Feed aggregator

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tefila4Life-Shiur-936-Siyata-Dishmaya.mp3

A Houthi missile fired from Yemen in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning sent millions of Israelis in Haifa and the western Galil running to bomb shelters. It was the first time that a Houthi missile set off sirens in northern Israel, with previous sirens mainly targeting central Israel and the Jerusalem area. Residents of Haifa and the Sharon area reported hearing the sounds of explosions. Following the incident, the IDF spokesperson stated: “An interceptor was launched toward the missile and the missile was most likely successfully intercepted.” B’Chasdei Hashem, no direct injuries or damage from interceptor missiles were reported. However, a number of people were injured while running to bomb shelters. Meanwhile, US forces continue to target the Houthis in Yemen, with strikes on the  Hodeida, Marib and Saada governorates reported on Wednesday morning. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The IDF reported early Wednesday that it had detected a missile launch originating from Yemen, with the projectile aimed at Israeli territory.

“Aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public is instructed to follow the guidelines issued by the Home Front Command,” stated the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

Shortly afterward, air raid sirens were heard across several cities in northern Israel, including Haifa, Nahariya, and Acre. Locals said they heard loud booms during the incident.

In a follow-up statement, the IDF confirmed that “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in Haifa, Krayot, and the Western Galilee, a missile was launched from Yemen. An interceptor was launched toward the missile and the results of the interception are under review. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol.”

The IDF later clarified that one missile had been fired from Yemen, an Israeli interceptor was launched in response, and initial assessments indicated that the missile was probably taken down. The sounding of the sirens followed standard procedures.

Zaki Heller, spokesperson for Magen David Adom (MDA), provided an update: “Following the sirens heard in recent minutes in northern Israel, at this stage, no calls have been received at Magen David Adom’s 101 emergency hotline regarding rocket impacts or casualties.”

He did note, however, that emergency responders had been dispatched to assist individuals who sustained injuries while running to shelters.

A similar scenario unfolded this past Friday morning when missile alerts went off in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the surrounding regions of Shfela and Sharon. The military confirmed at the time that the missile from Yemen was intercepted and that sirens were activated in line with protocol.

Before the sirens were triggered, the IDF had issued an initial warning, aligned with a recently announced enhancement to the missile alert system for threats from Yemen.

However, the Home Front Command’s mobile alert app failed to notify all users in the affected areas, prompting the IDF to open an inquiry into the technical issue.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Elon Musk says he’ll be spending less time in Washington slashing government costs and more time running Tesla after his electric vehicle company reported a big drop in profits. Musk said on a conference call with analysts Tuesday that “now that the major work of establishing Department of Government Efficiency is done,” that he will be “allocating far more of my time to Tesla” starting in May. Musk said he now expects to spend just “a day or two per week on government matters” Tesla struggled to sell vehicles as it faced angry protests over Musk’s leadership of DOGE, a jobs-cutting group that has divided the country. The Austin, Texas, company reported a 71% drop in profits and a 9% decline in revenue for the first quarter. “Investors wanted to see him recommit to Tesla,” said Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives. “This is a big step in the right direction.” Investors sent Tesla shares up more than 5% in after-hours trading, although they are still down more than 40% for the year. The company reconfirmed that it expects to roll out a cheaper version of its best-selling vehicle, the Model Y sport utility vehicle, in the first half of this year. It also stuck with its predictions that it will be able to launch a paid driverless robotaxi service in Austin in June and have much of its fleet operating by itself next year. “There will be millions of Teslas operating autonomously in the second half of the year,” Musk said in a conference call after the results were announced. He later added about the personal use of autonomous vehicles, “Can you go to sleep in our cars and wake up at your destination? I’m confident that will be available in many cities in the U.S. by the end of this year.” Auto analyst Sam Abuelsamid at Telemetry Insight said he doubts Musk’s predictions. “The system is not robust enough to operate unsupervised. It still makes far too many errors,” he said. “It will suddenly make mistakes that will lead to a crash.” The planned rollout of the robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals comes as federal regulators still have open investigations into whether the technology that Tesla hopes will allow cars to drive themselves is completely safe. Tesla’s driver-assistance technology that can steer or stop a car but still requires humans to take over at any time — its so-called Autopilot — is being probed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for whether it alerts drivers sufficiently when their attention wanders. And the company’s Full Self-Driving, which is only partial self-driving and has drawn criticism for misleading drivers with the name, has come under scrutiny for its tie to accidents in low-visibility conditions like when there is sun glare. Another challenge to Tesla, which once dominated the EV business: It is facing fierce competition for the first time. Earlier this year, Chinese EV maker BYD announced it had developed an electric battery that can charge within minutes. And Tesla’s European rivals have begun offering new models with advanced technology that is making them real Tesla alternatives just as popular opinion has turned against Musk. The Tesla CEO has alienated potential buyers in Europe by publicly supporting far-right politicians there. Tesla said Tuesday that quarterly profits fell from $1.39 […]

During a press event on Tuesday, President Donald Trump emphasized that Hamas would not be permitted to take part in ruling Gaza once the conflict concludes.

“We’re not going to let Hamas do that, and we’re going to see what happens with Gaza,” Trump stated when asked by a reporter about the future leadership of the region.

Reflecting on the broader region, Trump remarked on the strides made during his presidency. “We’ve made a lot of progress in the Middle East. Tremendous. That date, that very special date, October 7th, should have never happened. It would have never happened if I were president,” he said.

Earlier that day, Trump revealed that he had spoken by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said the conversation covered a range of topics and highlighted their shared perspective. “I’ve just spoken to Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, relative to numerous subjects including Trade, Iran, etc. The call went very well—We are on the same side of every issue,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The two leaders also met in Washington two weeks prior. During that meeting, Trump addressed efforts to reach an agreement with Hamas for the release of hostages. “I want to see the end of the war. Right now, we have a problem with the hostages, we’re trying to get the hostages out. We got quite a few out, but it’s a long process. It shouldn’t be that long, but we have a big problem,” he said.

Earlier this month, Trump commented further on the hostage situation, expressing his personal engagement. “I’ve met with, as you know, a lot of the hostages. It’s a terrible situation. But if you notice, hostages are being released now, and that’s happened only since I got involved. So we have hostages being released, quite a few, actually. I’d like to get as many hostages as we can,” he said.

Addressing the situation in Gaza more broadly, Trump remarked, “Gaza’s a very, very important thing. It’s been under siege for many, many years. It’s a shame. A lot of people die in Gaza. A lot of bad things happen in Gaza. We’ll see what we can do about it.”

Meanwhile, discussions between Israel and Hamas over a potential ceasefire and hostage deal have stalled. Hamas recently rejected Israel’s latest counter-offer and reiterated its commitment to the terms previously proposed by international mediators.

The BBC reported Tuesday that Qatar and Egypt have introduced a new proposal aimed at bringing an end to the war and securing the release of hostages.

As per that report, the latest offer includes a five-to-seven-year truce, a full prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, the conclusion of active warfare, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian Arab source told the BBC that Hamas has signaled readiness to relinquish control of Gaza in favor of “any Palestinian entity agreed upon at the national and regional level.” The proposed governing body could be the Palestinian Authority based in Judea and Samaria, or a newly created administrative council.

The source described the latest diplomatic push as “serious” and noted that Hamas has demonstrated “unprecedented flexibility” in the negotiations.

{Matzav.com}

A federal review of helicopter safety around some of the busiest U.S. airports, prompted by the deadly midair collision in January between a passenger jet and Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., revealed dangerous flying conditions at the Las Vegas airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday the potential for a collision between air tour helicopters and planes at Harry Reid International Airport led the agency to make immediate changes to flying rules. In the first three weeks after implementation the number of collision alerts for planes dropped 30%. The FAA said after the collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter in January, which killed 67 people, that it planned to use artificial intelligence to dig into the millions of reports it collects to assess other places with busy helicopter traffic, including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and along the Gulf Coast. The FAA’s acting administrator, Chris Rocheleau, said Las Vegas quickly became a concern once the agency dug into the data because agreements with helicopter operators there didn’t clearly define vertical and lateral separation requirements when helicopters were approaching the airport. And air traffic controllers in the tower weren’t issuing traffic advisories between returning helicopters and airplanes. “We took quick action including exercising positive control over the helicopters and issuing more traffic advisories to pilots,” Rocheleau said. “As a result, the number of traffic alert and collision avoidance system reports decreased by 30 percent in just three weeks.” Luke Nimmo, a spokesperson for Clark County Department of Aviation, referred all questions about the findings to the FAA. Rocheleau promised to take additional actions in Las Vegas and at any other airport where the FAA identifies concerns. Following the crash of a New York City sightseeing helicopter into the Hudson River that killed six people April 10, the FAA said it was establishing a rulemaking committee to develop recommendations for improving commercial air tour safety. Jeff Guzzetti, a former National Transportation Safety Board and FAA accident investigator, said the fact that collision alerts for planes dropped so quickly “indicates a real hazard existed before the FAA looked at this.” “It’s tough to characterize how significant the hazard was,” he said. “But it’s yet another hole in the Swiss cheese that can line up with other holes and cause an accident just like what happened in Washington, D.C.” He said it made sense that the FAA first addressed the Las Vegas airport, given its large mix of helicopters and commercial traffic. “I think that they will find issues at other airports, but maybe not to the degree that they found with this one,” Guzzetti said. Former NTSB Chairman Jim Hall said there have long been safety issues with the helicopter tour industry, describing it as slipping in many cases into “becoming an attraction rather than a safe ride.” He said he is glad to see the FAA addressing it. “Unfortunately in aviation, it is accidents that bring the attention of the regulators to their responsibilities,” he said. The January midair collision near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport was the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2001. A series of other crashes and near misses in the months have raised worries about air travel, even though it remains safe overall. Helicopters […]

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee published a video message on Monday in response to a WHO official who asked him to pressure Israel to bring in more humanitarian aid to Israel. In a refreshing change from Biden administration officials, who constantly blamed and pressured Israel into providing aid to its enemies in Gaza, ignoring the fact that the aid was commandeered by Hamas, Huckabee said that Hamas must be pressured instead of Israel. “This past weekend, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, who is the regional coordinator for the WHO, called upon me to put more pressure on Israel to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” Huckabee said. “I appreciate the message. What I would like to suggest is that we work together on putting the pressure where it really belongs, on Hamas, to give us the opportunity to open up those humanitarian channels. So we call upon Hamas to sign an agreement so that humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza to the people who desperately need it.” “When that happens and hostages are released, which is an urgent matter for all of us, then we hope that that humanitarian aid will flow and flow freely, knowing that it will be done without Hamas being able to confiscate and abuse their own people by not allowing those resources to get to the people who desperately need it.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

While visiting the United States, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made a stop at a Miami, Florida police precinct.

Joined by a high-ranking official from the Miami Police Department, Ben Gvir received an in-depth look at the station’s facilities, including a walkthrough of the shooting range and observation of training sessions for officers. He also spent time engaging with on-duty police personnel.

The Minister was briefed on the methods used in officer preparation, the technological tools in use, and how the department manages its operations. He was given a detailed explanation of how the officers carry out their responsibilities.

To mark the visit, Ben Gvir gave the precinct’s commander a handcrafted metal lamp shaped like the emblem of the State of Israel as a gesture of gratitude. In return, the police commander presented him with an official Miami police uniform set.

This stop is part of a broader diplomatic trip across the United States that Ben Gvir is undertaking.

Throughout his trip, Ben Gvir is scheduled to meet with various Jewish community leaders, political personalities, and officials from the American government.

{Matzav.com}

A Molotov cocktail was hurled at a shul in Kryvyi Rih on the final night of Pesach, marking the latest in a troubling series of antisemitic incidents sweeping across parts of Ukraine. According to Chabad emissary and city Rabbi Liron Edri, the shul’s advanced security system — recently upgraded through support from Chabad World Assistance (CWA) and the Jewish Agency’s Security Fund — detected the threat and prevented what could have been a devastating blaze. “Thanks to the reinforced windows installed in recent months, a major fire was averted,” Rabbi Edri said. “The building was saved, but the message behind the attack is deeply concerning.” Surveillance footage reportedly showed multiple Molotov cocktails being thrown at the shul. While no injuries were reported and structural damage was minimal, the incident has raised fears of an emerging pattern of targeted antisemitic violence. Just weeks ago, a similar attack occurred in Mykolaiv, a southern Ukrainian city near the Black Sea, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at another shul. Rabbi Edri believes these incidents are not isolated. “We fear this is a coordinated trend,” he said. “There seems to be an effort to intimidate Jewish communities across Eastern Europe, and we must remain vigilant.” Local police have opened an investigation into the Kryvyi Rih attack and have pledged to bring those responsible to justice. Rabbi Edri commended the authorities for their immediate response and urged continued vigilance. “We will not let fear silence our faith,” he said. “Light will dispel darkness. I am grateful to the police and government officials who arrived swiftly and assured us that this will be thoroughly investigated.” The attack comes amid a broader uptick in antisemitic acts throughout Ukraine. The nation’s ongoing conflict with Russia has fueled political instability and nationalist sentiment, providing fertile ground for extremist rhetoric in some regions. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced on Tuesday that eight petroleum-derived food dyes will be systematically removed from the American food system in the coming months.

The FDA is starting the process by rescinding its approval for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, while simultaneously working with manufacturers to eliminate six other synthetic colorants from widely consumed food products.

“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” Makary said at the press conference.

Among the additional dyes that will be gradually banned are Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2 — commonly found in items such as Pop-Tarts, hot dog casings, Takis, and Mountain Dew.

Federal health agencies intend to establish a clear phase-out schedule in cooperation with food manufacturers, encouraging a shift from petroleum-based colorants to dyes made from natural ingredients.

To facilitate the switch, the FDA will soon approve four plant-based dyes for commercial use and will expedite the evaluation of others still awaiting review.

“If they want to add petroleum, [if] they want to eat petroleum, they ought to add it themselves at home, but they shouldn’t be feeding it to the rest of us without our knowledge or consent,” Kennedy stated.

Officials also want to advance the timeline for removing Red No. 3 from food products, well ahead of the previously anticipated phase-out by 2027 or 2028. The dye, which dates back to 1907 and appears in candies, baked goods, and frostings, is linked to potential cancer risks and behavioral disorders.

In addition, the National Institutes of Health will begin a deeper investigation into how artificial additives may impact children’s development and health.

Makary referenced a study published in The Lancet that suggested a “correlation” between synthetic dyes and a range of health issues including hyperactivity, obesity, diabetes, cancer, digestive ailments, and allergic reactions.

“For companies that are currently using petroleum-based red dye, try watermelon juice,” Makary offered. “For companies currently combining petroleum-based yellow chemical and red dyes together, try carrot juice.”

Although the FDA has acknowledged some evidence connecting artificial dyes to hyperactivity, the agency also admits that the scientific community hasn’t yet reached a definitive conclusion.

Out of 36 food colorings currently approved by the FDA, nine are synthetic and made in part from petroleum, while the rest are derived from natural sources like fruits and vegetables.

The removal of these synthetic additives aligns with Kennedy’s broader “Make America Healthy Again Movement,” which prioritizes minimizing toxic substances in consumer products.

“All of these industries cast a dark shadow historically over this agency and there’s so many conflicts that we are now systematically eliminating that has allowed them to suppress the science,” Kennedy said. “There’s shockingly few studies, even on food dyes.”

Kennedy noted that while no formal agreement has yet been signed with industry leaders, many large companies are already informally cooperating with the government’s goals.

“You win more bees with honey than fire,” Makary remarked, when asked how the agencies plan to move the process forward with minimal regulatory hurdles.

“Let’s start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without any statutory or regulatory changes,” he added. “But we are exploring every tool in the toolbox to make sure this gets done very quickly. They want to do it.”

Kennedy said that in recent days, numerous food executives have reached out proactively, asking for guidance on how to adjust their formulations. He emphasized that many companies have “shown a lot of leadership on this right now.”

Kennedy also suggested that banning petroleum-based food colorants is only the first step in a much larger plan to reshape the American food system under his health initiative.

“We’re going to start on that next,” he replied when asked about his efforts to address pharmaceutical additives.

Future plans include launching a nationwide public health campaign, promoting healthier choices, and creating an online platform where the government will publish details about every known additive in the food supply.

“There’s things that we’ll never be able to eliminate, like sugar. And sugar is poison. And Americans need to know that,” Kennedy said. He later emphasized his vision of having “zero” sugar in the national diet.

Some of his proposed changes, including stricter labeling rules and limitations on ingredients like sugar, would require approval from Congress.

Kennedy was joined by a group of vocal supporters, including several “MAGA moms,” who have backed his mission to reform the country’s food practices.

“If a foreign nation was doing to our children what we are doing in America, we’d go to war to protect them,” said Dr. Mark Hyman, a health advocate who also spoke at the event. “Every day, Americans consume thousands of chemicals in our food, many of which have never been independently tested for long-term safety.”

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who Kennedy previously mocked, supported the FDA’s move and said it was essential for safeguarding children’s health.

“I want to get the crap out of our food and improve the quality of school meals,” Morrisey said. “They deserve real food, not chemical shortcuts designed to fool the eye but harm the body. That’s what making America healthy again means to us.”

Here are the eight artificial food dyes targeted for elimination:

• Blue No. 1: Also called Brilliant Blue FCF, this dye is petroleum-based and used in products like M&M’s

• Blue No. 2: Known as indigo carmine or indigotine, it mimics the color of natural indigo and is found in items such as Skittles

• Citrus Red No. 2: Used mainly to color orange peels, especially in Florida-grown produce not intended for juicing.

• Green No. 3: A synthetic dye known as Fast Green FCF, created through chemical manufacturing.

• Orange B: Currently approved only for hot dog and sausage casings; large quantities may harm the liver and bile duct.

• Red Dye 40: Marketed as Allura Red AC, it colors items such as Kool-Aid and NyQuil.

• Yellow No. 5: Also called tartrazine, it appears in drinks like Mountain Dew

• Yellow No. 6: Sunset Yellow FCF gives a bright yellow-orange shade to candies like Airheads, Jolly Ranchers, and cereals.

The Supreme Court dismissed a petition by bereaved parents whose children were murdered or abducted on October 7  to order Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to clarify when he intends to leave his position. In addition, the petition, signed by over 100 Israelis, including parents of hostages in Gaza, requested to remove the affidavit Bar submitted on Sunday from the case, as it contains no details regarding the legality of the government to dismiss him. The court dismissed the petition, angering the petitioners who said that they were treated disrespectfully by the court. “In addition, the judges did not address the request of the bereaved parents who asked the court to allow them to review the file and see the documents that were submitted.” Adv. Yehuda Poah stated: “The court’s contemptuous attitude towards the bereaved parents is outrageous. Terrorists with blood on their hands are granted the opportunity to have their claims heard in court and receive close attention, but bereaved parents and parents of murder victims are met with blatant disregard.” Earlier on Tuesday,  dozens of bereaved families sent a letter to Bar demanding that he comply with the government’s decision and end his term. The letter states: “We, bereaved families, members of the Gevura Forum, who lost the dearest of all in the Swords of Iron War, appeal to you with an unequivocal demand – obey and fulfill the government’s decision and end your term. Your continued tenure at this time, despite the government’s decision, harms the people, the state, and security, endangers the stability of the state, and is causing an intensification of the rift between the authorities. And all this while our soldiers are fighting on multiple fronts.” “Sir, in a conversation with a number of bereaved families, including myself, last week in your office, you pledged to end your term no later than May 15. Keep your word. We ask that you act responsibly and immediately announce a date for the end of your term, before the upcoming Zikaron week. Please do not add pain and division to our brokenness. It is in your power to prevent another deep rift and to maintain a measure of responsibility towards the people and the state.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

President Donald Trump’s border czar joined New York City’s mayor on Tuesday to tout new federal charges against 27 people accused of being Tren de Aragua gang members and associates. The joint announcement is the latest example of the close ties between Mayor Eric Adams and the Trump administration, which recently dropped federal corruption charges against the Democrat so he could better focus on the Republican president’s immigration priorities. Adams is now running for reelection as an independent. Trump, in his nationwide immigration crackdown, has labeled Tren de Aragua an invading force as he invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a little-used authority from 1798 that allows the president to deport any noncitizen during wartime. “Every member of TDA should be on the run,” declared Thomas Homan, Trump’s border czar, referring to the initials of the gang, which originated in Venezuela more than a decade ago and has been linked to a series of kidnappings, extortion and other crimes throughout the Western Hemisphere. Adams’ administration recently announced that it would let federal immigration officials operate at the city’s Rikers Island jail complex — and Homan used the news briefing to take a swipe at a City Council lawsuit seeking to stop the plan. “This is what collaboration looks like,” he said. “I never asked the city or the NYPD to be immigration officers. I asked them to work with us on significant public safety threats and national security threats, and that’s what we’re committed to doing.” A New York judge ordered city officials on Monday to temporarily halt the plan, which would let Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies establish offices at the massive lockup, until an April 25 hearing on the suit. Adams said Tuesday’s announcement showed he remains “unapologetic” in his desire to rid the city’s streets of violent immigrant gangs. “The question that we must answer is whose side are you on?” the Democrat said. “Are you on the side of those who are carrying these illegal guns, wreaking havoc, trafficking, harming innocent people regardless of their documentation, or are you on the side of hardworking New Yorkers and Americans? I’m clear on which side I’m on.” Manhattan prosecutors say the case is the first to bring federal racketeering charges, which were famously used to bring down the Mafia, against the Venezuelan street gang. The more than two dozen accused also face charges including human trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery, and firearms possession. Prosecutors said those arrested smuggled young women from Venezuela into Peru and the U.S. The women, who they referred to as “multadas,” were threatened with violence and death. The gang members also committed armed robberies and smuggled illegal drugs, including a substance called “tusi” that contains ketamine, prosecutors said. Of the 27 charged, 21 are in custody, including five arrested Monday and Tuesday in operations in New York and elsewhere, they said. Six others remain at large. The charges are broken out into two separate indictments, one for six alleged members of Tren de Aragua and the other charging 19 alleged members of “Anti-Tren,” a splinter faction made up of former Tren members. Among those named in Tuesday’s indictment was Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, who was among those arrested back in January in the Bronx during some of the Trump administration’s first efforts to ramp up […]

A routine interview on Sharon Gal’s morning show on Radio Galey Yisrael ended with a Yesh Atid MK embarrassing himself by hanging up the phone after he was unable to provide proof for his lies. MK Vladimir Beliak came on the air and loudly declared: “Netanyahu is dangerous to Israel, that’s a fact. That’s not incitement. Do you want to talk about the incitement against the Shin Bet chief?” Sharon Gal: “Give me one example of incitement by the Prime Minister or his ministers against Ronen Bar.” Beliak: “There are a million examples.” Gal: “I don’t need a million, just give me one.” Beliak: “There is a well-oiled poison machine against Ronen Bar.” Gal: “So give me one example, one.” Beliak: “You won’t drag me into this conversation. Do you want us to move on?” Gal: “Excuse me? You said something harsh. Which minister called Ronen Bar a traitor? You said something harsh, won’t you answer?” Beliak: “Do you want us to go into Twitter together and I’ll show you?” Gal: “Gladly. Go into Twitter while I’m on the line. We have until 9 a.m.” Beliak: “Do you want us to finish the interview? Your editor told me it would be a respectable interview.” Gal: “What?! You claim that a minister called Ronen Bar a traitor. I’m waiting for you to back it up.” Beliak hangs up the phone. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met Tuesday with the families of Americans currently being held hostage by Hamas. The emotional meeting shed light on the ongoing suffering of these families since the October 7 attack.

“I was deeply moved by their stories,” Huckabee said. “The anguish they have felt every day since October 7 is simply unimaginable.”

He emphasized that ensuring the hostages’ freedom remains the most urgent matter for the United States, declaring it a top national priority.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure Edan Alexander is reunited with his family, and that the four deceased Americans that Hamas continues to hold hostage are returned to their loved ones.”

The remains of American-Israelis Itay Chen, Judy Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai, and Omer Neutra have still not been recovered from Hamas custody.

Hamas’s military arm released a video of Edan Alexander recently, but claimed over the weekend that they had lost track of him after discovering the body of the terrorist who had been guarding him.

Earlier last week, the group publicly acknowledged that communication had been lost with the unit holding Alexander in Gaza.

During a trip to the Kosel last week, Huckabee mentioned that President Donald Trump’s prayer was for the swift return of every hostage still trapped in Gaza.

He also pointed to Trump’s strong record of support for Israel, citing key decisions like recognizing Yerushalayim as Israel’s capital and officially acknowledging Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Huckabee expressed his gratitude for being at the Kosel on the final weekend of Pesach, extending not only warm wishes for the yom tov but also blessings “for eternity” on behalf of the American people.

{Matzav.com Israel}

CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten says the latest readings are flashing red for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. In a blistering interview on Mediaite’s Press Club, Enten warned that Trump’s second-term economic policies — particularly his aggressive use of tariffs — are already dragging down his approval ratings and could set the stage for a Republican midterm bloodbath if the economy worsens. “This economy is his,” Enten said bluntly. “If these tariffs raise prices even further, there will be a political price to pay.” That price could be steep. Trump’s net approval rating with independent voters is a staggering 22 points underwater — a historic low for any modern president at this point in a second term. It’s even worse than his own numbers during his first term. “It is completely on the table that the Republican brand could collapse,” Enten warned. “It has not yet — but it absolutely could. If the economy goes south, it will take Republican House members with it, and some senators too.” But Democrats shouldn’t start celebrating just yet. According to Enten, “The Democratic Party’s brand is in the absolute gutter.” Once the favored home of the American working class, the party has hemorrhaged support among Black, Hispanic, and younger voters, many of whom have shifted toward Trump. “It just ain’t the case no more,” Enten said of Democrats’ past advantage with the working class. One bright spot for Democrats? Elon Musk — at least as a political target. “Why are Democrats wise to go after Elon Musk?” Enten asked rhetorically. “In poll after poll after poll, he is unpopular.” He pointed to a recent Fox News poll showing Musk’s approval rating at minus 18 nationally — worse than Trump’s. After Musk poured $25 million into a Wisconsin judicial race and appeared on stage at a rally, the conservative candidate he backed lost — by 10 points. “He becomes the face, and suddenly — political poison,” Enten said. And while Trump is known for embracing bold characters, he’s also allergic to losers. “If there’s one thing Donald Trump has taught us,” Enten added, “it’s this: don’t lose.” Enten also touched on the Democrats’ leadership vacuum, noting that while names like AOC and Josh Shapiro generate some energy, no clear successor has emerged. Still, Vice President Kamala Harris, while often dismissed by pundits, remains the most recognizable Democrat in early 2028 polling. “Name ID is worth a lot of dough,” Enten noted. As for Trump’s economic gambit, Enten’s prediction was simple: if inflation ticks up, the fallout will be swift and severe. “Trump won the presidency because of high prices,” he said. “But now he owns them.” The upcoming months will test whether Trump’s base remains loyal in the face of rising costs — or whether a fragile economy will trigger a broader political reckoning. “This is a moment of inflection,” Enten said. “And history shows — when the economy goes south, so do the presidents.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

During a podcast appearance on Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren tried — and failed — to defend past remarks she made about former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline.

Fragoso asked if Warren regretted her statements about Biden.

“I said what I believed to be true,” Warren said.

“You think he was as sharp as you?” Fragoso pushed back.

“I said I had not seen decline,” she finally responded. “And I hadn’t at that point.”

Fragoso pressed Warren further.

“The thing is,” Warren began uncertainly. “Look, he was sharp. He was on his feet. I saw him… live event. I had meetings with him a couple of times…”

“Senator, ‘on his feet’ is not praise,” Fragoso argued. “‘He can speak in sentences’ is not praise.”

“Fair enough,” Warren said.

Watch the clip below:

 

Warren defended Biden’s “sharpness” last year when interviewer Hasan Minhaj mocked Biden’s age on a podcast recorded before Biden’s infamous presidential debate against President Donald Trump.

“I talk to the man,” Warren said. “The man is sharp. The man knows what he’s talking about. He does the job. I think people ask about age, they’ve got every right. Look, voters can ask about anything they want. They can make any decisions based on anything they want. That’s the deal.”

{Matzav.com}

Terrifying footage of the Ocean County, NJ, wildfire threatening commercial buildings as firefighters desperately try to save them

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has no plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, just days after his statement that he would like to terminate the head of the U.S. central bank caused a stock market selloff. “I have no intention of firing him,” Trump told reporters. The U.S. president had previously insinuated otherwise as he said he could fire Powell if he wanted to, having been frustrated by the Fed putting a pause on cuts to short-term interest rates. Powell has said that Trump’s tariffs are creating uncertainty about slower growth and higher inflationary pressures, while the president maintains that inflationary worries are essentially non-existent. The president maintains that energy and grocery prices are falling, so the Fed should cut its benchmark rates because inflation is no longer a threat to the U.S. economy, Trump said. His remarks indicated that he still plans to use the bully pulpit to pressure a U.S. central bank that is committed to resisting political pressure as part of its mandate to stabilize prices and maximize employment. Trump’s frustration led him to post on social media last Thursday: “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” The Fed chair’s term ends in May 2026. On Tuesday, Trump continued to air his grievances about Powell, even though he said the Fed chair would stay on the job despite the president’s belief that inflation is no longer a problem. “It’s all coming down,” Trump said. “The only thing that hasn’t come down, but hasn’t gone up much, are interest rates. And we think the Fed should lower the rate. We think that it’s a perfect time to lower the rate. And we’d like to see our chairman be early or on time, as opposed to late. Late’s not good.” Trump again attacked Powell on Monday on his Truth Social account, saying that “there is virtually No Inflation.” The comment built on a statement by Trump last week that said he believed he could fire Powell, a move that shook financial markets and frightened investors that interest rates might be subject to politics instead of economic fundamentals. “If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast, believe me,” Trump said in the Oval Office last Thursday. “I’m not happy with him.” The Fed has held off on further reductions to its federal funds rate, which influences the money supply by setting the interest rate that banks can charge each other for overnight loans. That rate is effectively 4.33%, down a fully percentage point since last August as inflationary pressures appeared to ease. The Fed had initially raised that rate because of inflation spiking during Joe Biden’s presidency, a byproduct of the global economy recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and higher energy and food prices after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. But Powell has also been willing to challenge the president’s trade policies. He said last week in a Chicago speech that Trump’s tariff policies would hurt the U.S. economy, a direct warning to a White House trying to sell the import taxes as a long-term positive for the country. “The level of tariff increases announced so far is significantly larger than anticipated, and the same is likely to be true of the economic effects which will include higher inflation and slower growth,” Powell said […]

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen confirmed over the weekend that the American taxpayers footed the bill for his trip to El Salvador to meet with deported alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Van Hollen made the admission to Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday.

When pressed by Bream about who paid for the trip, Van Hollen said it was an “officially cleared, you know, congressional trip.”

“So taxpayer dollars?” Bream questioned.

“Yes, like every other trip,” Van Hollen replied.

Watch the clip below:

 

According to a Daily Caller report, Democratic Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost and Democratic California Rep. Robert Garcia sent a letter last week to House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer requesting approval for a congressional delegation trip to El Salvador. They noted that the Senate had “already authorized CODEL travel to CECOT.”

Comer is denying the use of taxpayer funds for the trip; “If you also wish to meet with him, you can spend your own money. But I will not approve a single dime of taxpayer funds for use on the excursion you have requested,” he declared.

 

{Matzav.com}

White House Press Secretary confirmed on Tuesday that President Trump is “standing strongly” behind Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

On Monday, NPR reported that the search for Hegseth’s replacement had begun in the wake of the Signal chat story.

The White House says that’s fake news.

“You said on Fox News that the entire Pentagon is working against Secretary Hegseth. But the people who were fired were Hegseth’s own guys. So how do you square that and what do you say to concerns that that is bad management?” one reporter asked Leavitt.

“They were Pentagon employees who leaked against their boss to news agencies in this room,” Leavitt answered. “It’s been clear since Day One from this Administration that we are not going to tolerate individuals who leak to the mainstream media, particularly when it comes to sensitive information.”

“The Secretary of Defense is doing a tremendous job and he is bringing monumental change to the Pentagon. And there are a lot of people in this city who reject monumental change,” Leavitt continued. “I think that’s why we’ve seen a smear campaign against the Secretary of Defense since the moment that President Trump announced his nomination.”

“Let me reiterate that President Trump stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth and the change he is bringing to the Pentagon, and the results he’s achieved so far speak for themselves.”

Watch the clip below:

{Matzav.com}