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Pakistan’s defense minister has called for the creation of a united military alliance among Muslim nations to confront what he described as the threat posed by Israel, escalating his rhetoric just one day after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey formalized a new trilateral defense pact.

Speaking in a televised interview, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif argued that Israel poses a danger to the entire Islamic world and urged Muslim countries to stand together militarily.

“In the context of Israel, all Muslim countries must unite. I have no doubt about this,” Asif asserted during the broadcast.

Asif went on to question Israel’s legitimacy, arguing that its origins make it a long-term threat to the region.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Israel:

When it comes to Israel, all Muslim countries should come together. There is absolutely no ambiguity in my mind about that.

Given Israel’s current conduct, as well as the historical evidence of what it has been doing—at one… pic.twitter.com/3Uqzo1cdnR

— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 8, 2026

“Israel is a product of the Balfour Declaration, which was established in the 1940s as an illegitimate state, and it could pose a direct threat to any of the countries in the region,” he said, referring to the 1917 British declaration that supported the establishment of a Jewish national homeland in Mandatory Palestine and ultimately paved the way for the creation of the State of Israel.

The Pakistani defense minister also said his position would not change regardless of the outcome of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Oct. 27, even if Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is no longer in office.

“No matter who comes to power in Jerusalem – whether it’s [former Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett or any other leader – the differences are only marginal,” Asif stated.

He further accused Israeli leaders of maintaining hostility toward both Palestinians and the broader Muslim world.

“Their attitude towards the Palestinians and their anti-Islamic mindset will not disappear. They continue to incite Muslim countries against each other,” he charged, emphasizing that “as long as the Palestinian issue is not permanently resolved, the Islamic world must stand against them as one.”

Asif’s comments came just one day after Pakistan joined Saudi Arabia and Turkey in ratifying a mutual defense agreement under which an attack on any one of the three nations would be treated as an attack on all.

The agreement was finalized during a summit attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In a joint statement, the three governments said the pact is intended to strengthen collective deterrence, expand military cooperation, and promote regional security.

This is not the first time Asif has drawn criticism for his comments about Israel. In April, he referred to the Jewish state as “evil and a curse for humanity” and accused its military of committing genocide in Lebanon.

“Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran, and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated. I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell,” he wrote in a social media post.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar strongly condemned those remarks.

“Israel views these blatant antisemitic blood libels very gravely from a government claiming to ‘mediate peace,'” Sa’ar said.

He added that “calling the Jewish state ‘cancerous’ is effectively calling for its annihilation.”

“Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction,” Sa’ar pledged.

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office also issued a sharp condemnation of Asif’s statements.

“Pakistan Defense Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.”

Pakistan officially supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continues to withhold diplomatic recognition of Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, reports over the years have fueled speculation about quiet contacts between the two countries. In 2022, media reports indicated that an unofficial delegation of Pakistani citizens had traveled to Israel.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration announced Friday that it intends to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia’s new government, signaling strong U.S. backing for newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella and his tough approach to combating armed groups and organized crime.

In a statement, the State Department said the funding will form the foundation of a renewed partnership between Washington and Bogotá.

“As a cornerstone of this renewed partnership, the United States, working with Congress, intends to announce $1 billion in assistance ⁠as part of ⁠a security package ⁠to ⁠support President de la Espriella’s Administration in achieving our shared goals,” the State Department said in a statement.

De la Espriella officially took office Friday in an inauguration that broke with Colombian tradition. Rather than being sworn in in the nation’s capital, the 48-year-old president chose the southwestern city of Cali, a region long plagued by violence, in a move intended to underscore his commitment to confronting illegal armed organizations.

The new president succeeds Gustavo Petro after narrowly defeating Petro ally Sen. Ivan Cepeda in the June 21 runoff election.

Although new to elected office, de la Espriella entered the race as a political outsider. He financed his own campaign using wealth accumulated through his legal and business careers. His inauguration, held in a university auditorium before members of Congress, reflects the latest shift toward conservative leadership in parts of Latin America.

The ceremony drew a number of prominent international guests, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, and Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast.

{Matzav.com}

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Violence flared on multiple fronts over Shabbos as Hezbollah launched an explosive drone toward IDF troops in southern Lebanon, Iran was accused of striking a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, and reports emerged that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to resign in an effort to force an emergency meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

On the northern front, Hezbollah reportedly violated the ceasefire by launching an explosive drone at an IDF force operating in southern Lebanon during the past day. No soldiers were injured and no damage was reported. The IDF chose not to publicly disclose the incident, with the decision to withhold publication reportedly made by Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo.

According to a report by Kan News, Israeli defense officials believe the drone strike was part of a Hezbollah effort to assist terrorists attempting to escape from an underground tunnel network in the Ali Taher Ridge area of southern Lebanon. Military officials reportedly assess that Hezbollah operatives are trying to help terrorists trapped in the underground route make their way out.

On the Iranian front, the United Arab Emirates announced that Iran struck a tanker associated with its state-owned oil company with a missile near the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported, but officials described the attack as another escalation in the ongoing series of strikes targeting commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.

Iranian authorities did not respond to the accusation. While Iranian media outlets reported that the UAE had issued a statement about the incident, they reportedly omitted the portion accusing Iran of carrying out the missile attack.

Meanwhile, CNN reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter, that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has been searching for what one source described as an “off-ramp” from the conflict with Iran.

According to the report, Caine has privately told senior members of President Trump’s team in recent weeks that the United States should seek a path out of the war, warning that additional military escalation could produce the opposite of its intended effect and that air power alone is unlikely to achieve the administration’s stated war objectives.

Separately, security forces responded Sunday morning to a suspected terrorist infiltration alert in the community of Ofarim in Shomron after the driver of a stolen vehicle broke through a security checkpoint while fleeing police.

According to the IDF, the suspect abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. Security personnel rushed to the scene, and an armed security officer carried out the standard arrest procedure, including opening fire at the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody and transferred to the Judea and Samaria District Police for further investigation. The IDF later announced that the incident had concluded and that there was no ongoing security threat to the community.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he has no plans to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, insisting the party’s focus should be on reconnecting with working-class Americans rather than searching for a new national standard-bearer.

Speaking during an interview on SiriusXM’s Urban View, Mamdani was asked whether he intended to run for president in the next election cycle. He quickly dismissed the idea.

“Well, first of all, not me,” Mamdani responded when asked about a potential 2028 campaign.

Instead, Mamdani argued that Democrats do not need to reinvent themselves but should return to the principles that once defined the party.

“I think we have a number of choices,” he said, adding that the Democratic Party’s priority should be addressing the financial struggles facing everyday Americans.

According to Mamdani, the party should concentrate on making life more affordable for working families rather than pursuing a dramatic political transformation or ideological overhaul.

His remarks come as speculation has grown over who could emerge as the Democratic nominee following the next presidential election cycle. While Mamdani has become one of the party’s most recognizable progressive figures since taking office as New York City mayor, he made clear that he does not see himself as a 2028 contender.

Instead, the mayor suggested Democrats should focus less on finding a new political identity and more on advancing policies aimed at reducing the cost of living and improving economic opportunities for working people.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

WK Kellogg announced Thursday that it will eliminate artificial colors from its entire cereal lineup by the end of this year, accelerating its original timetable by a full year as consumer demand and regulatory pressure continue to grow.

The company had previously pledged to remove synthetic food dyes from all of its cereals by the end of 2027. Thursday’s announcement moves that deadline forward to the close of 2026.

Kellogg said it has successfully developed fruit- and vegetable-based color alternatives that will replace artificial dyes while preserving the familiar appearance of cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks. The Battle Creek, Michigan-based manufacturer also said it has invested in new production equipment to support the transition to naturally derived colors.

In addition to eliminating synthetic dyes, the company announced it is removing BHT, an artificial preservative, from the small number of cereal products that still contain the ingredient.

“More and more consumers are looking for foods made with simple, recognizable ingredients and we are proud to meet those expectations even sooner than planned,” Kellogg Chief Growth Officer Doug VanDeVelde said in a statement.

Kellogg has faced mounting pressure for years to eliminate artificial ingredients from its cereals, changes the company has already implemented in countries including Canada. In 2024, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the company’s headquarters and delivered petitions bearing approximately 400,000 signatures urging Kellogg to remove both artificial food dyes and BHT from its products.

The push intensified under President Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has repeatedly encouraged food manufacturers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colorings. Last August, Kellogg also entered into an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton committing to “permanently remove toxic dyes” from its cereals by the end of 2027.

Major retailers have also added pressure by changing their own product standards. Earlier this year, Target announced it would stop selling cereals containing artificial colors by the end of May, while Walmart said it plans to eliminate artificial colors from all of its private-label food products by January 2027.

Political analyst Amit Segal believes Israel’s next election could ultimately be decided by as few as 10,000 votes, a relatively small number that may determine not only which parties cross the electoral threshold, but also whether Gadi Eisenkot or Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has a viable path to forming the next government.

Writing in his weekly column in Yisroel Hayom, Segal argued that a shift of only several thousand votes could dramatically reshape the political map and determine the balance of power between the rival blocs.

According to Segal, if Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel succeed in crossing the electoral threshold, the four Knesset seats they are projected to win could bring Eisenkot’s bloc to 60 seats—placing it within striking distance of assembling a stable governing coalition for the next four years. However, if those same four seats instead go to a party led by figures such as Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, or Ofer Winter, all of whom have not ruled out joining a Netanyahu-led government, the political equation changes dramatically.

“If those four mandates are won by Erdan, Edelstein, or Winter, who have not ruled out Netanyahu, it means Eisenkot will not have a majority to form a government even with the Arabs abstaining,” Segal wrote. “10,000 votes moving from one side to the other—and the outcome will be completely different.”

Segal also discussed ongoing efforts to establish a new party in the center-right camp. He wrote that the decision by Erdan and Edelstein to announce their intentions immediately is designed to create political momentum and pressure other figures on the right to unite under a single framework.

According to Segal, Benny Gantz believes the financial resources and political infrastructure already at his disposal will enable him to attract additional partners. Tropper, meanwhile, reportedly believes favorable polling numbers will persuade others to join his effort. Erdan, by contrast, intends to project determination with a straightforward message: “I’m staying until the end. Anyone who wants can join me.”

Segal concluded that the battle over the smaller parties—and the movement of just a few thousand votes—could prove to be the decisive factor in the election, fundamentally altering the balance of power between Netanyahu and Eisenkot when Israelis head to the polls.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yigal Rosen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Or Yisroel, delivered a sobering message to bochurim regarding Israel’s ongoing draft crisis, saying that there is no natural solution in sight and urging them to prepare for the coming of Moshiach.

During the Bnei Yeshivos conference held at Kibbutz Chofetz Chaim, bochurim asked Rav Rosen about the future of the draft law and whether there was any realistic expectation that the current situation would eventually be resolved.

The rosh yeshiva responded with a clear and forceful message. “Under normal circumstances, there is no solution, and things will only get worse. Don’t let anyone tell you stories about some political move that will solve this problem. What you should do is prepare yourselves for the coming of Moshiach.”

His remarks made a powerful impression on those attending the conference and reflected the view held by many leading roshei yeshiva that the Torah world should not place its hopes in political developments or natural solutions. Instead, they emphasized strengthening limud haTorah, deepening emunah, and anticipating the coming of Moshiach with renewed faith and confidence.

{Matzav.com}

The medical condition of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe has improved after several days of weakness, bringing encouragement to his chassidim. The Rebbe’s voice was heard during Birchas HaChodesh on Shabbos in Moshav Ora, while his court also announced that next week’s historic “Makdishei Shimcha” gathering has been relocated to Yerushalayim because the Rebbe is not yet strong enough to travel to Meron.

After several difficult days, the Rebbe’s health improved over the course of Shabbos. On Shabbos Mevorchim Elul, those who spent Shabbos with the Rebbe in Moshav Ora merited hearing him recite Birchas HaChodesh together with the minyan.

Throughout Shabbos, Vizhnitzer chassidim in Eretz Yisroel and around the world intensified their recitation of Tehillim for the recovery of the Rebbe, Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther. At the Bais Medrash in Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak, Rav Menachem Ernster, rosh yeshiva of Vizhnitz, opened the Aron Kodesh before Krias HaTorah and recited Kapitel 130 of Tehillim, “Shir Hamaalos Mimaamakim,” together with the chazzan and congregation in the solemn Yomim Noraim melody.

Meanwhile, just one week before the major “Makdishei Shimcha” gathering, which is expected to bring together thousands of Vizhnitzer chassidim from across Eretz Yisroel for a massive tefillah assembly and the opening of the annual fundraising campaign for the Vizhnitz mosdos, the Rebbe’s court announced that the event will now be held in Yerushalayim instead of its originally planned location at the holy site of Meron.

As previously announced, the gathering had originally been scheduled for Tuesday night, Parshas Shoftim, the eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Rebbe had planned to travel to Meron together with thousands of chassidim to daven for the needs of Klal Yisroel and individuals, with particular emphasis on the religious decrees affecting Eretz Yisroel, before officially launching the fundraising campaign for the mosdos.

In recent days, however, serious concerns arose regarding the original plan after the Rebbe became physically weakened and was no longer able to make the lengthy trip to Meron. The Rebbe expressed his heartfelt desire to participate in the gathering and therefore requested that it be moved to Yerushalayim so that he would be able to attend.

Organizers worked intensively over the past several days to finalize new arrangements, and it was confirmed that, b’siyata d’Shmaya, the gathering will be held in the expansive Great Bais Medrash of the Gerer chassidus in Yerushalayim. The Rebbe also addressed his chassidim through a special telephone message, urging everyone to participate in the gathering. He emphasized that every individual is important for the success of the Torah world and expressed hope that, during the coming winter, he will be able to spend a Shabbos in Meron near the kever of the Rashbi.

{Matzav.com}

A new Channel 12 News poll indicates that Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has fallen to his lowest approval rating in months on the question of who is best suited to serve as prime minister, while a majority of respondents now say they would prefer a different candidate. The survey also found that voters in the so-called “Just Not Bibi” bloc are increasingly open to relying on Yoav Segalovich as the decisive 61st vote to form a government.

According to the poll, 31% of respondents believe Netanyahu is the most suitable person to serve as prime minister, while 56% said they would prefer someone else. The result marks a six-point decline for Netanyahu in less than a month, after a previous Channel 12 survey showed him at 37%.

The survey found a 25-point advantage for respondents aligned with the “Just Not Bibi” camp over those who support Netanyahu.

Participants were also asked what they would prefer if neither political bloc secured a 61-seat majority in the Knesset, excluding the Arab parties. Twenty-three percent favored the formation of a change coalition supported through the abstention of the Arab parties. Another 22% preferred a national unity government with Likud led by Netanyahu, while 21% supported a unity government with Likud that would not include Netanyahu as prime minister. An identical 21% said they would rather see the country head to another election.

The poll also examined whether a party leader’s ethnic background influences voting decisions. A combined 79% of respondents said it has either no impact or only a minimal impact on how they vote, while 13% said it plays a significant role in their decision. Among Netanyahu supporters, 80% said a candidate’s ethnic background has little or no influence on their vote.

By contrast, political ideology remains a much stronger factor. Sixty-four percent of respondents said whether a party is perceived as right-wing or left-wing has a significant impact on their voting decision, while 31% said it has only a limited effect.

The survey also explored the possibility of the change bloc relying on Yoav Segalovich as the decisive “61st finger” to form a government, amid expectations that he could align with Mansour Abbas. Among the general public, 44% said the bloc should not rely on Segalovich, while 28% said it should. However, among voters identified with the change bloc—the group most directly affected by such a scenario—the results were reversed: 45% supported relying on Segalovich, while 27% opposed the idea.

As momentum builds in Washington to make daylight saving time permanent, researchers say the long-held belief that the change would significantly reduce energy use is not strongly supported by decades of studies.

With fewer than three months remaining before Americans turn their clocks back to standard time, supporters of permanent daylight saving time—including President Trump—are intensifying efforts to push legislation across the finish line.

President Trump renewed his call Tuesday for year-round daylight saving time, arguing that the public overwhelmingly favors the idea.

“The vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it done, until now,” Trump wrote.

The proposal has gained more traction than it has in years. Last month, the House approved the Sunshine Protection Act, sending the measure to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain after previous attempts to fast-track similar legislation failed.

Trump has described ending the twice-yearly clock changes as a rare issue capable of bringing Americans together across party lines, calling the current system “an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind,” while also describing the seasonal time changes as “foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly.”

Ironically, one of the original reasons the United States adopted year-round daylight saving time decades ago was to reduce energy consumption by shifting more daylight into the evening hours, particularly during the winter months.

However, numerous studies conducted over the years have concluded that any resulting energy savings are relatively modest.

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation during the nation’s experiment with year-round daylight saving time in the 1970s estimated energy savings of only 0.4% to 1.5%. A separate Department of Energy study later found that extending daylight saving time in 2007 reduced energy use by just 0.03%, according to a congressional report. That same report also cited additional research finding little or no measurable reduction in overall energy consumption and noted that one Indiana-based study actually found electricity demand increased after the time change.

The Department of Transportation also concluded in a separate report that there was insufficient evidence to show the extended daylight saving period “had any measurable impact on motor gasoline consumption for passenger vehicles or traffic volume in 2007.”

While energy savings appear limited, other analysts argue that the current practice of changing clocks twice each year carries its own financial burden. Studies released by the Independent Institute in 2008 and the American Enterprise Institute in 2013 estimated the annual economic cost of switching clocks at between $1.7 billion and $2 billion, citing the time Americans spend adjusting clocks and schedules—though far fewer clocks require manual changes today than in previous decades.

Researchers have also pointed to potential health consequences associated with the seasonal time changes. Experts say moving clocks forward or backward can disrupt sleep patterns for adults, children, and even pets for days afterward. Many sleep specialists have therefore advocated adopting permanent standard time instead of permanent daylight saving time because it provides more morning sunlight.

Any permanent change would also have broader implications beyond sleep and energy use. Experts note that year-round daylight saving time or standard time could affect religious observances for many Americans and temporarily require significant adjustments to airline schedules and other transportation systems.

For now, it remains unclear whether the Senate will take up the Sunshine Protection Act or bring it to a vote.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are also weighing several alternative proposals, including bills that would allow individual states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, establish permanent half-daylight saving time, or make standard time permanent while allowing certain exceptions.

The U.S. Postal Service reported a $2.5 billion net loss for the third quarter of 2026 on Friday, underscoring its continuing financial struggles as postal officials race to prevent the agency from running out of cash as early as next year.

Although the latest figures represent an improvement over the same period last year—when the Postal Service posted a $3.1 billion loss—the agency remains deeply in the red.

USPS attributed the smaller deficit in part to a $416 million reduction in workers’ compensation expenses, along with a $1.1 billion increase in operating revenue. Even with those gains, however, the agency continues to face substantial financial challenges.

Operating revenue totaled $19.9 billion during the quarter, reflecting a 6.1% increase compared with a year earlier, though it slipped from $20.2 billion recorded in the previous quarter.

“The Postal Service is today continuing to face a severe liquidity crisis, and our financial losses this quarter reflect systemic challenges inherent in our Congressionally established business model and regulatory framework,” Postmaster General David Steiner wrote in a statement Friday.

Steiner previously warned the Associated Press in March that, without significant changes, the Postal Service is projected to exhaust its cash reserves by early 2027.

The agency is currently limited by a $15 billion federal borrowing cap that has remained in place since 1990. As expenses continue to rise, postal officials say they have increasingly relied on operating revenue to offset mounting losses.

During a March 17 hearing before a congressional subcommittee, Steiner proposed increasing the price of a First-Class Forever stamp from 90 cents to 95 cents, arguing that postage remains one of the Postal Service’s most important sources of income.

“If we were to change the stamp price to 90 to 95 cents, which is still less than half of the cost of most foreign posts, that would largely solve our controllable loss,” Steiner told House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Steiner has also opposed bipartisan legislation in the Senate that would establish more than 70 additional ZIP codes. In a December 2025 letter to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who also chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Steiner warned that the proposal would cost the Postal Service an estimated $800 million.

Earlier this year, USPS temporarily suspended its employer contributions to federal pension programs as part of broader cost-cutting efforts. The agency also approved another postage increase, raising the price of a First-Class Forever stamp by four cents beginning in July.

“We are taking responsible steps to conserve cash to extend our operating window, but we require thoughtful legislative and other actions to establish a financially sustainable Postal Service capable of serving the American public far into the future,” Steiner wrote in Friday’s statement.

The Senate voted early Shabbos morning to approve a temporary government funding measure that would keep federal agencies operating through Dec. 11, moving to avoid another government shutdown just months before the midterm elections. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration before lawmakers begin a five-week recess.

The continuing resolution cleared the Senate by a commanding 90-6 vote after several days of internal Republican negotiations over a White House-backed provision delaying enforcement of a ban on hemp-derived THC products until December.

Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) voted “present” because the legislation contained a death benefit for the heir of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Voting against the measure were Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

The spending package also contains a provision sought by Democrats and several Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee—including Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine)—that temporarily blocks a White House Office of Management and Budget rule expanding the authority of political appointees over the distribution of federal grant funding.

According to senators involved in the bipartisan negotiations, Democrats insisted that any short-term funding bill approved before September had to include language freezing the White House budget office’s proposed rule.

Collins sharply criticized the proposal, describing it as “deeply flawed.”

Last month, she formally urged Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to withdraw the rule in a letter sent to his office.

The Senate did not reach final passage until early Shabbos morning after Republicans spent hours negotiating a package of floor votes that included government funding, the confirmation of Attorney General Todd Blanche, and legislation requiring voters to present photo identification in federal elections.

Progress on the continuing resolution was also delayed throughout Thursday and Friday because senators disagreed over how to handle separate bipartisan legislation authored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) establishing new rules governing the recruitment and compensation of college athletes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced the funding vote only after Cruz agreed to postpone consideration of the Protect College Sports Act until September.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 31.

Without congressional action, federal funding would expire on Sept. 30.

Some House Republicans are expected to object to the provision suspending the White House budget office’s grant rule, arguing it weakens executive branch authority over federally appropriated funds.

Fiscal conservatives in the House may also oppose extending government funding without accompanying spending reductions aimed at lowering the federal deficit.

Even so, the overwhelming bipartisan Senate vote makes eventual House approval appear highly likely.

Congress traditionally waits until shortly before funding expires to pass temporary spending bills. This year, however, lawmakers in both parties sought to resolve the issue well ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline to avoid a politically damaging shutdown so close to the midterm elections.

Many senators also wanted to avoid repeating the lengthy budget battles that have plagued Congress in recent months, including the record 43-day government shutdown during October and November.

That shutdown was followed by another bitter funding dispute involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol, which ultimately forced the Department of Homeland Security to temporarily shut down earlier this year.

“I think it’s the most important thing for us to do,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.). “Because I don’t think we need to have the harbinger of a possible government shutdown. So, take it off the table. I think we all want to do that.”

For months, some Republicans argued Democrats might allow a government shutdown shortly before Election Day in order to politically damage the GOP.

“I think my Democratic friends are going to shut down the government right before the midterms,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) warned in the spring.

Keeping the federal government funded beyond Election Day became one of Thune’s principal legislative goals before the Senate departed for its August recess.

He warned that if Democrats blocked the continuing resolution under normal Senate procedures, he would instead seek to fund the government through the budget reconciliation process, which would bypass the filibuster.

Ultimately, Democrats also concluded that avoiding another shutdown served their interests.

“For months, Democrats have been clear: we want to fund the government, avoid a shutdown, and pass strong, bipartisan appropriations bills that improve people’s lives,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

One of the biggest sticking points in the negotiations involved language inserted into the bill at the White House’s request postponing implementation of a federal ban on hemp-derived intoxicants such as delta-8 THC, products commonly sold in convenience stores and gas stations without approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Several Republican senators said they were caught by surprise when the provision was added late in the legislative process, and some openly criticized White House legislative officials during a tense Republican lunch meeting earlier in the week.

Other Republicans, however, backed delaying the ban in support of hemp producers in their states, including Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky as well as Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy.

A group of Republicans led by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) sought to remove the provision from the legislation, but the Senate voted 61-32 to table Budd’s amendment.

Before that vote, Budd argued that Congress had already acted last year to prohibit the sale of unregulated intoxicating hemp products.

“These products are made to look exactly like something a kid would want. Emergency Departments have seen a 461-percent increase in cases of pediatric cannabis poisoning. Most of those were children four years old or younger,” he said.

Sheehy defended hemp-derived products in a video posted to social media, arguing they have helped many Americans manage chronic pain.

“That’s been life-changing for a lot of people. A lot of them I know personally, which is why I’ve taken up this cause,” he said.

Elon Musk’s latest industrial venture could rewrite the record books, as Tesla and SpaceX move forward with plans to construct a semiconductor megafactory in Texas that is expected to span more than 100 million square feet—making it the largest building ever built.

Tesla and SpaceX announced Thursday that construction of the first phase of the Terafab semiconductor complex will begin in Grimes County, Texas, just outside Houston. The initial phase carries a projected cost of $16.8 billion.

Once fully completed, the sprawling facility is expected to exceed 100 million square feet, eclipsing every existing structure on the planet and becoming the world’s largest building by footprint.

Musk, who leads both Tesla and SpaceX, described the ambitious project as “the largest and most valuable building on Earth by far.”

To put its scale into perspective, the completed Terafab would surpass China’s New Century Global Center in Chengdu, which currently holds the title at approximately 18.9 million square feet and includes attractions such as an indoor beach and ski slope.

At more than five times the size of that complex, Terafab would also dwarf some of America’s most recognizable mega-structures, including the Pentagon, Apple Park, and the Mall of America combined.

Whether the project ultimately earns the title of the world’s largest building will depend on whether it is completed as currently envisioned. Concept renderings depict a massive wing-shaped structure stretching across the Texas landscape beneath an expansive translucent roof.

Musk has also emphasized the project’s architectural ambitions. “It will be stunningly beautiful,” Musk wrote on X. “Sci-fi city is what we’re aiming for,” he said in another X post.

Tesla said the factory is being driven by an urgent need for dramatically increased semiconductor production.

“Both Tesla & SpaceX will need far more chips than current & future global production can supply,” the company wrote, adding that the goal is “producing over 1 terawatt of compute per year.”

According to SpaceX, the facility will integrate nearly every stage of semiconductor manufacturing under one roof, including logic chip production, memory fabrication, packaging, and testing.

“The facility will be an advanced semiconductor fab that will bridge the divide between current global chip supply and the compute demand of the future,” the post read.

Semiconductors serve as the foundation of modern electronics, regulating electrical signals and powering everything from smartphones and computers to automobiles and advanced industrial systems.

The companies say chips manufactured at Terafab will be designed for much more than consumer electronics. According to Tesla, the facility “will produce chips optimized for edge computing and inference for use in hardware like Tesla’s Optimus robots and self-driving Cybercabs, along with high-power chips designed for operating SpaceX’s space-based data centers.”

The project is expected to generate at least 3,000 new jobs, with hiring focused primarily on residents of Grimes County and neighboring Brazos County.

Tesla and SpaceX noted that between 60% and 80% of employees hired at their existing Texas facilities have come from nearby communities, and they expect a similar pattern as Terafab expands.

Musk first introduced the Terafab concept in March, when the companies announced plans centered around a projected $25 billion investment.

The current first phase has been revised to a cost of $16.8 billion, although total investment across all planned construction phases could eventually reach as much as $119 billion.

The project will be built on the site of the former Gibbons Creek Reservoir, which previously supplied cooling water to a coal-fired power plant that ceased operations in 2018.

Recognizing concerns over water usage for large-scale computing facilities, SpaceX said it plans to use water from the existing reservoir rather than drawing from local groundwater supplies.

Not everyone in the surrounding community has embraced the project. Hundreds of Grimes County residents attended a county meeting Wednesday to voice concerns over millions of dollars in tax incentives awarded to the development and what they described as a lack of transparency surrounding the approval process.

The project has also secured support from the state. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration has approved a $30 million grant through the Texas Enterprise Fund, while Terafab also qualifies for assistance under the state’s Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation program.

Local education leaders expressed optimism about the development. Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Sarah Borowicz described the announcement as a defining moment for the district.

Intel has also confirmed that it will participate in the Terafab project, although the company has not yet disclosed the specific nature of its involvement.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to create a new Business Advisory Council is drawing sharp criticism from prominent figures on Wall Street, with several business leaders dismissing the initiative as little more than a public relations effort after months of hostile rhetoric toward the financial community, the NY Post reports.

The proposed council is intended to give leaders from major industries an opportunity to advise the mayor and provide feedback on economic issues, according to City Hall. Bloomberg reported that those approached to participate include Robert Wolf, the former chief executive of UBS Americas and a longtime ally of President Barack Obama.

One senior Wall Street executive blasted the proposal, calling it, “Phony. A pretend effort to fool reasonable people into thinking [Mamdani] is willing to be reasonable towards business.”

Another chief executive in the financial industry was equally skeptical, describing the panel as “probably a waste of time,” while dismissing Wolf as “a bag of air.”

A Wall Street attorney, when asked about Wolf’s reported involvement, was similarly blunt, saying of the prominent Democratic donor, “The old UBS guy? He’s kind of a douche.”

The criticism comes shortly after Mamdani removed the advisory board overseeing the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a nonprofit that raises private-sector money to support city initiatives.

The 34-year-old mayor dismissed every member of the organization’s advisory board, replacing an established group of business leaders with a new approach that has already generated controversy.

The Wall Street attorney argued that the proposed Business Advisory Council is unlikely to fill that void.

“It only exists to get checks from appointees for the mayor’s pet projects,” the person said. “Mam is appointing many folks who can’t write checks, so I don’t get it.”

Wolf rejected the criticism, calling it “uninformed gossip.”

“If Mamdani or anyone else asks for my advice on how to make New York city thrive, I would raise my hand if they were Democrat or Republican,” he told The Post.

Wolf declined to say whether he had agreed to serve on the advisory council.

Another individual familiar with the discussions said there has been “no formal ask or acceptance” involving any of the names reportedly under consideration.

According to reports, the council is expected to advise the mayor on issues affecting the finance, technology, and real estate industries.

In addition to Wolf, Bloomberg reported that invitations have also been extended to former Lazard global investment banking chief Antonio Weiss and Bank of America New York City President Jose Tavarez.

“The administration is in the process of reaching out to business executives to form a Business Advisory Council,” a City Hall spokesperson said in a statement. “The purpose of the council is to engage with business leaders for their insights and input as we build an economic development strategy that improves life for all New Yorkers.”

Not everyone in the financial sector dismissed the effort outright.

“Wolf says he’s only doing stuff with Mamdani because he gives a s–t about NYC,” a friend of the former banking executive said.

Since taking office earlier this year, Mamdani has repeatedly clashed with some of New York’s most influential business leaders, drawing criticism from figures including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Citadel founder Ken Griffin.

Griffin also became the target of one of Mamdani’s more unusual political videos, in which the mayor stood outside the billionaire’s Manhattan residence while promoting his proposal to impose higher taxes on second homes.

Even so, one Wall Street executive said the formation of the advisory council only deepened his suspicions about the mayor’s intentions.

“Remember the Saul Alinksy formula — deception is a tool for amassing power,” he told The Post, referring to the late Chicago radical.

Mamdani’s shakeup of the Mayor’s Fund also removed several well-known business figures, including BD Hotels principal Richard Born, GFP Real Estate Chairman Jeffrey Gural, Blackstone senior managing director Alex Katz, Citigroup executive Edward Skyler, and Real Estate Board of New York President James Whelan.

The mayor has also undertaken a major restructuring of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, directing the agency—which oversees city-owned property and economic development initiatives—to prioritize economic justice and housing affordability with the goal of narrowing the city’s wealth gap and expanding financial opportunities for lower-income New Yorkers.

More than half of New York’s third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students failed to reach reading proficiency on this year’s state English Language Arts exams, according to newly released preliminary data, raising fresh concerns about student achievement despite record levels of education spending, the NY Post reports.

Figures published this week by the New York State Education Department show that 57% of third graders, 52% of fourth graders, and 57% of fifth graders did not achieve proficiency on the 2025-26 ELA assessments.

Students in New York City experienced an even steeper decline. Among children in grades 3 through 8, English Language Arts scores dropped by six percentage points compared with last year, leaving only about half of students meeting the state’s proficiency benchmark.

Statewide, just 48% of students in grades 4 through 8 earned proficient scores in reading, representing what the Education Department described as a “significant” five-point decline from the previous year.

Fifth graders experienced the sharpest setback of any grade level, with reading proficiency falling by an astonishing 14 percentage points.

The downturn was even more pronounced in New York City, home to roughly 40% of the state’s public school enrollment.

Just one year earlier, approximately 56% of city students passed the reading exam, marking a seven-point improvement over the prior year.

Third graders in New York City posted the weakest results, with proficiency plunging 13.8 percentage points as only about 44% met state standards. Fifth graders followed closely behind, recording a 13.1-point decline.

Although the state data do not identify the precise reading skills where students struggled most, education policy experts argued that the disappointing results reflect systemic problems that cannot be solved simply by increasing education funding without changing instructional methods.

“If the amount of money spent alone determined the results, New York should be on top of the world,” Zilvinas Silenas, the president and CEO of the Empire Center for Public Policy, told The Post.

Silenas said New York’s schools include pockets of exceptional performance that should serve as models for the rest of the system. “I’m not trying to say that all of New York’s education system is bad. On average, it’s very mediocre, but we have some islands of excellence,” Silenas said. “Why aren’t we copying these islands of excellence on what they’re doing in order to improve?”

According to Empire Center data, New York spends approximately $37,000 per public school student each year—the highest figure in the nation and roughly double the national average of about $17,619.

In New York City, annual spending climbs even higher, reaching roughly $44,000 per student.

Education officials say fifth graders are expected to demonstrate the ability to “comprehend and analyze text,” including identifying central ideas, recognizing literary techniques, evaluating character and plot development, and understanding vocabulary.

One question on this year’s fifth-grade exam asked students to determine the meaning of the phrase “going live” as it appeared in a passage about a student-operated blog. Students were asked to choose from four possible definitions:
A) making the content available to all
B) announcing the project to the school
C) requesting feedback from others
D) accessing the new computer system

Students in fifth grade were also required to write short responses analyzing the impact of tone in poetry, identifying themes in stories, and demonstrating other reading comprehension skills.

Charter schools, which receive public funding but operate independently of traditional public school systems, continued to outperform district schools despite ongoing opposition from teachers unions.

Success Academy, one of New York’s largest charter school networks, achieved a 92% passing rate on the 2025 English Language Arts exam, trailing only the public schools in Scarsdale.

Students performed somewhat better in mathematics, with roughly 57% of children in grades 3 through 8 passing the state math assessment—a slight improvement over last year’s results.

Although officials cautioned that the numbers remain preliminary, the state Education Department acknowledged that the decline in reading achievement is unmistakable.

“The Department takes this decline seriously and will conduct a detailed analysis to better understand where students are experiencing challenges, which student groups and communities have been most affected, and where additional support and resources are needed,” said JP O’Hare, a spokesperson for the department.

O’Hare said the agency intends to address the disappointing results directly rather than minimize them. “We will not minimize or attempt to explain away what the data tell us. When scores increase, we report that progress. When they decline, we report that as well,” O’Hare said. “Our responsibility is not to create a narrative around the results, but to understand them, identify where students need additional support, and act accordingly.”

The disappointing scores come despite Gov. Kathy Hochul approving the largest education budget in New York history.

For the 2026-27 school year, the state is allocating a record $39.3 billion to public education, including funding aimed at expanding teacher training in what officials describe as “evidence-based math and reading instruction.”

A spokesperson for Hochul said improving literacy has been one of the governor’s chief education priorities.

“She specifically directed the State Education Department to place a heavy focus on reading proficiency, improve literacy instruction, and ensure schools have the tools and resources needed to help students succeed,” the spokesperson said.

“The governor will continue pushing for measurable improvements in literacy outcomes statewide because every New York student deserves a strong foundation in reading.”

Fordham University political science professor Nick Tampio argued that New York should abandon programs that have failed to produce results and instead invest in proven educational fundamentals.

“Hire skilled teachers. Provide schools with libraries. Give children time to read the books they want. Make reading a joy,” he told The Post.

He added, “New York’s approach is failing—as evidenced by the fact that over one fifth of SUNY students are failing their first English class.”

Eric Nadelstern, who served as deputy schools chancellor under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, argued that recent literacy initiatives—including the NYC Reads program introduced under Mayor Eric Adams—have hindered rather than helped student progress.

“There is no one-way for all kids to learn how to read,” Nadelstern told The Post.

He warned against applying identical teaching methods across a school system as diverse as New York City’s. “If you try a one-size-fits-all in a city as diverse as New York, — where students have such different needs and ways of learning and teachers have such different needs and ways of teaching — you’re gonna wind up alienating the staff and they’re gonna implement the program poorly,” he said.

Nadelstern added that educators achieve better results when given flexibility to tailor instruction to individual students. “If you allow them to do what they do best — that is to determine how the students they know by name and family and neighborhood can learn best — they will do whatever is necessary to make sure their kids succeed.”

Despite the disappointing scores, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels both expressed support for the NYC Reads initiative when commenting on the newly released results.

“As we review these initial statewide results, and what they mean for our students, we will focus on better understanding the scoring process to use this data with confidence and make the best decisions for our students,” Mamdani said.

Mary Vaccaro, vice president of education for the United Federation of Teachers, also attributed the decline to changes in curriculum and instructional strategies, including the rollout of the “NY Inspires” initiative, which allows students to satisfy graduation requirements through alternatives to traditional Regents examinations.

“We have to refocus on what we know works in literacy – a clear plan, a tailored science of reading curriculum, and meaningful professional development for educators. That recipe yields results,” Vaccaro said.

She concluded by criticizing the state’s recent approach to education reform. “This past school year, the system abandoned that approach and, with no real plan in place, simply piled on additional programs, assessments, consultant’s recommendations and curriculum in the hopes that ‘more’ would equal better, and we lost ground.”

The Pentagon has revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information, accusing him of leaking sensitive details about Air Force One to the media as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on unauthorized disclosures.

The decision was announced Friday, when Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell revealed that Kendall had immediately lost both his security clearance and his eligibility to serve in any position requiring access to classified information.

“Effective immediately, the Department of War has REVOKED former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s eligibility for access to classified information and his ability to hold any sensitive position,” Parnell announced on X.

Parnell said the action stemmed from Kendall’s alleged release of classified information concerning the capabilities of Air Force One.

“This action follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet,” Parnell continued. “Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty.

“Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.”

The move follows last month’s decision by the Trump administration to subpoena several New York Times reporters after the newspaper published a report about the Boeing 747 aircraft gifted to President Trump by Qatar. According to the report, the $400 million jet was replaced before the president’s return flight from the NATO summit in Turkey because of what was described as a “security precaution.”

The newspaper also reported that some officials were concerned the refurbished aircraft had not yet been “retrofitted with sufficient security measures” before entering service as Air Force One.

In addition, the report cited lawmakers who questioned whether “an advanced missile defense system and other modifications” had been installed aboard the Qatari-donated aircraft before it was placed into presidential service.

Just days after the subpoenas were issued, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the formation of a joint task force with the Department of Justice aimed at identifying and prosecuting government officials responsible for leaking what he described as “sensitive information” to members of the media.

Kendall served as secretary of the Air Force from July 2021 until January 2025 during the Biden administration.

Iran’s top national security official has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to normal operations unless the United States agrees to a sweeping list of Iranian demands, casting doubt on hopes for a full reopening of one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes even as diplomatic efforts continue.

The warning comes as Iran is reportedly nearing a limited agreement with Oman that would allow a restricted maritime corridor for certain vessels. The arrangement, however, would stop well short of restoring full commercial traffic through the strategically vital waterway.

Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, outlined Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strait in a statement released Saturday.

Among Iran’s demands are a complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region, an end to the American naval blockade, the lifting of sanctions against Tehran—including the release of frozen and confiscated assets—financial compensation for damage caused during the war, and an end to attacks on Iran’s regional allies.

“The Supreme National Security Council will never back down, neither in war nor in negotiations,” Zolqadr threatened, according to Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency.

Iran is also demanding permanent strategic authority over the Strait of Hormuz, along with the ability to impose transit fees of up to seven percent on vessels using the waterway.

Earlier Saturday, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps similarly insisted that the strait would not be permanently reopened unless Washington accepted what Tehran described as its “legal and logical conditions.”

“The ⁠reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the specific mechanisms and conditions of ⁠the Islamic Republic of Iran and is not related to the ⁠negotiations between Iran and Oman,” IRGC General Hossein Mohebbi told reporters in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province.

“Whenever the American side accepts the conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and abandons its interventionist approach, the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz will certainly be provided.”

The remarks came despite ongoing diplomatic efforts led by President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. According to reports, the proposal under discussion would establish a temporary shipping corridor jointly administered by Iran and Oman that would allow limited vessel traffic without tolls or special permissions.

The proposal would also include a 60-day negotiating period aimed at securing a permanent end to the conflict, with the United States agreeing to lift its naval blockade immediately upon the signing of the agreement.

President Trump recently suspended planned U.S. strikes against Iranian energy facilities, canceling a major military operation last weekend as diplomatic negotiations appeared to gain momentum. At the same time, he has repeatedly warned that military action could resume if the talks break down.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates condemned what it described as a “hostile Iranian attack” after one of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s vessels was struck by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday.

“Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents an act of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region,” the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on X.

The Gulf nation further called on Iran to halt its “unprovoked attacks” and demonstrate its commitment to a “complete and unconditional” reopening of the strategically important waterway.

With the threat of additional attacks still looming, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely reduced, with recent traffic reported at less than 10 percent of the volume seen before the conflict began.

Hunter Biden says his father, Joe Biden, is battling an increasingly difficult fight against advanced prostate cancer, revealing that the disease has spread beyond his bones and describing the former president’s condition as both painful and severely debilitating.

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Hunter Biden disclosed that his father’s illness has worsened since his diagnosis. “The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” he said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”

Joe Biden, 83, announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.

Hunter said watching his father endure the illness has been heartbreaking. “It’s really sad to watch,” Hunter Biden said. “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”

Despite his health challenges, Biden has continued making public appearances. In late June, he attended the Maryland Democratic Party’s “Fight Back and Win” gala near Baltimore. Earlier that month, he also participated in ceremonies marking the opening of the new Obama presidential library in Chicago, where he drew attention after approaching the podium and asking, “Where’s my granddaughter?”

Hunter Biden, 56, said his father remains determined to stay active and engaged. “He’s still out there,” he said. “He’s still doing his thing. He so believes in this country.”

Even while undergoing treatment, Biden continues working on his memoir, Promise Me, America, which is expected to be published after the upcoming midterm elections.

Last week, Jill Biden revealed in an interview with Kelly Ripa that she first became concerned about her husband’s health while they were still living in the White House, noticing that he was getting up to use the bathroom as many as seven times each night.

The former first lady, 75, said she alerted White House physicians to the issue at the time and believed it had been properly addressed.

However, after leaving the White House in January 2025 and seeing that the symptoms continued, she urged her husband to seek additional medical evaluation. “But when it continued when we got out of the White House, I said, ‘Joe, we’ve got to go up to Jeff in Philly – something’s wrong’,” she told the “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” host on Sirius XM.

In June, Jill Biden said her husband’s illness will be a lifelong battle, explaining that he “will have to live with cancer for the rest of his life, which means he’s on special medicines.”

When Biden first announced his diagnosis in May 2025, his office said doctors had identified an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer after he sought medical attention for urinary symptoms. Physicians also discovered a “nodule” on his prostate during the evaluation.

His office later announced in October that he had begun radiation treatments along with hormone therapy as part of his ongoing fight against the disease.