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Tehran has proposed a three-phase nuclear agreement that would see it roll back its uranium enrichment levels in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions, according to a report by Iran International, citing three diplomatic sources. The plan, presented last Saturday by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during indirect talks in Oman, would cap uranium enrichment at 3.67%—the level agreed upon in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which President Trump withdrew from in 2018. In the first stage of the proposed deal, the U.S. would allow Iran access to billions in frozen assets and permit oil exports, while Tehran would lower its enrichment activity. The second stage would involve lifting more sanctions and suspending the automatic “snapback” of UN sanctions. In return, Iran would permit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resume full inspections, including surprise visits under the Additional Protocol. In the final phase, Iran would transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium—some of which is enriched up to 60%, just short of weapons-grade—to a third country. The U.S. Congress would ratify the new deal, and Washington would lift all primary and secondary sanctions. The proposal reportedly surprised U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who responded positively during the initial meeting. Witkoff and Araghchi are set to hold a second round of talks this Saturday in Rome. Witkoff had earlier signaled that the White House was open to a limited deal that would cap but not dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. However, he appeared to shift positions just a day later, stating any deal must include a complete end to Iran’s enrichment and weaponization capabilities. A diplomatic source cited by Iran International claimed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved the talks to buy time for Iran to rebuild its air defenses—severely damaged in October by Israeli airstrikes—as well as to resume production of surface-to-surface missiles. That Israeli attack followed Iran’s unprecedented ballistic missile barrage on October 1, marking its second direct attack on Israel in less than a year. Israeli intelligence reportedly damaged radar installations critical to Iran’s missile guidance systems. The final phase of the deal, which involves moving enriched uranium abroad, appears to conflict with a recent Guardian report indicating Iran was likely to reject such a condition. Russia, a close Iranian ally and the operator of its sole nuclear reactor, has not confirmed whether it would accept Iran’s uranium stockpile. Despite Iran’s claims that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, international nuclear watchdogs say the country has significantly increased its 60%-enriched uranium stockpile and is on track to quadruple its uranium ore production this year—well beyond the needs of a civilian program. On Thursday, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, visiting Tehran, warned that “time is running out” to reach a deal. The developments come as The New York Times reported that Trump recently blocked an Israeli plan to strike Iranian nuclear sites in May. The president, while confirming he rejected the operation, said he preferred to exhaust diplomatic options first. “I wouldn’t say ‘waved off,’ but I’m not in a rush to do it,” Trump told reporters Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, while touting “countless” Israeli actions against Iran’s nuclear program, did not deny Trump’s intervention. Trump unveiled the resumption of direct U.S.-Iran talks during a surprise White House meeting with Netanyahu earlier this […]

Hamas on Thursday publicly rejected Israel’s latest proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, insisting it would not agree to any truce that falls short of ending the war and securing a full IDF withdrawal from the enclave. The terrorist group confirmed it had delivered a written response to international mediators turning down the 45-day ceasefire plan presented by Israel. According to Hamas, the proposal included the release of 10 living hostages, the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian security prisoners, and expanded humanitarian aid into Gaza. Crucially, it also demanded that Hamas begin disarming — a condition the group has repeatedly refused. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader and its chief negotiator, speaking from outside Gaza in a televised address, accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of pushing “partial deals” and imposing “impossible conditions.” He asserted that Israel had walked back the January ceasefire agreement and challenged mediators to “correct the crisis Israel created.” Al-Hayya reiterated that Hamas remains open to negotiating a complete exchange: all remaining hostages for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, but only in the context of a deal that would definitively end the war. The U.S. responded: “Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence,” said National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt. “The terms made by the Trump administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell.” Israel and Hamas had agreed in January to a phased ceasefire, but the plan unraveled after its first stage. While Hamas pushed to move forward with the second phase — which included a permanent ceasefire — Israel sought to renegotiate the terms to gain further hostage releases without formally ending its military campaign in Gaza. The deadlock led to the resumption of Israeli military operations on March 18. Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently vowed that the war will not end until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities are fully dismantled. Many of his coalition partners, including hardline figures like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have warned against any compromise – if Netanyahu bends, his government would likely collapse. Public opinion in Israel, however, appears to be shifting. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Israelis would support ending the war in exchange for the release of all hostages — a position increasingly at odds with the current government. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

An Arab-Israeli woman and a British woman were among four people killed when a cable car crashed on Thursday in southern Italy near Naples, local officials confirmed Friday. Marco De Rosa, a spokesperson for the mayor of Vico Equense, said that two of the three foreign victims have been officially identified, with Italian media reporting that the third is also British. The accident occurred on Monte Faito in the town of Castellammare di Stabia, a popular tourist area overlooking the Bay of Naples. According to initial findings, the tragedy was triggered when a traction cable snapped, bringing both the ascending and descending cable cars to a halt and causing at least one to plummet. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into multiple counts of manslaughter and culpable disaster. One of the victims has been identified in Israeli media as 25-year-old Janan Suliman, a resident of Mashhad in northern Israel. British media named another victim as 58-year-old Margaret Elaine Winn. The third foreign fatality, believed to also be a British citizen, has not yet been formally identified. The fourth victim was an Italian national, 59-year-old cable car operator Carmine Parlato. A fifth person, believed to be a foreign tourist and reported in Hebrew media as Suliman’s brother, was critically injured in the crash. He was rescued from the wreckage and remains hospitalized in serious condition in Naples. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that the Israeli embassy in Rome is working closely with Italian authorities to clarify the identity of the injured Israeli and to assist the families involved. This is the second major cable car disaster in Italy in recent years. In 2021, a crash near Lake Maggiore claimed the lives of 14 people, prompting worry over the country’s aging infrastructure. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

NASA’s Lucy spacecraft will swoop past a small asteroid this weekend as it makes its way to an even bigger prize: the unexplored swarms of asteroids out near Jupiter. It will be the second asteroid encounter for Lucy, launched in 2021 on a quest that will take it to 11 space rocks. The close approaches should help scientists better understand our early solar system when planets were forming; asteroids are the ancient leftovers. The upcoming flyby is a dress rehearsal for 2027 when Lucy reaches its first so-called Trojan asteroid near Jupiter. Cranking up its three science instruments, the spacecraft on Sunday will observe the harmless asteroid known as Donaldjohanson. The encounter will take place 139 million miles (223 million kilometers) from Earth in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, so far away it will take 12 minutes for each bit of data to reach flight controllers in Colorado. The paleontologist for whom the asteroid is named plans to be at spacecraft builder and operator Lockheed Martin’s Mission Control for all the action. He discovered the fossil Lucy in Ethiopia 50 years ago; the spacecraft is named after the famous human ancestor. NASA’s Lucy will venture as close as 596 miles (960 kilometers) to this asteroid, an estimated 2 ½ miles (4 kilometers) in length but much shorter in width. Scientists should have a better idea of its size and shape following the brief visit. The spacecraft will zoom by at more than 30,000 mph (48,000 kph). The asteroid is among countless fragments believed to have resulted from a major collision 150 million years ago. “It’s not going to be a basic potato. We already know that,” said lead scientist Hal Levison of Southwest Research Institute. Rather, Levison said the asteroid may resemble a bowling pin or even a snowman like Arrokoth, the Kuiper Belt object visited by NASA’s New Horizon spacecraft in 2019. The other possibility is that there are two elongated but separate asteroids far apart. “We don’t know what to expect. That’s what makes this so cool,” he said. There will be no communications with Lucy during the flyby as the spacecraft turns its antenna away from Earth in order to track the asteroid. Levison expects to have most of the science data within a day. Lucy’s next stop — “the main event,” as Levison calls it — will be the Trojan asteroids that share Jupiter’s orbit around the sun. Swarms of Trojans precede and follow the solar system’s largest planet as it circles the sun. Lucy will visit eight of them from 2027 through 2033, some of them in pairs of two. Lucy’s first asteroid flyby was in 2023 when it swept past little Dinkinesh, also in the main asteroid belt. The spacecraft discovered a mini moon around it. (AP)

The White House issued a sharp rebuke of Hamas on Thursday after the terror group dismissed Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal, reaffirming that President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict remains firm.

“Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence,” said US National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt.

“The terms made by the Trump Administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell,” he added.

The statement followed remarks by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who is leading the group’s negotiations. He accused Israel’s leadership of sabotaging the deal from the start.

“Netanyahu set impossible conditions for a deal that does not lead to the end of the war or full withdrawal. He and his government violated the agreement before its first phase ended,” al-Hayya claimed.

He continued by outlining Hamas’s demands: “We are prepared to immediately hold true negotiations for the release of the captives that we hold in return for an agreed-upon number of prisoners being held by the occupation. The occupation in return must totally stop the war and totally withdraw from the Gaza Strip.”

Earlier this week, Hezbollah-linked Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen released what it claimed were the specifics of the proposal delivered to Hamas in Cairo.

According to the report, the Israeli offer includes a temporary 45-day halt in fighting in exchange for the release of nine live hostages and six bodies. A key condition of the deal is that Hamas must begin disarming the Gaza Strip.

Under the plan’s second phase, five living captives would be exchanged for 66 prisoners serving life terms, along with an additional 611 inmates from Gaza. Hamas would be expected to free the hostages quietly, without the dramatic processions it staged during previous exchanges under the January truce.

The proposal also includes terms to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches civilians directly and does not end up seized by Hamas, which has been accused of diverting significant portions of aid entering Gaza over the past year and a half.

Once those five hostages are released, aid shipments, along with materials for temporary shelter construction, would be delivered to Gaza. At the same time, the IDF would initiate a repositioning of its forces in Rafah and northern Gaza.

Hamas, however, remains defiant. The group has rejected disarmament and continues to demand a full halt to the war on its own terms.

{Matzav.com}

In what could be a transformative moment in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, scientists at Cambridge University have found what they believe may be signs of life in the atmosphere of a far-off planet named K2-18b Of course, YWN readers are wondering: If there really is a habitable, ocean-covered planet out there, with sunlight and possibly beaches, how long until we see the first Pesach or Sukkos program on K2-18b? And will it finally make Orlando go out of style? These are questions still too early to ask. The planet, located 124 light-years away in the constellation Leo, is more than twice the size of Earth and orbits a small red star. Despite the vast distance, researchers were able to analyze the composition of its atmosphere using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which captures the starlight filtering through the planet’s gases. Their findings showed the potential presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—two organic compounds that, at least here on Earth, are produced exclusively by marine microorganisms such as phytoplankton and certain bacteria. The surprising abundance of these molecules, far exceeding levels found on Earth, has raised hopes that K2-18b may be more than just a lifeless rock. “If the association with life is real,” said lead researcher Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, “then this planet could be teeming with life.” The data, while exciting, is still preliminary. Scientists use a confidence system called “sigma” to express certainty, and the current results are at “three sigma,” or 99.7% certainty. That may sound impressive, but scientists require five sigma—about 99.9999%—before officially declaring a discovery. In other words, while this is the most promising evidence of alien life ever observed, it’s not quite a done deal. Still, it represents a major leap forward from earlier studies, which only reached one sigma. To reach that gold standard of certainty, researchers plan to conduct additional JWST observations over the next one to two years. The Cambridge team is also working alongside other scientific groups to see if DMS and DMDS could possibly be produced by non-biological means, like volcanic activity or chemical interactions inside the planet. “We want to be really, really thorough,” said Professor Madhusudhan. “This is a big claim if true, so we need the evidence to be airtight.” Even if the presence of life-linked gases is confirmed, questions remain. Scientists still aren’t sure what kind of world K2-18b really is. Some believe it’s an ocean-covered planet, with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and no ammonia—a sign that a vast body of liquid water might be absorbing it, creating conditions that could support life. Others argue the planet might instead be a “mini gas giant” with no solid surface at all, or possibly even a world of molten rock, which would make life as we know it impossible. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Joe Biden’s post-presidency venture into the speaking circuit has hit a wall, with few groups willing to pay the $300,000 he’s reportedly asking per event, according to The New York Post. The pushback comes as some of Biden’s former aides quietly urge him to step away from the public eye, especially following remarks in which he awkwardly referenced “colored kids” during his first major speech since leaving the White House.

Sources familiar with the situation say that Biden’s standard fee is $300,000 — a figure that’s about 25% lower than the $400,000 Barack Obama requested after finishing his term in 2017.

Whether Biden is open to negotiating that fee remains unknown.

In addition to the speaking fee, Biden’s team reportedly requests private air travel and accommodations for a five-person entourage. Since early February, he has been represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

Biden made his public return to the stage on Tuesday, during which he stumbled over his words and used the term “colored kids,” prompting backlash.

“CAA is having trouble booking gigs, which isn’t surprising,” said a source with knowledge of the effort.

Another insider claimed that people in Biden’s orbit had floated the idea of asking for even more money, despite his recent reputation for verbal blunders — including a disastrous debate performance that led to an open revolt within his own party.

His remarks at this week’s disability-focused event in Chicago, where he referred to black youth as “colored,” were seen by some of his past aides as further proof that it’s time for Biden to retreat from the spotlight.

“This was hard to watch,” said a former White House staffer. “It felt like seeing someone you care about start to regress. We just wanted him to enjoy retirement like other presidents — not go out like this.”

The same former aide said that during Biden’s presidency, frustrations were mounting among Black staff members who felt sidelined.

“Black people elected Joe Biden, and then his senior team cut them off, even staff hired to help with engagement,” the former staffer said.

Biden’s first official speech since stepping down came on March 15, when he addressed students at the National High School Model United Nations conference (NHSMUN). He followed that with the Tuesday speech at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD).

He also spoke at a private seminar hosted by Harvard’s Institute of Politics on Wednesday, organized by longtime aide Mike Donilon.

Harvard confirmed that Biden was not compensated for his appearance.

Neither NHSMUN nor ACRD responded to inquiries about whether they paid Biden for his talks, or if they did, how much.

While it remains uncertain exactly why Biden is struggling to attract big-paying audiences, former aides suggest part of the issue could lie with his representation.

CAA declined to comment for this story, but some of Biden’s allies think the agency is poorly positioned to secure high-paying gigs on the corporate speaking circuit. Notably, CAA also represents Kamala Harris.

One former aide said hiring CAA was a mistake. “The Harry Walker Agency, which works with both Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as Obama, ‘has relationships with all these large annual conferences and clients looking for high-profile speakers,’” the source noted.

“CAA is a Hollywood shop. They’re not set up to market speakers to, like, the national duty-free shopping conference. The bread and butter of paid speaking gigs is random large annual industry conferences.”

Another insider agreed with that critique, but still held out hope that Biden might regain his appeal in time.

“I do not think he is a draw yet,” the former aide admitted. “I think he will be more of a draw as Trump continues to dismantle our democracy.”

After serving as vice president, Biden had little difficulty commanding high fees for public appearances. His relatives — particularly his brother James and son Hunter — also profited by offering consulting services to overseas clients while Biden served under Obama.

Many of Biden’s highest-paid speeches came from academic institutions — a trend that may now be faltering, especially given his criticism of rising tuition costs during his presidency.

Records show Biden was once paid $190,000 for a talk at Drew University, $182,000 at Lake Michigan College, $180,000 for events at both Vanderbilt and the University at Buffalo, $125,000 at Southern Connecticut State University, $100,000 at Long Island University, and $93,000 for a visit to Brown — all part of his post-vice presidency speaking run.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has officially removed the MTA from overseeing the long-awaited overhaul of Penn Station, handing control over to the federal government instead, with Amtrak now taking the lead under a new initiative.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed the updated direction for the project, explaining that the federal government will move forward with a public-private partnership to carry out the revamp.

“President Trump has made it clear: the days of reckless spending and blank checks are over,” Duffy declared in a statement.

“New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean.”

Governor Kathy Hochul had engaged in repeated negotiations with Trump regarding the future of Penn Station. According to reports, she even joked that renaming the station in his honor might unlock more federal dollars.

Revitalizing Penn Station has been both an aspiration and a struggle for state leaders for decades.

This new direction consolidates two separate efforts — one to reconstruct the station itself, the other to increase its train handling capacity — into a unified federal project.

In a sharply worded statement, Hochul acknowledged Trump’s decision to take full responsibility for the station’s future, seemingly mocking the scale of the challenge.

“In multiple meetings with President Trump, I requested that the federal government fund the long-overdue overhaul of Penn Station. Clearly that effort has been successful, and I want to thank the President and Secretary Duffy for taking on the sole responsibility to deliver the beautiful new $7 billion station that New Yorkers deserve,” she said.

Hochul also alluded to the likelihood that New York won’t be contributing the $1.3 billion previously earmarked by state lawmakers for the upgrade.

“This is a major victory for New Yorkers, and the use of federal funds will save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion dollars that would have otherwise been necessary for this project,” she added.

The announcement arrives amid a growing clash between Hochul and Duffy over control of the MTA and its role in managing transit-related projects.

Duffy didn’t hold back in his criticism of the MTA, arguing that redirecting funds directly to Amtrak and revamping the scope of the project would save about $120 million.

“The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed. By putting taxpayers first, we’re ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to create a transit hub all Americans can take pride in,” Duffy said.

Until now, the MTA had been advancing a plan to renovate Penn Station without relocating Madison Square Garden, while also collaborating with Amtrak and NJ Transit on ideas for possible expansion.

Key details of the revamped federal strategy were still unclear Thursday, including whether there would be an effort to move MSG.

Gothamist recently reported that a Trump-aligned group, supported by donor Thomas Klingstein, suggested relocating the arena across Seventh Avenue in a redesign that aligns with Trump’s fondness for “classical and other traditional architecture.”

A spokesperson for MSG’s owner, James Dolan, declined to comment on the matter.

Discussions between Hochul and Trump began not long after he won the presidency and expressed interest in cleaning up the notoriously chaotic Midtown station.

Their ongoing talks came even as Duffy aggressively pursued Trump’s goal of ending congestion pricing in Manhattan — a move that led to Hochul suing the federal government and a heated exchange between both camps.

To curry favor with Trump, Hochul reportedly floated the idea of naming the Moynihan Train Hall after him, according to The NY Post.

Although a representative for Hochul told The NY Post that she sees the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan as a “mentor” and had no intention of formally proposing the name change, the spokesperson added: “The governor did make a lighthearted joke about how to get President Trump interested in contributing federal funds to renovate Penn Station.”

This week, Hochul pinned some of the project’s delays on Amtrak, calling the agency a “barrier” to moving the overhaul forward.

Speaking to Errol Louis on NY1, Hochul shared that Trump recently reached out to her by phone, telling her he’s taking action.

“I was letting him know that Amtrak was a barrier to why it’s taking so long,” she recounted.

“It was a very quick call. He goes, ‘I’m working on Amtrak,’” she said of their exchange.

Assemblyman Tony Simone, who represents the area surrounding Penn Station, expressed deep doubts about the federal government’s ability to manage a project of this scope. He emphasized that local agencies must remain involved.

“It is imperative that the MTA and local stakeholders continue to be full partners in any plan so that we create a Penn that works for both our region and city,” Simone said. “I am beyond skeptical that this federal government can manage a project of this size by seizing control while simultaneously slashing funding.”

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, another Manhattan Democrat, said he supported the state withdrawing its planned funding contribution now that Washington has taken over.

Hoylman-Sigal, known for his outspoken opposition to Trump, didn’t hold back in criticizing the situation.

“I guess we’re looking at some gold-plated escalators, I don’t know,” he quipped.

{Matzav.com}

New York Attorney General Letitia James has dismissed the Trump administration’s criminal referral accusing her of mortgage fraud, calling the accusations “baseless” but refraining from offering any specifics in a recent interview.

James joined Spectrum NY1’s “Inside City Hall” on Thursday, where she pushed back against claims made by the Trump administration that she manipulated real estate filings in both New York and Virginia.

“Let me just say to all New Yorkers and to all Americans: the allegations are baseless. The allegations are nothing more than a revenge tour,” James told host Errol Louis during the interview.

Asked specifically about the federal claim that she misrepresented the number of bedrooms in her Brooklyn property—listing four instead of five—James avoided offering clarification.

“As you know, as any good attorney, I will not litigate this case in a camera. It is important that we respond to these allegations at the appropriate time and in an appropriate way,” she said.

“I will not go back and forth with respect to these baseless allegations. I am more focused again on standing up for freedom, liberties, and the rule of law in the state of New York.”

James suggested the Trump administration’s actions are part of a pattern of targeting certain groups and institutions, placing herself among other alleged victims of what she labeled a retaliatory campaign.

“My office was successful in securing a $450 million judgment against Donald Trump and others for exaggerating the value of his assets,” James said, also noting that the total owed to the state “growing every day.”

She took aim at members of the media as well, criticizing those who have stationed themselves outside her Brooklyn home and near her family’s residence in Virginia. She accused them of crossing the line into “harassment.”

James also chose not to directly respond when questioned by New York Post reporters near her upscale Brooklyn townhouse on Wednesday, offering few answers to their inquiries.

She said no officials had contacted her in advance of the recent federal referral.

“I will not be silenced, I will not be bullied, I will not bend, I will not break, and I will not bow to anyone,” the attorney general stated, adding, “No one is above the law.”

Earlier in the week, the U.S. Federal Housing Agency submitted a criminal referral naming James to Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleging that she had fabricated documentation and real estate filings to receive favorable mortgage rates on properties in New York and Virginia.

{Matzav.com}

Early on Friday, sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv, Yerushalayim, the Shfela, and the Sharon region, signaling an imminent threat.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed, “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted.” They also emphasized that the sirens were activated as per standard protocol.

Magen David Adom reported that, “following the sirens heard in central Israel and the Shfela in recent minutes, as of now, no calls have been received regarding casualties, except for cases of people injured while heading to shelter.”

Before the sirens went off, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit issued an initial directive, stating, “The IDF has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory. IAF aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public is instructed to follow the guidelines issued by the Home Front Command.”

This follows the recent upgrade to Israel’s early missile warning system, which was revealed the previous day.

The missile launch from Yemen came just hours after the US military conducted targeted airstrikes on fuel infrastructure controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen.

In related developments, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the operation was aimed at dismantling a major revenue stream that was fueling the Houthi group’s ongoing attacks and regional instability.

The Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that the US airstrike resulted in at least 33 deaths and 88 injuries.

{Matzav.com Israel}

While standing beside Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani criticized Israel for allegedly failing to uphold the terms of a ceasefire and hostage agreement that Qatar helped facilitate earlier this year.

“As you know, we reached an agreement months ago, but unfortunately, Israel did not abide by this agreement,” said Al-Thani. He added that his country remains committed to “strive to bridge perspectives in order to reach an agreement that ends the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.”

Putin, who met the day prior with an Israeli-Russian citizen released from Hamas captivity as part of the earlier ceasefire deal, praised Qatar’s diplomatic efforts. “We know that Qatar is making very serious efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unfortunately, the initiatives put forward, including by you, have not been implemented — peaceful people continue to die in Palestine, which is an absolute tragedy of today.”

He went on to underscore his long-standing position that any lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state framework. “A long-term settlement can only be achieved on the basis of the UN resolution, and, first of all, in connection with the establishment of two states,” said Putin.

The original ceasefire deal followed over a year of ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. The first stage of the agreement, which lasted 42 days, ended on March 2. Israel declined to proceed to the second phase, which would have required a full military withdrawal from Gaza, prompting the resumption of combat on March 18 with widespread airstrikes across the territory.

Neither Moscow nor Doha classifies Hamas as a terrorist group. Qatar, a key backer of Hamas that provides sanctuary to its senior leadership, worked with Egypt and the United States to broker the deal and continues to be involved in ongoing mediation efforts.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged accusing members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inner circle of receiving money from Doha to promote Qatar’s role as a peace facilitator, possibly to the detriment of Egypt, whose relationship with Hamas remains strained.

In an interview aired on the Christian network Daystar, Netanyahu addressed Qatar’s involvement in both the ceasefire and broader regional issues. “Qatar had recently helped us with… the temporary ceasefire, but they were hosting these Hamas terrorists.”

Netanyahu also voiced strong disapproval of Qatar’s financial influence on American universities and its sponsorship of Al Jazeera, which he claims fuels hostility against Israel and the U.S. “Unfortunately, Qatar was doing this,” said Netanyahu. “Al Jazeera, too, in Arabic, is promoting this anti-Americanism and anti-Zionism, which is weaved together.”

He called for a definitive stance from Qatar. “Qatar has to choose,” said Netanyahu. Quoting Israel’s new ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, he added: “You can’t fund the arsonists and the firefighters at the same time.”

“If that choice is made stark and clear, I think it will help everyone,” the premier said. “It will help everyone in the Middle East, everyone in the world, and it will help, also, get the facts straight.”

During Thursday’s remarks with Putin, Al-Thani also stated his desire to deepen ties between Qatar and Russia. He mentioned that Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly installed Syrian leader backed by Qatar, shared this goal after taking power from the Assad regime late last year.

“A few days ago, President al-Sharaa was in Qatar, and we spoke with him about the historical and strategic relationship between Syria and Russia,” said Al-Thani. “He is keen on building a relationship between the two countries based on mutual respect.”

Al-Thani’s message comes at a delicate time for the Kremlin, as Russia seeks to preserve access to its military installations in Syria and maintain regional clout following Bashar al-Assad’s departure to Moscow.

Putin acknowledged the urgency of stabilizing Syria amid ongoing sectarian unrest. “We would like to do everything to ensure that Syria, firstly, remains a sovereign, independent and territorially integral state, and we would like to discuss with you the possibility of providing assistance to the Syrian people, including humanitarian assistance,” Putin told the emir. “There are many problems there: political, security, and purely economic.”

{Matzav.com}

Keith Siegel, who was held hostage by Hamas, shared new insights about his time in captivity during an interview on Thursday with Channel 12. He revealed that the terrorists tried to convince him and Matan Angrest, the soldier he was held with, to embrace Islam.

“There were attempts to convert us. According to them, whoever isn’t a Muslim goes to hell and only Muslims go to heaven. Matan spoke a lot about the longing and how he wants to be with his family more when he returns from captivity and less on the PlayStation,” Siegel recalled.

He continued, explaining that the terrorists sought information from Matan regarding his military duties. “I think they tried to get information out of Matan about his job. Matan felt threatened in this situation where they’re interrogating him, and he did everything not to reveal classified information. He told me about very difficult things he went through. I saw violence against Matan, physical and verbal violence.”

Siegel described the harsh conditions they endured, saying the hunger they experienced was very real and not just an expression. “Matan and I really starved. It’s not just some figure of speech. There were times that we really felt, both physically and mentally, that there’s a chance that we won’t get out of there alive at all, because of the different threats that there were – one was the lack of food and the daily starvation for a long time. It caused dizziness, lightheadedness, and weakness, and I’m sure he’s experiencing that until now,” he concluded.

Matan’s mother, Anat Angrest, spoke with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News last week following her appearance at a session of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

“I came especially to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to speak about the abducted soldiers who were neglected in all the deals up until now,” Angrest states. “We are not ready to sit quietly. Even though they told us not to publicize the soldier issue, we are now putting the soldiers up front.”

She emphasized that her advocacy isn’t just for her own son. “You send soldiers to battle, they need to know that if G-d forbid they’ll be abducted or they’ll be in Matan’s position, the State of Israel would take care of them and won’t leave them behind.”

Anat addressed the decision to release videos showing Matan’s kidnapping and his time in captivity. “It’s part of the process we went through. We understood that if we continued sitting in silence, it would be easy for the State of Israel to leave our sons behind. For this silence, my Matan is paying a much higher price. It’s against our character and our behavior, but they don’t leave us any other choice.”

She spoke about the agony and powerlessness the families have been living with due to the prolonged uncertainty. “The fact is that Matan is still there, injured. I received an indication that the State of Israel is committed to him – yes, I see a commitment to soldiers with foreign citizenship, but the Israeli government did not include soldiers in any deal.”

Angrest described the moment she saw the disturbing video showing her son. “I tried not to be exposed to the difficult documentation; there’s more, but I tried to protect myself. As much as I try to remain hopeful that Matan survived and is coming home soon, it brings me back to thinking about how he was abducted and what he’s going through there.”

She also mentioned a conversation she had with IDF female observers who were also taken captive and encountered Matan. “The observers had a few run-ins with Matan there. They know exactly what he’s going through.”

Anat expressed disappointment with the Israeli leadership, particularly the Prime Minister. “During the meeting with Netanyahu, I got the feeling that he is not aware of Matan’s condition. I left so frustrated. I said that I left with a feeling that there is a lack of commitment to Matan.”

She believes that a deal to secure the hostages could have already been made. “I am almost sure that there’s a deal on the table, and the Prime Minister, for one reason or another, is not taking it. We know that for a year and a half already, there could have been deals to bring them all back, but they aren’t happening because the Prime Minister was not prepared to announce the end of the war. When there is a deal, I will not let it exclude soldiers and the deceased.”

When asked whether she supports a hostage deal even if it ends the war, she didn’t hesitate. “Ending the war is not a price, it’s an achievement. Returning the hostages is the immediate goal, its life and death. That’s what needs to be done, and that’s what needed to happen a long time ago.”

Looking ahead to the scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, she expressed a cautious sense of anticipation. “The US understands that this needs to end.”

She also spoke of the emotional toll the holiday season has taken. “We aren’t going into any holiday – there’s no such word ‘celebration’ for us. We will be at Hostages Square with other supportive citizens who are also unable to celebrate a holiday.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The United States Space Force has released a comprehensive guide titled “Space Warfighting: A Framework for Planners”, offering military strategists a deep dive into the principles, methods, and strategic planning necessary to confront threats in the space domain — which is increasingly seen as a crucial arena for future conflicts.

This newly published doctrine outlines how the USSF aims to defend America’s assets in orbit and ensure the effectiveness of the Joint Force’s global military reach and strike capabilities. The document lays out objectives for near-term to long-term dominance in what it defines as “space-superiority.”

The Space Force characterizes “space superiority” as the ability to maintain operational freedom in space — choosing when and where to operate without major opposition, while denying that same freedom to adversaries.

According to the manual, achieving superiority may include targeting enemy satellites, infrastructure, or communication systems, while also addressing threats that emerge in other domains like land, air, sea, and cyberspace. “Space superiority may involve seeking out and destroying an enemy’s spacecraft, systems, and networks through measures designed to minimize the effectiveness of those systems, or countering enemy efforts in the other warfighting domains (land, maritime, air, and cyberspace),” the manual reads.

The framework emphasizes that control in space is a force multiplier that enhances military power in all other domains. “The ability to establish space superiority at the time and place of our choosing enables joint lethality in all domains,” it asserts.

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, deputy chief of space operations, explained the broader purpose behind the publication, telling reporters, “This document is really intended … to introduce sort of a common framework, common lexicon that we can use in our training and in our education programs,” as reported by Defense One.

To lay out a path toward dominance in space, the Space Force delineates offensive and defensive methods across three primary mission areas: Orbital Warfare, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Cyberspace Warfare.

Offensive operations in space, according to the document, could include direct attacks in orbit, strikes launched from Earth, or interference with space-based communication systems. These tactics can involve jamming, hacking, or other means to “disrupt, deny, or degrade an enemy’s critical space links.”

On the defensive side, the framework describes both passive and active strategies. Passive defenses include early warning systems, deceptive practices, hardening of systems, dispersion, and redundancy. Active measures involve direct responses, including counterstrikes and efforts to neutralize enemy targeting systems.

The Space Force differentiates between types of superiority depending on how much freedom each side has in space. If both U.S. and adversary systems remain functional, or if neither can operate, this is considered contested space, especially when dealing with nations of similar capabilities — referred to as “peer and near-peer adversaries.” Such a scenario is labeled a “Very High Risk” situation for U.S. forces.

The framework explains that true dominance occurs when hostile forces can no longer effectively use or protect their space infrastructure and are incapable of providing support to their own military efforts. “General superiority of space is achieved when the enemy is no longer able to act in a meaningful or dangerous way against friendly celestial lines of communication, and it also means that the enemy is unable to adequately defend or control its own assets or deliver space effects in support of its own operations,” the document explains.

The guidance acknowledges that warfare in space will lean heavily on automation due to the unique characteristics of the environment — extreme distances, velocity, and a crowded orbital landscape. As a result, the framework outlines a move away from constant human oversight and toward reliance on “highly automated systems.”

Furthermore, the document stresses the vital connection between space and cyber infrastructure, noting that much of what occurs in orbit depends entirely on digital networks. It describes space as “almost entirely reliant on the network dimension.”

USSF Chief of Space Operations General B. Chance Saltzman concluded the document with a sobering warning: “Space superiority is not only a necessary precondition for Joint Force success but also something for which we must be prepared to fight.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump leveled sharp criticism at Harvard University on Thursday, accusing the school of misusing its tax-exempt status and labeling it “antisemitic” in response to its handling of anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. “I think Harvard is a disgrace. They’re obviously antisemitic, and all of a sudden they’re starting to behave,” Trump said during a media appearance.

Trump went on to condemn Harvard’s leadership and actions, referencing the widely criticized congressional testimony of the university’s former president. “But when you see what they were saying, what they were doing, when you see the way they took care of events, when you watch that woman, that horrendous president that ruined the image of Harvard, maybe permanently, in Congress…when you take a look at what happened there, it was horrific.”

He also touched on the university’s tax benefits, suggesting that such privileges were being exploited. “Tax-exempt status, I mean, it’s a privilege. It’s really a privilege, and it’s been abused by a lot more than Harvard, too. So we’ll see how that all works out,” Trump stated, adding that the legal process is still underway. “I don’t think they’ve made a final ruling. I don’t believe they’ve made a final ruling, but it’s something that these schools really have to be very, very careful with.”

Trump’s remarks come just after reports emerged that the Internal Revenue Service may soon revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt designation. According to sources familiar with the discussions, a decision is likely forthcoming amid mounting friction between the administration and the university over its resistance to federal directives involving governance and hiring.

This development follows the Trump administration’s freeze of over $2 billion in federal aid to Harvard, citing its mishandling of antisemitic incidents on campus. The university has responded by arguing that, as a private institution, it is entitled to autonomy under the U.S. Constitution.

In a further escalation, the administration recently delivered a firm warning to Harvard, insisting on sweeping reforms as a condition for retaining access to an estimated $9 billion in federal research grants and funding streams.

Harvard has faced mounting criticism since the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. The school has struggled to manage the surge in anti-Israel sentiment, prompting accusations of failing to combat antisemitism on its campus.

Just days after the October 7 massacre, 34 student groups at Harvard issued a statement holding Israel responsible for the attack—a move that drew widespread condemnation.

Later, Harvard President Claudine Gay came under intense scrutiny after her testimony alongside MIT President Sally Kornbluth and University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill at a congressional hearing focused on antisemitism in higher education.

Each of the university leaders declined to offer clear denunciations of antisemitic rhetoric or explicit calls for violence against Jews when questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik. Gay eventually stepped down from her position as head of Harvard University.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas has turned down Israel’s latest proposal for a partial agreement involving hostages held in Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, who is leading the group’s negotiation efforts, accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of presenting terms that were “impossible” to meet, saying, “Netanyahu set impossible conditions for a deal that does not lead to the end of the war or full withdrawal. He and his government violated the agreement before its first phase ended.”

Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas is ready to negotiate seriously, but only under specific conditions. “We are prepared to immediately hold true negotiations for the release of the captives that we hold in return for an agreed-upon number of prisoners being held by the occupation. The occupation in return must totally stop the war and totally withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” he stated.

Earlier this week, Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen network, known for its ties to Hezbollah, released what it claimed were the specifics of Israel’s offer that had been submitted to Hamas negotiators in Cairo.

The proposal included a 45-day halt in fighting in exchange for the release of nine hostages believed to be alive and six who are presumed dead. This deal reportedly hinges on a full disarmament of the Gaza Strip.

On the second day of the arrangement, Hamas would free five additional living hostages. In return, Israel would release 66 prisoners serving life sentences and 611 other detainees from Gaza. The exchange was to be carried out discreetly, without the kind of public spectacle Hamas orchestrated during earlier hostage releases in January.

The alleged deal also outlined a jointly approved mechanism for distributing humanitarian assistance, aiming to ensure the supplies go directly to civilians rather than being seized by Hamas—something that has been a persistent issue with aid deliveries throughout the conflict.

Once those five hostages are released, humanitarian shipments would begin entering Gaza, along with materials and resources to construct temporary shelters for displaced residents. At the same time, the IDF would begin repositioning its forces in northern Gaza and near Rafah.

Despite the offer, Hamas remains firm in its refusal to surrender its weapons and continues to demand that the war conclude entirely on its own conditions.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Thursday that it will take up a critical case next month regarding President Donald Trump’s attempt to enforce a sweeping executive order aimed at ending automatic birthright citizenship—a signature initiative of his aggressive immigration agenda.

Rather than immediately weighing in on the administration’s push to curb three sweeping injunctions issued in Washington state, Massachusetts, and Maryland, the justices said they will postpone any ruling on those injunctions until after oral arguments, which are scheduled for May 15.

The executive order, signed by Trump upon returning to office on January 20, directs all federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born on U.S. soil unless at least one parent is either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

Legal challenges swiftly followed. A coalition consisting of 22 Democrat attorneys general, immigrant advocacy organizations, and several pregnant women contend that the directive contravenes the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to individuals born in the U.S.

That portion of the 14th Amendment clearly states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

However, the Trump administration maintains that this constitutional clause does not apply universally—especially not to children born to individuals who are in the country illegally, or to those lawfully present on a temporary basis, like students or foreign workers.

U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, arguing on behalf of the administration, wrote that the policy “reflects the original meaning, historical understanding and proper scope of the Citizenship Clause.”

Sauer argued that offering citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil fuels illegal immigration and so-called “birth tourism,” wherein foreigners travel to America specifically to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children.

The most cited precedent on the matter is an 1898 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which has widely been interpreted to mean that birthright citizenship applies even when parents are not U.S. citizens.

But according to the Justice Department, that ruling was more limited than commonly understood and only applied to cases where the parents maintained a “permanent domicile and residence in the United States.”

The legal battle over birthright citizenship has also become a vehicle for the Trump administration to challenge the broader use of nationwide—or “universal”—injunctions issued by federal judges, which have blocked multiple executive actions across the board.

Unlike rulings that only affect the plaintiffs in a case, universal injunctions halt the implementation of a policy for everyone, regardless of their involvement in the lawsuit.

Supporters of such injunctions view them as vital tools to rein in executive excess, especially when a president enacts policies that are legally questionable. Critics argue that district judges overstep their authority and introduce partisan bias into judicial decisions.

In his written brief, Sauer lamented that “a small subset of federal district courts tars the entire judiciary with the appearance of political activism,” noting that 28 such injunctions were issued against Trump’s administration during just two months—February and March.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs criticized the administration for focusing on technical legal arguments about the breadth of the court rulings, rather than addressing the core constitutional issues raised by Trump’s policy.

Washington state, one of the four states challenging the order, urged the high court to dismiss the administration’s attempt to limit the scope of the injunctions, saying the policy is “flagrantly unconstitutional,” according to its court filing.

The state’s legal brief added: “Recognizing that the citizenship stripping order is impossible to defend on the merits, the federal government frames its application as an opportunity to address the permissibility of nationwide injunctions.”

Sauer, in response, argued that the states involved in the lawsuit lack the necessary legal basis to advocate for the individual rights supposedly protected by the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause.

In the Washington case, filed by the Democrat-controlled states of Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and Arizona, along with several pregnant women, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued an injunction on February 6, freezing Trump’s directive.

During a hearing, Judge Coughenour, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, called the birthright citizenship order “blatantly unconstitutional.”

On February 19, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco declined to lift the injunction, allowing it to remain in place pending further proceedings.

{Matzav.com}

Mike Summers was eager to install solar at his home in Ohio for years, and after he finally replaced his aging roof this year, his solar contractor swung into action. His system — including 19 panels and a battery backup — went up this week, and Summers considers himself lucky. “I’m glad to have done it when I did,” said Summers, a former mayor in his city of Lakewood just west of Cleveland. He’ll get about $10,000 in tax credits on his $39,000 investment, but nearly as important is that all the equipment was readily available. Other hopeful solar buyers may have a much harder time in coming months. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war with China threatens to crimp a massive source of solar panels and parts, with experts saying the cost of projects will certainly rise as China retaliates. China accounted for at least 80% of the components of solar panels as recently as 2022, according to an International Energy Agency report, especially polysilicon, glass and solar cells. Solar also demands increasing critical mineral supplies, of which China is a key player across the globe, and electronics. In the U.S., private industry has poured $18.2 billion into developing a domestic supply chain in recent years, according to Atlas Public Policy, that includes everything from the ingots and wafers that make up panels to electrical and structural components to assembly of the panels themselves. Most of that came from the Inflation Reduction Act passed during former President Joe Biden’s administration, with massive funding for clean energy investment. But that won’t come close to replacing what China produces. “Really everybody’s losing when you think about it, because the systems are costing more for the customers and it’s also just making it more difficult, in some ways, for us to do business,” said Brian DiPaolo, assistant sales manager at Cleveland-based solar installer YellowLite, which is doing Summers’ project. DiPaolo said some customers are holding off on plans until there is more clarity. The company still stocked up on solar panels, made in North America, a month ago to stay competitive in coming months. “We’re seeing both international as well as domestic manufacturers of the equipment increasing their costs to prepare for the tariffs,” DiPaolo said. “You think that the domestic manufacturers would keep their prices down because they don’t get hit by the tariffs, but they’re seeing this added demand for their equipment.” It’s supply and demand, said Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Heliene, which focuses on large-scale solar projects. He described the price of a necessary glass component from China going up in February due to a tariff hike. Suppliers in other countries matched the higher price, meaning higher costs no matter the source. Alexis Abramson, dean of Columbia University’s Climate School, said there’s no doubt that residential solar is going to be more expensive. That will cut solar adoption, and small and mid-size installers will go under, she said. It’s just “extremely difficult to offer current and future customers pricing certainty” when trade policy is changing so much, said James Hasselbeck, chief operating officer at New England-based solar company ReVision Energy. Solar has gotten significantly more affordable in recent years as the technology scales up, improves and gets cheaper to install. Systems can still cost thousands of dollars on average, […]

Joe Biden experienced yet another public stumble during an unannounced visit to Harvard University on Wednesday, when he made a surprise stop that included a series of awkward moments—one of which involved dropping his ice cream bar on the ground and confusing Ukraine with Iraq.

Biden, 82, sat down with about 50 students at the Harvard Institute of Politics, but the closed-door conversation was overshadowed by familiar missteps that echoed the blunders of his failed 2024 campaign, as reported by the Harvard Crimson.

At one point, while addressing Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, Biden mistakenly called the country “Iraq,” prompting a quick correction from Mike Donilon, his longtime adviser and currently a fellow at the Institute.

Adding to the awkwardness, Biden tried to enjoy an ice cream bar after the discussion but ended up biting into it just as it melted and fell to the floor, the student outlet reported.

In his comments to the students, Biden applauded Harvard’s resistance to pressure from the Trump administration, which had demanded that the school eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and tighten the vetting of foreign applicants to block those with anti-American leanings—measures aimed at addressing rising antisemitism on campus.

In response to Harvard’s defiance, the administration moved to suspend $2.2 billion in long-term grants and $60 million in ongoing contracts with the university.

“Harvard stepped up in a way no one else has. You should be really thankful,” Biden told the students during his talk.

Outside the event, word of Biden’s visit sparked a protest from pro-Palestinian activists, who gathered near the building, beating drums and chanting, “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide. You’re committing genocide,” according to The Crimson.

Despite the disruptions, some attendees took the opportunity to snap selfies with Biden. One student shared a photo online, writing, “Incredible day to meet Joe Biden.”

{Matzav.com}