Matzav

Concerns over Joe Biden’s mental sharpness have been reignited following a recent phone interview with the New York Times, in which his responses once again raised doubts about his cognitive function.

During Thursday’s call, Biden was asked about a series of clemency decisions made near the end of his presidency. As reported by the Times on Sunday, those actions were not personally executed by Biden but rather authorized using an autopen by members of his staff.

“Mr. Biden did not personally sign the official warrants recording those decisions; rather his White House staff used an autopen device to do so,” the article stated.

The Times published portions of the interview, including Biden’s response to accusations from President Trump and others, who claimed the use of the autopen was evidence of Biden’s unfitness and that his aides had taken over key responsibilities.

“They’re liars. They know it. They know, for certain. I mean, this is — look, what they, they’ve had a pretty good thing going here. They’ve done so badly. They’ve lied so consistently about almost everything they’re doing. The best thing they can do is try to change the focus and focus on something else. And this is a — I think that’s what this is about.

“It’s — you know — it’s consistent with Trump’s game plan all along. I mean, if I — I don’t expect you to answer any questions — but if I told you three years ago, we’d have a president doing this, I think you’d look at me in the eye and say, “What, are you crazy?”

“About the pre-emptive pardons he bestowed on his own family members, he said, “In terms of my fam — he — go after me through my family. I know how vindictive he is.”

These remarks were included among the “excerpts” published by the New York Times.

Reacting to the article, Clay Travis, founder of Outkick, criticized Biden’s responses, calling them “completely unintelligible.”

“Read this. The guy’s brain is mush. He has no idea what’s going on, zero chance he made all these pardon decisions,” Travis posted online.

That post drew a wave of reactions from others on social media. One user joked, “Joe didn’t pardon anyone…He thought he was ordering ice cream.”

Another remarked, “I went [to] the audio. Excerpts are code for cleaning up his incoherent answers,” while someone else urged readers to “Read it out loud in front of someone, and watch the reaction.”

Back in May, President Donald Trump addressed the issue of the autopen, claiming the situation was rapidly ballooning into a larger controversy, according to a report from Breitbart News.

“Whoever had control of the ‘AUTOPEN’ is looking to be a bigger and bigger scandal by the moment. It is a major part of the real crime, THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 WAS RIGGED AND STOLEN! Millions and millions of people knew that, but the Radical Left Democrats waged a campaign of inoculation and innocence like none that had ever been waged before,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Additionally, Breitbart noted that officials have launched investigations into whether Biden’s mental decline was deliberately concealed from the public during his time in office.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump is scheduled to return to the United Kingdom for a second state visit from September 17 to 19, in what will be an unprecedented move for a sitting U.S. president. According to a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Monday, the visit will include a stay at Windsor Castle as the guest of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The palace confirmed that Trump will be joined by his wife, Melania Trump, during the three-day visit. Trump has long expressed admiration for the British royal family, with a particular fondness for King Charles.

No American president has ever received an invitation for a second state visit. Trump was previously honored with a full state visit in 2019 during his presidency, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, the late mother of the current monarch.

The invitation for the upcoming visit was personally delivered to Trump by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in February during a meeting held at the White House.

Upon receiving the invitation, Trump described it as a “great, great honor” and appeared visibly pleased about being welcomed to stay at Windsor Castle. “That’s really something,” he remarked.

Typically, when U.S. presidents visit Britain for a second time, the meeting with the monarch is far more low-key, such as a tea or lunch at Windsor Castle. That was the case for presidents like George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

State visits are formal diplomatic occasions between heads of state, often used to celebrate strong alliances or to improve strained relationships. While the monarch officially extends the invitation, it is done on the recommendation of the sitting government.

Observers view the visit as part of Prime Minister Starmer’s approach to cultivating ties with Trump and reducing the potential fallout of his policies on British interests. The friendly tone between the two leaders has helped shield the U.K. from some of the punitive trade measures Trump has imposed on other countries.

Despite the formalities and honors, the trip is expected to spark backlash similar to that seen during Trump’s 2019 visit, when demonstrators launched a large inflatable balloon caricaturing Trump as an irate orange baby outside Parliament.

Some Labour Party lawmakers have voiced opposition to Trump receiving such a prestigious welcome, particularly in light of his vocal support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza and controversial comments about the independence of countries like Canada and Greenland.

King Charles himself may find the visit diplomatically delicate, as he is the sovereign of both the United Kingdom and Canada. Trump has previously floated the idea that Canada should be absorbed as the 51st American state. In a May address to the Canadian Parliament, Charles emphasized the country’s “unique identity” and “sovereignty,” and quoted from Canada’s national anthem, saying, “The True North is indeed strong and free.”

British state visits are highly coveted by world leaders because of the grandeur involved—complete with ceremonial parades, horse-drawn carriages, and an opulent state banquet hosted by the monarch.

These events typically unfold around Buckingham Palace in London. However, as with last week’s state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, Trump and Melania will stay at Windsor Castle due to ongoing renovations at the palace.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump declared Monday that the United States will deliver a massive shipment of military equipment to Ukraine, channeling the aid through NATO partners. He also issued a stark warning to Russia and its economic allies: agree to a peace deal within 50 days or face punishing “secondary tariffs.”

Speaking from the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump described the incoming military support as all-encompassing, though he did not go into specific detail about what will be included.

The administration also did not immediately provide further clarification on the exact arsenal being transferred to Europe.

Asked directly if “Patriot missiles” or “Patriot batteries” would be part of the package, Trump answered, “It is all of them. It is a full complement.”

Trump explained that several NATO member nations with Patriot systems on hand would begin to shift those supplies to Ukraine in the coming days, swapping out the equipment with replacements.

“We will have some within days,” Trump said. “A couple of countries that have Patriots will swap over, or replace the Patriots with the ones they have.”

“NATO may choose to have certain of them sent to other countries where we can get a little additional speed, where the country will release something, and it’ll be mostly in the form of a replacement,” he added.

Later in the day, during remarks at a White House faith-focused event, Trump reiterated his plan to deliver a broad range of weapons, while emphasizing that NATO countries would shoulder the financial burden by significantly boosting their defense budgets.

“We are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said. Rutte agreed, stating European members needed to be “stepping up” and covering the cost of American-made defense supplies.

“This is really big,” Rutte said, praising Trump’s commitment to helping Ukraine defend itself and acknowledging the scale of the new support.

“It will mean that Ukraine can get its hands on really massive numbers of military equipment, both for air defense, but also missiles, ammunition, etc., etc.,” added the NATO chief, who previously served as the prime minister of the Netherlands.

Although Trump used the term “secondary tariffs” when speaking with Rutte, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that the president was referring to secondary sanctions — not tariffs — on Russia’s international trade partners.

These sanctions, if enacted on September 2, aim to pressure countries and entities still doing business with Russia by cutting them off from U.S. markets and assets, thereby tightening the already considerable financial noose around Moscow.

A White House source confirmed to The Post that “Russia will face severe sanctions and tariffs if they do not sign a cease-fire deal in 50 days,” though specifics on the sanctions and military aid were not disclosed.

While Trump has historically avoided hitting Russia with the harshest economic penalties, his frustration has reportedly grown in recent months over Vladimir Putin’s failure to pursue a resolution with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I’m disappointed in President Putin, because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there,” Trump told the press.

“I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done, and I always hang up and say, ‘Well, that was a nice phone call.’ And then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city. And I said, ‘Strange.’ And after that happens three or four times, you say the talk doesn’t mean anything,” he continued.

“My conversations with him are always very pleasant. They say, ‘Isn’t that good? Very lovely conversation.’ And then the missiles go off that night. I go home, I tell the first lady [Melania Trump], ‘I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ She said, ‘Oh, really? Another city was just hit.’”

“So, it’s like — look, he’s, I don’t want to say he’s an assassin, but he’s a tough guy. He’s been proven over the years. He’s fooled a lot of people. He fooled [George W.] Bush. He fooled a lot of people, [Bill] Clinton, Bush, [Barack] Obama, [Joe] Biden, he didn’t fool me, but what I do say is that at a certain point, you know, ultimately, talk doesn’t talk. It’s got to be action. It’s got to be results.”

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the two had spoken by phone and described the discussion as highly productive.

“We discussed the necessary means and solutions with the President to provide better protection for people from Russian attacks and to strengthen our positions,” Zelensky wrote in a post on X.

“We are ready to work as productively as possible to achieve peace.”

{Matzav.com}

Andrew Cuomo has officially thrown his hat back into the ring, confirming Monday that he will run for New York City mayor as an independent. However, he made clear that if he doesn’t hold the lead against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani by September, he’ll withdraw from the race.

In a video posted on X, Cuomo acknowledged his loss in the Democratic primary but insisted he’s still in the game, leaving out the wave of public figures who urged him not to proceed to the general election.

“The general election is in November and I am in it to win it,” he said in the video, claiming that the June primary was decided by only a small portion of the city’s electorate.

Cuomo had previously told The Post that if polling data shows another anti-Mamdani candidate performing better than him come September, he’ll step aside. “If it’s me, fine. If it’s not me, I will defer,” he stated while standing outside his apartment in Manhattan.

The strategy Cuomo referenced was originally floated by independent candidate Jim Walden, who proposed narrowing the field to avoid splitting the anti-Mamdani vote and increasing the odds of defeating the Democratic nominee.

This November, Mamdani will go up against Republican Curtis Sliwa and three independents: current Mayor Eric Adams, Cuomo, and Walden.

A fresh poll from Data for Progress shows Mamdani leading the crowded race with 40% support. Cuomo trails behind at 24%, followed by Adams with 15%, and Sliwa with 14%.

The fragmented nature of the race has sparked concern among prominent figures, such as former Governor David Paterson and hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, who fear Mamdani could coast to victory due to a splintered opposition.

Political heavyweights have been debating whether Adams or Cuomo stands the better chance to unite voters against Mamdani.

As Mamdani prepares to meet with the city’s business elite on Tuesday and Wednesday, reactions to his potential election from that sector have ranged from nervousness to alarm. In a statement to the New York Times, Mamdani said, “I go into each of these meetings knowing what I know, knowing what I believe and interested in what I can also learn from each and every one of the people who have made the city what it is,” promising to listen to their concerns.

At a separate press conference, Mamdani said his victory in the primary was due to his campaign’s focus on working-class New Yorkers, contrasting it with Cuomo and Adams “mak[ing] deals in backrooms with billionaires.”

“What we saw was New Yorkers’ hunger for a new kind of politics focused on working people,” Mamdani said. “A politics where far more New Yorkers than before could see themselves in it, in those same policies. And I understand that it is difficult for the former governor to come to terms with that, because it is a repudiation of the politics that he has practiced, that he has known for so many years.”

Mayor Adams was quick to dismiss Cuomo’s promise to drop out if he’s not leading, framing it as part of a self-interested plan. “He knew that I already made it clear I was not going to be in the Democratic primary. I was going to be in the independent line. He knew that Mamdani was going to be on the Working Families Party line. So why did he all of a sudden say, ‘Now I’m going to join the independent petition?’” Adams said.

“He knew the scenario. His desire was to – I’m going to force Eric out of the race.”

Adams also claimed that Cuomo was using Walden as a proxy to make his reentry into the race more palatable after his primary defeat, labeling it a “Cuomo concoction.”

“This is a typical Andrew Cuomo playbook,” the mayor remarked. “You send someone out, make the announcement independently, and then you come later, it seems like you’re the fairest person.”

Before the primary, Cuomo had reportedly been polling in first place by a wide margin. But in the end, Mamdani defeated him 56% to 44% in the final ranked-choice tally.

Adams raised concerns about relying on polls to determine who should stay in the race, noting, “If we’re going to use these methods of making the determination that they have already proven inaccurate, why are we going to put the risk of New Yorkers by someone who has not kept his word?” He added, “As he has a consistent record of not keeping his word, why are we going to trust him now?

“He just can’t help himself, and you can’t trust him at his word.”

Cuomo’s decision to reenter the race didn’t land well online either. His announcement post on X was quickly “ratioed,” a social media term indicating that it received far more negative replies than supportive likes or reposts.

Among the many commenters was Mamdani himself, who responded with a donation link to his campaign — a reply that racked up 33,000 likes by Monday afternoon, compared to just 1,000 for Cuomo’s original post.

Others on social media referenced the scandals that forced Cuomo’s 2021 resignation, with some critics alluding to the harassment allegations.

“True to form, Andrew Cuomo once again refuses to accept that no means no,” Assemblywoman Phara Souffrant Forrest, a fellow Democratic Socialist from Brooklyn, tweeted.

When asked about Cuomo’s announcement, Sliwa’s campaign didn’t offer fresh comments but reiterated a statement released Sunday in anticipation of Cuomo staying in the race.

“While they play musical chairs on a sinking ship, I’m out campaigning in NYC, listening, leading, and fighting to win it for the people,” Sliwa said, lumping both Adams and Cuomo into the same camp.

{Matzav.com}

Manhattan Institute senior fellow Douglas Murray discusses the New York City mayoral race on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin.’

WATCH:

Barack Obama delivered a blunt message to his fellow Democrats during a private fundraising event in New Jersey, urging them to quit complaining and start acting with resolve. Using the closed-door gathering as a platform, he pushed for a more resilient and proactive approach in response to recent political setbacks.

“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up,” Obama declared during his speech, according to portions of his comments obtained exclusively by CNN.

He challenged attendees not to retreat from politics out of disillusionment, insisting that now is the moment for action. “You know, don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something,” he reportedly said, taking aim at those who have grown apathetic or cynical.

Speaking passionately about the importance of consistency in values, Obama also addressed what he sees as hypocrisy around free speech. “Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’ … What’s needed now is courage.”

Obama’s pointed remarks follow a series of Republican wins, capped by the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a legislative achievement cheered by conservatives and lamented by Democrats. The recent political climate has clearly stirred the former president to try rallying his party, particularly in the face of President Donald Trump’s renewed political momentum.

Offering a prescription for recovery, Obama advised Democrats to abandon unrealistic expectations and instead focus on practical engagement. “Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates,” he said, highlighting important upcoming contests in New Jersey and Virginia.

He also emphasized the importance of resourcing and organizing effectively for the next election cycle. “Make sure that the DNC has what it needs to compete in what will be a more data-driven, more social media-driven cycle, which will cost some money and expertise and time,” he urged.

The event took place at the Red Bank, New Jersey home of Governor Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy. According to CNN, the evening’s gathering—both in person and online—brought in a total of $2.5 million for the Democratic National Committee, a figure confirmed by a source familiar with the fundraiser.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that he had initially wanted to delay a military strike on Iran due to details of the operation appearing in U.S. media reports—but eventually decided to move ahead with the attack as originally planned.

Trump explained that part of the strategy to mislead Iran involved deploying American bombers to Guam and other areas to mask the true intentions of the U.S. military.

“I told General Caine that the details were published on CNN, and he told me, ‘Sir, we’ll be fine. We’ll bomb them and we’ll be fine,'” the American president said.

Trump described a shift in his decision-making process just prior to the operation. “The day before, I postponed the attack, saying we’ll do it sometime in the next few weeks. Then I had a meeting and said, ‘I have an idea, let’s leave it at that exact time and not postpone it.’ Then we took off,” he said.

On June 22, the United States executed Operation Midnight Hammer, a coordinated aerial offensive targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. The assault included seven B2 stealth bombers releasing a total of 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites. Additionally, an American submarine launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles aimed at the facilities in Natanz and Isfahan.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance dismissed a snide remark from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized the Vance family’s weekend outing to Disneyland after videos of their visit gained traction on social media.

Clips showing Vance, his wife Usha, and their two children enjoying themselves at the Southern California theme park began circulating Saturday, drawing both public attention and political commentary — including from Newsom himself.

Newsom, who had his hands full dealing with legal challenges against the state and fallout from a controversial immigration enforcement operation at a marijuana grow site, took a moment to post on X in response to the Disneyland visit.

“Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t,” Newsom posted, adding a politically charged barb to the viral moment.

Vance, for his part, wasn’t rattled.

“Had a great time, thanks,” he replied simply.

While the vice president and his family strolled through the park, a group of around 150 demonstrators gathered outside, chanting slogans and criticizing his stance on immigration. Just a few miles away, in Anaheim, another group held a separate protest.

Later in the day, additional demonstrators reportedly congregated outside the hotel where the Vance family was believed to be staying.

Though the Disneyland visit itself wasn’t an official event, Second Lady Usha Vance made time to further her literacy initiative, stopping by Camp Pendleton to read books to children from military families.

Governor Newsom, whose name has been floated for a 2028 presidential bid, has clashed frequently with the Trump White House since the administration took office earlier this year.

One of their most heated confrontations erupted in June when demonstrations against ICE spiraled out of control.

In response, Trump bypassed Newsom and ordered the National Guard to intervene — a move the governor claimed only escalated tensions.

After federal authorities arrested over 200 undocumented workers at a cannabis farm last week, Trump authorized agents to also detain protesters who had gathered there in advance of the operation, calling them “slimeball” agitators.

However, a federal judge swiftly intervened and blocked the president’s order, ruling the sweeping arrests unconstitutional.

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic political shakeup, the Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel factions officially withdrew from the governing coalition Monday evening after Knesset Member Yoel “Yuli” Edelstein submitted a revised version of the draft law that was deemed unacceptable by the gedolei Yisroel.

The crisis reached a breaking point after MK Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, issued a stark ultimatum to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu: If an agreed-upon version of the draft law was not presented immediately, the Litvishe faction would exit the coalition that very night.

Despite earlier reports that Edelstein, who chairs the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, would delay presenting the bill until later in the week, pressure from Gafni and direct intervention by the prime minister forced a late-evening meeting between Netanyahu, Edelstein, and Degel representatives, during which a final draft was presented.

However, the situation quickly unraveled. Upon reviewing the document, Degel HaTorah MKs were stunned to find that Edelstein had altered key provisions of the legislation, contradicting prior agreements reached before the recent escalation in tensions with Iran.

In response, and following consultation with Rav Dov Landau, Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel announced their immediate departure from the government.

A statement released from the home of Rav Landau declared: “In accordance with the directive of HaGaon Rav Dov Landau, and due to the fact that the version of the law presented to the chareidi MKs deviates from what had been agreed upon and promised by the Likud and coalition, Degel HaTorah will leave the coalition and the government.”

The statement added that Rav Landau had personally spoken with the MKs of Degel HaTorah earlier in the evening, “emphasizing the grave responsibility they bear and the kiddush Hashem in standing firm for lomdei Torah,” and instructed them to resign from the coalition immediately.

The withdrawal follows a powerful letter penned by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Landau the previous night, motzaei the fast of Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, which was sent to all Degel HaTorah lawmakers. In it, they called for an unequivocal and immediate exit from the coalition in light of the government’s continued failure to uphold its commitments to the yeshiva world.

In the letter, the roshei yeshiva wrote:

“To the members of Degel HaTorah, who tirelessly advocate for the lomdei Torah, peace and abundant blessings.

“Since the authorities have revealed their intention to intensify the oppression of those who dedicate their lives to Torah and to demean and trample upon them, and since they have repeatedly failed to uphold their promises to secure the legal status of bnei hayeshivos and lomdei Torah, the crown jewel of creation and the secret of its existence—

“It is therefore my opinion that participation in the government and the coalition must be ended immediately. This includes resigning without delay from all associated positions.”

The move by the chareidi parties sends shockwaves through the political establishment and throws the stability of the current government into question. It marks a sharp turning point in the long-running debate over the status of Torah learners in Israel and the obligations of military service.

As of this writing, coalition leaders have not announced their next steps, but the fallout from this rupture is expected to dominate the national agenda in the coming days.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the Trump administration can proceed with its plan to lay off more than 1,300 employees from the Department of Education, a move critics say is part of a broader attempt to eliminate the agency entirely.

The justices issued an unsigned decision removing a prior injunction from a federal judge in Boston, which had halted the terminations and compelled the administration to reinstate workers who were already let go.

All three liberal members of the high court opposed the decision. The matter will now return to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, located in Boston, for additional consideration.

In her dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized the court’s move, stating that it “hands the Executive the power to repeal statutes by firing all those necessary to carry them out.”

She added, “The majority is either willfully blind to the implications of its ruling or naïve, but either way the threat to our Constitution’s separation of powers is grave.”

Previously, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun determined that eliminating such a substantial number of federal workers required the consent of Congress, and he rejected the administration’s justification that it was simply restructuring the department.

{Matzav.com}

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has formally urged Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to direct all pertinent government bodies to swiftly devise a comprehensive strategy to boost enforcement against draft evasion within the chareidi sector.

Baharav-Miara noted that during the current 2024–2025 enlistment cycle, just 1,700 chareidi men joined the military—falling significantly short of the government’s earlier pledge to the High Court to ensure that at least 3,000 would be drafted.

“A situation in which the government, on the one hand, is not taking the minimal means to increase enforcement of the draft obligation, and, on the other hand, is making the burden [of military service] even heavier for those serving in regular and reserve duty, constitutes a severe blow to the right to equality, and greatly increases the inequality in military service and the harm to those who serve,” Baharav-Miara tells Netanyahu.

She called on Netanyahu to issue a direct order instructing all relevant ministries to immediately formulate a detailed enforcement proposal—emphasizing that this can be done through cabinet resolutions and other executive actions without requiring new laws.

“Your clear instructions are therefore needed to all relevant government departments to present in the immediate term a program for increasing enforcement, including through cabinet and administrative decisions which the government can make without needing to pass legislation,” she adds.

Her call to action comes amid a mounting political standoff between Netanyahu and his coalition partners in the chareidi parties, who are insisting that the government move forward with legislation that would once again codify broad military exemptions for yeshiva students.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has publicly confirmed the deaths of three soldiers who were killed during combat operations in Gaza. The fallen soldiers are Staff Sergeant Shoham Menahem, Sergeant Shlomo Yakir Shrem, and Sergeant Yuliy Fakto.

Alongside the tragic loss of the three servicemen, an officer from the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Armored Brigade sustained critical injuries during the same confrontation. He was transported to a medical facility for urgent care, and his family has been informed.

The Efrat municipality released a statement honoring one of the soldiers, saying, “Shlomo was a tank crewman in the 401st Brigade, the son of Shaul and Hindi, residents of Rimon. Our hearts go out to his family in their difficult time and we send our condolences to his parents, sister and two brothers. The members of the council will be by the side of the family and will accompany them hand in hand on their difficult and painful journey.”

In tribute to his sacrifice, the town has announced plans to line the roads with Israeli flags as a gesture of solidarity and mourning during his funeral procession.

Sergeant Shlomo Shrem will be buried on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. in the military cemetery located in Kfar Etzion. Prior to that, a funeral service will be held at the family’s residence, located at 4 Ma’ale Ya’ara Street in Efrat.

{Matzav.com}

In a landmark decision that is already sparking widespread debate, Israel’s High Court of Justice has ruled that women must be permitted to sit for the rabbinical ordination exams administered by the Chief Rabbinate. Justice Noam Sohlberg, delivering the ruling, ordered that a previous conditional injunction be converted into a binding, final order—effectively obligating the Rabbinate and the Religious Services Ministry to open the exams to women, even if they are not intended to serve as rabbis.

The ruling states: “Preventing women—darshaniyot, tzidkaniyot, and chachmaniyot—from taking the tests administered by the Chief Rabbinate constitutes unlawful discrimination. There is no sufficient justification for this exclusion—indeed, no justification at all.”

Justice Sohlberg sharply criticized what he described as a double standard in the current policy: “The Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry for Religious Services seek to have it both ways—on the one hand, barring women from the exams by claiming they are only meant for rabbinic ordination, which they argue is unavailable to women; on the other hand, allowing any man to sit for the exams and receive certificates and various benefits, regardless of whether he actually intends to serve as a rabbi. This approach is clearly untenable.”

The petition, filed by a group of women who have studied halacha in various institutions, argued that barring them from the exams is a violation of the principle of equality. The Rabbinate responded that the exams are solely for official rabbinical positions, roles to which women are not appointed under current guidelines. But Justice Sohlberg rejected this argument, stating that without a separate testing mechanism for women, there is no legitimate basis to exclude them from the existing system.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump stated that progress is being made regarding the situation in Gaza, hinting that a breakthrough may be on the horizon. “We’re doing pretty well on Gaza,” he said, adding, “we could have something fairly soon to talk about.”

Back on June 27, Trump had forecast that a ceasefire might be reached “within the next week,” signaling optimism about a potential resolution.

While speaking from the Oval Office, Trump made critical remarks about Israel’s 2005 disengagement from Gaza, referring to the decision as “one of the worst real estate deals ever made.”

“They gave up the oceanfront property… [and] it was supposed to bring peace… [but] it brought the opposite,” Trump says.

{Matzav.com}

The simmering coalition crisis surrounding the chareidi draft law has erupted into a dramatic showdown. On Monday night, Degel HaTorah lawmakers were instructed to immediately resign from the government and coalition following an urgent letter from Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dov Landau. The unprecedented directive includes stepping down from all parliamentary roles.

The move came after it became clear that Likud has no intention of advancing the draft law in the form that had been previously promised to the chareidi parties. In anticipation of a full withdrawal, Degel HaTorah MKs gathered at the office of MK Moshe Gafni to begin preparing resignation letters.

The handwritten note declared: “Since the governing authorities are showing an intent to degrade lomdei Torah and have failed to uphold their commitments — my view is that participation in the government and coalition must cease immediately.”

At the same time, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu — furious over the delay in moving the draft bill forward — personally went to the office of Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein on Monday evening, entering through a rear entrance to avoid media attention.

Sources indicate that Netanyahu attempted to apply direct pressure on Edelstein to finalize and present the law. A senior coalition official commented: “Edelstein is behaving like Yoaz Hendel — stalling for time, pretending to be statesmanlike, while the government is collapsing from within.”

Despite the chaos, coalition insiders remain cautiously hopeful. “The chareidi pressure has had an effect,” one source said. “We’re hopeful that a draft version of the law will finally be presented tonight.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The town of Efrat issued a statement Monday evening mourning the loss of Sergeant Shlomo Shrem, who fell in combat while serving in Gaza.

“Shlomo was a tank crew member in the 401st Brigade, the son of Shaul and Hindi, residents of Rimon. Our hearts go out to his family in their difficult time and we send our condolences to his parents, sister and two brothers. The members of the council will be by the side of the family and will accompany them hand in hand on their difficult and painful journey,” the message from the municipality stated.

In tribute, the municipality expressed its intention to line the streets with Israeli flags as a sign of respect as Shlomo is brought to his final resting place.

The funeral for Shlomo Shrem will take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the military cemetery in Kfar Etzion. The levayah will begin from the family’s home, located at 4 Ma’ale Ya’ara Street in Efrat.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Andrew Cuomo is reportedly planning to remain in the race for New York City mayor, running as an independent candidate, despite his decisive loss to Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary last month.

Sources told NewsNation that Cuomo intends to make his plans public later this week.

A Cuomo representative confirmed to 1010 WINS that an official statement will be made shortly.

According to the report, Cuomo is urging all other non-Mamdani candidates to commit to withdrawing from the race by mid-September if they are not polling in first place. He is also pledging to follow that same condition himself.

Mayor Eric Adams, whose campaign has been hampered by low approval ratings and the collapse of a federal investigation, previously announced his own independent run. Another candidate, Jim Walden, is also pursuing the office as an independent.

Mamdani made history earlier this month by securing more primary votes than any previous NYC mayoral candidate, defeating Cuomo by a 12-point margin despite polls suggesting Cuomo held the edge early on.

Both Adams and Curtis Sliwa have dismissed Cuomo’s call for unity, with Adams accusing Cuomo of “wasting time and dividing voters,” and Sliwa asserting that he is the only contender who has “a real path to victory” over Mamdani.

Political commentator Ben Max said Cuomo’s continued presence in the race “makes it more of a free-for-all,” though he acknowledged, “polls early on have shown Cuomo has the best shot of anyone to defeat Zohran Mamdani.”

Max added, “In the unlikely event that Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa agree to stop campaigning and back Cuomo, that would give Andrew Cuomo a decent chance at defeating Zohran Mamdani.”

Mamdani is still leading in initial polling for the general election, even as both Cuomo and Adams have previously pressed one another to step aside.

Mamdani’s unexpected primary triumph has sparked renewed interest in Adams’ candidacy, with some Democrats searching for an alternative now that Cuomo has lost the primary. The mayor recently pulled in more than $1 million during a single fundraiser in Manhattan.

The assemblyman’s dramatic win has triggered a wave of discussions about consolidating support behind a single viable contender to prevent Mamdani from taking the mayoralty in November.

While Mamdani’s critics say his platform—including free public transit and municipally operated grocery stores—is too extreme, his supporters argue that his campaign message focusing on affordability hit home with Democratic voters, who turned out in record numbers to back him.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump, during his campaign, made it clear that he plans to put an end to the longstanding policy of handing out foreign aid without cost. Despite resistance from Democrats, legal experts, and members of the judiciary, Trump insists that his approach is a much-needed correction to decades of imbalanced global relations, especially concerning trade and military support.

“The United States of America has been ripped off on trade (and military!), by friend and foe, alike, for decades,” Trump stated in a Truth Social message early Monday. “It has come at a cost of trillions of dollars, and it is just not sustainable any longer – and never was!”

Trump emphasized that the era of America footing the bill while other nations benefitted freely is finally over.

“Countries should sit back and say, ‘Thank you for the many year’s long free ride, but we know you now have to do what’s right for America,'” his message continued. “We should respond by saying, ‘Thank you for understanding the situation we are in. Greatly appreciated!'”

This statement follows expectations that Trump will unveil a military aid package for Ukraine, which will reportedly include Patriot missile batteries and other high-end defense systems, to assist in fending off ongoing aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Although Trump had previously advocated for Ukraine to seek peace through negotiations—once cautioning President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he lacked leverage and should seek a resolution—he appears to have lost patience with Putin’s duplicitous behavior.

“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because Putin really surprised a lot of people: He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday night.

“But there’s a little bit of a problem there. I don’t like it.

“We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment. They are going to pay us 100% for that, and that’s the way we want it.”

Trump is also scheduled to hold a meeting this week with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where they will address the situation in Ukraine along with broader strategic concerns.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump revealed Monday that the United States will funnel a massive cache of weapons to Ukraine by way of its NATO partners — and warned that unless a ceasefire is secured within the next 50 days, his administration will slam Russia with 100% tariffs.

“I’m disappointed in [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there,” Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

He clarified that the weapons being supplied would not be free of charge. “We are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said. Rutte echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that European nations ought to “step up” and shoulder the financial burden for the American-made arms.

Trump did not specify which types of weapons or military equipment would be included in the shipment.

The president also declared that the United States is prepared to implement secondary sanctions against Russia if a peace agreement is not finalized, signaling that any entities still doing business with Moscow would also face penalties.

While Trump has long been cautious about enacting tough sanctions on Russia, his patience appears to be wearing thin amid Putin’s continued refusal to finalize a peace deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

When Akiva Zuravin set out to develop Jerusalem Estates, he wasn’t simply building luxury apartments—he was making a statement. Tucked into the historic Schneller compound in the heart of the frum neighborhoods and within walking distance of prominent Chassidic centers, Jerusalem Estates became more than just a sought-after address. It became a symbol of what’s possible when vision, values, and execution align.

“We weren’t just creating buildings,” Zuravin reflects. “We were shaping something that felt deeply connected to its surroundings—authentic, beautiful, and thoughtfully done.”

It was that mindset that set Jerusalem Estates apart—and that continues to define Zuravin’s approach today. With Ir Olam, his most ambitious development yet, the goal is even broader: not just to build homes, but to shape the rhythm of modern life in Jerusalem.

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Located adjacent to Givat Shaul, Kiryat Moshe, and Beit Hakerem, and minutes away from Har Nof, Ir Olam rises from the grounds of the old flour mill—once an industrial area and now envisioned as one of Jerusalem’s most forward-looking quarters for living, working, and gathering.

Where Jerusalem Estates was a residential landmark, Ir Olam is a full-scale quarter, featuring three luxury residential towers, two LEED Platinum-certified office buildings, a boutique shopping boulevard, green rooftops, shuls, co-working areas, a school, and a central piazza designed to foster everyday connection.

But beyond design and functionality lies a deeper intention: community. At Jerusalem Estates, Zuravin prioritized buyers who shared common values—people who could not only live alongside one another but thrive together. That same care is being applied at Ir Olam.

“When people share the same rhythm of life,” Zuravin explains, “the entire experience becomes more meaningful. The gym, the shul, the party room—they’re not just amenities. They’re points of connection.”

In Ir Olam, where residents will share workspaces, rooftops, lounges, and lifestyle services, community isn’t just a feature—it’s part of the architecture. The goal is a natural, respectful cohesion that allows for privacy and belonging to coexist.

The project was conceived by Yashar Architects, whose signature blends functionality with elegance, and is being built to international standards of environmental sustainability and urban planning. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, with user experience at the core.

Crafted for those who know.

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