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New York Attorney General Letitia James told a crowd that she is being surveilled on orders from President Trump, making the claim just days before it was reported that Trump’s Department of Justice had initiated a criminal investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against her.

“They got individuals coming to my house, standing outside my house. Last Sunday – church Sunday while I was in church – these individuals were in front of my house, taking pictures and then streaming it, putting it on social media,” she told the audience during a rally at the National Action Network’s Harlem headquarters, led by Rev. Al Sharpton.

“This isn’t nothing more than a revenge tour! This is nothing more than vindictiveness! This is nothing more than an individual who is upset at me because we secured a $454 million judgment against him and his family and his company!” James said, referencing the civil fraud ruling against President Trump. She had appeared at the event to endorse City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ underdog campaign for mayor.

James, who has drawn Trump’s fury after pursuing a major civil fraud case against him and the Trump Organization — resulting in a massive monetary judgment that Trump is currently appealing — did not clarify whether the surveillance she referred to was taking place at her Brooklyn residence or at a lesser-known property she owns in Norfolk, Virginia.

Both the Department of Justice and the White House offered no comment on James’ statements made during the Harlem appearance.

A spokesperson for James also declined to identify which social media posts she was referencing or to elaborate further on her public claims.

The DOJ probe is said to be based on a request from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte, a Trump appointee, who claims James manipulated records in order to secure advantageous mortgage terms.

Federal investigators say that James provided false information about the number of residential units in her Brooklyn home and also misrepresented her Norfolk property as her primary residence.

Her attorney, Abbe David Lowell, dismissed the allegations outright, calling them “baseless and long-discredited.”

“This appears to be the political retribution President Trump threatened to exact that [U.S. Attorney General Pam] Bondi assured the Senate would not occur on her watch,” Lowell stated. “If prosecutors are genuinely interested in the truth, we are prepared to meet false claims with facts.”

Commenting on James’ recent speech, veteran Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf observed, “It also shows she is prepared to mount a political defense as well as probably a legal defense.” He added, “She’s doing whatever she can to alert people who support her . . . which gins up that audience and gets them excited. It makes them ready to fight.”

According to reports published Thursday, the Department of Justice has officially launched a criminal investigation into mortgage fraud accusations against Letitia James.

{Matzav.com}

Two months ago, following high-level talks between Ukrainian and American delegations in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the United States proposed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly announced on that same day that Ukraine was ready to accept the proposal, provided Russia did the same. The Russian leader balked, saying a temporary break in hostilities would only benefit Ukraine and its Western allies by letting them replenish their arsenals. Since then, Russia has continued its military campaign, maintaining attacks along the roughly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) front line and targeting civilian infrastructure. In some cases, it has stepped up its attacks on residential areas with no obvious military targets. An Associated Press tally based on reports from Ukrainian authorities found at least 117 civilians have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in Russian aerial attacks since Ukraine announced on March 11 its willingness for a ceasefire — all of them attacks involving long-range drones and a variety of missiles. The tally does not include casualties caused by short-range weapons, including mortars, multiple launch rocket systems, S-300 and S-400 ballistic missiles, drone-dropped explosives and aerial glide bombs, which Russia continues to use along the front line and nearby areas. Ukrainian officials do not provide overall casualty figures nor do they release official figures on how many Ukrainian troops have been killed on the battlefield. Among the deadliest attacks recently was a Russian ballistic missile that struck in the packed center of Sumy in northeast Ukraine on a busy Palm Sunday morning in mid-April. At least 35 people, including two children, were killed and around 120 wounded. Another blasted a playground in Zelenskyy’s hometown, killing 20 people including nine children. A deadly barrage targeting the capital Kyiv prompted rare criticism from President Donald Trump for the Russian leader. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. In the past two months, Putin has twice unilaterally declared a brief ceasefire, one for Easter and the other to mark Victory Day in World War II. Both were repeatedly violated. Ukraine, meanwhile, has continued to launch droves of drones at Russian regions. This week, Russia’s Victory Day festivities were overshadowed by reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and triggering severe disruptions at the capital’s airports, as well as cellphone internet outages amid jamming aimed at foiling more potential attacks. Here’s a look at some of the deadliest attacks by Russian troops targeting Ukraine since March, 11: ___ March 24: A Russian missile hit a densely populated area of Sumy, damaging 30 residential buildings and a school. Local authorities said 101 people were wounded, including 23 children. April 3: Russian forces launch Shahed drones at a residential neighborhood in Ukraine’s second largest city of Kharkiv. Regional officials reported five people killed and 34 others wounded. Among the victims was an entire family, including their 12-year-old daughter. April 4: Russian forces carry out a combined missile and drone attack on a residential area in Kryvyi Rih that blasted a playground. According to local authorities, 20 people were killed, including nine children, and 74 others were wounded. The assault damaged more than 60 apartment buildings and private homes. April 13: On a busy Palm Sunday morning, a Russian ballistic missile strikes […]

Nine members of the IDF’s Yerushalayim Brigade (Unit 16) sustained light injuries after an improvised explosive device detonated during a mission in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The blast occurred early Saturday morning in the Shejaiya area while IDF forces were carrying out searches. The device had been planted in advance and exploded as the troops passed through.

According to an announcement from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, all wounded soldiers were transported to a hospital for care, and their families have been informed. Among those hurt were the commanding officer of Battalion 6310 and the deputy commander of Division 252.

Separately, on Friday, Israeli forces engaged in combat in northern Gaza shot and killed two terrorists who had come dangerously close to the troops and posed an imminent threat.

Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on roughly 60 targets connected to terror groups within the Gaza Strip.

At the same time, ground forces operating near Rafah and along the Morag Corridor hit a structure rigged with explosives, from which several terrorists were operating and endangering nearby troops.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an attempt to reassure Israeli concerns amid rising diplomatic unease, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee pushed back against claims that President Donald Trump’s upcoming Middle East trip — which notably skips Israel — signals a snub. The former Arkansas governor, speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, acknowledged that Trump’s first regional tour as president-elect includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, but not Jerusalem — a move that’s raised eyebrows across the Israeli political spectrum. “His first trip is about economic opportunity. That’s where his focus is,” Huckabee explained. “It’s not about leaving Israel out. He’s spent more time with the Israeli prime minister than with any other leader. That should tell you everything you need to know.” Still, the decision comes at a time when U.S.-Israel ties appear more complex than in years past. While Trump once branded himself the most pro-Israel president in history, his recent diplomatic maneuvers — including a pivot toward Gulf partnerships and renewed nuclear talks with Iran — have sparked worry over shifting priorities. “People need to relax,” Huckabee insisted. “Donald Trump loves you. There’s no doubt about that. He’s got your back.” The ambassador also weighed in on the contentious issue of Israeli sovereignty in dealing with Iran. When asked whether Trump would back an Israeli strike on Iran in the event of a U.S.-Iran deal, Huckabee said, “Israel has the right to do what it has to do.” He added that while the Trump administration would have “recommendations,” Israel would act according to its own security needs, as it always has. As for reports of a cooling relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Huckabee dismissed them outright. “That’s a very unfair characterization,” he said. “They’ve spent a lot of time together recently. It’s warm, it’s personal, and it’s cordial.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

During a speech at the “Lion of Israel” award ceremony hosted by the Magbit Foundation, which supports efforts to bolster Israel’s strength and resilience, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant delivered a sobering warning regarding the Iranian threat. “Israel has a narrow window of opportunity that may not return—we must act now against Iran’s nuclear program before it is too late,” he cautioned.

Gallant, who played a central role in overseeing key military decisions during the recent war, delivered a stark assessment of the remaining threats to the country. “Even after the impressive achievements in the war, Israel still faces one existential threat—a military nuclear capability in the hands of an irresponsible and dangerous regime in Iran. Today, there is no goalkeeper at Iran’s gate—this is the time to act.”

He referenced a major Israeli air operation from October, stating, “destroyed Iran’s air defense systems and missile production facilities in the most dramatic airstrike since the Six Day War.” He followed with a grim warning: “If we do not act soon and miss the opportunity to neutralize Iran’s nuclear facilities, it could be an irreversible gamble on Israel’s future.”

Turning to the situation in Gaza and the plight of Israeli hostages, Gallant shared that he had spoken to some of the freed captives, who had a unified message: “What gave them strength in captivity was the knowledge that the State of Israel would do everything to bring them home—this is our commitment.”

He stressed that the military’s role in Gaza must be aligned with a specific mission—paving the way for a hostage release agreement. “The military creates the conditions; the government must secure the deal.”

Gallant clarified the order of priorities going forward. “First, returning the hostages; then, eliminating Hamas and replacing it with an alternative. If we reverse the order, there will be no hostages left to bring back.”

He ended with an urgent appeal for decisive leadership. “This is not a choice between options—it is a national decision. The time to act is now.”

{Matzav.com}

Today, Hamas released a new video that shows hostages Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Chaim Ochana alive, marking the latest installment in the terror group’s ongoing psychological campaign. The families of both men have given their consent to share the footage publicly.

This video release is widely seen as part of Hamas’ psychological warfare strategy, aiming to apply pressure and shift focus as Israel’s military campaign intensifies and advances deeper into Gaza.

The two hostages were first shown in a video distributed by Hamas on March 24. That recording referenced the breakdown of the ceasefire and the resurgence of combat in Gaza as of March 18. A second clip, featuring only Bohbot, was issued on April 19, in which he addressed his wife, Rivka, and made mention of hostilities in Lebanon.

Bohbot, a 35-year-old resident of Mevaseret Zion, was abducted while working with the production team at the Nova music festival in Re’im. At 8:00 a.m. that morning, he reassured his wife by phone, saying, “Everything is fine, I’m trying to evacuate people, I will come home.” Shortly after that call, all communication ceased. Later that day, Rivka saw a video circulating online—sent to her by a friend of Elkana’s—which confirmed her worst fears: he had been taken captive.

Ochana, age 24, from Kiryat Malachi, was also seized at the Nova event. Initially declared missing, his status remained uncertain for two weeks until officials confirmed he had been taken to Gaza. Eyewitnesses from the festival reported that Yosef had been helping the wounded before being captured.

{Matzav.com Israel}

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire Saturday after U.S.-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades but accused each other of violating the deal just hours later. The ceasefire had been expected to bring a swift end to weeks of escalating clashes, including missile and drone strikes, triggered by the massacre of tourists by gunmen last month that India blames on Pakistan, which denies the charge. But multiple explosions were heard in two large cities of Indian-controlled Kashmir hours after the countries agreed to the deal. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said late Saturday that “there had been repeated violations of the understanding arrived between the two countries” and accused Pakistan of breaching the agreement. “We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility,” he said at a news conference in New Delhi. Misri said the Indian army was “retaliating” for what he called a “border intrusion.” In Islamabad, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry blamed Indian forces for initiating the ceasefire violation. The ministry said Pakistan remains committed to the agreement and its forces were handling the situation with responsibility and restraint. “We believe that any issues in the smooth implementation of the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels,” the ministry said. The first word of the truce came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted on his Truth Social platform that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire: “Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a speech Saturday that his country agreed to the ceasefire in the larger interest of peace in the region and hoped all the outstanding issues with India, including the long-running dispute over the Kashmir region, would be resolved through peaceful dialogue. Misri said the head of military operations from both countries spoke Saturday afternoon and agreed “that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, and in the air and sea.” However, hours after the agreement, explosions heard by residents in Srinagar and Jammu in Indian-controlled Kashmir were followed by blackouts in the two cities. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Omar Abdullah, the region’s top elected official, said in a post on social media: “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” Working toward a broader agreement Conflict between India and Pakistan is not rare, with the two countries having periodically engaged in wars, clashes and skirmishes since gaining independence from British India in 1947. The ceasefire in the latest hostilities came after the countries fired volleys of cross-border missile strikes Saturday, when India said it targeted Pakistani air bases after Islamabad fired several high-speed missiles at military and civilian infrastructure in Punjab state. Pakistan said it responded with retaliatory strikes. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and Vice President JD Vance had engaged with senior officials from both countries over the past 48 hours. They included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sharif, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir. Rubio said the two governments agreed to “start talks on […]

Syrian media is reporting that the body of American journalist Austin Tice has been discovered buried in a cemetery located in Aleppo. Tice had been missing for over ten years, and this development marks a possible end to a case that has haunted the journalism and diplomatic communities.

Tice, a decorated Marine veteran turned freelance reporter, was abducted during the summer of 2012 while documenting the devastation of Syria’s civil war. The incident occurred near a checkpoint situated to the west of Damascus, after which all contact with him ceased.

Throughout the years, both U.S. officials and Tice’s family have steadfastly held on to hope, asserting that he remained alive despite the passage of time and lack of concrete updates.

Although Tice was an American national and a journalist whose work had garnered acclaim, his story quickly receded from the public eye. His abduction symbolized not only the loss of an intrepid war correspondent, but also the silencing of a witness committed to shedding light on human suffering amid chaos.

Tice distinguished himself through fearless, insightful journalism that emphasized the lived experiences of those caught in geopolitical turmoil. His ability to convey powerful, personal narratives earned him accolades from major institutions like McClatchy and The Washington Post, as well as a place in the larger conversation about journalism’s essential role in conflict zones.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions within the Israeli government coalition continue to mount, as United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas maintain a coordinated boycott of all Knesset votes, demanding progress on legislation to secure continued draft exemptions for yeshiva bochurim. The protest began last week after a senior IDF official, Brigadier General Shai Taib, warned of a growing shortage of manpower in the army, asserting that the IDF is short 12,000 soldiers—including 7,000 for combat roles. While the army’s concerns were presented in technical terms, many saw the comments as a signal toward renewed pressure on the chareidi community to increase enlistment. In response, UTJ suspended its participation in all votes, effectively paralyzing parts of the coalition’s legislative agenda. Several bills scheduled for this past Wednesday—including proposals to restructure the attorney general’s role and raise salaries for ministers and MKs—were pulled from the Knesset calendar due to lack of support. Shas has since joined UTJ in the boycott, dismissing appeals from coalition officials who warned of the potential fallout. According to Channel 13, figures close to Prime Minister Netanyahu have urged Shas to distance itself from UTJ’s stance, warning that the government could face instability. Shas responded bluntly: “We will not serve as a political safety net.” Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to participate in a closed-door meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Sunday to address the issue. The discussion will reportedly focus on the IDF’s manpower concerns and the broader political ramifications of the chareidi draft exemption stalemate. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Sensitive talks between U.S. and Chinese delegations over tariffs that threaten to upend the global economy ended after a day of prolonged negotiations and will resume Sunday, an official told The Associated Press. There was no immediate indication whether progress was made Saturday during the meeting over 10 hours between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and a delegation led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The official who spoke to the AP requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, which could help stabilize world markets roiled by the U.S.-China standoff. The talks have been shrouded in secrecy, and neither side made comments to reporters on the way out. Several convoys of black vehicles left the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, which hosted the talks aimed at de-escalating trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies. Diplomats from both sides also confirmed that the talks took place. Saturday’s talks were held in the sumptuous 18th-century “Villa Saladin” overlooking Lake Geneva. The former estate was bequeathed to the Swiss state in 1973, according to the Geneva government. Prospects for a major breakthrough appear dim. But there is hope that the two countries will scale back the massive taxes — tariffs — they have slapped on each other’s goods, a move that would relieve world financial markets and companies on both sides of the Pacific Ocean that depend on U.S.-China trade. U.S. President Donald Trump last month raised U.S. tariffs on China to a combined 145%, and China retaliated by hitting American imports with a 125% levy. Tariffs that high essentially amount to the countries’ boycotting each other’s products, disrupting trade that last year topped $660 billion. Even before the talks began, Trump suggested Friday that the U.S. could lower its tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that “ 80% Tariff seems right! Up to Scott.″ Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, noted it will be the first time He and Bessent have talked. She doubts the Geneva meeting will produce any substantive results. “The best scenario is for the two sides to agree to de-escalate on the … tariffs at the same time,” she said, adding even a small reduction would send a positive signal. “It cannot just be words.” Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has aggressively used tariffs as his favorite economic weapon. He has, for example, imposed a 10% tax on imports from almost every country in the world. But the fight with China has been the most intense. His tariffs on China include a 20% charge meant to pressure Beijing into doing more to stop the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. The remaining 125% involve a dispute that dates back to Trump’s first term and comes atop tariffs he levied on China back then, which means the total tariffs on some Chinese goods can exceed 145%. During Trump’s first term, the U.S. alleged that China uses unfair tactics to give itself an edge in advanced technologies such as quantum computing and driverless cars. These include forcing U.S. and other foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in exchange for access to the Chinese market; using government money to subsidize domestic tech […]

Earlier today, a large fire engulfed a residential building in Nasser City, Egypt. Injuries are unknown.

Trump backs tax hike on rich, but says GOP ‘should probably not do it’ President Donald Trump says he would back raising taxes on the richest Americans to help pay for his domestic agenda. The politics of a tax hike are difficult for Republicans to stomach, but so are the potential deficits that would result from enacting cuts without money to pay for them. Trump called House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., about a tax hike and proposed a carve-out for small business owners, many of whom report business income on their individual returns.

IDF Eliminates ‘Most-Wanted’ Terrorist In Shomron, Was Planning Imminent Attack Israeli security forces on Friday eliminated Nur Bitawi, the head of the Islamic Jihad terror branch in Jenin, during an operation in Shechem, the IDF announced.

President Trump has put a miniature statue of himself surviving the assassination attempt in Butler, PA, in the Oval Office.

Heavy flooding following torrential rains in the Congo has washed away several villages along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, leaving at least 62 dead and 50 missing.

New Jersey’s Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been released from custody several hours after being arrested on a charge of trespassing at a privately run federal immigration detention center while three US lawmakers were on site for an unannounced inspection

Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force struck some 60 “terror targets” across the Gaza Strip, the military says.

In recent months, the Golani Brigade has been operating in the Rafah area and the ‘Morag Corridor’. So far, the troops have neutralized threats in over 1,000 structures, located dozens of tunnel shafts, and eliminated dozens of terrorists. In recent days, the brigade’s troops have been operating in the ‘Jeninah’ area of Rafah. ‘Jeninah’ is the last location where combat against terrorists is taking place in Hamas’ Rafah Brigade area.