Matzav

President Trump is said to be holding onto a speech addressing extraterrestrial life and unidentified spacecraft, with plans to deliver it when the timing is right, according to his daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

During an appearance on the “Pod Force One” podcast, Lara Trump said that both she and her husband, Eric Trump, have pressed the president about the possibility of aliens and UFOs, but that he has remained somewhat guarded in his responses.

“We’ve kind of asked my father-in-law about this… we all want to know about the UFOs… and he played a little coy with us,” Lara Trump said.

She went on to suggest that the president may already have prepared remarks on the subject. “I’ve heard kind of around, I think my father-in-law has actually said it, that there is some speech that he has, that I guess at the right time, I don’t know when the right time is, he’s going to break out and talk about and it has to do with maybe some sort of extraterrestrial life.”

When asked Wednesday about Lara Trump’s comments, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said she was unaware of any such speech but acknowledged it would generate significant attention.

“I’ll have to check in with our speech writing team. Uh, and that would be of great interest to me personally, and I’m sure all of you in this room and apparently former President Obama, too.”

In recent days, Barack Obama addressed renewed online speculation about aliens after remarks he made on Brian Tyler Cohen’s podcast were widely circulated and interpreted by some as confirming the existence of extraterrestrial life.

“They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” Obama said on the podcast. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”

Obama later clarified his comments in an Instagram post, explaining that he had been responding in a lighthearted rapid-fire segment and did not intend to suggest any firsthand knowledge. He wrote that, “Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.”

“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”

Public fascination with the possibility of alien life has intensified in recent years, drawing attention from lawmakers as well. Members of the House of Representatives have conducted hearings and received classified briefings concerning unidentified flying objects, now officially referred to by the government as unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP.

One such hearing in July 2023 included testimony from former military intelligence officer and whistleblower David Grusch, who alleged that the Pentagon and other agencies have concealed details about UAP activity.

Grusch claimed that the government has operated a “multi-decade” effort aimed at reverse-engineering nonhuman technology recovered from crash sites and currently in U.S. possession. The Pentagon has rejected those assertions.

A subsequent report released in March 2024 dismissed allegations that the United States had successfully reverse-engineered alien spacecraft or that authorities were concealing extraterrestrial technology or biological material from beyond Earth.

A political and legal dispute has erupted over the expansion of weekend public transportation after Shas MK Moshe Abutbul called on Transportation Minister Miri Regev to immediately suspend the operation of Line 711, part of the “Naim B’Sofash” Shabbos transit network.

The controversy centers on the line’s recent extension into Ben Gurion Airport, where it now enters airport grounds and stops at Terminal 1. Abutbul described the move as a “serious, unlawful and unprecedented event,” arguing that it represents an unauthorized attempt to establish facts on the ground without state approval.

In a sharply worded appeal to the minister, Abutbul claimed the route is operating as a “pirate” line, bypassing the authority of national regulators. He criticized statements by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and Deputy Mayor Meital Lehavi, who had argued that local authorities are stepping in where the government has left a vacuum.

“The only vacuum here is an attempt by a municipality to replace the state,” Abutbul wrote.

In his letter to Regev, Abutbul outlined what he described as multiple legal violations, including alleged breaches of Israel Airports Authority regulations and the placement of signage at the terminal without proper authorization. He further argued that operating an intercity transportation service without the approval of the Interior Minister violates the Cities Association Law, and noted that the Transportation Ministry has not yet completed the regulatory review it committed to conducting before the court on the matter.

Beyond the issue of Shabbos observance, Abutbul warned of potential criminal and traffic violations, including stopping at designated public transportation stations without a license and harming licensed taxi drivers at Ben Gurion Airport who operate under binding agreements. He also accused the municipality of using artificial intelligence-generated images to depict signage at the terminal, calling it part of what he described as a broader effort by a “State of Tel Aviv” to appropriate sovereign powers belonging to the State of Israel.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev responded to a parliamentary query from Abutbul, stating that she would thoroughly examine the claims and the legality of the route’s operation.

Abutbul concluded with a pointed message directed at Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai: “Ben Gurion Airport is not a municipal plaza, and the law is not a recommendation. Whoever seeks to lead must first lead in respecting the law.”

{Matzav.com}

A rare and historic Sefer Torah once owned by Rav Aharon of Chernobyl zt”l was presented this week to the Skverer Rebbe during a moving ceremony marking the completion of the public Torah reading cycle in a scroll that the Rebbe had dedicated one year earlier.

The miniature Sefer Torah, written more than 160 years ago, was acquired and gifted to the Rebbe by philanthropist Mr. Nachum Rokeach.

After the passing of Rav Aharon of Chernobyl, the Sefer Torah was inherited by his son, Rav Yeshaya Meshulam Zusia, and later by his grandson, Rav Shlomo Bentzion of Chernobyl. Rav Shlomo Bentzion took the Sefer Torah with him when he fled the pogroms in Russia in 1919.

Several years ago, Rav Yitzchak Meir Twersky of Queens, a descendant of the Chernobyl dynasty, discovered that the Sefer Torah was in the possession of another descendant of the family living in Eretz Yisroel. The Sefer Torah was being kept in a simple bag, and its owner mistakenly believed it to be a “Tanach of the Baal Shem Tov.” After careful historical and scholarly research, it was confirmed that the Sefer Torah was in fact the long-lost Torah of Rav Aharon of Chernobyl.

Rav Twersky purchased the scroll, and Mr. Rokeach of Lakewood subsequently acquired it on behalf of the Skverer Rebbe.

The Sefer Torah is exceptionally small, with the parchment measuring approximately 10 centimeters in height. Despite its size, the script is remarkably precise and beautifully formed. The Skverer Rebbe invested tens of thousands of dollars to have the Sefer Torah meticulously restored and enhanced by an expert sofer.

{Matzav.com}

The federal government has now been partially shut down for five days, though many Americans may not yet have felt the effects. If the standoff continues, however, travelers could soon encounter problems at airports across the country.

The shutdown, which took effect early Saturday morning, is limited to the Department of Homeland Security. As a result, air traffic controllers — who work under the Federal Aviation Administration — continue to receive their pay.

Transportation Security Administration employees, by contrast, are generally required to report to work despite not receiving pay during the shutdown.

History suggests that travel complications tend to surface gradually rather than immediately during funding lapses. Roughly a month into last year’s lengthy shutdown, TSA shut down two screening checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. On that same day, federal officials took the rare step of instructing commercial airlines nationwide to scale back their domestic flight schedules.

This time, however, disruptions may arise more quickly, according to John Rose, chief risk officer at global travel management firm Altour.

“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” Rose said, referring to last year’s shutdown experience.

Strains could intensify once TSA workers miss their first paycheck while still facing regular monthly expenses. Some may feel compelled to call in sick or seek temporary work elsewhere to cover essential costs.

“If you have kids, a mortgage, a car payment, food bills—you can’t miss a check,” Joe Shuker, regional vice president of the union representing TSA workers, said during the late 2025 shutdown. “Our members are worried about how to pay for childcare, wondering if they could be saving money by staying home with their kids.”

Although air traffic controllers remain on the payroll, flight operations could still be affected indirectly. Airlines might hold planes at the gate if passengers are delayed at security checkpoints. Staffing shortages among TSA agents could also slow the inspection of checked luggage behind the scenes, adding to delays.

Negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats remain stalled. According to an administration official who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press, the two sides are “still pretty far apart” on an agreement that would impose certain limits on federal immigration enforcement agents.

Democratic leaders presented a revised proposal to the White House late Monday, but with lawmakers currently outside Washington, expectations for a breakthrough this week are low.

The administration official said the White House remains open to serious discussions aimed at reopening the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the TSA. At the same time, the president has made clear that any compromise must safeguard law enforcement personnel.

All other federal agencies outside DHS remain funded through September 30.

An unusual and troubling incident unfolded Tuesday on an El Al flight from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv, when several passengers landed at Ben Gurion Airport only to discover that their luggage had been left behind in the United States. The reason, according to airport officials, was the discovery of “Free Palestine” stickers affixed to the suitcases, prompting a security hold.

The flight, which departed from Los Angeles en route to Israel, was already delayed on the runway before takeoff. One passenger, Keren, a resident of Kfar Saba who was on board, described a chain of events that began with an unexplained delay and ended in frustration at the baggage carousel in Israel.

“There was about an hour-and-a-half delay at departure from Los Angeles,” Keren recalled in a conversation with mako. “Everyone was already on the plane, but we didn’t take off, and no one told us the reason.”

The explanation only became clear after landing at Ben Gurion Airport. When Keren and several others were unable to locate their suitcases, they approached the airport’s baggage tracing department.

“When we landed in Israel and went to collect our suitcase – we didn’t find it, and together with eight other passengers we went to the baggage tracing department at Ben Gurion Airport,” she said. “There we were told that all of our suitcases remained in Los Angeles after ‘Free Palestine’ stickers were found on them, apparently placed there by one of the airport workers. There is no other explanation.”

Beyond the inconvenience of being separated from their belongings, Keren voiced serious concern about the broader security implications.

“It’s really frightening and alarming – what if they had put something inside one of the suitcases? Whoever did this could have done other things,” she said.

The passengers’ luggage is now reportedly en route to Israel and is expected to be returned to its owners within the next 24 hours.

Airport officials emphasized that after check-in, all luggage bound for Israel undergoes a rigorous inspection process. Bags are subject to multiple layers of security screening — both by the airline and airport personnel — before being loaded into the aircraft’s cargo hold, effectively creating a double security procedure prior to departure.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump made the decision to seek the presidency again just hours after departing the White House in January 2021, according to Lara Trump, who described the pivotal moment during a recent podcast interview.

Speaking on New York Post columnist Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One” podcast in an episode released Wednesday, Lara Trump recounted that the realization came the same evening the family arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, following their final trip from Washington after the contentious 2020 election.

She described the mood aboard their last Air Force One flight as heavy and subdued. The family, she said, was “in a place of despair,” and there was little conversation as they traveled south.

Later that night, before a family dinner began, Donald Trump addressed those gathered and made his intentions clear. “Well, kids, I’ve got to do it again.”

According to Lara Trump, that declaration reflected a core quality that defines her father-in-law — determination in the face of adversity. She emphasized that even during moments of intense political and media pressure, he has consistently refused to withdraw.

During the interview, she presented that evening as evidence that Trump’s return to the presidency was driven by personal resolve rather than carefully engineered campaign strategy. In her telling, it was resilience — not messaging — that fueled the path back to the Oval Office.

The podcast also revisited an earlier chapter, when Trump first floated the idea of running for president in 2015 during a family discussion, before his widely publicized descent down the escalator at Trump Tower. At the time, she said, he cautioned that if he pursued the campaign and did it “right,” critics would “come after” not just him but the entire family.

In the years that followed, those warnings materialized as Donald Trump faced multiple investigations, criminal charges, and civil lawsuits, while continuing to exert significant influence within the Republican Party.

Lara Trump also reflected on her first meeting with Donald Trump, which took place at the U.S. Open in New York early in her relationship with Eric Trump. She said that the persona Americans see publicly closely matches the individual she came to know in private — someone forthright, high-energy, and at ease commanding attention.

She shared a lighter memory from that introduction, recalling how he eased the pressure of the moment by offering to buy her ice cream, something she said made her feel she could “get through this.”

Comparing the family’s political journey to “Olympic training,” Lara Trump suggested that mounting criticism and scrutiny only strengthened their resolve.

The conversation also explored the evolving public roles within the Trump family, including Lara Trump’s own movement between party leadership and media work. She noted that today’s political battles extend well beyond campaign events, increasingly playing out in cultural spaces where Republicans argue that the broader direction of the country is at stake.

{Matzav.com}

An eight-year-old girl in Beitar Illit was injured Wednesday when her hand became impaled on a nail protruding from a wooden surface after she fell while riding a scooter. Firefighters who arrived at the scene carried out a careful rescue operation to free her hand as she suffered intense pain.

Fire and Rescue teams from the Judea Regional Station were dispatched to a residential home in the city following reports of a child whose hand had become lodged in wood by a nail during the fall.

Upon arrival, emergency crews found the girl in visible distress and frightened from the ordeal. Firefighters worked methodically and sensitively, speaking to her throughout the operation in an effort to calm her while preparing the necessary equipment.

Using specialized tools, the team succeeded in extracting her hand from the wooden surface without causing additional injury. She was then transferred to medical personnel who were on scene for continued treatment.

Staff Sgt. Yosef Elazar, the team commander at the incident, described the rescue: “We treated a young girl who was suffering severe pain as a result of a nail that had penetrated her hand into a wooden panel. The operation was carried out with the utmost caution to prevent further damage, and at the same time the firefighters spoke with the girl and reassured her until the successful completion of the rescue and her transfer for medical care.”

{Matzav.com}

The Torah community in Bnei Brak is mourning the petirah of Rav Shmuel Dovid HaLevi Volpe zt”l, one of the city’s prominent marbitzei Torah and respected talmidei chachamim, who was niftar at the age of 66. His levayah took place this evening in Bnei Brak.

Rav Volpe was widely known for disseminating Torah both in writing and through his public shiurim, and for his unwavering dedication to transmitting the teachings of his revered rebbi, HaGaon Rav Shmuel Rozovsky zt”l, with exceptional clarity and precision.

He was born on 7 Kislev 5720 (1959) to his father, Rav Baruch Mordechai Volpe, who was recognized as a gaon and mekubal and who learned b’chavrusa with Rav Sroya Deblitzky.

At the age of eleven, he entered Yeshivas Ponovezh L’Tzeirim, where he learned under the Rosh HaYeshivah HaGaon Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l.

From his youth, Rav Volpe was an oveid Hashem who accepted upon himself the yoke of Torah with remarkable diligence. Torah study was his lifelong joy and constant occupation.

Even during his years in yeshivah ketanah at Ponovezh, and before reaching bar mitzvah age, he made siyumim on sefarim such as Ketzos HaChoshen and Shaar HaMishpat.

Throughout his life, he taught Torah to many, both orally and through his written works. He devoted himself to preserving and transmitting the Torah of his primary rebbi, Rav Shmuel Rozovsky, ensuring that the shiurim were presented with meticulous accuracy and clarity. He edited dozens of sefarim authored by leading roshei yeshivah who were transmitters of the mesorah, most notably the published shiurim of Rav Rozovsky. He also carefully reviewed and offered critical insight on the shiurim of Maran Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l.

When he reached marriageable age, he married his wife, the daughter of Rav Yehuda Aryeh Weiser zt”l, who served as the rav of the municipal slaughterhouse in Bnei Brak.

He spent his life immersed in Torah and avodah despite financial hardship, accepting all that befell him with love and joy.

He was known as an ish emes in both his learning and personal conduct, illuminating the eyes of many with clear and authentic daas Torah. He served as a living example of total dedication to Torah study, plumbing the depths of iyun and profound understanding.

The levayah was held at his home at 18 Rechov HaRav Meltzer in Bnei Brak. The procession passed the beis haknesses of the talmidim of Yeshivas Ponovezh L’Tzeirim and proceeded to the Vizhnitzer cemetery for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The Histadrut on Wednesday morning announced a sweeping sectoral labor dispute that includes all Israeli airlines as well as the Israel Airports Authority, in protest of the government’s decision to permit the foreign low-cost airline Wizz Air to open a permanent operating base at Ben Gurion Airport.

According to the Histadrut, the government advanced the move on its own, without comprehensive groundwork and without consulting workers’ representatives. Union officials argue that such a significant step in the aviation sector requires coordination and prior dialogue.

The declared dispute applies to El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa, in addition to the Israel Airports Authority, which manages Ben Gurion Airport, Ramon Airport, Haifa Airport, and the heliports in Herzliya and Rosh Pina. Altogether, more than 11,000 employees across the industry are expected to be impacted.

Worker representatives have voiced deep concern over what they describe as the economic and security consequences of granting a foreign carrier terms they believe create an uneven playing field. They are demanding collective negotiations regarding how the establishment of a Wizz Air base in Israel will affect employment conditions, wages, labor rights, and job stability.

In addition, the unions are calling for formal agreements addressing how the new base could influence the financial resilience of Israeli airlines and the Airports Authority, as well as the operational burden on ground services at the country’s airports.

Roi Yaakov, acting chairman of the Histadrut, said: “In the world of labor relations, there is no such thing as unilateral decisions, especially in the aviation sector, where broad national coordination is required. Establishing a base for a foreign operator in Israel without an in-depth systemic examination and without considering the potential consequences will harm not only the job security of the workers but also the stability of the sector and the national interests of the State of Israel. The Histadrut will use all the tools at its disposal to stop the harm to workers and the public interest.”

Attorney Eyal Yadin, who heads the Transport Workers Union, echoed those concerns, stating: “We are in favor of competition, but what is being attempted here is not fair competition. It is a one-sided move that gives an unfair advantage to a foreign operator at the expense of workers, Israeli companies, and national interests. In such a sensitive sector like aviation, decisions that undermine the operational and security stability of the country cannot be made. We insist that any changes be made in cooperation, with professional planning, and protection for the workers who are the backbone of the sector.”

The El Al Workers Council also issued a sharp statement directed at Transportation Minister Miri Regev, declaring: “Transportation Minister Miri Regev is the most failed transportation minister in the history of the state. Under her watch, there was a major failure in the fight against traffic accidents, leading to a drastic increase in casualties. During her tenure, there has been no real response to the worsening traffic congestion crisis, and failures have been recorded in all sectors under her responsibility.”

The council further stated: “Instead of addressing these failures, the minister has chosen to divert the discussion and run a publicized campaign against the Israeli airlines – a cynical move aimed at diverting the public discourse. Even within her own ministry, professional voices are being heard claiming that the move regarding Wizz Air is populist and impractical.”

Continuing its criticism, the workers’ council said: “Minister Regev ignores the strategic importance of Israeli airlines, especially El Al, in times of emergency and wartime, just ahead of a potential conflict with Iran. For two years, while missiles were fired at Israel and foreign companies fled, it was the Israeli airlines that maintained the country’s air connections with the world.”

“The El Al Workers Council will continue to fight for the job security of its workers and for the security of the State of Israel and the strength of Israeli aviation, for the benefit of the entire public,” the statement concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Hassan Kashahala, a 26-year-old former IDF combat soldier who died in January while being held under administrative detention at Gilboa Prison, has yet to be laid to rest, with his family saying they still have not received official details explaining the circumstances of his death.

Relatives were informed of his passing last month. However, according to a report in Haaretz, authorities have not provided the family with formal clarification regarding how he died, and his body continues to be withheld.

Kashahala joined the IDF in 2020, serving in the Bedouin Tracking Battalion as a combat soldier for three years. His family says he took part in military operations during the war in Gaza.

In May 2025, the Shin Bet detained Kashahala along with two additional suspects, alleging that he was affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist organization and had committed other offenses, including planning a terror attack.

One month later, prosecutors announced that charges would not be filed against him. Despite that decision, on the day he was scheduled for release, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, acting at the Shin Bet’s request, signed a six-month administrative detention order against him. The detention was subsequently renewed.

Kashahala was held in the security wing of Gilboa Prison alongside inmates convicted of terrorism-related offenses. During a hearing at the Be’er Sheva District Court in August, he said: “I am in danger in prison. I’m afraid they will identify me as a soldier who completed a full military service. I’m afraid of dying here.”

This week, his family submitted a petition to the Supreme Court demanding that his remains be returned for burial. The filing states, “From a combat soldier in the IDF to an administrative detainee who died under mysterious circumstances.” The family added: “There is still to this day no reliable evidence that he committed a crime, and there is even no conclusion that the deceased was a ‘terrorist.'”

{Matzav.com}

Iran has been selected to serve as vice-chair of the United Nations Charter Committee, a body tasked with addressing the core tenets of the UN Charter and examining proposals to “strengthen the Charter,” prompting criticism from Israel’s envoy to the UN.

The decision was finalized during the committee’s opening session, where members approved the leadership lineup as part of a broader agreement on the panel’s executive structure. The slate was adopted by consensus, without the need for a formal vote.

The Charter Committee operates under the umbrella of the UN’s Legal Committee and meets annually. Although it is intended to focus on issues tied to the foundational framework of the United Nations, its requirement for unanimous agreement has often limited its ability to advance concrete initiatives. In recent years, the forum has increasingly served as a stage for political disputes, including pointed attacks on Israel.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned Iran’s elevation to the vice-chair position. “This is a moral absurdity. A country that systematically violates the basic principles of the UN cannot sit in a leadership position that deals with strengthening them. The UN cannot continue to grant legitimacy to regimes that violate the very principles of its own charter.”

President Trump has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford — the largest and most advanced warship ever built — to deploy to the Middle East, accompanied by a substantial contingent of aerial refueling aircraft and top-tier fighter jets, according to published reports. The sweeping reinforcement of American military assets marks the clearest signal yet that Trump may be positioning the United States for significant military action against Iran if ongoing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and its harsh suppression of protesters collapse.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford departed the Atlantic on Tuesday and is en route to the Strait of Gibraltar, the key gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, USNI reported. Once in the region, it is expected to link up with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, creating a formidable dual-carrier presence as Washington presses Iran in high-stakes nuclear talks.

As the most technologically sophisticated carrier in the US fleet and the largest ever constructed, the Ford is capable of deploying more than 75 aircraft. Its air wing includes F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, F/A-18F Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets designed to jam enemy radar systems. The carrier strike group is escorted by three guided-missile destroyers — the USS Bainbridge, the USS Mahan, and the USS Winston Churchill.

Prior to this deployment, the Ford had been stationed in the Caribbean Sea since mid-November, supporting US naval operations tied to Trump’s broader regional initiatives in South America.

The carrier’s reassignment is part of a broader surge of American forces into the Middle East, as Trump continues to signal that military strikes remain a viable option if diplomacy with Tehran falters. In addition to the Lincoln strike group, the US currently has four destroyers operating in the Arabian Sea and three more positioned in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS Delbert Black is deployed in the Red Sea, while two additional combat ships are stationed in the Persian Gulf.

The air component of the buildup is equally substantial. According to Axios, more than 50 US fighter jets were transferred to the region on Tuesday alone. Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft include F-16 Falcons, F-22 Raptors, and F-35 fighters. The F-35s, in particular, are equipped with stealth technology that could enable them to penetrate Iranian airspace undetected by local air defense systems.

These aircraft will reinforce other US warplanes that have been dispatched in recent weeks, including strike fighters based in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Defense analysts previously told The Post that the scale of the deployment would give the United States the capability to carry out deep-penetration airstrikes inside Iran while simultaneously shielding American forces and regional allies from retaliation.

Tehran has issued repeated warnings that any US attack would be met with counterstrikes against American troops and allied targets. Earlier this week, Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz to conduct live missile exercises, underscoring the rising tensions in the region.

Tucker Carlson said he and members of his team were briefly held by Israeli airport security after traveling to Israel to interview U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, describing the encounter as unusual and unsettling.

In remarks to The Post, the podcast host and former Fox News personality recounted what he said took place at the airport. “Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about,” he said.

He added, “It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country.”

Carlson had earlier shared a photo on social media showing himself alongside his business partner, Neil Patel, standing outside Ben Gurion Airport. The image was accompanied by the caption, “Greetings from Israel.”

The 56-year-old commentator has taken an increasingly critical stance toward Israel since his departure from Fox News in 2023.

The following year, he debuted an independent online program titled “The Tucker Carlson Show,” where he has featured a number of controversial figures, among them Nick Fuentes, who has openly expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler.

In December 2025, the advocacy group StopAntisemitism designated Carlson as its “Antisemite of the Year.”

Some observers also criticized Carlson for remaining inside the airport during his brief stay, which reportedly lasted just a few hours.

“Too bad Tucker stayed in the airport in the face of so many invitations to see so many wonderful places. A huge and obviously intentional missed opportunity,” David Friedman, the former US ambassador to Israel during Trump’s first term, wrote on X.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that homeowners and property owners could face a tax increase if state lawmakers decline to approve his proposal to raise income taxes on high earners.

While unveiling the city’s preliminary budget for fiscal year 2027, Mamdani stated that a 9.5% increase in property taxes would be imposed on certain residents if Albany refuses to authorize a 2% income tax hike targeting wealthy New Yorkers.

“There are two paths that we can walk: One that offers long-term stability, and a second one with significant pain that we deeply hope to avoid,” Mamdani said.

According to the mayor, the possible property tax hike would impact more than three million residential properties as well as over 100,000 commercial buildings, though The National News Desk (TNND) was unable to independently verify those figures. The proposed wealth tax would apply to individuals earning more than $1 million per year.

Governor Kathy Hochul appeared to temper the mayor’s warning. Speaking at a separate press conference, she said she was not convinced that such an increase would ultimately take place, telling Spectrum News NY1 that she wasn’t “certain there’s a property tax increase.”

“[The city] is required by law to announce where it is today, but it’s not resolved until there’s a lot of negotiation with the city council and a review with his budget team of what their real expenses are and what they need to be, and that’s not due until July, so there’s a lot of time to work this out,” Hochul explained.

City officials have reported a $5.4 million budget gap. Mamdani has argued that the current financial strain stems from decisions made by his predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams, accusing him of mishandling the city’s finances. Adams, however, has defended his approach to managing the budget.

Mamdani described the deficit as a “steep mountain,” saying it can be addressed if the city’s financial relationship with the state is recalibrated. He contended that New York City has been sending more money to Albany than it receives in return.

“We know that for far too long, New Yorkers have given far more to the state than what we have received in return,” the mayor said. “It is time to end the drain.”

Although Hochul did not respond to TNND’s request for comment, she announced Monday that the state would direct $1.5 billion to assist New York City in managing its fiscal challenges. In that announcement, she emphasized her support for the city and noted that she has also pledged to expand universal childcare, a key plank of Mamdani’s campaign platform.

“A strong New York City means a stronger New York State,” Hochul said.

“New Yorkers expect the state and the city to work together, and I’m proud to partner with the Mayor to deliver for working families,” the governor added.

President Donald Trump cautioned the British government on Wednesday against relinquishing control of the strategically vital Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, arguing that the United States may require the facility if Iran declines to reach an agreement with Washington.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump pointed to the military importance of the island and a separate airfield in the United Kingdom, writing, “Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime.”

Trump added that any such strike could be aimed at protecting Britain as well as other allied nations, warning that the threat would extend to the UK and other “friendly countries.”

The president sharply criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer over a recently signed lease arrangement concerning the island, arguing that sovereign territory should not be handled through long-term leasing agreements. He described the decision as a “big mistake.”

“Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease,” Trump wrote.

He further asserted that Britain is effectively surrendering authority over the strategically located island due to what he described as questionable claims by unfamiliar parties. Calling those claims fabricated, Trump stated, “This land should not be taken away from the U.K. and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally.”

Trump emphasized that the United States stands firmly behind Britain militarily but said the UK must demonstrate resolve. He declared that America would remain prepared to defend its ally while urging British leaders to stay strong “in the face of wokeism, and other problems put before them.”

“Do not give away Diego Garcia,” he said.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reinforced the president’s message, saying the post “should be taken as the policy of the” Trump administration.

Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, has functioned as a joint British-American military installation since the 1970s. Under a treaty finalized in May, sovereignty over the Chagos Islands will shift from the United Kingdom to Mauritius, while the military base itself is set to remain under British control for a minimum of 99 years.

Trump’s warning comes at a time of rising friction between Washington and Tehran and a major expansion of U.S. forces in the Middle East as diplomatic talks continue.

Earlier this year, Trump came close to approving an additional military strike following Iran’s crackdown on protesters. He ultimately held back after Tehran halted the executions of demonstrators.

The Slonimer Rebbe, who recently concluded his annual visit to the United States to spend time with his chassidim, left behind a strongly worded letter cautioning his American followers about the spiritual dangers of modern technology and artificial intelligence, which he likened to “a venomous snake.”

The Rebbe visited his chassidim in Monsey and participated in a farewell gathering that included the writing of a Sefer Torah last week at his beis medrash in Boro Park. During the trip, he spoke publicly about concerns surrounding the draft decree in Eretz Yisroel and also addressed the issue of increasingly tall shtreimels.

After returning home, the Rebbe sent a letter to members of the American community explaining that due to the many demands on his time and the constant stream of people seeking meetings throughout his visit, he felt he had not sufficiently addressed the serious spiritual threats posed by technology.

Opening his letter warmly to his followers in the United States, he wrote of the special atmosphere he experienced during his stay and expressed his hope that the unity and inspiration would continue.

He then explained that because of the heavy schedule and large crowds, he felt he had not adequately warned about what he described as a major spiritual stumbling block. He wrote that technological devices spread impurity and act like a deadly poison to souls, adding that many have fallen as a result. He cautioned that those who were lenient with themselves, offering various justifications, have paid a very heavy price, including harm to their sons and daughters both physically and spiritually. He warned that no one should assume they are immune, noting that even strong families have been affected. He cited the posuk, “A wise man fears and turns away from evil, but a fool rages and is confident.”

The Rebbe emphasized the obligation to educate children to regard such devices as forbidden and to distance themselves from those connected to them. Even for those who require technology for their livelihood and use approved filtering systems, he warned of the inherent danger. He wrote that such devices are “like a venomous snake bound in iron chains,” explaining that if they are not watched with extreme vigilance, they can break free and cause spiritual destruction. He cautioned followers not to rely on lenient opinions that easily permit tools whose damage is great, quoting the verse, “Do not come near the entrance of her house,” and the teaching, “Go, go, say to the nazir, do not come near the vineyard.”

Turning specifically to artificial intelligence (AI), the Rebbe wrote that he became aware of its growing presence during his stay in the United States. He described it in especially harsh terms, calling it “the father of all impurity and heresy,” and warning that its destructive potential is very great. He wrote that one must distance oneself from it with all strength, because it is a danger and a trap for those ensnared in its web.

In closing, the Rebbe called on members of the community to unite in strengthening spiritual boundaries and standing firm against harmful influences. He urged them to help one another and to encourage each other to remain strong, to sanctify themselves even in permitted matters, and to live as free people not bound by the net of the yeitzer hara.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiffany and Moish Lehrer began seriously considering relocating their family of six. The Los Angeles–based couple — she, a teacher originally from New Jersey, and he, a marketing consultant originally from Montreal, Quebec — wanted to be closer to family, and Moish’s remote position enabled him to work from anywhere in the world. With two children entering sixth and fourth grade, and twins starting second grade, the Lehrers felt the timing was right. 

“We were initially looking into Phoenix,” says Tiffany. “But my father had moved to West Hartford, Connecticut, and he encouraged us to explore it at the OU Savitsky Home Relocation Fair. I was already very familiar with the fair, as I had previously researched communities on the fair website.” 

Launched in 2008 by former OU President Steve Savitsky, the biennial fair, geared toward singles and families of all ages, showcases affordable communities that combine the amenities of an Orthodox Jewish lifestyle with an enhanced quality of life. This year’s fair will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Anyone considering relocation, now or in the future, is invited to register for free. 

The Lehrers attended the fair in 2019 and, like Tiffany’s father, fell in love with West Hartford. They have been calling it home for the past four years. 

“The community reminded me of the small town where I grew up,” Tiffany says. “I love the quaintness and intimacy of small towns, where you get to know everyone. I’ve lived in New York and Los Angeles, and you can get lost in the crowds.” 

With travel and in-person hosting curtailed by the pandemic, Tiffany notes the fair made it far easier for their family to take the leap to West Hartford. 

“Through the fair’s chat platforms, we were able to meet community members online when we couldn’t really travel or be hosted,” she says. “Ironically, one of Moish’s childhood neighbors lives in West Hartford, and he was on one of our chats. We also met Young Israel of West Hartford’s rabbi and the shul president at the time, among others.”  

What began as a modest event has grown into a major virtual program, inspiring thousands to relocate to communities where they can strengthen Jewish life while enjoying lower living costs. In 2022, the fair shifted to a virtual format, enabling access to participants worldwide. The platform also gives families with young children the freedom to participate without worrying about childcare, and offers discretion for those wishing to discuss sensitive matters, such as family members with special needs or recent unemployment. 

In 2024, Steve and his wife, Genie, reaffirmed their commitment to Jewish communal development and long-term sustainability through a generous contribution to the Savitsky Communal Growth Initiative. The investment supported a variety of efforts, among them enhancements to the fair and its accompanying Community Guide, featuring communal amenities and services. 

More than 2,000 people from 24 countries, including Argentina, China, Ethiopia, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UAE, registered for the fair in 2024. Among them were Morgan and Grant Hilsenrath of Manhattan. Parents to six-month-old Ezra, they were searching for a community close enough to the city, where Grant works as a CPA, and Morgan is a social worker specializing in geriatric and palliative care at a local hospital, in addition to maintaining a private practice. 

“We knew that living in Manhattan and raising a family wasn’t for us, but we were struggling to find a place we could afford where we would both feel part of the community,” says Grant. “Someone mentioned that the OU fair takes place every other year. Luckily for us, 2024 was one of the ‘on’ years!” 

Morgan was highly impressed by the breadth of the religious spectrum of communities – from Modern Orthodox to Yeshvish – represented at the fair. 

“There were so many that I didn’t even know existed, and the fair really highlighted them well,” she says. “The virtual platform was incredibly easy to use. We were able to click on links to community websites for information, and most importantly, to filter by location. It made the process of narrowing down communities that much easier. I also loved being able to message community representatives directly; it felt so personal, and our questions were answered very quickly. As an added bonus, we were invited to community events, such as a brunch, to meet community members in person.” 

After weighing the pros and cons of each community they explored, the couple chose Oceanside, New York, a 40-minute train ride from Manhattan. 

“Being the accountant that I am, I put together a spreadsheet that tracked the things we cared about most when picking a community, such as price, size, distance to my parents, commute time to Manhattan, how friendly the people are, and how we’d fit in,” says Grant. “Once we had all that down, we narrowed down the list, visited a few communities, and ultimately landed on Oceanside.” 

The 2026 fair will feature 50 communities from 20 U.S. states, including Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, and Oregon, as well as four communities in Israel: Carmei Hanadiv, Carmei Gat, Har Nof, and Sderot. Seven sponsors, including realtors and financial institutions, will also lead sessions and host booths. 

OU Senior Director of the Savitsky Communal Growth and SPIRIT Retiree Initiatives Rebbetzin Judi Steinig oversees the fair and works closely with exhibitors before and after the event to ensure participants get the most out of the experience. 

“In many ways, we act as a matchmaker, connecting people looking to move with communities eager to expand,” she says. “When our communities thrive, we all share in that success. We want to facilitate connections. Our support extends beyond the fair; it is always available to those considering relocation and the communities eager to grow.” 

Participants may join the nine-hour virtual fair for as little or as long as they like. Attendees will enter a dynamic venue featuring moving escalators, a central lobby linking to an expo hall, an auditorium, and avatars representing the full spectrum of Orthodoxy. 

Highlights of the fair will include short community introduction videos, downloadable e-brochures, discussion groups, and private meetings with community representatives before, during, and after the event. Those unable to attend live may access all sessions on demand at ou.org/fair, which also features up-to-date information on each community. 

Lieba Abecassis of Jacksonville, Florida, is one of the founders of Grow Jax, a grassroots initiative launched by 12 community members from Chabad, Etz Chaim Synagogue, and The Shtiebel to help grow Jacksonville’s Orthodox community. 

“Jacksonville currently has over 100 frum families, and we continue to host families considering relocation to our community,” says Abecassis. “Jacksonville has participated five times in the OU Savitsky Home Relocation Fair — this will be our sixth — and, Baruch Hashem, it has helped us to recruit a number of families over the years.” 

Grow Jax committee member Breindy Lazor notes that the fair gives emerging communities a meaningful opportunity to showcase the best they have to offer. 

“The fair opens the door for people at different life stages, and from diverse backgrounds within Orthodoxy, to discover communities outside the Tri-State Area,” she says. “That visibility was tremendously impactful for us. Being part of a fair that reflects our values has supported our community’s growth.” 

Abecassis adds, “We are tremendously grateful to the Savitsky Communal Growth Initiative, former OU President Steve Savitsky, and Rebbetzin Judi Steinig for their dedication to out-of-town communities like Jacksonville. Their crucial work helps amplify the voices of communities like ours.” 

To register for the OU Savitsky Home Relocation Fair and to order the 2026 Orthodox Jewish Community Guide, visit https://go.ou.org/mPCups. 

### 

CONTACT: 
Rebbetzin Judi Steinig
Senior Director, Savitsky Communal Growth and SPIRIT Retiree Initiatives
212-613-8188 
steinigj@ou.org 

About the Savitsky Communal Growth Initiative
Founded in 2008 by former OU President, Stephen Savitsky, and his wife, Genie, the Savitsky Communal Growth Initiative helps Orthodox singles, couples, families, and retirees discover affordable communities that provide the full infrastructure of Jewish life, enabling the growth of religious communities outside major metropolitan areas, and enhancing its members’ quality of life. 

About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), or Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.

Elon Musk is intensifying his campaign against what he describes as politically slanted artificial intelligence, unveiling Grok 4.2 as a direct challenge to competitors he brands as overly “woke and sanctimonious” — and declaring that “Grok must win.”

In a series of early Wednesday posts on X, Musk shared multiple screenshots comparing Grok 4.2’s responses with those generated by rival systems from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Framing the rollout as part of a larger ideological struggle, Musk wrote, “Grok must win or we will be ruled by an insufferably woke and sanctimonious AI.”

A day earlier, Musk had revealed the test release of Grok 4.2 on X, encouraging users to weigh in. “Critical feedback is appreciated. Unlike prior versions of Grok, 4.2 is able to learn rapidly, so there will be improvements every week with release notes,” he wrote.

As access to the beta version expanded, Musk began circulating side-by-side examples that he said demonstrate Grok’s greater directness and its refusal to hedge on politically sensitive topics.

Among the comparisons he highlighted was a question asking whether the United States was founded on “stolen land.”

According to the image Musk posted, Grok was the only chatbot to answer “No,” while other platforms framed the issue as nuanced or debated.

Musk pointed to that exchange as evidence that Grok 4.2 is “BASED,” arguing that it stands out because it is the only AI chatbot that “doesn’t equivocate when asked if America is on stolen land.”

“The others are weak sauce,” he said.

Musk also amplified a message from Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who commended Grok for being the only chatbot to answer “No” when asked whether “Critical Race Theory” should be included in school curricula.

Additional screenshots Musk shared showed Grok providing a “yes” when asked whether “White Pride” was acceptable, describing affirmative action as “racist,” and demonstrating a willingness to misgender Caitlyn Jenner — examples Musk presented as proof that the system is less constrained by prevailing norms of political correctness.

The latest round of posts adds to Musk’s ongoing clashes with competitors in the artificial intelligence sector.

His dispute with OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, has played out publicly for years and includes a high-profile lawsuit. Although Musk helped found OpenAI, he filed suit in 2024 against the organization and its leadership, alleging that it had strayed from its original mission of building open-source Artificial General Intelligence to “benefit humanity” and instead shifted its focus toward profit.

OpenAI answered with its own countersuit, asserting that Musk had advocated in 2017 for converting the company into a “for-profit” entity under his leadership as CEO.

Musk has also taken aim at Google, particularly after controversy erupted in early 2024 over historically inaccurate images generated by its Gemini platform.

While he previously downplayed Anthropic as a major competitor, Musk later acknowledged its strengths in programming tasks and expressed frustration that xAI engineers lost access to its systems. “Anthropic has done something special with coding. It was a helpful motivator that they cut us off @xAI and not good for their karma,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

The Food and Drug Administration has changed its position and will now evaluate Moderna’s new influenza vaccine, the company announced Wednesday, reversing an earlier decision that stunned its leadership.

Just days ago, the agency informed Moderna that it would not proceed with reviewing the company’s updated flu shot, stating that the submission lacked sufficient supporting research. The unexpected move left Moderna’s president, Dr. Stephen Hoge, in “complete shock.”

In an exclusive interview with The NY Post, Hoge said he was “completely surprised and honestly pretty confused” after receiving the letter from Dr. Vinay Prasad.

The FDA’s decision to reconsider comes after The Post published an editorial cautioning that halting the final phase of the vaccine’s approval process could cost lives, warning that such a move might result in the deaths of “hundreds, maybe thousands, of senior citizens.”

To accelerate the process, Moderna had submitted a divided application. The company sought full approval for individuals between the ages of 50 and 64, while requesting accelerated approval for those 65 and older, with a commitment to carry out a follow-up study in older adults after the vaccine becomes available.

According to Moderna, the FDA has now established an August deadline to determine whether the vaccine will receive approval. Should the agency give the green light, older Americans could receive the new flu shot ahead of the 2026–2027 influenza season.