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The well-known mekubal Rav Dov Kook of Tiveriah was taken today to Poriya Medical Center after developing pneumonia, prompting widespread concern among his many followers.

According to sources, Rav Kook was admitted to the hospital where he is currently receiving respiratory support as part of his treatment.

Talmidim of the rav are urging the public to daven on his behalf and to intensify tefillos for his full recovery.

His name for tefillah is Rav Dov HaKohen ben Shoshana.

{Matzav.com}

A New Jersey resident admitted in federal court on Wednesday that he intentionally drove his vehicle into the world headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Crown Heights during a memorial gathering earlier this year, causing damage to the building’s entrance while dozens of people were inside.

Dan Sohail, 36, of Carteret, New Jersey, entered a guilty plea in Brooklyn federal court to a charge of intentionally damaging religious property. The federal civil rights offense carries a potential penalty of up to three years behind bars, fines reaching $250,000, and approximately $19,000 in restitution payments to the synagogue.

As part of the agreement, federal authorities did not file hate crime charges against Sohail. Prosecutors told the court that the recommended federal sentencing range is estimated at zero to six months in prison.

The plea agreement brings an end to the federal prosecution stemming from the January 28 incident, when Sohail drove his 2012 Honda Accord repeatedly into a side entrance of the synagogue located at 770 Eastern Parkway. The crash took place during a gathering commemorating the yahrtzeit of the Chabad movement’s spiritual leader. Although many people were present inside the building at the time, no injuries were reported.

Court documents state that Sohail arrived at the entrance shortly before 8:40 p.m., exited his vehicle, removed security stanchions, and motioned for people near the doorway to step aside.

According to prosecutors, Sohail then got back into the car and slammed into the entrance before backing up and striking the doorway four additional times. Authorities said the repeated collisions ripped the door from its hinges and destroyed the front bumper of the vehicle.

The building at 770 Eastern Parkway is regarded internationally as the center of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and has functioned for decades as both a synagogue and the residence of the movement’s leaders.

During the hearing before U.S. District Judge Eric Vitaliano, Sohail appeared wearing a Rikers Island-issued jumpsuit. He had long, disheveled hair and a thick beard. Speaking clearly and loudly, he acknowledged that he intentionally targeted the building.

“I drove to the building in order to intentionally damage the building,” he said. “I drove into the door because it is the Chabad headquarters.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brachah Goykadosh emphasized the repeated nature of the attack during the proceeding, telling the judge that Sohail “rammed his car not once, not twice, not three times, but four times.”

No relatives or friends of Sohail attended the hearing. However, he appeared to recognize a Chabad rabbi seated in the courtroom gallery and seemed to wave toward federal agents who were holding a plastic bag containing his belongings.

Investigators said that after his arrest, Sohail told law enforcement officials that he had recently discovered Jewish ancestry in his family background. According to the complaint, he said he had visited the Chabad headquarters before and had been invited to attend the event that evening. He also claimed that icy roads and the heavy boots he was wearing caused him to lose control of the car.

At the time of the incident, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said surveillance video showed Sohail parking several blocks from the synagogue, moving barricades away from the entrance, and clearing snow before driving into the structure.

The NYPD initially treated the matter as a possible hate crime investigation. However, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez later dismissed the state charges, and federal prosecutors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to secure a hate crime conviction.

Sohail is expected to be sentenced later this year following the completion of a presentence report by federal probation officers. Authorities said he will be moved from Rikers Island to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

{Matzav.com}

A diplomatic dispute erupted Wednesday after the United Arab Emirates officially denied reports of a secret visit by Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, just hours after his office confirmed that the trip had taken place during Operation “Roaring Lion.”

In a sharply worded statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry rejected the reports outright, saying, “The United Arab Emirates denies the circulating reports regarding a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to the country, or the reception of any Israeli military delegation on its territory.” The statement added that “the country emphasizes that its relations with Israel are open relations, established as part of the Abraham Accords, and are not based on secrecy or hidden arrangements.”

The Emirati denial came in response to reports detailing a covert meeting said to have taken place on March 26 in the city of Al Ain, near the UAE-Oman border. According to those reports, Netanyahu met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for several hours at a location roughly 250 kilometers from Iran’s coastline.

The conflicting accounts have created a complicated diplomatic situation. Netanyahu’s office said earlier in the evening that “during Operation ‘Roaring Lion,’ Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu visited the United Arab Emirates in secret and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. This visit led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE.”

However, the UAE Foreign Ministry insisted in its statement that “any claim of unannounced visits or arrangements has no basis, unless officially announced by the relevant authorized entities in the United Arab Emirates.”

{Matzav.com}

The sharp rupture between Degel Hatorah and Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is being viewed by insiders as genuine, not political theater, raising new questions about whether charedi parties may ultimately play a role in choosing an alternative leader.

When Degel Hatorah Knesset members entered the home of Hagaon Rav Dov Landau on Tuesday, they understood a significant decision was coming. Even so, few expected the unusually harsh letter that emerged, openly targeting Netanyahu.

The dramatic move followed a series of political developments, but many observers say the deeper story lies in growing frustration among charedi voters. In recent months, public sentiment has become increasingly critical, with many accusing their representatives of failing to deliver results. Some go further, describing them as disconnected from the public and unresponsive to its needs. While lawmakers may argue they did everything possible but were blocked, that explanation no longer satisfies many voters.

For many in the charedi community, the reasons behind the lack of progress matter less than the outcome. Whether the blame is placed on the attorney general, internal dissent within Likud, or coalition constraints, the bottom line, they say, is that there have been no tangible achievements.

Against that backdrop, Degel Hatorah’s decision cannot be dismissed lightly. It is difficult to recall such a forceful public attack on Netanyahu. The confrontation appears authentic, and the significant efforts by Netanyahu’s associates to prevent the letter from being published only underscore how serious the situation is. Still, talk of a complete and final break remains premature.

Even now, some note that political realities could shift again after elections. If it turns out that the best option is once again a government led by Netanyahu, it is far from certain that charedi parties would rule it out.

“We will from now on do only what is good for charedi Judaism and the yeshiva world,” Rav Landau wrote. If, after elections, that calculation points back to a Netanyahu-led coalition—one that offers stronger guarantees and meets charedi demands—few believe the option would be dismissed outright.

At the same time, there are those who argue that Netanyahu’s political standing may have suffered a serious blow. For years, opponents attempted to unseat him through protests, campaigns, elections, and investigations. Now, it may be his charedi allies—once seen as his most reliable partners—who could mark the beginning of the end of his tenure.

It is often assumed that charedi parties would never align with the left. That may be true, but Israeli politics has repeatedly shown that “never” is rarely absolute. Past experience has demonstrated that even a party with just six seats can propel its leader to the premiership. With charedi parties holding close to 20 mandates, some are asking why they could not support a different candidate from the right or even the center.

Some analysts suggest that the charedi parties may not necessarily shift to the left, but instead seek a new political partner.

When discussing alternatives, the conversation often focuses on familiar figures such as Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, or Naftali Bennett. However, others point to more broadly acceptable figures from the charedi perspective, such as Gadi Eisenkot, as potential options.

Shas, however, faces a more complicated situation than Degel Hatorah. The party led by Aryeh Deri is more deeply rooted within the right-wing bloc than United Torah Judaism. As a result, while Degel Hatorah occasionally voices more independent positions—and some of its members are even labeled “left-leaning” within the camp—Shas has taken a markedly different approach.

Despite close coordination between the two parties, observers do not expect Shas to adopt similarly sharp rhetoric against Netanyahu, and certainly not to advocate dismantling the right-wing bloc.

The divergence was evident in the parties’ respective newspapers. On one side stood Yated Ne’eman, representing Degel Hatorah; on the other, Haderech, aligned with Shas. Two charedi publications, two allied parties, but two distinctly different responses to the political upheaval of the past day.

{Matzav.com}

After a day of silence, Shas has joined calls to dissolve the Knesset, while signaling a markedly different tone from its Lithuanian counterpart and maintaining its loyalty to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

The party’s newspaper, Haderech, published its long-awaited response, but the wording underscored a significant contrast in political approach. While Degel Hatorah declared a complete break from the bloc and a loss of personal trust in Netanyahu, Shas framed the situation as internal disappointment rather than a rupture.

The headline in the paper read, “Without progress on the law, there is no point in maintaining the current government,” reflecting a softer stance. Notably, Shas is not demanding the immediate passage of the legislation as a condition for the government’s survival, but rather its advancement. This phrasing leaves Netanyahu room to maneuver and indicates that Shas, unlike Degel Hatorah, is not rushing to sever ties with the prime minister.

At the same time, Shas is already looking ahead to the next government, setting a clear condition that draft exemptions must be resolved before any future coalition is formed, as part of pre-coalition agreements.

The tone adopted by Shas is far more measured than the sharp rhetoric seen in other charedi outlets. Terms such as “pain” and “disappointment” suggest the posture of a loyal partner expressing frustration, rather than one seeking to dismantle the ideological alliance. For Shas, the primary dispute at this stage centers on the timing of elections, not on its broader affiliation with the national-religious camp.

In a special column published in the party’s paper, the ideological position was made clear: “Whoever naively believes that a left-wing government will solve everything is living in illusions.” The piece argued that the only unifying factor of the opposing bloc is “hatred of the charedim,” dismissing the idea of cooperation with the left as unrealistic.

In summary, while Shas has followed Degel Hatorah in formally backing the push to dissolve the Knesset, it has done so while carefully preserving its place within the right-wing bloc. The party’s message to Netanyahu is clear: It remains aligned with him, but believes the current government has reached the end of its ability to advance key religious priorities. The expectation is that both sides will meet again at the ballot box and return strengthened under the same political alliance.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has decided not to take part in discussions at the President’s Residence aimed at reaching a plea agreement, according to a report broadcast Wednesday night on Channel 12, following a prolonged internal debate over how to respond to President Isaac Herzog’s proposal.

The report stated that Netanyahu did not respond to Herzog’s initiative for ten days, during which a deep divide emerged between his legal team, who supported entering talks, and his family members and close advisers, whose position ultimately led to the decision to reject the offer.

Senior officials close to Netanyahu sharply criticized the president’s initiative, calling it “a spin” and “complete nonsense.” They described it as “a staged production meant to drag out time and avoid dealing with the pardon request,” adding that Netanyahu is close to making a final decision to reject the proposal and instead continue pressing Herzog on the issue of a pardon.

Netanyahu’s decision stands in contrast to the view of his attorneys, who believe that participating in discussions at the President’s Residence would be in his legal interest. Despite their position, the stance of his inner circle appears to have prevailed in favor of rejecting negotiations toward a plea deal.

Earlier in the day, Herzog addressed the matter at the President’s Conference for a Shared Israeli Future, referring to the pardon request as “an elephant in the room.” “I am touching on very painful issues, an issue that is a kind of elephant in the room,” he said. “The issue of a pardon for the prime minister or a request for a pardon. Why do I call for dialogue and explanation, for talks toward an arrangement? Because I truly believe that in these heavy issues that burn at the heart of Israeli society and divide it, the right path, as much as possible, is to reach understandings and agreements. I believe in this.”

Herzog added that he expects both sides to be willing to engage in discussions. “In this case as well, it is difficult for everyone. The moment one side said it is willing to come into the room, I expect the other side to come into the room as well.”

{Matzav.com}

Officials inside the White House are reportedly considering a proposal for President Donald Trump to grant as many as 250 pardons in connection with the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations later this year.

The report, first published by The Wall Street Journal, cites unnamed sources familiar with internal discussions.

According to the Journal, a White House official acknowledged that conversations are ongoing about how best to implement the president’s priorities, while emphasizing that Trump will ultimately decide whether and how to proceed with any clemency actions.

Among the dates being considered for a possible announcement are June 14—Flag Day and Trump’s birthday—or July 4.

If carried out, the move would further expand Trump’s use of presidential pardon authority during his second term.

The Journal reported that some within the administration have expressed concern about issuing a large number of pardons ahead of this year’s midterm elections.

Trump has tied a number of initiatives to the country’s 250th anniversary, known as the semiquincentennial.

Those plans include the creation of a National Garden of American Heroes featuring 250 statues, a nationwide athletic competition for high school students called the “Patriot Games,” and upgrades to national monuments in Washington.

The report also noted that leaders throughout history have occasionally used milestone anniversaries and commemorative events as occasions to grant pardons or other forms of clemency.

Ed Martin, Trump’s appointed pardon attorney at the Justice Department, has previously written that the power to grant pardons has long played a meaningful role in justice systems.

Trump has already issued several notable pardons during his current term, including clemency for individuals connected to the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident, as well as pardons for former Binance executive Changpeng Zhao, Nikola founder Trevor Milton, and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht.

Justice Department figures show that more than 16,000 formal pardon applications were submitted last year, the highest total recorded since at least 1937.

Several high-profile individuals have publicly sought clemency. The attorney representing Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, has openly discussed the possibility of pursuing a pardon in exchange for cooperation related to the case.

Trump previously said he would consult with the Justice Department when asked about the possibility of granting Maxwell clemency.

“I have a lot of people who’ve asked me for pardons,” Trump told reporters last year.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday that Dr. Anthony Fauci should still be prosecuted, even after receiving a broad preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden on his final day in office.

“We would like to see him prosecuted,” Paul told “Rob Schmitt Tonight.” “We think you shouldn’t get away with doing this, and you shouldn’t get away with lying about it.”

Paul argued that potential legal exposure for Fauci goes beyond accusations that he misled Congress in 2021 when he denied funding gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

“We know there are other charges besides just lying to Congress,” Paul said. “There’s destroying records, there’s telling others to destroy records. And then there’s also the potential, as you said, of a conspiracy charge. So, I think charges still actually loom.”

The Kentucky senator also raised doubts about the validity of the pardon Biden issued in January 2025, which covers any federal offenses Fauci may have committed between January 1, 2014, and January 19, 2025.

“The biggest question, though, is whether this blanket pardon, a pardon that is for a 10-year period and no specified crimes. I think it’s worth challenging in court,” Paul said. “I don’t know how you can pardon people for an unspecified crime.”

Paul said he has already sent “three letters of criminal referral” to both the Biden and Trump Justice Departments calling for Fauci to be prosecuted.

His remarks come as the Justice Department is reportedly examining whether additional charges could still be pursued, despite the expiration Monday of the five-year statute of limitations tied to Fauci’s May 11, 2021, Senate testimony about gain-of-function research funding.

According to a report in The New York Post, federal officials are reviewing whether conspiracy-related charges or other alleged actions could still leave Fauci open to prosecution.

Paul also cited the recent indictment of Dr. David Morens, a former Fauci adviser, who is facing federal charges that include conspiracy against the United States and the destruction and concealment of records related to investigations into the origins of COVID-19.

Looking ahead, Paul said a whistleblower is expected to testify before Congress regarding the origins of the pandemic. He claimed that intelligence agencies relied on scientists with potential conflicts of interest while rejecting the lab-leak theory.

“This is the kind of circle of experts who all knew each other, but it was all orchestrated by Anthony Fauci,” Paul said. “He’s the linchpin. He’s the head of the organization, basically.”

{Matzav.com}

Coalition chairman Ofir Katz of Likud, together with leaders of all coalition factions, has submitted legislation to dissolve the 25th Knesset, setting the stage for early elections amid escalating political tensions.

Under the proposal, the specific date for elections would be determined during deliberations in the Knesset Committee.

Sources within the political system say the move is aimed at ensuring the coalition maintains control over how the dissolution unfolds, rather than allowing the opposition to dictate the process.

The bill is slated to come before the Knesset plenum for a preliminary vote on Wednesday and is widely expected to pass.

The development follows a dramatic shift by the charedi parties, which informed Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu a day earlier that they no longer support him, citing delays in advancing legislation related to exemptions from military service for charedim. The Degel Hatorah faction went further, declaring that it no longer considers itself bound to the right-wing bloc.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Degel Hatorah representatives, Hagaon Rav Dov Landau wrote that “we are no longer committed to him” and directed party members to work toward elections at the earliest opportunity.

Addressing the lawmakers, Rav Landau added: “You have fulfilled your mission faithfully and beyond measure. We have no trust in the prime minister and no longer feel like his partners. We are not committed to him. From now on, we will do only what we believe is good for charedi Judaism, and in our opinion, elections should be held as soon as possible. All kinds of talk about a bloc no longer exist.”

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz reacted to the coalition’s move by calling it a turning point.

“This is the beginning of the end of the worst government in Israeli history, and the sooner the better. But the question is not only when the elections will be, but mainly what will happen here after them. After the upcoming elections, the State of Israel must establish a broad Zionist unity government that will lead Israel forward.”

{Matzav.com}

Astronomers have uncovered what could be more than 10,000 previously unknown planets beyond our solar system, a discovery that could dramatically expand the known number of worlds orbiting distant stars.

Researchers say the universe is already filled with such bodies—known as exoplanets—but only a little over 6,000 have been officially confirmed so far.

Using a new approach that incorporates artificial intelligence, scientists were able to identify a vast number of additional candidates. If confirmed, the finding would represent a major step forward in the ongoing effort to locate planets that may resemble Earth and possibly support life.

The discovery also comes as NASA prepares for a potential 2026 launch of its advanced Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is expected to accelerate the search for new planets even further.

What are exoplanets?

Scientists have identified thousands of exoplanets—planets that exist outside our solar system—throughout the galaxy. Because of their distance, most cannot be observed directly, but researchers have determined that they come in many forms, ranging from small rocky planets to massive gas giants, as well as water-rich worlds and extremely hot planets.

Exoplanets are simply planets located beyond Earth’s solar system and are sometimes referred to as extrasolar planets.

While most orbit stars, much like Earth orbits the sun, some—known as rogue planets—drift freely through space without being tied to any star.

As of May 2026, NASA’s Exoplanet Science Institute reports that 6,286 exoplanets have been confirmed. In addition, nearly 8,000 more candidates are awaiting verification, and scientists believe that billions more exist throughout the universe.

In the latest breakthrough, researchers developed a method that enabled them to detect more than 10,000 additional possible planets that had previously gone unnoticed.

To do so, they relied on data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which has already been responsible for identifying nearly 900 exoplanets. By applying a machine learning system to data collected during TESS’s first year of operation in 2018, scientists were able to identify 10,091 new objects that may be planets.

TESS detects potential planets by monitoring the brightness of stars. When a star’s light dims from the satellite’s perspective, it may indicate that a planet is passing in front of it, an event known as a transit.

Unlike earlier efforts that focused mainly on brighter stars, the research team broadened its analysis to include 83 million fainter stars previously observed by TESS. Although these newly identified objects remain candidates until further confirmation, the study—published on the research platform ArXiv and still awaiting peer review—marks a significant advancement in how astronomers search for new worlds.

Since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995, scientists have been cataloging a wide variety of distant worlds.

However, one key goal remains unmet: identifying a planet that closely resembles Earth. Finding such a world would be a major milestone in the search for life beyond our planet.

Researchers came close to such a breakthrough in April 2025.

An exoplanet known as K2-18b drew widespread attention when scientists reported finding in its atmosphere “the strongest evidence yet” that life might exist elsewhere in the universe. However, other experts later questioned the findings, tempering excitement over the possibility that humanity had discovered definitive proof of extraterrestrial life.

Efforts to find life are not limited to distant stars but are also underway within our own solar system.

Mars remains a key focus as a potential record of ancient life, while several moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn are also considered promising targets. NASA missions are studying these environments, including Jupiter’s moon Europa, where a spacecraft is expected to arrive in 2030 to examine its icy surface and subsurface ocean for signs of habitability.

Another candidate is Saturn’s moon Enceladus, which scientists believe may also possess conditions suitable for life.

Looking ahead, NASA plans to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in 2026. The observatory is expected to identify thousands of additional exoplanets, primarily using a method known as gravitational microlensing, further expanding humanity’s understanding of the universe.

{Matzav.com}

An IDF soldier from the Nachal Brigade was sentenced to 30 days in military prison after wearing a patch on his uniform featuring the Moshiach symbol associated with Chabad, an incident that came to light when Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir spotted him during a tour in Judea and Samaria and ordered disciplinary action.

Following the incident, additional penalties were handed down across the chain of command. The platoon commander received a 14-day probation sentence, the company commander was formally reprimanded, and the battalion commander was issued a citation.

According to the military, troops had been briefed in advance about the Chief of Staff’s visit, yet despite the warning, “they behaved in a manner that was inconsistent with expectations and did not comply with rules of discipline.” In response, the brigade commander convened the entire command structure to address operational discipline.

Addressing the officers, Zamir stressed the responsibility of leadership, stating, “We must see that we, as commanders, meet the norms that we expect of our subordinates, who watch us and expect us to pave their paths.”

Zamir further emphasized that military success depends not only on strength but also on adherence to values, saying, “The justice of our path is based on the spirit and values of the Israel Defense Forces, and they are an inseparable part of victory. We are a victorious army, a disciplined army that upholds its values and norms is a victorious army.”

The issue had been raised previously as well. During a conference last month with senior officers, Zamir highlighted several irregular incidents he had observed in the field, including the display of various symbols, and reportedly said the patch in question constitutes “a rebellion against IDF values.”

{Matzav.com}

A new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office indicates that President Donald Trump’s proposed space-based missile defense system, known as the “Golden Dome for America,” could carry a price tag of about $1.2 trillion over two decades—far exceeding the $175 billion figure the president cited last year.

The report, released Tuesday by the nonpartisan CBO, stresses that its findings are based on a hypothetical framework and represent “one illustrative approach rather than an estimate of a specific Administration proposal.”

Trump ordered development of the advanced defense system through an executive order during his first week in office, stating at the time that he expected it to be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which concludes in January 2029.

“Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex with the development by peer and near-peer adversaries of next-generation delivery systems,” Trump said in his executive order, explaining the rationale behind the initiative.

According to the CBO, uncertainty surrounding the scope of the project—particularly the number and type of systems to be deployed—makes it difficult to determine the full long-term cost. The report notes that the War Department has not yet provided sufficient detail, “making it impossible to estimate the long term cost” of the Golden Dome system.

The idea behind the program draws partly from Israel’s layered missile defense network, commonly referred to as the “Iron Dome,” which has been instrumental in protecting against rocket and missile attacks from Iran and allied groups during the ongoing conflict.

The envisioned U.S. system would combine both terrestrial and space-based technologies capable of identifying, tracking and intercepting missiles at multiple stages of an attack.

Lawmakers have already approved approximately $24 billion in funding for the initiative through a Republican-backed tax and spending package signed into law last summer.

Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, who oversees the Golden Dome project, addressed cost concerns during congressional testimony last month, pushing back against some of the higher estimates.

He told lawmakers that various groups estimating costs “just take the cost of a legacy system and they multiply it out and they get these really large numbers and they say, well, that must be it.

“That is not what Golden Dome is doing,” the U.S. Space Force general said. “We are laser focused on affordability.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., who requested the CBO review, sharply criticized the program following the report’s release, arguing that it benefits defense contractors at taxpayers’ expense.

He said the project is “nothing more than a massive giveaway to defense contractors paid for entirely by working Americans.”

When Trump first introduced the Golden Dome concept last May, he estimated its cost at $175 billion. However, even earlier projections from the CBO suggested that the space-based components alone could reach as much as $542 billion over a 20-year period.

{Matzav.com}

Kevin Warsh was confirmed Wednesday as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, stepping into the role at a moment when rising inflation is placing the central bank in a difficult position.

The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s nominee by a 54-45 vote, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania standing as the only Democrat to support him. Just one day earlier, Warsh had secured confirmation to a 14-year term on the Fed’s Board of Governors in a tight 51-45 vote.

Warsh is set to take over from outgoing Chair Jerome Powell by the end of the week, inheriting an economic landscape where inflation is climbing even as Trump continues to advocate for lower interest rates.

Powell’s term as chair ends Friday, but he is expected to remain on the board as a governor—an uncommon arrangement that could lead to friction within the institution as Warsh begins to steer monetary policy at a time when inflation pressures are expected to increase amid the Iran war.

“The Fed has a predicament,” Derek Reisfield, co-founder and original chairman of MarketWatch, told The Post.

“While there is a lot of pressure to lower rates, typically in a rising inflation environment, the Fed would be hesitant to lower rates. That might fuel inflation more.”

New government data released this week showed consumer prices rising 3.8% in April compared to a year earlier, marking the highest annual increase since mid-2023 and a notable jump from March’s 3.3% rate.

Core inflation, which strips out volatile items, rose 2.8% year over year, while the Fed’s preferred core PCE measure remains above 3%.

Skanda Amarnath, executive director of Employ America and a former Fed economist, said inflation has been stronger than expected for months, even excluding swings in gasoline prices, and warned that conditions may worsen.

“Even the more flattering inflation measures Warsh pointed to at his confirmation hearing are now turning the other way,” Amarnath told The Post.

Warsh has long argued that the Fed damaged its credibility by maintaining loose monetary policy following the pandemic.

During his confirmation hearing last month, he criticized the central bank’s 2020 framework, saying it contributed to “the inflation surge … we’re still living with.”

He also faulted Fed officials for signaling their rate decisions too clearly in advance.

“We need central bankers who are humble, who are nimble, who are open-minded, who can react,” Warsh told lawmakers.

At the same time, Warsh has suggested that advances in artificial intelligence could eventually boost productivity enough to ease inflationary pressures and allow interest rates to decline over time.

Powell is remaining on the board in part due to ongoing questions surrounding the Fed’s costly headquarters renovation project.

The issue prompted a Justice Department investigation into whether Powell misled Congress about rising costs. Although prosecutors dropped the criminal case, Powell has said he intends to stay until the matter is “well and truly over” and to ensure the Fed’s independence is safeguarded from political interference.

Justice Department officials have indicated they could revisit the case if the Fed’s Office of Inspector General uncovers evidence of wrongdoing.

Reisfield said one of the main contributors to the recent inflation spike has been disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz, where instability has pushed up energy prices and disrupted supply chains for key materials from the Persian Gulf.

“These are all basic supply inputs to a ton of things, like fertilizer, computer chips, etc.,” Reisfield said. “So everything that relies on those inputs, which is pretty much everything in our economy, is going to cost more.”

A central question for the Fed, Reisfield said, is whether policymakers believe the current inflation spike will be short-lived.

“If the Iran war is over soon, those prices will drop,” he said. “One question will be how quickly.”

Amarnath noted that markets may still be underestimating the likelihood that the Fed could raise rates again if inflation remains elevated.

“The debate now is why or why not hike — not why or why not cut,” he said.

Such a move would put the central bank on a collision course with Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Powell for not lowering rates more aggressively.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled his $124.7 billion budget proposal Tuesday, presenting it as a solution to a multibillion-dollar shortfall, but critics say the plan leans heavily on temporary fixes and a range of quiet fee increases.

While the mayor highlighted closing the gap and described the budget as a turning point, watchdog groups quickly challenged that claim, pointing to what they say are questionable savings and new ways the city intends to bring in $1.7 billion over the next two years.

Opponents dismissed the approach as relying on accounting maneuvers, even after Mamdani backed away from a proposed 9.5% property tax increase that had drawn widespread opposition.

“Banking on yet to be determined revenue-raising gimmicks and identifying fake savings are not wins,” a Democratic operative said. “This budget plan is as real as Kim Kardashian’s lips.”

Mamdani, who ran on lowering costs for residents, said his administration spent months identifying efficiencies through newly appointed “Chief Savings Officers,” though some of the projected gains involve higher charges on residents and businesses.

Among the proposals, City Hall intends to increase ambulance transport fees to bring in nearly $25 million annually and begin charging for EMS responses even when patients are not transported, which is expected to generate an additional $10 million, according to budget documents.

Other projected revenue sources include stepping up enforcement of bus lane violations, increasing oversight of the trade waste sector and wholesale markets, and raising fees related to tree replacement, according to city records.

The plan also calls for stricter enforcement of the STAR property tax credit and increased audits tied to abatement compliance, with an expectation of collecting roughly $24 million more each year.

One insider expressed skepticism about the overall impact of the measures.

“There’s not enough savings at all.”

“The only good thing is he gave on property tax and the rainy day fund,” the politico said. “Otherwise, the budget is not where it needs to be at all.”

Several departments are also implementing relatively small cuts, including the Department of Veterans’ Services, which is set to reduce certain events to save $60,000, and the Sanitation Department, which plans to eliminate a battery disposal program to save $353,000.

Some of the projected savings come from revised revenue estimates, including higher expected income from handgun permits, Landmark Preservation Commission applications and Taxi and Limousine Commission license renewals.

A large portion of the projected savings is tied to the Department of Education, with officials relying heavily on broadly defined cost-containment efforts.

The budget anticipates $149.5 million in savings this fiscal year through “improved financial controls,” with a projected $922 million in savings next year tied to similar measures, including $30.3 million from procurement “reform.”

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Mamdani said his administration worked to identify every possible efficiency.

“It is evidence of a new era of government in our city, one that can balance both ambition and fiscal responsibility, one that can invest in housing, child care, libraries, parks, schools and climate resiliency, while also cutting waste and finding efficiencies,” he said.

“One that does not accept austerity as the only answer to adversity, one that refuses to kick structural challenges down the road for someone else to have to solve.”

During his remarks, Mamdani outlined $94 million in savings from renegotiating or canceling contracts and another $28 million from updating city technology and software licenses.

He also pointed to $368 million in savings from improving service efficiency and reducing overtime and outdated programs, along with $947 million from what he described as better financial management and more accurate revenue and expense projections.

Additional savings are expected through consolidating city operations, reducing unused space, combining leases and leaving some positions unfilled.

City officials also said the budget gap would be narrowed by restructuring pension payments, saving $2.3 billion over two years, and introducing a tax on high-end second homes expected to generate $500 million, though that estimate has faced scrutiny.

The administration further projected hundreds of millions in savings by slowing the growth of spending on special education reimbursements and housing vouchers, though it offered few concrete details on how those reductions would be achieved.

Mamdani’s proposed Office of Community Safety is allocated $270 million, significantly less than the $1.1 billion he had pledged during his campaign for a new department focused on responding to mental health crises.

City Comptroller Mark Levine cautioned that the budget still depends heavily on short-term measures.

“relies on $2.8 billion in one-time measures and $2.3 billion in short-term pension savings, without solving for the fact that City government continues to spend more than we take in, even in a year of record revenues.”

Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, acknowledged some progress but said deeper changes are needed.

“Holistic transformation is the best path for the excellence in government the Mayor rightly promotes and New Yorkers need,” he said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, we get the types of maneuvers we’ve seen in the past.”

The proposal now heads to the City Council, where negotiations will take place ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

Several major European airlines are preparing to restart flights to Israel after suspending service during the war with Iran, signaling a gradual return to normal air travel.

Germany’s Lufthansa, along with Austrian Airlines, is expected to resume routes to and from Israel at the start of June, while Wizz Air said it plans to restart operations earlier, on May 28.

The move comes after a shift in guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which revised its recommendations regarding air travel in the Middle East.

Although EASA extended its advisory discouraging flights to Israel and Gulf destinations through May 27, the language of the guidance has been softened. Rather than calling on airlines to avoid the region altogether, it now advises carriers to proceed with “heightened caution” and to carry out ongoing risk evaluations.

With this adjustment, airlines now have greater flexibility to make their own operational and security decisions, enabling them to cautiously resume flights while still adhering to specific safety measures.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Army is confronting a budget deficit estimated between $4 billion and $6 billion, driven largely by the costs of the Iran war and expanded efforts to secure the southern border.

Internal records reviewed by ABC News indicate that Army leadership is moving quickly to cut expenses, reducing training programs and scaling back operations as it tries to manage the growing financial burden tied to President Donald Trump’s broadened security missions both domestically and overseas.

These cost-cutting measures have already led to sudden cancellations of specialized military courses, a reduction in flight hours for pilots, and tighter oversight of spending across various Army units, even though several months remain before the fiscal year concludes on September 30.

A significant contributor to the funding gap is the Army’s increased operational presence, including deployments connected to the conflict with Iran as well as ongoing border security assignments.

The service has also had to cover expenses resulting from funding shortfalls at the Department of Homeland Security during a recent 76-day shutdown.

Even as the Army works to manage these financial pressures, the Trump administration has put forward a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027, aimed at restoring and strengthening U.S. military power following what War Secretary Pete Hegseth described as years of insufficient funding by prior administrations.

“We are delivering on President Trump’s commitment to expand American military dominance for decades to come,” Hegseth said while announcing the budget proposal.

The proposal allocates substantial funding for missile defense systems, drone capabilities, naval construction, cyber operations, and border security. It also includes $2.3 billion specifically designated to maintain heightened enforcement at the southern border.

Despite these long-term plans, Army officials are raising concerns about immediate readiness challenges.

Forecasts suggest that III Armored Corps, which accounts for nearly half of the Army’s combat strength, could experience declines in aviation readiness and overall combat effectiveness as budget reductions take hold.

In response to financial constraints, the Army has reportedly cut some pilots’ flight hours down to the minimum required levels, sparking concern given ongoing scrutiny over aviation safety and incidents linked to fatigue.

Among the programs affected by the cuts are a planned Army Sapper Course and an artillery training program at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, both of which were canceled as commanders tightened their budgets.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers expressed worry Tuesday that proposed reductions in aviation funding under the Army Transformation Initiative could harm the defense industry and weaken overall military preparedness.

During congressional testimony, Hegseth acknowledged that certain aviation cuts may need to be reconsidered.

“We need to make sure we’ve got something there before you divest,” Hegseth told lawmakers, referring to aircraft such as the Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook helicopters still heavily relied upon by U.S. forces, Breaking Defense reported.

Army officials maintain that, despite financial challenges, the service remains focused on preserving combat readiness while continuing to meet the expanding demands of Trump’s national security agenda.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Donald Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday for a major summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the war in Iran, trade tensions and American arms sales to Taiwan expected to be at the center of the talks.

The main portion of the visit is scheduled for Thursday, when Trump and Xi are set to hold bilateral discussions, tour the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once prayed for strong harvests, and attend a formal state banquet.

China welcomed Trump with an elaborate arrival ceremony, including a red carpet rolled out after Air Force One touched down in the Chinese capital.

Greeting the president were Chinese Vice President Han Zheng; Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to Washington; Ma Zhaoxu, executive vice minister of foreign affairs; and David Perdue, the U.S. ambassador to Beijing.

The ceremony featured a military honor guard, a military band and about 300 Chinese young people waving Chinese and American flags while chanting, “Welcome, welcome! Warm welcome!” as Trump walked toward his waiting limousine.

The youth greeters wore white and robin’s egg blue outfits that matched the colors of the presidential aircraft.

“We’re the two superpowers,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House on Tuesday for the long flight to Beijing. “We’re the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military. China’s considered second.”

Trump has sought to project strength, but the trip comes at a sensitive point in his presidency, with his domestic standing hurt by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and inflation that has climbed as a result of the conflict.

The Republican president is looking for a diplomatic and economic success, with hopes of securing Chinese agreements to purchase more American soybeans, beef and aircraft. He said trade would be discussed “more than anything else.”

The Trump administration is also seeking to begin the creation of a Board of Trade with China, aimed at managing disputes between the two countries. Such a body could help keep last year’s trade war from reigniting after Trump’s tariff increases and China’s response through its control of rare earth minerals. The standoff resulted in a one-year truce last October.

Still, Trump’s visit comes as Iran remains a major issue in Washington. The war has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, leaving oil and natural gas tankers stranded and pushing energy prices to levels that threaten to damage global economic growth.

Trump said Xi does not need to help bring the conflict to an end, even though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Beijing last week.

“We have a lot of things to discuss. I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump told reporters Tuesday.

Taiwan is also expected to be a central point of discussion, as Beijing has objected to U.S. plans to sell weapons to the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory.

Trump said Monday that he planned to discuss with Xi an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan that his administration approved in December but has not yet begun delivering. It is the largest weapons package ever authorized for Taiwan.

At the same time, Trump has shown more uncertainty about Taiwan than some previous U.S. leaders, raising questions about whether he may be willing to reduce American support for the island democracy.

Taiwan’s importance has also grown because it is the world’s leading chipmaker and central to artificial intelligence development. The United States has imported more goods from Taiwan than from China so far this year, while Trump has used Biden-era programs and his own agreements to push for more semiconductor manufacturing in America.

Ahead of Trump’s arrival, the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Daily published a sharply worded editorial declaring that Taiwan is “the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations” and “the biggest point of risk” between the two countries.

Trump was already presenting the trip as a success before leaving the White House. He spoke about Xi’s expected return visit to the United States later this year and complained that the White House ballroom now under construction would not be finished in time to properly host the Chinese leader.

“We’re going to have a great relationship for many, many decades to come,” Trump said of the U.S. and China.

Trump traveled to Beijing aboard Air Force One with a group that included senior aides, family members and leading business figures, among them Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk. During the flight, Trump posted on social media that his “first request” to Xi would be for China to expand opportunities for American companies operating there.

“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level!” Trump wrote.

Despite Trump’s public confidence, China is approaching the summit from “a much stronger place,” said Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser on Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Beijing’s goals include easing technology restrictions on access to computer chips and finding ways to lower tariffs.

“But even if they don’t get much on any of those things, as long as there’s not a blow-up in the meeting and President Trump doesn’t go away and look to re-escalate, China basically comes out stronger,” Kennedy said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met Wednesday at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, to discuss economic and trade matters, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Trump is also expected to bring up the possibility of a nuclear arms agreement among the United States, China and Russia that would limit each country’s arsenal, according to a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters before the trip. The official spoke on condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House.

China has previously shown little interest in joining such an agreement. Pentagon estimates say Beijing has more than 600 operational nuclear warheads, far fewer than the United States and Russia, which are each believed to have more than 5,000 nuclear warheads.

The last nuclear arms agreement between the United States and Russia, the New START treaty, expired in February, ending limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.

As the treaty neared its expiration, Trump turned down Russia’s call to extend the bilateral agreement for another year and instead called for “a new, improved, and modernized” agreement that includes China.

The Pentagon estimates that China will have more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office revealed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu quietly traveled to the United Arab Emirates during Operation Roaring Lion and held a meeting with President Mohammed bin Zayed, marking a significant development in ties between the two countries.

“This visit led to a historic breakthrough in the relations between Israel and the UAE,” the office stated.

According to the statement, the meeting—previously undisclosed—represents the first time such an encounter between Netanyahu and bin Zayed has been publicly acknowledged. While the two leaders have met on multiple occasions in the past, and Netanyahu had even visited the UAE before, those interactions were kept out of the public eye and were not officially disclosed by his office.

{Matzav.com}

The Hamodia newspaper responded Wednesday morning to the dramatic political developments surrounding the draft law crisis, declaring that all factions within United Torah Judaism are now aligned in seeking the dissolution of the Knesset over what they describe as the government’s failure to uphold commitments to the Torah world.

The report followed Tuesday night’s directive from Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, who instructed Degel HaTorah representatives to do everything possible to bring down the government, declaring that there is no longer trust in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Hamodia noted that the dissatisfaction within Agudas Yisrael toward Netanyahu’s handling of the draft law issue began long before the latest developments.

According to the paper, the Gerrer Rebbe had already expressed deep frustration with the prime minister’s conduct quite some time ago, and the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael decided nearly a year ago that “it is no longer appropriate to remain in a government that assists in the persecution of the Torah world and violates agreements.”

In a front-page report published Wednesday morning, Hamodia wrote under the headline: “All components of United Torah Judaism agree that there is no chance that Likud will fulfill its commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners and will act to dissolve the Knesset.”

The subheadline added: “Representatives of Degel HaTorah received instructions yesterday to lead efforts to dissolve the Knesset • Representatives of Agudas Yisrael, under the directive of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, have already been working for a year toward dissolving the Knesset • Likud officials say Netanyahu is considering initiating a bill himself to dissolve the Knesset • Political analysts estimate that Shas will also join the move.”

In the body of the article, Hamodia described Degel HaTorah’s latest move as joining the longstanding chassidishe position on the issue.

“A shockwave in the political arena occurred once it became clear that today all components of United Torah Judaism will act to dissolve the Knesset, in light of the disregard for the written and signed commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners whose Torah is their occupation, and the evasion and denial for more than three years of all promises and commitments,” the newspaper wrote.

The paper continued by recounting Rav Landau’s directive to Degel HaTorah lawmakers.

“The matter occurred yesterday after the publication of the unequivocal instruction of the rosh yeshiva, HaGaon Rav Dov Landau shlit”a, who instructed the representatives of Degel HaTorah to act toward dissolving the Knesset, stating: ‘We no longer have trust in Netanyahu. From now on, we will do only what is good for chareidi Jewry and the Olam Hayeshivos.’”

Hamodia also emphasized that Agudas Yisrael’s representatives have effectively been pursuing the same objective for an extended period already.

“As recalled, the representatives of Agudas Yisrael have been acting in this direction under the instruction of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah that was given to them more than a year ago, that there is no place for continuing partnership with those who deny and ignore their written and signed commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners whose Torah is their occupation, without decrees and without sanctions,” the paper wrote.

According to Hamodia, reports circulating in the political system Tuesday indicated that Shas representatives are also expected to join the effort due to what the party views as harsh decrees and an ongoing campaign against the chareidi tzibbur.

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein strongly criticized the growing practice of people driving short distances to shul instead of walking, saying those who are physically able to walk should not choose the convenience of a car for such brief trips.

The remarks were delivered during a small shiur in Rav Zilberstein’s home attended by close talmidim. The senior posek addressed the issue at length, citing multiple halachic sources emphasizing the importance of walking to shul whenever possible in order to receive sechar pesios — reward for the effort of walking to perform a mitzvah.

Discussing people who live only minutes away from shul yet still choose to drive, Rav Zilberstein spoke sharply against the practice.

“There is a question here that is completely contrary to the way the world behaves,” Rav Zilberstein said. “There are people who go to shul during the week with their car. For example, he lives on the nearby block, a five-minute walk, and there are those who always drive. One must know that this is a complete prohibition, similar to what is written in the possuk: ‘B’veis Elokim nehalech b’rogesh.’ These people come in luxury… Walk with feeling, with your feet. This is a ביזוי of the honor of the shul, and there is also sechar pesios. Sechar pesios means walking by foot, without a car.”

Rav Zilberstein pointed to several classic halachic sources supporting the idea that traveling to shul specifically by foot is preferable whenever feasible.

He cited the Ben Ish Chai in Torah Lishmah (siman 40), who brings several proofs that one should specifically walk to shul rather than ride an animal or use other means of transportation when possible.

The Ben Ish Chai concludes: “Therefore certainly also regarding the mitzvah of going to shul, one should be careful that it specifically be done by foot whenever he is able to walk, and he should not be concerned for honor in the eyes of onlookers, even if he is a respected wealthy person.”

Rav Zilberstein also referenced the responsa B’Tzel HaChochmah and Tzitz Eliezer, both of which write that a person who is capable of walking should not use a vehicle merely for added convenience, and instead should perform the mitzvah in its proper form and receive the reward for the effort involved.

One participant asked Rav Zilberstein what distance would justify driving instead of walking.

“The measure is if most people say it is too far and requires a car,” Rav Zilberstein replied.

The questioner noted that previous generations would not have considered even a 40-minute walk reason enough to drive.

“Every generation is according to what most people say,” Rav Zilberstein responded. “If most people say it is a somewhat far distance, he may drive. If not, he is obligated to walk, and one who drives is not acting properly.”

He added that many people unfortunately stumble in this area by driving even for extremely short trips.

“For a tiny trip he gets into a car. Why are you getting into a car?” Rav Zilberstein said. “How do we determine it? Every generation according to the estimation that the rav must decide.”

When asked whether age changes the equation, Rav Zilberstein answered that the standard depends on what most people in that age bracket would normally do.

Another participant suggested that weather conditions such as extreme heat or rain might justify driving.

“If he goes in a car, he is considered as disgracing Hashem!” Rav Zilberstein responded. “There are a few steps — why are you going with a car?”

The discussion also touched on whether someone should intentionally choose a farther shul in order to gain additional sechar pesios.

“One who does that receives reward, but it is not obligatory,” Rav Zilberstein said. “But to drive by car is against the honor of the shul.”

One participant then asked about a person who lives only four minutes away from shul but chooses to drive because he needs to rush to work immediately after davening.

“That is not a reason,” Rav Zilberstein answered. “It will take time — so it will take time.”

{Matzav.com}