Feed aggregator

President Trump has privately urged contenders in the New York City mayoral race to scale back their campaigns within the coming week, in hopes of blocking a socialist from taking over City Hall, The New York Post reports.

On Sunday, Trump phoned billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis — who has connections to both Mayor Eric Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa — and voiced alarm about the possibility of Democrat Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken socialist, winning in November.

“He is concerned about the New York City race. He does not want a socialist mayor, and he said, ’It’s not going to happen’ under his watch and wants a person under his watch,” Catsimatidis told The Post.

In a move without precedent for a president in a New York City mayoral contest, Trump made clear he wanted the crowded race narrowed within 10 days.

“At the end of the next 10 days, he wants the most qualified candidate to beat Mamdani,” Catsimatidis said.

When pressed about Trump’s exact intentions once the deadline hits next Wednesday, Catsimatidis would only respond, “He’s going to do whatever he has to do.”

According to individuals familiar with Trump’s thinking, the president is considering ways to persuade both Sliwa and Adams to step aside so that ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo could run as the leading challenger.

This strategy is not tied to Trump’s personal feelings about Cuomo, but to polling since the primary that continues to show Cuomo consistently holding second place, Sliwa trailing in third, and Adams slipping into fourth.

Trump and party insiders believe Cuomo stands the strongest chance of defeating Mamdani, pointing to surveys that reveal Mamdani’s support plateauing while his unfavorable ratings remain unusually high for a Democratic candidate.

The disclosure of Trump’s phone call, which had not been revealed until now, comes on the heels of reports that senior White House aides have been searching for a role for Adams in order to push him to abandon his independent re-election campaign.

“While other candidates have quit their jobs, Mayor Adams hasn’t walked away from his responsibilities,” said Adams campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro. “He is running for re-election not because he needs another position, but because he believes deeply in the future of this city and has a proven record of getting things done.”

{Matzav.com}

MARCO RUBIO: “We told all these countries, if you guys do this [Palestinian] recognition stuff, you’re going to create big problems.”

MARCO RUBIO: “The Palestinian Authority has its own set of problems. They pay people to kill Israelis.”

The IDF has confirmed 12 senior Houthi officials targeted and killed in the area of Sanaa, Yemen

The IDF has released a new photo of Hudahaifa Kahlout, known as “Abu Obaidah,” Hamas’ spokesperson eliminated last Tuesday with other top leaders.

WATCH THIS: Emotional moments today at Soroka Hospital, where IDF soldier Yaakov Telkar, a wounded member of the Golani Brigade, married his kallah, Tair.

The IDF has released footage of the airstrike that eliminated Hamas’s Al-Qassam spokesman, Abu Obaida.

President Donald Trump asserted early Thursday that the violence plaguing Chicago could be eliminated if local leaders accepted his assistance, saying he could “fix it in one month.”

“The Mayor and Governor should be begging me for help. Crime is out of control in Chicago, potentially one of the greatest cities in the World (Again!). I could fix it in one month!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

His remarks followed a New York Post article that detailed the toll of shootings over the Labor Day weekend: eight killed and at least 58 injured in 32 incidents. The report noted that Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson continued to push back against Trump’s idea of using the National Guard.

Trump’s comments came as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker indicated that hundreds of federal agents could arrive by the weekend. Local officials in suburban areas were told to prepare for about 300 federal immigration officers who would be conducting heightened enforcement actions.

“They haven’t confirmed any of that to us, but what we’re hearing is that they’ll be assembled, ready to go on Friday, and that they will begin actions on Saturday,” Pritzker told the press, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Pritzker, a Democrat, has consistently dismissed Trump’s call for National Guard intervention, arguing that it’s both unneeded and an overreach of power. Trump has continued to press the issue, while his campaign has used the clash as a tool for rallying supporters.

A fundraising message sent out this week proclaimed “WE’RE GOING INTO CHICAGO” and encouraged backers to “LIBERATE CHICAGO – SAVE AMERICA – STAND WITH TRUMP!” according to the Tribune.

The Tribune also quoted Trump saying, “The Radical Left Governors and Mayors of crime-ridden cities don’t want to stop the radical crime. I wish they’d just give me a call. I’d gain respect for them. This isn’t a political thing; we have the right to do it because I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KEEP AMERICA SAFE!”

Trump has cited the example of Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who sought federal assistance in New Orleans, suggesting that he might focus on that city before Chicago.

“We have a great thing going. I could do that with Chicago. We could do that with New York. We could do it with Los Angeles,” Trump said this week. “So we’re making a determination now, do we go to Chicago, or do we go to a place like New Orleans, where we have a great governor?”

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that there were “no immediate plans” for National Guard deployment in Chicago when asked about Trump’s suggestion and possible timelines, Newsmax reported.

Trump has long pledged to intensify federal crackdowns in Democrat-run cities such as Chicago. On Tuesday, he once again vowed to send in troops, though he gave no concrete details.

Chicago officials have already braced for possible federal activity. Activists distributed “emergency protest” alerts, promising to take to the streets within hours if such intervention begins.

{Matzav.com}

District of Columbia National Guard troops who are deployed as part of President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement intervention in the nation’s capital have had their orders extended through December, a National Guard official said. The main purpose of the extension is to ensure that any D.C. Guard members out on the streets of Washington will continue to have uninterrupted benefits and pay for a mission that seems likely to persist for months, the official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, said that while the extension doesn’t mean that all 950 D.C. Guard troops now deployed will serve until the end of December, it is a strong indication that their role is not winding down anytime soon. Typically, Guard members need to be on active orders for more than 30 days to qualify for benefits like a housing allowance or health care, and issuing multiple extensions to those orders can sometimes cause interruptions. National Guard members from Republican-led states also have been sent to Washington. How long those troops, who number 1,334, remain in the nation’s capital is up to their individual governors. A spokesperson for the joint task force overseeing all Guard troops deployed to Washington and the Pentagon directed questions about the extension to the White House. In response to questions, a White House official said Trump was committed to the long-term safety and security of Washington. The National Guard official said leaders also are expected to begin putting out policies on leave and time off for deployed troops — another sign that military leaders expect the deployment to go on for a longer period of time. The task force acknowledged Monday that it was “aware of concerns regarding pay and benefits for members of Joint Task Force-District of Columbia.” “While exceptions exist, the majority of service members are mobilized on orders extending beyond 30 days, ensuring they qualify for full benefits,” the task force said in a statement. (AP)

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, tens of thousands of Breslover chassidim are once again preparing for the annual pilgrimage to Uman. With Ukraine’s skies still closed to civilian air traffic due to the ongoing war, most travelers will pass through neighboring countries such as Moldova, Romania, and Poland. To ensure a smooth journey and avoid the chaos that has plagued previous years, airports and local authorities—together with Ichud Breslov organizers—have issued a detailed set of travel instructions.

Maintaining Order and Cleanliness

Organizers stress that one of the key challenges in past years has been the lack of cleanliness and order in airports. Leaving garbage or mess in public spaces has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and international media, creating what they describe as a serious chilul Hashem. Activists warn that such conduct could jeopardize future landing rights in places like Romania, where significant diplomatic efforts were invested this year to secure flights. Authorities have stated they will deal harshly with violations, urging travelers to respect public spaces and avoid any behavior that could cause embarrassment to the Jewish community.

Toy Guns Strictly Forbidden

Travelers are also reminded not to purchase or carry toy weapons, including BB guns and similar items, which are sometimes legally sold in Ukraine. While considered harmless inside Ukraine, at European border crossings and airports they are classified as dangerous weapons because of their resemblance to real firearms. Possession or transport of such items can result in arrest, questioning, heavy penalties, and even a ban on entering the country. Border police have made it clear: avoid buying or carrying any toy guns at all.

Airport Arrival Times

Romanian airport authorities have announced new restrictions to prevent overcrowding. This year, passengers will not be permitted to enter the terminal earlier than three hours before their flight. Anyone arriving too early will be denied entry to the terminal area. Travelers are urged to check their tickets carefully, plan their transportation from Uman to the airport accordingly, and spread the word so that all pilgrims comply and avoid a repeat of last year’s airport chaos.

Cigarette Limits

European Union customs regulations allow only small amounts of tobacco for personal use when crossing borders. In most land crossings, travelers are permitted to bring no more than 40 cigarettes per person—equivalent to two packs. Exceeding that limit is considered smuggling and can lead to confiscation, heavy fines, or even denial of entry. Authorities in Poland and elsewhere have said they intend to strictly enforce this rule this year, with rigorous inspections expected.

Restrictions on Medications

Special caution has been issued regarding medications that contain narcotic or controlled substances, such as Ritalin, Concerta, and various sedatives. Carrying such medications without proper documentation can be treated as drug smuggling, a serious offense that may result in arrest, fines, or imprisonment. Pilgrims who require these medications are advised to prepare in advance:

• Obtain a doctor’s note in English (and ideally in Ukrainian and the language of the transit country) listing the generic and commercial name of the medication, dosage, and medical necessity.

• Have the note notarized for legal validity.

• Carry only quantities appropriate for personal use, in original pharmacy packaging.

• Include a personal declaration with travel dates to confirm the medicine is for private consumption only.

Smoking Bans in Airports

Another important reminder: smoking inside airports on the way to Uman is strictly forbidden. In many European airports, designated smoking rooms have been eliminated altogether. Those who wish to smoke must exit the terminal and re-enter through security, causing unnecessary delays. Smoking in prohibited areas can lead to fines, immigration penalties, or even a travel ban. Breslover organizers emphasized that beyond the legal consequences, discarded cigarette butts and disorderly behavior create a negative impression and constitute a chillul Hashem.

Final Word from Organizers

Ichud Breslov leaders are appealing to all travelers to follow the guidelines scrupulously, stressing that the annual trip to the kever of Rav Nachman is a spiritual journey. “Please respect local laws and sanctify Hashem’s name,” they urge. “Avoid conduct that could cause shame or difficulties for others. Careful adherence to the rules will help ensure the success of the pilgrimage for years to come.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

We are watching Klal Yisroel unravel before our very eyes, and instead of addressing the collapse, everyone keeps pretending that all is fine. It is not fine. It is not fine at all. The system — the very structure that is supposed to uphold us, guide us, protect us — has failed. Completely. Catastrophically. And we are the ones paying the price.

Families are drowning in financial ruin. Tuition is sky-high, rent and mortgages are crushing, food prices are unbearable, and every simcha becomes a test to see if the baalei simcha can make it to the finish line without having a heart attack. And that’s not an exaggeration.

Parents max out credit cards just to survive, and the mosdos don’t care — they claim they’re choking as much as the families choke. Where is the compassion? Where is the accountability? Nothing.

Our schools’ financials are in shambles. Teachers, the lifeblood of our children’s chinuch, are treated like beggars, underpaid and undervalued, while administrators often play power games. The classrooms are overcrowded, and if a kid doesn’t fit the cookie-cutter mold, he’s tossed aside like yesterday’s garbage.

Is this what we call chinuch? Is this what we’re so proud of? We are sacrificing entire generations because the system refuses to adapt, to care, to see every child as a neshama.

And let’s talk about the shidduch crisis — a crisis that everyone cries about and no one actually solves. Girls sit waiting, with no solution in sight.

Broken hearts pile up. Broken homes pile up. And broken dreams pile up.

Shalom bayis? Forget it. We are surrounded by couples on the verge of collapse. Financial stress, lack of guidance, emotional exhaustion — it’s a recipe for disaster, and it’s everywhere. How many homes are filled with silence, tension, or outright warfare? How many children are growing up in households where love has been replaced by resentment? Too many. Far too many.

Machlokes is the air we breathe. Shuls are split, neighborhoods divided, institutions at war with each other. Ask yourself: when was the last time you saw true achdus? We hide behind slogans of unity, but in practice, it’s jealousy, politics, control, and ego.

Simple Yidden are left confused, disillusioned, and bitter.

Our youth are walking away. Why shouldn’t they? What do they see? Hypocrisy. Double standards. Parents who preach values they don’t practice. Schools that break children’s spirits instead of raising them up. Why are we shocked when boys and girls run from it all? The only surprise is that more haven’t yet.

We’ve turned simchos into competitions. Instead of celebrating milestones with humility, we are pressured into outspending our neighbors. The photographer, the flowers, the gowns, the catering — it’s a bottomless pit of expenses that bury families alive. We’ve replaced meaning with show, joy with debt.

Our kollelim and yeshivos — where is the money to sustain them properly? We build monumental buildings, but we can’t pay rabbeim on time. We have wealthy donors funding all types of funds around the world, but our own communities in the Diaspora are drowing. Literally.

Chessed? Too often it’s become a photo-op, a brand, a fundraiser. Chesed is often drowned out by glossy campaigns and PR stunts.

Leadership? Don’t get me started. Where is it? Who is standing up and addressing these crises head-on? Who is gathering Klal Yisroel and saying enough is enough? Instead, we get silence. Or worse — meaningless speeches and soundbites.

The system keeps spinning its wheels, protecting itself, while families, children, marriages, and entire communities collapse.

And what about mental health? Swept under the rug. How many teenagers and young adults are crying themselves to sleep, suffering from crushing anxiety, depression, and trauma, while we keep pretending everything is perfect? How many suicides will it take before the silence ends?

We are a nation spiraling — addicted to money, divided by egos, choked by dysfunction, crippled by a system that no longer works. We are sick. And the sickness comes not from the bottom but from the top. The system is broken. And worst of all, the will to change is broken.

Yes, there are bright spots. Yes, there are beautiful families and acts of greatness. But stop telling me about the bright spots when the house is burning down. Stop distracting us with slogans and photo-ops while Klal Yisroel falls apart.

It is time to stop pretending. It is time to start screaming. It is time for accountability, for courage, for truth. Because if we keep going like this, there won’t be anything left to hold together.

Sincerely,
A Member of Klal Yisroel

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Matzav Status by CLICKING HERE. Join the Matzav WhatsApp Groups by CLICKING HERE.

The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar: “Emmanuel Macron will not be able to come to Israel as long as France persists in its anti-Israeli actions.”

Sen. Bill Hagerty to Fed Board nominee Dr. Stephen Miran: “I applaud the President for nominating you. You’ve been very clear that you want… the Fed to get out of the political arena it’s been operating in… I very much appreciate that.”

FDNY members are currently operating at a 3-alarm fire at 108 Taylor Street on Staten Island.

Rep. Jeffries on investigation into Fed Gov. Lisa Cook: “The Department of Justice continues to try to weaponize the federal government against people who have declined to bend the knee to Donald Trump and his extremism. We will not be intimidated by the Department of Justice.”

Syrian media reported that an international coalition airstrike targeted a vehicle en route to Aleppo Airport.

Sen. Mark Warner: “You’re saying the Biden Administration politicized all of the [COVID] data?!?” RFK JR.: “Yeah! … They fired all of the people who questioned the orthodoxy!”

Zelenskyy: Trump is not happy that Europe buys Russian oil. Among others there are two countries, Hungary and Slovakia.

In the past week, the Air Force intercepted five UAVs and two ground-to-ground missiles launched from Yemen.

RFK JR. scorches Sen. Ron Wyden: “You’ve sat in that chair for how long — 20, 25 years? — while the chronic disease in our children went up to 76%, and you said nothing. You never asked the question, ‘Why is this happening?'”