Matzav

President Donald Trump called on Transportation Security Administration officers to continue reporting to their posts even though many have not received paychecks, as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security reached its 29th day. The standoff in Washington has left thousands of airport security screeners working without full pay during the busy spring break travel season.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed appreciation for TSA officers and placed responsibility for the prolonged funding dispute on Democrats.

“Thank you to Johnny Jones and all of our GREAT TSA Agents who are going to work but not being paid because the Radical Left Democrats refuse to honor the deal that was approved and voted on in Congress.”

“They want your money to go to “Border Criminals, Murderers, foreign Drug Dealers, and some of the worst people on earth.”

“They don’t want it to go to you. Keep fighting for the USA. GO TO WORK! I promise that I will never forget you!!! President DJT,”

Johnny Jones serves as secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council 100, the union body that represents TSA officers, and reports indicate he also works as a TSA agent himself.

According to Fox News, that dual role means he is both a TSA employee and a union representative.

The shutdown began when funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 13, forcing parts of the agency to halt operations beginning the following day.

By Saturday, the funding lapse had entered its 29th day.

TSA officers, who are designated as essential personnel, have continued carrying out their duties despite the shutdown, though many did not receive their full paycheck on Friday.

The TSA employs roughly 50,000 officers across the country. Reuters reported that the shutdown has already begun to affect staffing levels and airport operations as some employees call in sick or leave their positions.

Republicans argue that Democrats are responsible for the situation because they have declined to approve a broader funding bill for DHS that GOP leaders say already includes measures related to oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Democrats counter that the Republican proposal does not sufficiently address concerns about the conduct of ICE and Customs and Border Protection. They have instead promoted narrower funding measures that would provide resources for agencies such as TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard while negotiations continue over immigration enforcement policy.

Those agency-specific funding proposals have not passed the Senate, leaving both sides accusing the other of exploiting frontline workers for political leverage.

The impact of the shutdown is increasingly visible at airports.

At some locations, security lines have stretched to nearly three hours, while airports in several cities have begun seeking donations and gift cards to help unpaid TSA employees cover basic living expenses.

With no agreement yet in sight, the effects of the political deadlock are falling most heavily on travelers and the officers responsible for screening them.

{Matzav.com}

As the current flu season in the United States begins to wind down, health officials say this year’s influenza vaccine performed poorly, with effectiveness rates among the lowest seen in more than ten years.

Experts say the reduced protection was largely due to the emergence of a flu strain early in the winter that was not well matched to the vaccine formula, contributing to a strong wave of infections during the first part of the season.

New data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that visits to doctors’ offices and hospitals for flu-related symptoms continued to decline through last week. The number of states reporting high levels of flu activity has dropped to 16, many located in a region stretching from Colorado across to Virginia.

“The winter respiratory virus season is slowly coming to a close, and we’re all very grateful for that,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert.

According to a CDC report published this week, the vaccine used this season was only about 25% to 30% effective in preventing flu-related illnesses serious enough to send adults to a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. Among children, those who received the vaccine were about 40% less likely to require medical treatment.

Health officials typically consider flu vaccines successful when they provide between 40% and 60% protection. Based on past CDC research, the effectiveness recorded this season ranks among the lowest levels observed in roughly the last twenty years.

Flu cases surged toward the end of December and were particularly severe in certain regions. Health officials in New York City described the outbreak there as the most intense flu season in two decades.

Relatively low vaccination rates contributed to the situation, but specialists also pointed to the new strain responsible for the majority of infections.

The dominant virus this year belonged to the influenza A H3N2 category. The specific variant, known as subclade K, appeared to spread more easily than other strains, although it did not necessarily lead to more severe illness.

The vaccine designed for this flu season targeted a different version of the H3N2 virus, which may explain why the shot offered less protection, Schaffner said.

CDC researchers estimate that the flu has caused at least 27 million illnesses so far this season, along with approximately 350,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths. At the same point last year, the agency estimated at least 40 million illnesses and 520,000 hospitalizations, though the number of deaths was roughly similar.

At least 101 children have died from flu-related complications this season. Among cases where vaccination status was known, roughly 85% of those children had not been fully vaccinated against influenza.

Although the vaccine does not prevent every infection, it still plays an important role in reducing the risk of severe illness and death, Schaffner said, noting that receiving the flu shot remains beneficial.

CDC figures indicate that vaccination rates among adults have risen slightly this year, reaching 46.5%. The increase follows last year’s particularly severe season, which recorded the highest number of child flu deaths this century.

Among children in the United States, about 48% had received a flu shot by the end of last month. That rate is similar to last year’s level but lower than the approximately 52% vaccination rate recorded at the same point in 2024, according to CDC data.

Since 2010, federal health authorities have recommended annual flu vaccination for everyone six months of age and older. However, in January the Trump administration ended the broad recommendation that all children receive the vaccine, instead stating that the decision should be made by parents in consultation with family physicians.

Meanwhile, preparations are already underway for the next flu season. Last month, the World Health Organization announced its recommended virus strains for vaccines that will be used in the 2026–2027 flu season in the northern hemisphere. The organization said the next vaccines should be designed to protect against subclade K. Earlier this week, an advisory panel at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration endorsed those recommendations.

{Matzav.com}

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently suggested transferring Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to Russia as part of a possible arrangement to end the war, but President Donald Trump rejected the proposal, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.

The idea was reportedly raised during a phone conversation between Putin and Trump earlier this week, according to a report by N12.

One of the central objectives of the war for both the United States and Israel is gaining control over Iran’s approximately 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. Experts say that material could potentially be enriched to 90 percent within weeks and would be sufficient to produce more than ten nuclear weapons. In theory, Putin’s proposal could have provided a way to remove the uranium from Iran without requiring American or Israeli troops to enter the country.

During the call on Monday, Putin reportedly presented several possible approaches for ending the conflict between the United States and Iran. The idea of transferring the uranium to Russia was one of the proposals discussed.

“This is not the first time this proposal has been raised. It was not accepted. The American position is that we need to see that the uranium is secured,” a senior U.S. official said.

In the final round of diplomatic talks held before the war began, Iran rejected the possibility of transferring its uranium stockpile to Russia. Instead, Tehran proposed diluting the uranium inside its own nuclear facilities under supervision from the International Atomic Energy Agency. It remains unclear whether Iran would now be willing to reconsider the Russian proposal.

At the same time, the United States and Israel have also examined the possibility of deploying special forces into Iran later in the war to seize control of the enriched uranium stockpile. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a press conference yesterday that the United States “has a variety of options” for taking control of Iran’s highly enriched uranium.

Trump also acknowledged for the first time that Russia may be providing some level of assistance to Iran in the conflict, after days of reports suggesting Moscow has been sharing intelligence that could help guide attacks on American forces.

“I think he (Putin) might be helping them a little bit, yes. And he probably thinks we are helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said in an interview with Fox Radio.

{Matzav.com}

A recommendation from the Israeli government supporting a pardon for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is expected to be submitted to President Yitzchok Herzog in the coming days, according to a report by Kan News.

The report said that Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu also plans to submit a separate recommendation to the president regarding a pardon for Netanyahu sometime next week.

Eliyahu is permitted to present his recommendation independently of the conclusions reached by the Justice Ministry’s clemency department, and he has done so in the past. After the recommendations are submitted, the matter will be reviewed by the legal advisers at the President’s Residence, who may suggest that Netanyahu revise his request for clemency before Herzog makes a final decision. The president is expected to rule on the issue in the coming weeks.

The developments come against the backdrop of a recent public dispute involving President Donald Trump and Herzog.

Last week, Trump criticized Herzog and said he was “a disgrace,” claiming that the Israeli president had promised him five times over the past year that he would grant Netanyahu a pardon.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu delivered a recorded address in which he refrained from condemning Trump’s remarks. Responding to a question from Kan 11, Netanyahu said: “Herzog should do the right thing and not give in to pressures from home or abroad. He should put an end to this absurd circus.”

Herzog addressed the issue yesterday during a visit to the village of Zarzir, which had been struck by an Iranian missile. The president said he had expected Netanyahu to publicly condemn Trump’s comments.

“I am not seeking my own honor, but the honor of the state. I am the president of the sovereign and independent State of Israel, and under these circumstances one must distinguish between long-standing political and legal disagreements — and blatant harm to the symbols of government and the sovereignty of the state. A statement on this matter was expected.”44

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s opening strike in the war against Iran succeeded in eliminating much of the country’s senior security leadership after Israeli intelligence discovered that a high-level meeting of Iranian officials had been moved up by several hours, prompting Israel to accelerate its attack.

According to details reported by journalist Ronen Bergman, the strike had originally been planned for that Motzoei Shabbos, when Iran’s Supreme Defense Council was scheduled to hold its weekly meeting. Many of the country’s most senior military and security officials were expected to attend the gathering.

Israeli planners believed that a concentrated strike against the meeting would accomplish two key objectives. First, eliminating multiple senior figures at once would create chaos among lower-ranking officials and make it difficult for Iran to respond effectively. Second, once the broader military campaign began, those same leaders would likely disperse to fortified bunkers, making it far more difficult to target them individually.

However, Israeli military intelligence received urgent information indicating that the meeting had been moved up to that Shabbos morning. Some assessments suggested the change may have been made out of concern that Israel could launch an attack later in the evening or overnight.

As the Israeli Air Force prepared aircraft assigned to the first wave of strikes, intelligence officials received an additional report that significantly altered the situation. According to the new information, Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was still at his residence. In recent days, the Revolutionary Guards had circulated claims that the leader had been moved away from Tehran or even outside the country, but intelligence suggested he had remained at home. Israeli officials recognized the moment as a rare opportunity that might not come again.

Bergman reported on Ynet that Israel decided to launch approximately 30 missiles aimed at destroying the entire site, including the meeting hall used by the Supreme Defense Council, the residence of the supreme leader, and the adjacent military office.

Later that night, Israeli intelligence learned that another senior-level meeting was scheduled to take place at the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence building several kilometers away, where top officials in the country’s intelligence apparatus were gathering. That location was also added to the opening strike plan.

The unusual convergence of events — Khamenei remaining at his residence or military office, the Supreme Defense Council meeting taking place above ground, and a simultaneous meeting of senior intelligence officials nearby — created the conditions for what became the devastating opening strike of the second war with Iran.

Israeli intelligence officials later said it remains unclear why Iran’s leadership had not moved underground despite signs that an attack could be imminent. U.S. forces had been concentrating in the region and the possibility of a strike had already been widely discussed.

Because the senior leadership remained above ground, Israel did not need to use bunker-busting munitions in the first strike. Roughly 30 missiles were fired at the compound of the supreme leader, destroying his residence along with two separate conference halls used by the Supreme Defense Council, both of which had been designated as targets.

According to Bergman, the missiles also destroyed a nearby office where aides were located as well as the supreme leader’s military office, where his military secretary was present. At the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence building, several participants in the senior meeting were also killed.

Officials said that those who had already descended into bunkers or were located on underground levels at the supreme leader’s complex survived the strike, but the senior leadership figures who remained above ground were eliminated.

The Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli along with thousands of American service members to the Middle East as the United States intensifies its military posture against Iran following President Donald Trump’s pledge to unleash “unparalleled firepower” against the country’s leadership.

The amphibious assault ship is being moved as U.S. military officials acknowledge that Iran continues to exert influence over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a development that has contributed to rising global oil prices.

The Tripoli’s journey from East Asia to the region is expected to take roughly two weeks, a timeline that corresponds with Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s forecast that the crucial shipping lane could be reopened “by the end of the month”.

The decision to reposition the vessel, which resembles a small aircraft carrier and is designed to operate closer to coastal areas, was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Officials have not provided a clear picture of the full size of the deployment.

According to the Journal, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the deployment of an “element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines and sailors.”

Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin also confirmed the movement of forces but reported that roughly 2,500 Marines are included in the redeployment.

The USS Tripoli, which is based in Japan, was observed sailing south of Taiwan on Thursday without accompanying vessels, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. It remains uncertain whether it will later link up with the USS San Diego and USS New Orleans, amphibious transport dock ships that typically operate as part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group.

Comparable naval movements took place ahead of the opening phase of the war with Iran on February 28.

In late January, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group entered the Arabian Sea south of Iran, while the USS Gerald R. Ford departed from Crete for the eastern Mediterranean on February 26, just two days before the first wave of strikes.

Earlier operations conducted by the Trump administration relied heavily on surprise, including misleading signals about the timing of the attacks that preceded the president’s decision this past June to authorize strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump previously indicated that military buildups can signal coming action. After ordering the January 3 special forces operation in Caracas to capture socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, he later said the naval forces positioned offshore had been a sign of what was about to happen.

In addition to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply travels — U.S. officials have also examined the possibility of seizing Iran’s Kharg Island, which serves as the loading point for approximately 90 percent of the country’s oil exports.

Trump said during an interview on Fox News Radio broadcast Friday that Kharg Island is not currently the main focus of American military plans, though he emphasized that his priorities could shift quickly.

“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump told host Brian Kileamde. “I can’t answer a question like that … You shouldn’t be even asking it.”

Despite the fighting, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the conflict has not significantly disrupted operations at Kharg Island, with Iran reportedly exporting even more fuel than before the war began.

The Pentagon declined to confirm the movement of the USS Tripoli, with one official telling The Post: “Due to operational security, we do not discuss future or hypothetical movements.”

At the same time, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll confirmed Friday that the U.S. Army has transferred 10,000 interceptor drones previously used against Russian forces in Ukraine to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks targeting American bases and civilian areas in Israel and Arab countries.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, Driscoll said the AI-powered Merops drones — produced by Project Eagle, a defense initiative supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — were delivered to the region within five days after Operation Epic Fury began.

According to Bloomberg, each Merops drone costs between $14,000 and $15,000, making them less expensive than Iran’s Shahed drones, which cost at least $20,000 per unit.

“We’re actually on the better end of the cost curve there,” Driscoll told the outlet. “So each time Iran launches one that we are able to take down, they are losing a meaningful amount of money.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to help the United States and its regional partners intercept Iranian drones, but Trump dismissed the proposal during his Fox News Radio interview.

“No, we don’t need their help on drone defense,” he said. “We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually.”

{Matzav.com}

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a statement today rejecting online speculation that the Israeli leader had been assassinated. The 76-year-old prime minister addressed the rumors after several commentators on social media, including Candace Owens, questioned his whereabouts following the circulation of a video clip from one of his speeches.

Earlier in the week, users on social media circulated screenshots taken from a video shared by the prime minister. Some claimed the footage showed Netanyahu with six fingers on one hand and suggested the clip may have been artificially generated or altered using artificial intelligence.

The discussion gained additional attention after conservative commentator Candace Owens posted messages online accusing officials in Washington of misleading the public about developments in Iran.

“Washington D.C is lying to the American people about what is going on in Iran,” she wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter. “It is not going well.”

Owens also questioned Netanyahu’s absence from public view. “Also where is Bibi Netanyahu?” Owens wrote, using the Israeli leader’s nickname. “Why is his office releasing and deleting fake AI videos from him and why is there mass panic at the White House?”

The Prime Minister’s Office rejected the claims outright, according to a report by the state-run Anadolu News Agency.

An Anadolu correspondent asked Israeli officials about the rumors circulating online suggesting that Netanyahu had been killed.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office replied.

Owens responded to the statement with another post on social media.

“I don’t know that Bibi is dead but it is very evident there is real panic at the White House and this war is not going as planned. And with the way Trump casually lied about bombing the school girls, it’s hard to trust anything coming from this admin.”

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported, citing an Israeli official, that Netanyahu recently contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in order to arrange a phone conversation. The purpose of the call has not been publicly disclosed.

According to a separate report by Ynet, the Israeli leader is interested in discussing possible cooperation with Ukraine in confronting Iranian drone threats, which Ukraine has faced for several years.

At the same time, Israel’s Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said today that the war with Iran had reached what he described as a critical stage, while praising recent American strikes on targets on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export facility.

“The global and regional struggle against Iran, led by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is escalating and entering the decisive phase that will continue as long as necessary,” Katz told military top brass in a televised statement.

Israeli police have arrested a 60-year-old Yerushalayim resident suspected of committing a series of serious offenses against minors in the chareidi neighborhood of Har Nof and nearby areas over the past year.

The suspect, identified as Yitzchok Avrohom Rus Ariel Asulin, was taken into custody following an investigation into allegations that he targeted children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 16.

According to findings from the investigation, police believe the suspect followed a repeated pattern of behavior. Investigators say Asulin allegedly approached minors in his places of employment as well as in public spaces within the neighborhood. After initiating contact and gaining their trust, he is suspected of carrying out serious acts against them.

Asulin was arrested on March 4, and since then the court has approved police requests to extend his detention while investigators continue carrying out numerous investigative actions related to the case.

Police said they decided to publicize the suspect’s photograph and personal details because of concerns that additional victims may exist.

“Due to the real concern that there are additional victims who were harmed by the suspect’s pattern of behavior, it was decided to publish his photograph and personal details to the public,” police said.

Authorities urged anyone who may have been harmed by Asulin, or anyone who has information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Police said that anyone who may have been a victim or who possesses relevant information should report to the nearest police station or contact the emergency hotline by dialing 100.

The U.S. State Department has announced that it is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information that leads to the identification or capture of senior figures in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The offer was publicized by the Rewards for Justice program, which posted the announcement on social media. The program said the IRGC is responsible for planning, coordinating, and carrying out acts of terrorism in various parts of the world.

“Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?” Rewards for Justice said. “Send us a tip.”

Officials asked anyone with knowledge about specific IRGC figures or related branches of the organization to submit tips through a Tor-based reporting system or via Signal.

Among the individuals listed are Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei; Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy chief of staff in the supreme leader’s office; Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, military adviser in the same office; Ali Larijani, adviser to the supreme leader’s office and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council; Brig. Gen. Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s interior minister; and Esmail Khatib, minister of intelligence and security.

The State Department also said it is seeking information about additional figures, including the secretary of the defense council, a senior adviser to the supreme leader, the head of the military office, and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard.

“Your information could make you eligible for relocation and a reward,” Rewards for Justice Link.

The announcement added that tips can also be submitted through Signal at the number 202-702-7843.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Knesset is preparing for a full week of parliamentary activity, with an intensive schedule that includes approximately 15 meetings across four different committees to advance a series of bills dealing with the judicial system and the communications sector.

The legislative agenda includes several key proposals, among them a bill to split the position of the attorney general and create a separate role of general prosecutor, legislation to change the authority overseeing the Police Internal Investigations Department, and a number of initiatives aimed at reforming the broadcasting market and regulating media outlets.

Despite the ongoing war and the tense security environment, the Knesset continues to carry out routine legislative work. Alongside discussions addressing the security situation and government assistance for citizens and businesses affected by the conflict, committees and the Knesset plenum are also expected to move forward with structural legislation related to the legal system and the communications industry.

At the instruction of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, additional rooms within the Knesset building have recently been prepared as protected spaces. The move is intended to allow committee meetings to continue even under security threats and to ensure that the Knesset’s work can proceed despite the current emergency conditions.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the decision to continue legislative activity on these issues during wartime.

“Amir Ohana and all the extremists don’t care that Israel is at war. He doesn’t care about the unity of Israel. The Knesset under his leadership will continue to discuss the most divisive and extreme laws, even under fire. While the entire country is standing together, the coalition is advancing its extremist agenda and stealing money for political purposes. They have learned nothing from the past years, and they continue to weaken Israeli society every single day. This is the most shameless and dangerous government in the history of the State of Israel.”

Hamas called on Iran Saturday to avoid launching attacks against neighboring countries after the Islamic Republic fired missiles across the region in response to the joint US-Israeli bombing campaign. Some of the strikes targeted countries such as Qatar and Turkey, both of which are also major state backers of the Palestinian terror group.

The statement from Hamas urged an end to what it described as “American-Zionist aggression” against Iran. The announcement came as Palestinian media outlets reported that at least three people in Gaza were killed by Israeli gunfire on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces said it had killed three Palestinian gunmen since Friday but did not immediately address the specific reports, and the military frequently says such incidents occur after Hamas violates ceasefire arrangements.

In its first public appeal of this kind directed at Tehran, Hamas said that, “while affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries.”

A Hamas representative told AFP that the organization has been in communication with Iranian officials regarding the matter.

“The Israeli occupation seeks to sow discord between Iran and its Arab and Islamic neighbors,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

“Hamas’s leadership has also reached out to officials in several countries, including Qatar, Turkey, and Iraq, urging them to work toward halting the American and Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward more than a dozen countries across the Middle East, including Israel, since Israel and the United States began a bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic on February 28. The strikes were intended to weaken the regime and dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Qatar said on Saturday that it intercepted two incoming missiles after explosions were heard in the capital, Doha, prompting authorities to evacuate certain areas. Meanwhile, Turkey reported on Friday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran was intercepted in Turkish airspace by NATO forces.

{Matzav.com}

export facility, stating that although Tehran appears interested in negotiating an end to the conflict, the conditions currently on the table remain unacceptable.

Trump said the recent American strikes had already inflicted massive destruction on the key oil terminal, declaring that the operation had “totally demolished” much of Kharg Island. At the same time, he told NBC News that additional attacks remain possible, remarking that “we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”

Kharg Island sits roughly 30 kilometers (19 miles) off Iran’s southern coastline and about 500 kilometers (300 miles) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. The facility is critically important to Iran’s economy, serving as the main export hub for approximately 90 percent of the country’s oil shipments.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Affordable Wood Bookcases introduces expandable dining room tables that solve your space and entertaining needs. The taupe finish table is 4 ft wide, closes at 8 ft, and expands up to 16 ft for large gatherings.

What’s Available

Expandable Dining Table – $2,750*

• Table stores 4 all wood leaves
• Each leaf is 4 ft x 2 ft
• Taupe finish

Matching Buffet – $750*

• Taupe finish
• 72″ x 36″ x 18″

Finishes Available

Choose from Black, Walnut, Espresso, Taupe, or White Grey to match your décor.

To Order

Contact Heshy Cutler at 732.534.5169 – please leave message Visit our website: www.affordablewoodbookcases.com

Prices exclude shipping

President Donald Trump said Saturday that U.S. military strikes severely damaged Iran’s principal oil export terminal at Kharg Island and suggested that American forces could target the location again.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump described the recent attack as highly destructive and indicated that additional strikes on the island remain possible. “We totally demolished Kharg Island. We may hit it a few more times just for fun,” Trump told NBC News in an interview.

The President also said the operation deliberately avoided critical energy transmission infrastructure. “I didn’t do anything having to do with the energy lines, because having to rebuild that would take years.”

Trump said Iran has shown interest in negotiating a ceasefire but indicated that he is not ready to agree to a deal under the current circumstances. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he explained, adding that any terms will have to be “very solid.”

When asked what conditions might be included in an agreement to end the fighting, Trump declined to outline specifics. “I don’t want to say that to you.” He agreed, however, that a commitment from Iran to completely abandon any nuclear ambitions would be part of it.

The President also questioned whether Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive. “I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” said Trump.

Referencing reports about Khamenei’s status, Trump added, “I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender.”

Speaking on Friday with Fox News Radio, Trump declined to offer a clear timeline for when the war with Iran might end, saying the decision would depend on his own judgment. He told the outlet the conflict would conclude when he feels it “in my bones.”

Trump also said he does not expect the war to drag on for an extended period but stressed that he alone will determine when it concludes.

During the same interview, Trump expressed confidence that the conflict may end soon but said the United States is prepared to continue operations for as long as necessary. He rejected concerns that the U.S. military could run short of munitions.

“Nobody has the technology or the weapons that we have,” he told Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade in the interview. “We’re way ahead of schedule. Way ahead.” He later assured that the US had “virtually unlimited ammunition. We’re using it, we’re using it. We can go forever.”

On Wednesday night, Trump spoke with reporters after returning from a rally in Kentucky and said Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded, describing the country as “pretty much at the end of the line”.

At the same time, Trump made clear that the United States is not prepared to immediately bring the conflict to a close.

“They’ve got no Navy. They’ve got no Air Force. They have no systems of control. We’re just riding free range over that country!” he said.

During his remarks at the Kentucky rally, Trump emphasized that the United States must see the conflict through to completion.

He added that the Iranians “don’t know what the hell hit them. They don’t know. They got hit by the American military – they don’t know. They say, ‘What the hell is happening?’ They didn’t expect anything like this.”

“We don’t want to go back every two years. Because someday there will be a time when you don’t have me as president,” he added.

A newly published study suggests that artificial intelligence chatbots could present psychological dangers for certain users, particularly those who already struggle with mental health conditions such as psychosis.

Dr. Hamilton Morrin, a psychiatrist and researcher at King’s College London, reviewed 20 news reports detailing incidents he describes as “AI-related psychosis.” The reports documented situations in which individuals’ conversations with AI chatbots appeared to strengthen hallucinations or delusional beliefs they were experiencing.

In an article published in the medical journal Lancet Psychiatry, Morrin wrote that preliminary indications suggest AI systems can sometimes echo or affirm grandiose or delusional ideas that users express during conversations. He said this dynamic may be especially troubling for people who already have a predisposition toward psychotic symptoms.

At the same time, Morrin emphasized that there is still no clear evidence that chatbot conversations by themselves can cause psychosis in individuals who do not already possess some underlying susceptibility.

Several of the cases included in the review involved chatbots responding to users with mystical or spiritual phrasing, occasionally suggesting that the person communicating with the system possessed unique or elevated spiritual importance. In some situations, the chatbot even hinted that the user might be interacting with a cosmic or supernatural presence through the platform, something researchers say could further strengthen delusional thinking.

Morrin also cautioned that the concern may become more significant as the use of AI chatbots continues to expand. He pointed out that the first reports began appearing in April of last year, when accounts surfaced describing people whose hallucinations seemed to intensify during conversations with AI systems.

The study’s authors say additional scientific research is needed to better understand the phenomenon. They propose controlled clinical studies in which chatbot use would be observed alongside mental health professionals to determine whether such interactions can contribute to the emergence or worsening of delusional beliefs.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli fighter jet narrowly avoided being shot down during an Israeli Air Force strike inside Iran this past week, according to Israeli military officials.

During the operation, an attempt was made to bring down the aircraft, and the jet came close to being struck. The effort ultimately failed after the pilot responded quickly and maintained control of the situation, allowing the aircraft to evade the threat and complete its mission successfully.

The incident was later reviewed by the military, and officials said the event has already been examined to draw operational conclusions.

Since the war began, Israeli fighter jets operating over Iranian territory have faced numerous attempts by enemy forces to shoot them down. Despite those threats, Israeli aircrews have repeatedly managed to counter the dangers and carry out their assignments.

“The Israeli Air Force will continue to fly and attack wherever necessary, including over Iranian skies under threat, and will complete its missions during every operational sortie,” stated an IDF spokesperson.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The World’s Yeshiva

March 22, ד׳ ניסן

The Mir Annual Celebration Dinner

Themir.org/dinner

Reserve your seat. Place your ad. Today!

Journal ad deadline extended until tomorrow (Sunday) 12pm

Iran’s senior representative at the United Nations stated that Tehran has no plans to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, comments that appeared to clash with a warning attributed to the country’s newly declared “supreme leader,” Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iranian officials named Mojtaba Khamenei the country’s new ruler earlier this week after his father, longtime strongman Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the opening day of the American military campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury.” Questions remain about the younger Khamenei’s condition and authority, as he has not appeared publicly or released any video messages since his elevation to the position. At a ceremony where Iranians were asked to pledge “allegiance” to him, organizers displayed a cardboard likeness of Khamenei because he did not attend the gathering.

Iranian state television broadcast what it described as a message from Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday, marking the first statement attributed to him since he was declared leader. However, the broadcast included no images or video showing him alive, fueling speculation that he may have been seriously wounded or even killed during the recent American and Israeli airstrikes. Iranian state media previously reported that Khamenei had been injured, though it provided no further details.

The statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei included several threats directed at the United States, Israel, and their allies.

“The demand of the masses of the people is the continuation of effective and regret-inducing defense,” the statement claimed. “The revenge we seek is not only for the martyrdom of the great leader of the revolution. Every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy becomes an independent case for revenge.”

The message also referenced the strategic waterway through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes.

“Certainly, the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used.”

Those remarks appeared to conflict with statements made Thursday by Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations. During an interview with the Kurdish news outlet Rudaw, Iravani was asked whether commercial vessels were still able to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iravani also added a more general caveat about Iran’s position regarding the waterway.

“It is our inherent right to preserve peace and security in this waterway.”

The Iranian government-aligned outlet Mehr News also reported Iravani’s comments.

“Iran will exercise its inherent right to maintain peace and security in the Strait of Hormuz; this is our responsibility,” he said, according to the Mehr translation. “Iran does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz. However, maintaining peace and security in this lifeline waterway is our inherent right and this is considered our inherent right.”

Despite those assurances, Rudaw reported that the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most critical shipping routes in the world — was already “effectively closed,” as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had designated the area as a restricted combat zone.

“The Strait of Hormuz has been closed,” the head of the IRGC, Ebrahim Jabbari, declared last week. “We will attack and set ablaze any ship attempting to cross.”

“We will not let oil be exported from the region,” he emphasized, issuing a direct warning to the oil-producing Gulf states and their customers, many of whom are located in East Asia.

The reported shutdown of the strait prompted sharp reactions internationally, including from one of Iran’s closest partners, the Chinese Communist Party. China is believed to be the largest buyer of Iranian oil and relies heavily on energy imports from the Middle East to meet its massive demand.

After “Operation Epic Fury” began, videos circulating online showed long lines forming at gas stations across China as residents rushed to fill their tanks amid fears that oil shipments from the Middle East could be disrupted.

“The Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters are an important international trade route for goods and energy. To keep the region secure and stable serves the common interests of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning proclaimed last week.

Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Iran not to interfere with shipping through the strait and have urged all parties involved in the conflict to de-escalate.

Beijing has demanded that all sides “stop military operations at once, avoid further escalation, keep the shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz safe, and prevent further impact on the global economy.”

Following China’s objections, the IRGC appeared to soften its earlier threats, suggesting that vessels belonging to countries friendly with Iran would be permitted to pass.

“We had previously said that, based on international laws and resolutions, in times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control the passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC said in a follow-up statement. The group added that ships connected to the United States, Israel, or European countries will “certainly be hit.”

Because of the complex system of maritime registration and ship ownership, however, vessels flying the flag of one country may actually be transporting cargo for another nation that is not directly involved in the conflict, such as China or South Korea. Early indications suggested that Chinese shipping companies were hesitant to resume traffic through the strait immediately due to fears their vessels could still be targeted.

On Wednesday, dramatic footage surfaced showing explosions striking three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. One vessel was identified as flying the Thai flag, while another carried the flag of the Marshall Islands — neither country having any direct connection to the conflict involving Iran.

As the coming Shabbos, Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, approaches amid ongoing security tensions, Israel’s Home Front Command has released special guidance for the Shabbos-observant public, outlining practical steps for remaining informed about emergency alerts while maintaining proper kedushas Shabbos.

In a public information video released ahead of the weekend, officials urged mispallelim to make sure they know where the nearest protected space is located in relation to their shul and along the route leading to it. The Home Front Command also advised that a charged mobile phone be left in the shul so that early warning alerts and the notification permitting people to leave protected spaces can still be received during tefillah.

According to the current policy, gatherings are permitted for up to 50 people, provided that those present are able to reach a proper protected space within the required time if an alert is issued.

During these tense days, the Home Front Command is urging the public to remain alert and attentive to official warnings and instructions distributed through authorized channels.

Regarding mobile devices, officials advised leaving a phone turned on and fully charged throughout Shabbos in order to receive advance alerts as well as notifications allowing people to exit protected spaces. Messages can be received on any fourth-generation cellular device or newer, including kosher phones. Authorities also recommended leaving an additional phone inside the protected area so that the notification permitting people to leave can be heard there as well.

For those using home computers, officials recommended utilizing the National Emergency Portal. Users should activate the audible alert system and configure the settings so that warnings relevant to their community will be received. Before Shabbos, residents are advised to disable sleep mode on both the computer and screen through the device’s settings and keep the alert display open throughout Shabbos.

Another option mentioned is the gal shaket system, which transmits emergency alerts through designated radio frequencies. Households are encouraged to leave a radio on and tuned to one of the participating stations. These include Kol Barama on 105.7, 104.3, 92.1, and 107.6 FM; Kol Chai on 92.8, 93, and 102.5 FM; Radio Darom on 101.5 FM; Galei Yisrael on 106.5, 94, and 89.3 FM; and Kan Moreshet on 90.5, 90.8, 92.5, and 100.7 FM.

Authorities also renewed warnings regarding falling debris and fragments from missile interceptions following the recent barrages. The Home Front Command stressed that interception debris can be extremely dangerous and that approaching such sites poses a serious threat to life.

“It is important for us to emphasize and sharpen this critical point,” said Lt. Col. (Res.) Danny Cohen, a Home Front Command spokesman addressing the religious and chareidi public. “We are seeing various sites where debris has fallen, and gathering at these locations poses a serious danger to life. There may be munitions scattered in the area that have not yet exploded, and approaching the site could, G-d forbid, end in disaster. People must stay away, keep onlookers at a distance, and alert the police.”

Officials also praised the public for carefully following the safety instructions during recent alerts and promptly entering protected areas when sirens sound, emphasizing that such compliance quite literally saves lives.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backing a proposal that would dramatically tighten the state’s estate tax rules, lowering the exemption threshold from more than $7 million to $750,000 and raising the highest estate tax rate from 16% to 50%.

The plan appeared in a memo circulated by Mamdani’s office to state lawmakers in recent weeks. The document outlined nearly a dozen possible measures to generate additional revenue as officials work through negotiations over the state budget. Mamdani is grappling with a projected $5.4 billion deficit in the city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and is seeking assistance from Albany to help close the gap.

The likelihood of the proposal being adopted this year appears slim. Neither the State Senate nor the Assembly included the idea in their budget proposals, and Governor Kathy Hochul’s office also left it out of its own spending plan. Both legislative chambers did approve budget recommendations this week that included increases to income and corporate taxes, but the estate tax change was not among them.

Pressure to raise revenue is expected to intensify as state leaders confront growing fiscal challenges. According to New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, the city is projected to face a cumulative deficit of at least $28 billion over the next four fiscal years.

If enacted, the change supported by Mamdani would mark a dramatic shift in the state’s tax structure. New York already stands among roughly a dozen states that levy their own estate tax in addition to the federal tax. Reducing the exemption to $750,000 would give New York the lowest estate tax threshold in the country.

Across the United States, most states do not impose taxes on inherited wealth. Among those that do, exemption levels vary widely, ranging from $1 million in Oregon to nearly $14 million in Connecticut, according to figures compiled by the Tax Foundation.

Mamdani’s push for heavier taxes on large estates is likely to deepen concerns among wealthy residents who have already reacted nervously to his progressive agenda. The democratic socialist stirred debate after saying, “I don’t think that we should have billionaires” in an interview shortly after winning the June 2025 Democratic primary.

At the same time, some business leaders had initially taken encouragement from Mamdani’s tone during the months leading up to the November general election. During that period, he emphasized that he was not firmly committed to income or corporate tax hikes he had previously described as necessary to finance his broader policy platform. His campaign estimated that the agenda — which includes proposals for free universal child care for children ages six weeks through five years, no-cost bus service across the city, and freezing rents in regulated apartments — would require at least $7 billion annually once fully implemented.

Economists have warned that estate taxes can have unintended consequences in jurisdictions where income taxes are already high. A 2023 analysis by economists Enrico Moretti and Daniel Wilson examined state-level data and found that wealthy taxpayers may relocate to lower-tax states, particularly later in life, reducing the tax base in high-tax areas. In states with lower income taxes, estate taxes tend to be more effective at generating revenue, the study concluded.

“What we’re saying is you can either be progressive on income tax or be progressive on adopting an estate tax, but if you do both it’s going to backfire,” Moretti, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said at the time. The richest New York City residents pay some of the highest income tax rates in the nation, with the top rate reaching 14.8% for those earning $25 million or more.

{Matzav.com}