Matzav

A growing wave of Republican criticism erupted last night over the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran, with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leading the charge and warning that the proposed arrangement could hand Tehran money, leverage, and renewed nuclear capabilities.

Pompeo, who served during President Donald Trump’s first administration, sharply attacked the reported framework in a post on X.

“The deal being floated with Iran seems straight out of the Wendy Sherman-Robert Malley-Ben Rhodes playbook: Pay the IRGC to build a WMD program and terrorize the world.”

He also rejected the agreement as incompatible with Trump’s “America First” agenda.

“Not remotely America First. It’s straightforward: Open the damned strait. Deny Iran access to money. Take out enough Iranian capability so it cannot threaten our allies in the region,” he said. “Overdue. Let’s go.”

The White House fired back almost immediately. Communications Director Steven Cheung issued a blistering response dismissing Pompeo’s criticism.

“Mike Pompeo has no idea what the fuck he’s talking about. He should shut his stupid mouth and leave the real work to the professionals. He’s not read into anything that’s happening, so how would he know.”

Other Republicans also voiced alarm over the developing agreement, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who warned that early details surrounding the deal were deeply troubling.

“I am deeply concerned about what we are hearing about an Iran ‘deal,’ being pushed by some voices in the administration.”

Cruz praised President Trump’s earlier military actions against Iran but cautioned against allowing Tehran to emerge strengthened after the conflict.

“President Trump’s decision to strike Iran was the most consequential decision of his second term. He was right to do so, and we achieved extraordinary military results-including destroying all of their missiles & drones and sinking their entire navy,” added Cruz.

He warned, however, “If the result of all that is to be an Iranian regime-still run by Islamists who chant ‘death to America’-now receiving billions of dollars, being able to enrich uranium & develop nuclear weapons, and having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake.”

Cruz also pointed to the support of former Biden administration official Robert Malley as a troubling sign.

“The details are still coming out-and I pray the early reports are wrong-but the fact that Biden’s Rob Malley is praising the deal is not encouraging,” continued the Senator.

“President Trump believes in peace through strength, and his strong leadership has already made America much safer. He should continue to hold the line, defend America & enforce the red lines he has repeatedly drawn,” concluded Cruz.

The backlash came just hours after President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran were nearing completion and that the final terms of a broader agreement would soon be unveiled.

In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump described a series of calls with Middle Eastern leaders and regional allies regarding what he called a Memorandum of Understanding tied to peace efforts involving Iran.

“I am in the Oval Office at the White House where we just had a very good call with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Türkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE.”

Trump added that negotiations had largely been completed and that discussions were entering the final stages.

“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed. Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well.

“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

According to a Reuters report, the proposed arrangement would unfold in three phases, beginning with a formal end to the war, followed by efforts to resolve the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and then a 30-day negotiating period focused on a wider agreement, with the possibility of extending talks beyond that deadline.

The New York Times later reported that a central component of the emerging agreement would require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. According to two U.S. officials cited in the report, Tehran has already indicated its willingness to give up the dangerous nuclear material as part of the framework under discussion.

In this episode, Rabbi Reinman discusses the continuing war with the Greeks and the diplomatic maneuvers of the Maccabees.

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Chapter Forty-four: Enemies and Allies

Even as the Maccabees cleansed and purified the Bais Hamikdash, the decrees of Antiochus banning the practice of Judaism remained in place. Before embarking on his campaign against the Parthians, Antiochus had not seen fit to fulfill his promise to rescind them. Perhaps he wanted to keep his options open until the results of the campaign became clear. They became clear quickly enough. Antiochus died, and the Parthians soundly defeated the Syrian army. Nonetheless, as long as the Jewish people were in control of their own land, the decrees were irrelevant.

Instability in the Seleucid Empire gave Judea a short period of respite. After the death of Antiochus IV, his ten-year-old son Antiochus V inherited the throne. Lysias, one of the generals who had fought against the Maccabees, was appointed regent. There were other pretenders to the throne, and Lysias had his hands full protecting the life of the young Antiochus and preserving the throne for him.

In 163 b.c.e., Lysias returned to Judea with a massive army of 20,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and dozens of war elephants. The Maccabee forces were defeated. Judah’s brother Elazar mistakenly thought he saw Lysias in a tower atop a huge elephant. He ran under it and plunged his  sword into its belly. The elephant collapsed on top of Elazar and killed him. The rest of the Maccabees did not fare much better. They withdrew in defeat and barricaded themselves in Jerusalem.

The Greeks besieged Jerusalem, but shortly afterward, Lysias received word that Philip, a rival for the throne, was attempting to seize power in the capital of Antioch. Alarmed, he informed Yehuda that, by his power as royal regent, he was rescinding the restrictions on Jewish religious practice. Then he took most of his army and hurried home. After returning to Antioch, Lysias ordered the execution of Menelaus, the extreme Hellenizer who had bought the office of Kohein Gadol from Antiochus IV, even though he was not a Kohein, and tyrannized the Hasidim. In effect, Lysias was granting the Jewish rebels the religious victory they were seeking in the hopes that Judea would thus be pacified, that it would remain a tax-paying part of the Seleucid Empire ….

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yisroel Chaim Pichey z”l, a veteran mechanech and longtime rebbi whose life was devoted to Torah, chinuch, and the nurturing of generations of talmidim. Rav Yisroel Chaim was niftar over Shavuos at the age of 91.

Rav Yisroel Chaim became a distinguished talmid of the famed Telz Cleveland yeshiva, where he absorbed the depth, precision, and nobility of the Telzer approach to learning and avodas Hashem. Those who knew him described a man who carried himself with dignity, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility toward every talmid.

For many years, Rav Yisroel Chaim served as a beloved rebbi at Yeshiva of Brooklyn, where he impacted talmidim through his warm demeanor and genuine concern for the growth and wellbeing of each individual. Generations of talmidim remember him not only for what he taught in the classroom, but for the quiet example he set through his refined character, sincerity, and devotion to Torah.

In later years, Rav Yisroel Chaim relocated to Lakewood.

Rav Yisroel Chaim was connected to one of the great families of American Torah activism through his wife, Mrs. Donya Pichey, a daughter of the legendary Reb Elimelech “Mike” Tress zt”l, whose tireless efforts on behalf of Klal Yisroel and the rescue of European Jewry became part of the fabric of American Orthodox Jewish history.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Donya; his children, Reb Eli Pichey, Reb Shloime Pichey, Mrs. Rochel Levin, Mrs. Hena Rivka Willner, Mrs. Chaya Sara Lefkowitz, Mrs. Leeba Kahn, Mrs. Dusie Basch, and Mrs. Shevy Eisgrau; as well as many grandchildren who carry forward his legacy.

The levayah will take place Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey, followed by kevurah at Wellwood Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities and intelligence sources say an Iraqi terrorist with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly plotted to assassinate Ivanka Trump in retaliation for the US strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, the NY Post reports.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, who was recently captured and extradited to the United States, allegedly vowed to target President Donald Trump’s daughter and obtained detailed information about her Florida residence, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Officials believe the alleged plot was motivated by the 2020 American drone strike in Baghdad that eliminated Soleimani, the powerful Iranian military leader who commanded the IRGC’s elite Quds Force.

“After Qasem was killed, he [Al-Saadi] went around telling people ‘we need to kill Ivanka to burn down the house of Trump the way he burned down our house,’” Entifadh Qanbar, a former deputy military attaché in the Iraqi embassy in Washington told The Post.

“We heard that he had a plan of Ivanka’s house in Florida,” Qanbar added. A second source also confirmed Al-Saadi’s plot to kill Ivanka.

Investigators say Al-Saadi posted online material identifying the gated Florida community where Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, own a $24 million property. Alongside the image, he allegedly published a threatening message in Arabic that translated to: “I say to the Americans look at this picture and know that neither your palaces nor the Secret Service will protect you. We are currently in the stage of surveillance and analysis. I told you, our revenge is a matter of time.”

According to the Department of Justice, Al-Saadi was arrested in Turkey on May 15 before being extradited to the United States. Prosecutors describe him as a senior operative connected to Iraq-Iran terror networks and accuse him of orchestrating or attempting 18 terror attacks across Europe and America.

Federal authorities say he was linked to multiple attacks on Jewish and American targets, including the March firebombing of the Bank of New York Mellon building in Amsterdam, the stabbing of two Jewish victims in London in April, and a March shooting targeting the US consulate in Toronto.

Prosecutors also allege that Al-Saadi coordinated attacks against Jewish institutions, including the bombing of a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, and the torching of a temple in Rotterdam earlier this year. Authorities further claim he was involved in additional terror plots inside the United States connected to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Ivanka Trump, now 44, converted to Orthodox Judaism before marrying Kushner in 2009.

Officials and analysts say Al-Saadi maintained operational relationships with both Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s IRGC.

“Publicly available information shows that Mohammad Baqer was in contact and a close friend of …Qasem Soleimani and that in and of itself is a huge coup for any operative within the ranks of these militias, and on top of that he was then close to [Esmail] Qaani who replaced Soleimani,” said Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Senior Fellow at the Washington DC-based New Lines Institute who was kidnapped in Bagdad in 2023 and held hostage by Kata’ib Hezbollah for 903 days before her release in September 2025.

Tsurkov said she could not identify whether Al-Saadi personally participated in her kidnapping because her captors kept their faces covered.

She further stated that Al-Saadi remained closely tied to Soleimani’s successor, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, who allegedly continued supporting his terror infrastructure financially and operationally.

Qanbar said Al-Saadi viewed Soleimani as a father figure following the death of his own father, Iranian brigadier general Ahmad Kazemi, in 2006. According to Qanbar, the Iraqi-born operative later underwent training in Tehran with the IRGC.

Raised primarily by his Iraqi mother in Baghdad, Al-Saadi allegedly traveled frequently between Iraq and Iran before eventually building an international network under the guise of legitimate business operations.

Qanbar claimed Al-Saadi later launched a travel agency focused on arranging religious tourism, which allegedly allowed him to move internationally and establish ties with terror operatives around the globe.

Authorities also discovered that Al-Saadi possessed an Iraqi service passport when he was arrested in Turkey last week. According to Qanbar, the document — normally reserved for Iraqi government officials and civil servants — requires approval from the Iraqi prime minister.

The passport reportedly enabled Al-Saadi to move through Iraqi airports with little scrutiny, use VIP airport facilities, and more easily secure visas to countries where investigators believe he coordinated or planned attacks. Reports indicate he was traveling toward Russia at the time of his arrest.

Despite allegedly occupying a senior role in international terror activity, Al-Saadi maintained an unusually public online profile. Social media images showed him posing at landmarks around the world, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, along with recreational photos kayaking and sightseeing.

Court filings included in the federal indictment also contain photographs allegedly uploaded by Al-Saadi showing him alongside Soleimani at what investigators believe was a military installation, reviewing maps and tactical materials.

In one post published seven months after Soleimani’s death, Al-Saadi uploaded a photo of Soleimani and another Iranian military figure killed in the US strike, accompanied by an armed militant carrying an AK-47. The post read: “I will leave social media and turn off all my phones until the American enemy is defeated …victory or martyrdom,” according to federal court documents.

Investigators say that pledge proved temporary. In what he described online as his “last tweet” in 2025, Al-Saadi again referred to Soleimani and other Iranian commanders killed in US operations as “martyrs.”

“I address you while in great shock and intense weakness, a feeling I have never experience in my life except once, at the martyrdom of …Qasem Soleimani,” he wrote, according to court documents.

Authorities say Al-Saadi also used Snapchat and other social media platforms to threaten intended victims directly. Messages reviewed by The Post allegedly included photographs of a handgun fitted with a silencer.

The accused terrorist, who investigators say also maintained ties to the Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah, is currently being held in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn alongside several other high-profile inmates.

A California hotel is facing backlash after a staff member was caught on video allegedly harassing Jewish and Israeli guests with antisemitic remarks, including asking one couple, “Are you a baby killer?”

The confrontation reportedly took place Thursday at Oceanpoint Ranch in Cambria, California, according to hotel officials and videos widely circulated across social media platforms.

The incident began after a hotel employee allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” as an Israeli couple was leaving the lobby, according to captions accompanying the footage shared on Instagram and X. The female guest, described online as a dual Israeli citizen, then confronted the worker over the remark.

“All I said was free Palestine,” the employee says at the beginning of the video, which starts after the initial exchange had already occurred.

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The woman responded by telling the employee that he was expected to remain “completely objective” when dealing with guests and said he “should be embarrassed of himself.”

The situation quickly escalated, with the employee firing off a series of hostile questions toward the couple, including “Are you a Zionist?” “Are you a baby killer?” and “Did you serve in the IDF?”

Throughout the roughly one-minute video, the male guest is largely silent and is seen speaking only in Hebrew to the woman while the employee continues confronting them.

The social media post accompanying the footage also targeted the male guest directly, stating: “As for the satanic … sitting in the corner of shame, he had no words when being called what he really is… just a dirty Zionist.”

Oceanpoint Ranch confirmed that management is aware of the incident. General Manager Angel Gonzalez issued a statement condemning the behavior shown in the video.

“The conduct depicted in the video does not reflect the standards of professionalism, respect, and hospitality we strive to uphold. We take this matter seriously and have initiated an immediate internal review,” the statement said.

Gonzalez added that the hotel had apologized directly to the guests involved and was actively addressing their concerns. He also confirmed that the employee in question had resigned following the incident.

“Our hotel is committed to ensuring all guests feel welcomed, respected, and safe, and we remain dedicated to providing a positive and professional environment for every guest and employee,” the statement concluded.

The employee has reportedly been identified online as 24-year-old Ryan Smith, who social media accounts claim is currently serving in the military, according to Mossad Commentary.

A man identifying himself as the employee later posted on Instagram that he had been dismissed “for speaking up on the genocide and ethnic cleansing ongoing within the Middle East.”

Smith also reportedly describes himself online as a “Free Palestine activist.”

The video rapidly spread online and has reportedly drawn more than 400,000 views on Instagram alone, triggering outrage from numerous public figures and antisemitism watchdogs.

Among those condemning the incident were Israeli writer Hen Mazzig and Leo Terrell, who chairs the Department of Justice’s antisemitism task force.

“If true, this is outrageous. Termination is not good enough! This hotel needs to be investigated. I’m not satisfied with a single termination,” Terrell wrote on X.

A developing agreement between Washington and Tehran is centered on one dramatic condition: Iran would be required to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of a broader effort to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping traffic.

Two American officials cited by the New York Times on Saturday night said the framework now taking shape includes an Iranian commitment to relinquish the regime’s cache of near-weapons-grade uranium. The move would mark one of the most significant nuclear concessions Tehran has made in years.

Administration officials avoided publicly discussing the finer points of the negotiations, but President Donald Trump said earlier that the United States is moving quickly toward an arrangement designed to bring the war to a close and restore free navigation through the critical Hormuz waterway.

Even with the upbeat tone coming from the White House, negotiators are still facing major unresolved issues, and officials caution that multiple obstacles remain before any formal agreement can be completed.

Under the current outline, negotiators deliberately postponed the complicated issue of exactly how the uranium transfer would occur. Those technical details are expected to be handled in a separate phase of specialized nuclear talks.

Still, American officials have insisted that an upfront Iranian pledge to eliminate the stockpile is essential and cannot be compromised. The administration views that provision as critical to winning over skeptical Republicans in Congress who have pushed for a far tougher posture against the Iranian regime.

So far, Tehran has not publicly addressed the announcement made by President Trump or confirmed the reported breakthrough.

The apparent willingness by Iran to include its enriched uranium reserves in the framework represents a sharp shift from its earlier position. Iranian officials had initially resisted any attempt to address the stockpile during the first phase of negotiations, instead pressing to delay the matter until later discussions involving a long-term accord.

According to the New York Times, the deadlock ended only after the United States delivered a severe warning through foreign intermediaries. American negotiators reportedly informed Tehran that refusal to deal with the uranium issue immediately would lead Washington to walk away from the talks and restart large-scale military operations.

That warning was reportedly reinforced by detailed military preparations. Over recent days, Pentagon planners presented President Trump with multiple aggressive strike scenarios aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear reserves, most of which are believed to be housed at the Isfahan nuclear facility.

Figures released by the International Atomic Energy Agency show that Iran currently holds roughly 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity — a level widely viewed as dangerously close to weapons-grade material.

The proposed arrangement also relies heavily on financial pressure and incentives. According to the New York Times, the framework includes a gradual release of tens of billions of dollars in Iranian assets that remain frozen in overseas financial institutions.

American officials said Iran would not receive access to most of that money until a final and binding nuclear agreement is fully completed. Western governments reportedly intend for much of the funding to flow through a monitored reconstruction mechanism, giving Tehran a major financial reason to stay aligned with the negotiations.

{Matzav.com}

France announced today that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been barred from entering the country following mounting outrage over his conduct toward activists detained after a Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the decision was prompted by what he described as Ben-Gvir’s treatment of French and European activists who had been aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

“As of today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory. This decision follows his unspeakable actions toward French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla,” the French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced in a post on X.

“We cannot tolerate that French nationals can be threatened, intimidated or brutalized in this way — all the more so by a public official,” Barrot posted, calling on the European Union to also sanction Ben-Gvir.

The controversy erupted after Ben-Gvir circulated videos showing his interactions with detainees from the flotilla, footage that quickly ignited criticism from governments around the world.

One video reportedly showed Ben-Gvir waving a large Israeli flag above detained activists who appeared to have their hands restrained. Another clip showed him shouting “Am Yisrael Chai” at a kneeling detainee whose wrists had reportedly been zip-tied. Additional footage showed detainees positioned face-down inside an outdoor holding area while Israel’s national anthem played nearby and armed security personnel stood guard around them.

The scenes triggered condemnation from several foreign governments and reportedly drew criticism even from Netanyahu, a coalition ally of Ben-Gvir.

Despite the harsh criticism directed at the Israeli minister, Barrot also distanced France from the flotilla mission itself, saying Paris did not support the activists’ operation.

“We disapprove of this flotilla’s approach, which produces no useful effect and places an additional burden on diplomatic and consular services,” Barrot wrote.

The flotilla, consisting of roughly 50 vessels, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters approximately 250 miles from Israel’s coastline.

Activists detained during the operation accused Israeli personnel of abusive treatment during and after the seizure, alleging the use of beatings, tasers, and attack dogs.

Meanwhile, Poland also moved against Ben-Gvir this week, announcing a five-year prohibition barring him from entering the country.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski defended the move in a social media statement.

“In the democratic world we do not abuse and gloat over people in custody,” Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski posted.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a rain-soaked commencement ceremony at United States Military Academy today to deliver a forceful rebuke of diversity initiatives and identity politics in the military, declaring that the era of what he called weakened standards and political correctness in the armed forces is coming to an end.

Addressing graduating cadets at West Point, Hegseth sharply criticized previous military leadership, accusing them of prioritizing social agendas over combat readiness.

“The battlefield does not grade on a curve, and you can’t throw your pronouns at the enemy,” Hegseth told the cadets. “Combat is the ultimate test, and our best Americans must ace it.”

The Pentagon chief also took aim at what he described as an effort to reshape the academy along ideological lines, comparing the institution to his alma mater, Princeton University.

The Pentagon chief also decried “woke and weak leaders” for attempting to transform the military academy into “woke Princeton,” his alma mater.

“They embraced the DEI craze and tried to introduce diversity and inclusion studies,” Hegseth said, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. “They hired professors who advocated for anti-American ideologies right here in these halls, but no more.

“West Point is set apart. It’s special. It’s above politics,” he continued. “Success here is based on merit. It’s how you perform that matters.”

Hegseth has repeatedly attacked DEI policies in the military and strongly backed President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting openly transgender individuals from serving in the armed forces.

Speaking directly to the graduating class, Hegseth praised the cadets for maintaining discipline and physical readiness.

“You are fit, not fat. You are disciplined, not distracted,” Hegseth told the cadets.

He went on to argue that many soldiers had witnessed what he portrayed as a long-term decline in military standards and traditions.

“Many of you, even in your short time in uniform have endured what I call the slow slide of the U.S. Army,” he continued. “You’ve seen standards lowered, you’ve seen an obsession with race and gender, you’ve seen the watering down of discipline, codes weakened and traditions tossed aside in the name of political correctness, statues taken down, paintings placed in the basement. I’m here to tell you the slow slide here at West Point and across the United States Army is over.”

During the address, Hegseth also referenced conservative activist Charlie Kirk while encouraging graduates to remain steady through changing times.

“As Charlie Kirk often said, ‘Remember, always this too shall pass,’” Hegseth said. “The good times will pass, the bad times will pass.”

The defense secretary further promised military personnel that the administration would support battlefield commanders making split-second decisions during combat operations without fear of bureaucratic interference.

Hegseth also pledged a commitment to “untie” the hands of military service members, saying, “lawyers don’t run battalions, commanders do.”

“No matter what, President Trump and I will have your back when tough decisions are made, especially decisions made in a split second in the heat of battle that air-conditioned offices in Washington, D.C., will never have,” Hegseth said, adding, “Understand, your hands are untied.”

Earlier this year, Hegseth unveiled what he described as a “ruthless, no-excuses” restructuring of the military’s legal divisions. Last year, he also dismissed the top legal officers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, arguing that they had become obstacles to carrying out presidential directives.

Democrats in Congress have voiced growing concern over the administration’s approach, especially following deadly military operations targeting vessels suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions.

A group of Democratic lawmakers with military and intelligence experience later released a joint video urging service members not to obey unlawful commands after the maritime strikes.

The president condemned this warning as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by Death!” in a Truth Social post, and federal prosecutors sought to indict the lawmakers for breaching a law forbidding interference with the U.S. military’s loyalty, morale or discipline.

The Democrats included Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Maggie Goodlander. A grand jury ultimately declined to bring charges against the lawmakers in February.

{Matzav.com}

International health authorities are racing to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in central Africa that has already spread across parts of Congo and Uganda, prompting emergency declarations, tighter travel restrictions, and fears that the virus could expand into neighboring countries.

The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency last week after cases linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola continued rising in multiple regions. Health officials in Congo have confirmed 83 infections and nine deaths as of May 23, while another 176 suspected infections and 176 suspected fatalities are under investigation, according to figures released by the CDC. Uganda has so far confirmed five cases and one death.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday that the outbreak in Uganda appeared “stable,” but warned that conditions in Congo were “deeply worrisome” and “spreading rapidly.”

The U.N. health agency has since upgraded its assessment of the crisis, classifying the danger as very high within Congo, high across the region, and low globally.

Health officials say the outbreak appears to have begun in Bunia, the capital of Congo’s Ituri Province, after a nurse fell ill following treatment of several patients suffering from symptoms initially believed to resemble malaria.

Authorities now believe the virus had likely been circulating quietly through local communities for weeks before being identified.

Doctors in Mongbwalu, a mining center in Ituri, began noticing clusters of severely ill patients with unusually high death rates and formally alerted the WHO on May 5.

Laboratory testing conducted in Kinshasa later confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease in eight samples, leading Congo to officially announce its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15.

From there, the virus spread rapidly across several health zones in Ituri Province, including Rwampara, Bunia, and Nyankunde. By mid-May, confirmed infections had also appeared farther south in North and South Kivu provinces.

Uganda declared its own outbreak the same day after an elderly Congolese man died in a private hospital in Kampala following admission with severe symptoms.

The epidemic has erupted in one of the most isolated and medically fragile regions in the world, with healthcare workers warning that hospitals remain understaffed, poorly equipped, and lacking proper training to handle a crisis of this scale.

Public health specialists have voiced alarm over the “scale and speed” of the outbreak, particularly because infections are now appearing in urban areas alongside heavy cross-border movement.

Ghebreyesus cautioned Friday that “violence and insecurity” were disrupting containment efforts after unrest broke out at an Ebola treatment facility in Rwampara when residents attempted to retrieve the body of a local man.

A treatment tent operated by Doctors Without Borders in eastern Congo was also torched Friday, according to Dr. Richard Lokudi, director of Mongbwalu General Reference Hospital.

“We strongly condemn this act, as it caused panic among the staff of the Mongbwalu Referral Hospital and also resulted in the escape of 18 suspected cases into the community,” he said.

Officials are increasingly worried that infected travelers who have not yet developed symptoms could unknowingly carry the virus into additional countries.

Robert Redfield, who previously led the CDC, warned Wednesday that the disease could potentially “leak” into Tanzania, southern Sudan, and Rwanda, creating the possibility of a “very significant pandemic.”

The Bundibugyo strain is one of four forms of Ebola known to infect humans. It was first identified in 2007 in western Uganda’s Bundibugyo district, from which it takes its name.

The disease causes a rare but frequently deadly hemorrhagic fever. According to the CDC, the virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and can spread to humans through close contact with infected wildlife.

Transmission between people occurs through direct exposure to bodily fluids including saliva, urine, vomit, sweat, feces, breast milk, and blood, as well as contaminated surfaces. Health experts warn that hospitals and burial settings are especially dangerous because deceased victims can remain highly contagious.

The incubation period generally ranges from two to 21 days, though most patients begin developing symptoms within four to 10 days after exposure. Infected individuals are not believed to be contagious until symptoms emerge.

Early signs of infection often resemble common illnesses such as malaria or influenza, including fever, exhaustion, muscle aches, headaches, and sore throat, complicating efforts to identify cases quickly.

The Bundibugyo strain carries an estimated fatality rate of between 30% and 50%. No approved vaccine currently exists, leaving supportive medical care as the primary treatment option.

“There’s a bit of evidence that vaccination for the Zaire Ebola virus might give a small amount of protection against Bundibugyo,” said Yonatan Grad, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“But this work is preliminary, hasn’t been thoroughly tested in people, and there’s reason to be skeptical that it will show a benefit,” Grad added. “It’s a big question whether the Zaire vaccine will be deployed in the hopes of helping quell the current outbreak.”

Despite mounting concern overseas, U.S. health officials insist the immediate threat to Americans remains limited.

“Currently, the risk to the United States remains low, because Ebola is spread through direct contact with body fluids and because the United States has a strong public health monitoring, infection control, and healthcare preparedness system in place,” Dr. Satish Pillai, the CDC’s Ebola response leader, told reporters on Friday.

An American doctor who had been serving with a Christian mission hospital in Bunia is now isolating in Germany after exposure to Ebola patients.

U.S. officials also confirmed that another American citizen with high-risk exposure had been transported to the Czech Republic for observation and monitoring.

No infections connected to the current outbreak have been identified inside the United States.

At the same time, federal authorities have begun imposing stricter entry requirements for travelers arriving from affected regions.

Foreign nationals who visited Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days are currently prohibited from entering the United States. On Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services expanded the restrictions to include green card holders.

The measures are being enforced under Title 42, which gives the CDC emergency powers to temporarily block entry of noncitizens during communicable disease threats.

The State Department has additionally directed all travelers bound for the United States — including American citizens — who recently visited those countries to undergo “enhanced public health screening” at designated airports before continuing their journeys.

The screenings are currently taking place at Washington Dulles International Airport near Washington and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport expected to join the program after May 26.

Travelers may be escorted for additional questioning regarding symptoms and travel history, undergo temperature checks using contactless devices, and in some cases be subjected to post-arrival monitoring.

Dr. Pillai said the precautions are intended to reduce the chances of the virus entering the country and follow containment strategies used during previous Ebola emergencies.

“This is an evolving situation, and the outbreak in the affected areas continues to expand,” Pillai said on Friday. “And with that in mind, that is why CDC has initiated entry screening processes, and which is a part of an overall broader, layered public health approach — starting with exit screening, airline illness reporting, and public health monitoring after arrival.”

{Matzav.com}

A shocking incident unfolded in Bnei Brak over Shabbos when a United Hatzalah emergency response vehicle was stolen by the very patient medics had arrived to treat during a life-saving call.

The unusual episode took place Friday night on Rechov Harav Shach, where the organization’s on-call Shabbos paramedic had been dispatched to provide urgent medical assistance. According to reports, moments after the medic arrived and began preparing to treat the individual, the patient suddenly jumped into the driver’s seat of the emergency vehicle and sped off.

Witnesses said the suspect drove recklessly through city streets, endangering pedestrians and other motorists as he fled the area in the stolen emergency vehicle.

An immediate emergency response was launched involving United Hatzalah dispatchers, additional volunteers in the field, and officers from the Bnei Brak police station. Using the vehicle’s tracking technology, dispatchers monitored the suspect’s movements in real time while police units pursued the vehicle.

A short time later, the stolen emergency car was located in nearby Petach Tikvah while still being driven dangerously. Police officers intercepted the vehicle, arrested the suspect at the scene, and took him in for questioning.

Efi Feldman, head of United Hatzalah’s Bnei Brak branch, sharply condemned the incident.

“This is an extremely serious incident involving harm to an emergency vehicle designated for saving lives,” Feldman said. “We strongly denounce any violence or damage directed at medical teams and their lifesaving equipment. We commend the quick thinking and alertness of the volunteers and dispatch center, and thank the officers of the Bnei Brak police station for their swift and decisive response, which brought the incident to an end without injuries.”

After being inspected, the emergency vehicle was found to be undamaged and was immediately returned to operational service for continued Shabbos emergency duty in the city.

{Matzav.com}

Yisrael Meir Godovitch, a well-known Israeli architect and former Tel Aviv city engineer who was a great-grandson of the Chofetz Chaim, passed away on Shavuos at the age of 92.

Godovitch was considered one of the most recognizable and colorful figures in Israel’s planning and architectural world. Over the years, he served as Tel Aviv’s city engineer and as chief architect for the Housing Ministry. Yet, many members of the broader public were unaware of his remarkable family background. He proudly carried the name Yisrael Meir after his illustrious great-grandfather, the Chofetz Chaim.

His mother, Frida Godovitch, was a granddaughter of the Chofetz Chaim’s eldest son, Rav Aryeh Leib, who served as the rov of Radin and assisted his father in preparing his monumental Torah works.

In 1932, Frida immigrated to Eretz Yisroel. The following year she married Yaakov Godovitch. Just months after their wedding, on the 24th of Elul 5693, the Chofetz Chaim passed away. Four months later, a son was born to the young couple in Tel Aviv, and they named him Yisrael Meir in memory of the revered Torah giant.

Although Godovitch’s life path led him into architecture and public planning rather than the Torah world, those close to him said he constantly spoke with pride and deep respect about his family heritage and the legacy of his great-grandfather.

Friends recalled that when rare historical footage of the Chofetz Chaim from the historic Knessiah Gedolah in Vienna was uncovered years ago, Godovitch became emotional and tearful, saying, “There must be a spiritual message from Heaven in this for all of us.”

Chareidi journalist Yisrael Cohen described him warmly.

“He was a precious and unique person. In every conversation he would proudly speak about his distinguished lineage and said that in the merit of his great grandfather he accepted upon himself to be careful not to speak lashon hara. His work as an architect was well known, and several times he told me that if he could, he would have planned Bnei Brak in a more aesthetic and beautiful way. I explained to him that high-rise buildings are impossible because of Shabbos elevators, but he still insisted that he would have designed the city in a more pleasant fashion with more greenery and gardens.”

In recent years, Godovitch suffered the loss of his wife, Arela, who had been his longtime partner. He passed away on Friday during the Yom Tov of Shavuos and is survived by two sons, grandchildren, and many descendants.

His levayah will take place Sunday afternoon in Tel Aviv.

Tragedy struck a Bnei Brak family over Shavuos with the passing of Mrs. Ayala Davidson a”h, a 33-year-old mother of six who succumbed to injuries sustained in a devastating crash on Highway 1 just one week after her infant son was killed in the same accident.

Mrs. Davidson passed away at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim on the first day of Shavuos. Her death came days after the petirah of her one-month-old son, Avinoam Meir Davidson z”l, who was killed at the scene of the horrific Friday afternoon collision and later buried in Elad.

The levayah was held on Motzaei Shabbos at midnight from the home of her parents, the Seller family, on Rechov Harav Kook 22 in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the cemetery in Elad.

Mrs. Davidson was born on the 17th of Teves 5753 in Bnei Brak to her father, Rav Aharon Seller, rosh kollel at Merkaz HaTorah Midrash Eliyahu in Elad, and her mother, Mrs. Shulamis Rosa Seller. She was a granddaughter of Rav Yitzchok Halberstadt zt”l, rov of Bais Medrash Ahavas Chesed in the Givat Yeshivas Ponovezh neighborhood of Bnei Brak.

In her younger years, she studied at the Rav Wolf Seminary in Bnei Brak. After her marriage, she built a home together with her husband, Rav Shlomo Zalman Davidson, a talmid of Yeshivas Tifrach and a respected member of the Ohel Avraham community in Bnei Brak, where the couple lived near their families.

Family members and acquaintances said she devoted herself fully to supporting her husband’s Torah learning and raising their children with warmth and dedication.

The tragedy unfolded as the family was traveling to Yerushalayim following the birth of their sixth child. The infant, Avinoam Meir z”l, was killed in the crash, and after battling for her life for a week, Mrs. Davidson passed away from her injuries.

She leaves behind five young children who are now orphaned of their mother.

Meanwhile, there has reportedly been improvement in the condition of the father, Rav Shlomo Zalman Davidson, who remains hospitalized in stable condition. He has been informed of the passing of both his infant son and his wife.

Tehei nishmasah tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

President Donald Trump celebrated the end of Stephen Colbert’s run at CBS on Friday, blasting the longtime late-night host as a “total jerk” after Colbert wrapped up his final episode of “The Late Show.”

“Colbert is finally finished at CBS. Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. He was like a dead person,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday morning. “You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he’s finally gone!”

Colbert exited the network after 11 seasons hosting the flagship late-night program, having taken over for David Letterman in 2015. CBS announced last July that the show would be ending, describing the move as a “financial decision” tied to the struggling performance of the series.

“This show has been a joy for us to do for you,” Colbert said in his final monologue. “I cannot adequately explain to you what the people who work here have done for each other, and how much we mean to each other.

“We love doing the show for you, but what we really love, is doing the show with you.”

The 62-year-old comedian has publicly argued that political pressure connected to Trump played a role in the cancellation, particularly after Paramount — CBS’s parent company — reached a legal settlement with the president.

Throughout his time on air, Colbert became one of Trump’s most vocal television critics, intensifying his anti-Trump material after news broke that the program was being canceled.

Still, the farewell broadcast itself largely avoided direct political commentary.

One exception came during Wednesday’s next-to-last episode, when rocker Bruce Springsteen appeared and criticized the administration from the stage.

“I’m here in support tonight for Stephen, because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke,” Springsteen told the crowd.

Over the years, Colbert’s show frequently featured Democratic politicians, liberal commentators, and anti-Trump media figures.

A report by media watchdog NewsBusters found that between 2022 and July 2025, Colbert hosted 176 guests identified as left-leaning compared to only one conservative guest.

Trump repeatedly mocked Colbert in the weeks leading up to the finale, escalating his attacks as the show neared its conclusion.

“Stephen Colbert is a pathetic trainwreck, with no talent or anything else necessary for show business success,” Trump said back in December.

“Now, after being terminated by CBS, but left out to dry, he has actually gotten worse, along with his nonexistent ratings. Stephen is running on hatred and fumes ~ A dead man walking! CBS should, ‘put him to sleep,’ NOW, it is the humanitarian thing to do!” he added.

The longtime host frequently accused Trump of influencing CBS and Paramount behind the scenes, particularly after the president filed suit against the network over its handling of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging election interference tied to the 2024 race.

{Matzav.com}

Yidden across Eretz Yisroel and around the world marked Shavuos with extraordinary scenes of Torah learning, tefillah, and spiritual elevation in the great chassidic courts, yeshivos, and botei medrash. From historic hachnosas Sifrei efer Torah and massive gatherings at the Kosel to heartfelt tefillos for the recovery of Rav Dov Kook of Teveria, the days of zeman matan Toraseinu were filled with inspiration and emotion.

Throughout Shavuos and Shabbos, tefillos continued for the recovery of the tzaddik Rav Dov Kook of Teveria, who has remained hospitalized at Poriya Medical Center for more than two weeks. Family members reported that during the Yom Tov he responded several times by opening his eyes when spoken to, though his condition remains serious and no major improvement has yet been seen. The tzibbur continues to be urged to strengthen itself in tefillah, kabbolos, and acts of chizuk for the complete recovery of Rav Dov HaKohen ben Shoshana.

Close associates said his sons, Rav Shmuel and Rav Yisroel Meir, the rov of Ashdod, remained near him throughout the Chag together with his grandson Rav Mordechai Shalosh. Tefillos for the Yom Tov were held close to his room, and despite his weakened condition, Rav Dov reportedly reacted several times to those around him.

In the court of Gur in Yerushalayim, preparations had been made well in advance for the tens of thousands of chassidim who arrived to spend the Chag with the Rebbe. Organizers prepared 6,500 dining accommodations and another 6,200 sleeping arrangements. Nineteen aufrufs for upcoming chassanim were celebrated over Shabbos. The Rebbe also hosted a kiddush in honor of his nephew’s wedding and announced after Shabbos that any bochur who had celebrated a bar mitzvah but had not yet received a Tehillim from the Rebbe could still come and obtain one.

In Belz, joyous news spread on Erev Shavuos with the birth of a great-granddaughter to the Rebbe, born to his grandson Rav Dovid Rokeach. The Rebbe himself led many of the tefillos over Yom Tov. The kiddusha rabba celebrating the birth was held on Shabbos Naso in Kiryas Belz with tens of thousands of chassidim in attendance from around the globe. The child was named Chaya Devorah after the Rebbetzin, wife of the Maharid of Belz, whose yahrtzeit falls this week.

During the emotional ne’ilas hachag gathering in Belz, the Rebbe’s gabbai, Rav Shimon Wolf Klein, announced that the campaign supporting lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel would continue into a third year amid what he described as growing governmental pressure against the Torah world through budget cuts and other decrees.

The gabbai praised the extraordinary mesirus nefesh shown by Belzer chassidim over the past two years in supporting kollel families and announced that the Rebbe’s “Keren Hatzolas HaTorah” would continue carrying an annual burden of roughly 12 million shekels. A public appeal was issued asking every Belzer chossid to undertake support for at least one kollel yungerman for a month at a cost of 900 shekels, or $300 abroad, while encouraging wealthier supporters to sustain multiple avreichim to ensure the continued strength of Torah learning.

In Vizhnitz, chassidim celebrated a historic hachnosas sefer Torah written by the Rebbe during the medical treatments he underwent in Los Angeles. On Erev Yom Tov, the Rebbe danced with the Torah atop a specially constructed platform. A lengthy tish followed Friday night davening, during which the Rebbe spoke about the upcoming yahrtzeit of Rav Yehudele Horowitz of Dzikov and invited Rav Mordechai Genut, publisher of the “Davar B’Ito” calendar, to share stories about the tzaddik.

Thousands also gathered in the court of Boyan in Yerushalayim, where the Rebbe spent the Chag with the chassidim in the central kloiz. Before Yom Tov, hundreds of bochurim assembled for a special two-hour learning seder. On Shabbos morning, the Rebbe invited the chassidim to the upcoming wedding of his granddaughter, daughter of the Ziditshov Chicago Rebbe. Motzoei Shabbos, the Rebbe held Kiddush Levanah in the newly developed expansion area behind the kloiz.

A particularly elevated atmosphere filled the Vizhnitz beis medrash throughout Shavuos. Before Yom Tov, the Rebbe toured the rapidly advancing construction site of the future Vizhnitz World Center. In the early morning hours of Shavuos night, the traditional Vizhnitz kedrusa d’tzafra gathering took place. The aliyah for Aseres Hadibros was reportedly purchased for four million dollars by a benefactor who dedicated the contribution toward construction of the new mikveh in the grand beis medrash.

In Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok in Meah Shearim, davening on Shavuos concluded at 5:30 p.m. The Rebbe’s Friday night tish stretched from nearly midnight until close to 4:00 a.m. Shabbos morning, the Rebbe remarked emotionally that the chassidim who remained awake throughout the night had reached the level of “malachim.”

Hundreds of chassidim traveled to Antwerp for Shavuos with the Pshevorsker Rebbe in what locals described as unprecedented numbers. During the Chag, before Akdomus, a new sefer Torah donated by philanthropist Reb Dovid Leibish Yaakobovich was brought into the beis medrash with great celebration.

A rare moment took place in the court of Lelov when, after receiving the aliyah for Aseres Hadibros, the Rebbe personally recited a Mi Shebeirach for the Vizhnitzer Rebbe’s recovery, something chassidim said is virtually unheard of, as such tefillos are normally handled by the gabbai.

In Sadigura, chassidim learned about the continued expansion of the Ateres Yisroel kollel network, which now includes more than 200 avreichim in seven branches throughout Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe encouraged participation in “Yissochor-Zevulun” partnerships and announced a special upcoming trip to Chevron for supporters of Torah.

In Pinsk-Karlin, a Shabbos aliyah celebration took place ahead of the wedding of the Rebbe’s grandson, Yitzchok Menashe Rosenfeld. The wedding is scheduled for Tuesday in Beitar Illit.

In Sassov, a new sefer Torah written collectively by the chassidim in honor of the Rebbe was brought into the beis medrash in Ganei Tikvah with a large procession on Erev Yom Tov.

Thousands also traveled to Ukraine for Shavuos, particularly to Mezhibuzh at the kever of the Baal Shem Tov, whose yahrtzeit falls on Shavuos. The Makova rov traveled from Eretz Yisroel to lead the gathering. Accommodations were organized by Agudas Ohalei Tzaddikim. Hundreds more spent the Chag in Uman near the kever of Reb Nachman of Breslov.

Among the gedolei Yisroel and yeshivos, the atmosphere was equally uplifting.

Rav Moshe Sternbuch spent Shavuos with his talmidim in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Before Maariv on Erev Yom Tov, he addressed the crowd with words of chizuk. He participated in the all-night learning in the yeshiva and later personally recited a Mi Shebeirach for donors supporting the construction of new yeshiva buildings. On Shabbos, a kiddusha rabba was held in honor of the birth of his great-granddaughter.

Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman led tefillos in his beis medrash at Yeshivas Rashbi in Bnei Brak. Large crowds lined up after Maariv to receive a heartfelt “Gut Yom Tov.” During the Chag, he conducted Mi Shebeirachs for many gedolim and roshei yeshiva in need of refuos.

At the home of the mashgiach Rav Dan Segal, a special event was held marking the publication of “Yeshuas Dan,” his sefer on Ketzos HaChoshen. The mashgiach recited Shehecheyanu and shared a l’chaim with talmidim and supporters.

In Ponevezh Yeshiva, Rav Berel Povarsky received the aliyah of shlishi and later recited a special Mi Shebeirach for the thousands of talmidim and supporters of the yeshiva. The yeshiva additionally marked a full year since beginning use of its new sefer Torah dedicated to the memory of Rav Gershon Edelstein.

At Mir Yeshiva, the batei medrash were overflowing with thousands of talmidim, avreichim, and alumni led by the roshei yeshiva and mashgichim. Special preparation shmuessen were delivered before Yom Tov, and emotional singing filled the beis medrash before Shacharis. Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel received the aliyah for Aseres Hadibros while Rav Binyomin Finkel lained with visible emotion and tears. The yeshiva also celebrated the birth of a grandson to the mashgiach during the Chag.

The former Rishon Letzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, davened in his Or Chaviv beis medrash in Sanhedria surrounded by hundreds of talmidim who walked from across Yerushalayim to hear his shiurim on the halachos of Yom Tov.

Rav Chaim Feinstein instructed rabbonim delivering shiurim about korbanos on Shavuos night to avoid any implication encouraging practical korbanos today, amid recent controversies surrounding Har Habayis activism.

An especially unique initiative took place at Yeshivas Nachalas HaTorah in Bnei Brak. Following a pre-Yom Tov address by Rav Naftali Kopschitz, bochurim introduced a new seder they called “the cherry on top.” Rather than collapsing into bed after davening and eating dairy foods, bochurim returned to the beis medrash for an additional intense learning session before finally resting. Participants described those few extra minutes of Torah as the crowning achievement of their entire Shavuos.

At Kisei Rachamim, Rav Tzemach Mazuz led the traditional Tikkun Leil Shavuos. Witnesses described visible emotion on the rosh yeshiva’s face as he exclaimed “Oraisah, Oraisah” during the recitation of the Zohar. Thousands joined him in singing songs of longing and love for Torah.

Meanwhile, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that more than 100,000 people visited the Kosel over Shavuos and Shabbos. The peak came at sunrise davening on Shavuos morning, when over 20,000 people packed the Kosel plaza for vasikin, singing, and the recitation of Akdomus. Tens of thousands of personal kiddush packages were distributed afterward in partnership with Colel Chabad. Thousands also streamed to the nearby kever of Dovid Hamelech throughout the Chag in observance of his yahrtzeit.

{Matzav.com}

A British radio station sparked confusion and panic after mistakenly announcing the death of King Charles III during a live broadcast due to a computer malfunction that accidentally triggered the country’s emergency “monarch death protocol.”

The incident occurred at the well-known British station Radio Caroline, which abruptly interrupted its programming, aired the British national anthem, and then went silent for roughly 15 minutes before returning to regular broadcasts and issuing an apology.

According to a report in The Independent, listeners were stunned by the dramatic announcement, which falsely stated that King Charles had died. In reality, the monarch was alive and well at the time and was visiting Northern Ireland alongside Queen Camilla.

Peter Moore, the station’s manager, later published a public apology on the station’s Facebook page explaining that a technical failure struck the station’s main studio in Maldon, Essex, on Tuesday afternoon.

Moore said the malfunction accidentally activated what is known in Britain as the “monarch death protocol,” an emergency broadcasting system maintained by radio stations across the country in preparation for the death of a reigning monarch.

“Radio Caroline then fell silent, as required under the protocol, which alerted us that we needed to restore normal programming and issue an on-air apology,” Moore wrote. “We apologize to His Majesty the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”

He added that the station has long taken pride in broadcasting royal celebrations and hopes to continue doing so for many years to come.

Britain’s Press Association reported that recordings of the controversial broadcast between 1:58 p.m. and 5 p.m. were later removed from the station’s website and were no longer available for replay.

The false report quickly ignited strong reactions online, with many listeners initially believing the shocking announcement before realizing it was a mistake.

One listener said he was completely stunned at first, but after speaking with his wife and neighbors, he realized the report was false and eventually began laughing about the incident.

Another listener recalled hearing the announcement while working in his garage. He rushed home in panic and shouted to his wife that King Charles had died. She immediately reminded him that the king had appeared healthy just a day earlier while attending a flower exhibition.

After checking news websites and discovering that the announcement was merely a broadcasting error, the couple joked that perhaps they should stop drinking alcohol for a while.

In reality, King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Belfast on Tuesday for their first visit to Northern Ireland this year, where they even attended a performance by an Irish folk band.

Just one day earlier, the king — who has recently been undergoing treatment for cancer and was hospitalized not long ago — toured the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Radio Caroline, which began operating in 1964, originally gained fame as a so-called “pirate radio” station established to challenge the broadcasting dominance of the BBC. In its early years, the station transmitted from ships anchored off the coast of England.

Although British legislation passed in 1967 forced many pirate radio stations to shut down, Radio Caroline continued operating intermittently for decades. The station permanently ended its offshore broadcasts in 1990 and today operates from land-based studios.

{Matzav.com}

A heavily armed man was shot dead by Secret Service agents this evening after opening fire near the White House in a chaotic scene that left at least one bystander seriously wounded, according to sources familiar with the incident.

Authorities identified the gunman as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who allegedly began shooting near a security checkpoint around 6:10 p.m. after drawing the attention of law enforcement by pacing erratically along 17th Street Northwest.

Sources said Best pulled out a revolver and fired several rounds before Secret Service officers responded with a barrage of gunfire, killing him at the scene before he could advance further.

At least one civilian nearby was struck during the exchange and suffered serious injuries, sources said.

Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack, though sources described Best as a mentally unstable individual who had previous encounters with federal authorities around White House security zones.

According to the sources, Best had repeatedly loitered near restricted areas surrounding the White House and had previously violated a court order barring him from the grounds.

“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.

The sudden eruption of gunfire sent journalists and White House correspondents scrambling for safety as many were conducting live broadcasts and routine reporting outside the building.

“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” said Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent.

“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”

Following the shooting, Secret Service personnel immediately locked down the White House complex and instructed reporters gathered on the North Lawn to run into the briefing room for protection. The lockdown remained in effect for roughly 30 minutes before officials declared the area secure.

The incident unfolded less than two hours after President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was in the Oval Office working on negotiations related to a possible peace agreement with Iran.

Records show that Best had multiple prior interactions with police and federal security personnel. On June 26, 2025, he was involuntarily committed after allegedly obstructing traffic near 15th Street and E Street NW.

He was later arrested again on July 10, 2025, on an unlawful entry charge after allegedly bypassing a restricted pedestrian checkpoint near the White House by walking through an exit turnstile lane.

Court documents from that earlier arrest stated that “[Best] claimed he was [Yoshka] and that he wanted to get arrested.”

Officials have not determined whether Saturday’s shooting was politically motivated, but lawmakers from both parties quickly denounced political violence in the aftermath of the attack.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the response of federal agents and expressed concern for the victims.

He offered thanks to the “brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump, and our prayers are with victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery.”

Rep. Cory Mills echoed those sentiments, stating that “there is no place in America for political violence, and every leader should be condemning it unequivocally.”

Rep. Betty Column also condemned the violence and urged Americans to “unite behind a common belief that our differences should be resolved at the ballot box.”

Today’s shooting is the latest in a series of violent security incidents tied to national politics in recent years.

The attack came roughly a month after another gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner while Trump was attending the event. It also follows the July 2024 assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally, when a gunman grazed his ear during the shooting.

{Matzav.com}

Tulsi Gabbard announced Friday that she is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence in order to care for her husband following his diagnosis with what she described as “an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”

Gabbard informed President Donald Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office earlier in the day. Her resignation will officially take effect on June 30.

In a resignation letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Gabbard thanked Trump for entrusting her with the leadership of the nation’s intelligence apparatus over the past year and a half.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half.”

She then formally announced her departure from the administration.

“Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”

Gabbard said the diagnosis has created an urgent personal situation requiring her full attention in the months ahead.

“My husband faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months.”

“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” she said.

In her letter, Gabbard praised her husband for standing beside her throughout her military and political career, calling him a constant source of support during some of the most difficult periods of her life.

“Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage — standing steadfast through my deployment to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns and now my service in this role.”

“His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge,” she continued. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.”

President Trump later responded publicly to the announcement in a post on Truth Social, praising Gabbard’s work in the administration and expressing confidence that her husband would recover.

“Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th.”

“Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together,” he continued. “I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.”

Gabbard said she is proud of the changes made during her tenure at ODNI but acknowledged that work remains unfinished.

“I have made significant progress at the ODNI — advancing unprecedented transparency and restoring integrity to the intelligence community,” she said, while noting that “there is still important work to be done.”

She pledged to help facilitate an orderly transition before leaving office.

“I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth and thorough transition over the coming weeks so that you and your team experience no disruption in leadership or momentum.”

She concluded her letter by thanking both Trump and the American public.

“Thank you for your understanding during this deeply personal and difficult time for our family.”

“I will remain forever grateful to you and to the American people for the profound honor of serving our nation as DNI.”

Later Friday, Gabbard shared the resignation letter publicly on X, writing that “It has been a profound honor to serve the American people as DNI.”

During her tenure, Gabbard led a sweeping restructuring effort within the intelligence community, overseeing significant reductions in staffing levels and initiatives she said would save taxpayers more than $700 million annually. Her office also dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion programs throughout the intelligence agencies.

This month, Gabbard ordered the declassification of more than 500,000 pages of federal documents, including records connected to the Trump-Russia investigation as well as the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

She also authorized the release of records tied to the origins of the Trump-Russia “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation, arguing the documents demonstrated that Obama administration officials politicized intelligence regarding Russia’s 2016 election interference in an effort to weaken Trump after his first presidential victory.

Among her other initiatives, Gabbard established the federal government’s first “Weaponization Working Group,” which was designed to coordinate investigations into what the administration described as the Biden administration’s misuse of federal agencies against political opponents.

Under Gabbard’s leadership, the National Counterterrorism Center also intensified efforts targeting narco-terrorism. According to the administration, the agency blocked more than 10,000 individuals tied to narco-terrorism from entering the United States during 2025 and added more than 85,000 others with similar connections to the federal terror watchlist.

{Matzav.com}

The IRS is considering adding a citizenship-status question to next year’s federal tax forms as the Trump administration continues efforts to tie immigration enforcement more closely to federal agencies, according to people familiar with the internal discussions.

Sources said IRS officials are reviewing two possible versions of the standard Form 1040, the main tax return document Americans use to report income and apply for deductions and credits. The individuals spoke anonymously due to concerns about professional consequences.

One draft reportedly contains only routine revisions tied to updates in federal tax law. The second version includes the same changes but also introduces a new section asking taxpayers to identify whether they are non-citizens or hold dual citizenship.

The proposed language on the form reads: “Check this box if you are a non-U.S. citizen or have dual citizenship.”

Officials at the Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS, declined to comment Friday on the reported proposal.

Under current law, foreign nationals living in the United States — including illegal aliens — are still required to file tax returns and generally use the same federal tax documents as American citizens. Supporters of immigration reform have long argued that paying taxes should be considered when determining whether illegal immigrants may eventually qualify for legal status.

The reported proposal comes after months of efforts by the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security to coordinate more closely on immigration enforcement matters.

Throughout much of 2025, the two agencies worked to establish systems allowing immigration officials to gain access to confidential taxpayer information as part of the Trump administration’s broader deportation initiative.

That effort, however, hit a legal roadblock in November when a federal judge barred the IRS from handing over taxpayer records to DHS. The administration later appealed the ruling.

Court filings earlier this year also revealed that the IRS improperly transferred information tied to more than 42,000 taxpayers to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency acknowledged the error in February during proceedings related to the case.

{Matzav.com}

Sharp criticism erupted tonight over reports of a developing ceasefire and diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran, with Senator Lindsey Graham and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman warning that the arrangement could dramatically strengthen Tehran’s position in the Middle East.

Graham, who is widely viewed as a close ally of President Donald Trump, posted a strongly worded reaction on social media questioning the logic behind any agreement that leaves Iran capable of threatening the Strait of Hormuz or attacking Gulf oil infrastructure.

“If a deal is struck to end the Iranian conflict because it is believed that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be protected from Iranian terrorism and Iran still possesses the capability to destroy major Gulf oil infrastructure, then Iran will be perceived as being a dominate force requiring a diplomatic solution.”

He warned that such an outcome would reshape the balance of power across the region in Iran’s favor and create long-term dangers for Israel and America’s allies.

“This combination of Iran being perceived as having the ability to terrorize the Strait in perpetuity and the ability the inflict massive damage to Gulf oil infrastructure is a major shift of the balance of power in the region and over time will be a nightmare for Israel. Also, it makes one wonder why the war started to begin with if these perceptions are accurate. I personally am a skeptic of the idea that Iran cannot be denied the ability to terrorize the Strait and the region cannot protect itself against Iranian military capability. It is important we get this right.”

Lieberman also attacked the emerging agreement, arguing that any arrangement allowing the Iranian regime to remain in power poses a direct threat to Israel.

“Any deal leaves all the ayatollahs in power. And one must understand, regarding producing an atomic bomb, any advanced country today can produce one. For example, Germany and Japan. That is a political decision. Maybe it will take them a month and a half, maximum three months.”

He argued that the real danger lies not in Iran’s technological capabilities alone, but in the ideology of its leadership.

“There is all the technological infrastructure, all the knowledge, available manpower, no one is concerned, neither Japan nor Germany, because there there is a responsible measured elected leadership. In Iran, on the contrary, there is a fanatic leadership that says its supreme goal is the destruction of the State of Israel, and it does not matter what kind of deal it is,” he said.

Lieberman also addressed Israeli domestic politics, saying his political ambitions remain unchanged as coalition negotiations continue behind the scenes.

“I have two objectives: to bring down the October 7 government and to be prime minister,” Lieberman clarified.

Discussing the possibility of joining a future coalition, Lieberman said he would insist on sweeping military conscription changes as a condition for participation.

“There will not be a single exemption,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that Washington and Tehran are nearing a deal that would extend the ceasefire for an additional 60 days.

According to the report, the agreement would include a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and discussions regarding either diluting or removing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. The report also said the United States is expected to ease restrictions on Iranian ports, soften sanctions, and permit the gradual release of frozen Iranian assets held overseas.

The Associated Press, citing multiple individuals involved in the negotiations, reported that both sides are now reviewing the draft agreement and hope to reach a final decision within the next 48 hours.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bakayi told Iranian media that negotiations are approaching the finish line.

“We are in the final stages of drafting a memorandum of understanding to end the war.”

Bakayi said the remaining discussions are centered on concluding the conflict and resolving issues tied to the release of Iran’s frozen financial assets abroad.

President Donald Trump announced tonight that a sweeping agreement involving Iran and several Middle Eastern nations is nearing completion, saying the remaining details are expected to be revealed “shortly.”

In a lengthy message posted to Truth Social, Trump said he had participated in a major call from the Oval Office with a number of Arab and regional leaders to discuss what he described as a developing peace framework tied to Iran.

“I am in the Oval Office at the White House where we just had a very good call with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Türkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE.”

Trump indicated that negotiators have already reached broad consensus on the framework and that only final steps remain before the agreement is formally unveiled.

“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed. Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well.”

He added, “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

According to Reuters, the developing arrangement is expected to proceed in three phases: formally ending the conflict, addressing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and beginning a 30-day negotiating period aimed at reaching a broader long-term understanding, with an option to extend those talks if needed.

Saudi outlet Al Hadath reported that an official familiar with the negotiations said a public declaration could come within “a few hours.”

A source involved in the talks also told The Washington Times that Washington and Tehran are expected to jointly confirm the agreement by Sunday afternoon. The source said negotiators finalized a draft proposal early Saturday and anticipated an announcement within 24 hours.

The report added that senior negotiators on both sides have already approved the draft text, leaving only formal signoff from the leadership of the participating countries.

Al Jazeera, citing an Iranian source, reported that the proposed memorandum would include an end to the war, the lifting of the blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the removal of American forces from the active conflict zone.

According to the report, “the memorandum of understanding includes ending the war, lifting the siege, opening the Strait of Hormuz, and the withdrawal of American forces from the war zone. The memorandum of understanding does not include nuclear issues because they are complex and require time for negotiations. Thirty days after the agreement, the door can be opened to nuclear negotiations.”

Even as momentum toward an agreement appeared to build, Trump cautioned that a final outcome was far from guaranteed.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said the odds of reaching what he considers an acceptable deal remain uncertain. “solid 50/50,” he said, before adding, “I think one of two things will happen: either I hit them harder than they have ever been hit, or we are going to sign a deal that is good.”

Trump also said he does not believe Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu fears the United States will agree to unfavorable terms. He reiterated that any final agreement would address Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

{Matzav.com}