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Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a televised interview Wednesday night that Israel had been prepared to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but never had a viable opportunity. “If he had been in our sights, we would have taken him out,” Katz told Channel 13. “We wanted to eliminate Khamenei, but there was no operational opportunity.” The comments mark the first public confirmation that the Israeli war cabinet seriously considered targeting Iran’s highest-ranking figure — a move that would have shattered diplomatic norms, likely triggered a regional war, and tested the outer limits of U.S.-Israeli coordination. Katz’s remarks came amid growing confidence in Jerusalem following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military command centers, operations that Israeli officials say have “pushed back” Iran’s nuclear timeline by years and decapitated key leadership nodes in the Islamic Republic’s weapons program. Asked whether Jerusalem sought American approval before considering a strike on Khamenei, Katz didn’t hesitate: “We don’t need permission for these things.” While U.S. officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of avoiding “escalatory” moves that could derail diplomacy or ignite full-scale war, Katz’s comments suggest Israel’s red lines are broader and far more lethal than previously acknowledged. For years, Israel’s intelligence apparatus has engaged in a sprawling covert campaign against Iran’s nuclear program — sabotaging facilities, assassinating scientists, and crippling logistics networks. But targeting the supreme leader himself would represent a seismic shift in both scope and doctrine. Khamenei, who has ruled Iran since 1989, rarely appears in public and is guarded by layers of elite security. U.S. and Israeli officials have long viewed him as the ideological linchpin of Iran’s regional aggression, from Hezbollah in Lebanon to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Sources familiar with recent Israeli targeting protocols say that while Khamenei has never been on an “active kill list,” the unprecedented scale of Operation Rising Lion prompted top-level deliberations about removing regime leadership entirely. In those deliberations, the decision-makers reportedly stopped short not out of moral hesitation, but due to the lack of a tactical window. “Had the opportunity arisen,” one senior IDF officer said, “it would have been a different headline today.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

* Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell now heads into his next challenge: a potential threat that President Donald Trump could undermine his authority by soon naming his pick to head the central bank. * In the wake of the intense criticism, Wall Street has been buzzing over the potential for a “shadow chair,” or someone Trump could install as a central bank gadfly until Powell’s term expires. * A report indicated that Trump is considering naming the successor sooner than expected in an attempt to influence interest rate policy.

President Donald Trump stated that Iran’s nuclear materials remained in place at the sites struck by American forces, reinforcing comments made earlier in the day by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said there was no indication that Iran relocated its uranium stockpile ahead of the weekend’s military operation.

“Nothing was taken out of the facility. Would take too long, too dangerous, and very heavy and hard to move!” Trump wrote.

Despite those assertions, The Financial Times reported Thursday that European officials believe Iran’s reserves of highly enriched uranium were not significantly damaged in the strikes.

According to the paper, which cited two individuals familiar with early intelligence findings, European governments believe that Iran’s 408 kilograms of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium were not primarily stored at the Fordow enrichment facility—one of the regime’s key nuclear sites—when the U.S. strikes took place.

Earlier Thursday, Hegseth held a briefing with reporters at the Pentagon, detailing the coordinated U.S.-Israel operation. As previously reported, he described the mission as a major blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

He credited Trump with reshaping the strategic landscape, saying the military action had “created the conditions to end the war, decimating – choose your word – obliterating, destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities.”

Hegseth also referred to statements by various American and foreign officials who confirmed that the operation inflicted serious damage on Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Reaffirming his position, Hegseth emphasized that he had not seen any evidence that Iran had relocated uranium to shield it from the strikes. “I’m not aware of any intelligence that I’ve reviewed that says things were not where they were supposed to be, moved or otherwise,” Hegseth said.

He closed his remarks by underscoring the magnitude of the military achievement. “I hope, with all the ink spilled, all of your outlets find the time to properly recognize this historic change in continental security that other presidents tried to do, other presidents talked about,” he said, according to CNN. “President Trump accomplished it. It’s a huge deal.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration’s vaccine advisers are bringing up an old flu-shot debate: whether it’s time to wipe out the last small fraction of those vaccines that contain a controversial preservative called thimerosal. It’s a question seemingly laid to rest years ago, as studies showed no evidence that the preservative causes any health problems. “This is really a nonissue,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here are some things to know about the substance. What is thimerosal? Thimerosal is a preservative used in certain vaccines since the 1930s, as well as in some other medical products. It was mostly used in multi-dose vials of vaccine, to prevent bacterial contamination as the vessel was repeatedly punctured to withdraw a dose. Why is thimerosal controversial? Questions about thimerosal were raised in the late 1990s because it contains a form of mercury. It’s not the same as the toxic type found in some seafood, called methylmercury. Instead, it’s a different type called ethylmercury that the body can excrete, O’Leary explained. The amount of ethylmercury per vaccine dose was small and studies found no evidence of harm. Nor was it used in all vaccines. For example, vaccines for chickenpox, polio and measles, mumps and rubella never contained it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But as a precaution, the U.S. phased the preservative out of childhood vaccines. Since 2001, all vaccines routinely recommended for children age 6 and younger in the U.S. come in formulas that don’t contain thimerosal. The exception is a small subset of flu shot formulas in multi-dose vials that could be used for adults or kids. The vast majority of children, however, get their flu vaccination from a single-dose shot instead, O’Leary said. According to the CDC, 96% of all flu vaccines in the U.S. administered last fall and winter — and an even higher share of those used in federally funded programs — were thimerosal-free. Why is thimerosal being debated again? U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a longtime antivaccine activist, and he has long contended there was a tie between thimerosal and autism. On Thursday, his newly appointed vaccine advisers were set to hear a presentation from Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who once ran the antivaccine group that Kennedy founded. She will suggest that the remaining thimerosal-containing flu shots should be removed, according to meeting materials posted earlier this week. Among the claims were that they could be a risk to pregnant women. A new CDC staff analysis prepared for the meeting again showed no link between the preservative and autism or any other neurodevelopmental disorders. Some experts note that autism rates rose after thimerosal was removed from young children’s vaccines in the U.S. (AP)

Baby Moishy, just 9 months old, is fighting for his life. His father already gave part of his liver to save him. Now, Moishy needs emergency heart surgery — but the only doctors who can help are far beyond what the family can afford. From his hospital bed, his father cries: “I gave my son my liver. I’d give him my heart if I could… but now, I have nothing left except this plea.” ⏳ Urgent Need: \$200,000 ❤️ Every bit counts With a blessing from Rabbi Meir Sirota: “This is pikuach nefesh. May helping bring bracha to your home.” 📍 Donate now:

Preliminary conversations are underway between the Prime Minister’s Office and the White House aimed at arranging a meeting between Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, according to two sources who spoke with The Jerusalem Post.

The sources clarified that while initial contacts have been made, a formal meeting has not yet been scheduled.

“There is no doubt that both sides have a shared interest in holding a ‘victory party’ after the war with Iran,” a senior Israeli official told Walla.

The anticipated agenda for the potential meeting would likely include two major topics: reaching a final agreement on the hostage deal (if not concluded beforehand) and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords — two areas seen as closely tied to each other.

Concerning the negotiations to free the hostages, it has recently emerged that the notion of deporting senior Hamas figures and other militants from Gaza is back in discussion.

This idea had been proposed previously, including by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s official in charge of hostages and missing persons, but had been rejected by Hamas. It has since resurfaced as a potential part of ending the current conflict.

In a statement on Thursday, Netanyahu reiterated his goal of pursuing “a dramatic expansion of peace agreements.”

Responding to these developments, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir delivered pointed remarks Thursday evening, warning against any diplomatic moves that might result in the formation of a Palestinian state.

“I find it hard to believe that the prime minister will repeat the mistakes of the past and enter negotiations that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state or dangerous concessions. The people of Israel want victory, not more attempts to appease terror under the guise of peace.”

Ben-Gvir added: “The prime minister knows as well: only a decisive victory, including conquest, settlement, and governance, is the true answer to the Palestinian lie, not withdrawals and surrendering to terrorists disguised as human beings.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is preparing to enter next week’s renewed nuclear negotiations with Iran armed with a fresh set of hardline demands, aiming to cement the gains made during the recent joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to reports, the U.S. will insist on three non-negotiable conditions before any substantive talks can resume: a total ban on uranium enrichment inside Iran, the removal of all highly enriched uranium currently in Iranian stockpiles, and new limitations on Tehran’s missile development program. The preconditions mark a dramatic escalation of the administration’s posture toward Iran and reflect a growing belief in some corners of Washington—and Jerusalem—that not all of Iran’s nuclear capability was neutralized during last month’s airstrikes. Just prior to the campaign, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had amassed over 408 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent—enough material, if further enriched, to fuel more than ten nuclear bombs. That stockpile remains a central concern for both American and Israeli officials, who fear that any portion left intact could allow Tehran to quietly restart its weapons program or, in a worst-case scenario, develop a radiological weapon capable of causing massive disruption. The administration’s demand for the removal of this material comes with an unspoken warning: refusal could prompt another round of military strikes. “This is not going to be like the Obama deal,” one senior administration official said. “There is no room for games here. Iran knows what it needs to do. And if it doesn’t, we’re prepared to act again.” The upcoming talks, the first since airstrikes began on June 13, represent a new phase in a confrontation that has shifted from covert sabotage and diplomatic stalemates to open warfare and strategic recalibration. The Trump White House, buoyed by what officials describe as a “dual strike success,” is entering the negotiations with confidence—and leverage. The U.S. campaign, executed in coordination with Israel, dealt what officials call “irreversible” damage to key Iranian nuclear facilities. While the Pentagon has not publicly detailed the full scope of the operation, Israeli officials offered a striking revelation on Wednesday: eleven senior Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in the campaign—nine in the opening wave of strikes, and two more in the final hours of the conflict. All were reportedly involved in Iran’s military nuclear project, including members of the so-called “weapon group” responsible for warhead development. Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission released an unusually blunt assessment, stating that the combined American and Israeli strikes had “pushed back Iran’s nuclear weapon capability by many years.” The commission, typically silent on operational matters, added that the damage spanned enrichment sites, development labs, and key personnel hubs, many located in and around Tehran. The IDF’s Technical Intelligence Arena—a specialized division within Military Intelligence—is still finalizing its post-strike assessment, but early conclusions are that Iran’s nuclear program has taken a devastating hit. A recent internal memo circulated within the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate described the campaign as delivering “a major blow to both infrastructure and human capital” critical to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran, for its part, had previously rejected these same demands when they were floated ahead of the June operation. At the time, Tehran insisted on its sovereign right to enrich uranium and dismissed any missile restrictions as a nonstarter. But the situation has since […]

Lieutenant Colonel (res.) A., an Israeli Air Force pilot who commanded the initial airstrike of Operation Rising Lion deep inside Iranian territory, has for the first time revealed the personal letter he wrote to his loved ones once the combat mission concluded.

As the first pilot to cross into hostile airspace, A. took on the riskiest role in the opening wave of attacks. His assignment placed him at the forefront of what became one of the most daring operations carried out by Israel in recent years.

Knesset member Matan Kahana, a longtime friend of A., shared the contents of the letter on social media after the pilot gave his consent.

“Lieutenant Colonel (res.) A., a kibbutznik from the north and a dear friend, led the first planes that entered deep into Iran,” Kahana wrote. “I was told that his briefing before the fateful flight was special. I asked him to share what he sent to his family when the ceasefire began, and he agreed.”

Along with authorizing the letter’s release, A. added a heartfelt appeal: “Please, please, no politics. With me in the formation were kibbutzniks, settlers, moshavniks, and urbanites. As you know so well — the beautiful Land of Israel. Despite the fear and concerns, we looked to the right and left and charged together at the enemy. Historic moments, a special feeling.”

In his emotional message to his family, A. wrote: “There will be plenty of time to share experiences, to laugh, and to cry… but I waited two weeks to share. In the opening sortie, I was chosen to lead a formation of dozens of planes. We were the first to enter deep into Iran. I was in the first plane of the first formation, and that’s how I received the most dangerous mission.”

Reflecting on the tense days prior to the operation, he admitted: “During the days before, I didn’t have the courage to write a farewell letter. I don’t know why, something inside me didn’t let me focus on that, and I knew I would do everything to complete the mission and return safely.”

He went on to describe how he handled the enormous responsibility of leadership: “The greatest challenge I had was giving confidence and calm to the formation I was leading. At the end of the briefing, I chose to read a few words from a song I really love to the wonderful group with me. I kept this note in my pocket throughout the war, and I promised myself that instead of a farewell letter, I would send you the note and song when I return healthy and safe. Thank God we returned safely!”

The note he carried included lyrics that deeply moved him: “At midnight, they rose and struck at the edge of the world like sons of fire, they felt they flew afar to restore the dignity of man.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Nestle said Wednesday it will eliminate artificial colors from its U.S. food and beverages by the middle of 2026. It’s the latest big food company making that pledge. Last week, Kraft Heinz and General Mills said they would remove artificial dyes from their U.S. products by 2027. General Mills also said it plans to remove artificial dyes from its U.S. cereals and from all foods served in K-12 schools by the middle of 2026. The move has broad support. About two-thirds of Americans favor restricting or reformulating processed foods to remove ingredients like added sugar or dyes, according to an AP-NORC poll. Both California and West Virginia have recently banned artificial dyes in foods served in schools. On Sunday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas signed a bill requiring foods made with artificial dyes or additives to contain a new safety label starting in 2027. The label would say they contain ingredients “not recommended for human consumption” in Australia, Canada, the European Union or the U.K. The federal government is also stepping up its scrutiny of artificial colors. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. regulators banned the dye called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk. In April, Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry. Nestle has pledged to remove artificial dyes before. Early in 2015, the company said it would remove artificial flavors and colors from its products by the end of that year. But the promise didn’t hold. Nestle said Wednesday it’s been removing synthetic dyes from its products over the last decade, and 90% of its U.S. portfolio doesn’t contain them. Among those that do is Nesquik Banana Strawberry milk, which is made with Red 3. Nestle said Wednesday it wants to evolve with its U.S. customers’ changing nutritional needs and preferences. “Serving and delighting people is at the heart of everything we do and every decision that we make,” Nestle’s U.S. CEO Marty Thompson said in a statement. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a video address on Thursday in which he declared that Israel had secured a meaningful triumph over Iran and emphasized that this moment presents a strategic chance to broaden the circle of peace in the region.

Referencing Tehillim, Netanyahu stated: “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”

He continued: “We fought with strength against Iran and achieved a great victory. This victory opens the door to a dramatic expansion of the peace agreements. We are working on this vigorously.”

Netanyahu went on to point out that “alongside the release of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas, there is a window of opportunity here that must not be missed. Not a single day should be wasted.”

Responding to Netanyahu’s message, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced caution regarding what form peace efforts might take. “Expanding the Abraham Accords is a wonderful thing. Peace treaties from a position of strength, with security potential and economic development for the entire region.”

However, he warned against compromises he views as dangerous: “But if it’s just shiny packaging for an existential threat in the form of dividing the land of Israel, handing over territory to the enemy, and establishing a Palestinian terror state twenty times the size of Gaza in an area that geographically and topographically dominates most of the land of Israel — then no, thank you.”

Smotrich criticized past peace initiatives that he believes led to tragedy. “We’ve already seen this horror movie, where they sold us bombastic illusions wrapped in lofty words about a ‘New Middle East’ and international standing in the family of nations — and it blew up in our buses, in city centers, with thousands of dead and wounded, and with the most terrible massacre we’ve suffered since the Holocaust.”

He concluded with a pointed message to Netanyahu: “After October 7th, there aren’t many sane people in Israel who would support that. Our right to this land is not for sale. Period. Mr. Prime Minister, let it be clear — you have no mandate. Not even a hint of one, not even lip service. If there are countries that want peace in exchange for peace, ahlan wa sahlan (welcome). If they want a Palestinian state — forget it. It’s not going to happen.”

{Matzav.com}

Ofra Keidar was buried on Thursday at Kibbutz Be’eri, after being held hostage for 625 days, nearly 21 months since her abduction on October 7, 2023.

Her son Elad Keidar spoke at the graveside, reflecting on their final phone call. “After they told us you had been recovered from Gaza, I couldn’t stop replaying our last phone conversation in my head – the photos and videos I saw, the situation we were in at home, and the state you were in when you faced the terrorists. I started analyzing the entire situation from every angle, like a 360-degree view. I need these details to find closure in my personal journey. I hope with all my heart that all the families of the hostages will also be able to find their closure.”

Elad continued with words of gratitude and sorrow. “Mom, thank you for everything you taught me, for all the years you were with us. You live on in each and every one of your children. Thank you for who you were to us, and through you, we also gained a new family. I hope you can see how strong Yael is, how much she understands and knows, and how much your character and personality shine through her. You raised and educated her in an incredible way. I ask for your forgiveness, Mom. Forgive me for not coming to you when we spoke, and for not being able to help you. I love you always.”

Her daughter Yael offered a heartfelt eulogy, expressing both pain and strength. “I want to tell you that I survived and I’m alive. I’m sad that you left us. We weren’t just mother and daughter – we were friends. I miss your hugs and I’m continuing on your path. I swim, I care for animals, and I give love to everyone around me. Mom, you taught me so many things, and because of them, I am who I am today. I wanted you to know that there are good people who are with me and love me. My dear brothers Elad and Oren are always by my side, even when things are difficult for me. I want to thank all the soldiers who brought Mom back. May your memory be a blessing. I love you and will remember you forever.”

Ofra’s daughter-in-law Einav also addressed the crowd with emotion. “Ofra, my children miss you so much. You are missing from our lives every single day. Today, we are granted this moment to bid you farewell in peace. You are deep within our thoughts and hearts. We love you, and please watch over us from above, because we are very tired. I long for days of unity and unconditional love among our people, but above all, our moral obligation and ability to heal ourselves will come only after the return of the remaining hostages: those who are alive for rehabilitation, and those for proper burial in the land of Israel.”

Amit Shalvi, speaking on behalf of the Kibbutz Be’eri community, addressed the broader pain shared by many. “Here you are, but this is not how we wanted it to be. And once again – ‘the soil of Be’eri gathers you to itself’ – and this is so unlike you. The circle has closed, and your dear family has a grave they can visit. Yet still, 50 of our people remain in Gaza’s tunnels – at least 20 alive, about 30 deceased, including five of ours: Yossi, Ilan, Dror, Meni, and Sahar. Time has stood still for them, and they must be returned immediately. We must end the war in Gaza and bring them all home.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump claimed that reporters from CNN and The New York Times could soon face termination over what he called inaccurate coverage of the recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Both media organizations had published pieces suggesting that the U.S. bombing campaign failed to achieve lasting damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, estimating that any disruption would last just a few months.

However, CIA Director John Ratcliffe contradicted those claims on Wednesday, stating that reliable intelligence pointed to severe destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, potentially requiring years for the regime to rebuild.

In a post to Truth Social on Thursday, Trump took aim at the two news giants.

“Rumor is that the Failing New York Times and Fake News CNN will be firing the reporters who made up the FAKE stories on the Iran Nuclear sites because they got it so wrong. Lets see what happens?” Trump wrote.

Following a Thursday morning briefing by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine detailing the damage inflicted on the Iranian facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, Trump once again turned to Truth Social to voice his opinion.

“One of the greatest, most professional, and most ‘confirming’ News Conferences I have ever seen! The Fake News should fire everyone involved in this Witch Hunt, and apologize to our great warriors, and everyone else!” he posted.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday night, Trump had already begun lashing out at CNN and The New York Times, accusing them of colluding to undermine the success of Operation Midnight Hammer.

In a strongly worded post in all capital letters, Trump stated: “FAKE NEWS CNN, TOGETHER WITH THE FAILING NEW YORK TIMES, HAVE TEAMED UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMEAN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY STRIKES IN HISTORY. THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED! BOTH THE TIMES AND CNN ARE GETTING SLAMMED BY THE PUBLIC!”

The two outlets had cited an initial evaluation reportedly drafted by the Defense Intelligence Agency, which suggested the strikes had only temporarily delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

{Matzav.com}

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it has expanded existing warnings on the two leading COVID-19 vaccines about a rare heart side effect mainly seen in young men. Myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation that is usually mild, emerged as a complication after the first shots became widely available in 2021. Prescribing information from both Pfizer and Moderna already advises doctors about the issue. In April, the FDA sent letters to both drugmakers asking them to update and expand the warnings to add more detail about the problem and to cover a larger group of patients. While the FDA can mandate label changes, the process is often more of a negotiation with companies. Specifically, the new warning lists the risk of myocarditis as 8 cases per 1 million people who got the 2023-2024 COVID shots between the ages of 6 months and 64 years old. The label also notes that the problem has been most common among males ages 12 to 24. The previous label said the problem mostly occurs in 12- to 17-year-olds. The FDA’s labeling change appears to conflict with some prior findings of scientists elsewhere in the U.S. government. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously concluded there was no increased risk of myocarditis detected in government vaccine injury databases for COVID-19 shots dating back to 2022. Officials also noted that cases tend to resolve quickly and are less severe than those associated with COVID-19 infection itself, which can also cause myocarditis. The FDA announcement came as new vaccine advisers appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met to debate the continuing use of COVID-19 vaccines for key groups, including pregnant women. It’s the first meeting of the CDC advisory panel since Kennedy abruptly dismissed all 17 members of the group, naming a new panel that includes several members with a history of anti-vaccine statements. The FDA’s label update is the latest step by officials working under Kennedy to restrict or undercut use of vaccines. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and a top deputy recently restricted annual COVID-19 shots to seniors and other Americans at higher risk from the virus. They’ve also suggested seasonal tweaks to match the latest circulating virus strains are new products that require extra testing. Outside experts said the new warning is the wrong approach. “They are right to suggest that we need to consider myocarditis risks associated with the vaccine, but what they propose is exactly the wrong solution,” said Dr. Robert Morris, a public health specialist at the University of Washington. “We should be investigating who is prone to myocarditis to see if we can predict and mitigate that risk.” Makary and several other FDA officials gained prominence during the pandemic by suggesting the federal government exaggerated the benefits of COVID-19 boosters and downplayed serious side effects, including myocarditis. Before joining the government, Makary and two of his current FDA deputies wrote a 2022 paper that said mandating booster shots in young people would cause more vaccine-related injuries than prevented hospitalizations from COVID-19 infections. The conclusion contradicted that of many leading vaccine and public health experts at the time, including at the CDC. (AP)

WH PRESS SECRETARY: “When we look at the entirety of the intelligence that we have to this date, it concludes that these strikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities were absolutely successful. It was a total obliteration.”

WH PRESS SECRETARY: “The President wants peace. He always has… We see a new era in which perhaps some of these Gulf and Arab states can sign on to the Abraham Accords.”

WH PRESS SECRETARY: “The contrast is clear, Obama and Biden sent taxpayer dollars in a failed attempt to buy the Iranian regime’s compliance. President Trump sent war planes to destroy Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons.”

In the hours after the U.S. delivered a massive precision strike on Iran, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a late-night call that could reshape the Middle East. According to a bombshell report by Yisrael Hayom, Trump and Netanyahu reached an understanding to bring the war in Gaza to a close within two weeks, install a coalition of Arab states to govern the Strip, exile Hamas leadership, release all remaining hostages, and jumpstart a historic expansion of the Abraham Accords. The report, citing a source familiar with the conversation, outlines a sweeping regional realignment with implications far beyond Gaza’s borders. The call, described by one Israeli official as “euphoric,” included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. The conversation reportedly took place late Monday night, just hours after U.S. strikes leveled critical nuclear infrastructure in Iran. Under the emerging blueprint, the Gaza Strip would be governed not by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, but by a multinational Arab coalition — including the UAE and Egypt. Hamas would be dismantled, its leadership exiled, and its military infrastructure dismantled under U.S.-backed Arab-Israeli coordination. In parallel, Gazan civilians who choose to emigrate would be welcomed by several unnamed countries, with quiet backing from Washington and Gulf capitals. The Trump-Netanyahu understanding also includes a landmark diplomatic cascade: Saudi Arabia and Syria would normalize ties with Israel, with additional Arab and Muslim nations expected to follow suit. In exchange, Israel would formally back a conditional path to Palestinian statehood — with Trump’s team privately describing it as a “long-term aspiration” tied to sweeping reforms by the Palestinian Authority. And in a move sure to inflame critics at home and abroad, Trump reportedly pledged to recognize Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, effectively greenlighting annexation in key strategic zones. The deal’s success, however, hinges on complex regional buy-in — and explosive political risks. The administration’s roadmap faces immediate and public resistance from several Arab governments. While Egypt, the UAE, and other U.S. allies have signaled willingness to help stabilize post-Hamas Gaza, they’ve drawn a hard line on one issue: no engagement without Palestinian Authority involvement and a clear path to a two-state solution. Netanyahu, for his part, has repeatedly rejected any PA return to Gaza — a stance that could complicate what Trump envisions as a historic breakthrough. There’s also the issue of Hamas itself. Despite battlefield losses, the terror group’s leadership has long vowed to remain in Gaza and rejected exile, making any plan to remove them dependent on Israeli military pressure or international guarantees they have little incentive to trust. Still, Israeli officials say the stars may be aligning. The joint U.S.-Israeli strike campaign against Iran, the mounting Arab fatigue with Hamas, and Trump’s full-throated reengagement in the region have created a rare moment of strategic leverage The heady vision for postwar Gaza may also explain Trump’s sudden, furious reaction to Israel’s legal system continuing to target Netanyahu.  In a fiery post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump lashed out at Israel’s leadership and called on the Israeli justice system to “end the ridiculous witch hunt” against Netanyahu — a reference to the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial. “Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote. “Or a pardon given to […]

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont offered high praise for New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani following Mamdani’s apparent victory in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, calling him a leader who brings more than charm to the table.

“What Zohran understood, is that in order to win, you got to be more than charismatic, and he is,” Sanders said during an appearance on MSNBC’s “All In with Chris Hayes.”

Sanders elaborated on what makes Mamdani’s campaign effective, saying, “You got to be more than smart, which he is. You got to build a strong grassroots movement around a progressive agenda. He had thousands and thousands of people knocking on doors because they were excited about his message.”

In a separate interview with Politico on Wednesday, Sanders suggested that if Vice President Harris had adopted a similar strategy during the 2024 race, she might have succeeded in her presidential bid.

Mamdani’s performance in the primary left many political analysts stunned, as the democratic socialist appeared poised to defeat former Governor Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination. Mamdani, who moved to the U.S. from Uganda as a young boy, has spent most of his life living in New York City.

Should he officially win the mayoralty, Mamdani would make history as the city’s first Muslim and Asian mayor.

“In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City,” Mamdani wrote on X in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Mamdani believes the message of his campaign has the potential to resonate well beyond New York.

“I think ultimately, this is a campaign about inequality, and you don’t have to live in the most expensive city in the country to have experienced that inequality, because it’s a national issue,” Mamdani said Wednesday night on MSNBC in an interview with Jen Psaki.

{Matzav.com}

The head of the federal government agency that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac wants the mortgage giants to consider accepting a homebuyer’s cryptocurrency holdings in their criteria for buying mortgages from banks. William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie and Freddie, ordered the agencies Wednesday to prepare a proposal for consideration of crypto as an asset for reserves when they assess risks in single-family home loans. Pulte also instructed the agencies that their mortgage risk assessments should not require cryptocurrency assets to be converted to U.S. dollars. And only crypto assets that “can be evidenced and stored on a U.S.-regulated centralized exchange subject to all applicable laws” are to be considered by the agencies in their proposal, Pulte wrote in a written order, effective immediately. Pulte was sworn in as the head of FHFA in March. Public records show that as of January 2025, Pulte’s spouse owned between $500,000 and $1 million of bitcoin and a similar amount of Solana’s SOL token. Use of cryptocurrency for buying a home has been generally limited. Among the respondents in a National Association of Realtors survey of people who bought a home between July 2023 and June 2024, only 1% of those who made a down payment said they used proceeds from the sale of crypto. Banks seeking to make mortgages that qualify for purchase by Fannie and Freddie have not typically considered a borrower’s crypto holdings until they were sold, or converted, to dollars. “This is a big win for advocates of cryptocurrencies who want crypto to be treated the same way as other assets are,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin. Currently, stock investments are treated as qualifying assets that count toward reserves that banks want borrowers to have. But assets that are more volatile, like individual stocks or crypto, may be discounted by lenders, Fairweather noted. “As long as lenders are appropriately discounting crypto based on volatility, it’s fine that crypto investments count toward reserves,” she said. The policy change is meant to encourage banks to expand how they gauge borrowers’ creditworthiness, in hopes that more aspiring homebuyers can qualify for a home loan. It also recognizes that cryptocurrencies have grown in popularity as an alternative to traditional investments, such as bonds and stocks. The agencies have to come up with their proposals “as soon as reasonably practical,” according to the order. Fannie and Freddie, which have been under government control since the Great Recession, buy mortgages that meet their risk criteria from banks, which helps provide liquidity for the housing market. The two firms guarantee roughly half of the $12 trillion U.S. home loan market and are a bedrock of the U.S. economy. “If Fannie and Freddie are going to accept cryptocurrency as collateral, that’s a strong incentive for banks to shift their practices,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “Because people who might otherwise have to sell cryptocurrency to qualify — and maybe that’s a deal-breaker for them now — under this new policy, they can qualify. It sort of expands the potential pool of eligible buyers.” The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since early 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Home sales fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 […]