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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) argued Friday that America’s allies should play a more active role in confronting Iran, contending that countries benefiting from Middle Eastern stability have a direct stake in preventing Tehran from maintaining nuclear capabilities.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press NOW,” Fetterman questioned why more U.S. partners have not publicly demanded that Iran surrender what he referred to as its remaining nuclear material.

“Where [are] the rest of our allies saying, collectively, we can demand Iran to turn over that nuclear dust right now? And now these kinds of countries that say, well, that’s not our war, it’s like, well, does your nation consume oil? Well, then that makes it your war now, too. And if you care about peace in the Middle East, yeah, well, then that makes it your war now, too.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that the implications of Iran’s nuclear program extend far beyond the immediate region, affecting global energy markets and broader international security interests.

Fetterman also emphasized that his support for efforts targeting Iran’s nuclear program should not be viewed as an endorsement of war itself, but rather as a commitment to preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He added that he is “not a pro vote on war. It is a pro-no nuclear Iran, that’s what my vote for this [is].”

The remarks come amid ongoing international debate over how to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions and what role the United States and its allies should play in enforcing any future agreement designed to limit Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced Friday that Ottawa will provide an additional $100 million in humanitarian assistance to organizations operating in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, citing what she described as worsening conditions in the region.

The new funding will be distributed through the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, and various non-governmental organizations involved in providing aid to Palestinian civilians.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Anand said the decision was driven by the escalating humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as what she characterized as a decline in conditions in Judea and Samaria. She also pointed to what she described as expanding Israeli settlement activity and increased violence by extremist settlers.

With the latest commitment, Canada’s total assistance to the Palestinians now exceeds $500 million. The funds are intended to support emergency medical services, food distribution, clean water access, sanitation programs, shelter, and other humanitarian needs.

Anand urged Israel to permit humanitarian aid to move freely into affected areas and called on the Israeli government to ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law in both Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

The foreign minister also reaffirmed Canada’s backing of a two-state solution as the preferred framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In addition, Anand referenced Canada’s recent decision to impose sanctions on individuals and groups accused of involvement in what Ottawa described as violence carried out by extremist settlers. At the same time, she reiterated Canada’s call for Hamas to be disarmed and urged all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international law.

President Donald Trump announced today that the United States and Iran are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on Sunday through a digital ceremony, marking what he described as a dramatically different approach from the Obama-era nuclear agreement.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that it paved the way for Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons rather than prevent them.

“Barack Hussein Obama’s Deal with Iran, the JCPOA, was an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now. My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON! In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement.”

Trump also revealed that the agreement is expected to be formally executed on Sunday and said one of its immediate consequences will be the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL.”

The president further contrasted the developing agreement with previous U.S. policy toward Iran, emphasizing that the arrangement does not involve direct cash payments or financial transfers.

“Our relationship with Iran is a much different and better one than previous Administrations have had. Unlike Obama’s Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in payments to them, including 1.7 Billion Dollars in green, cold cash, no money will exchange hands,” he added.

Trump also addressed the future of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, asserting that any remaining enriched material would ultimately be removed and destroyed.

“At the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust, buried deep under the powerful sunken granite mountains, thanks to our beautiful B-2 Bombers and their brilliant pilots, and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States. We look forward to working with Iran, and the entire Middle East, long into the future. Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly. If it doesn’t, we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again! Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”

Senior administration officials indicated that sanctions relief under the agreement will be tied directly to Iranian compliance. According to officials, the extent to which Tehran freezes its nuclear activities, shuts down reactors, and dilutes enriched uranium stockpiles will determine how much economic pressure is lifted and how many frozen assets are released.

At the same time, significant differences appear to remain between the American and Iranian descriptions of the proposed arrangement.

Iranian officials have maintained that the country’s nuclear program will not be addressed in the memorandum of understanding itself and will instead be discussed during subsequent rounds of negotiations. Tehran has also continued to insist, at least publicly, on its position that vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz should be subject to transit tariffs, a demand that has not been publicly withdrawn.

{Matzav.com}

A 22-year-old driver from Kafr Qasim was released without being questioned after allegedly striking a chareidi protester during demonstrations Thursday night at the Geha Junction area, prompting outrage among participants and organizers.

According to a report by Channel 14, the driver was released after requesting medical treatment and is expected to be summoned for questioning at a later date. Authorities said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

The incident occurred during a protest against the arrest of yeshiva bochurim and the ongoing enforcement of military conscription policies affecting the chareidi community.

Witnesses said the driver passed through the area of the demonstration and struck a chareidi protester. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and transported the injured man to a hospital for treatment. His condition was later classified as moderate.

According to Magen David Adom, medical teams evacuated a 21-year-old man who was injured in what protesters described as an intentional vehicular attack near the Ganot Interchange area. The victim reportedly sustained moderate injuries near Mesubim.

Footage of the incident quickly spread online, drawing widespread attention and criticism over the handling of the case.

Police have not yet released findings regarding the circumstances of the incident, and the investigation remains active. As of Friday, the driver had not been formally questioned.

Following the demonstrations, Peleg Yerushalmi issued a statement indicating that the protests would continue and likely intensify.

“The demonstrations are not about to stop—on the contrary, they are expected only to intensify and expand,” the group said.

“The message of the thousands of protesters is clear: Leave the Torah learners alone, and there will be peace here. Continue to persecute them, and you will discover that life here will not return to what it was.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yechiel Moskowitz zt”l, a noted marbitz Torah, beloved rebbi, and accomplished talmid chochom, who was niftar at the age of 70.

For decades, Rav Moskowitz dedicated his life to the dissemination of Torah, inspiring generations of talmidim through his warmth, chochmah, and unwavering devotion to their aliyah. As a respected maggid shiur and rebbi at Yeshiva of Bayonne, he left an indelible mark on countless talmidim who benefited from his clear instruction, genuine care, and deep love of Torah. His shiurim reflected not only his vast knowledge but also his ability to connect with each talmid, encouraging them to strive for excellence in learning and avodas Hashem.

His entire life revolved around Torah and chessed. He was known for his humility, refined character, and readiness to assist anyone who sought his guidance. Whether in the beis medrash, at home, or in the community, Rav Moskowitz embodied the ideals he taught, serving as a living example of dedication to Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Rav Moskowitz married Mrs. Shoshana Moskowitz, daughter of Hagaon Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Philadelphia. Together, they established a remarkable bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel, building a distinguished family of bnei Torah and bnos Torah.

The levayah will take place on Sunday, tentatively at 2 p.m. at Bais Medrash Govoah. Final details will be announced once finalized.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that negotiations with the United States are progressing toward a final agreement, though key issues remain unresolved. He disclosed that the emerging framework is structured in two phases, with the controversial nuclear component intentionally deferred until the second stage.

Discussing the outcome of the recent conflict, Araghchi projected confidence about Iran’s position and argued that Tehran entered negotiations from a position of strength.

“The best time to end a war is when we hold the upper hand; we are truly victorious on the battlefield.”

He also highlighted the duration and intensity of the confrontation, portraying Iran’s resistance as a significant achievement.

“We stood against the world’s apparent superpower for 40 days.”

Addressing questions surrounding the ongoing negotiations, Araghchi said the public would receive a full explanation once discussions are completed, while emphasizing that the process has not yet reached its conclusion.

“The final agreement hasn’t been reached yet; if it is finalized, I promise to explain every single clause,” he stated, further clarified the structural sequencing of the emerging framework, “The agreement includes two stages, and we have moved the nuclear issue to the second stage.”

The foreign minister also reiterated Iran’s commitment to Hezbollah and other allied groups throughout the region, insisting that any end to hostilities must address multiple fronts rather than Iran alone.

“We will never leave Hezbollah in Lebanon alone, and the end of the war will also encompass Lebanon and all other fronts.”

Expanding on that point, Araghchi said Iran has made clear that any broader settlement must include developments in southern Lebanon as well.

“Ending the war in the agreement also means Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied areas in southern Lebanon, and we have stated this explicitly to the other side.”

Turning to the diplomatic provisions under discussion, Araghchi claimed the United States is prepared to formally acknowledge Iran’s sovereignty as part of the arrangement.

“In this agreement, the United States will state in writing that it respects Iran’s sovereignty.”

He added that the memorandum currently being negotiated reaches well beyond military matters and includes economic and financial issues as well.

“The memorandum of understanding includes the nuclear issue, sanctions relief, reconstruction, and blocked/frozen funds.”

Araghchi’s comments came after President Donald Trump told Axios reporter Barak Ravid on Friday that he believes a deal with Iran could be finalized as soon as this weekend or by Monday.

Later in the day, a senior administration official echoed that optimism, telling reporters that the two sides appear to be nearing the finish line.

“We do expect to be signing this agreement with Iran over the next few days. We assess it at 85%, but not 100%. We feel very good about the deal. We are not quite at the finish line but we are very close,” said the official.

The official outlined several major elements expected to be included in the agreement, among them the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the American blockade on Iranian ports, and the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. Under the proposed arrangement, Iran’s enriched nuclear material would be transferred to U.S. custody, destroyed, and removed from the country.

According to the official, Iran would receive substantial economic relief if it fulfills its obligations under the agreement.

The official stated that Iran would be “relieved of a lot of the economic pressures that they’ve been under for many, many years” if the country complies with the deal’s provisions. The official further stressed, “Those benefits only accrue if they actually deliver.”

{Matzav.com}

A routine school outing took an unexpected turn when approximately 70 girls from a Monsey school found themselves navigating a massive drainage tunnel beneath Nyack, New York, before safely emerging from various manholes throughout the village, Matzav.com has learned.

The students, from Bais Yaakov Toras Imecha in Monsey, were participating in a school trip about 50 miles north of New York City when they entered a large drainage system near Nyack’s downtown area.

According to reports, authorities were alerted after a police officer noticed a large group of young girls climbing out of a manhole cover in an alley near a local restaurant. Additional students were reportedly seen emerging from other manholes in different parts of the village. Despite the unusual circumstances, all of the girls exited the drainage tunnel on their own and no serious injuries were reported.

The incident drew attention throughout the community as dozens of students unexpectedly surfaced from the underground drainage network after what officials described as an unauthorized excursion through the tunnel system.

Nyack Mayor Joe Rand said the girls had been visiting Memorial Park during the school trip when they discovered the entrance to the drainage tunnel and decided to explore it.

“They saw the channel, they saw the cave, and thought, let’s go take a look, let’s see what’s in there,” he said. “And they started walking, and they just kept walking and walking and walking.”

Speaking to CBS, Rand said the group traveled roughly a kilometer through the dark tunnel, navigating rocks and uneven terrain before eventually exiting safely near a local restaurant, much to the surprise of owner Matt Hudson.

“I was in my office when I heard kids chattering,” Hudson said. “I thought to myself, where is that coming from?”

Hudson said he was stunned when he discovered the girls climbing out of a drainage opening above a stream behind his restaurant.

“We looked, and it filled up with girls,” he said. “They were okay, but they were talking excitedly. They were happy to get out of there.”

While relieved that the incident ended safely, Mayor Rand stressed that the situation could easily have turned dangerous.

“Everyone was safe, and I’m so grateful for that. I’m grateful to the emergency responders,” Rand said. “But it was dangerous, they shouldn’t have done it. Because it could have rained this afternoon, and if it had rained, this thing becomes much more powerful, and the water could really build up.”

Following the incident, Rand said village officials would review safety measures around the drainage site and again urged residents and visitors to stay out of stormwater tunnels and drainage systems, which are not intended for public access.

For Hudson, the episode was unlike anything he had experienced in decades of business ownership.

“We’ve been here almost 36 years,” he said. “We thought we’d seen everything, but no, no, there are still some surprises here.”

SpaceX made history Friday with a spectacular stock market debut that pushed Elon Musk’s fortune past the trillion-dollar mark, making him the world’s first trillionaire and delivering the largest initial public offering ever completed. The blockbuster listing is also fueling expectations that other artificial intelligence giants could soon follow with record-breaking public offerings of their own.

The company’s shares began trading at $150, well above the $135 offering price, and ended the day at $161.11. By the closing bell, SpaceX was valued at more than $2 trillion, placing it ahead of many of America’s largest corporations and exceeding the combined market value of companies such as Walmart and General Motors.

The offering surpassed every previous IPO on record, overtaking the 2019 debut of Saudi Aramco, which entered public markets with a valuation of $1.7 trillion and raised more than $29 billion. SpaceX’s sale generated an unprecedented $75 billion, outpacing the combined proceeds of all U.S. IPOs conducted during the previous two years, according to Renaissance Capital.

The strong first-day performance also elevated Musk’s net worth to unprecedented levels. Already the richest person in the world, the 54-year-old entrepreneur saw his fortune soar beyond the trillion-dollar threshold, further expanding his financial power and global influence.

The IPO also produced enormous gains for investors close to Musk, including venture capital firms, private investment funds, and longtime associates. Thousands of employees who held equity in the company suddenly found themselves with millionaire status.

Musk spent the day at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, where he celebrated the milestone alongside employees, investors, family members, and friends. Reflecting on the company’s early days, he remarked, “It is certainly hard to believe that a little company that started in a warehouse in El Segundo is now going public.” He added, “I gave SpaceX less than a 10 percent chance of succeeding at all.”

The successful launch onto public markets is expected to open the door for other massive offerings, particularly from artificial intelligence leaders OpenAI and Anthropic, both of which are reportedly approaching trillion-dollar valuations. If those companies follow through with public listings, 2026 could become one of the most remarkable years in Wall Street history.

Such developments would further cement the dominance of technology firms in the global economy, placing SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic alongside established giants including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Apple, Netflix, and Meta.

For SpaceX, the IPO marked the culmination of more than two decades of growth. Musk established the company in 2002 with the ambitious goal of enabling humanity to become a multiplanetary civilization, a vision many initially viewed as unrealistic.

Over the years, however, SpaceX transformed the aerospace industry through the development of reusable rocket technology and expanded its reach with Starlink, its satellite-based internet network. Earlier this year, the company also acquired Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, which controls the social media platform X, creating an even broader technology conglomerate.

Throughout much of its history, SpaceX also served as a financial cornerstone for Musk’s wider business empire. The company provided him with loans and financial flexibility that helped support other ventures. That influence was reinforced by Musk’s overwhelming control of shareholder voting power through supervoting shares and other corporate mechanisms, which gave him approximately 85 percent of the voting rights before the IPO.

As part of the offering, SpaceX sold more than 555 million shares, representing slightly more than 4 percent of the company’s outstanding stock. The company and its underwriting team actively sought participation from both institutional investors and individuals, with retail investors accounting for roughly 22.5 percent of the offering, according to people familiar with the transaction.

SpaceX also pushed for accelerated inclusion in major stock indexes, a move that could eventually require large index funds to purchase significant amounts of its shares.

Analysts expect the stock to remain volatile in the near term. With relatively few shares available for trading and intense investor demand, the stock could experience sharp swings as the market adjusts. Over time, however, additional shares may enter circulation and enthusiasm could moderate.

J.P. Morgan analysts noted this week that recent IPOs have gained an average of 32 percent on their first trading day, but on average have fallen 26 percent below their debut prices after one year.

Daniel Hanson, a portfolio manager at Neuberger Berman whose fund owns approximately $200 million in SpaceX stock, credited the company’s leadership team for the speed and effectiveness of the IPO process.

“It’s exciting to see the team recognized by the public for what they have accomplished since their founding 24 years ago,” he said.

Despite investor enthusiasm, questions remain about the company’s finances and valuation. SpaceX disclosed in its IPO filing that it lost more than $4.9 billion last year, compared with a profit of $791 million in 2024, largely due to increased spending on artificial intelligence initiatives. Revenue, however, climbed 33 percent to $18.7 billion.

The company’s valuation now exceeds that of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, even though Meta generated substantially larger revenue and profits. Meta reported $201 billion in revenue and $60.5 billion in profit last year while carrying a market value of just over $1.4 trillion.

SpaceX has said proceeds from the offering will be used to reduce debt and finance a series of ambitious projects, including orbital AI data centers, a manufacturing facility on the moon, and eventually human missions to Mars.

Although critics question whether those goals can be achieved, enthusiasm among Musk supporters remains strong. In New York, dozens of fans gathered outside the Nasdaq building in Times Square to witness the company’s public debut.

Among them was Zach Boucher, 45, who traveled overnight from California to attend the occasion.

Mr. Boucher said he was buying more than 2,200 SpaceX shares through Wells Fargo and was “never going to sell — I’m holding for the long term.”

Comparing the moment to some of the most significant investment opportunities in modern history, he added:

“This moment is “like getting in on the ground floor of GE or G.M., or being here when Microsoft opened,” he said.

The IPO generated a windfall not only for investors but also for Wall Street’s largest banks. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and 18 additional financial institutions served as underwriters and were expected to collect a record $550 million in fees.

The celebrations extended beyond SpaceX itself. Goldman Sachs transformed portions of its Manhattan headquarters into a space-themed venue complete with moon-rock-inspired desserts and a “mission control” brunch. JPMorgan and SpaceX commissioned artist Leo Villareal to create a large-scale celestial light display atop the bank’s headquarters.

Meanwhile, festivities at Starbase were expected to continue well into the evening, with company executives scheduled to address employees during a celebration and at least one nearby venue reserved for additional events honoring the company’s historic achievement.

{Matzav.com}