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The New York Knicks have ordered mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani to immediately stop using the team’s logo in his campaign materials, warning that his ad implied a false association with the franchise and violated its intellectual property rights.

The controversy erupted after Mamdani’s campaign aired an ad during the Knicks’ season opener on Wednesday night, featuring the team’s iconic orange-and-blue design but swapping out the word “Knicks” for “Zohran.” The ad carried the tagline, “This is our year. This is our time,” and appeared across the candidate’s social media accounts.

Following The New York Post’s report exposing the unauthorized use, Mamdani’s campaign swiftly removed the online ads by Friday afternoon.

In a letter sent to the campaign, the Knicks’ legal team accused Mamdani of misleading voters by creating the false impression that his candidacy was “affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by, or in some way connected with the Knicks.” The team demanded that all campaign material containing Knicks-related imagery or branding be deleted immediately.

A spokesperson for the franchise confirmed the team’s actions in a statement to The Post: “The NY Knicks have sent NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a cease-and-desist letter for using the NY Knicks logo to promote his candidacy.” The spokesperson added, “The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not endorse Mr. Mamdani for Mayor, and we object to his use of our copyrighted logo. We will pursue all legal remedies to enforce our rights.”

Mamdani, the socialist Democrat leading in early polls, had promoted the ad as a symbol of local pride and energy heading into the race, but the Knicks’ move forced his team to backtrack.

While the organization made its disapproval public, Knicks owner James Dolan has stayed quiet on the mayoral race itself. Still, Dolan has not avoided politics altogether—recently revealing that he quietly supported independent candidate Diana Florence’s campaign for Manhattan district attorney in an effort to unseat incumbent Alvin Bragg.

{Matzav.com}

Senator John Fetterman addresses dysfunction in Washington and the ongoing government shutdown, saying he can’t control the direction of the Democratic Party but will always vote “country over party.”

Curtis Sliwa after casting his vote early in New York City: “We trust people. We don’t trust the billionaires, the insiders or the influencers.”

President Trump is asked if he’d consider meeting Kim Jong Un during his Asia trip: “If he’d like to meet, I’m open to it… They have very little telephonic service, but he knows I’m coming — and, yeah, I’d be open to it, 100%.”

Trump on Democrats: “All they have to do is say yes and [the shutdown] is over… and then we go into a negotiation. Obamacare has been terrible. We can make it better. I’m all for that — but they’re not.”

Trump on the Democrat Shutdown: “All they have to do is agree to let’s go and we’re ready… This is purely Democrat. They’re doing some really bad things. I think they’re lost souls.”

Bernie Sanders: “If you don’t have any borders, you don’t have a nation… Trump did a better job. I don’t like Trump, but we should have a secure border. It ain’t that hard to do. Biden didn’t do it.”

Stephen Miller after an illegal alien truck driver in California killed three: “This is a Democrat-caused calamity… Newsom, in his state, has a policy to give CDLs to individuals who don’t know how to speak English and don’t know how to drive.”

MSNBC: “Why are you backing Mamdani in the Mayor’s race?” HAKEEM JEFFRIES: “Well he’s the nominee…”

Florida police have arrested a Colombian theft ring posing as landscapers. All five suspects, who are in the U.S. illegally, are now in jail with ICE detainers.

Trump on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reportedly considering a large purchase of Ford F-150 trucks: “That’s great. She has good taste. That’s a HOT truck.”

Trump-endorsed New Jersey governor candidate Jack Ciattarelli was seen making his seventh and final stop at a polling location on the first day of early voting.

The New York Times reports that Timothy Mellon, a railroad magnate and heir to the Mellon family fortune, is the $130 million donor funding the U.S. military during the government shutdown. President Trump praised Mellon as “a great gentleman” and “a great patriot” without naming him.

Ireland has elected Catherine Connolly, a far-left independent and outspoken critic of Israel, as its next president in a sweeping victory that reshapes the country’s political tone.

Final results released today confirmed Connolly’s decisive win, with 63% of first-preference ballots once invalid votes were excluded. Her rival, Heather Humphreys of the center-right Fine Gael party, trailed far behind at 29%. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial, the result marks a sharp political statement from Irish voters.

At a victory celebration in Dublin Castle, the 68-year-old Connolly pledged to promote unity and uphold Ireland’s tradition of neutrality. “I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honor,” she said, promising to be “a voice for peace” and to “build on our policy of neutrality.”

Her win was widely expected after polls showed overwhelming public backing, bolstered by endorsements from Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, and the Social Democrats. Connolly, a former barrister who entered parliament in 2016, has built her reputation as an independent voice critical of mainstream parties and Ireland’s alignment with Western military policies.

She has long been a controversial figure for her positions on the Middle East. In September, Connolly referred to Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.” The remark provoked backlash from Jewish groups and political opponents alike.

Amid mounting criticism, Connolly later insisted she “utterly condemned” the group’s attacks but simultaneously accused Israel of committing a “genocide” in Gaza — a charge Israel categorically denies. She also previously alleged that Israel was “behaving like a terrorist state.”

Earlier in the day, Humphreys conceded defeat even before the final votes were tallied, acknowledging the scale of Connolly’s lead.

Connolly has also warned of what she calls the European Union’s “growing militarization” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, arguing that Ireland should resist pressure to deepen its military ties. Critics, however, say her rigid neutrality risks isolating Ireland from key allies and diminishing its influence in European security discussions.

She will replace Michael D. Higgins, who is stepping down after serving two full seven-year terms since 2011. Connolly thus becomes Ireland’s 10th president — and only the third woman to hold the office.

Prime Minister Micheál Martin congratulated her on what he called a “very comprehensive election victory.” He added that he looks forward to collaborating with the new president “as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage, and as we look forward to hosting the EU presidency in the second half of 2026.”

{Matzav.com}

A shocking report from The Daily Mail has revealed that more than 150 convicted Palestinian terrorists, recently deported from Israel under the ceasefire-hostage deal, are now living in luxury at a five-star Marriott property in Cairo, mingling with unsuspecting tourists at the Renaissance Cairo Mirage Hotel.

The former prisoners, many serving life sentences for some of the bloodiest terror attacks in Israel’s history, were spotted lounging poolside, enjoying buffet meals, and sipping drinks at the hotel bar. According to the Mail, journalists who booked nearby rooms found themselves “just a few doors down” from the ex-inmates.

Witnesses described the surreal atmosphere: freed terrorists taking selfies with relatives and fans, while an outdoor wedding played music in the background. Some family members “had flown to be with them,” the report noted, adding that the group appeared to be celebrating openly with “adoring local fans.”

Among those seen at the hotel were several notorious figures. The Mail identified Mahmoud Issa, jailed since 1993 for orchestrating the abduction and murder of Border Police officer Nissim Toledano; Samir Abu Nima, responsible for a 1983 Jerusalem bus bombing that killed six people, including an 11-year-old; and Muhammad Zawahra, involved in a deadly 2024 shooting near a Jerusalem checkpoint.

The weekend also saw a bizarre twist when Akram Abu Bakr, a former Fatah Tanzim commander, held his wedding at the same hotel, reportedly attended by several of the deported terrorists.

Guests were seen “withdrawing wads of cash from ATMs within the hotel,” The Daily Mail said, raising questions about how the lavish stay was being financed. A hotel staff member confirmed to Israel’s Channel 12 that the group had indeed been staying at the property, though he claimed they had since checked out.

Their deportation came under the terms of a U.S.-brokered truce announced on October 13. Israel released roughly 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners — including around 250 serving life terms — after Hamas freed the final 20 living hostages taken on October 7, 2023. Those convicted of particularly severe crimes were expelled from Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, with 154 sent to Egypt.

Upon arrival in Cairo, the ex-prisoners were greeted by “huge crowds of friends, family and fans,” before heading “to a function room beneath booked for the occasion,” the Mail reported. Photos and videos circulating online show smiling attendees waving Palestinian flags and embracing the newly arrived men.

One of them, Mahmoud al-Arida — a senior Islamic Jihad figure who helped mastermind the 2021 Gilboa Prison escape — even shared a photo of himself enjoying a meal at the hotel. “My first time with a spoon after four long years with local labneh from Arraba and thyme from the Arraba hills,” he wrote. Al-Arida famously used a spoon to dig his way out of the high-security prison.

According to The Daily Mail, Egyptian authorities are allowing the deportees to apply for long-term residency but are closely monitoring their movements. Armed police guard the hotel, and those wishing to leave must request permission. Some, however, have already been cleared to depart — including Basem Khandakji, who participated in the 2004 Tel Aviv Carmel Market bombing that killed three and wounded more than 50.

Security experts are warning that the situation poses a significant risk. Anthony Glees, an emeritus professor at the University of Buckingham, cautioned, “They are our sworn enemies. They will cut off the heads of British soldiers and kill left, right and center.” He added, “We must not let them collect together. There can be no hiding place for these people. Otherwise, you are setting up a terrorist army in exile.”

A retired Israeli intelligence operative identified as “Guy C” offered a similar warning, saying the deported militants now have “no restrictions on their movements in these countries.” He explained, “They can walk freely, travel to Europe – even the UK – receive donations from naive supporters, and gain backing from protesters who already sympathize with them. The first thing these terrorists will do when they reach Turkey or Qatar is contact their associates in Gaza and the West Bank to send money and re-establish their networks. They will quickly regroup and form new terror cells.”

The Mail estimated the cost of housing all 154 ex-prisoners at the Cairo Marriott to exceed £30,000 — roughly $39,000 — per night, with rooms starting around $200 each. The report concluded that it remains unclear who is footing the bill, as Marriott has yet to comment.

{Matzav.com}

The identity of the mystery philanthropist who pledged $130 million to cover U.S. military salaries during the ongoing government shutdown has been revealed as Timothy Mellon, a billionaire railroad executive and descendant of one of America’s most storied banking families, according to The New York Times.

Despite the staggering figure, Mellon’s donation amounts to roughly $100 per service member. The U.S. government typically spends close to $6.4 billion every two weeks on military payroll, meaning the contribution represents only a tiny fraction of what’s required to pay America’s troops.

The arrangement could also violate federal law. The Times, citing individuals familiar with the matter, reported that the use of Mellon’s funds might breach the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from using unappropriated money to finance operations or salaries.

President Donald Trump first announced the contribution Thursday at the White House, calling the donor a “great patriot” and “friend of mine,” though he did not disclose Mellon’s identity at the time.

“And he’s a big supporter of mine,” Trump said the following evening. “He’s a wonderful man, and he doesn’t want publicity.”

Mellon’s fortune, estimated by Forbes to be close to $1 billion, comes from his vast railroad and investment holdings. However, he once dismissed the label of billionaire, insisting in a 2024 email to a news outlet, “Billionaire NOT! … Never have been, never will be.”

His donation is intended to temporarily cover pay and benefits for U.S. troops while the federal government remains partially shuttered, though experts say it’s largely symbolic given the immense costs of military compensation.

With more than 1.3 million active-duty troops, the Trump administration’s 2025 budget projected nearly $600 billion in military pay and benefits. Against that backdrop, Mellon’s $130 million contribution—while headline-grabbing—barely makes a dent.

Mellon, the grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, has long been among Trump’s top political allies. During the 2024 election cycle, he gave $50 million to Trump’s super PAC—one of the largest single political donations ever disclosed, The Times noted.

But the move has drawn concern from lawmakers. A spokesman for Senator Chris Coons of Delaware warned of the dangers in allowing private individuals to fund government functions. “Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers,” the spokesman said.

{Matzav.com}

Norway’s national broadcaster, NRK, has sparked fierce criticism after broadcasting antisemitic jokes on a satire program aimed at audiences as young as nine years old.

The controversy erupted during the latest episode of Nytt på Nytt, a popular satirical news show that aired tonight. Host Tuva Johannessen joked, “U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson believes reasonable people thank America for bombing ships full of fentanyl — but if you replace fentanyl with Jews, it suddenly doesn’t sound so okay.”

The audience and panel members laughed, prompting Johannessen to continue with another remark referencing an earlier segment about smuggling adult magazines from Sweden to Norway. “Imagine if Jews were being smuggled from Sweden to Norway — that wouldn’t work,” he said.

The exchange drew swift condemnation from Jewish organizations and Israeli representatives, who said such rhetoric crosses every line of decency.

On Elpeleg, an Israeli educator based in Norway who documents antisemitism in the country’s public media, denounced the broadcast, saying authorities have continually ignored repeated complaints. “The hosts’ cynical humor is simply warped. The goal here is to humiliate Jews. What’s worse is that this is a show officially rated for children age 9 and up — practically an invitation for parents to watch with their kids. And then people wonder why antisemitism is surging here,” he said.

This latest scandal followed another troubling broadcast just a week earlier, when an NRK radio presenter made an antisemitic remark on air. “I have a great morning joke for our listeners. Do you know what happened to the Jew who ran into a wall with an erection? He broke his nose,” the host said.

In response, the Israeli Embassy in Oslo issued a sharp rebuke: “Antisemitism is never funny. It is unacceptable for such ‘humor’ to be given a platform by Norway’s public broadcaster and remain online. Action must be taken.” Despite the uproar, NRK declined to remove the offensive clip, offering only a written apology after widespread backlash.

Elpeleg condemned the network’s handling of the situation, connecting it to Norway’s wartime legacy. “It’s 2025, not 1945 — yet we’re hearing Nazi jokes on state TV again. It’s unbelievable that this broadcaster, which collaborated with the Nazis and boosted their morale between 1940 and 1945, is still operating like this 80 years later. Schools have started teaching about the ‘genocide’ to 13-year-olds, but at the same time, this is being normalized on educational television. I’ve worked in education here for 25 years, and I’m stunned. History is repeating itself.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior Hamas terror figure Moussa Abu Marzouk announced that it may take a significant amount of time before the group can locate and return the bodies of the remaining hostages. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said that the process “won’t take weeks – it could take months.”

Abu Marzouk explained the difficulty of recovering the remains, stating, “I have said in the past that there will be a problem regarding the deceased hostages, because it is difficult to hand them all over and hard to locate them all at once. This won’t take weeks – it could take months.”

He continued by admitting that some bodies may never be found, saying, “It could be that we won’t be able to find some of the deceased hostages. We say clearly: We have no deceased hostages that we are able to hand over.”

Earlier this month, the Hamas leader made a similar assertion, predicting that locating both living and deceased hostages would take “months.” Yet less than two weeks later, the organization freed all 20 living captives in a single day, undermining his earlier claims about the expected delay.

Meanwhile, tonight, as previously reported here on Matzav, President Donald Trump issued a direct warning to Hamas, urging the terror group to promptly deliver the bodies of the slain hostages.

“We have a very strong PEACE in the Middle East, and I believe it has a good chance of being EVERLASTING,” Trump wrote. “Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action.”

He pointed out that while some remains may be harder to recover, others are accessible, saying, “Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not.”

Concluding his statement, Trump made clear that his patience is limited: “Perhaps it has to do with their disarming, but when I said, ‘Both sides would be treated fairly,’ that only applies if they comply with their obligations. Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely.”

{Matzav.com}