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Donald Trump is undergoing his annual physical on Friday, potentially giving the public its first details in years about the health of a man who in January became the oldest in U.S. history to be sworn in as president. “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!” Trump, 78, posted on his social media site. Despite long questioning predecessor Joe Biden’s physical and mental capacity, Trump has routinely kept basic facts about his own health shrouded in secrecy — shying away from traditional presidential transparency on medical issues. If history is any indication, his latest physical is likely to produce a flattering report that’s scarce on details. It will be conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will be the first public information on Trump’s health since an assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. Rather than release medical records at that time, Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson — a staunch supporter who served as his White House physician and once joked in the White House briefing room that Trump could live to be 200 if he had a healthier diet — wrote a memo describing a gunshot wound to Trump’s right ear. In a subsequent interview with CBS last August, Trump said he’d “very gladly” release his medical records but never did. Trump is three years younger than Biden. But on Inauguration Day of his second term in January, Trump was five months older than Biden was during his 2021 inauguration — making Trump the nation’s oldest president to be sworn into office. Before Jackson’s memo, Americans hadn’t seen key details about Trump’s health since November 2023, when Dr. Bruce A. Aronwald released a letter to coincide with Biden’s 81st birthday, saying Trump was in “excellent” physical and mental health. The letter, posted on Trump’s social media platform, contained no details — such as the Republican’s weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or the results of any test. Instead, Aronwlad wrote that he’d examined Trump that fall and found his “physical exams were well within the normal range and his cognitive exams were exceptional,” while also noting that Trump had “reduced his weight.” Trump was treated at Walter Reed for his serious bout with the coronavirus in 2020. During that, Trump’s physician offered a rosy prognosis on his condition, though White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said some of Trump’s vital signs were “very concerning.” After Trump recovered, more details emerged that he had been sicker than he’d let on. But Trump largely refused to say more about his health at the time, instead submitting to a pretaped, remote medical “evaluation” and interview on Fox News Channel. That was conducted by Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News contributor who had questioned Hillary Clinton’s physical ability to serve as president in 2016 and later urged the Biden White House to test the then-president’s cognitive acuity. In November 2019, meanwhile, Trump’s trip to Walter Reed for a physical was omitted from his public schedule, breaking the White House protocol of giving advance public notice of them. The visit was revealed three days later, with Trump disclosing that he’d had a “very routine physical.” The White House released a subsequent statement from the president’s then-personal physician, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, saying it had […]

A deal to secure the release of hostages appears to be nearing completion, based on updates delivered to the relatives of those still in captivity. Steve Witkoff, former President Donald Trump’s Middle East representative, assured families during a Thursday meeting that “a very serious deal is taking shape—it’s a matter of days.”

Insiders suggest that Trump has signaled to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that he has only a limited window—possibly just a few more weeks—to carry on military operations before a more extensive ceasefire agreement is expected to be pursued.

Speaking to the press during a Thursday cabinet session at the White House, Trump echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re getting close to getting them back,” and adding, “We’re making progress, we’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas, and it’s a nasty group.” He offered no specifics on the pace or content of the negotiations.

In response, Netanyahu’s office announced that the prime minister had convened a meeting with Israel’s security team and negotiators to review developments related to the hostages.

During a Security Cabinet session held the previous night—noticeably without the participation of Israel’s top military brass—ministers reviewed Netanyahu’s recent trip to Washington and debated ramping up military efforts against Hamas. Transportation Minister Miri Regev argued that Israel’s current actions lacked sufficient intensity. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Israel to take control of Gaza and encourage population movement “according to Trump’s plan.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated launching a significant ground assault if Hamas fails to free all captives.

According to reports, American officials told relatives of hostages that the matter was front and center during Trump’s recent talks with Netanyahu at the White House. They relayed that Washington is pushing for a sweeping diplomatic resolution—ending hostilities in Gaza while advancing normalization talks with Saudi Arabia. This initiative also involves renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Those familiar with the situation say Trump is prepared to allow the conflict to continue for only another two or three weeks at most before calling for it to stop. “There’s no end to this war without resolving the hostage issue,” one Israeli official commented.

Meanwhile, Karina Arayev—recently freed after enduring 477 days in Hamas captivity—issued a heartfelt plea ahead of Pesach: “Until they return, none of us are truly free.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF, working in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), has eliminated eleven operatives from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who took part in the brutal October 7 attacks, according to a military announcement issued Thursday. These targeted killings took place following the resumption of military activity in Gaza that began in mid-March.

The renewed offensive marked the official end of a two-month-long truce between Israel and Hamas.

Of the eleven terrorists identified, nine were neutralized in the most recent wave of strikes carried out in Gaza.

Among those killed was Hassan Na’em, who was involved in the abduction and killing of Sgt. Shaked Dahan. Ismail Shakash was also targeted; he had been responsible for murdering Israeli civilians, launching grenades at the Re’im junction checkpoint, and firing a small surface-to-air missile into Israeli territory. Jalal Qaraan played a role in murdering Inbar Haiman, attacking the Nova music festival and military installations, and killing two Israeli civilians while filming and sharing the atrocities online.

Muhammad Issa was identified as a perpetrator in the attack on Kibbutz Mefalsim and as a participant in the October 7 massacre. Muhammad Shabaki also infiltrated Israeli territory and took part in the mass killings that day. Fares Karshin, Yahya Estal, Muhammad Tzakar, and Muhammad Estal all crossed into Israel and took part in the coordinated October 7 assault.

In addition to these nine, two other terrorists were killed prior to the current campaign.

Muhammad Atsfur was involved in the assault against the IDF’s Southern Command’s 10th Brigade on October 7. Khaled Al-Din was implicated in the murder of Israeli civilians during the same attack and was found to have used the home of Erick and Ruth Peretz, both of whom were slain at the Nova music festival.

{Matzav.com}

Republicans narrowly got their budget plan over the finish line. Now comes the hard part. The resolution adopted this week was only a first step that allows Republicans to draft legislation that they can push through Congress without Democratic support. Next, they begin crafting a final bill with enough spending cuts to satisfy those on the right while not jeopardizing the reelection prospects of more vulnerable lawmakers whose constituents rely on key safety net programs. With thin majorities in the House and the Senate, Republicans can afford to lose hardly any votes from their side of the aisle as they draft legislation, giving each lawmaker leverage over the process. “It’s going to take all of us to get it done,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. The road ahead is daunting. Republicans are determined to extend the individual tax cuts that were approved during President Donald Trump’s first term before they expire at year’s end. But they intend for the legislation to do far more than that, potentially enacting a host of tax reductions that Trump promised during the campaign, such as no income tax on tips and overtime. And the tax cuts are only half the equation. Conservatives in the House gave the budget plan the final votes needed for passage Thursday after they said they received assurances from leadership in both chambers that they would work to have a final product with at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts — forcing changes to federal programs including Medicaid that could prove hard for some in the party to support. “The struggles Republicans have faced so far are only a glimmer of what’s to come,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, senses a difficult fight for Republicans. He said Trump has made clear he doesn’t want any benefit cuts for those who get health insurance coverage through Medicaid, which could conflict with the desire some conservatives have for steep spending cuts. “If it’s this rocky now, it’s only going to get worse from here on out if the speaker is not able to get the entire conference in line,” Miller said. Democrats have framed the debate as Republicans looking to slash key government programs so they can pass tax cuts that predominately help wealthier households. It’s a message Democrats will hammer home leading up to the 2026 midterm elections. “At this point, they’re all worried about primaries and they are worried about Elon’s money, but they ought to be worried about a general election as well,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., referring to Trump’s billionaire ally and adviser, Elon Musk. “I think it’s going to be very difficult for a moderate Republican, if there’s still any left, to be able to vote for this and go home and defend it.” Some Republicans also made clear to GOP leadership before Thursday’s budget vote that they will be closely monitoring the changes to Medicaid in the final bill. “This was just making sure that there is a clear understanding here that there are a group of members that will not cut benefits from seniors and our most vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is up for reelection next year, said she’s also made her position known […]

Iran is reportedly weighing the possibility of presenting a temporary nuclear deal to the United States as a stepping stone toward a broader, more permanent arrangement, according to a report by Axios on Thursday. The outlet cited a European diplomat and a source with knowledge of the internal discussions in Tehran.

This development comes as the White House intensifies diplomatic pressure, with President Donald Trump giving negotiators a 60-day window to secure a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran. At the same time, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, a move widely interpreted as a contingency plan in case diplomatic efforts falter.

If talks fail to yield tangible results, Trump may consider launching a military offensive aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—or may support Israel in conducting such an operation.

Sources familiar with Tehran’s internal strategy told Axios that Iranian officials do not see a full, detailed nuclear agreement being finalized within Trump’s tight timeline. Instead, they are hoping to buy time and lower the chances of a swift escalation in tensions.

Ali Vaez, who heads the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, told Axios, “The Iranians seem to believe that a sustainable deal is unlikely to be achieved in the timeframe that President Trump has in mind. It might therefore be necessary to consider an interim agreement as a way station toward a final deal.”

Iran’s diplomatic mission to the United Nations declined to provide a statement when asked about the possible proposal.

According to Axios, the temporary deal under consideration may include limited measures such as a reduction in uranium enrichment levels, a decrease in Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, and broader access for international inspectors. While these changes would only slightly delay Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, some experts suggest they could create a more favorable environment for further negotiations.

The arrangement could also propose extending the “snapback” clause from the 2015 nuclear accord—the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—which allows UN sanctions to be reinstated automatically if Iran fails to comply. That mechanism is set to expire in October.

France, Germany, and the UK have already issued warnings to Tehran that they will activate the snapback provision if no progress is made by the end of June.

Still, Tehran is expected to seek an end to the Trump-era “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign as part of any interim deal. Whether the White House would agree to that remains uncertain.

Some officials in Washington are wary that Iran might use a temporary deal to delay serious negotiations while continuing its nuclear development behind the scenes. That skepticism could make the administration reluctant to move forward, Axios reported.

This news emerges ahead of a meeting scheduled for Saturday in Muscat, where U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will represent Washington and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will attend on behalf of Tehran.

Although President Trump has said the talks would be direct, Iranian officials clarified that the discussions will be conducted indirectly, without face-to-face interaction.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that if military intervention becomes necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, “Israel will be involved and even lead the effort.”

When asked about a specific deadline for reaching a deal with Iran, Trump responded, “I can’t really be specific, but when you start talks, you know if they’re going along well or not, and I would say the conclusion would be when I think they’re not going along well.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation on Thursday in response to comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who appeared to validate a protester’s allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

“Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney. But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state. Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!” Netanyahu wrote on X.

Netanyahu’s post came after video surfaced showing Carney at a Calgary rally on Tuesday. During the event, a protester shouted, “Mr. Carney, there is a genocide happening in Palestine,” to which Carney responded, “Thank you…I’m aware. Which is why we have an arms embargo.”

The next day, reporters asked Carney about the incident, prompting him to clarify his remarks. He claimed he had not heard the word “genocide” and had only meant to reference existing Canadian arms restrictions.

“I didn’t hear that word,” Carney said. “It’s noisy. If you’re up there you hear snippets of what people say and I heard Gaza, and my point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”

Carney, who took over as Liberal leader last month following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, was quick to weigh in on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He criticized the shutdown of electricity to the territory, though he stopped short of naming Israel.

“It has been more than two days that the supply of electricity to Gaza has been shut off,” Carney stated, adding, “It must resume. Essentials including food, electricity and medical supplies should never be used as political tools.”

He went on to assert that Canada should act in coordination with its allies to defend international legal standards, encourage long-term regional peace, and ensure humanitarian access to Palestinian civilians.

Carney also emphasized the need for both parties to advance toward “the return of all hostages and the completion of the ceasefire agreement.”

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially supported Israel’s military response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and joined several global leaders in affirming Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for civilian protections.

However, Trudeau later took a markedly different stance, condemning Israel and insisting that the “killing of women, of children, of babies” in the Gaza Strip must end.

{Matzav.com Israel}

China announced Friday that it will raise tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% — the latest salvo in an escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies that has rattled markets and raised fears of a global slowdown. While U.S. President Donald Trump paused import taxes this week for other countries, he raised tariffs on China and they now total 145%. China has denounced the policy as “economic bullying” and promised countermeasures. The new tariffs begin Saturday. Washington’s repeated jacking up of tariffs “will become a joke in the history of the world economy,” a Chinese Finance Ministry spokesman said in a statement announcing the new tariffs. “However, if the U.S. insists on continuing to substantially infringe on China’s interests, China will resolutely counter and fight to the end.” China’s Commerce Ministry said it would file another lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the U.S. tariffs. Trump’s on-again, off-again measures have caused alarm in stock and bond markets and led some to warn that the U.S. could be headed for a recession. There was some relief when Trump paused the tariffs for most countries — but concerns remain since the U.S. and China are the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 economies, respectively. The trade war between the U.S. and China “could severely damage the global economic outlook,” the head of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said earlier this week. Chinese tariffs will affect goods like soybeans, aircrafts and their parts and drugs — all among the country’s major imports from the U.S. Beijing, meanwhile, suspended sorghum, poultry and bonemeal imports from some American companies last week, and put more export controls on rare earth minerals, critical for various technologies. The United States’ top imports from China, meanwhile, include electronics, like computers and cell phones, industrial equipment and toys — and consumers and businesses are likely to see prices rise on those products, with tariffs now at 145%. Trump announced on Wednesday that China would face 125% tariffs, but he did not include a 20% tariff on China tied to its role in fentanyl production. White House officials hope the import taxes will create more manufacturing jobs by bringing production back to the United States — a politically risky trade-off that could take years to materialize, if at all. (AP)

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the nomination of Yehuda Kaploun as the next U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social account, praised Kaploun as a dedicated advocate for Jewish rights and religious freedom. “I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large,” Trump wrote. “Yehuda is a successful businessman and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!” Kaploun, a Miami-based entrepreneur with deep roots in both askanus and Republican politics, has been a close confidant of Trump for decades. He played a key role in Jewish outreach efforts during Trump’s 2024 campaign and has been a vocal supporter of the president’s stance on U.S.-Israel relations. Born into a Chabad-Lubavitch family in Kfar Chabad, Israel, Kaploun has maintained strong ties with Jewish communities in both the U.S. and Israel. He visited Israel in late November, where he met with senior government officials and leading Charedi rabbanim. Kaploun currently serves as President and Co-Founder of RussKap Water, LLC, a company specializing in Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology aimed at addressing global water scarcity. He has also been deeply involved in philanthropy, co-founding the Moses and Aaron Foundation alongside Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel to support children with special needs and their families. His humanitarian efforts have earned him honors from the U.S. Congress, the New York State Senate, and past New York governors and mayors, including George Pataki, Rudy Giuliani, and Michael Bloomberg. Pending official confirmation, Kaploun is expected to assume the role with a global mandate—to advocate for Jewish communities, engage with foreign governments, and ensure that the United States remains a leading voice against antisemitism in all its forms. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that negotiations are inching closer to securing the release of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, suggesting that a breakthrough may be imminent—though he offered few specifics. “We’re getting close to getting them back,” Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting. “We’re making progress. We’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas—and it’s a nasty group.” The president described meeting with previously released hostages, some of whom returned in poor physical condition, and emphasized the psychological toll of their ordeal. “A lot of people are very grateful. Some came back in pretty bad shape. They’re okay, but they’re going to be scarred mentally for a long time,” he said. Trump’s remarks align with recent reports from Israeli and international media outlets indicating that a new hostage deal may be on the horizon. According to Ynet, Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, told families of hostages that “a real serious deal is on the table and it’s a matter of a few days.” Further bolstering optimism, Israel’s Kan radio reported that Israeli and Egyptian officials had exchanged draft proposals aimed at reconciling an Egyptian compromise deal with a separate plan put forward by Witkoff. The Egyptian plan reportedly includes the release of eight living hostages and the return of eight bodies in exchange for a 40- to 70-day truce and the release of a significant number of Palestinian prisoners. Witkoff’s earlier proposal outlined a two-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of five hostages and a substantial prisoner release. Amid growing signs of movement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level assessment on the hostage situation with his security team on Thursday, according to The Times of Israel. He also met in Jerusalem with the families of two hostages, Elkana Bohbot and Rom Braslavski, updating them on the status of the ongoing negotiations. Netanyahu’s office reiterated his commitment to the objectives of the war: returning all Israeli hostages, dismantling Hamas, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Currently, 24 Israeli hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza, with 35 more confirmed dead. A previously brokered deal in January had outlined a phased release of hostages in tandem with a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, that agreement collapsed after the first stage, as Israel refused to proceed with discussions on subsequent phases and Hamas declined to extend the ceasefire—prompting a resumption of Israeli military operations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Photo Credits: Sara Heiney 

Two Jewish families from Flatbush’s Syrian community survived a horrifying private jet crash in Mexico on Thursday—emerging with nothing more than scratches as flames and smoke consumed their $10 million aircraft. The Gulfstream V jet had just arrived from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, carrying the families to Cabo San Lucas for Pesach, when it veered violently off the runway during landing Thursday afternoon. Shocking footage now circulating on social media shows the aircraft skidding across the tarmac before careening off the paved surface and coming to a jarring halt near the edge of the airfield, smoke billowing from the wreckage. “We are alive,” one passenger can be heard saying emotionally in a video filmed just moments after the crash. “Thank you Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Thank you for saving us and my children—it is absolutely a miracle that we are alive.” The jet, capable of carrying up to 16 passengers and typically used for luxury executive travel, had taken off just two hours earlier. Upon the landing in Cabo, the sleek aircraft was split in parts—its fuselage torn, with one section landing nearly some 150 feet from the cockpit. Inside, the scene was one of sheer chaos. Bags had been flung from overhead compartments, dishes and cutlery lay shattered across the cabin floor. But against all odds, every passenger—including young children—escaped unharmed. The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed by Mexican aviation authorities, though initial reports suggest the aircraft may have experienced a fault upon landing. Emergency services responded to the scene, with paramedics and airport brigades treating several people at the scene, though none were transported to hospitals. The crash marked the second aviation disaster in under 24 hours. Just one hour earlier, a helicopter carrying a Siemens executive, his wife, and their three children plunged into New York’s Hudson River. All six on board perished in that tragic incident. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Britain on Friday announced a “surge” of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged country’s Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russia’s invasion and a U.S. envoy flew to St. Petersburg amid ongoing ceasefire efforts. Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines, as well as repair and maintenance contracts to keep Ukrainian armored vehicles on the battlefield. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was back in Russia on Friday but he didn’t confirm whether he will meet with Putin. Witkoff, who has been pressing the Kremlin to accept a truce, met with Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in St. Petersburg, footage released by Russian media showed. On the eve of the meeting of Ukraine’s Western backers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said a key issue was strengthening his country’s air defenses. “Ukraine needs a sufficient number of modern systems like Patriot” missile systems, he said in a post on social media. “A political decision is needed to supply these systems to protect our cities, towns, and the lives of our people — especially from the threat of Russian ballistic weapons. Our partners have such available systems,” Umerov said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his appeals for more Patriot systems since 20 people were killed a week ago, including nine children, when a Russian missile tore through apartment buildings and blasted a playground in his home town. “Ukraine needs at the very least 10 systems that are sufficiently effective specifically against Russian ballistic missiles, and this is where Patriots are second to none,” he said on his Telegram channel ahead of the meeting. “We are counting on decisions.” Zelenskyy joined Friday’s meeting by video link. Russia holds off agreeing to ceasefire Russian forces hold the advantage in Ukraine, with the war now in its fourth year. Ukraine has endorsed a U.S. ceasefire proposal, but Russia has effectively blocked it by imposing far-reaching conditions. The Russian delay in accepting Washington’s proposal has frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump and fueled doubts about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin really wants to stop the fighting while his bigger army has momentum on the battlefield. “Russia continues to use bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war in Ukraine, suggesting that the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace negotiations to end the war,” the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said in an assessment late Thursday. Washington remains committed to securing a peace deal, even though four weeks have passed since it made its ceasefire proposals, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. “It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily. It is a meat grinder,” Bruce said Thursday about the war, adding that “nothing else can be discussed … until the shooting and the killing stops.” Observers expect a new Russian offensive Ukrainian officials and military analysts believe Russia is preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in coming weeks to ramp up pressure and strengthen the Kremlin’s hand in the negotiations. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that his country would provide Ukraine with four IRIS-T short- to medium-range systems with missiles, as well as 30 missiles for use on […]

A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can move forward with a controversial initiative requiring undocumented immigrants to enter their personal details into an online database — and face fines or jail time if they don’t comply.

The policy, first unveiled by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in February, is scheduled to go into effect on Friday.

Under the new rule, undocumented immigrants aged 14 and up — including minors — must provide details such as fingerprints and residential addresses. As reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, noncompliance could result in penalties of up to $5,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months.

Several advocacy groups that serve immigrant populations, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA), United Farmworkers of America, Make the Road New York, and CASA, filed a lawsuit last month seeking to stop the policy from being implemented.

“Plaintiffs have not shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits,” DC US District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Thursday. “They have failed to demonstrate that they have standing to bring this suit.”

Judge McFadden, who was appointed by President Trump, dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims of harm as hypothetical and argued that the organizations had failed to present evidence that any individual had suffered the kind of injury recognized by the courts under Article III.

In his ruling, McFadden cited the long history of federal laws mandating non-citizen registration, beginning with the Alien Registration Act of 1940. The current iteration of that obligation is derived from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

The directive to launch this registry was included in President Trump’s “Day One” executive order, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which instructed the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the requirements of section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to prioritize penalties for noncompliance.

“Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law,” according to USCIS. “However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA [section] 262.”

“In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA [section] 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law.”

The groups challenging the rule contended that it would ultimately serve as a mechanism for mass removals of undocumented immigrants and insisted that such a sweeping change should go through a full public comment period before being finalized.

{Matzav.com}

Former President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that he has selected Yehuda Kaploun, a businessman, Chabad rabbi, and active Trump campaign supporter, to serve as his administration’s new special envoy charged with monitoring and fighting antisemitism.

Trump shared the announcement on Truth Social, stating: “I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large. Yehuda is a successful businessman, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!”

Kaploun played a central role in engaging Jewish voters on behalf of the Trump campaign during the 2024 presidential race. He was involved in organizing a major event in Washington aimed at mobilizing Jewish support, an event that received backing from Dr. Miriam Adelson.

Throughout the campaign season, Kaploun was deeply involved in outreach efforts targeting both the Orthodox and broader Jewish communities. He has said that his involvement stemmed from growing concern over rising antisemitic sentiment and the growing sense of unease felt by many Jews in America today.

“Just a year ago, no one would have believed that Jews would be afraid to be openly Jewish in the United States,” Kaploun told Mishpacha Magazine. “The fact that Jews are afraid in progressive universities shows that the United States is going down a dark path.”

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America presents a special Shailos Uteshuvos session on Hilchos Pesach and Erev Pesach Shechal B’Shabbos with Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia Yeshivah. The discussion, originally conducted four years ago, is moderated by Rav Doniel Osher Kleinman, noted rov and author of Kovetz Halachos containing Rav Kamenetsky’s p’sakim. With clarity, Rav Kamenetsky addresses a range of practical halachic questions.

WATCH:

Lakewood, NJ – Lakewood, an area of 26 square miles, has 217 miles of Township streets. It also has thousands upon thousands of garbage receptacles – bins that, while serving town residents, belong to the Lakewood Public Works Department, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of Township roads and sewers, Township parks and open space, snowplowing of Township streets, leaf and brush collection, and, of course, garbage and recycling collection.

It is because these bins belong to the township that several Lakewood poskim, notably Rav Shmuel Felder, a posek of Beth Medrash Govoha, have ruled that there is no halachic concern if town residents leave chometz in their trash cans on Yom Tov. Since the cans are in the reshus of the township, there is no issue of baal yeira’eh and baal yeimotzeh.

It should be noted that Pesach is a good time to clean out your bins and hose them down, which is also recommended during the warmer weather, when they bins tend to emit a foul odor when they are not cleaned or hose down.

{Matzav.com}

HaRav Meir Mazuz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Kisei Rachamim, is in critical condition.

Rav Mazuz has been hospitalized at Beilinson Hospital for the past week due to severe heart failure, and his condition has continued to deteriorate.

Doctors have described the situation as life-threatening, and rachamei Shamayim merubim are needed.

Talmidim close to the rosh yeshiva say that the situation is dire.

In response, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, issued an urgent call to the public to daven and learn Torah as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah for Rav Mazuz, whom he referred to as “a giant of Torah whom the public greatly needs.”

Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri also released a public statement: “Together with all of Am Yisrael, I daven for the complete and speedy recovery of my revered rebbi, HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz shlita, rosh yeshiva of Kisei Rachamim, who is in dire need of rachamei Shamayim.”

All are asked to daven for Rav Meir Nissim ben Kamasna.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New York City’s congestion tolling initiative is expected to stay active for at least several more months as legal battles between state leaders and the Trump administration continue to unfold.

A timeline proposed jointly in a legal filing on Friday outlines how the case may proceed, following threats made by President Donald Trump and his transportation secretary in February to halt the tolling system.

If approved by a federal judge in Manhattan, the proposed schedule would allow both parties to submit written arguments over several months, possibly extending into October or later. The toll would remain in operation during that time.

According to the filing, the federal government does not currently plan to seek a halt to the toll while the case plays out. The state has indicated it will continue running the system unless a judge issues an order requiring it to stop. However, the door remains open for either party—or others with a stake in the matter—to ask for a quicker decision on the program’s legality.

The tolling system charges most drivers $9 to access Manhattan south of 60th Street. It was created to ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution while generating funds for New York’s transit network, including subways, buses, and commuter trains operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The MTA projects $500 million in annual revenue from the toll, after costs, and reported that it brought in $100 million in just the first two months of 2025.

Since implementation, vehicle volume in the congestion zone has gone down. The MTA reported that March saw a 12% drop in cars entering the area compared to previous figures.

Still, critics have voiced concern about the financial burden the toll places on everyday drivers. The initiative is also being challenged in separate legal actions by the state of New Jersey—which claims the toll merely redirects traffic and emissions across the river—and by various organizations representing commuters from the suburbs, trucking companies, and other opponents.

Meanwhile, support for the toll among New Yorkers appears to be growing. A Siena College survey released March 10 showed that 42% now favor keeping the toll in place, while 35% think it should be scrapped. Back in December, only 32% supported it, with a 56% majority opposing it.

In mid-February, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans for the Federal Highway Administration to revoke a previous agreement with the MTA, which had allowed the state agency to start tolling drivers entering central Manhattan.

That announcement prompted the MTA to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that pulling back approval after the program had already launched would be illegal. The federal government initially set a March 21 deadline to end the tolling program but later moved that deadline to April 20.

{Matzav.com}

The widespread distribution of kimcha depischa to hundreds of kollel students studying through the Migdal Oz Torah network, headed by the distinguished Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yechezkel Etrog Shlita. The Kollel network distributed generous food baskets and checks to allow the students to celebrate Pesach in comfort.

On Thursday, Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich brought together the top officials of the Finance Ministry for a further, more comprehensive meeting focused on how the Israeli government should address the newly introduced tariff policy announced by President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu appointed Smotrich to head the Israeli side of the negotiations with the American administration on the matter.

During the discussion, senior ministry experts outlined a variety of strategic options that could be pursued collaboratively with the US, aiming to strengthen economic ties while avoiding or reducing any harmful repercussions for both nations.

The Finance Ministry emphasized that it is engaged in ongoing and in-depth communication with key players in Israel’s private sector, particularly those in manufacturing and export, who are expected to feel the effects of the proposed tariffs.

Concurrently, Israeli officials are working hand-in-hand with American counterparts to try and limit the range of products affected by the new tariffs and to cushion the blow to Israeli manufacturers and exporters.

A decision was made that once Pesach concludes, Smotrich will lead an official Israeli team to Washington, where they will begin detailed and focused negotiations with relevant US government representatives, with the goal of formulating agreements that will curb the potential fallout from the tariff plan.

{Matzav.com Israel}