Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. openly discussed his history of substance abuse this week, acknowledging that at one point he would “snort cocaine off of toilet seats” and crediting daily recovery meetings with helping him remain sober for more than four decades.
Kennedy, 72, made the remarks during Thursday’s episode of “This Past Weekend with Theo Von.” He shared that he and the comedian first met at recovery meetings in Los Angeles prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recalling those days, Kennedy said he was “not scared of a germ — I used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats.”
Speaking about the discipline required to maintain sobriety, he emphasized the importance of consistent effort. “Like, if I don’t, if I don’t treat it — which means for me going to meetings every day — it’s just bad for my life,” Kennedy said of his addiction and recovery journey.
Both Von and Kennedy were living in the Los Angeles area at the time they were introduced at a 7 a.m. recovery meeting, which later shut down during the pandemic.
Describing his mindset when he first sought help, Kennedy said, “I mean for me, I said this when I came in, ‘I don’t care what happens, I’m going to a meeting everyday,’” adding that he’s been in recovery for 43 years. “I know this disease will kill me.”
The Cabinet secretary has repeatedly spoken about his long battle with narcotics, including a 14-year heroin addiction.
In a June 2024 interview with podcast host Shawn Ryan, Kennedy made the striking claim that drugs once appeared to boost his academic performance.
“I did very, very poorly in school, until I started doing narcotics,” he said at the time. “I was at the bottom of my class. I started doing heroin, and I went to the top of my class. Suddenly, I could sit still, and I could read.”
“It worked for me,” he added. “And if it still worked, I’d still be doing it.”
Kennedy has also described how his struggle with addiction began in the aftermath of the 1968 assassination of his father, Robert F. Kennedy.
In 1983, he was arrested in South Dakota and charged with heroin possession. The following year, he pleaded guilty to a felony drug possession charge and was sentenced to two years of probation along with community service.
Looking back, Kennedy has described the arrest as “the best thing that could have happened to me,” saying it ultimately pushed him toward sobriety.
President Donald Trump declared Friday that voter identification rules will be enforced in the upcoming November midterm elections, regardless of whether Congress approves pending legislation on the issue.
In a message posted to Truth Social, Trump indicated he is ready to act on his own if the SAVE America Act fails to clear the Senate, suggesting he would rely on executive authority to advance the policy.
“The Democrats refuse to vote for Voter I.D., or Citizenship. The reason is very simple — They want to continue to cheat in Elections. This was not what our Founders desired. I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated or vetted on this subject, and will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future,” Trump wrote.
He added, “There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not! Also, the People of our Country are insisting on Citizenship, and No Mail-In Ballots, with exceptions for Military, Disability, Illness, or Travel.”
Earlier in the week, the House approved legislation requiring voter identification. However, the proposal now faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where it would need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster — a threshold it is widely viewed as unlikely to reach.
In another post, Trump reiterated that he would pursue executive action should lawmakers fail to deliver the bill to him for signature.
“If we can’t get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted. I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order,” he wrote.
Trump sharply rebuked critics of voter ID laws, accusing Democrats of acting in bad faith and working to undermine election integrity. He referred to them as “horrible, disingenuous CHEATERS,” and added, “We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer.”
He also asserted that Democratic leaders publicly object to voter ID measures while privately treating the issue dismissively.
“They have all sorts of reasons why it shouldn’t be passed, and then boldly laugh in the backrooms after their ridiculous presentations. If it weren’t such a serious matter, it would be considered a TOTAL JOKE!” he wrote.
Continuing his criticism, Trump compared the absence of voter ID requirements to other policies he opposes.
“No Voter I.D. is even crazier, and more ridiculous, than Men playing in Women’s Sports, Open Borders, or Transgender for Everyone. Republicans must put this at the top of every speech — It is a CAN’T MISS FOR RE-ELECTION IN THE MIDTERMS, AND BEYOND! Even Democrat Voters agree, 85%, that there should be Voter I.D.”
Trump also directed criticism at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
“It’s only the Political ‘Leaders,’ Crooked Losers like Schumer and Jeffries, that have no shame, and explain why it’s ‘racist,’ and every other thing that they can think of. This is an issue that must be fought, and must be fought, NOW!”
President Donald Trump said Friday that replacing Iran’s ruling government “would be the best thing that could happen,” as he renewed warnings that the United States could carry out military strikes if Tehran refuses to agree to a nuclear deal.
Trump has insisted that Iran must fully dismantle its uranium enrichment program, a demand Iranian leaders have rejected, maintaining that their nuclear activities are intended for civilian energy production rather than weapons development.
When asked directly whether he supports the fall of Iran’s theocratic regime, Trump replied: “Well, it seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.”
Speaking to reporters after visiting Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump expressed frustration with Iran’s leadership. “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking,” he said.
“And in the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives while they talk. Legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off — this has been going on for a long time,” he added, referring to Iran’s support for anti-American insurgents during the Iraq War.
“So let’s see what happens. In the meantime … tremendous power has arrived and additional power — as you know, another carrier is going out.”
Trump did not outline how a regime change might unfold. Last month, he publicly encouraged demonstrators in Iran before authorities moved to suppress the protests.
The president has also declined to answer whether he would consider targeting senior Iranian officials. At the same time, he has brushed aside suggestions that exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi could lead the country, indicating that any political transition would have to be determined by Iranians themselves.
In recent weeks, Trump ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group to the Arabian Sea, positioning forces for potential action. He has also directed the USS George H.W. Bush to prepare for deployment.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing in parallel. A U.S. delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met on February 6 with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi said the indirect talks focused exclusively on Iran’s nuclear program, which was struck by Israel and the United States last June.
Washington is also seeking commitments from Iran related to human rights and an end to its support for regional proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Tehran, however, has so far declined to engage on those issues.
On Thursday, Trump warned that Iran could face a “traumatic” outcome if it refuses to reach an agreement. His remarks followed a meeting Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to review possible military scenarios.
Netanyahu has reportedly pressed Trump to target Iran’s long-range ballistic missile capabilities if the U.S. launches an attack, after previously urging caution amid concerns about Israel’s preparedness.
Several U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have cautioned against efforts to remove Iran’s leadership, warning that such a move could destabilize the region.
Trump’s comments in favor of regime change mark a departure from positions he has taken in the past. Over the years, he criticized leaders from both parties for toppling dictators in the Middle East, including Iraq’s Saddam Hussein.
During his 2016 campaign, Trump said: “The war in Iraq started the whole destabilization of the Middle East. It started ISIS. It started Libya. It started Syria. That was one of the worst decisions ever made by any government at any time.”
More recently, on January 2, Trump wrote on social media that the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters.” Reports later indicated that Iranian authorities carried out a sweeping crackdown, with death toll estimates reaching into the thousands.
On January 13, Trump urged demonstrators to “TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” and declared that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY” before stepping back from immediate military action after Iran delayed the executions of hundreds of protesters.
{Matzav.com}
A whistleblower filing against Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has sparked debate in Washington over how classified material referencing Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, was managed within the intelligence community.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the dispute centers on an intercepted exchange between two foreign nationals who discussed Kushner. The conversation was gathered by a foreign intelligence service and subsequently shared with the National Security Agency. The material reportedly referenced Kushner’s influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in matters related to Iran.
The intercepted discussion, which occurred last year, included commentary about Kushner’s role in Middle East peace negotiations and Iran policy. However, U.S. officials from the Trump administration characterized the claims as largely unsubstantiated and dismissed them as inaccurate.
The whistleblower alleges that Gabbard’s office limited access to the intelligence assessment and delayed its circulation for several months. According to the Journal, the complaint contends that Gabbard narrowed the group permitted to review the report after a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Some officials involved reportedly believe that broader distribution might have led to the material being quickly deemed insignificant. The whistleblower, however, maintains that relevant agencies should have received the information and suggests that the restriction was politically driven.
Gabbard’s office has rejected the accusations, stating that the material was handled appropriately and in accordance with national security protocols. Still, the timing of the report’s limited release has prompted questions from members of Congress. A heavily redacted version of the complaint was eventually provided to select lawmakers, and several Democrats have called for additional scrutiny into why the complaint was not addressed sooner. The Journal noted that Gabbard’s team has defended her conduct, asserting that she adhered to established legal and procedural requirements.
The New York Times reported additional details about the contents of the intercepted conversation. According to the newspaper, the intelligence, which originated with a foreign partner, primarily focused on Iran but also mentioned Kushner, whose name was initially redacted in the report. The individuals in the conversation reportedly speculated about Kushner’s sway over U.S. policy during a period when his involvement in Middle East diplomacy was increasing. U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence said portions of the discussion amounted to unverified gossip, including claims that were demonstrably false.
The Times also pointed out that the reference to Kushner drew attention because U.S. officials, particularly those connected to the Trump administration, are typically masked in such intercepts. While Gabbard’s office restricted wider distribution of the material, some officials believe the move reflected caution, given the risk that disclosure could expose sensitive intelligence sources and methods.
Although the allegations tied to Kushner were speculative and unsupported by corroborating intelligence, the decision to limit access to the report has fueled controversy. Critics argue that Gabbard may have sought to shield an ally of President Trump from political fallout, while others contend that her approach was a pragmatic effort to avoid unnecessary controversy over dubious information.
The complaint and related inquiries remain classified. However, some lawmakers, including Senator Mark Warner, have called for comprehensive access to the underlying intelligence, which has not yet been fully disclosed.
Israel’s Health Ministry reported Friday that a nine-year-old boy who had not been vaccinated died after contracting measles, as officials continue to warn the public amid an ongoing outbreak.
According to the ministry, the child was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts.
Since the start of the current outbreak, 14 people have died from measles. Most of the fatalities have involved unvaccinated infants who were previously healthy and had no underlying medical conditions.
The Health Ministry emphasized that measles is a preventable illness and stressed the importance of immunization. Officials stated that the measles vaccine is both safe and effective and that it saves lives.
Under routine guidelines, all children are advised to receive the first dose of the measles vaccine at age one and a second dose at age six as part of the standard immunization schedule.
In areas experiencing outbreaks, the ministry recommends administering the second dose earlier, at age one and a half.
In addition, health officials advise giving an extra vaccine dose to infants between the ages of six and eleven months in outbreak zones and for those traveling to locations where measles cases are rising.
The ministry also urged individuals who are not vaccinated, as well as parents of infants who received a single dose between six and eleven months of age, to avoid large public gatherings in outbreak areas due to the heightened risk of infection.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is proposing $10 million in state funds to assist small businesses affected by recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, arguing that Washington should compensate local companies for economic losses tied to ICE operations.
Walz made the remarks after White House advisor Tom Homan announced Thursday that most ICE officers would be withdrawn from Minneapolis following the arrest of more than 4,000 illegal migrants. Reacting to the enforcement effort, Walz said, “They left us with economic ruin.”
The governor said his administration is prioritizing financial relief for businesses impacted by the raids, particularly immigrant-owned enterprises. “One of the first things we can do, and what we’re focusing on today, is: What can we start doing on the economic recovery, the damage that has been done to our economy, specifically to small business owners, and even more specifically, to immigrant small business owners … The federal government needs to pay for what they broke here.”
Matt Varilek, an economic development official in Walz’s administration, said many local companies are struggling due to the enforcement actions. “Many Minnesota businesses – especially small businesses — are facing economic hardships that may prove insurmountable” as a result of federal activity, he said.
He added that the impact has been widespread. “The massive negative economic impact that is resulting from the fact that a lot of [company] workers don’t feel comfortable showing up, a lot of customers don’t feel comfortable showing up, and so we’re seeing massive reductions in that foot traffic, massive reductions in revenue.”
Henry Garcia, a Colombian migrant who manages a grocery store in St. Paul, said his business has been severely affected. “My customers are afraid to go shopping,” Garcia said, explaining that his sales have fallen by roughly half, even though some white Minneapolis residents have begun shopping at his store.
He described the shift in business conditions following increased ICE activity. “Since federal ICE activity increased late last year, everything changed .. My customers are afraid to go in shopping. … Sales dropped by half, and goodwill doesn’t cover rent … We need more [grants].”
Throughout his public comments, Walz praised immigrants broadly, without distinguishing between those in the country legally and those who entered illegally.
He framed immigration as central to American identity. “Immigrant small business owners, which … for most of our history, [are] the epitome of the American Dream: ‘Come to this country with nothing and build something to be proud!’”
Addressing immigrant communities directly, Walz said, “I want to speak directly to Minnesota’s immigrant community, by extension, America’s immigrant community. We see you, we hear you, we value everything that you bring … We believe in those words. ‘Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be breathe free.’”
Walz also emphasized the broader role of immigration in shaping the state and nation. “There is no Minnesota without our immigrant community,” he said, adding that “immigration is the core of who we are.”
The debate comes amid broader disputes over so-called “Sanctuary City” policies, which critics argue create economic systems dependent on migrant labor and consumer bases. Supporters counter that immigrant communities fuel local business growth and contribute to cultural and economic vitality.
In Minneapolis, supporters of the governor point to the growth of immigrant-owned restaurants and retail establishments. Walz highlighted what he described as “a food scene across this state that is second to none.”
The New York Times recently profiled Oscar Murcia, who arrived in St. Paul from El Salvador in 2000 and later opened a restaurant and bakery called El Guanaco. As federal enforcement increased in December, customer traffic at his Minneapolis location reportedly fell 80 percent, prompting its closure. He has reduced hours and staff at other locations and sought relief from landlords and lenders. According to the report, four of his 64 employees were detained, despite having work permits and pending asylum cases.
Critics argue that enforcement of immigration laws is restoring federal authority in cities that had previously limited cooperation with ICE. They contend that tighter enforcement is reshaping local labor markets and housing dynamics in cities such as Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
In Minneapolis, median income stood at approximately $52,000 in 2024, while annual rent costs climbed to around $16,500. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, three full-time minimum-wage jobs are needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment in the city. In 2023, Minnesota ranked fortieth among states in median household income growth.
Meanwhile, Walz on Thursday said his administration wants to participate in a federal investigation into alleged fraud involving Somali-operated programs that received federal funds. The probe is expected to examine whether large sums of taxpayer money were misused, and several individuals reportedly face potential criminal charges.
President Donald Trump, for his part, has promoted a different economic approach focused on productivity and technology. Speaking to Breitbart News in August, Trump said, “We’re going to need robots … to make our economy run because we do not have enough people,” adding, “So we have to get efficient … we’ll probably add to [the existing workforce] through robotically—it’s going to be robotically … It’s going to be big. Then, somebody is going to have to make the robots. The whole thing, it feeds on itself … we’re going to streamline things. We need efficiency.”
Supporters of Trump’s immigration enforcement say it is part of a broader strategy aimed at tightening labor markets and raising wages for American workers. RestaurantBusinessOnline.com reported January 23: “Fewer workers mean restaurants will once again have to compete for employees the only way they can, by paying higher wages. Wages over the next two years are expected to accelerate, according to Oxford Economics, from 3.7% this year to 5.6% by 2027.”
The clash between the two approaches reflects a deeper divide over immigration policy and economic priorities, with Walz and other Democrats favoring expanded protections and benefits for immigrant communities, and Trump emphasizing enforcement, reduced migration, and productivity-driven growth.
A team of four astronauts is on its way to the International Space Station following a predawn launch Friday from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ignited before sunrise, lighting up the dark sky as it climbed into orbit during a roughly nine-minute ascent. The crew is scheduled to rendezvous and dock with the space station Saturday afternoon, Eastern time.
The orbiting laboratory has been staffed by only three astronauts since last month. Under normal circumstances, incoming crews overlap with departing teams for several days to allow for a smooth transition and knowledge handoff. However, NASA’s previous mission, Crew-11, returned to Earth earlier than planned in January, a month ahead of schedule. The agency cited a “serious” but stable medical condition affecting one crew member. The incident marked the first medical evacuation in the station’s 26-year history.
The current mission, Crew-12, is led by NASA commander Jessica Meir, with Jack Hathaway serving as pilot. They are joined aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft by Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The four astronauts are expected to remain on the station for approximately eight months, during which they will carry out scientific experiments, conduct research, and perform maintenance on the facility.
For Meir and Fedyaev, this marks their second journey to the space station. Hathaway and Adenot are making their first trips to space.
During her previous stay aboard the station in 2019, Meir made history alongside NASA astronaut Christina Koch by participating in the first all-female spacewalk. The pair spent more than seven hours outside the station replacing a malfunctioning battery charger.
Democratic lawmakers who control Virginia’s legislature are moving quickly to approve a new congressional map that could create as many as four additional Democratic-leaning U.S. House districts before this year’s midterm elections.
The proposal, which Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign early next week, comes as voters prepare to decide this spring whether to shift redistricting authority from the current bipartisan commission back to the legislature through the 2030 election cycle.
Republicans have blasted the effort as an “unconstitutional power grab,” while Democrats argue the move is necessary to counter what they describe as aggressive partisan gerrymandering by the GOP in other states.
Virginia has become the newest front in a broader nationwide struggle over congressional maps, with Florida poised to follow. The clash reflects a larger political contest between President Donald Trump and Republican allies on one side and Democrats on the other, as both parties seek to shape districts ahead of November’s elections.
With Republicans defending a razor-thin majority in the U.S. House, Democrats need to gain just three seats to reclaim control. As a result, redistricting battles in Virginia and elsewhere could determine which party holds the chamber next year.
“It’s happening all over the country,” the narrator in a new ad by Virginians for Fair Elections says. “Politicians redrawing maps to rig the midterm elections. And Virginia can’t sit back and do nothing.”
The Democratic-aligned advocacy organization told Fox News Digital it is committing an initial seven-figure sum to air the advertisement statewide.
If enacted in time for the midterms, the proposed Virginia map could give Democrats a chance to flip four Republican-held districts, transforming the state’s current 6-5 GOP advantage in its House delegation into a potential 10-1 Democratic edge.
Opposition has emerged from Virginians for Fair Maps, a Republican-backed group challenging the plan. The organization argues that “Virginians came together to pass bipartisan redistricting reform — a process that took the power to draw maps out of politicians’ hands. Now, politicians in Richmond want to undo that progress.”
The Republican National Committee has also criticized the proposal, labeling it a “power grab.”
Democrats suffered a setback when a local court halted their attempt to amend Virginia’s Constitution to enable the redraw. A circuit court judge in Tazewell County ruled that lawmakers failed to follow proper procedures.
The decision has been appealed, and both sides are awaiting word on whether the Virginia Supreme Court will intervene.
Time is a critical factor. Early voting for the April 21 referendum is scheduled to begin March 6.
Trump had floated the idea last spring of pursuing mid-decade redistricting, a tactic that is uncommon but not unprecedented. His aim was to avoid a repeat of 2018, when Democrats regained the House majority during his first term.
The strategy centered on redrawing maps in Republican-controlled states to strengthen the GOP’s slim House majority ahead of midterms, which historically tend to favor the party out of power.
Texas was the first focus of that effort.
When questioned by reporters last summer about adding Republican-friendly seats nationwide, Trump said, “Texas will be the biggest one. And that’ll be five.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott subsequently called a special session of the GOP-led legislature to approve a revised map.
Democratic lawmakers in Texas responded by breaking quorum and leaving the state for two weeks in an attempt to delay the vote, energizing Democrats across the country.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom emerged as a leading opponent of Trump’s redistricting push.
In November, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a ballot measure that temporarily sidelined the state’s independent redistricting commission and restored map-drawing authority to the Democratic-controlled legislature.
That change is expected to yield five additional Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, a move designed to counter Texas’ redistricting effort.
The conflict has expanded beyond Texas and California.
Republican-led legislatures in Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina have also drawn new congressional maps as part of the broader effort.
In Utah, a district judge late last year rejected a map crafted by the Republican-controlled legislature and instead approved an alternative that would create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the midterms.
Utah Republicans have appealed that ruling to the state Supreme Court in hopes of blocking the court-ordered map for this year’s elections.
In Indiana, Republican state senators in December rejected a redistricting measure that had passed the House, defying Trump and drawing national attention.
Florida is now expected to become the next battleground.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers in the GOP-dominated legislature are pursuing a special session in April aimed at adding three to five Republican-leaning districts.
That effort has already sparked litigation. A group aligned with Florida Democrats filed a lawsuit arguing that DeSantis and Secretary of State Cordy Byrd lack the legal authority to alter election procedures after Byrd moved congressional qualifying dates from April to June.
Democrats in Maryland are also pressing for redistricting that could add one more Democratic-leaning seat. The proposal, backed by Gov. Wes Moore and approved by House Democrats, faces resistance from Senate President Bill Ferguson, also a Democrat.
Meanwhile, Republicans in South Carolina, Nebraska, Kansas, and New Hampshire, along with Democrats in Illinois and Washington state, are considering their own redistricting efforts.
Overshadowing these state-level battles is the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to rule in Louisiana v. Callais, a significant case that could reshape interpretations of a key section of the Voting Rights Act.
If the Court sides with its conservative justices, the decision could trigger widespread redrawing of majority-minority districts nationwide, a development that analysts say would likely benefit Republicans.
For now, however, the timing and scope of the Court’s ruling remain uncertain, leaving both parties watching closely as the redistricting fight intensifies across the country.
Amid the ongoing draft crisis affecting Torah students, hundreds of avreichim from Belz’s network of Iyun kollelim across Israel gathered for a special event titled “Mipninim Yekarah,” led by the Belzer Rebbe, who delivered words of praise and encouragement to the lomdei Torah.
The gathering marked the completion of intensive study of the laws of bosor becholov and taaruvos, subjects that had been learned with dedication and sustained effort over recent years. The event was held in the Rebbe’s presence and included participants from Belzer kollelim throughout the country.
Following the singing of stirring melodies, the Rebbe made a l’chaim, and addressed the assembled bnei Torah. He said: “They called me to say a few words. It is a great merit for me to participate in a celebration of a mitzvah at a time like this, when everyone knows what is happening in the street. And we see the contrast with the avreichim who sit and learn and give themselves over completely, all the time and with their entire minds, to understand another section of Shulchan Aruch, another passage of Gemara, another Rishon and another Acharon, to rise higher in understanding of Torah. If only I could have a share in all the Torah that you are learning.”
He continued with a blessing: “May Hashem help all those who are here and those who are not here to rise higher and show that this is how a Belzer avreich elevates himself through Torah study, and that they should be able to continue learning and rising more and more, without making calculations. And you should know that the purpose of life — for which Hakadosh Boruch Hu created the world — is to learn and to teach, to observe and to fulfill, and to reach high spiritual levels. May you be blessed with all the blessings promised to those who learn Torah, that your children and grandchildren continue further, and with all good influences.”
{Matzav.com}
Cigarette prices in the Gaza Strip have surged to unprecedented levels, with a single pack now selling for as much as 1,300 shekels, according to recent reports. The sharp spike comes amid a reduction in supply and stricter enforcement measures targeting smuggling into the territory.
Just four months ago, a pack of cigarettes cost about 70 shekels. This week, however, the price climbed to 1,300 shekels. A Gaza resident told Kan News that many smokers have begun searching for alternatives. According to him, residents have reached the point where they are smoking herbs and adding nicotine to them.
In October 2025, a single cigarette sold for between two and three shekels. Today, individual cigarettes are priced between 30 and 50 shekels each. Reports attribute the dramatic increase to a significant decline in cigarette shipments into Gaza, as well as tougher measures aimed at curbing smuggling operations.
The resident who spoke with Kan News accused local traders of exploiting the situation, saying they are hoarding goods and creating monopolies at the expense of Gaza’s residents, in addition to the taxes imposed by Hamas.
Smoking rates in Gaza are considered very high. Residents consume an estimated 600 million cigarettes annually — roughly 30,000 packs per year — generating a market valued at approximately one billion shekels each year.
The same resident noted that nicotine used in improvised cigarette substitutes has also risen sharply in price. A liter of nicotine, which previously cost 3,000 shekels, now sells for 20,000 shekels, he said.
{Matzav.com}Israel’s ongoing draft crisis has once again shaken the coalition, but this time the decisive influence may not lie solely with politicians. According to a column published this morning in Yediot Achronot by commentator Yuval Karni, one central figure is effectively holding the fate of the proposed enlistment law in her hands: Attorney Miri Frenkel-Shor, the legal adviser to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The report states that after a period in which it appeared that constructive dialogue was taking place between the chareidi factions and committee chairman Boaz Bismuth, it became clear that the emerging draft of the legislation does not meet legal standards. As a result, the bill cannot advance without substantial revisions.
At the heart of the dispute is Frenkel-Shor’s firm position that any draft law must comply with principles set by the High Court of Justice in recent years, particularly the principle of equality in bearing the national burden and the imposition of meaningful sanctions. In closed-door discussions, Karni reports, she has made clear that she will not approve wording that is likely to be struck down by the court.
Standing alongside her is Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik, who is said to be providing full backing to her stance. Sources within the Knesset describe intense behind-the-scenes pressure but emphasize that neither legal adviser has shown any sign of retreating.
One of the most contentious issues involves the structure of sanctions. While the chareidi parties are seeking to scale back or soften the penalties for those who do not enlist, Frenkel-Shor is reportedly insisting on a framework referred to in committee discussions as “sanctions for all.” Under this model, even if overall recruitment targets are met, individuals who fail to fulfill their personal obligation would still face consequences.
Among the measures under consideration are reductions in daycare subsidies, restrictions on leaving the country, suspension of driver’s licenses, and limitations on various financial benefits.
Chareidi sources quoted in the column argue that the position is excessively strict and effectively locks in principles previously established by former committee chairman Yuli Edelstein. Those close to Frenkel-Shor, however, stress that her position is strictly professional and intended to ensure that the law is both stable and constitutionally sound.
Karni notes that despite criticism from some political quarters, few in the Knesset question Frenkel-Shor’s professionalism. Unlike the more public confrontations seen in other committees, Bismuth’s approach toward her is described as respectful and measured.
Frenkel-Shor brings three decades of experience in the Knesset to the role. The issue of military enlistment has accompanied her throughout her career, and she is widely regarded as one of the most seasoned figures in the field of defense-related legislation.
As the column makes clear, the future of the current draft law will not be determined solely through political negotiations among coalition partners. Ultimately, its viability hinges on whether it can withstand scrutiny by the High Court. In practical terms, even if a coalition agreement is reached, without supportive legal approval the bill could stall.
For now, the drama continues, and attention is focused not only on the politicians’ negotiating rooms but also on the legal office of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
{Matzav.com}
A federal judge has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC to move forward, scheduling the case for trial in early 2027, according to The Associated Press.
The US District Court for the Southern District of Florida has tentatively set February 15, 2027, as the start date for a two-week trial. The ruling followed Judge Roy K. Altman’s decision to deny the BBC’s request to postpone the proceedings.
Trump brought the lawsuit in December, claiming that the BBC manipulated footage of his January 6, 2021 speech in a manner that defamed him and violated trade laws. He is seeking $5 billion in damages for defamation and an additional $5 billion for what he alleges were unfair trade practices.
The legal action stems from a documentary aired by the BBC’s “Panorama” program shortly before the 2024 presidential election. According to the complaint, the program combined segments from different portions of Trump’s speech to suggest that he urged supporters to “march with me and fight like hell.” The broadcast did not include a segment in which Trump called on supporters to protest peacefully.
While the BBC issued an apology acknowledging an editing mistake, the broadcaster rejected the accusation that it defamed Trump. The fallout from the controversy resulted in the resignations of the organization’s chief executive and its head of news.
The BBC had moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the Florida court did not have jurisdiction because the documentary was not aired in the state and asserting that Trump’s complaint failed to establish a valid legal claim. The network also asked the court to pause the discovery phase, which would compel it to produce internal communications and documents related to its reporting on Trump. Judge Altman ruled that the request for a delay was “premature,” permitting the case to proceed on schedule.
In response to the latest ruling, the BBC declined to elaborate, stating only, “We will be defending this case.”
