President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu wrapped up a White House meeting that lasted close to three hours, with Iran and broader Middle East developments high on the agenda.
Following the talks, President Trump shared a statement on his Truth Social platform describing the meeting and the tone of discussions.
“I have just finished meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of Israel, and various of his Representatives. It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues.”
Iran was a primary focus of the conversation, and the president addressed the subject directly in his post.
“There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”
Trump also referenced a previous confrontation with Tehran, warning of potential consequences if diplomacy fails.
“last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer – That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible. Additionally, we discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general. There is truly PEACE in the Middle East. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Before entering his meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu formally joined the Board of Peace in a signing ceremony held at the White House in the presence of Secretary of State Rubio.
{Matzav.com}A small Bitcoin transaction tied to the ransom demand in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case may have shifted momentum in favor of investigators, according to a cryptocurrency forensics specialist who says digital currency is far more traceable than many criminals realize.
Bezalel Eithan Raviv, CEO and founder of Lionsgate Network, a crypto recovery firm specializing in blockchain forensics, told Page Six that a modest deposit made late Tuesday into the Bitcoin wallet listed in the ransom note could signal a strategic investigative move.
“If the reported $150 transaction to the alleged ransom Bitcoin wallet is accurate, it aligns with a known investigative tactic,” Raviv said. “A small ‘test’ transfer can sometimes be used to confirm that the wallet is active and to trigger blockchain monitoring tools.”
Raviv, an Israeli technology entrepreneur, emphasized that Bitcoin transactions are not invisible, despite popular belief.
“The moment funds move, they leave a permanent digital footprint,” Raviv said. “That activity can provide investigators with valuable intelligence, especially if the wallet interacts with exchanges or custodial services where identity verification is required.”
When tracking illicit cryptocurrency activity, Raviv explained that his company employs what it refers to as a “cow’s bell” method.
“Once a wallet is identified and tagged, every movement can trigger alerts, no matter how many times the funds split, consolidate, or hop across wallets. Every step leaves a signal,” he said.
According to Raviv, once money enters the account, the balance of control may change.
“If this wallet has now received funds, the dynamic shifts,” Raviv explained. “The person demanding ransom may believe they are in control, but once a transaction is made, they become the one being watched.
“The ransom actor is no longer just making demands. They are now the target of forensic tracking.”
Still, Raviv noted that law enforcement agencies follow established procedures in handling ransom situations.
“That said, ransom strategy decisions should always be directed by law enforcement and professional negotiators,” Raviv said. “The critical phase now is real-time monitoring, because movement is where mistakes happen.”
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen alive at her home near Tucson on Jan. 31. She was reported missing the following day after the Pima County Sheriff’s Department concluded that she had been forcibly removed from the residence.
Multiple media organizations later received what authorities believe to be a ransom message demanding $6 million in Bitcoin in exchange for her freedom. The note listed two deadlines — Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. EST and another this past Monday at the same hour.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings issued a public statement indicating they were prepared to meet the demand but required proof that their mother was alive before transferring any money.
As of Tuesday morning, Page Six confirmed that the Bitcoin wallet’s balance remained at zero. By Tuesday night, however, approximately $152 in Bitcoin had been deposited into the account.
It remains unclear whether the FBI or another entity initiated the transaction. Earlier in the week, Raviv told Page Six that sending a minimal amount of cryptocurrency can sometimes be part of a broader investigative approach.
“This is a very simple tactic among many that we utilize when we want to be able to intercept criminal network crypto assets,” Raviv said. “That’s from our perspective based on previous cases that have been incredibly successful.”
Raviv also suggested that the individual behind the ransom demand may have exposed himself the moment he shared the wallet address.
“He showed his Achilles to everyone who understands blockchain forensics,” Raviv said.
Authorities have yet to announce any arrests directly connected to the abduction, though they did release alarming surveillance footage showing an armed and masked individual outside Nancy’s home on the night she vanished.
In the hours following the footage’s release, a man identified as Carlos was taken into custody in connection with the probe but was later released.
On Wednesday, TMZ reported receiving a third Bitcoin-related demand — this time offering information about the alleged kidnapper in exchange for cryptocurrency.
Meanwhile, FBI Phoenix announced that agents are “conducting an extensive search along multiple roadways in the Catalina Foothills area related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation.”
{Matzav.com}Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri has withdrawn from public and political life for a full week, undertaking a continuous taanis (fast) and transferring key parliamentary responsibilities to fellow members of his party as the traditional Shovavim period draws to a close.
Deri was notably absent Monday from the party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset. Lawmakers convened around the table and conducted the session without their chairman — an occurrence considered highly unusual within the party.
Only a small number of MKs were aware of the reason for his disappearance. Some were told he had traveled abroad for a family event. Others knew that Deri remained in Israel but had chosen to step away from public activity for several days.
According to party sources, Deri accepted upon himself a consecutive seven-day fast, abstaining from both food and speech from the conclusion of Shabbos until the onset of the following Shabbos. The fast comes in anticipation of the conclusion of the Shovavim period, traditionally observed as days of spiritual strengthening and introspection.
Due to the nature of the fast, Deri has refrained from speaking with anyone. In exceptional circumstances involving security matters, he has received updates and responded only in writing.
With significant political matters pending — including legislation concerning the military draft law and the state budget — Deri delegated authority on these issues to Shas Knesset members. They were the ones who ultimately decided to support the split of the Arrangements Law.
As for Deri’s current location, speculation within Shas circles remains divided. Some claim he is staying in Peki’in, while others believe he is presently in the city of Netivot.
The fast is expected to conclude at the onset of Shabbos later this week. After nightfall on Motzaei Shabbos, Deri is anticipated to resume his regular public and political schedule.
{Matzav.com}
[Video below.] Sen. Bernie Sanders sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s glowing assessment of the U.S. economy during a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC’s “All In,” accusing the president of being “completely crazy and delusional, or just a pathological liar” for portraying current conditions as historic.
The remarks came after Trump, speaking on the Fox Business Network, praised the nation’s economic performance in sweeping terms.
“This is the greatest period of anything that we’ve ever seen. We had the greatest economy in the history of our country in my first term. I think we’re blowing it away. Now I think we have the greatest economy, actually, ever in history,” Trump said.
Responding to that clip, Sanders told host Chris Hayes that broader concerns about the country’s direction extend beyond the economy alone.
“Well, look, Chris, I think the American people understand with what’s going on in Minneapolis, Trump’s attacks on the media, universities. He is going after political opponents and through criminal actions, that we are moving into an authoritarian society,” Sanders said.
The Vermont independent then questioned Trump’s characterization of economic conditions, arguing that many Americans are struggling financially despite the president’s claims.
“In terms of I got to tell you, though, I seen that tape you just scrolled. You wonder whether Trump is completely crazy and delusional, or just a pathological liar. But the idea that anybody would believe that this is a great economy when 60% of our people are living paycheck to paycheck, when the cost of health care is going up, people can’t afford housing, people can’t afford their basic groceries, childcare system is dysfunctional, people can’t afford to go to college. And if this is the greatest economy in the history of the world, God help us.”
WATCH: {Matzav.com}