the classroom.

In a statement released July 23, NYSUT President Melinda Person declared that “a robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms,” referring to Realbotix’s acquisition in April 2024 of Simulacra, the parent company of RealDoll.

Realbotix has maintained that its educational technology division operates completely independently from its adult products business, with separate employees, payroll systems, offices, and technology. The company also told New York Focus that it expects to complete a Nasdaq transaction by September that will separate the two businesses at the ownership level.

Resistance also emerged from within the local community.

Sierra May Abrams, a substitute teacher and member of the Seneca Nation, told The Guardian that selecting a district where approximately 32% of students identify as American Indian or Alaska Native amounted to another experiment involving Native children, drawing parallels to the history of federal Indian boarding schools.

Salamanca City Central School District educates roughly 1,300 students, with about 79% classified as economically disadvantaged.

Before the project was paused, Superintendent Mark Beehler defended the pilot program, arguing that rural schools should have access to cutting-edge technology and that students should learn how to use artificial intelligence responsibly rather than avoid it altogether.

State Sen. George Borrello, whose Republican district includes Salamanca and neighboring communities in Western New York, also supported the proposal, saying it offered an opportunity to encourage greater student interest in STEM education across upstate New York.

The district’s decision is broadly consistent with the position taken by federal officials. Education Secretary Linda McMahon told Newsmax on July 24 that schools should explore artificial intelligence in education while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place, reflecting the goals of President Trump’s April 2025 executive order establishing a federal AI-in-education task force.

Kiguel said Realbotix “fully” respects the district’s decision to pause the project. At this time, no revised launch date has been announced.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu says the conflict with Iran can end in only one of two ways: the regime must either collapse or become so weakened that it is forced to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, insisting there is no acceptable scenario in which Tehran retains its nuclear ambitions.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said Iran’s leadership ultimately faces a choice between losing power or fundamentally changing its direction.

“I think when this regime is either toppled or it’s sufficiently weakened that it knows it has to end its nuclear program and has to change its course,” he said, adding that this is “really what President Trump is trying to achieve.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Iran’s nuclear effort must be dismantled regardless of whether negotiations produce a diplomatic breakthrough. “One way or the other, they have to end their nuclear program. And with a deal or without a deal, that has to come to an end,” he said.

The Prime Minister said joint Israeli-American operations have set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by several years, pointing to the elimination of “20 leading nuclear scientists” as well as strikes on key nuclear installations. Even so, he cautioned that Iran could eventually attempt to rebuild those capabilities.

He noted that Israeli and U.S. intelligence services remain in close coordination as he prepares for his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu also delivered a blunt warning to Tehran against launching another assault on Israel, saying any future aggression would be met with overwhelming force. “If Iran attacks Israel, either directly or through proxies… our response, Israel’s response, will be very, very forceful.”

When asked about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s criticism of him, Netanyahu said he still plans to speak before the United Nations General Assembly later this year.

He argued that Mamdani’s rhetoric has fueled hostility toward Israel and increased anxiety within New York’s Jewish community. “I do think that Jews feel very uncomfortable,” he said. “They feel frightened.”

Netanyahu further accused Mamdani of siding with Hamas rather than condemning the terrorist organization, saying he is “aligning himself with the criminals, with these murderers.”

Responding to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu rejected the accusations outright and charged that former ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan pursued the case for political reasons.

“He pulled a con job on the international community with these bogus charges of war crimes on us,” Netanyahu said.

Turning to the northern front, Netanyahu said Israel has inflicted severe damage on Hezbollah by wiping out much of its military infrastructure near the Lebanese border and destroying the vast majority of its missile stockpile. “We weakened Hezbollah a lot,” he said, estimating that Israel had destroyed approximately 94 percent of the group’s rockets and missiles.

He said Israel is working together with the United States and Lebanon to keep Hezbollah away from the border, strip the terrorist group of its weapons, and create conditions that could eventually lead to peace. “I think it’s, on the whole, a positive development, and may lead to another peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country.”

Discussing the situation along the Lebanese border, Netanyahu said most Israelis support maintaining a security buffer to prevent future Hezbollah attacks and maintained that national unity is stronger than it may appear from political debates.

“There is a lot more unity in the country than appears,” he said.

Looking ahead to Israel’s next election, Netanyahu said that if voters return him to office, he hopes “to create a broad national government.”

Addressing Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu praised President Trump’s reported position that any civilian Saudi nuclear program must be tied to normalization with Israel, saying the President “was absolutely right in stating that condition,” while emphasizing that any Saudi nuclear initiative must remain strictly civilian.

Netanyahu also voiced optimism that additional Arab nations could join the Abraham Accords if Iran’s regional influence continues to erode, though he declined to identify the countries currently engaged in discussions with Israel. “There are now contacts with several Arab countries in the Middle East,” he said.

The Prime Minister also honored the late Senator Lindsey Graham, describing him as “such a great friend, such a champion of America and a patriot, and such a champion of the Israeli-American alliance.”

Asked about the rise of antisemitism in the United States and whether it threatens bipartisan backing for Israel, Netanyahu expressed concern that some Democratic lawmakers may be influenced by intimidation rather than conviction.

“I worry about it,” he said. “You don’t want legislators taking their position because of personal intimidation.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s Likud party continues to hold a slim advantage in the latest Kantar Institute survey, while Gadi Eisenkot remains within striking distance both in projected Knesset seats and in public support for prime minister. Meanwhile, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid’s joint political alliance has fallen to its weakest polling performance since its formation.

A new Kantar Institute poll conducted for Kan News indicates that if Israelis were to head to the polls today, Likud would emerge as the largest party with 22 seats. Eisenkot’s Yashar party follows just one seat behind with 21 mandates.

The survey also points to a significant decline for Bennett and Lapid’s Together Party, which slips to just 14 seats — its lowest showing in the polls to date. The Democrats are projected to secure 10 seats, while Otzma Yehudit and Yisrael Beytenu each receive nine. Shas and United Torah Judaism are each forecast to win eight seats. Hadash-Ta’al, Ra’am, and the Religious Zionist Party are each projected to capture five seats, while the new party headed by Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel would enter the Knesset with four seats.

Based on the poll, parties aligned with Netanyahu would collectively command 52 seats. The bloc opposed to Netanyahu, excluding the Arab parties, would total 58 seats.

The survey also finds virtually no difference between Netanyahu and Eisenkot when Israelis are asked who is best suited to serve as prime minister. Netanyahu receives the backing of 39% of respondents, while Eisenkot follows closely behind with 38%.

The comparison between Netanyahu and Bennett is considerably less competitive. Netanyahu again earns the support of 39% of respondents, while Bennett trails with 31% who believe he is the right choice to return as prime minister.

The chairman of Israel’s Central Elections Committee has ordered Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his Religious Zionism party to immediately delete an artificial intelligence-generated campaign video from all of their social media accounts, ruling that the content could deceive voters by portraying fictional events as reality.

The case stemmed from a campaign video posted on Smotrich’s Facebook page that appeared to show Gadi Eisenkot shaking hands with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas before MK Mansour Abbas joined the meeting. Although the footage was created using artificial intelligence, it was presented in a highly realistic fashion, with only a small notice indicating that it had been edited using AI technology.

In his ruling, Judge Noam Sohlberg determined that the video depicts meetings and political relationships that never took place and could reasonably cause viewers to believe the scenes were authentic. He concluded that the video falsely suggests political cooperation between Eisenkot and Mansour Abbas where none exists, thereby violating election laws that prohibit misleading or unfair campaign propaganda.

Sohlberg also dismissed the argument that the AI disclosure adequately informed viewers. He ruled that Facebook users are unlikely to consistently notice the disclaimer because of the platform’s design and the manner in which content is displayed. As a result, he directed Smotrich and the Religious Zionism party to remove the video from every digital platform under their control.

Toronto police have launched a hate crime investigation after two branches of a Jewish-owned bakery were targeted in separate acts of vandalism Sunday morning, including one incident in which gunfire shattered a storefront window, prompting strong condemnation from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired near the intersection of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West, where bullets struck the front window of one bakery location. In a separate incident, another branch near Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West sustained damage after its window was smashed. Investigators said there is no evidence that gunfire was involved in the second attack.

Police confirmed that no one was injured in either incident.

Toronto Police Duty Inspector Scott Bradbury said the department’s hate crime unit is working alongside the gun and gang task force to investigate the attacks.

“We understand that this is concerning for those who work and live in this area, especially members of the Jewish community, and we have all the resources available to thoroughly investigate this matter,” Bradbury said.

Authorities have not yet determined whether the two incidents are connected, but confirmed that both locations belong to the same Jewish-owned bakery chain. Police have increased patrols around the affected areas and are asking anyone with information or surveillance footage to contact investigators.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar strongly denounced the attacks, saying he was closely monitoring developments.

“I was following with concern the worrying news from Toronto of further attacks against Jewish businesses this morning,” Sa’ar said.

While expressing gratitude that no one was hurt, Sa’ar warned that the incidents reflect a broader pattern of hostility toward Canada’s Jewish community.

“While thankfully none were injured, this is the latest attack in a long and horrifying line of violence and intimidation against the Canadian Jewish community,” Sa’ar said.

Calling on Canadian authorities to take decisive action, Sa’ar concluded, “The Canadian government must confront this antisemitic, violent wave!”

A newly released documentary on the final years of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham reveals that the veteran lawmaker once planned to persuade President Donald Trump to launch direct U.S. military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon—but changed course after a private conversation with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, who argued that such a move would be strategically unwise.

The behind-the-scenes account, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, offers a rare look into the high-level diplomatic and security discussions that took place between Washington and Jerusalem during the regional conflict with Iran. The film chronicles Graham’s intensive efforts to strengthen international pressure on the Iranian regime and shape U.S. policy in the Middle East.

According to the documentary, Graham initially intended to fly to President Trump’s Florida residence early in the conflict with Iran to urge him to commit American military forces to attacks against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon. Before making the trip, however, Graham held a lengthy conversation with Netanyahu.

During that discussion, Netanyahu reportedly urged Graham not to pursue the proposal, explaining that opening a direct American front against Lebanon at that stage of the conflict would be a strategic mistake. The prime minister stressed that Israel’s overriding objective was to focus on Iran itself, which he described as the source of the regional threat. While he acknowledged that threats of broader military action could help deter Hezbollah, Netanyahu reportedly warned that actually launching such an operation could push the terrorist group to escalate the conflict “all the way.”

According to the report, Graham accepted Netanyahu’s assessment and told the Israeli leader that his advice was sound. The senator, widely regarded as one of Israel’s strongest allies in Congress, subsequently abandoned his original plan to lobby Trump for direct military involvement in Lebanon.

The documentary, directed by Alex Holder, who closely followed Graham beginning in 2023, includes extensive footage of confidential discussions, meetings with world leaders, and behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts. It also captures Graham expressing excitement over American strikes against Iran while reflecting on both his close relationship with President Trump and the frustrations he occasionally experienced in working with him.

In one segment, Graham voices disappointment that Trump was not taking a tougher approach toward Iran and was instead exploring preliminary agreements, which Graham believed posed significant risks. Beyond the Iranian issue, the film also documents Graham’s extensive regional diplomacy, including trips to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an effort to build support for confronting Iran.

The documentary further reveals that Graham told Netanyahu he had assembled bipartisan backing in Congress for a future normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia following the collapse of the Iranian regime. Netanyahu, however, reportedly reiterated that any such regional breakthrough depended first and foremost on defeating the regime in Tehran.

According to the filmmaker, Graham appeared increasingly exhausted during the final weeks of his life after months of relentless diplomatic activity. When asked how he managed such a demanding schedule, Graham joked that he simply had no time to sleep because he still needed to help bring down the Iranian regime, broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, and secure a historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Smiling, he added, “There is no way I can die yet.”

The documentary, which is expected to be released in the coming months, provides an unprecedented look at the work of one of Washington’s most influential foreign policy voices and the decision-making process behind some of the most consequential international developments of recent years.

Sen. Graham died approximately two weeks ago at the age of 71 after suffering an aortic rupture. Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to attend the senator’s memorial service later this month.

Prominent constitutional attorney Alan Dershowitz issued a blunt warning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, declaring that any attempt to interfere with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly would result in Mamdani himself being arrested.

Appearing on Newsmax, Dershowitz, professor emeritus at Harvard Law School and a member of Netanyahu’s legal team in the International Criminal Court case, said he stands ready to defend the Israeli prime minister if anyone attempts to obstruct his visit.

“Look, I’m one of Bibi Netanyahu’s lawyers,” Dershowitz said. “If Mamdani does anything to interfere with Bibi Netanyahu’s arrival in New York and speech, he will be arrested.”

Dershowitz’s comments followed Mamdani’s recent acknowledgment that New York City has no legal authority to carry out the ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu. The mayor had previously suggested his administration was examining whether it could detain the Israeli leader during his anticipated September visit. Mamdani has since shifted his position, urging the federal government to join the ICC and enforce the warrant while continuing to label Netanyahu a “war criminal” and insisting he is unwelcome in New York.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the war in Gaza. Israel has categorically rejected the accusations, maintaining that it has acted in self-defense following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre and arguing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israeli officials. The United States is not a member of the court and does not recognize its authority over American or Israeli officials.

Dershowitz argued that any effort by Mamdani to take action against Netanyahu would violate U.S. law protecting foreign officials visiting the United States on official diplomatic business. Legal experts have likewise stated that New York City has no authority to enforce ICC warrants and that foreign leaders attending United Nations events are protected under American law.

The veteran attorney also announced plans to organize what he said would be a massive public demonstration in support of the Israeli prime minister, with the goal of drawing 100,000 people to Central Park during Netanyahu’s visit.

“You may not be welcome in Gracie Mansion, in that place of bigotry on the Upper East Side, but you’re welcome in New York,” Dershowitz said.

He went on to launch a scathing attack on Mamdani, accusing the mayor of fostering antisemitism and calling him “the greatest perpetrator of anti-Jewish hate in modern American history.” Dershowitz further compared the political atmosphere surrounding Mamdani to Germany before World War II, saying it was “the closest thing I’ve seen to Nazi Germany.”

Mamdani has consistently denied allegations of antisemitism, insisting that his criticism is aimed at the Israeli government rather than the Jewish people. He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, an allegation that Israel has forcefully rejected.

Dershowitz also argued that the ICC’s case against Netanyahu has been severely weakened following Friday’s removal of former chief prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct. However, under the court’s procedures, existing arrest warrants remain in effect unless they are formally withdrawn by ICC judges, regardless of changes in the prosecutor’s office.

Newly uncovered public records are raising fresh questions about connections between Rep. Ilhan Omar’s family and individuals at the center of the massive Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, one of the largest public corruption scandals in Minnesota history, the Daily Wire reports.

According to the investigation by The Daily Wire, Omar’s sister, Sahra Noor, incorporated one of her companies using the address of a Minnesota woman whose business ties allegedly connect her to multiple individuals convicted in the sprawling federal fraud case.

The Feeding Our Future scandal has been described as the largest theft of public funds in Minnesota’s history. A Minnesota House committee investigating fraud prevention and state agency oversight has been examining Omar’s possible connections to the scandal, although Democratic lawmakers blocked a subpoena in May that would have compelled the congresswoman to produce records related to the investigation.

The Daily Wire reports that publicly available state records may establish links between Noor and several individuals connected to the fraud network. Noor has operated multiple organizations in Minnesota, including People’s Center Clinics & Services, a healthcare provider in Minneapolis’ Somali community that received a controversial $2 million earmark while Omar served in the Minnesota Legislature.

Afterward, Noor launched Grit Partners Consulting, a firm that states on its website that it “has secured more than $20 million in funding for health initiatives” and “has consulted on projects backed by” federal health agencies including USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State incorporation records show that Grit Partners was registered using a residence on Hyacinth Avenue in Lakeville, Minnesota. According to the investigation, that address—and the people associated with it—serve as a common link among multiple individuals convicted in the Feeding Our Future case.

The home is owned by Mashah Ahmed Ali and his wife, Ister Ahmed Afraa, also known as Ismahan Ahmed Afraa. Business filings indicate that Afraa co-founded Sunrise Business Center, Inc. with Hanna Marekegn.

Marekegn pleaded guilty in 2022 to wire fraud after admitting to stealing approximately $7 million through the Feeding Our Future scheme.

Federal prosecutors said Marekegn falsely claimed to be serving meals to 4,000 needy children each day while instead using the proceeds to enrich herself, including purchasing a mansion. During court proceedings, she testified that she deliberately used false allegations of racism to discourage state officials from scrutinizing suspicious activity.

The investigation also found that Afraa helped establish Sunshine Care Center MN, Inc., which listed the same business address as Sunrise Business Center. Marekegn identified Sunshine Care Center as her employer on her LinkedIn profile.

Public health records also reportedly connect Afraa to Aimee Bock, the former executive director of Feeding Our Future who was sentenced to 41 years in prison for orchestrating the massive fraud scheme. Minnesota Department of Health records listed Bock as the contact person for Sunshine Care Center LLC.

The same Hyacinth Avenue address was also used to register Diversity Childcare Center LLC, another business that listed Bock as its point of contact.

According to Minnesota investigative records cited by The Daily Wire, Bock told investigators that the head of Sunshine Care Center MN—whose name was redacted in official documents—was introduced to Feeding Our Future by Sahra Nur, another key participant in the fraud operation who later received a four-year prison sentence.

The report says Afraa also served as CEO of Aflah Property Inc., which operated from Nur’s residence on Fordham Court NE. State tax records show that Afraa was hit with a $30,000 state tax lien in April 2025 using that same address.

Investigators have described Nur’s Fordham Court residence as one of the primary hubs of the Feeding Our Future operation. According to court documents, at least 17 different companies operated from the address, many allegedly created to submit fraudulent government reimbursement claims or launder proceeds from the scheme.

Nur owned S & S Catering, which claimed to have provided more than eight million meals. Prosecutors alleged the company supplied fraudulent invoices to Feeding Our Future meal sites, allowing them to falsely claim reimbursement for meals that were never served. According to Nur’s guilty plea and indictment, the federal government ultimately paid out more than $12 million based on those false claims.

The same address also served as the registration location for organizations including Academy for Youth Excellence, which allegedly stole $3.5 million in federal funds, and Golis Properties LLC, which prosecutors allege fraudulently obtained $3.9 million before using $2.5 million of those funds to purchase an entire city block on East Lake Street.

Records also indicate that Nur managed Kulmiye Management LLC, while Afraa held an executive position at Kulmiye Property LLC.

The investigation further reports that Afraa purchased property directly across from another parcel—2529 12th Avenue South—that federal authorities later seized after determining it had been purchased with proceeds from the fraud.

The report notes that Omar has previously faced scrutiny involving family relationships. Since entering national politics, questions have persisted regarding her past marriage to a Somali man whom some reports have alleged was her brother. Omar has denied wrongdoing, later divorced her second husband—the father of her children—and subsequently married political consultant Tim Mynett.

According to Breitbart, Noor has since relocated to Kenya after leaving her position at People’s Center Clinics & Services. The report says Grit Partners has continued operating in Africa with funding previously provided through USAID before the agency’s closure.

Breitbart also reported that Noor’s husband, Mohamed Keynan, previously worked for Minnesota’s Department of Human Services before returning to Africa, where he later served as chief of staff to Somalia’s prime minister and as a policy adviser to the country’s president.

The Daily Wire also noted that Keynan is known by the name Mohamed Ali—the same surname as Mashah Ahmed Ali, whose home served as the incorporation address for Grit Partners. Records show Mashah Ahmed Ali established Pro Transit Allies LLC, reportedly a Medicaid transportation business, and Puntland Transport LLC. Puntland is a semi-autonomous region of Somalia that Keynan has publicly supported.

When contacted by The Daily Wire, Mashah Ahmed Ali denied any knowledge of the companies registered at his address or businesses formed under his wife’s name.

“There must be some sort of scam going on, I have no idea,” he said.

“For the last 10 years I have a professional job, I have nothing to do with anything,” he said.

Asked whether his wife might be able to answer questions about the companies, Ali declined to provide her contact information. According to the report, Afraa did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

The Daily Wire also reported that Noor, who has a book scheduled for publication next month, did not respond to requests for comment.

Fresh questions surrounding the condition and whereabouts of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei intensified after his own father-in-law acknowledged that he has had no contact with him, offering only a hopeful assurance that “God willing” he is well.

Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, a former speaker of Iran’s parliament and a current member of the Expediency Discernment Council, was asked by Iran’s ILNA news agency whether he had any information regarding Khamenei’s health.

“God willing, Mojtaba is healthy,” Haddad-Adel replied, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei. “At the moment, due to certain circumstances, he is not in contact with any organization or person, but God willing he is healthy.”

The unusual remarks came after Mojtaba Khamenei was notably absent from his father’s funeral, further fueling speculation about his condition and his role within Iran’s leadership. Observers noted Haddad-Adel’s repeated use of the phrase “God willing,” coupled with his admission that no one is in contact with him, as adding to the uncertainty surrounding his status.

The mystery has only deepened in recent days. About a week ago, Israeli officials indicated they have growing doubts about the extent of Khamenei’s control over events inside Iran, reportedly describing him as a “present absentee.” According to Israeli assessments, Khamenei formally remains Iran’s Supreme Leader, but it is increasingly unclear how involved he is in the regime’s decision-making process.

Speculation escalated further after Saudi-owned Al Hadath reported, citing what it described as an “Israeli security source,” that Khamenei was no longer in Iran. The report also claimed that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi and other senior officials have been drafting directives on his behalf.

Israel’s defense establishment rejected that report last week, stressing that no official Israeli authority has confirmed the claim. According to Israeli intelligence assessments, Khamenei is alive and remains inside Iran.

However, while Israeli officials dismissed reports that Khamenei had left the country, they did not address the broader questions surrounding his health, his ability to function, or who is effectively directing the affairs of the Iranian regime.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker suffered a significant legal defeat Friday after a federal judge struck down key state programs that granted in-state tuition, financial aid, and scholarships to illegal immigrants, handing the Trump administration another major courtroom victory in its effort to eliminate state policies that provide benefits to those in the country illegally.

U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn, who serves in the Southern District of Illinois, ruled in favor of the Justice Department, finding that Illinois’ in-state tuition policies, along with the RISE Act and the Illinois DREAM Act, are “unconstitutional and invalid” as they apply to illegal immigrants.

Although the judge permanently barred Illinois from enforcing the laws, he stayed the ruling for 14 days, giving state officials an opportunity to seek emergency relief from a federal appeals court.

U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft praised the decision, arguing that Illinois had unlawfully favored illegal immigrants over American citizens.

“Illinois sought to incentivize illegal immigration on the taxpayer’s dime by treating illegal aliens better than US citizens living in other states, in clear violation of federal law,” Weinhoeft said in a statement. “This ruling enforces the statute Congress wrote and stops the State from putting illegal aliens ahead of American citizens.”

The ruling marks the latest success for the Trump administration’s nationwide effort to challenge state laws extending higher education benefits to illegal immigrants. It came just one day after the Justice Department filed a similar lawsuit against Colorado over its tuition policies.

The Justice Department originally sued Illinois and several colleges in September 2025, contending that the state violated federal law by offering discounted in-state tuition and financial assistance to illegal immigrants while denying those same benefits to U.S. citizens from other states.

In his ruling, McGlynn granted the federal government’s request for summary judgment and rejected Illinois’ attempt to have the case dismissed.

As a result of the decision, Illinois can no longer enforce its in-state tuition program for illegal immigrants, the RISE Act—which provides state financial aid to certain students who do not qualify for federal assistance—or the Illinois DREAM Act, which created scholarship opportunities for eligible students.

Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) applauded the ruling in a post on X.

“This is a win for Illinois taxpayers and American students who were shut out while Pritzker prioritized foreigners in our country illegally,” Miller wrote.

The Illinois case is one of several similar legal battles brought by the Justice Department. The federal government has already secured victories or settlements in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. As part of its settlement, Nebraska agreed to eliminate in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants.

Additional lawsuits remain pending against Minnesota, Virginia, California, New Jersey, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Colorado.

In its lawsuit against Colorado, filed Thursday, the Justice Department argues that the state’s ASSET Act and related policies unlawfully provide illegal immigrants with reduced tuition rates and state-funded financial aid while denying those same benefits to American citizens who reside outside Colorado.

Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said the federal government intends to continue challenging such laws across the country.

“For three decades, Congress has made clear that Colorado cannot give education benefits to illegal aliens that it does not give to all American citizens,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said. “By granting illegal aliens in-state tuition, Colorado is not only violating federal law but subsidizing education for illegal aliens at taxpayers’ expense.

“Our litigation efforts will not cease until we have fulfilled President Trump’s promise that illegal aliens will not obtain preferential treatment over our nation’s own citizens.”

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ administration defended its policies, arguing that states—not Washington—should determine eligibility for in-state tuition.

“The federal government seizing control of determining in-state tuition across the country is absurd,” a Polis spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital. “In Colorado, we are expanding access to education to provide students with the skills to get good-paying jobs and doubling down on strategies to save students money.”

{Matzav.com}

A little-known Port Authority toll policy may be costing thousands of E-ZPass users extra money every time they cross into New York—and many drivers have no idea it’s happening.

Motorists who mount their E-ZPass transponder in the upper-right corner of their windshield instead of directly behind the rearview mirror or in the center, as instructed, risk having their tag fail to register. When that happens, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey automatically charges what’s known as the “Mid-Tier” toll rate—a price that falls between the discounted E-ZPass rate and the much higher Toll-by-Mail rate.

The policy affects drivers using the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Bayonne Bridge, Goethals Bridge, and Outerbridge Crossing. While many motorists assume their license plate will simply be matched to their E-ZPass account if the transponder isn’t read, the Port Authority instead applies the higher Mid-Tier rate whenever it determines a properly mounted E-ZPass tag was not detected.

According to the Port Authority, the problem often stems from incorrectly mounted transponders. Drivers who place the tag in the upper-right corner of the windshield—a common location on many vehicles—or anywhere other than the recommended mounting position may inadvertently prevent toll readers from detecting the device. The agency instructs motorists to mount standard interior E-ZPass tags near the top center of the windshield, just behind the rearview mirror, where they can be read most reliably.

The financial impact can add up quickly. For a standard passenger vehicle, the Mid-Tier rate is several dollars higher than the regular E-ZPass toll but still lower than Toll-by-Mail. For example, the current Mid-Tier toll for a two-axle passenger vehicle at Port Authority crossings is $19.55, compared with the lower standard E-ZPass rate available to drivers whose transponders are read correctly.

Port Authority officials say the Mid-Tier category was created to recover the added administrative costs associated with processing plate images and matching accounts when an E-ZPass tag is not successfully scanned. Agency officials have estimated that improperly mounted or unreadable E-ZPass tags account for roughly 9% of all crossings, making the issue far more common than many motorists realize.

The policy first took effect in July 2025 as part of a broader package of toll changes approved by the Port Authority. Since then, consumer advocates have argued that many drivers remain unaware that simply relocating their transponder could save them money on every trip.

Drivers can avoid the higher charge by making sure their E-ZPass transponder is mounted exactly where the agency recommends. Vehicles with specialized windshields that interfere with radio signals may require an exterior license-plate-mounted transponder instead of the standard interior tag. The Port Authority advises motorists who are experiencing repeated misreads to contact E-ZPass customer service to verify that they have the proper transponder for their vehicle.

What began as a deeply personal spiritual journey for American UFC fighter Lando Vannata has sparked widespread attention after he publicly embraced his Jewish heritage during a visit to Eretz Yisroel. After revealing that he is Jewish through his mother, Vannata visited the Kosel, where he donned tefillin for the very first time.

Vannata arrived in Israel ahead of the international GFN1 event and began his visit with a tour of Ancient Shiloh in the Binyamin region, accompanied by fighters from Israel and several other countries. During the visit, he learned about Shiloh’s central role in Jewish history, where the Mishkan stood for 369 years.

As he toured the historic site, Vannata spoke openly and emotionally about discovering his maternal Jewish heritage and his growing connection to the Jewish people.

He later traveled to the Kosel in Yerushalayim, where he stood before the remnants of the Beis Hamikdash and wrapped tefillin for the first time in his life. The moving experience was recorded and shared with his hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.

Not long after posting the video, Vannata reportedly saw his Instagram following decline by approximately 1,900 people. Organizers of the visit believe the drop was no coincidence, suggesting it may have resulted from anti-Israel activists reacting to his visit and his public embrace of his Jewish identity.

Binyamin Regional Council head and Yesha Council chairman Israel Ganz praised Vannata for proudly acknowledging his heritage and urged Israelis to rally behind him online.

“We are proud of Lando for not being afraid to proudly reveal his Jewish identity and his connection to the Land of Israel. The fact that this journey began here, in Ancient Shiloh, is especially moving,” Ganz said.

Ganz encouraged Israelis to respond to what he described as an organized effort to silence Vannata through social media pressure.

“Anyone who thinks people can be intimidated through boycott campaigns on social media is mistaken. I call on all Israeli citizens to show Lando that he is not standing alone-to visit his social media pages, follow him, and encourage him. Every show of support is a response to these attempts to silence him.”

Ganz concluded by saying that supporters of Israel must continue sharing the Jewish people’s historical connection to the land with influential visitors from around the world.

“Those who stand by the truth ultimately prevail. We will continue bringing influential people from around the world to Ancient Shiloh and the Binyamin region so they can learn the true story of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel and become its ambassadors.”

Israel’s Cabinet held an extensive discussion Sunday on the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria, with several ministers calling for a far more aggressive military response, including changes to the IDF’s rules of engagement and a renewed policy of targeted killings.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz opened the discussion by briefing ministers on the military’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign throughout the region.

“We have carried out operations in the refugee camps, and we will probably have to conduct more. The IDF is operating on the ground, sweeping through the area, making arrests, and acting decisively,” Katz said.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch argued that current combat directives are no longer adequate. “We must change the rules of engagement,” he said.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged an even more forceful approach, calling for the resumption of targeted eliminations and broader authority for Israeli troops confronting terrorists.

“We must return to targeted killings, change the rules of engagement, and allow IDF soldiers to open fire in incidents like these.”

Deputy Defense Establishment Comptroller Brig. Gen. Yogev Bar Sheshet cautioned that soldiers often face difficult split-second decisions because terrorists frequently operate among civilians.

“There is difficulty in incidents where terrorists and civilians are mixed together. During such confrontations, soldiers do not always know who is a terrorist and who is a civilian.”

Economy Minister Nir Barkat suggested a graduated use of force, saying security personnel should first attempt to separate terrorists from civilians before escalating.

“It is possible to distinguish between them. First fire warning shots into the air, and then at their legs.”

Minister Ze’ev Elkin also called for stronger military action, declaring, “There must be a harsher response,” while Deputy Minister Almog Cohen argued that Israel’s retaliation should be overwhelming. “A disproportionate response is required,” he said.

Minister Amichai Chikli likewise called for revisions to the military’s operational directives.

“The commander of the Central Command must change the rules of engagement.”

Ben Gvir concluded by repeating a position that has previously drawn legal challenges against him, saying his comments should reflect official military policy.

“Just two days ago they again asked the court to remove me from office because I said it is better for a thousand terrorists to die than for a single hair on the head of a Border Police officer to be harmed. That should also be the IDF’s policy.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu announced Sunday that Israel is prepared to significantly expand its operations against terrorist strongholds in Judea and Samaria, while also confirming that he will travel to Washington this week for talks with President Donald Trump.

Opening the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he is scheduled to depart for the United States on Monday, where he will meet with Trump at the White House. During the trip, he will also attend the memorial service honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

“I will also discuss all pending issues with President Trump, including the situation in Iran,” Netanyahu said.

Turning to the security situation in Judea and Samaria, the prime minister said Israeli security forces have been instructed to carry out aggressive counterterrorism operations, including entering hostile villages, searching for weapons, and arresting terror suspects.

According to Netanyahu, those operations are already underway. He noted that Israeli forces recently conducted a raid at a hospital in Shechem, where, he said, two accomplices involved in a recent terrorist attack had been hiding before being taken into custody.

Netanyahu added that authorities have sealed the home of the terrorist responsible for the attack in preparation for its demolition. He said the homes of additional accomplices have also been identified and documented as part of planned enforcement measures.

“We are also prepared to operate on a broader scale against the terrorist nests,” he added.

The prime minister also addressed the recent dismissal of the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, arguing that the development revealed serious flaws within the institution.

According to Netanyahu, the decision exposed “his true motives, the injustice, and the deep corruption that exists not only in the Office of the Prosecutor but throughout the International Criminal Court.”

Netanyahu said he spoke Saturday night with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed Washington’s determination to confront the ICC.

According to the prime minister, Rubio reiterated the United States’ intention “to act forcefully against this organization, which endangers justice around the world.”

Netanyahu welcomed the American position, calling it “a very positive development” and adding, “It is important that we amplify this message throughout the world.”

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa says his government is pursuing a security agreement with Israel that could eventually open the door to a broader peace arrangement, while insisting that Syria will not relinquish its claim to the Golan Heights.

In remarks to Al Jazeera from an interview that has not yet aired in full, al-Sharaa also made clear that Syria has no intention of becoming militarily involved in neighboring Lebanon.

He said Damascus is holding discussions with the Lebanese government aimed at finding solutions that will help stabilize the country and restore security.

According to al-Sharaa, instability in Lebanon would inevitably spill over into Syria, making the situation there a matter of direct concern for Damascus. He also expressed support for the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces maintaining exclusive control over weapons and retaining sole authority over decisions regarding war and peace.

During the interview, al-Sharaa revealed that Syria is engaged in efforts to negotiate a security agreement with Israel, with several additional countries participating in the process.

He said such an agreement, if successfully concluded, could serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace between the two countries while preserving Syria’s claim to what it describes as the “occupied Golan.”

Al-Sharaa also stressed that his government has no desire for military confrontation with Israel. “We have no interest in that,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Dutch opposition leader and prime ministerial candidate Geert Wilders traveled to Israel this week in a show of support for the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria, declaring that their presence strengthens not only Israel’s security but also that of Europe and the Netherlands. The visit comes shortly after the Dutch government imposed a ban on imports from Judea and Samaria.

Wilders arrived in Israel as the guest of Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan, beginning his visit against the backdrop of growing diplomatic tensions between Jerusalem and The Hague following the Dutch government’s decision to prohibit imports from communities in Judea and Samaria.

His first stop was the renewed community of Sa-Nur in northern Shomron. After Shabbos, Wilders joined Dagan at his home for dinner and a lengthy private meeting before touring the community and speaking with local residents.

During the visit, Dagan presented Wilders with the “Reconnect Plan,” an initiative calling for the establishment of 19 new Jewish communities across northern Shomron.

Praising his host, Wilders said: “Yossi, I am very proud to be here with the ‘Lion of Samaria.’ Twenty-one years ago, you were expelled from here, and now you are returning with a major plan to resettle all of Samaria. I am very proud of you. This is the only way-this is your land, your country, your history, and your religion. You are a very courageous man.”

Dagan thanked Wilders for his longstanding support of Israel and his outspoken advocacy on behalf of the Jewish state.

“I am honored to host you here in Sa-Nur, in my home, in the heart of the Land of Israel. You are a courageous leader, and I know what you are doing for the future of Europe, the Netherlands, and Israel. You were the first leader to understand and teach that we must stand together and fight together.”

Dagan also stressed what he views as the strategic importance of Jewish communities in northern Shomron, particularly in the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack.

“What we are doing together is, first and foremost, rebuilding our homeland-the land of the Bible. Together we are building the future of Israel, Europe, and the world. After October 7, it is clearer than ever that our communities in northern Samaria are the security belt of the entire State of Israel.”

Wilders echoed that message, arguing that Israel’s security and Europe’s security are inseparable.

“That’s true, and it affects the security of Europe and the security of the Netherlands. Everything is connected, so we are working together, and we will win together.”

The trip marks Wilders’ second visit to Israel in less than two years, with Dagan hosting him on both occasions. His previous visit to Judea and Samaria drew sharp criticism in the Netherlands and sparked debate in the Dutch parliament.

His latest visit is likewise expected to generate political controversy, particularly because it comes so soon after the Dutch government’s decision to ban imports from Judea and Samaria. Wilders is scheduled to continue touring Shomron and the Jordan Valley in the coming days and is expected to meet with senior Israeli government officials.

{Matzav.com}

Arad Mayor Yair Maayan launched a sharp attack on the city’s chareidi community following the circulation of video footage showing children throwing stones on Shabbos, declaring that Arad “was and will remain a secular city” while calling for increased police enforcement.

In a statement released Saturday night, Maayan said he was “shocked” by the video, adding that city officials had also received reports this week that girls walking in the street had been spat on.

“We will not tolerate the actions of extremist criminals under any circumstances. The city of Arad was and will remain secular, and we will not allow chareidim to act violently in any way,” he said.

The mayor said he had contacted the commander of the Arad Police Station and demanded stronger enforcement measures and immediate action in response to such incidents. He also urged residents to report any unusual or criminal activity directly to police.

“In every such case, immediately call the 100 emergency hotline, request that a police patrol respond, file a formal complaint, and photograph and document the incident as clearly as possible,” Maayan wrote. “Only by arresting offenders will we succeed in eliminating crime and violence in the city.”

{Matzav.com}