Matzav

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The fight for Kedushas Eretz Yisroel has reached unprecedented levels.

As of this weekend, the Conservative, Reform and left movements have come out in droves to fight our community’s torah values.

To understand what they are trying to implement and accomplish in Artzeinu Hakedosha, you can watch their own video clip below.

• Our Yeshivos!

• The Kosel!

• Our Torah Values!

Are All Under Threat! 

This is our last chance to push our values forward and follow the directives of our gedolei yisroel.

Elections are over on Sunday May 4th- in just 24 hours! 
11:59 PM EST

The voting process is simple, taking just two minutes of your time and a $5 voting fee. But the returns  are immeasurable.

Visit EretzHakodesh.org and cast your vote for SLATE 11 today!

VOTE NOW! 

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sharply criticized Israel on Friday for conducting an airstrike the night before near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus.

Stephan Dujarric, the UN spokesperson, released a statement saying that Guterres denounced the attack as a breach of Syrian sovereignty. He urged Israel to respect “its unity, its territorial integrity and its independence.”

In a coordinated statement, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the operation, stating that the strike was meant to deliver “a clear message to the Syrian regime. We will not permit Syrian troops to move south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.”

The airstrike took place amid ongoing fighting inside Syria, triggered by a controversial audio message attributed to a Druze resident, which many found offensive to religious sentiments.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an independent group based in the UK, the violence has included confrontations between regime security forces, allied militias, and Druze groups. Their latest report stated that at least 102 people had died, including 30 pro-government personnel, 21 Druze combatants, and 10 civilians.

The U.S. State Department also condemned the attacks against the Druze population in Syria, demanding accountability from Syrian authorities.

“The recent violence and inflammatory rhetoric targeting members of the Druze community in Syria is reprehensible and unacceptable. The interim authorities must stop the fighting, hold perpetrators of violence and civilian harm accountable for their actions, and ensure the security of all Syrians,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce in a formal statement.

She went on to stress the dangers of sectarian violence: “Sectarianism will only sink Syria and the region into chaos and more violence. We have seen that Syrians can solve their disputes peacefully through negotiations. We call for a representative future government that protects and integrates all of Syria’s communities, including ethnic and religious minorities.”

Since the brutal October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Guterres has repeatedly taken critical stances toward Israel, drawing increasing scrutiny for his comments.

Not long after the massacre, Guterres said the attack by Hamas “did not happen in a vacuum,” a remark widely seen as deflecting blame from the terror group and placing it on Israel.

After a wave of backlash, Guterres tried to walk back the interpretation of his comments, saying his words were misread and insisting that he had clearly condemned Hamas.

Nonetheless, he later made statements comparing the horrific sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7 to “reports of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees,” prompting further outrage.

In the weeks that followed, Guterres continued to issue pointed criticisms of Israel, often portraying the humanitarian situation in Gaza as morally equivalent to Hamas’s atrocities on Israeli soil.

Just last month, Guterres condemned Israel’s renewed military actions in Gaza, saying he was “outraged” by the resumption of airstrikes.

That statement drew a blistering response from Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein, who said, “We are outraged that you, Antonio Guterres, are the Secretary-General of the UN.”

Marmorstein also added, “Not a word about the fact that Hamas rejected two American proposals to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages—two proposals that Israel accepted.”

He continued: “Not a word about the fact that Hamas exploits the transfer of goods to Gaza to rebuild its war machine in order to further attack Israel.”

He concluded by taking direct aim at UNRWA and Guterres’s leadership: “Not a word about UNRWA, which, under your leadership, employs Hamas terrorists, and its facilities were used by Hamas to hold hostages. Indeed, we are outraged by your moral bankruptcy.”

{Matzav.com}

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that confirmed measles cases in the United States have now climbed to 935, marking a dramatic surge compared to the total for all of 2024, which ended with 285 confirmed cases.

This new tally, released in the CDC’s update on Friday, is based solely on lab-confirmed diagnoses and does not account for “probable” cases, which means the actual number of infections could be even higher. The CDC noted that 96% of individuals with confirmed cases were either not vaccinated or had an unclear vaccination history.

Texas continues to experience the most significant outbreak nationwide, with 683 confirmed infections, according to the state’s health department. Most of those cases were detected in Gaines County, near the border with New Mexico. Approximately 450 of the Texas cases were among minors, and state officials reported that two school-age children have died due to complications from the disease.

Next to Texas, New Mexico has seen the highest number of confirmed cases, with 67 reported. One person from Lea County, which borders Texas, tested positive for measles posthumously earlier in the year.

According to the CDC’s update, residents in 29 states have now been affected by the outbreak. These states include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Health experts have attributed the resurgence of measles to falling immunization rates, which have left more people vulnerable to infection.

“Measles used to kill, you know, so many children, and we’re starting to see outbreaks again because parents are not getting their kids vaccinated,” Dr. Dale Bratzler, dean of the University of Oklahoma’s Hudson College of Public Health, told Nexstar’s KFOR.

Amesh Adalja, an expert from Johns Hopkins University, pointed out to Agence France-Presse that areas like Gaines County in Texas have some of the “lowest rates of vaccination in the state,” describing it as “kindling for such outbreaks.”

The World Health Organization has long warned that vaccine coverage must remain above 95% to maintain herd immunity and prevent the spread of measles.

“When the population rate of vaccination starts to fall below 95%, you’re going to have outbreaks,” said Dr. Bratzler.

The CDC’s measles information page highlights a concerning trend: immunization rates among kindergartners have dropped from 95.2% before the 2019 school year to just 92.7% before the 2023 school year.

During a press briefing last month, Dr. William Moss, a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, warned that measles is likely to persist in communities that lack sufficient vaccination coverage.

“I like to think of this like a forest fire with sparks spreading out,” Moss said. “If those sparks land in a community with low vaccine coverage, we’re going to see a larger measles outbreak. If it lands in a community with high vaccine coverage, we may only see one or a few cases.”

{Matzav.com}

A recently posted video on the official YouTube channel of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office has drawn attention after it was edited to omit a moment from a speech earlier this week in which he briefly forgot the name of his son, Avner.

The updated version of the video features an obvious jump cut, removing the segment where Netanyahu mistakenly referred to his son as Abraham before pausing to ask the audience for help recalling the correct name.

“What’s his name?” Netanyahu said before asking someone in the crowd his son’s name. “Avner, thanks.”

Following the incident, Netanyahu laughed it off and attempted to play it cool by joking, “No, I was testing you.”

{Matzav.com}

Security around Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has reportedly been tightened to extraordinary levels by the Shin Bet, with the agency implementing what has been described as the most comprehensive protective measures to date.

According to a Friday report by Ynet, the stepped-up precautions now include the deployment of a high-tech body screening machine and advanced surveillance systems. These upgrades accompany thorough manual checks, including physical searches. The report did not cite specific sources.

In addition, new equipment designed specifically to inspect footwear has been brought into use as part of this expanded security protocol.

Ynet noted that the scanning device now in operation closely resembles those found at American airports, where individuals must stand still and lift their arms overhead inside the machine.

These enhanced measures were used earlier this week at two events attended by Netanyahu: the official Memorial Day service for terror victims at Mount Herzl and the national Bible Quiz held at the Yerushalayim Theater. At the Mount Herzl ceremony, Netanyahu was reportedly seen wearing a bulletproof vest.

Guests attending both events were also subjected to direct questioning by masked Shin Bet officers, who inquired about who had invited them and what their connection was to the host.

The tight screening process included requests for participants to remove their shoes and even briefly take off their yarmulkes. As a result, the Bible Quiz began before many of the invited attendees had reached their seats.

The Shin Bet neither confirmed nor denied the increased level of protection, offering no official comment on the matter.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu submitted a sworn statement to the High Court of Justice in which he claimed that there had likely been attempts on his life — both from abroad, such as the Hezbollah drone incident in October that targeted his home in Caesarea, and from within Israel, by extremists who he said had been stalking him and his family.

Netanyahu explained that due to these threats, he had asked to testify in his criminal case from a more secure location, emphasizing that his request stemmed from genuine safety concerns. In a separate affidavit, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar stated under oath that Netanyahu had pressed him to endorse a legal opinion declaring that the prime minister could not provide uninterrupted testimony in his trial. The proceedings were ultimately relocated from the Yerushalayim District Court to a protected underground courtroom in the Tel Aviv District Court.

These affidavits were filed amid a legal confrontation over the government’s move to dismiss Bar. The dispute ended earlier this week after Bar agreed to step down in June.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a strong condemnation of both Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and Hamas for exploiting the humanitarian crisis by plundering aid supplies meant for the local population.

The remarks, published by the PA’s official Wafa news agency, stated that Abbas “also expressed his categorical rejection and firm condemnation of the looting and theft carried out by criminal gangs targeting warehouses and storage facilities of humanitarian aid designated for the people of Gaza.”

Abbas’s statement further asserted that the PA “held Hamas-affiliated gangs primarily responsible, emphasizing that the Palestinian people will not forgive these disgraceful acts committed in such a critical time, especially in the besieged Strip.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Just days after removing eight individuals appointed during Joe Biden’s presidency from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council—including Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris—President Donald Trump has selected eight new individuals to take their place.

The incoming group includes radio personality Sid Rosenberg, a vocal supporter of Trump during the last presidential race, and Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, founder and editor of the Yated Ne’eman. Also named is Alex Witkoff, son of Trump’s diplomatic representative Steve Witkoff.

These new appointees are stepping into the roles vacated by Emhoff and other figures tied to the Biden administration, such as Susan Rice, Tom Perez, and Ron Klain, all of whom were removed earlier this week by Trump in a swift shakeup.

“This Council has the important task of preserving the memories and stories of the loved ones whose lives were robbed in one of the darkest moments in History. NEVER FORGET!” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, while announcing the new appointments.

According to the Washington Post, the eight additions will join the 41 existing council members, many of whom were also named under the Biden administration. The Council, which oversees the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, traditionally consists of political appointees serving five-year terms. It is rare for a sitting president to remove multiple members midterm, making this move particularly noteworthy.

{Matzav.com}

At a high-level security meeting led by Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Friday evening, Israeli leadership evaluated plans to intensify IDF activity in the Gaza Strip.

Military commanders laid out a strategy before the political leadership that includes significantly ramping up pressure on Hamas. The approach would mirror the IDF’s recent operations in Rafah, focusing on capturing territory, dividing sections of Gaza, rooting out terrorist infrastructure both above and underground, and retaining control over these areas. The goal is to force Hamas to become more flexible in hostage release negotiations.

To support this escalation, the IDF plans to call up additional reservists. According to Ynet, the reservists will be split into two operational groups: combat battalions that will penetrate deeper into Gaza with offensive assignments, and reserve brigades that will take over from the regular forces currently operating in the Strip as part of the renewed push.

Final approval of the plan is expected to take place during a meeting of the Security Cabinet on Sunday. The operation is not intended to be a massive ground offensive or full reoccupation of Gaza but is considered a tactical escalation designed to retain strategic leverage.

An Israeli official addressed the emerging reports, clarifying, “At the conclusion of the discussion at Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence this evening, no decision has yet been made regarding the expansion of combat in the Gaza Strip. Security officials presented the political echelon with various options, but no final decision has been reached. The Cabinet will convene on Sunday to discuss and make decisions on the matter.”

{Matzav.com}

At a meeting this week, New York City’s Rent Guidelines Board advanced a proposal allowing rent hikes of as much as 7.75% for two-year leases on rent-stabilized units.

During the session at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, the board also recommended a maximum increase of 4.75% for one-year lease renewals. The motion narrowly passed in a 5-4 vote. Final approval of the proposed ranges is expected at a board vote scheduled for late June.

Each year, the Rent Guidelines Board sets adjustment limits for the city’s approximately one million rent-regulated apartments. The board is composed of members representing the public, tenant interests, and property owners.

These gatherings are frequently marked by spirited protests, as tenants and their advocates turn out in large numbers to push back against possible rent hikes.

Following the vote, Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement acknowledging the complexity of the board’s decision. He emphasized that the city would thoroughly evaluate the proposed adjustments while continuing efforts to improve housing affordability. “I must be clear that an increase as much as 7.75% is far too unreasonable of a burden for tenants, especially as our entire city is feeling the squeeze of a 1.4% housing vacancy rate and a decades-long affordability crisis,” Adams said. “New Yorkers simply cannot bear these costs.”

Building owners had lobbied for even larger increases—8% for one-year agreements and 9% for two-year contracts—citing steep hikes in maintenance and operational expenses. Tenant representatives, on the other hand, called for either a full rent freeze or more modest increases of 1.75% and 3.75%, arguing that the cost of living continues to outpace renters’ incomes.

The board’s decision in June will apply to leases beginning on or after October 1.

The first of several public hearings on the proposal will take place May 22, with additional sessions expected throughout June.

{Matzav.com}

The Sanzer Rebbe will spend a Shabbos at the Kosel HaMaaravi together with a group of Chassidim, marking the first time in his 31-year leadership that he will be spending Shabbos at the site.

The original plan had been for the group of donors to travel to Poland to visit the kevorim of tzaddikim. However, this trip was never scheduled to include the Rebbe himself. In accordance with the firm stance of his father, the Shefa Chaim of Sanz zt”l, the Rebbe has consistently refrained from visiting the graves of tzaddikim in Poland and Ukraine. The Shefa Chaim had passionately argued that there is no reason to return to the lands of our slaughter following the horrors of the Holocaust, famously declaring: “Those tzaddikim who were truly worthy were brought to Eretz Yisroel immediately after their passing—not by men, but through miraculous means, as is well known.”

True to this approach, the Rebbe and his descendants have never visited these countries or the gravesites of their ancestors located there, viewing them as places stained by the blood of the six million kedoshim who were murdered al kiddush Hashem during the war.

Nevertheless, due to the severe financial strain currently facing Torah and chinuch institutions throughout Eretz Yisroel—and within the Sanz community in particular—the leadership of the Sanzer mosdos initially planned a special fundraising trip to the cities of Sanz, Lizhensk, and Mezhibuzh, with a visit to Auschwitz.

The Rebbe granted reluctant and temporary permission for the trip, given the pressing needs of the mosdos. However, this past week, an alternative plan emerged: rather than sending the donors on a pilgrimage abroad, the Rebbe would spend Shabbos together with them at the Kosel.

He agreed to the proposal, and for the first time, he will remain with the philanthropists for the duration of Shabbos, holding tefillos and tishen in the shadow of the Kosel.

The Shabbos will take place on Shabbos Parshas Shelach, Shabbos Mevorchim for the month of Tammuz.

{Matzav.com Israel}

At a gathering at Slabodka Yeshiva marking the shloshim since the passing of Rav Nachman Plonczek zt”l—one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Slabodka—the renowned posek Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein delivered an emotional hesped that also touched on the devastating wave of wildfires affecting Eretz Yisroel in recent days.

Speaking in the main bais medrash of Yeshivas Slabodka, Rav Zilberstein addressed the bochurim. He emphasized that amid the chaos and uncertainty, the true security for Klal Yisroel lies in the eish haTorah, the holy fire of Torah.

“There is trouble,” Rav Zilberstein said solemnly. “Today, Rachmana litzlan, I’m hearing what’s going on—so many fires, this one here, that one there. It’s terrifying what’s happening in the streets, what I’m hearing… We are living through a time of great distress. Fires here, fires there… We don’t know where this is heading. But the one security we rely on is you—the precious and beloved talmidei chachamim, more precious than gold and pearls. It’s your learning, your behavior—that is our protection.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Frustrated by delays in the production of a new Air Force One, President Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly decided to overhaul a jet once operated by the Qatari government as a temporary substitute.

“I’m not happy with Boeing,” Trump said in February about the drawn-out progress on the Air Force One replacements. “We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, the federal government has enlisted defense contractor L3Harris to retrofit a Boeing 747 that previously belonged to Qatar’s leadership. Sources told the outlet that Trump is aiming to have the upgraded aircraft ready for use by the fall and is keeping close tabs on its status. This refurbished jet is expected to serve as a stand-in until the official replacements are completed.

The existing fleet of presidential aircraft — introduced during George H.W. Bush’s presidency — is approaching retirement.

During his first term, Trump reached a $3.9 billion agreement with Boeing to produce two new presidential aircraft. But seven years after securing the deal, Boeing has fallen behind schedule, and the program has encountered soaring costs due to supplier issues and engineering problems.

Given the delays, and barring an end run around the 22nd Amendment — something Trump has joked about — the new Air Force One planes may not be ready during his presidency.

This effort to find an interim solution reportedly began shortly after Boeing’s CEO visited the White House on April 18 for a meeting with the president.

Even prior to Trump’s return to the Oval Office, high-ranking officials in the Air Force and the White House Military Office had discussed canceling the Boeing contract, sources told the Journal.

Under Trump’s direction, there have also been internal conversations about whether the administration can pursue legal action against Boeing for the setbacks, according to the report.

{Matzav.com}

In a powerful letter, Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl, rov of the Old City of Yerushalayim and noted posek, has issued a public call urging Torah Jews around the world to vote for the Eretz HaKodesh slate in the current WZO elections.

The rov describes Eretz HaKodesh as “a clear and strong voice from the bnei haYeshivos and the Torah-faithful communities who seek to increase holiness in the Land, to spread Torah and prayer, and to reinforce the voice of Torah that resonates throughout the batei midrash in Eretz Yisrael.”

He contrasts this effort with those who, in his words, “are attempting to import Diaspora-style Judaism via the Reform movements,” warning that such efforts are aimed at “combating those who work to preserve the values of Torah and the mesorah of Klal Yisrael.”

The letter ends with a resounding endorsement of participation and support: “Certainly, it is a great merit and obligation to join and vote for the Eretz HaKodesh movement, and to partner with its members and activists in strengthening their efforts.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States is pulling back from its role in brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine, according to a statement Thursday from a senior State Department official.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters that the U.S. “will not be the mediators” going forward. Her comments reflect President Trump’s growing dissatisfaction with the stagnant negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian governments.

“We are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings,” Bruce said, emphasizing that while the U.S. still supports a peaceful resolution, it will no longer take the lead.

“It is now between the two parties, and now — now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end. It’s going to be up to them,” she stated.

Bruce noted that the Trump administration is increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has yet to follow through on his repeated claims of being prepared for peace.

“We are watching Putin’s actions, right, not his words. And in the process, he’s refined a very specific timeline. Weeks ago it was weeks; a few days ago it was days,” she said.

“This would be a pivotal week,” she added, hinting that a turning point may be approaching.

Her remarks came one day after the United States finalized a major mineral resource agreement with Ukraine, following two months of intense back-and-forth. The timing of the deal could further reduce Russia’s willingness to negotiate.

The agreement establishes a joint investment mechanism to which both Washington and Kyiv will contribute. Under the terms, the U.S. can count military supplies, technology, or training toward its share of the contributions.

Meanwhile, previously approved military aid packages from the Biden-era Congress are expected to be exhausted by next month. With Republicans controlling the House, it remains uncertain whether more assistance will be approved.

Despite the uncertainty over congressional funding, Ukraine has continued to purchase arms directly from American defense companies. On Tuesday, the State Department informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that it had authorized a $50 million export license for weapons, technical data, and defense services to Kyiv.

Sources in Ukraine have told The NY Post that they’re hoping this minerals partnership may open the door to more direct weapons sales from the U.S.—a policy the American government has hesitated to embrace in the past.

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he asked President Trump if the U.S. would sell up to 10 Patriot missile batteries—systems exclusively manufactured in America—for $15 billion. Trump declined the request.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both echoed the sentiment that any peace agreement will ultimately have to come from the warring sides themselves.

“It’s going to be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict,” Vance said in a Fox News appearance on “Special Report with Bret Baier.”

Vance went on to explain that the current military standoff shows little sign of changing. “It’s not going anywhere,” he said.

“It’s not going to end any time soon,” he added. “For the Ukrainians, yes, of course they are angry that they were invaded, but are we going to continue to lose thousands and thousands of soldiers over a few miles of territory this or that way?”

Rubio, speaking in a separate interview on “Hannity,” remarked that unless substantial progress is made, President Trump “is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we’re going to dedicate to this.”

On Monday, the Kremlin announced a temporary 72-hour halt in combat operations to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat. However, U.S. officials suspect the ceasefire is more about optics than genuine peacemaking.

The pause is scheduled to begin at midnight on May 8 and extend through May 10, aligning with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump introduced his 2026 budget blueprint on Friday, laying out plans to slash $163 billion from a variety of government programs including education, foreign assistance, and environmental initiatives, while ramping up military spending past the $1 trillion threshold.

The proposed reductions to non-defense discretionary funding represent a 22.6% decrease compared to current appropriations, according to documents released by the White House.

At the same time, Trump is requesting a 13% increase in defense allocations, pushing the Department of Defense budget to $1.01 trillion. Additionally, the administration is asking for $175 billion to address border security, aiming to, as the budget puts it, “at long last, finally secure our border.”

Despite the administration’s proposal, Congress retains the responsibility of crafting its own version of the federal budget—a process that could take several months of negotiations.

The White House is making a concerted effort to see the budget passed quickly, with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles telling The Post that enacting Trump’s legislative priorities is the central focus for the coming half-year.

“We ought to have a budget by then which would contain virtually all of the president’s priorities,” Wiles said Tuesday, “which are the things that he campaigned on, and renewal of the Trump tax cuts.”

“And if, if that is all we do, which it won’t be. That is an enormous accomplishment, because it’s the framework for everything else we will work to do.”

President Trump announced Friday that Harvard University will be losing its tax-exempt designation.

“We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” he posted on Truth Social.

This development follows the Trump administration’s recent decision to suspend $2.2 billion in federal grant money that had been allocated over several years. The suspension was in response to Harvard’s alleged failure to adequately address antisemitism and hate-related activity on its campus.

Earlier, Trump had suggested that Harvard’s continued promotion of “political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’” could place its tax-exempt status in jeopardy.

“Remember, Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” he warned.

Being tax-exempt allows universities like Harvard to attract substantial donations from wealthy benefactors looking for tax deductions, and ensures that the institution doesn’t pay income tax on its net earnings.

However, current federal law bars the president and other top government officials from ordering or halting any IRS audits or investigations.

The administration has yet to explain the legal justification it plans to use in order to revoke Harvard’s tax exemption.

Harvard has long benefited from its tax-exempt designation, helping it accumulate the country’s largest university endowment, now estimated at $53 billion. In the 2024 fiscal year alone, the school reportedly generated $2.4 billion in earnings from that endowment.

That endowment is crucial to the school’s financial operations, reportedly covering nearly 38% of its $6.4 billion annual budget. Additionally, $686 million in yearly federal funds comprise about 16% of its total budget.

Should Harvard’s tax-exempt status be revoked and its endowment earnings be taxed at the corporate rate of 21% instead of the current 1.4%, the school could face a $525 million annual loss in available funds.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that he plans to rebrand Veterans Day, calling it “Victory Day for World War I” as a tribute to what he described as America’s decisive military triumphs.

In a message posted late at night on Truth Social, Trump said the renaming effort is intended to spotlight America’s unmatched contributions in both global conflicts. He also proposed replacing the name “Victory in Europe Day,” observed on May 8, with “Victory in World War II Day,” asserting, “we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II.”

“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” Trump wrote. “That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

The suggestion to change the name of Veterans Day comes as a surprise, considering the holiday’s origins. It was first introduced as Armistice Day after the end of World War I to honor the American soldiers who had served in that devastating war. During the 1950s, its scope was expanded to include all U.S. military veterans, encompassing those who had fought in World War II and the Korean War. It became an official federal holiday in 1968, and over time has come to commemorate veterans of numerous other conflicts, including those in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

May 8 is recognized as the date when Nazi Germany surrendered, marking the end of fighting in Europe. However, the war against Japan continued for several more months, concluding in September 1945 after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Unlike Veterans Day, Victory in Europe Day is not an official federal holiday in the United States.

Trump’s assertion that the United States played the most significant role in winning World War II is likely to provoke pushback, particularly from Russia, which highlights its immense wartime losses during what it calls the “Great Patriotic War.” Approximately 9 million Soviet soldiers and 19 million civilians were killed in battles against the Nazi regime on the Eastern Front. Britain also endured severe destruction during Germany’s prolonged bombing campaigns.

{Matzav.com}

Cybersecurity professionals are urgently advising Apple users to update their devices without delay following the discovery of a major security loophole in the company’s AirPlay technology, according to the New York Post. Researchers say the flaw could open the door for hackers to steal sensitive information, install malicious software, and even listen in on private conversations.

The vulnerability, dubbed “AirBorne,” exposes millions of Apple devices to potential threats. Experts explain that the issue allows cyber attackers to penetrate devices sharing the same Wi-Fi network — making places like coffee shops, office spaces, and airports particularly vulnerable.

AirPlay, which allows wireless media sharing across Apple products, relies on a software development kit (SDK) used in a wide array of electronics. Analysts warn that this exploit could provide intruders with access to various devices, such as iPhones, smart TVs, and infotainment systems in vehicles.

“Because AirPlay is supported in such a wide variety of devices, there are a lot that will take years to patch — or they will never be patched,” said Gal Elbaz, chief technology officer and co-founder of Israeli cybersecurity company Oligo, during an interview with Wired. “And it’s all because of vulnerabilities in one piece of software that affects everything.”

Security investigators identified 23 distinct flaws within the AirPlay system. Worryingly, the affected hardware could include older or idle devices that are still connected to a network — such as obsolete streaming boxes or Bluetooth speakers — which could serve as entry points for attackers.

“If a hacker can get on the same network as one of these devices, they can gain control and use it as a stepping stone to reach everything else,” Elbaz warned.

In response to the findings, Apple has released software updates to patch the vulnerabilities, and users are strongly urged to download the latest versions. However, products made by outside companies that rely on AirPlay integration have yet to be uniformly updated — a gap in protection that cybersecurity experts say could put users at continued risk.

“When third-party manufacturers integrate Apple technologies like AirPlay via an SDK, obviously Apple no longer has direct control over the hardware or the patching process,” said Patrick Wardle, CEO of Apple-centric security company DoubleYou. “If third-party vendors drag their feet — or skip updates entirely — it could leave users exposed and might chip away at consumer trust in the entire ‘Apple ecosystem.'”

To mitigate potential breaches, security specialists recommend Apple users update their iPhones and other Apple hardware as soon as possible and turn off AirPlay if it is not currently needed. Doing so could block a major vector for cyberattacks.

While Apple has worked swiftly to correct these issues within its own devices, analysts stress that the wider concern is the sheer number of non-Apple products that depend on AirPlay and may remain unprotected.

{Matzav.com}