Matzav

Health experts warned that this year’s flu season was shaping up to be especially challenging, driven in part by the spread of a newly dominant strain of influenza.

At the center of growing concern was Influenza A H3N2, known as the subclade K variant, which had been linked to increasing case numbers around the world, including in the United States.

Speaking with Fox News Digital, Dr. Neil Maniar, a professor of public health practice at Northeastern University in Boston, said early data suggested the strain was more dangerous than those seen in recent years. “It’s becoming evident that this is a pretty severe variant of the flu,” he said. “Certainly in other parts of the world where this variant has been prevalent, it’s caused some severe illness, and we’re seeing an aggressive flu season already.”

According to Maniar, subclade K appeared to amplify many of the flu’s classic symptoms, including fever, chills, headaches, exhaustion, coughing, sore throat, and nasal congestion.

He described the situation as a convergence of troubling factors. Lower vaccination rates combined with a virus strain not specifically targeted by this year’s flu shot created what he called a dangerous mix. “The vaccine is very important to get, but because it’s not perfectly aligned with this variant, I think that’s also contributing to some degree to the severity of cases we’re seeing,” Maniar said. “We’re going in [to this flu season] with lower vaccination rates and a variant that in itself seems to be more aggressive.”

Maniar added that public health officials were worried not only about how many people could become ill, but also how sick they might get. “There’s a lot of concern that this could be a particularly difficult flu season, both in terms of the total number of cases [and] the severity of those cases.”

Another complicating factor, he explained, was that the strain differed significantly from prior versions of the virus, leaving communities with less built-up immunity and increasing the likelihood of rapid spread and serious illness.

The risks were especially high for people who had not been vaccinated, Maniar said, noting they faced greater odds of severe symptoms and hospitalization.

Beyond vaccination, he emphasized the importance of basic hygiene, particularly regular and thorough handwashing. While influenza can be transmitted through the air, Maniar noted that other illnesses circulating at the same time, such as norovirus, can linger on surfaces for as long as two weeks.

Seasonal travel and celebrations were also expected to accelerate transmission, with crowded holiday gatherings and packed planes, trains, and buses increasing exposure to sick individuals.

Maniar urged people experiencing symptoms to remain at home to protect others. “Please stay home,” he said — “especially if you think you are in that contagious period of the flu or any of these other illnesses that we’re seeing … whether it’s norovirus or COVID or RSV.” He reinforced the message with a simple directive: “If you’re not feeling well, stay home. That’s a great way to recover faster and to ensure that you’re not going to get others around you sick.”

For anyone uncertain about what illness they might have, Maniar advised seeking medical evaluation and testing, noting that some treatments could lessen the intensity and duration of symptoms if started early.

“It’s important that everyone stays vigilant and tries to take care of themselves and their families,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

After a decisive vote on Monday, New York state regulators greenlit casino licenses for three proposed gambling venues in New York City, setting the stage for major developments in Queens and the Bronx and opening a significant new revenue stream earmarked for mass transit and public education.

State officials anticipate collecting an upfront payment of $500 million from each approved bidder. The licenses were awarded to Bally’s planned project in the Bronx, Resorts World’s expansion in southeast Queens, and a high-profile proposal near Citi Field backed by billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen.

The approvals, however, were not unconditional. Regulators required each casino operator to submit to oversight by an independent monitor, whose role will be to verify that developers honor the commitments and conditions they pledged during the bidding process and comply with all state mandates.

Explaining the rationale for that added layer of scrutiny, Gaming Commission chair Brian O’Dwyer told the meeting, “While no information was received that was disqualifying, the application, findings of the gaming facility location board and our own internal review have convinced us that it’s prudent to condition the granting of a license on the establishment of an outside independent monitor.”

With the commission’s vote complete, the approved projects move forward amid expectations that they will collectively generate hundreds of millions of dollars to support the subway system and bolster education funding across the state.

{Matzav.com}

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said authorities believed the deadly shooting at a Jewish festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach was fueled by extremist ideology linked to the Islamic State.

“It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology,” Albanese said, referring to the attack in which a father and son opened fire, killing 15 people.

He described the worldview behind the assault as part of a long-standing pattern of violent extremism. “The ideology that has been around for more than a decade that led to this ideology of hate, and in this case, a preparedness to engage in mass murder.”

Albanese also addressed the background of Naveed Akram, 24, one of the attackers, confirming that he had previously been known to Australia’s intelligence services. The prime minister said Akram came onto the agency’s radar in 2019 but was not assessed as posing an immediate danger at the time.

“He was drawn to their attention because of his association with others,” Albanese said.

He added that some of those individuals faced serious consequences, while Akram did not. “Two of the people he was associated with were charged and went to jail, but he was not seen at that time to be a person of interest.”

President Donald Trump has formally sued the BBC, filing a defamation lawsuit Monday night in federal court in Florida that seeks at least $5 billion in damages over a Panorama documentary aired shortly before the 2024 election.

According to the complaint, the British broadcaster produced a program that presented a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump.” The lawsuit further claims the documentary was created as part of “a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence the Election’s outcome to President Trump’s detriment.”

The legal action follows Trump’s public comments earlier in Washington, DC, where he said the BBC manipulated footage from his January 2021 speech. He accused the network of altering his remarks in a way that fundamentally changed their meaning and even raised the possibility that artificial intelligence was involved. “In a little while, you’ll be seeing I’m suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth,” Trump said. “Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things I never said. They actually have me speaking with words that I never said, and they got caught because I believe somebody at BBC said this is so bad, it has to be reported. Let’s call [it] fake news. So we’ll be filing that suit probably this afternoon or tomorrow morning.”

At the center of the dispute is a Panorama segment that edited together two separate excerpts from Trump’s speech delivered prior to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. The splice made it appear as though Trump told supporters: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol … and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.”

Trump had signaled his intention to pursue legal action shortly before the lawsuit was filed, stating that he would bring the defamation case “today or tomorrow” in response to the edited broadcast.

The controversy intensified after a memo leaked from former BBC editorial adviser Michael Prescott, who warned of “systemic problems” within BBC News. That internal document set off a chain reaction inside the organization.

Earlier this month, the fallout led to the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness.

In response to the backlash, the BBC issued a correction acknowledging that the edit “gave the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action,” and said the segment would not air again. Despite that admission, the broadcaster rejected claims of defamation and declined to pay any damages.

Trump has repeatedly stated that he plans to seek up to $5 billion from the BBC over the edited footage, a figure now reflected in the lawsuit filed Monday night.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk’s net worth has crossed another unprecedented threshold, moving him far closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire as the value of his private companies continues to soar.

The latest catalyst came earlier this month, when SpaceX conducted a tender offer that pegged the rocket manufacturer’s valuation at $800 billion, double its $400 billion valuation from August, according to two SpaceX investors who spoke to Forbes. With Musk owning an estimated 42% of the company, the jump added roughly $168 billion to his fortune, lifting his net worth to an estimated $677 billion as of noon Eastern on Monday. Musk has now become the first individual ever to reach $600 billion in personal wealth, a level no one else has even approached.

SpaceX’s rapid rise may only be a prelude. One investor confirmed that the company is aiming for an initial public offering in 2026 that could value SpaceX at approximately $1.5 trillion. While multiple outlets previously reported both the tender offer and IPO ambitions, representatives for Musk and SpaceX did not respond to Forbes’ requests for comment.

Even without an IPO at that scale, SpaceX has overtaken all other holdings as Musk’s most valuable asset. Forbes estimates his SpaceX stake alone at $336 billion. By comparison, his roughly 12% ownership in Tesla is valued at about $197 billion, excluding stock options tied to his 2018 CEO Performance Award that were voided by a Delaware judge in January 2024. Forbes currently assigns a discounted value of $69 billion to those options, reflecting a 50% reduction while Musk appeals the ruling to the Delaware Supreme Court.

Should that appeal fail, Tesla could still offer Musk another path to trillionaire status. In November, shareholders approved an unprecedented compensation package that could grant Musk up to $1 trillion in additional Tesla stock, before taxes and vesting costs, if the company meets aggressive “Mars shot” performance goals, including expanding its market capitalization more than eightfold over the next decade.

Beyond SpaceX and Tesla, Musk’s artificial intelligence venture is also adding to his growing wealth. xAI Holdings is reportedly negotiating new fundraising at a valuation of $230 billion, more than twice the $113 billion valuation Musk cited when he created the company in March by combining his AI startup xAI with his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Forbes estimates Musk owns about 53% of xAI Holdings, a stake worth roughly $60 billion.

Musk’s ascent past the $600 billion mark is the latest chapter in a dramatic wealth expansion that has unfolded over just five years. In March 2020, his fortune stood at $24.6 billion. By August of that year, a surge in Tesla shares made him only the fifth person ever to reach $100 billion. He first claimed the title of the world’s richest person in January 2021, with a net worth nearing $190 billion, then became just the third individual to surpass $200 billion in September 2021, following Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and LVMH chief Bernard Arnault. Musk went on to hit $300 billion in November 2021, $400 billion in December 2024, and $500 billion in October. Only Oracle founder Larry Ellison has also reached both the $300 billion and $400 billion milestones.

At this point, Musk appears far more likely to add to his record-setting wealth than to relinquish his position at the top. He currently holds an estimated $425 billion lead over second-place Larry Page, the Google cofounder whose fortune stands at about $252 billion. With Musk now just $23 billion shy of $700 billion, another historic benchmark may be close at hand.

{Matzav.com}

Erika Kirk said Monday that she and Candace Owens held a constructive discussion, raising the possibility of easing tensions that had played out publicly in recent weeks following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

The update was shared in a short statement posted to X, where Kirk suggested that further information would be released at a later time.

“Had a very productive conversation with @RealCandaceO.” Kirk said. “More to come from both of us. Looking forward to AmFest this week. Time to get back to work.”

{Matzav.com}

New scrutiny is being directed at members of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral transition after past statements and affiliations of several appointees came to light, raising questions about the ideological leanings surrounding the mayor-elect, the NY Post reports.

Among those drawing attention is Jack Gross, a Canadian-born activist who served as a major fundraiser for Mamdani’s campaign and was later appointed to the transition’s 20-member “economic development & workforce development” committee. Gross has longstanding ties to the New York City Democratic Socialists of America and a history of publicly expressing extreme left-wing views online.

Records show that Gross acted as an intermediary for the Mamdani campaign, helping generate more than $21,000 from over 600 individual donors. He is also an editor at the progressive digital outlet “Phenomenal World,” which is affiliated with the Jain Family Institute.

In social media posts from 2020, Gross repeatedly voiced hostility toward law enforcement and federal agencies. During the unrest following the death of George Floyd, he described it as “beautiful” when crowds shouted profanities about the NYPD.

In another post written months later, before his account went inactive, Gross offered a sweeping denunciation of the country, stating, “I must admit I do believe America is a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins.”

Gross also used his platform to attack US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at times praising attempts by detainees to evade or escape the agency. On “Karl Marx Day,” he shared material lauding the Communist Manifesto and its co-author, the 19th-century revolutionary Karl Marx.

The emergence of Gross’s past statements is not the only controversy surrounding the transition team. It was recently revealed that rapper Mysonne Linen, who has a criminal record, was named to the “criminal legal system” committee. His appointment initially escaped notice due to a misspelling of his name by Mamdani’s team.

Separately, the transition announcement also misspelled the name of Black nationalist Lumumba Bandele, a member of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement with a documented history of praising notorious cop killers, when listing him as part of the “community organizing” committee.

Addressing the uproar, Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said, “These statements don’t reflect the views of the Mayor-elect or the transition.”

Representatives for Mamdani added that Gross’s post condemning the United States was written in reaction to a 2020 speech by President Trump to the Republican National Committee, in which he criticized the left for portraying America as “a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins.”

{Matzav.com}

As investigators continue searching for the gunman responsible for a deadly shooting at Brown University, President Donald Trump criticized the school’s handling of campus security and suggested the institution bears responsibility for delays in identifying the suspect.

Speaking Monday during an Oval Office ceremony recognizing U.S. service members involved in border protection efforts, Trump was asked about the ongoing investigation and the FBI’s role in it. He emphasized that federal agents became involved only after the incident and pointed to the university’s own security apparatus. “This was a school problem. They had their own guards,” Trump told reporters. “They had their own police, had their own everything. But you’d have to ask that question really to the school, not to the FBI. We came in after the fact, and the FBI will do a good job, but they came in after the fact.”

The suspect in the Providence campus attack remains at large, with authorities continuing to analyze surveillance video and other evidence. The FBI has released three photographs showing a masked male suspect described as standing 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build, and is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

On Sunday, law enforcement officials briefly detained a person of interest after receiving a tip that specifically named an individual. That name later circulated publicly. However, investigators said they lacked sufficient evidence to continue holding the individual and now believe he is not connected to the shooting.

Police also moved to correct reports suggesting multiple people had been questioned, clarifying that only one person of interest had been detained and interviewed.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Monday that progress is being made in the case. “Steady progress” has been achieved, he said, adding, “And the sooner we can identify that person, the sooner we can, I think, blow this case open.”

The shooting claimed the lives of two students and left nine others wounded. One of the victims was identified as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama who served as vice president of the Brown University College Republicans, according to authorities.

The second victim was named as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. Officials said Umurzokov and his family are naturalized U.S. citizens originally from Uzbekistan who currently reside in Virginia.

{Matzav.com}

Sydney’s Rabbi Yehoram Ulman delivered a stirring message of resolve and unity during Shacharis in the aftermath of the devastating terror attack that left 15 people murdered.

Overcome with emotion, Rabbi Ulman at one point broke down and recited “Baruch dayan haemes.”

Among those killed was his own son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy”d.

Addressing the congregation, Rabbi Ulman framed the tragedy as a call to action rather than retreat. “For whatever reason, they died al kiddush hashem,” he said.

He stressed that the victims’ legacy now rests with the living. “And now, they’re looking to us to continue, to make sure that everything they worked for, everything that they’ve done, continues stronger and stronger,” he said. Warning against surrendering to fear, he added, “We cannot allow terrorists – all they want to do is stifle our life as Jews, all they want to do is… bring us down, destroy us, make us despondent, lose hope.”

Rabbi Ulman acknowledged the emotional paralysis many feel in the wake of the attack, but rejected it as an option. “At the moment, it seems, how can we go forward? How can we continue? But that’s not what any of the kedoshim would have ever agreed to. They never would have reacted in such a way, and we have to step up and do the same. We have no choice.”

Concluding his remarks, he appealed for unity within the Jewish people during this painful moment. “We have to remember that now is the time to be as much [in] achdus as possible, united.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

[Video below.] A ceremony was held this evening marking the return of an ancient stone from the Kosel to its original place.

The massive stone, weighing roughly five tons, was dislodged nearly two millennia ago by the Roman Tenth Legion during the churban of the Second Beis Hamikdash. In recent years, it had been exhibited at the Knesset and later placed on loan at Ben-Gurion Airport.

The decision to bring the stone back to its historic setting was reached following a meeting held ahead of Rosh Hashanah, in which Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana participated together with the rov of the Kosel, Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ochana reflected on the stone’s long journey and meaning. “If stones could speak, this heavy stone, with thousands of years of history upon it, would tell of generations of Jews who came to pray at the Bais Hamikdosh. We wish to close this chapter of its wandering and place it in a permanent location, where it can tell the stories it has witnessed.”

Rav Rabinowitz emphasized the spiritual significance of the moment, describing the return as an act of restoration. “Returning this stone to the ruins here is a great rectification. It is a declaration that we do not forget the holy stones and we maintain their sanctity.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump addressed questions Monday about Israel’s recent strike in Gaza, telling reporters that Washington is “looking into” whether the operation complied with the ceasefire agreement. His remarks came after Israel carried out a targeted attack over the weekend that killed Ra’ad Sa’ad, a senior Hamas commander and the group’s second-in-command in Gaza.

According to Trump, the United States is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Sa’ad’s elimination and assessing whether the action crossed any agreed-upon lines under the current truce.

Despite reports suggesting strain between Washington and Jerusalem, the President pushed back strongly on claims of tension with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. “My relationship with Bibi is very good. We took Iran out of the game, and because of that we can make peace. We have a good relationship with everyone in the Middle East,” Trump said.

The President’s comments followed an Axios report claiming that the White House delivered a sharp private message to Netanyahu after the strike. The report described the communication as a reflection of growing frustration within the Trump administration over Israel’s conduct and unresolved disputes regarding the next phase of the Gaza agreement, as well as Israel’s broader regional policies.

According to the report, senior figures in the administration — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner — were said to be increasingly dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s approach.

Axios also cited a senior US official who said the White House warned Netanyahu that violating the agreement could harm both his own standing and President Trump’s reputation following the successful brokering of the ceasefire. An Israeli official, while acknowledging displeasure in Washington, characterized the message as more restrained and said it focused primarily on concerns over how certain Arab states perceived the strike.

{Matzav.com}

Newly released footage shows former President of Israel’s Supreme Court, Aharon Barak, stating unequivocally that yeshiva students whose full-time occupation is Torah study  – Torasam umnosom – should be granted a military exemption without limitation.

The footage, published Monday evening by Channel 13 reporter Yoeli Brim, captures Barak expressing support for exempting bnei yeshiva who are fully committed to learning.

In the recording, Barak says: “Yeshiva students whose Torah study is their full occupation, and who want to learn Torah, should be given an exemption, without limits, whatever the number may be.” He made the remarks during a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony that he held together with Rabbi Ido Weber.

Barak added that, in his view, the appropriate framework is a differentiated system: “The solution should be that those whose Torah is their life’s work are released, and everyone else will go to the army like the rest of the people of Israel.”

The comments come amid intense national debate over the future of Israel’s draft law and the status of yeshiva students.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] At the mesibas Chanukah in Slabodka Yeshiva, where hundreds gathered in Bnei Brak under the leadership of the Roshei Yeshiva Maran Hagaon Rav Dov Landau and Maran Hagaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Landau instructed that the lyrics of a long-established song be changed, specifically to express opposition to Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, whom he described as an adversary of the olam haTorah.

According to the custom in Slabodka, the yeshiva sings the pasuk-based song, “Zedim helitzuni ad me’od, miTorasecha lo natisi” at the Chanukah mesibah each year. Hundreds once again broke into the song on the first night of Chanukah, but this time the moment took an unexpected turn.

In the middle of the singing, Rav Landau instructed his close aides to alter the wording. Addressing the students, he explained that in today’s climate, the term “zedim” (“the arrogant ones” or “the wicked”) refers to the Attorney General, whom he said has been persistently and aggressively targeting the Torah world.

Rav Landau then directed the talmidim to change the word “זדים” to “זדות,” reshaping the song so that its intention would be explicitly directed at Baharav-Miara, expressing a hope that her efforts against Torah institutions would fail, while reaffirming the commitment contained in the verse: “From Your Torah I have not strayed.”

The talmidim immediately adopted the new wording, and the energized singing continued for several minutes.

WATCH:

[COMMUNICATED]

Donate to the general fund to support all the victims and their families.

A SHATTERING ACT OF HATE has ripped through our community!

On Sunday December 14, 2025, a day of joy and light was brutally transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror at Bondi Beach. The annual Chanukah by the Sea celebration, a beacon of unity for the Jewish community, was mercilessly targeted in a DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACK!

THIS IS NOT JUST NEWS—THIS IS A CATASTROPHE!

At least two armed fanatics opened fire on innocent men, women, and children gathered to light the menorah, turning a celebration of faith into a massacre. Multiple lives were extinguished in a blaze of hate, and dozens more are fighting for their lives with critical injuries.

THIS WAS A STRIKE AGAINST US ALL!

This cold-blooded rampage is a vile act of antisemitic terror that has been condemned by every decent voice across Australia and the globe. But condemnation is not enough!

WE MUST ACT NOW!

 * Families are shattered!

 * Friends are grieving in shock!

 * Survivors need immediate, sustained support!

THE NEED IS CRITICAL. THE TIME FOR SOLIDARITY IS OVERDUE! We must rally immediately to support the victims, their families, and the wounded community. DO NOT let this act of hatred triumph!

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE IN BOTH THE USA AND AUSTRALIA

All fund distribution will be overseen by the campaign committee and The Jewish House, NSW

Rabbi Aycee Abrahams

Rabbi Menachem Aron

Rabbi Mendel Kastel

Rabbi Sender Kavka

Rabbi Aron Moss

Rabbi Mendy Schapiro

Rabbi Levi Wolff

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky

Endorsed by Merkos – Chabad World Headquarters and Chabad NSW

Donate to the general fund to support all the victims and their families.

Chanukah’s glow reached the United States Capitol, where a candle-lighting gathering brought together Yesha Council Chairman and Binyamin Governor Yisrael Ganz with House Speaker Mike Johnson. In the midst of the ceremony, Johnson turned directly to the residents of Judea and Samaria with a resonant message, calling them “the Maccabees of our time.”

The lighting took place during a period marked by escalating anti-Jewish hostility across the globe, a reality highlighted by the horrific terror attack in Australia just hours later. Johnson—who only recently toured the Binyamin region, visited ancient Shiloh, and offered a heartfelt prayer there with his wife—spoke about the repeated attempts throughout history to harm Jews, and how the Jewish people, generation after generation, have persisted and prevailed despite overwhelming odds.

“Everyone is free to celebrate and pray in whatever way they choose,” Johnson said during the event. He pointed out that even during eras of persecution and threats of expulsion, Jewish communities continued to grow and thrive. “Even during years under attack and in danger of expulsion, the Jewish people prospered and flourished. This is the essence of what we are celebrating today – the light of love and heroism will always lead us to better days.”

After the candles were kindled, Ganz expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s encouragement, noting that their shared lighting inside Congress served as a symbolic reply to those trying to extinguish Jewish life—whether terror in Australia, rising antisemitism around the world, or violence in Eretz Yisroel itself. “The light we lit in Congress together with the US House Speaker is a clear answer to the darkness that seeks to extinguish us—whether through the terror attack in Australia, the waves of antisemitism globally, or the terrorism here in our land. The people of Israel are an eternal nation, and our enemies will never defeat us. Like the Maccabees, in our generation too, we will continue to shine, build, and grow stronger in the light of faith and heroism.”

{Matzav.com}

The International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber in The Hague on Monday evening narrowly rejected Israel’s challenge seeking to halt the ICC’s involvement in alleged war-crimes investigations related to the Gaza conflict. As a result, the arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will remain active.

The 3–2 decision dismissed Israel’s argument rooted in the principle of complementarity — the claim that Israel should first be allowed to investigate the allegations on its own before the ICC steps in. The ruling significantly reduces Israel’s options for overturning the international warrants.

Israel’s core appeal asserted that the ICC prosecutor was obligated to provide formal advance notification before opening an investigation into senior Israeli officials. The judges rejected this claim, stating that the prosecutor relied on what he considered a prior warning allegedly conveyed to Israel even before the October 7 attacks.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the ruling as fundamentally political, saying the court’s majority disregarded the rights of a democratic state with an independent judiciary. The ministry stated: “Israel rejects the narrow-majority ruling that denies Israel its right to receive advance notice, as required under the principle of complementarity, especially with regard to a democratic nation with a strong and independent legal system. This is what politics looks like when disguised as ‘international law.’”

Because the appeal was dismissed, the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on suspicion of war crimes committed during the Gaza war remain in effect, posing ongoing diplomatic and legal challenges for Israel and its leadership.

According to a report cited by Channel 12 News, a source familiar with the decision blasted the court’s conduct, saying: “They keep proving, again and again, that they have no respect whatsoever for the sovereignty of states — including those that are not members and never agreed to the court’s framework. In the end, this will leave the international community no choice but to overhaul this institution from the ground up.”

{Matzav.com}

A high-level gathering is set to take place in Qatar on Tuesday, where United States Central Command will convene military envoys from dozens of nations to advance the next phase of President Donald Trump’s regional peace framework. The goal of the session is to assemble a roster of countries willing to form the International Stabilization Force, intended to operate inside Gaza once the second stage of the plan is underway.

Kan News revealed that approximately forty delegations are expected, with many coming from states that have already signaled readiness to contribute personnel, while others are arriving to evaluate their options. Among those slated to attend are nations from across Asia and the Middle East — Indonesia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — together with representatives from several countries in Europe.

Participants will spend part of the conference debating how broad the ISF’s mandate should be. Discussions will focus on whether the multinational contingent will move into zones still under Hamas control for the purpose of disarming the group, or whether their deployment will be limited only to sectors currently overseen by Israel.

Kan News also noted that the structure of the force is subject to an Israeli veto. Yet even with Israel objecting to the involvement of Turkey and Qatar, Jerusalem is not sending officials to the summit itself. Instead, the Americans intend to have Major General Yaki Dolf join the session remotely as the designated Israeli representative to U.S. command, where he will outline Israel’s stance.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump signaled that the GOP’s grip on the House of Representatives may be precarious next year, conceding in a discussion with The Wall Street Journal that political gravity and the timing of his policies could complicate the party’s path into the 2026 midterms. He explained that the major financial boosts he anticipates from his economic strategy might not show up quickly enough to influence voters.

Trump made clear he didn’t want to offer predictions about the outcome in November. “I can’t tell you. I don’t know when all of this money is going to kick in,” he said, emphasizing a wave of large-scale investments he believes his administration has steered into the United States.

He reflected on the long-standing trend that typically punishes the governing party, noting that only a pair of presidents — Bill Clinton in 1998 and George W. Bush in 2002 — managed to defy the post–World War II pattern. For Trump, that historical backdrop illustrates how difficult the coming election cycle could be for Republicans.

Describing the challenge ahead as “statistically … very tough,” Trump still insisted that the job market, new investment commitments, and broader economic activity would eventually help families feel noticeable relief.

But he faces a public increasingly uneasy about everyday expenses, a factor adding volatility to the political environment. According to the Journal, the U.S. economy may be expanding on paper, yet many families continue to say that high prices and slow job growth make those numbers feel detached from reality.

To respond to voter frustration, Trump recently approved tariff reductions on hundreds of food imports, an acknowledgment from the administration that grocery costs remain a pressure point. Democrats have seized on that vulnerability, arguing that Trump’s pledge to rapidly rein in living expenses has fallen short.

Polling has also begun to reflect the strain. An AP-NORC survey showed his economic approval sliding to just 31%, which the organization characterized as the lowest level recorded for him in that poll.

In the interview, Trump maintained that price stability is coming, asserting that costs will be “in good shape” later in the campaign season. He shifted blame for inflation onto Democrats and highlighted his signature agenda items — tax relief, deregulation, increased domestic energy output, and tougher trade enforcement.

Tariffs remain a central tool in that framework. The Journal pointed out that a looming Supreme Court decision could determine the future of key tariff authorities tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump argued that an unfavorable ruling would be “a horrible thing” for the United States.

At the same time, Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to consider mid-decade redistricting as a means of bolstering GOP prospects, a tactic that underscores how fragile the House majority is and how minor shifts could tip the balance, according to reporting from the New York Post.

Trump’s blunt assessment acknowledges the steep climb ahead. Midterms are rarely gentle on the party in charge, and voters typically expect visible, personal benefits before rewarding any administration.

Still, the White House is banking on momentum from new factories, AI development hubs, revived manufacturing operations, and shifts in energy and border policies. Officials hope those cumulative effects will leave Republicans with a more resonant argument as the midterm season approaches.

{Matzav.com}

A highly unusual incident in Bnei Brak has led to a joint probe by the Shin Bet and Israel Police after two Arab men were reported purchasing chareidi-style clothing, including tzitzis and suits, at the Bisan HaMelech store.

According to a report by Lee Ayash of i24, the saleswoman contacted authorities yesterday at approximately 5:30 p.m., about forty minutes after the pair had left the store. She grew concerned upon realizing the items they selected and their demeanor during the transaction.

Security footage from the shop shows the two men browsing and buying the garments. Police officers arrived quickly after receiving the alert and conducted searches throughout the area, but the individuals were not found.

The saleswoman told investigators that the men had purchased tzitzis and suits before leaving the premises. She provided an official statement to police this morning, and the investigation remains ongoing as security officials work to determine the intent behind the purchases.

{Matzav.com}