Feed aggregator

President Donald Trump responded last night to former President Barack Obama’s recent claim that he occupies “a suite” in Trump’s mind by posting side-by-side photos comparing the two men during their younger years.

The social media exchange came after Trump shared several posts on Truth Social, including an AI-generated image depicting himself holding the Earth while carrying an American flag over his shoulder. He also posted a photo from the recent UFC event held outside the White House before turning his attention to Obama.

Among the posts was a pair of vintage photographs—one showing Trump during his years at the New York Military Academy and another showing Obama in his college days holding a cigarette.

Trump captioned the images simply: “D. Trump, 20” and “B.H. Obama, 18.”

Critics quickly questioned the accuracy of the age listed for Trump’s photograph. His niece, Mary Trump, who has frequently criticized him publicly, noted that Trump attended the New York Military Academy as a teenager and graduated in 1964 at age 17.

Trump’s post followed comments Obama made earlier in the week during an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast, where he joked that Trump’s repeated criticism of him reflects an ongoing fixation.

“The obsession,” Obama told the podcast this week. “I obviously have a room in his head. A suite in his head.”

Obama added that he approached the presidency differently.

“First of all, when I was president, the last thing I had time to do was worry about what somebody said or my predecessor did. They’re gone. I’ve got work to do,” he added.

Trump has frequently criticized Obama during campaign rallies and public appearances. More recently, he has also used AI-generated images to mock the former president, including posts depicting Obama’s presidential center as a giant dumpster.

{Matzav.com}

Senior officials in the chareidi parties are dismissing Isreli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s latest assurances regarding legislation aimed at preventing the arrest of bnei yeshivah, insisting that only concrete action—not public statements—will restore their confidence.

A senior source within the chareidi factions responded to Netanyahu’s recent remarks and to a letter issued by Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs outlining proposed arrest legislation. “We’ve had enough words and promises,” the official said. “Netanyahu will be judged only by his actions.”

The sharp criticism reflects growing frustration among chareidi lawmakers over what they view as repeated delays in advancing legislation important to the Torah community. On Friday, Fuchs sent a formal letter to Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth detailing a proposal intended to prevent the arrest of lomdei Torah who are studying under what he described as “effective supervision.”

The senior official argued that Netanyahu has made similar commitments before, only to abandon them when it mattered most.

“We’ve seen him stand at the Knesset podium several times explaining why the draft law had to pass, but when the decisive moment came, he was the one who buried the draft law,” the source said. “He did the same thing with the daycare law—plenty of talk, but in practice nothing happened.”

The source then delivered a blunt warning to the coalition, saying the patience of the chareidi parties has run out.

“Now we’ve had enough words and promises. We want to see action. Until we see action, no legislation will move forward in the current Knesset until it is dissolved, including the bill to split the attorney general’s position and the communications law.”

Additional senior chareidi officials reportedly said this past week that although they generally support changes to the office of the attorney general, they will not back legislation dividing that position unless the coalition first delivers on two key priorities: passage of the Basic Law: Torah Study and the proposed law preventing the arrests of bnei yeshivah.

The latest dispute follows a high-level meeting reported last week between Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni, and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

During that meeting, Deri and Gafni reportedly demanded immediate progress on the two flagship pieces of legislation sought by the chareidi community—the Basic Law: Torah Study and the arrest bill.

According to the report, the two party leaders also insisted that Netanyahu personally guarantee a parliamentary majority to pass both measures. They reportedly warned that if the coalition failed to move forward with the legislation promptly, the chareidi parties would seek the immediate dissolution of the Knesset.

At a press conference Friday, Netanyahu addressed the arrests of lomdei Torah, expressing strong opposition to the current policy.

“If they told you that Torah learners were being arrested in Europe, you would be horrified,” Netanyahu said. “We are arresting young men inside the yeshivah. That cannot happen. I strongly oppose it.”

In his letter, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs explained that the proposed legislation would apply only to bnei yeshivah studying under “effective supervision” by their yeshivos.

Fuchs wrote that, following the High Court’s ruling, government funding was cut off to yeshivos enrolling students subject to military service, while those students and their families were also subjected to various financial sanctions. He added that the Attorney General subsequently instructed the IDF to carry out repeated arrest operations “without distinguishing between yeshivah students who are actively learning and those who are not.”

According to Fuchs, the current situation has created significant unrest even among chareidi families whose sons serve in chareidi combat units or attend hesder yeshivos. The report noted that if the coalition intends to advance the arrest bill, the legislation must be formally circulated immediately—a step that, as of now, has yet to take place.

A plain white envelope arrives in your mailbox with your name on it. It may even include a tracking number, making it appear completely legitimate. But when you open it, it’s empty—no letter, no product, and no explanation. Consumer protection experts say that what looks like a harmless mystery could actually be the first step in a scam designed to exploit your personal information.

Investigators have linked these unexplained deliveries to a scheme known as “brushing,” in which scammers use fake shipments to create fraudulent online purchase records. In some cases, the envelope may also contain a QR code that directs recipients to malicious websites designed to steal personal or financial information.

The real danger begins if the recipient becomes curious enough to scan a QR code, click a link, call a phone number, or provide personal information. What starts as an odd delivery can quickly become an identity theft or financial fraud case.

The empty-envelope tactic is frequently associated with brushing scams. In these schemes, dishonest online sellers mail inexpensive items—or even completely empty envelopes—to real addresses to create shipping records showing that an order was successfully delivered.

Once the shipment is marked as delivered, scammers can use the tracking confirmation to post fake “verified buyer” reviews on online marketplaces, making low-quality products appear more popular and trustworthy than they actually are.

Recent reports indicate that recipients have received small padded envelopes bearing unfamiliar or fictitious sender names. Some have received multiple deliveries, while others found only worthless trinkets, packing material, or nothing at all inside.

Although these deliveries may seem more annoying than dangerous, cybersecurity experts warn that the larger concern is that someone already possesses your name and home address.

Scammers don’t need to send anything valuable. All they require is proof that a package was delivered to a legitimate address. They typically obtain names and addresses through data brokers, public records, data breaches, or information leaked online. Using that information, they create fake purchases and mail inexpensive items or empty envelopes to unsuspecting recipients.

After delivery is confirmed, dishonest sellers can falsely claim that you purchased their product and may even publish fabricated positive reviews using your identity or account information. The scheme not only inflates product ratings but also demonstrates that your personal information is already circulating among scammers.

A newer and more dangerous version of the scam involves including a QR code inside the package. The message may urge recipients to “scan to see who sent this gift” or “scan to verify delivery,” but experts strongly advise against doing so.

Unlike a printed web address, a QR code conceals its destination until it is scanned. Cybercriminals take advantage of natural curiosity, especially when an unexpected package arrives bearing the recipient’s name.

The hidden link may lead to a counterfeit website requesting personal details such as your name, address, phone number, credit card information, bank credentials, shopping account passwords, or one-time verification codes.

Once scammers obtain that information, they may gain access to financial accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or compromise payment applications.

Experts recommend several precautions if you receive an unexpected envelope or package.

First, never scan any QR code included with a mystery delivery. If verification is necessary, visit the retailer’s or shipping company’s official website directly rather than using the code.

Second, avoid calling any phone numbers printed inside the package. Instead, contact companies such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay, USPS, UPS, or FedEx only through their official websites or mobile apps.

Third, review your online shopping accounts for unfamiliar purchases, suspicious reviews, unauthorized address changes, or unknown payment methods.

Fourth, update passwords for your email, shopping, and financial accounts using strong, unique passwords for each service. Security experts also recommend using a password manager.

Fifth, enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Authentication apps generally provide stronger protection than text-message verification.

Sixth, carefully monitor bank and credit card statements for unfamiliar charges, subscription renewals, or withdrawals, and report suspicious activity immediately.

Seventh, review your credit reports and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus if you believe your identity may be at risk.

Finally, report suspicious mailings to the US Postal Inspection Service and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. If the shipment appears to be associated with a legitimate retailer, notify that company directly through its official website.

If you have already scanned a suspicious QR code, experts say not to panic—but act quickly. Close the webpage immediately, avoid entering additional personal information, change any passwords that may have been exposed, enable two-factor authentication, monitor financial accounts for unauthorized activity, contact your bank if payment information was submitted, scan your device with reputable security software, remove any applications installed through the QR code, and report the incident to both the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission. If particularly sensitive information, such as your Social Security number or banking credentials, was disclosed, freezing your credit may also be appropriate.

Cybersecurity professionals also recommend installing reliable antivirus and anti-phishing software capable of blocking malicious websites, fraudulent links, and dangerous downloads before they compromise your devices.

Another important protective measure is limiting the amount of personal information available online. Because brushing scams often begin with data purchased from brokers or obtained through leaks, reducing your digital footprint through data removal services can make it more difficult for scammers to target you.

Experts say the biggest takeaway is simple: An empty envelope may seem harmless, but it can be an early warning that your personal information is already in the hands of scammers. Resist the temptation to investigate through QR codes, unfamiliar phone numbers, or suspicious websites. Instead, slow down, verify information only through official sources, and secure your accounts before curiosity turns into a much larger problem.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Friday that if Democrats regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, they will pursue an extensive investigation into President Donald Trump and his administration while simultaneously advancing their legislative priorities.

Speaking on MSNBC’s The Briefing, host Jen Psaki asked Ocasio-Cortez how Democrats should balance investigations into the Trump administration with policy initiatives such as health care and affordable housing if they return to power.

Psaki said, “I played a clip of little Mike Johnson, as I like to call him, laying out how a Democratic majority in Congress would investigate the president, the cabinet, donors and friends. It all sounds, I think, probably to a lot of people watching and a lot of people out there who were infuriated by the level of corruption. Pretty good. But you’ve also talked about a lot of things you deeply care about: health care and affordable housing. I know there are many other things. What do you see as the right priorities? Balance of things, especially as it relates to investigations and accountability? Where does that fall on how much time should be spent on that?”

Ocasio-Cortez responded by pointing to her previous service on the House Oversight Committee during President Trump’s first administration and argued that congressional investigations and legislative work can proceed simultaneously.

“I mean, I of course, some I spent many years on the oversight, and on the oversight committee in Congress, which is in charge of investigations during the first Trump administration. I helped on the investigation of Michael Cohen at the time, which led to a record setting settlement from, Attorney General Letitia James. But, I think that it really is — it genuinely is a situation of we can walk and chew gum at the same time.”

She continued by pledging that congressional committees would aggressively examine the administration if Democrats take control of the House.

“There are certain committees that I think will be spearheading real investigations into this administration. There has to be accountability, and it has to be because we cannot allow this level of corruption to consume our public service and our government ever again. And the only way that you allow that are the only way that you set that precedent is by aggressive investigation and consequence.”

Ocasio-Cortez added that congressional investigations can often lead to additional legal action outside of Congress.

“And often times, some of the things that do come out in congressional investigations sometimes yield to, either state pursuits, etc.. And, you know, Mike Johnson paints this as though it’s some partizan witch hunt but if you don’t want to be prosecuted for crimes, don’t do crimes.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Friday that Iran’s nuclear program has effectively been crippled, arguing that even if negotiations fail to produce a final agreement, the regime no longer has the capability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Speaking on HBO’s Real Time, Vance maintained that the United States has already achieved its primary military objective by destroying Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities, minimizing the importance of whether a final diplomatic agreement is ultimately reached.

“If we don’t make the final deal, their nuclear program is still destroyed, they’re still much weaker as a country.”

Host Bill Maher challenged that assessment, responding, “But their program isn’t destroyed, the nuclear program isn’t destroyed.”

Vance immediately pushed back, asking Maher, “What part is not destroyed?”

Maher replied, “Well, we didn’t get in there. The whole thing was we have to get in there and see, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing this.”

Vance argued that the key objective was eliminating Iran’s enrichment infrastructure rather than inspecting every facility.

“Well, let me say, first of all, so a nuclear program — and I’m hardly a nuclear scientist, I’m a lowly politician — but the thing that you have to destroy is their ability to enrich uranium, which has been destroyed.”

After Maher interrupted to ask how the administration could be certain, Vance responded, “Well, because you need functioning centrifuges that can actually spin.”

Maher then pressed the issue further, asking, “But what was all the talk about, we’ve got to get in there and we’ve got to get the dust, and we didn’t get in there, so how do we get the dust?”

Vance acknowledged that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a separate issue but insisted that it poses little immediate danger because the regime no longer possesses the infrastructure needed to weaponize it.

“So, that’s actually a separate question. So, there’s the highly enriched stockpile, which, by the way, was allowed to accumulate over 20 years of previous administrations. That enriched stockpile is something that we want to get. But, Bill, if we never get it, and the president wants it, and we are going to get it, but if we never got it, it’s buried deep underground and they don’t have the ability to turn it into a nuclear weapon. So, the program is functionally destroyed. We’re just talking about, can we set them back even further through these negotiations.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have captured one of the alleged architects of the massive $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme after he spent four years evading arrest overseas. The Department of Justice announced Friday that the suspect was taken into custody in Somalia and now faces dozens of federal charges tied to one of the largest COVID-era fraud cases in US history.

Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was among the original defendants charged in 2022 for his alleged role in orchestrating the Feeding Our Future scandal. Prosecutors accuse him of helping divert hundreds of millions of dollars from the Federal Child Nutrition Program, which was intended to provide meals to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to investigators, the operation functioned as a pay-to-play enterprise in which operators of roughly 200 fraudulent meal distribution sites funneled a portion of their illegal profits back to insiders, including Eidleh. Prosecutors maintain that the meals billed to the government were never actually provided to children.

The 31-count indictment against Eidleh includes charges of “conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering,” according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.

Authorities said Eidleh was arrested Thursday in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald, who oversees the Trump administration’s anti-fraud efforts, described Eidleh as “a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history.”

McDonald added: “He not only stole taxpayer dollars, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed. Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners. The Department of Justice will continue to track down and prosecute fraudsters wherever they run and wherever they hide.”

Minnesota US Attorney Daniel Rosen also praised the arrest, saying: “Eidleh’s capture shows that, if you commit fraud against the American taxpayer, and try hiding across the globe, the long arm of justice will find you. We salute the FBI’s work in finding Eidleh, and are grateful to all our federal and international partners that help us hold accountable those who defraud our government.”

Federal prosecutors allege that Eidleh recruited and assisted individuals in establishing fictitious meal distribution sites and sham food vendors, which then submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims to the government for millions of meals that were never served.

The DOJ further alleges that Eidleh and other participants accepted bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking to operate fraudulent meal sites.

Investigators also contend that Eidleh established fraudulent meal sites of his own, falsely claiming they were feeding thousands of children each day.

Prosecutors said, “Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in kickbacks, bribes, and other fraud proceeds into accounts associated with his shell companies, using them to conceal the true nature and source of the illegally obtained funds.”

The Feeding Our Future case is one of several alleged public assistance fraud schemes linked to members of Minnesota’s large Somali community that remain under federal investigation.

In May, Aimee Bock, widely described as the mastermind behind the Feeding Our Future operation, was sentenced to 41 years in federal prison after being convicted on every count against her.

To date, authorities have charged at least 79 individuals in connection with the sprawling fraud scheme, and more than 60 have already been convicted.

{Matzav.com}

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

LISTEN:

A massive three-day search for a missing Bnei Brak resident ended on Sunday morning, when 25-year-old Yisroel Mordechai Stern was found alive near Modi’in Illit, exhausted but conscious.

Israel Police confirmed that Stern had been located safely and thanked the public for its assistance in sharing information throughout the search effort.

Stern disappeared Thursday from the Bnei Brak area, prompting an extensive search involving hundreds of volunteers, specialized search-and-rescue units, police officers, and emergency responders.

The breakthrough came early Sunday morning when an individual contacted emergency services after spotting a man matching Stern’s description in a forested area near Modi’in Illit. Teams from the Missing Persons Unit and ZAKA Tel Aviv’s Jeep Unit were immediately dispatched and located Stern conscious but suffering from exhaustion.

Yechiel Goldman, operations officer for ZAKA Tel Aviv, described the moment the search came to a successful conclusion.

“Early this morning, ZAKA’s emergency hotline received a report from a civilian who spotted a person matching the published description in a forest near Modi’in Illit. Our teams were dispatched immediately and located the missing man conscious but exhausted,” Goldman said.

The Israel Canine Unit (Yachal) also announced the successful outcome, noting that its volunteers remained in the field throughout Shabbos, without returning home, until Stern was found. The organization expressed gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the search and praised the close cooperation among the various emergency agencies.

Golan Chavni, commander of the Jeep Unit, said volunteers had been mobilized since the beginning of the search operation, combing large areas with off-road vehicles and drones.

“Baruch Hashem, this morning he was found fully conscious,” Chavni said.

After days of intensive searching, the operation concluded successfully with Stern’s recovery near Modi’in Illit. Emergency and rescue organizations thanked the public for its vigilance, cooperation, and assistance in publicizing the search, all of which contributed to the positive outcome.

{Matzav.com}