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NASA’s Artemis II mission lifted off Wednesday evening, sending a four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft on a historic journey around the moon — the first time astronauts have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit in more than five decades.

The crew — NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen — boarded the 322-foot Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center earlier in the day, ahead of a scheduled liftoff at 6:35 p.m.

The mission is set to carry the astronauts on a trip around the moon and back to Earth, marking the first crewed deep-space voyage since 1972.

While Artemis II will not include a lunar landing, it will take the crew farther from Earth than any human mission since the Apollo program.

NASA has described the Orion spacecraft as the most powerful rocket system it has ever developed.

Rising 322 feet into the sky, the launch system is designed to propel both the spacecraft and its crew into deep space, serving as a critical test for systems needed in future missions aimed at landing astronauts on the moon.

With the crew now in orbit, they are expected to spend several days in space, including a multi-day passage around the far side of the moon before returning for a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The mission had originally been targeted for a February launch, but technical problems uncovered during testing delayed the timeline. Among the issues were fuel and helium leaks that required repairs to the Space Launch System rocket.

Artemis II follows the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission and represents a key step toward future objectives, including Artemis III, which is intended to place astronauts back on the lunar surface.

NASA has said the broader Artemis program is designed to support sustained exploration of the moon and to help prepare for eventual human missions to Mars.

The Artemis initiative was launched in 2017 under President Donald Trump as part of an effort to return American astronauts to the moon.

Ahead of Wednesday’s launch, Trump praised the mission and its crew.

“America is going back to the Moon!,” he said. “America doesn’t just compete, we DOMINATE, and the whole World is watching. God bless our incredible Astronauts, God bless NASA, and God bless the Greatest Nation ever to exist, the United States of America!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson also commended the astronauts and NASA’s efforts.

“Praying for the safety and success of the Artemis II crew and @NASA as they undertake a mission that will carry humanity farther into space than we have gone in over half a century,” he said. “I had the privilege of hosting these courageous pioneers at the State of the Union earlier this year. Americans are watching proudly as our Golden Age reaches new heights!”

Vice President JD Vance has informed intermediaries engaged in talks between the United States and Iran that President Donald Trump is eager to reach an agreement to bring the war to an end, according to a source familiar with the discussions cited in a CNN report Wednesday.

Vance, who has taken on a more central role in efforts to negotiate a resolution, has been in contact with officials from mediating countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, as recently as Tuesday.

According to the source, Vance conveyed a warning intended for Iranian officials, describing it as a “stern message” that pressure on Iran’s infrastructure would intensify “unless the Iranians made a deal.”

Trump has previously warned that critical infrastructure in Iran, including power stations and desalination facilities, could be targeted if Tehran refuses to allow oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

As he prepares to deliver a national address on Iran later Wednesday, Trump directed Vance to communicate that the United States is open to a ceasefire, provided its conditions are met, CNN reported.

One of those key conditions is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump reiterated in a social media post must be cleared before any halt in fighting would be considered.

In that same message, Trump also claimed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had sought a ceasefire.

Iran rejected that assertion, with its Foreign Ministry describing the claim as “false and baseless.”

Separately, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said it maintains full control over the strategic waterway.

“This strait will not be opened to the enemies of this nation through the ridiculous spectacle by the president of the United States,” it said, adding that the strait “is firmly and decisively under the control” of its forces.

A mohel from Bnei Brak who is under investigation for allegedly causing the death of an infant through negligence has been released to house arrest, following a court decision on Wednesday morning, just ahead of Pesach.

The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ruled to free the suspect under restrictive conditions, including house arrest. Police filed an appeal, but the District Court upheld the lower court’s decision, extending the house arrest until April 9, 2026. Police stated, “The investigation is ongoing in order to uncover the truth.”

The mohel’s attorney, Yair Ben Shitrit, said in response, “What began with great fanfare has ended quietly. My client shares in the family’s deep sorrow over this tragic incident. However, it should be emphasized that my client acted throughout in accordance with the required professional standards, and even beyond that.

“The police appeal to the District Court against the release decision was also rejected, and my client was released, which speaks for itself. It should be noted that the infant’s death occurred approximately three weeks after the circumcision—a significant detail that greatly weakens any attempt to establish a causal link or negligence on the part of my client. Under these circumstances, we are confident that once all examinations are completed, the case will be closed with nothing remaining.”

The mohel, a resident of Bnei Brak, was initially arrested on suspicion of negligence following the death of a baby after a circumcision he performed. The procedure took place about a month ago, and authorities suspect that a complication led to an infection that caused the infant’s death roughly two weeks later.

He is suspected of negligent manslaughter of a minor. After being questioned, he was detained, and as noted, was brought to court this morning for a hearing on extending his detention.

Israel Police said in a statement last night: “Investigators from the Bnei Brak–Ramat Gan police opened an investigation upon receiving a complaint today regarding the death of an infant, on suspicion of causing death by negligence, due to a suspected complication from a circumcision procedure performed by the mohel. Patrol officers arrested the suspect, a 66-year-old mohel from Bnei Brak. Israel Police shares in the family’s grief and will continue a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and carry out all necessary actions.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez indicated this week that she would reject all U.S. assistance to Israel, including funding for defensive systems, according to a report on remarks she made during a private meeting with members of the Democratic Socialists of America.

The position represents a shift from her earlier stance. While she has long opposed aid tied to offensive military capabilities, she had previously supported funding for defensive measures such as the Iron Dome missile defense system.

The comments were first reported by Peter Sterne, an editor at City and State NY, who covered the meeting, which was streamed for DSA members. The gathering was held to consider whether the organization would endorse Ocasio-Cortez’s reelection campaign.

During the discussion, Ocasio-Cortez was asked about backing an arms embargo on Israel. According to the report, she responded, “I have not once ever voted to authorize funding to Israel, and I will never. The Israeli government should be able to finance their own weapons if they seek to arm themselves.”

A follow-up question pressed her on whether that position would extend to all military-related funding, including defensive systems. “If the moment presents itself in Congress, will you commit to voting ‘no’ for any spending on arms for Israel, including so-called ‘defensive capabilities?’”

Ocasio-Cortez answered, “Yes.”

Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive bloc in Congress often referred to as “the Squad,” has repeatedly voiced sharp criticism of Israel, including accusations related to its conduct in Gaza.

She later defended her use of the term “genocide,” arguing in an interview that conditions in Gaza had “crossed the threshold of intent.”

In an earlier 2019 radio interview, she described Israel as “criminal” in its treatment of Palestinian Arabs, asserting that they have no alternative but to “riot” against the country.

She has also previously said that reducing or cutting U.S. military and economic support to Israel should be “on the table” as a way to express opposition to Israeli policies, and has characterized Israel as an “apartheid state.”

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz visited the site of the missile strike in Bnei Brak on Wednesday, where 14 people were wounded by a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile, delivering remarks of support alongside senior officials.

Katz toured the scene together with MK Moshe Gafni, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert, and Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shai Kalper.

The visit followed a severe early-morning attack in which an 11-year-old girl was critically injured, a 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded, and dozens of others were hurt by the blast and shrapnel. The missile, launched from deep inside Iran, caused heavy destruction in the center of the city.

Speaking at the scene, Katz extended holiday greetings to IDF soldiers and the Israeli public. “I want, from here, on behalf of all of us, to extend holiday greetings and great thanks to the brave IDF soldiers who are fighting in the air, at sea, and on land,” he said. “I meet them in Lebanon, in Gaza, and in Syria, and I meet the pilots before and after they fly to Iran and everywhere — I see their commitment to protecting the safety of Israel’s citizens.”

The defense minister added, “There is no nation in the world that has such brave soldiers. The entire people must embrace them and strengthen them.” He also urged the public to follow safety guidelines, emphasizing their importance. “I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and ask that you adhere to Home Front Command instructions — they save lives and allow the IDF to continue striking our enemies.”

In a separate message, Katz addressed the families of IDF soldiers and commanders stationed along Israel’s borders. “I turn from here to the mothers, fathers, spouses, and family members of IDF soldiers and commanders deployed across all of Israel’s borders,” he said. “We have prepared for the holiday evening to provide the best possible response for each of our soldiers in every sector.”

He noted that many troops would not be home for the holiday. “Most of them are not celebrating the holiday with you. Be proud of them. They are acting with dedication, determination, and responsibility for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens, even during this holiday.”

Katz also addressed children across the country. “Dear children, some of your fathers and mothers are not with you on the holiday evening. Know that they are protecting you. They are a generation of lions — heroes and heroines.”

The visit comes during a week of heightened tensions, with multiple missile strikes reported across Israel as Iran continues launching ballistic missiles. IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin warned that Iran and Hezbollah could continue attacks during the Passover holiday.

At the same time, the IDF continues broad military operations across multiple fronts. Katz recently presented a strategic plan for operations in Lebanon that includes establishing a security zone inside southern Lebanon and preventing more than 600,000 residents from returning south of the Litani River.

Concluding his remarks, Katz emphasized Israel’s core sources of strength. “I can tell you what I say everywhere: we have allies, and we have enemies, and we have friends — but we rely on only two things: on the Rock of Israel and on the Israel Defense Forces. These are the things we rely on, and in their name we fight and will continue to fight.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman says he would dramatically reduce energy costs across New York immediately upon taking office, promising to slash average utility bills by 50 percent on his first day as governor.

In an interview with Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast, the Nassau County executive outlined a plan that includes rolling back green energy requirements, reducing delivery charges, and cutting taxes that he says make up a large share of residents’ monthly bills.

“I can cut your electric bill in half, day one, when I become governor,” Blakeman told Devine, arguing that only a fraction of what consumers pay actually reflects the cost of electricity itself.

“I will control the regulatory authorities. We will bring down the taxes. We will bring down the delivery costs. And I will get rid of the green energy scam,” Blakeman vowed on the Thursday podcast.

Available data, however, suggests a more complex breakdown of utility costs. According to the Regional Plan Association, customers on Long Island typically see about 45 percent of their bill tied to energy supply, roughly 51 percent attributed to delivery expenses, and around 6 percent stemming from taxes. Delivery charges can also include fees connected to renewable energy programs.

Newly obtained federal records show that during the height of the COVID-19 Delta wave in 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy prepared a coordinated media strategy aimed at combating what officials labeled “misinformation,” even as Americans grew frustrated with shifting public health guidance.

According to documents reviewed by Newsmax, officials within the Biden administration worked in tandem to craft speeches, media appearances, and messaging that promoted a unified narrative on COVID-19—at times at odds with evolving scientific data.

The materials suggest a wider effort that extended beyond government, involving members of the press, technology companies, and emotionally driven messaging to encourage public compliance.

The documents, totaling more than 400 pages and obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT), outline Murthy’s internal talking points and broader communications strategy during July 2021.

PPT says the findings reflect a pattern it has documented in prior releases, alleging that administration officials adjusted messaging to fit a predetermined narrative during the pandemic.

“Once again, we’ve shown that the Biden administration used terms like ‘misinformation’ to control the narrative,” PPT Director Michael Chamberlain told Newsmax. “They sidelined science when it was inconvenient and pushed tech companies to censor information that turned out to be true.

“Whether it was prolonged school closures from which a generation of children may never fully recover, draconian lockdowns, or forcing vaccines on people at little risk from the virus, power, politics, and narrative control came first.”

One example in the documents shows Murthy preparing remarks for a speech at the Stanford Internet Observatory, where he described a country gripped by fear and division and argued that online platforms were amplifying emotionally driven falsehoods.

“If we want to fight health misinformation, we’ll need all parts of society to pull together,” his script declared. Individuals must “share information responsibly;” clinicians should counter doubts with patients; educators were to teach “information literacy.”

The messaging also included direct guidance aimed at media outlets and tech platforms. “We’re asking journalists and media outlets to address the public’s questions without amplifying misinformation. We’re asking tech companies to operate with greater transparency and accountability so that misinformation doesn’t continue to poison our sharing platforms.”

Internal briefing materials also show that Murthy was given detailed instructions ahead of interviews, including a July 12 appearance on the Pod Save America podcast, where he was expected to discuss targeted outreach to unvaccinated individuals.

Officials relied on data from the CDC and Census Bureau to estimate that a portion of unvaccinated Americans were still persuadable, while others might be moved through more targeted efforts.

The outreach strategy was designed to be highly localized. “community by community, neighborhood by neighborhood, person by person,” read the talking points before his Pod Save America appearance.

Door-to-door engagement by trusted community figures—including doctors and religious leaders—was framed as outreach, while critics of the effort were addressed directly in Murthy’s prepared remarks: “For individuals or organizations feeding misinformation and trying to mischaracterize this work, you are doing a disservice to the country.”

Preparations for a Washington Post interview included references to direct coordination with major technology companies.

“We’ve increased mis/disinformation research and tracking within the Surgeon General’s office, and we’re flagging problematic posts for social platforms,” the document stated. “Facebook is aware of our concerns and we have requested changes.”

The talking points indicated that platforms unwilling to act were viewed as harming both the public and medical professionals, reinforcing language Murthy was expected to use in multiple interviews.

The administration also called for algorithmic adjustments to limit the spread of certain content while promoting what it described as reliable vaccine information.

Murthy’s messaging reached a more personal tone during a July 19 NBC Nightly News appearance, where he was encouraged to emphasize the human cost of misinformation.

The prepared remarks directed him to say that “health misinformation is costing us lives,” while referencing the deaths of “ten of [his] own family members” and urging social media companies to act more aggressively.

The tone of the messaging, according to the documents, was intended to frame disagreement not as debate but as a public health risk.

Murthy did not respond to requests for comment. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, Andrew Nixon, told Newsmax that the agency under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports open discourse.

“That kind of messaging is a big part of why public trust in our healthcare system collapsed during the pandemic,” Nixon said. “Public health should be grounded in transparency and open discussion, not shutting down disagreement.”

PPT says this is not the first set of documents to raise concerns about how COVID guidance was presented to the public.

One example cited involves August 2021 recommendations from Murthy advising quarantine for students who had been within close proximity—three feet for more than 15 minutes—of an infected individual.

According to the group, the supporting research cited in those recommendations was inconsistent, lacked peer review, or relied on data from unrelated settings.

The watchdog group argues that policies such as school closures and quarantines set students back significantly while relying on what it described as weak scientific grounding.

Additional criticism from PPT targeted federal agencies including the CDC and FDA, alleging that officials misrepresented data related to vaccine effectiveness and natural immunity. The group also pointed to a study that overstated pediatric COVID deaths by 32%, saying the error was not corrected despite being identified internally.

Earlier records obtained by PPT indicated that Murthy acknowledged collaboration with technology companies during a 2021 meeting with then-Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The tone of those discussions, according to the group, was confrontational toward parents, while encouraging teenagers to advocate for vaccination within their families. Mask-wearing was presented as a collective obligation rather than a personal decision.

While the newly released documents do not allege unlawful censorship, they describe sustained efforts to portray dissenting views as dangerous, which critics say contributed to declining public trust.

Polling data cited in the report shows that trust in the CDC dropped sharply—from 85% at the start of the pandemic to 44% within two years.

The documents suggest that Murthy’s office pursued a broad communications campaign aimed at marginalizing opposing viewpoints, even as debates continued over key issues such as distancing guidelines, immunity, masking, and vaccinations for children.

A resolution to the 46-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security may be within reach, as House Republicans move toward supporting a Senate-backed funding framework that separates broader DHS funding from immigration enforcement agencies.

Under the emerging plan, lawmakers would restore funding for most of DHS while addressing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection through a separate reconciliation process.

President Donald Trump signaled his support for the approach, emphasizing that Republicans intend to secure funding for border enforcement without relying on Democratic votes. “We are going forward to fund our incredible ICE Agents and Border Patrol through a process that doesn’t need Radical Left Democrat votes, and bypasses the Senate Filibuster (which should be repealed, IMMEDIATELY!),” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also pressed Congress to act quickly, adding, “I am asking that the Bill be on my desk NO LATER than June 1st,” referring to the reconciliation measure that would fund ICE and CBP.

The Senate unanimously approved legislation last Friday that restores funding to DHS but excludes ICE and CBP, setting the stage for a separate effort to finance those agencies.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s strategy has been to pass the remaining funding for ICE and CBP through reconciliation, allowing Republicans to avoid the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

House Republicans initially pushed back on that approach, with Speaker Mike Johnson instead advocating for a temporary 60-day extension to fully fund DHS while negotiations continued.

That position shifted Wednesday, when Thune and Johnson issued a joint statement aligning behind the Senate’s two-pronged strategy after Trump publicly endorsed it.

“In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process,” they said.

“Republican Congress will fully reopen the Department, make sure all federal workers are paid, and specifically fund immigration enforcement and border security for the next three years so that those law-enforcement activities can continue uninhibited.”

It remains uncertain whether the House, currently in recess, will return early to finalize the funding legislation.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham has already started the reconciliation process, which is known to be procedurally complex and time-consuming.

Earlier in the standoff, House Republicans rejected the Senate’s initial proposal because it did not include funding for ICE and CBP. While Johnson avoided directly criticizing Thune, he directed his frustration at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The partial shutdown began on Feb. 14 after Democrats blocked DHS funding over disagreements related to immigration enforcement policies, particularly concerning ICE and CBP operations.

Democrats had called for several changes, including banning ICE agents from wearing masks, imposing stricter warrant requirements, and limiting enforcement activity in certain sensitive locations.

Republicans declined to accept those broader restrictions but agreed to some measures, such as requiring body cameras. Meanwhile, Trump removed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem from her position and ended Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, developments that contributed to the funding impasse.

“Democrats will once again demonstrate to the American people their support for open borders and keeping criminal illegal immigrants in America,” Johnson and Thune said.

Amid the shutdown, Trump also redirected funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—legislation passed through reconciliation last year—to cover pay for Transportation Security Administration workers and reduce delays at airport security checkpoints.

TSA employees received their paychecks on Monday, and Trump indicated he plans to use the same funding mechanism to ensure ICE and CBP personnel are paid while Congress works on a final reconciliation package.

“In the meantime, we will continue to use funding from THE GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, which is giving Record Tax Rebates to Citizens all over the Country, to ensure that ICE and Border Patrol Agents are paid ON TIME, and IN FULL, as we have been doing for them throughout the Democrat Shutdown,” he said.

A missile launched from Iran toward the Gush Dan area on Wednesday morning struck multiple locations in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan, wounding several people and causing extensive damage.

At Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, medical staff are battling to save the life of an 11-year-old girl who was critically hurt in the strike. Hospital officials said her father was also injured and is in moderate condition, while six other children were brought to the emergency room for treatment.

Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva reported that a 12-year-old boy who sustained serious injuries, along with his mother who was moderately wounded, were evacuated following the impact. The boy is set to be moved to Schneider Children’s Medical Center for further care. Additionally, eleven people with minor injuries were treated and transferred to Sheba and Beilinson hospitals. In a separate incident, a building was hit, causing a gas leak that was handled by emergency crews.

MDA paramedic Yissachar Weiss recounted what responders encountered at the scene: “We received a report of a missile impact and arrived on the scene with ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and rapid response motorcycles. We saw destruction and people walking around conscious, and an 11-year-old girl semi-conscious with shrapnel injuries to her limbs. We provided medical treatment and evacuated her by MDA mobile intensive care unit to the hospital in serious condition. Additional MDA teams treated several other injured people and also evacuated them to hospitals.”

Senior medic Lipa Hirsch said additional injured individuals were found during follow-up searches. “During our searches we saw a 13-year-old boy conscious after being injured by the blast. We placed him in an MDA ambulance and evacuated him to the hospital in moderate condition. Additional MDA teams are scanning to ensure there are no more casualties.”

In Cholon, the missile strike ignited a fire in an open area, while in Petach Tikva, debris from intercepted missiles fell in open spaces.

Police reported that fragments from interceptions were located in several cities across the Sharon region. Sirens were activated across central Israel, the Sharon, Shomron, and the south in response to the launch.

Earlier, sirens sounded in the Negev after a missile was fired by Houthi forces in Yemen. That missile was intercepted, and no injuries were reported.

Before that, alerts were triggered in the Upper Galilee after a drone infiltrated from Lebanon. Security officials said the drone was not intercepted and appears to have landed in an open area without causing any casualties.