Matzav

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a dire warning on Tuesday, cautioning that Syria could be on the verge of plunging into a major internal conflict within a matter of weeks.

Addressing members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio stated, “given the challenges” currently confronting Syria’s new leadership, the country is “maybe weeks, not many months, away from potential collapse, and a full scale civil war of epic proportions” that could ultimately result in “basically the country splitting up.”

Rubio also remarked, “The bad news is that [Syria’s] transitional authority figures, they didn’t pass their background check.”

He argued that U.S. involvement was necessary to prevent total failure, asserting, “it was guaranteed to not work out” had America not engaged.

In a dramatic shift in Washington’s policy toward Damascus, President Donald Trump made headlines last week when he declared that the United States would remove sanctions imposed on Syria.

“Syria, they’ve had their share of travesty, war, killing in many years. That’s why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time in more than a decade,” Trump said.

He acknowledged the previous impact of American restrictions, noting, “The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important — really an important function — nevertheless, at the time. But now it’s their time to shine. So, I say, ‘Good luck, Syria.’ Show us something very special.”

Trump concluded his remarks by expressing cautious optimism: “We hope they will succeed in stabilizing the country in keeping peace.”

{Matzav.com}

Authorities have launched an investigation into two separate incidents on Tuesday in which suspicious envelopes containing unidentified powder were sent to Israeli government ministers within a short time span.

Later in the day, staff at the Knesset office of Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli received an envelope with an unidentified powdery substance. Following established procedures, Knesset security personnel notified the Israel Police, and the envelope was handed over for further analysis.

A similar occurrence took place earlier in the day at the office of Health Minister Uriel Busso. Knesset security responded to the scene, and law enforcement officials became involved in this case as well.

This is not the first time Minister Busso has been the target of such incidents. In fact, this marks the fourth time he has received a suspicious envelope. A previous envelope, sent in April, was dispatched to the Biological Institute for testing, and authorities opened an inquiry.

Roughly a year ago, Busso’s office also received a comparable envelope. At the time, he underwent a medical evaluation from a Knesset paramedic and was determined to be in good health. As a precaution, his office remained sealed until testing results were confirmed. Another similar envelope had arrived six months before that, prompting yet another temporary shutdown of the office.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Antisemitic flyers were scattered throughout the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh, and residents reported being subjected to slurs, marking yet another hateful incident in the same area that endured the tragic Tree of Life synagogue massacre in 2018.

According to Pittsburgh police, the offensive materials were tossed out of a moving car. The flyers were enclosed in small plastic bags weighed down with kernels of corn, making it easier to throw them from a vehicle while driving.

One flyer bore the message, “Every single aspect of the Jewish Talmud is satanic,” a phrase captured in a photo shared by county comptroller and Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Corey O’Connor.

The flyer featured selectively extracted lines from the Talmud, the central text of rabbinic Judaism, which contains centuries of legal and moral discourse. Manipulating and misrepresenting Talmudic passages in order to slander Jews has long been a tactic employed by antisemites.

“Despicable antisemitic acts like those taking place in Squirrel Hill today have no place in our city,” O’Connor posted on social media.

While police have not yet released the identities of the perpetrators, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh linked the incident to the Goyim Defense League, a known white supremacist hate group. According to the Federation, the individuals also shouted antisemitic insults at members of the Jewish community.

“This kind of hate has no place in our neighborhoods,” said Laura Cherner, who directs the Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Council. “Our community is strong, united and we will stand together to oppose these vile actions.”

The Anti-Defamation League recently reported that the Goyim Defense League is one of the top three white nationalist organizations behind nearly all antisemitic propaganda distributed in 2024.

“Antisemitic materials that were distributed in parts of Squirrel Hill today are reprehensible and have no place in Pittsburgh,” said Mayor Ed Gainey in a statement. “We will not stand for such hateful acts meant to intimidate our neighbors.”

Distributing propaganda via flyers has become a go-to method for extremist groups in recent years. In the aftermath of the 2018 Tree of Life attack—the most lethal antisemitic act in American history—Squirrel Hill was again blanketed with hateful materials.

Just last summer, vandals painted an upside-down red triangle—an emblem used by Hamas and later by certain anti-Israel demonstrators—on the local Chabad center, situated near the scene of the synagogue attack.

Elsewhere, the threat continues. Jewish institutions in Las Vegas were targeted just last week with threatening letters containing antisemitic language, prompting concerns over security. The city’s Jewish Federation took to Instagram to advise community members to “stay vigilant with incoming mail.”

One recipient of the threatening letter was Friendship Circle Las Vegas, a Jewish nonprofit dedicated to fostering inclusion by pairing volunteers with children and young adults with special needs.

Rabbi Levi Harlig, the organization’s executive director, posted an image of the letter on Instagram. It read: “To all Zionist Jews stay out of our valley. We will destroy your synagogues Hamas lives on you all burn in hell.”

Reflecting on the hateful message, Rabbi Harlig wrote: “The irony of this hateful letter? It was sent to our nonprofit — an organization built on inclusion, love, and friendship. But we’re not afraid. We won’t be silenced, and we won’t back down. We will double our efforts to spread light, kindness, and unity. Goodness will always be louder than hate. Am Yisrael Chai.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration announced a major shift in COVID-19 vaccine policy on Tuesday, revealing that annual shots will no longer be automatically authorized for healthy children and younger adults.

New guidelines released by the Food and Drug Administration outline that future COVID vaccine updates will still be streamlined for older adults, specifically those 65 and above, as well as younger people with medical conditions that elevate their risk.

However, the FDA is now calling on pharmaceutical companies to undertake more comprehensive, long-term clinical trials before vaccines aimed at the general population of healthy individuals can gain approval. In a new article in the New England Journal of Medicine, officials estimated that the revised strategy could still allow for 100 to 200 million adults to get updated shots each year.

This regulatory shift leaves uncertainty for people who might wish to get the shot in the fall but do not fit neatly into the high-risk categories.

“Is the pharmacist going to determine if you’re in a high-risk group?” asked Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “The only thing that can come of this will make vaccines less insurable and less available.”

The new framework, detailed in the medical journal, reflects a culmination of the FDA’s recent reevaluation of how COVID vaccines are used and distributed under the leadership of President Donald Trump.

Since the early days of the pandemic, federal officials have encouraged the public to view COVID shots like the annual flu vaccine — with updated formulas expected each year. Until now, the FDA has accepted manufacturer data showing that revised vaccines match the performance of earlier versions in terms of immune response.

But with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy now overseeing key agencies, that strategy is being phased out. Kennedy has brought in figures who have been critical of how the government promoted widespread COVID vaccinations, especially for younger and healthier demographics.

In the article released Tuesday, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and vaccine policy director Vinay Prasad argued that the U.S. approach has been overly broad. They noted that America has gone further than many countries in urging booster doses for wide swaths of the population.

“We simply don’t know whether a healthy 52-year-old woman with a normal BMI who has had Covid-19 three times and has received six previous doses of a Covid-19 vaccine will benefit from the seventh dose,” they wrote.

Public health experts acknowledge that the benefit of annual COVID boosters for everyone remains debatable, particularly when it comes to individuals who are not at elevated risk. The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee is expected to discuss this very issue next month.

Offit expressed concern that Tuesday’s announcement from the FDA essentially overrides the CDC panel’s role. He noted that recent CDC findings show that booster shots can reduce mild to moderate illness for several months even among those who are generally healthy.

{Matzav.com}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Tuesday of intentionally dragging out the conflict to solidify its hold on occupied territories and prolong the war.

Zelenskyy made these remarks a day after President Donald Trump held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ongoing hostilities. While emphasizing that a resolution must come through diplomatic means, Zelenskyy insisted that such discussions must involve genuine and actionable terms.

He also noted that he had spoken with Finnish President Alexander Stubb regarding efforts to achieve peace, adding that the international community should strengthen its sanctions campaign to increase the cost of Russia’s aggression.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation,” Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

“We are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently. Sanctions matter, and I am grateful to everyone who makes them more tangible for the perpetrators of the war.”

President Trump announced that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to launch talks aimed at securing a ceasefire. However, the Kremlin maintained that negotiations would require patience, and Trump made clear he was not prepared to align with Europe on imposing further economic penalties against Moscow.

Trump also shared that he had informed Zelenskyy and several European leaders — including those from the EU, France, Italy, Germany, and Finland — about his proposal during a group conversation.

“We have no doubt that the war must end at the negotiating table,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

“There must be clear and realistic proposals on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective negotiation formats. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine possible results, there must be tough consequences.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who currently commands troops occupying about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from four specific regions that Russia claims as a prerequisite to ending the conflict.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Council candidate Ramses Frias and Elmhurst resident Guadalupe Alvarez join ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss the surge in crime seen in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., district and the lawmaker’s avoidance of the issue.

WATCH:

Apple’s AirPlay feature, praised for its convenience, may also be putting users at significant risk of cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity experts at Oligo have uncovered critical weaknesses in AirPlay, revealing that hackers can exploit these flaws to take control of devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

AirPlay enables users to wirelessly transmit audio, video, and images from an Apple device to other Apple products or supported third-party hardware that incorporates the technology.

Wired reported that a total of 23 security holes — collectively labeled “AirBorne” — were identified in both Apple’s AirPlay system and the software development kit used by third-party manufacturers to enable AirPlay on their devices.

In a proof-of-concept video, the researchers showed how a Bose speaker with AirPlay functionality could be targeted over a shared network, allowing for a Remote Code Execution (RCE) attack. The screen of the speaker was remotely manipulated to show the “AirBorne” label.

The team warned that this method could theoretically be used to access microphones on compromised devices, potentially allowing for covert surveillance.

Gal Elbaz, Chief Technology Officer at Oligo, explained to Wired that the scope of potentially affected devices is vast.

“Because AirPlay is supported in such a wide variety of devices, there are a lot that will take years to patch — or they will never be patched,” Elbaz explained. “And it’s all because of vulnerabilities in one piece of software that affects everything.”

Oligo alerted Apple to the flaws last fall and continued to work closely with the company over the following months to develop appropriate fixes. The public disclosure of their research came on Tuesday.

Apple addressed the vulnerabilities in its own devices with software updates released March 31, applying patches to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and visionOS 2.4.

Despite these patches, third-party devices that support AirPlay remain at risk. Oligo said that it’s now up to manufacturers to issue updates that users can install to shield their devices from potential breaches.

In a statement to Wired, Apple confirmed it had made patches available for these third-party systems, but clarified that “limitations” exist in the kind of attacks that could actually be performed on AirPlay-enabled devices exploiting these bugs.

The researchers added that vehicles equipped with CarPlay are susceptible too. If a hacker is close by and the Wi-Fi hotspot password is “default, predictable, or known,” they may be able to launch a remote attack.

To guard against these vulnerabilities, Oligo offered several steps users should take immediately:

Update your devices: Ensuring that all AirPlay-capable devices are running the most current software is critical to reducing the chances of an attack.

Disable AirPlay Receiver: Turning off the AirPlay feature when not in use can close off a major potential entry point.

Only use AirPlay with trusted devices: Restrict usage to familiar and secure devices to reduce exposure.

Modify AirPlay Settings: Navigate to Settings > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff) and set “Allow AirPlay for” to Current User. Although not a total fix, the researchers say this limits the ways the protocol can be exploited.

Avoid using AirPlay on public networks: AirPlay should not be used over public Wi-Fi, as this increases the risk of external breaches.

{Matzav.com}

In the shadow of heartbreak, a flicker of hope has emerged.

Just days after the horrific attack that claimed the life of Tzeela Gez (z”l), her family has announced the name of the child she never got to hold: Ravid Chaim.

His name carries a world of meaning — and a nation’s prayers.

“Ravid”, a name that Tzeela herself cherished, – a fitting tribute to the soul who gave so much light to the world.
“Chaim”, meaning life, was added as a prayer — a cry from the depths of grief that this baby, born into sorrow, should live, grow, and thrive.

Ravid Chaim never saw his mother’s face, never felt the warmth of her embrace. But through his name, he carries her essence. And through our actions, he will carry her legacy.

Donate Now

The Gez family chose this name. It’s not just a memory, but a mission — a plea to Am Yisrael to continue davening, to continue giving, to continue holding this family close as they rebuild their world from the rubble of tragedy.

Let the name Ravid Chaim echo in our tefillos.
Let it move our hearts to action.
Let it be a symbol of what we stand for — that life is sacred, and no Jewish child should ever walk alone.

We cannot bring Tzeela back.
But we can bring her children security.
We can bring her husband strength.
We can bring light back to a home that was shattered in an instant.

📍 Partner with the Gez family. Help build a future for Ravid Chaim and his siblings.

Because Am Yisrael does not forget.
Am Yisrael does not abandon.
And Tzeela’s light will shine — through Ravid Chaim. Through us.

charidy.com/Gezfamilyfund

Democratic Party Chairman Yair Golan sparked outrage on Tuesday with his controversial comments about Israel’s military campaign in Gaza during an interview on Kan Reshet Bet radio.

“A sane country doesn’t kill babies as a hobby,” Golan declared. “Israel is on its way to being a pariah, a South Africa once was, if it doesn’t return to sanity.”

He further stated, “A sane country doesn’t fight a war against civilians, it doesn’t aim to expel a population.”

Golan leveled fierce criticism against Israel’s current leadership, saying, “This government is full of people who have no connection to Judaism. Vengeful types, lacking sense, morals, and the ability to manage a country during an emergency. This endangers our very existence.”

His remarks drew immediate backlash from across the political landscape.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu lashed out at Golan, denouncing his rhetoric as “reckless incitement against our heroic soldiers and the State of Israel. The IDF is the most moral army in the world, and our soldiers are fighting in a battle for our very existence.”

Netanyahu reminded the public of Golan’s past controversial behavior: “Golan, who has encouraged refusal to serve and previously compared Israel to the Nazis while in uniform, has now reached a new low by claiming that Israel ‘kills babies as a hobby.'”

The prime minister went on to say, “While we are conducting a multi-front war and leading complex diplomatic efforts to free our hostages and defeat Hamas, Golan and his radical left allies echo the most despicable antisemitic blood libels against IDF soldiers and the State of Israel. There is no limit to this moral decay.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded without naming Golan directly. “Our soldiers are heroes and protect our lives. The statement that they kill babies as a hobby is mistaken and a gift to our enemies. I back the IDF and its soldiers and condemn the statement.”

President Isaac Herzog also weighed in, calling the remarks an unacceptable attack on those risking their lives. “Our daughters and sons are now at the front, defending us—the people, the country. They’ve left behind their hobbies, their families, their livelihoods, and their lives. Severe and false slander against IDF soldiers is a red line. Our soldiers are among the most moral in the world, and when they fight with utmost dedication to protect the nation and bring back the hostages, this is not a hobby.”

Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity Party and a former military chief, urged Golan to take back his words and apologize. “IDF soldiers do not ‘kill babies’ as a hobby. These words are not only outrageous, false, and extreme but also endanger the freedom of our heroic soldiers in the face of international law.”

Gantz stressed the IDF’s long-standing adherence to ethical warfare. “The State of Israel has been waging a just war since its establishment, doing so in accordance with international rules and the highest moral values. No one knows this better than Golan, who was Deputy Chief of Staff. Retract and apologize, Yair, it’s not too late.”

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz condemned Golan in even stronger terms, saying: “The one who in the past compared Israeli society to the Nazi regime and now slanders and defames Israel and the IDF during a war must be rejected from public life.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani placed the blame squarely on Israel for the collapse of the latest ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, speaking candidly during an appearance at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday. He described a deep disconnect between the two sides’ goals in the talks, which he said made compromise impossible.

“There is a fundamental gap between the two parties. One party is looking for a partial deal that might have the possibility to lead to a comprehensive deal, and the other party is looking for a one-off deal to end the war and to get all the hostages out,” the Prime Minister stated, “We couldn’t bridge this fundamental gap with whatever proposals we have provided given the past experiance of the first deal that collapsed.”

Al-Thani warned that Israel’s ongoing military escalation would further delay any hope of reaching a negotiated end to the war. He expressed concern that continued fighting would bring more casualties and suffering.

According to al-Thani, “We are stuck in a situation where if this (intensified Israeli military) operation begins, it is just going to postpone the diplomatic conclusion of the war, which will only end diplomatically, from our point of view. It will just cost us a death toll on the Palestinian side and on the hostages’ side.”

He sharply criticized Israel’s military actions across several fronts, accusing the country of destabilizing the region and making matters worse by increasing violence not only in Gaza, but also in Judea and Samaria, Lebanon, and Syria.

“The continuation of this campaign and this behavior, not only in Gaza, but in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), Lebanon, and Syria, is becoming unbearable.” The Qatari Prime Minister claimed that such actions will only “fuel the narrative of extremism and terrorism.”

In response to al-Thani’s comments, officials in Yerushalayim are reportedly weighing whether to pull their main negotiation team out of Doha, possibly as soon as today. Instead of fully cutting ties, Israel is expected to keep a small, lower-level group in place to monitor the situation and remain informed of any new developments.

{Matzav.com}

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רצועות – STRAPS OF TEFILIN ARE תשמישי קדושה זהירות שלא לגרור רצועות התפילין על הארץ ובפרט בשעת הנחתן וסילוקן

THEY HAVE SANCTITY – AND MAY NOT BE LEFT TO TOUCH OR BE DRAGGED ON THE FLOOR !! THEY ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN A CHUMASH OR SIDDUR.

הנהגות מהחזו״א זצוק״ל ע״י הגר״ח קניבסקי זצוק״ל ״הי׳ מדקדק בשעת כריכת התפילין שלא תגרר הרצועה על הארץ״

(footnote from Rav Chaim Kanevsky zt”l) ״וע׳ משנ״ב סי׳ כ״א סקי״ח גבי ציצית דהוי ביזוי מצוה, וכ״ש כאן שהן תשמישי קדושה״ The Chazon Ish was extremely careful when donning Tefilin that the straps should not drag on the floor”

ובדינים והנהגות מבואר (או״ח פ״ג אות י״א), שאף לאחרים הזהיר להימנע מכך״, וכן הורה רבנו (דעת נוטה ח״ג תשובה י״ד) והעידו (אורחות רבנו ח״א עמ׳ מד) ״שהי׳ פעם שהתפלל בישיבת בית יוסף והי׳ בחור אחד בקצה ביהמ״ד שנגעו רצועות התפילין שלו בארץ, ורץ אליו החזו״א ממקומו בקצה השני של ביהמ״ד להעיר לו על כך״.

“The Chazon Ish was mindful to call people’s attention to this. On occasion he once davened in a Yeshiva and noticed a student at the far end of the Bais Hamedrash whose Tefilin straps were touching the floor. He ran from where he was standing to that student to call his attention to this impropriety.”

Israeli authorities have apprehended two individuals accused of placing surveillance equipment around the residence of Defense Minister Yisroel Katz and of moving a bag believed to contain an explosive.

The suspects, Roy Mizrahi and Almog Atias, both 24 years old and residents of the northern Israeli city of Nesher, were taken into custody over allegations that they were conducting reconnaissance operations in Kfar Ahim, the hometown of Minister Katz, as part of a broader security breach investigation.

According to findings from the joint investigation by the Shin Bet and Israeli Police, Roy Mizrahi maintained communications with operatives tied to Iranian terror networks over the past several months. He allegedly carried out various missions for them, some with the help of his associate Almog Atias, in exchange for payment. Authorities emphasized that both men were fully aware they were acting under Iranian direction and that their conduct could compromise Israel’s national security.

Investigators revealed that Roy had been instructed by his Iranian contacts to carry out multiple assignments. Among them was the purchase of a new mobile phone and the installation of a special communication app to remain in touch. At a later stage, he was directed to retrieve a buried bag—believed to contain an explosive device—and relocate it. He complied with this request and transported the bag as instructed.

The Northern District Prosecutor’s Office is preparing to file formal charges against the pair in the near future.

A security official noted: “This case joins a series of recent incidents indicating repeated and ongoing efforts by hostile terror and intelligence entities to recruit Israeli citizens to carry out tasks aimed at harming the security of the State of Israel and its residents.”

The statement continued: “The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police reiterate their warning to Israeli citizens and residents against engaging with foreign entities and performing tasks for them. Such actions constitute serious legal offenses and endanger national security. All security and law enforcement agencies will act decisively to enforce the law against those involved in such activities.”

Defense Minister Katz responded to the news with praise for Israel’s security forces: “I commend the Shin Bet and Israel Police for thwarting the Iranian attempt to target me as Israel’s Defense Minister. Iran is the head of the terror octopus, directly and through the terror organizations it supports, promoting terrorist activities against Israeli leaders and citizens.

“My heart and concern are primarily with the hostages held vulnerable and defenseless in Hamas tunnels and with Israeli citizens exposed to Iran’s threats both domestically and abroad. I will not be deterred by any threat and will continue to fulfill my commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to sever the head of the Iranian terror octopus and its proxy terror arms. I will continue to lead with determination in the fight for Israel’s security.”

{Matzav.com}

The chareidi city of Charish is in turmoil following the recent arrest and criminal indictment of Mayor Yitzchak Keshet on serious charges—sparking renewed attention to a stark warning delivered four years ago by the raavad, Rav Yehuda Silman.

In 2021, as Keshet—then Charish’s mayor—brazenly announced public chilul Shabbos initiatives, including the promotion of the controversial “Supermarket Law” allowing limited operation of stores on Shabbos, Rav Silman issued a searing rebuke. In a message of chizuk sent to the city’s rabbanim, he declared: “Continue to stand firm in your battle for the sanctity of Shabbos in your city. Let the mayor who has declared war against Shabbos know: In the end, Shabbos will be the one to remain forever, and those who fight against it will ultimately be thrown out of the city in disgrace.”

That warning, revealed on Matzav.com at the time, now feels hauntingly prescient.

Despite wearing a yarmulka, Keshet defied the pleas and warnings of Torah leaders, advancing policies that breached the sanctity of Shabbos. The passing of the law was met with fierce opposition from Charish’s religious community, which makes up approximately 60% of the city’s population. Mass protests and demonstrations ensued, joined by chareidi residents as well as members of the dati leumi and traditional sectors, all of whom were united in their outrage at the public desecration of Shabbos.

Now, with Keshet entangled in a legal firestorm and his future as mayor in doubt, many see this moment as a vindication of the Torah’s honor. As one local askan in Charish put it, the recent developments are a living example of the Mishnah in Avos: “Be cautious with the coals of the sages, lest you be burned. Their bite is the bite of a fox, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent, and all their words are like fiery coals.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Senator Chuck Schumer faced a wave of backlash online after implying that President Donald Trump might share responsibility for the accident involving a Mexican Navy vessel that struck the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend.

In a public statement, Schumer commented on the incident, saying, “After being fully briefed on last night’s Brooklyn Bridge accident, one thing is predominantly clear: there are more questions than answers as it relates to exactly how this accident occurred.” His remarks followed reports that the 150-foot-tall Cuauhtémoc, a training ship from the Mexican Navy, experienced a mechanical malfunction, leading to its masts hitting the bridge and resulting in the tragic deaths of two cadets.

Schumer highlighted the broader implications of bridge safety, emphasizing their importance in national infrastructure. “Bridges serve as critical transportation arteries for commerce, emergency response, and daily travel, and many span key waterways that are vulnerable to both natural and man-made threats. The Coast Guard plays a crucial role in monitoring and securing these areas, deterring potential terrorist attacks, preventing illegal activities, and responding quickly to emergencies,” he stated. Schumer added, “At the same time, maintaining the structural integrity and safety of America’s bridges is critical to the economy and the well-being of communities. A failure or attack on a major bridge could disrupt supply chains, endanger lives, and cause massive economic losses. It is unacceptable that the Trump administration is potentially jeopardizing our national and economic security – as well as American lives.”

He specifically pointed to staffing issues, attributing them to a hiring freeze enacted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he said may have negatively impacted the Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic System, likening it to air traffic control for maritime routes.

Schumer’s remarks were swiftly met with rejection from both the Department of Homeland Security and conservative commentators. The official DHS account responded bluntly on X: “Minority Leader Schumer’s accusations that a hiring freeze led to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Services not being adequately staffed are FALSE.”

They further clarified, “The US Coast Guard has been fully supported and been exempt from hiring freezes. Additionally, this incident had nothing to do with Vessel Traffic Services—when a ship loses propulsion in a high current area, the vessel needs to engage all capabilities to stop and ideally tugs are nearby to support. We encourage Minority Leader Schumer to get his facts straight before he misleads the American people.”

The pushback wasn’t limited to government statements. Conservative personalities took to social media to mock Schumer’s assertion. Fox News contributor Guy Benson joked on X, “Mexican vessel: Loses control, hits bridge. Schumer: I’ll never forgive Drumpf for this!”

Commentator Mark Levin didn’t hold back either, posting, “Schumer is a stupid, evil man.”

Jim Treacher, a writer on Substack, sarcastically quipped, “I, too, question Donald Trump’s leadership of the Mexican Navy.”

Steve Guest, a conservative media strategist, added, “Elon and Trump Derangement Syndrome is out of control. Schumer is trying to pass the blame from the Mexican Navy onto them…”

Leo Terrell, who served as senior counsel to Trump’s assistant attorney general, summed it up bluntly with, “He is an idiot.”

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard offered its own clarification, confirming that its systems were operating as they should have been. “The U.S. Coast Guard’s New York Vessel Traffic Service was fully functional during the incident, operating in accordance with established procedures to manage commercial traffic and facilitate safe navigation,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

{Matzav.com}

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Marriage Certificate written in Judeo-Arabic and signed by Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira during his tenure as Rav of Erfoud, Morocco.

Rabbi Yehuda Simchon and Rabbi Masoud Mallul signed as witnesses and their signatures are followed by the handwritten signature of the Baba Meir.

Moody’s downgrade of U.S. government debt rattled the markets and caused mortgage rates to climb sharply.

By lowering America’s credit rating from AAA to Aa1, Moody’s became the final major agency to strip the U.S. of its top-tier credit score. S&P Global Ratings made a similar move back in 2011, during a different fiscal crisis.

The immediate impact of the downgrade rippled through bond markets early Monday. Yields on long-term government debt rose, causing the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage to spike by 12 basis points, reaching 7.04%, according to Mortgage News Daily. It later edged down slightly, closing at 6.99%.

Moody’s pointed to rising federal debt and a troubling ratio of interest payments relative to government income—both of which are worse than what’s seen in other similarly rated nations—as the key drivers behind its decision.

Since mortgage rates generally track the direction of Treasury yields, the uptick in the 10-year yield created upward momentum for the 30-year fixed mortgage rate as well, explained Jake Krimmel, senior economist at Realtor.com, in an interview with MarketWatch.

Krimmel also noted that higher mortgage rates are “really not ideal for prospective buyers.”

Home affordability continues to deteriorate. Steep borrowing costs, combined with sky-high home prices, have made it increasingly difficult for many Americans to purchase a home, as shown in the chart below.

Check out this special MarketWatch offer for tailored financial advice to help you navigate today’s economy.

The real estate market remains stuck in a slump. In 2024, home sales hit their lowest point in three decades. Despite the spring typically being the busiest season for buying and selling, activity has been “sluggish,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, regarding the housing market through March.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu responded Monday night to a joint threat from the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, who warned that Israel could face sanctions if it does not halt its war effort in Gaza.

“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” he said.

Netanyahu stressed the origins of the current conflict, pointing directly to the brutal attack carried out on Israeli soil.

“The war began on October 7 when Palestinian terrorists stormed our borders, murdered 1,200 innocent people and abducted over 250 more innocents to the dungeons of Gaza,” he added.

He emphasized that Israel is aligned with the peace framework proposed by President Trump and called on European nations to do the same.

“Israel accepts President Trump’s vision and urges all European leaders to do the same. The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarized. No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t,” Netanyahu stated.

Framing the conflict in broader terms, Netanyahu concluded with a defiant message about Israel’s determination.
“This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved,” he concluded.

His remarks came in response to a strongly worded joint statement issued by the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada earlier in the day, condemning Israel’s continued military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” the statement read.

The three leaders criticized Israel’s limited humanitarian response, saying the recent permission to allow minimal food aid into Gaza was “wholly inadequate,” and they urged Israel to “stop its military operations” and “immediately allow humanitarian aid” into the region.

They also insisted that Israel work with the United Nations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and called on Hamas to free all remaining hostages.

In the joint letter, the governments accused Israel of obstructing life-saving aid and warned that such actions “risk breaching International Humanitarian Law.”

Additionally, they condemned comments from Israeli officials that suggested the relocation of Gaza’s civilian population, asserting that “permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.”

“We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate,” the statement continued.

Although the trio reaffirmed that Israel was the victim of a “heinous attack” on October 7 and reiterated its right to defend itself, they argued that Israel’s current military operations were “wholly disproportionate.”

They cautioned that if Israel does not reverse course and lift humanitarian restrictions, “further concrete actions” will follow.

The statement also took aim at Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria, declaring such activities illegal and counterproductive to peace efforts. “We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions,” the leaders cautioned.

Expressing approval for mediation efforts being led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, the joint declaration urged immediate progress toward a ceasefire, the safe return of all hostages, and a pathway toward achieving a two-state solution.

{Matzav.com}

IDF forces operating in Gaza recently came across a handwritten message that included the full name of hostage Matan Zangauker, written in both Hebrew and English, along with his identification number and a message in Arabic.

The note was uncovered deep within a major Hamas tunnel network. According to reports, it was passed along to Matan’s mother, Einav Zangauker, who confirmed that the handwriting belonged to her son.

Haaretz revealed that the message was located in a large subterranean Hamas facility where both deceased hostages and high-ranking members of the terror group had been held.

Reacting to the discovery, Einav expressed her ongoing concerns over the IDF’s current strategy.

“For almost 600 days, I have been warning that military pressure leads to the death of hostages. Matan survived by a miracle; he could have been murdered or killed due to the military pressure. We cannot keep pressing our luck.”

She urged Israel’s leadership to take immediate steps toward resolving the crisis.
“The Israeli government must put forward a comprehensive agreement to end the war and return all the hostages, both men and women. The war has taken the lives of too many hostages, as well as heroic soldiers, both men and women.”

{Matzav.com}

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Vice President JD Vance pushed back Monday against a report from Axios claiming he had scrapped a trip to Israel due to the Israel Defense Forces stepping up military operations in Gaza.

Before boarding a flight from Rome, Vance addressed the media and was asked if the report was accurate.

“Well, I think there’s a lot of overstatement there. I haven’t seen the story, to be clear, so I don’t want to speak to the details,” the Vice President replied.

Vance explained that while a trip to Israel was under consideration, it wasn’t the only destination being discussed.

“But the simple reason is, we thought about going to Israel. We also thought about going to a couple of other countries that the president would like me to visit here in the next few months. Logistically, it was just a little bit too hard on basic things like who is going to take care of our kids if we take another couple of days overseas,” he said.

He went on to cite more technical and planning-related factors that influenced the decision.
“But on – some more serious things, like how do we provide security, how do we make sure that we get – all the assets that we need in order to do the right official delegation.”

“So, I’m sure we’ll visit Israel sometime in the future, but not today,” Vance concluded.

The initial report came Sunday from journalist Amit Segal, who said Vance was expected to land in Israel on Tuesday.

However, the White House was quick to reject those claims. A White House spokesperson stated, “Media reports that the vice president will visit Israel are false,” emphasizing that Vance was scheduled to return to Washington on Monday.

{Matzav.com}