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The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in 35 years, with more than 5,000 confirmed infections and at least eight deaths reported nationwide, according to newly released federal and state health data. The alarming increase comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces growing criticism over the Trump administration’s vaccination policies and its handling of the disease’s resurgence.

Figures released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 5,182 measles cases have been recorded in 2026, the highest annual total since 1991 and more than twice the 2,289 infections documented throughout 2025.

The virus has spread to 45 states and Washington, D.C., with health officials identifying 43 separate outbreaks this year. Approximately 96% of confirmed infections have been associated with outbreaks, reflecting the disease’s ability to spread rapidly through susceptible populations.

The death toll has also increased sharply. State health departments have reported six measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania, one in New York and one in Wisconsin. Three of those fatalities were disclosed during the past week.

New York health officials announced Wednesday that a child in the upstate region had died in connection with measles, marking the state’s first reported measles-associated death in more than three decades.

Pennsylvania authorities also confirmed another fatality Wednesday, involving an unvaccinated resident of Jefferson County. The state has experienced one of the nation’s most severe outbreaks, recording 1,487 cases and 287 hospitalizations.

On Thursday, Wisconsin officials reported the death of an infant who had measles, the state’s first such fatality since 1990.

The CDC’s official national figures currently list four measles-associated deaths, fewer than the eight reported by individual states. Federal officials say the discrepancy reflects differences in reporting and classification procedures, with the agency noting that its death count is “subject to change.”

The latest federal statistics also show that 562 people have been hospitalized with measles this year, representing approximately 11% of all confirmed infections.

Children and teenagers account for a substantial portion of the cases. More than 2,100 infections have been recorded among children ages 5 through 19, while another 908 cases involve children younger than five. Adults age 20 and older account for 2,132 infections.

Vaccination status has emerged as a major factor in the outbreaks. According to the CDC, approximately 96% of patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination history. Only about 2% of confirmed cases involved individuals who had received both recommended doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that declining childhood vaccination rates are leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to measles, one of the most contagious infectious diseases.

National data show that approximately 92.4% of American kindergarten students received the recommended MMR vaccinations during the 2025–2026 school year, compared with 95.2% before the COVID-19 pandemic. Health authorities generally consider vaccination coverage of approximately 95% necessary to prevent sustained measles transmission in communities.

The resurgence has intensified scrutiny of Kennedy, who has long questioned aspects of vaccine safety and has pursued changes to federal immunization policy since becoming health secretary.

Critics argue that his public statements and policy initiatives have contributed to confusion about vaccination at a time when health officials are struggling to contain outbreaks. Kennedy and his supporters have defended his approach as an effort to improve transparency and restore public confidence in federal health recommendations.

The worsening situation also threatens America’s longstanding measles elimination designation, which the country has maintained since 2000. That status means the virus has not circulated continuously within the United States for at least 12 months, rather than that measles has been permanently eradicated.

International public health authorities are expected to review whether continued transmission during the current outbreaks warrants withdrawing the designation.

Measles typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes before producing a characteristic rash. Although many patients recover, complications can include pneumonia, brain inflammation and death, particularly among young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, which provide approximately 97% protection against measles. Health officials are urging families to verify their vaccination records, particularly in communities experiencing active outbreaks.

Congressional Democrats are preparing a major legislative effort to overturn President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports when they assume control of Congress in January, with party leaders hoping to recruit enough Republican support to overcome a possible presidential veto.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, who is expected to become chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has begun discussions with fellow lawmakers about legislation targeting the administration’s trade restrictions on Canada, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Wyden said he is “already talking” with colleagues about the proposal and believes opposition to the tariffs extends well beyond the Democratic Party.

“There is overwhelming support for repealing the tariffs on products from Canada,” Wyden said earlier this week.

Democrats view the tariff issue as a potential opportunity to attract Republican lawmakers whose constituents have been affected by higher import costs. Some of Trump’s trade measures have imposed duties reaching 50% on certain products, including materials and goods used by American manufacturers and consumers.

One strategy under consideration would involve bringing individual tariff measures to a vote, forcing members of Congress to publicly decide whether to maintain duties on specific categories of imported goods.

However, Wyden indicated that his ambitions extend beyond removing particular tariffs. He wants Congress to reconsider the broad authority that has allowed presidents to impose trade restrictions without obtaining specific legislative approval.

“Ultimately, Congress must take away the president’s ability to unilaterally and arbitrarily impose tariffs,” Wyden said.

The administration’s trade policies have had a particularly significant impact on states with close commercial ties to Canada, including Michigan and Ohio, where manufacturers depend on cross-border supply chains for automotive parts, machinery, and other industrial materials.

Democrats argue that the tariffs have increased costs for American businesses and consumers, while Trump has maintained that his trade policies are necessary to protect domestic industries, encourage manufacturing investment, and secure more favorable agreements with foreign governments.

The proposed Democratic legislation faces significant obstacles. Even with control of both chambers, Democrats would need substantial Republican backing to overcome Senate procedural hurdles and assemble the two-thirds majorities required to override a presidential veto.

Kelly Ann Shaw, who served on the National Economic Council during Trump’s first administration, suggested that the president is unlikely to retreat from his trade agenda simply because Democrats have gained control of Congress.

“The president has been moving forward on his trade agenda irrespective of the makeup of Congress,” Shaw said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the possibility of congressional action Friday, saying that removing American tariffs would help reduce household expenses, support employment, and restore stability to trade between the neighboring countries. He also acknowledged that he had not yet discussed the proposed legislation directly with Democratic lawmakers.

The Democratic initiative comes as Washington and Ottawa have shown signs of progress in their own negotiations. Trump and Carney recently described a telephone conversation as productive, raising hopes that the two governments could reach an agreement without waiting for congressional intervention.

During a campaign appearance in Iowa, Trump expressed optimism about the discussions, telling supporters, “We have the concept of a very good deal with Canada.”

The administration has nevertheless threatened additional tariffs on Canadian automobiles if negotiations fail to produce an agreement before January, increasing pressure on Canadian manufacturers and American companies dependent on the cross-border automotive industry.

Trade organizations are also hoping that improved relations will resolve retaliatory restrictions affecting American exports. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, whose members include major American beverage producers, has urged both governments to eliminate trade barriers that have disrupted sales in Canada.

A volcano in Spain’s Canary Islands could someday trigger a devastating tsunami capable of reaching the eastern United States within hours, according to a prominent volcanologist who warns that a massive section of the volcanic island of La Palma may eventually collapse into the Atlantic Ocean. However, scientists remain divided over the potential scale of such a disaster, and there is no indication that a catastrophic collapse is imminent.

Professor Bill McGuire, a volcanologist who has studied the Cumbre Vieja volcanic system, recently revisited the possibility of a massive landslide generating powerful ocean waves in an article published by BBC Science Focus.

The concern involves a substantial portion of the volcano’s western slope, known as its flank, which researchers have examined for evidence of instability. McGuire believes that a sufficiently large collapse into the ocean could displace enormous quantities of seawater and produce a tsunami affecting coastlines far beyond the Canary Islands.

“Based on extensive studies, I expect this part of the flank will eventually crash into the North Atlantic, launching a megatsunami in the process,” McGuire wrote.

The theory has generated considerable disagreement among geologists and tsunami researchers, particularly regarding whether a volcanic landslide could produce waves powerful enough to cause widespread destruction thousands of miles away.

“There has been huge debate and discussion, sometimes quite heated, about the level of expected destruction, and — in particular — whether devastating waves will reach the coast of North America.”

Some researchers have pointed to enormous boulders found along coastlines in the Bahamas as possible evidence that exceptionally powerful ocean waves have struck the region in prehistoric times.

Scientists studying those formations have explored whether ancient volcanic landslides in the Canary Islands could have generated transatlantic tsunamis capable of transporting large rocks and leaving deposits far from their original locations. The origins of those boulders, however, remain disputed, with other researchers proposing that powerful storms or local geological processes may explain their presence.

In the most extreme scenario examined by McGuire and his colleagues, the collapse could produce waves reaching approximately 65 feet along portions of the American coastline, with the first waves arriving in Florida roughly nine hours after the landslide.

Such an event would begin with the sudden movement of an enormous volume of rock into the Atlantic, generating exceptionally large waves near La Palma and potentially threatening neighboring Canary Islands before spreading across the ocean.

However, subsequent scientific research has challenged the assumptions behind those predictions. The U.S. Geological Survey has noted that more recent computer simulations suggest waves reaching the American East Coast would likely measure approximately three to seven feet even under a worst-case collapse scenario, considerably smaller than the original projections.

Researchers have also questioned whether the volcano’s western flank could collapse in a single massive landslide. Geological evidence suggests that similar volcanic failures frequently occur in stages, potentially reducing the size and destructive force of the resulting tsunami.

Cumbre Vieja remains an active volcanic system, having most recently erupted in 2021. That eruption caused extensive damage on La Palma, destroying homes and infrastructure, but did not produce the catastrophic landslide envisioned in the megatsunami scenario.

Despite his warning, McGuire emphasized that the potential disaster cannot be assigned a timetable and may be extraordinarily distant.

“I have no doubt this will be a cataclysmic event, but have no idea when it will happen — it could easily be centuries or even millennia down the line,” McGuire noted.

Republicans secured several additional congressional victories Friday as more closely contested midterm races were decided, offering the party some encouraging news following Tuesday’s devastating election losses. Nevertheless, Democrats remained firmly in control of the incoming House of Representatives, with their majority potentially growing as outstanding races continued to be counted.

By Friday afternoon, the Associated Press had projected Democratic victories in 254 House districts and Republican wins in 162, leaving 19 contests unresolved. The Republican total represented an increase of seven seats from Thursday afternoon, when the party had secured 155 victories.

Among the newly projected Republican winners were Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd, Mark Lamb in Arizona, and Anthony Constantino in New York’s 21st Congressional District.

Constantino, a businessman and supporter of President Donald Trump, won the upstate New York seat being vacated by Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. He had already announced his victory during an Election Night gathering before the race was formally called.

Despite those Republican gains, Democrats were leading in approximately half of the 19 remaining undecided House contests, leaving open the possibility that their already substantial majority could expand further.

Several longtime Republican incumbents were still fighting to retain their seats, including Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Brad Finstad of Minnesota, Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee, and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina.

Boebert’s contest against Democrat Eileen Laubacher attracted particular attention as the candidates remained separated by a narrow margin. Her campaign raised concerns about ballot-counting patterns and indicated that a recount could become necessary.

“Since election night, ballot returns have been trending in Congresswoman Boebert’s direction, consistently lowering the margin under one percentage point,” Scott Gessler, who is also Colorado’s former secretary of state, said in a statement. “We are investigating some very unusual voting patterns and expect this election to head to a recount, one way or another.”

Gessler, an attorney representing Boebert’s campaign and a former Colorado secretary of state, said the campaign was examining the results as additional ballots were processed. No determination of wrongdoing had been announced.

Democrats had already flipped at least 42 Republican-held House seats, producing one of the party’s strongest congressional performances in recent election cycles.

Attention has also shifted to the Senate, where Democrats have secured a 54-44 majority, with two closely contested races in Alaska and Mississippi still awaiting final results.

In Alaska, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola was narrowly ahead of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by approximately 600 votes, with about 74% of ballots counted. Peltola held 48.2% of the vote compared with Sullivan’s 47.9%, leaving the outcome uncertain under the state’s ranked-choice voting system.

Alaska’s election rules allow certain mailed ballots to arrive until November 18, meaning the final result could take considerably longer to determine. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, additional rounds of tabulation will be required.

In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom was maintaining a slim advantage over Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, leading by approximately 2,500 votes with 97% of ballots counted. The contest remained unresolved as officials continued reviewing outstanding absentee and provisional ballots.

Hyde-Smith insisted Friday that she was not conceding the closely fought election.

“We are not backing down,” the Republican senator wrote on X. “This election is not over. Our team is working across Mississippi to monitor the remaining ballots and protect the integrity of the process.

“We will see this through to the very end!”

Mississippi election officials have until November 13 to certify county-level results, while absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day can still arrive through November 10.

A victory by Colom would make him Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction, adding another significant Democratic pickup to an election in which the party has already secured control of both chambers of Congress.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is leaving open the possibility of another presidential campaign in 2028, as Republicans grapple with sweeping midterm election losses that have raised questions about the party’s future leadership and political direction.

According to two individuals familiar with the governor’s thinking who spoke to ABC News, DeSantis has not reached a decision about seeking the Republican presidential nomination but is carefully assessing whether the political environment could provide an opportunity for a successful second bid.

The governor is reportedly examining several factors, including whether he could attract sufficient support among Republican voters, distinguish himself from other potential candidates, and offer a compelling vision for the party following its disappointing performance in Tuesday’s elections.

DeSantis will soon be free of his responsibilities as Florida’s governor. His second and final term expires in January 2027, when Republican Byron Donalds, who won Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, is scheduled to succeed him.

Speaking at a Florida news conference Wednesday, DeSantis offered a grim assessment of the national election results, describing the Republican losses as “the political equivalent of a meteor strike” while emphasizing that Florida had remained firmly in Republican hands.

“This is close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country,” DeSantis said.

The governor argued that the GOP faces a serious challenge in rebuilding its electoral coalition, suggesting that Florida remains one of the few major states where Republicans have maintained a durable political advantage.

DeSantis also criticized Republican candidates for failing to communicate an effective affirmative message to voters, arguing that the party had struggled to address the economic and political concerns driving public dissatisfaction.

The governor had already begun outlining those concerns before Election Day. During an interview with commentator Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM, DeSantis argued that the continuing American military campaign against Iran had become a significant political burden for Republicans, particularly because of its impact on gasoline prices.

He said Republican leaders risked losing credibility with working-class voters if they refused to acknowledge the financial consequences of the conflict, accusing those who dismissed rising fuel costs of “gaslighting them, and they’re not going to listen to you on other things.”

DeSantis also questioned the political consequences of a prolonged Middle East war, noting that Trump had campaigned on avoiding additional American military entanglements overseas. He warned that an extended conflict could damage the president’s ability to govern and further weaken Republican prospects in future elections.

The possibility of another DeSantis presidential campaign comes nearly three years after his unsuccessful attempt to challenge Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination.

DeSantis entered that contest with substantial financial backing and considerable attention from Republican donors, but his campaign struggled with internal disagreements, organizational problems, and heavy spending. After losing the Iowa caucuses to Trump by approximately 30 percentage points, he withdrew on January 21, 2024, shortly before the New Hampshire primary, and endorsed Trump.

According to individuals familiar with his thinking, DeSantis has drawn two important lessons from that experience: he would need to engage more aggressively with the national media and avoid waiting too long before formally entering another presidential contest.

His potential candidacy would place him among several prominent Republicans weighing their political futures ahead of 2028, including Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, as the party begins confronting the consequences of its midterm defeats.

President Donald Trump is considering additional changes to his administration following Republicans’ crushing midterm election losses, suggesting that the departure of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles may be only the beginning of a broader personnel shakeup.

In an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” recorded Friday morning, Trump acknowledged that he intends to remove some members of his administration after Democrats captured control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s elections.

Asked by correspondent Ross Douthat whether he planned to dismiss anyone from his team in response to the election results, Trump replied, “I do,” according to an excerpt released Friday evening.

Just hours after Trump told 60 Minutes he expected to fire members of his administration, he delivered his first: chief of staff Susie Wiles. Who will be next?

Watch President Trump's interview on 60 Minutes this Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. pic.twitter.com/hiWzOOmmx2

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) November 7, 2026

The president indicated that he remains generally satisfied with his Cabinet but believes some personnel adjustments are necessary.

“A little bit,” Trump continued. “I love my Cabinet. I think they’re good, but I’ll be doing maybe a few changes.

“I don’t want to mention who.”

The interview was recorded hours before Trump announced that Wiles would be leaving her position as White House chief of staff, with longtime senior adviser Stephen Miller selected to take over the job beginning Monday.

Trump disclosed the decision Friday afternoon in a Truth Social post, announcing that Wiles would move into a political role rather than remain in charge of daily White House operations.

“Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!” the president wrote.

Wiles, who managed Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign before becoming his chief of staff, had been a central figure in coordinating the administration’s legislative priorities and internal operations.

Miller’s appointment places one of the president’s most aggressive policy advisers in the White House’s top staff position as Trump prepares to confront Democratic majorities in Congress.

The president was also questioned about War Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose future has attracted scrutiny amid growing criticism of his leadership at the Pentagon and the possibility of impeachment proceedings under the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress.

Asked whether he continued to have confidence in Hegseth, Trump answered, “I do.”

He defended his administration’s military record, pointing particularly to the American operation in Venezuela as evidence of its effectiveness.

“Look, we’ve won two wars. We’ve won Venezuela and taken out billions and billions and billions of dollars already, and we will be taking out many billions of dollars … we won that war in less than one hour.”

When Douthat asked whether Hegseth deserved credit for the Venezuela operation, Trump offered a more limited endorsement.

“No, but he was a part of it.”

Hegseth has faced criticism from lawmakers in both parties over his management of the Defense Department. Nevertheless, he has publicly rejected suggestions that he should step aside, indicating that he intends to remain in his position despite the prospect of congressional investigations.

“Just like the president. We don’t back down. And that especially applies now,” Hegseth declared in a video statement released Thursday.

The personnel changes come amid reports of internal White House frustration over the election results. Wiles reportedly submitted her resignation Thursday evening, with several administration officials linking her departure to the Republican defeats.

Trump has not identified any additional officials he intends to replace. His complete interview with “60 Minutes” is scheduled to air Sunday evening, November 8, on CBS.

{Matzav.com}

Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s newly appointed White House chief of staff, publicly promised the president his complete loyalty Friday evening during a gathering of conservative activists at Mar-a-Lago, delivering an emphatic declaration of allegiance just days after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections.

Miller’s promotion places one of Trump’s closest and most influential advisers in charge of White House operations as the administration prepares for a divided government, with Democrats set to take control of Congress in January.

The declaration came during a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event at Trump’s Florida resort, where the president unexpectedly invited Miller to address the audience. Trump introduced his longtime adviser with a joke about his growing prominence, describing him as “a very hot commodity, hotter than Trump, and this could be a problem.”

Miller responded by offering a sweeping pledge of loyalty to the president and his administration.

“I swear to you, and I pledge to you, Mr. President, my absolute loyalty, my unwavering commitment, and my total devotion to your success and the success of this country,” Miller declared.

A central figure in developing and implementing Trump’s immigration policies, Miller used his brief appearance to credit the president with transforming the Republican Party and protecting the country’s future.

He praised Trump for having “saved the Republican party from the ash heap of history and has made it stronger, more popular, and more resilient than ever before.”

Miller went even further in describing what he viewed as the importance of Trump’s leadership.

“If it wasn’t for President Trump, the United States of America would not exist right now,” Miller added.

The remarks followed Tuesday’s elections, in which Democrats captured majorities in both the House and Senate and scored significant victories in traditionally Republican territory, including Texas. The results have prompted criticism within the GOP over the administration’s political strategy and the impact of its policies on voters.

Although Trump initially suggested he could find areas of cooperation with congressional Democrats, his subsequent comments indicated that he was prepared to aggressively oppose legislation he considered unacceptable.

“We have great power, called a veto,” Trump said. “So we’ll just get a veto, veto, veto, veto.”

Miller will replace Susie Wiles, who is leaving the chief of staff position after overseeing White House operations during the first two years of Trump’s second administration. The White House announced Friday that Miller would formally assume the position Monday.

The appointment has generated criticism from Democrats and unease among some Republicans, particularly those who believe the administration’s immigration enforcement policies contributed to the party’s electoral defeats.

Exit polling indicated that approximately 58% of voters believed immigration enforcement had become too aggressive, while roughly 60% expressed disapproval of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Hispanic voters, whose support helped Trump win in 2024, shifted heavily toward Democrats in several competitive races.

Texas produced some of the most consequential results, with Democrat James Talarico defeating Republican Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat and Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseating Republican Governor Greg Abbott.

Indiana Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman, a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, was among those who openly questioned the decision to elevate Miller.

“Horrible decision,” Stutzman said when asked about the appointment.

The congressman argued that the scale of the Republican losses should have prompted a broader shake-up among senior White House officials.

“There should be some heads rolling at the White House because we lost badly,” he said.

Other Republicans welcomed the appointment. Vice President JD Vance praised Miller as a committed conservative, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several current and previous Trump administration officials expressed confidence in his ability to manage the White House.

Miller, who joined Trump’s political operation during the 2016 presidential campaign, previously served as a senior adviser during Trump’s first administration and as deputy White House chief of staff during his second term. In those positions, he became one of the administration’s principal architects of immigration enforcement and other domestic policy initiatives.

His new responsibilities will include coordinating White House personnel, overseeing the president’s policy priorities, and managing relations with Congress at a time when Democratic lawmakers are preparing investigations into the administration’s actions.

Constitutional law professor Alan Dershowitz warned today that Democrats, following their victories in the midterm elections, could use a rarely exercised congressional power to pursue contempt proceedings against officials associated with President Donald Trump without relying on the Justice Department to prosecute them.

Appearing on Newsmax’s “Saturday Report,” Dershowitz explained that Congress possesses an independent contempt authority that allows lawmakers to conduct proceedings themselves, potentially bypassing an administration unwilling to bring criminal charges against its own officials.

The Harvard Law School professor emeritus, whose latest book is titled “Why I Quit the Dems,” raised the possibility as Democrats prepare to assume control of congressional investigative committees in January.

His warning followed remarks by California Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who is expected to lead the House Oversight Committee and has signaled an aggressive investigative agenda targeting Trump administration officials.

Shortly after Tuesday’s election, Garcia issued a blunt warning to individuals who could face congressional scrutiny: “Lawyer up.”

Garcia renewed that warning Friday after Trump selected Stephen Miller to succeed Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, declaring, “Stephen Miller should lawyer up.”

Dershowitz sharply criticized Garcia’s approach, comparing it to the methods associated with Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

“Just show me the man, and I’ll find you the crime. That’s what Garcia is saying,” he said.

Attorney General Todd Blanche responded to Garcia’s comments Friday on X, writing, “The Chief of Staff already has a lawyer.” Blanche indicated that the attorney general and the Justice Department would provide the administration’s legal defense.

Dershowitz cautioned, however, that congressional Democrats would not necessarily need the Justice Department’s cooperation to pursue contempt cases.

“The House and the Senate can actually hold someone in contempt and not recommend the case to the Justice Department, which won’t prosecute, obviously, but they can have a trial in the Senate, in the House itself,” he said.

The legal mechanism, known as inherent contempt, permits either chamber of Congress to enforce certain demands through its own proceedings rather than referring alleged violations to federal prosecutors.

Congress has not exercised that authority in decades. One of its best-known applications occurred in 1934, when the Senate found William MacCracken Jr., a former Commerce Department aviation official, in contempt during an investigation into government airmail contracts. MacCracken subsequently spent 10 days in jail.

“I’m not suggesting they’re going to do it. I’m telling you, they have the power to do it under the House rules and the Senate rules,” Dershowitz said. “It’s an extraordinary route, but it’s there, and it’s available.”

Dershowitz also addressed a planned anti-Israel demonstration in Philadelphia, where activists have organized a bicycle protest targeting six Jewish-owned businesses near Rittenhouse Square on Sunday, November 8, the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht.

The event, promoted by a group calling itself Philly Bike On Your Left, has drawn widespread condemnation from Jewish organizations and Pennsylvania officials. Promotional materials identify six restaurants and food establishments, including Goldie, K’Far Cafe, Dizengoff, Huda, Mac Mart, and Schlesinger’s Delicatessen, as targets of the boycott.

A spokesperson for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro denounced the planned demonstration as “nothing more than blatant antisemitism.”

Dershowitz compared the campaign against Jewish businesses to the persecution of Jewish merchants in Nazi Germany, and accused the Democratic Socialists of America of contributing to the atmosphere behind the protest. Although some activists associated with democratic socialist causes have promoted the campaign, the extent of the national organization’s involvement has not been established.

“This is not just some left-wing anti-Israel, anti-semitic group. This is the Democratic Socialists of America,” he said. “This is the prelude to Kristallnacht that occurred 80-something years ago.”

The former Harvard professor noted that socialism and Zionism were once closely associated, pointing to Israeli leaders David Ben-Gurion and Shimon Peres, both of whom emerged from the Labor Zionist movement.

“The socialists have become part of the problem, and they’re behind this boycott, the ride campaign,” Dershowitz said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has condemned the targeting of Jewish-owned establishments, while local police have said they are preparing security measures for Sunday’s demonstration. Jewish community organizations have encouraged residents to patronize the affected businesses in a public display of solidarity.

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The Justice Department on Friday asked a federal court to dismiss its lawsuit against California seeking to prevent approximately 20,000 ballots suspected of belonging to noncitizens from being counted before their voters’ eligibility could be verified, acknowledging that the ballots could no longer be separated from those cast by lawful voters.

The decision came just days after Tuesday’s midterm elections and ahead of a court hearing scheduled for next week, when an independent expert appointed by the judge was expected to examine the federal government’s list of suspected ineligible voters. California election officials had challenged the reliability of that list, arguing that it contained outdated information and included eligible American citizens.

The lawsuit was among several legal actions undertaken by President Donald Trump’s administration to strengthen federal scrutiny of state election procedures amid concerns about voting by individuals who are not American citizens.

In its dismissal request, the Justice Department argued that California’s continued processing of ballots had made the original remedy impossible. State election officials reported that approximately 9 million ballots had been processed by early Friday, with nearly 5 million more awaiting tabulation.

“The relief the United States sought and needed is no longer available—rendering voluntary dismissal necessary,” the motion said.

Federal prosecutors maintained that once the disputed ballots were processed and combined with other votes, there was no practical way to identify and isolate them. California’s election procedures remove identifying information from ballots after processing to protect voter anonymity.

Bill Essayli, the senior federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, had previously warned that the government’s lawsuit would become ineffective once Election Day passed because the disputed ballots could no longer be kept separate.

The case was originally filed in mid-October, after California had already distributed mail ballots to approximately 23 million registered voters and election officials had begun processing hundreds of thousands of returned ballots.

At the time, Essayli said the administration was seeking immediate intervention to prevent potentially unlawful votes from influencing the election results.

“We want to stop the illegal voting. We don’t want to chase it later,” he said outside the courthouse in the days leading up to the election.

Essayli also described the objective of the lawsuit as an effort to “safeguard the integrity of the election so it doesn’t have an effect on the upcoming election.”

The administration’s legal effort had already suffered several defeats. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejected the request to separate the ballots, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently declined to intervene. The Supreme Court also refused to grant the emergency relief sought by federal prosecutors.

Carter, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, warned that attempting to isolate thousands of ballots after voting was already underway could disenfranchise eligible Americans and “wreak havoc” on the midterm elections.

The judge had appointed a special master to examine how federal authorities assembled their list of approximately 20,000 suspected noncitizen voters and whether the information was sufficiently reliable. That review was expected to be addressed at a November 13 hearing, but the Justice Department’s decision to withdraw the lawsuit effectively ended the proceedings.

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in California have brought criminal cases against more than 30 noncitizens accused of unlawfully registering to vote. Some of those defendants also face allegations of having cast ballots in previous elections.

Election officials in several California counties also received federal grand jury subpoenas shortly before Election Day, requiring them to provide information or testimony concerning voter registration and possible election violations.

The Justice Department indicated that its withdrawal from this particular case does not end its broader efforts to investigate suspected noncitizen voting. Federal officials are continuing a separate legal challenge concerning California’s maintenance of its voter registration rolls and the removal of individuals who are not eligible to vote.

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly accused congressional Democrats of preparing politically motivated investigations against Elon Musk and other business executives when they assume control of Congress in January, arguing that their threats are driven by resentment over Musk’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government under President Donald Trump.

During a Friday appearance on Newsmax’s “Carl Higbie: FRONTLINE,” Kelly criticized Democratic lawmakers who have suggested that corporations and executives associated with the Trump administration could face congressional investigations, with Musk emerging as a particularly prominent potential target.

“What they have said specifically is, more than one of these Dems has said they’re interested in calling Elon Musk in there and potentially rattling his cage criminally,” Kelly, host of “The Megyn Kelly Show,” said.

Her comments followed warnings from Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California, both of whom have indicated that companies accused of assisting improper activities by the Trump administration could face renewed congressional scrutiny.

“We will not hesitate to go after the private corporations that are collaborating in all of the lawlessness with Donald Trump, and we’ve done it before, and we will absolutely do it again,” Raskin said.

Garcia delivered an equally pointed warning to corporate leaders suspected of taking advantage of American consumers or improperly cooperating with members of the Trump family.

“You should lawyer up,” Garcia said.

Kelly argued that the statements were largely intended to satisfy Democratic supporters eager to see investigations of Trump allies, rather than responses to clearly established criminal wrongdoing.

“That just seems like little liver snaps they’re distributing out to their Democratic fans,” she said.

Kelly emphasized that she was not opposed to legitimate investigations involving credible allegations of corruption. She specifically cited the possibility of improper payments in exchange for presidential pardons as an example of conduct that would deserve serious examination.

“If there was a bribe for a pardon, you should investigate it, and we should know if that happened,” she said.

However, she questioned the justification for targeting Musk, pointing to his extensive involvement in technological innovation through companies including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.

“He’s literally working on curing paralysis and blindness,” Kelly said, referring to Neuralink’s efforts to develop brain-computer interfaces intended to assist people with severe neurological disabilities.

Kelly also defended Musk’s longstanding criticism of federal regulations, noting that he has repeatedly complained about bureaucratic obstacles affecting SpaceX and its rocket development operations.

According to Kelly, the hostility toward Musk is rooted primarily in his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE, which pursued reductions in federal spending, staffing, and government operations during the early months of Trump’s second term.

“But they’re just so angry that he headed up DOGE and wanted to get rid of a couple of government agencies. They now want to throw him in jail,” Kelly said.

“So yes, you’re right, it’s back to banana republic stuff.”

Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration generated fierce opposition from Democrats, particularly over DOGE’s efforts to eliminate federal positions, terminate government contracts, and restructure agencies. Critics have questioned the legality and consequences of some of those actions, while supporters maintain that the initiative was intended to reduce wasteful spending and improve government efficiency.

With Democrats preparing to take control of congressional committees, lawmakers are expected to gain greater authority to issue subpoenas, summon witnesses, and examine government contracts and dealings involving private corporations.

Kelly maintained that Musk’s time would be better spent advancing his technological projects than responding to investigations she believes are politically motivated.

“Me, I’d rather he work on curing blindness, which more and more people are facing when they hit their elderly years,” she said.

President Donald Trump delivered a defiant message to Democrats Friday night, declaring that he intends to use his presidential veto authority to prevent the newly elected Democratic-controlled Congress from advancing legislation he opposes, despite Republican setbacks in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Speaking at a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) gathering at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump insisted that Democrats would face substantial obstacles in implementing their agenda because Republicans still control the White House.

“So we’ll just get a veto, veto, veto, veto,” Trump declared, making clear that he is prepared to repeatedly reject legislation passed by the incoming Congress.

The president also blamed the Democrats’ election victories for a sharp decline in stock market valuations, arguing that investors had reacted negatively to the prospect of Democratic control on Capitol Hill.

“We have been ever since, until yesterday when they found out that the Democrats won that election, you lost $3 trillion in the stock market,”Trump said.” Can you imagine? We had record stock markets, but it’ll be back again.”

Trump predicted that financial markets would eventually rebound as investors recognized that congressional Democrats would face limits on their ability to enact major policy changes.

“They’ll get used to it, because we have great power, called a veto,” Trump said.

The president’s comments offered an early indication of how he intends to approach the next two years of divided government, with the White House expected to resist Democratic legislative priorities involving spending, immigration, taxation, and other major domestic issues.

Turning to the election results, Trump reminded his audience that he had not personally appeared on the ballot, despite having campaigned extensively on behalf of Republican candidates across the country.

“We had a little interesting election,” Trump said. “I was not on the ballots. Please remember that.”

Trump said he had maintained an unusually demanding campaign schedule in the final weeks before Election Day, traveling across the country to rally support for Republican candidates.

“We gave 30 rallies in 26 nights, and nobody’s ever seen anything like it, and the love of those rallies was unbelievable,” he said.

The president’s warning comes after Democrats captured control of both the House and Senate, dramatically changing the political landscape for the remaining two years of his presidency. Democratic leaders are preparing legislative proposals involving healthcare, immigration, tariffs, and the war with Iran, although many of those measures could face presidential vetoes.

Trump’s remarks also followed polling that indicated widespread dissatisfaction with the direction of the country. Exit surveys conducted by NBC News and Reuters found that approximately 75% of voters were dissatisfied or angry about national conditions, while 65% believed Trump’s economic policies had worsened the economy.

The surveys also found that 62% blamed Trump for high prices, while 57% believed his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts had gone too far. His approval rating stood at approximately 38%, and roughly seven in ten respondents said Congress had failed to do enough to restrain presidential authority.

Trump, however, maintained that Republicans retain substantial leverage despite losing their congressional majorities. He has also signaled a willingness to negotiate with Democrats on certain issues while insisting that his veto power would prevent them from unilaterally reversing his administration’s policies.

In a highly visible illustration of that message, Trump recently displayed a red baseball cap bearing the word “VETO” on his Oval Office desk, reinforcing his intention to make presidential vetoes a central feature of his response to Democratic control of Congress.

The president also defended his administration’s military campaign against Iran, presenting the operation as necessary to confront Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel and other American allies in the Middle East. The war has become a major political liability for Republicans, with voter concerns about its economic consequences contributing to the party’s election losses.

A Venezuelan national living illegally in the United States was arrested near the White House Thursday night after allegedly telling Secret Service officers that voices in his head were directing him to Washington to assassinate President Donald Trump, federal authorities announced.

The suspect, identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, was discovered inside a parked vehicle near the White House after Secret Service personnel noticed what officials described as suspicious behavior.

According to DHS, officers approached the vehicle to investigate and encountered the suspect, who allegedly made disturbing statements about wanting to kill the president.

Authorities said Chrinos told officers he had been hearing voices instructing him to travel to the nation’s capital and carry out an attack against Trump.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen. Officers also discovered three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition in the suspect’s possession, according to federal officials.

DHS identified Chrinos as a Venezuelan citizen who entered the United States through Texas in March 2024 and remained in the country without legal immigration status.

The suspect was taken into custody and faces criminal charges. Federal officials said he remains detained by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the Secret Service officers involved in the arrest, saying their intervention prevented a potentially dangerous incident near the White House.

“Thanks to our brave Secret Service officers, this illegal alien with three firearms in his vehicle was arrested near the White House before he could harm anyone,” Mullin said in a statement.

Investigators identified the weapons recovered from the vehicle as an AR-15-style rifle, a MAC-10 handgun, and a Glock 43X pistol. The discovery raised serious security concerns because the suspect had allegedly traveled to Washington with multiple firearms while making threats against the president.

Additional details from court documents indicate that the 26-year-old suspect was found shortly before midnight in a blue Ford F-150 parked along Constitution Avenue near the Ellipse, just south of the White House. Officers initially approached the vehicle to conduct a welfare check after noticing the man inside.

According to a police affidavit, Chrinos communicated with officers through Google Translate and acknowledged having firearms inside the truck. He reportedly claimed that someone had tried to kill him with one of the weapons and that he had taken it away from them. The court affidavit did not include the alleged statements about voices directing him to assassinate Trump, which were disclosed separately by DHS.

Authorities filed multiple criminal charges, including unlawful transportation of firearms, possession of unregistered weapons and ammunition, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property.

Federal immigration officials said Chrinos crossed the southern border in March 2024, was apprehended by Border Patrol, and was subsequently released into the United States. Following his arrest in Washington, Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer requesting that he remain in custody for immigration proceedings.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the incident demonstrated the dangers confronting agents responsible for protecting the president and other senior government officials.

“This is the latest example of Secret Service personnel relying on extensive training and experience to deescalate a volatile situation that posed an imminent threat to our protectees and other Americans,” Curran said.

“This incident reflects the heightened threat environment in which we operate, as well as the continued number of armed individuals who are drawn to the White House complex,” he added.

The White House declined to issue a separate statement, directing inquiries to DHS and the Secret Service.

Chrinos remained in federal custody as prosecutors prepared to bring him before a judge, with an initial court appearance expected Monday.

[Video below.] Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed described his home state as “the capital of Arab America” during a speech in Washington, D.C., drawing attention to Michigan’s substantial Arab-American population and its growing political influence.

El-Sayed, who has declared victory in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, made the remarks while addressing an audience in the nation’s capital, where he introduced himself as the state’s next senator.

“My name is Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, and I’m honored to be the next United States Senator from the great state of Michigan,” El-Sayed told the gathering.

He then drew a distinction between Washington’s role as the seat of the federal government and Michigan’s place as a major center of Arab-American life.

“Obviously Washington is the capital of the united States of America, but Michigan is the capital of Arab America,” he said.

The remarks highlighted the prominence of Michigan’s Arab-American communities, particularly in Dearborn and the surrounding Detroit metropolitan area, which are home to one of the largest concentrations of Arab Americans in the country.

El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, has emerged as a prominent progressive Democrat, building his political profile around healthcare reform, economic issues, and criticism of American foreign policy in the Middle East.

El-Sayed’s comments came just days after his victory over Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched Senate election. The Associated Press projected him the winner early Wednesday, making him the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.

The contest attracted national attention because Michigan is a politically competitive state that President Trump carried in 2024. El-Sayed’s victory allows Democrats to retain the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters.

The senator-elect, whose parents immigrated from Egypt, has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has opposed American military assistance to Israel. Those positions became a contentious issue during the campaign, particularly among Michigan’s Jewish voters.

El-Sayed delivered his remarks Friday evening at the CONNECT Arab America Empowerment Summit in Chantilly, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., where his election was celebrated as a milestone for Arab-American political representation.

His description of Michigan as the “capital of Arab America” reflected the state’s longstanding role as a center of Arab-American political and cultural activity, particularly in Dearborn, where the community has become an increasingly influential force in local, state, and national elections.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, confronted Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu, a candidate to become the next UN secretary-general, over his previous efforts to prevent the international body from condemning Hamas, challenging him to explicitly denounce the terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre.

The exchange took place during an official hearing at the UN General Assembly, where Sinirlioğlu faced questions from member states as part of the process of selecting a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres.

Danon used the opportunity to revisit Sinirlioğlu’s record as Turkey’s former permanent representative to the United Nations, pointing to his opposition to a 2018 amendment that sought to condemn Hamas and demand an end to its violence.

“When you served as Turkey’s Permanent Representative, you urged this Assembly to reject an amendment condemning Hamas and demanding that it cease its violent activities. On October 7, Hamas carried out the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Now, as you seek to become the next UN Secretary-General, do you finally have the courage to unequivocally condemn Hamas?” Danon asked.

The Turkish diplomat responded by emphasizing his familiarity with Israel and explaining that his actions in 2018 reflected the official policy of the Turkish government at the time. However, he stopped short of directly condemning Hamas by name, instead offering a broader statement about terrorism and international accountability.

“I served in Israel for five years, and I know the country very well. In 2018, I represented Turkey’s position. I condemn terrorism in all its forms. As for Hamas, as with any other organization, if it is found to have violated international law, it must be held accountable for its actions,” Sinirlioğlu replied.

Sinirlioğlu further stated that the United Nations possesses various mechanisms for investigating and addressing violations of international law and that, if selected to lead the organization, he would act within those established legal frameworks.

Sinirlioğlu, a veteran Turkish diplomat who served as his country’s foreign minister in 2015 and as ambassador to the United Nations from 2016 to 2023, currently heads the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Turkey formally submitted his nomination for the UN’s top position on October 30.

During Friday’s hearing, Sinirlioğlu also pledged to make the Palestinian issue a major priority if elected, advocating a two-state solution and renewed international attention to Gaza.

His candidacy has attracted opposition beyond Israel. The Armenian National Committee-International has called on Security Council members to reject his nomination, citing his record on the Armenian genocide and questioning whether he could act independently of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The next secretary-general will be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council, where the five permanent members possess veto power.

Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has reportedly withheld key evidence in its investigation into suspected foreign interference in the recent Knesset elections because of concerns that disclosing the intelligence could expose a sensitive confidential source, according to a report Saturday night by Kan News.

The disclosure comes amid growing tensions between Shin Bet director David Zini, Israel Police, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over the handling of allegations that foreign governments and other outside interests funneled money into Israel to influence the October 27 election.

According to the report, Shin Bet representatives explained privately that releasing certain intelligence materials could reveal the identity of a source who provided information about the suspected foreign financing operation. The agency has reportedly promised to provide additional evidence at a later stage.

During a meeting Thursday involving representatives of the Shin Bet, police, and the State Attorney’s Office, intelligence officials presented limited information concerning suspected transfers of several hundred thousand shekels from foreign sources.

That figure was considerably smaller than the millions of shekels that Zini had previously suggested were involved in an extensive foreign influence operation targeting the election.

A source familiar with the discussions said Shin Bet officials explained outside the formal meeting that the need to protect their intelligence source was preventing them from disclosing the full material. The agency declined to comment publicly on the report.

The investigation centers on allegations that foreign actors, including Qatar, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority, provided funding to individuals associated with Arab political parties in an effort to influence voter turnout and the election results.

The allegations have not been substantiated publicly, and investigators have yet to establish whether any foreign money was used to improperly influence voters or whether the suspected activities affected the election outcome.

Earlier this week, Zini warned that intelligence collected by the Shin Bet pointed to a potentially extensive operation involving substantial foreign funding and thousands of individuals.

In a statement presented to the Central Elections Committee, the security agency said its intelligence indicated suspected transfers of large sums into Israel from foreign entities whose interests were concealed and potentially hostile.

However, the Shin Bet acknowledged that additional investigative work was necessary to establish the full scope of the suspected operation.

The investigation has also triggered an unusually public dispute between Zini and Baharav-Miara over the Shin Bet chief’s reported desire to question senior Arab political figures, including Ahmad Tibi, Mansour Abbas, and Sami Abu Shehadeh.

The attorney general has insisted that investigators must establish sufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing before summoning elected officials for questioning as suspects.

Her office also accused the Shin Bet of obstructing the investigation by failing to promptly provide intelligence materials to the joint investigative team established to examine the allegations.

Following several days of delays, the Shin Bet began transferring some materials to police on Thursday, although significant portions of the intelligence reportedly remained undisclosed.

The dispute has also extended to the police. Deputy Commissioner Boaz Balat, head of the Israel Police Investigations and Intelligence Division, instructed investigators not to provide assistance to the Shin Bet in election-related matters without his explicit authorization.

The directive requires police personnel to obtain approval before responding to Shin Bet requests involving interrogations, surveillance footage, or other investigative assistance.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that investigators are examining allegations involving outgoing Arab Knesset member Ayman Odeh, who was reportedly suspected of receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels from Palestinian Authority sources. Police officials have said they have not received sufficient material to justify summoning Odeh for questioning.

The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s claims that irregularities involving Arab political parties compromised the election, following a record turnout among Arab voters that helped deny his political bloc a Knesset majority.

Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg has emphasized that the suspicions under investigation do not invalidate the election results. The committee formally approved the results Wednesday despite objections from some members of Netanyahu’s political bloc.

The joint investigative team, comprising the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and State Attorney’s Office, is expected to continue examining the suspected financial transfers as intelligence officials determine how additional evidence can be shared without compromising sensitive sources.

Shas issued a forceful denial on Motzoei Shabbos of reports suggesting that the party could join or support a government headed by Gadi Eisenkot, dismissing the claims as “complete fake news” and declaring that it remains firmly committed to the right-wing bloc in accordance with the directives of its Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah.

The statement came amid intense political maneuvering following Israel’s recent elections, as Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, seeks to assemble a governing coalition that could replace Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

“Contrary to the false reports being spread this evening by various journalists regarding Shas’ supposed joining of the Eisenkot government, this is complete fake news,” the party declared. “As instructed by the Council of Torah Sages, Shas is part of the right-wing bloc, lovers of the Torah and Jewish tradition.”

Shas further warned against treating unofficial political reports as authoritative, emphasizing that its positions are determined by the party’s leadership and its rabbinic authorities.

“Only official Shas announcements are decisive, not reports from journalists or tweeters,” the statement added.

The denial followed reports on Israel’s Channel 12 suggesting that Shas might refrain from opposing an Eisenkot-led government if United Torah Judaism decided to participate in such a coalition with the approval of its rabbinic leadership.

Channel 12 quoted a source associated with Shas’ Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah who claimed that the party would not seek to prevent United Torah Judaism from joining such a government, out of concern that opposing a decision by the Ashkenazic gedolei haTorah could create a serious rift within the chareidi community.

“There is no scenario in which Shas rabbis will act against United Torah Judaism rabbis,” the source was quoted as saying. “This would lead to a huge split in the Haredi street.”

Separately, reports in the chareidi media suggested that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri had privately acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining a separate political position if Rav Dov Landau were to approve United Torah Judaism’s participation in an Eisenkot government in exchange for an acceptable agreement on the military draft issue.

Shas’ official statement, however, rejected suggestions that the party had agreed to join an alternative coalition. The party did not specifically address whether it might abstain from opposing a government supported by United Torah Judaism, a distinction that could become important during coalition negotiations.

The controversy comes as Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman has reportedly softened his longstanding opposition to forming a government with chareidi parties. Israeli media reported that Lieberman is prepared to consider compromises on military conscription legislation in an effort to establish a coalition without Netanyahu or the Arab parties.

The reported shift has opened the possibility of negotiations between Eisenkot’s political allies and United Torah Judaism, with the draft law emerging as a central issue in discussions over a potential coalition agreement.

President Isaac Herzog announced on Motzoei Shabbos that he would formally assign Eisenkot the task of forming Israel’s next government after the Yashar chairman received recommendations from parties representing 67 Knesset members, compared with 46 who recommended Netanyahu. United Torah Judaism, which holds seven seats, declined to recommend either candidate.

Eisenkot is scheduled to receive the mandate on Sunday and will initially have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.

Despite receiving recommendations from a majority of Knesset members, Eisenkot faces substantial obstacles in forming a government. His prospective supporters include parties with sharply conflicting positions on military conscription, religious affairs, and cooperation with Arab political factions.

For the chareidi parties, the central question remains whether any prospective government would be prepared to advance legislation addressing the status of bnei yeshivos and military service.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has been working to preserve his longstanding political alliance with the chareidi parties while warning against the establishment of a government dependent on Arab factions.

Shas’ latest declaration makes clear that, at least publicly, the party is not abandoning its traditional alliance with the right-wing bloc, even as speculation intensifies over possible changes in Israel’s political landscape.

The dean of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry has resigned after an investigation into antisemitic illustrations used during a classroom lecture earlier this year, ending months of controversy over images that Jewish organizations condemned for promoting offensive stereotypes.

Anil Kishen stepped down voluntarily, effective immediately, the university announced Thursday, following a review of materials he presented during a February lecture. Although investigators concluded that Kishen had not deliberately sought to promote antisemitism, the controversy raised serious questions about his ability to continue leading the faculty.

University Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young said the investigation found that Kishen had little understanding of the historical significance and antisemitic associations of the illustrations when he incorporated them into his presentation.

The images, which were brought to public attention by B’nai Brith Canada, included a drawing of a figure draped in what appeared to be an Israeli flag, with Palestinian flag colors painted across its face and ropes binding its body. The illustration accompanied a discussion of “strangulation theory,” a dental concept involving restricted blood circulation within the pulp of a tooth.

Another image depicted a man with an exaggerated hooked nose swimming through a pool of money, alongside the word “immunity.” The illustration drew criticism for invoking centuries-old antisemitic caricatures portraying Jews as excessively wealthy and obsessed with money.

The university’s investigation revealed sharply differing reactions within the academic community. While some students and faculty members accepted Kishen’s apology, others remained disturbed by the images and questioned whether he could effectively continue in his leadership position.

“Some community members accepted Dr. Kishen’s immediate apology, while others were deeply hurt by the use of the images,” Young said. “He recognizes that many community members have lost confidence in his ability to continue to lead the faculty of dentistry.”

Kishen, who had been on leave since February while the university examined the incident, has acknowledged the need to deepen his understanding of antisemitism. University officials said he has already participated in educational training addressing the subject and intends to continue that process.

Although he is relinquishing his administrative responsibilities, Kishen will remain a tenured professor at the university. He is expected to resume his full academic responsibilities during the 2027–28 academic year.

Laura Tam, who has been serving as acting dean during Kishen’s absence, will continue overseeing the Faculty of Dentistry while the university conducts a search for a permanent successor.

Mispallelim arriving for Shacharis on Shabbos morning at the Radzin Shul in western Bnei Brak were stunned to discover their bais medrash completely flooded, with muddy water reaching nearly half a meter in some areas following heavy overnight rainfall.

The flooding caused extensive damage to the shul, leaving seforim, furniture, and other equipment submerged in water and forcing the mispallelim to find alternative locations for their Shabbos tefillos.

Dov Friedman, the shul’s gabbai, described the scene that greeted worshippers when they arrived on Shabbos morning.

“We arrived at the shul this morning and simply couldn’t get inside,” Friedman told B’Chadrei Chareidim. “The entire shul was flooded, from the entrance all the way to the back of the bais medrash. The water was almost half a meter high. Everything that was stored at a low level, including seforim and equipment, was underwater. There was no way to enter.”

According to Friedman, the flooding occurred when large quantities of rainwater rushed down from an elevated courtyard and poured into the shul, which is situated on a lower level.

“It wasn’t just water. Everything came in with mud and sand,” he explained. “All the sand from the courtyard above was washed inside. We’re located on a lower floor, and everything came pouring into the shul like a waterfall.”

With the building inaccessible, the shul’s regular minyanim could not take place, and mispallelim were forced to disperse to other shuls in the neighborhood for their Shabbos tefillos.

Following the conclusion of Shabbos, members of the kehillah began the difficult task of pumping out the accumulated water and removing the large quantities of mud and sand that had washed into the building.

Friedman expressed frustration over what he described as a preventable disaster, claiming that the mispallelim had repeatedly alerted Bnei Brak municipal officials to drainage problems near the shul in the weeks leading up to the storm.

“We spoke to the municipality weeks ago, and again during this past week,” Friedman said. “We told them there was a drainage problem that needed to be addressed. We warned them again and again, but nothing was done. Then the downpour came overnight, and everything was swept inside.”

The gabbai said that the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined, as the immediate priority remains clearing the building of water and debris.

“We’re working with a pump and trying to remove all the water and sand that accumulated inside,” Friedman said. “We’re trying to clear everything out, and afterward we’ll see what happens.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the sudden and untimely petirah of Rav Itamar Schwartz zt”l, the renowned author of the widely acclaimed Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh series, whose extraordinary writings and shiurim on avodas Hashem, emunah, mussar, and the inner dimensions of Torah transformed the spiritual lives of countless Yidden throughout the world. Rav Schwartz was just 50 years old.

Rav Schwartz was niftar on Friday night, Leil Shabbos Kodesh, 27 Cheshvan 5787, following a devastating medical emergency several days earlier. His sudden passing will send shockwaves throughout the Torah world, where his writings have become an integral part of the spiritual development of thousands of bnei Torah and others seeking a deeper connection to the Ribbono Shel Olam.

Last Wednesday, Rav Schwartz suddenly collapsed after suffering a severe stroke. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene and performed prolonged resuscitation efforts before transporting him to a hospital in critical condition. As word of his condition spread, tefillos were offered throughout the Torah world for the refuah sheleimah of Rav Itamar ben Tova. Tragically, despite the efforts of medical personnel and the heartfelt tefillos of his many talmidim and admirers, he was niftar over Shabbos, surrounded by members of his family and those close to him.

Rav Schwartz was born in Yerushalayim on 7 Sivan 5736 (1976), to his father, Rav Dov Schwartz, and his mother, Mrs. Tova Schwartz. From his earliest years, he displayed exceptional abilities in limud haTorah, together with an unusual depth of thought and an extraordinary capacity for sustained concentration and hasmadah. During his years in yeshiva, he distinguished himself through his penetrating understanding of Torah and his tireless dedication to learning.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Chaim Moshe Aharon Slushtz zt”l, a distinguished talmid chacham from the Sanhedria neighborhood of Yerushalayim, who authored the seforim Nitfei Moshe on the Torah and various masechtos of Shas and previously served in a rabbinic capacity in Yerushalayim’s Katamon neighborhood.

While Rav Schwartz was recognized for his considerable Torah scholarship, it was his remarkable exploration of avodas halev and pnimiyus haTorah that would ultimately bring his teachings to an enormous audience. Drawing from the writings of the Rishonim and Acharonim, the great baalei mussar, and the foundational works of Chassidus, he developed a comprehensive approach to spiritual growth that emphasized the cultivation of genuine emunah, refinement of middos, meaningful tefillah, and an increasingly personal awareness of kirvas Elokim.

His monumental Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh series, whose title is drawn from the familiar words expressing the aspiration to build a dwelling place for the Shechinah within one’s heart, became one of the most widely studied contemporary works on avodas Hashem. Written with unusual clarity and depth, the series offered readers a structured approach to developing their inner spiritual lives, guiding them through the foundational principles of emunah, hisbonenus, and the lifelong pursuit of closeness to Hashem.

What distinguished Rav Schwartz’s writings was his ability to take profound concepts that might otherwise have remained confined to advanced works of machshavah and pnimiyus and present them as practical pathways for everyday life. His teachings addressed the inner struggles of the individual, the challenges of distraction and spiritual complacency, and the need to develop a genuine, enduring relationship with the Ribbono Shel Olam.

Over the years, his literary output grew into an extraordinary body of Torah literature encompassing dozens of volumes. In addition to Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh, his works included the acclaimed Da Es Menuchasecha series and numerous other seforim exploring the nefesh, the Yomim Tovim, tefillah, chinuch, personal development, and the deeper foundations of Jewish life.

His teachings reached far beyond the walls of any particular bais medrash or community. Through printed seforim, recorded shiurim, written transcripts, and organized dissemination efforts, his approach to avodas Hashem gained a devoted following among Litvishe, Chassidishe, and Sefardishe communities alike. His writings also reached English-speaking audiences, introducing many thousands of Yidden to the depth and richness of his teachings.

The Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh initiative eventually developed into a substantial Torah dissemination effort, making an extensive collection of his shiurim and writings available to individuals seeking guidance in spiritual growth. His works were studied both individually and in groups, and many readers came to regard his seforim as an indispensable resource for understanding their inner spiritual lives.

Despite the extraordinary reach of his writings and the tremendous esteem in which he was held, Rav Schwartz was known for his exceptional anavah and his aversion to personal recognition. Those who knew him described a talmid chacham who shunned publicity and kavod, preferring to devote his days to limud haTorah, writing, delivering shiurim, and providing guidance to those who sought his counsel.

His approach to teaching reflected the seriousness with which he regarded the obligation of every Yid to grow in avodas Hashem. Rather than presenting spiritual elevation as something reserved for exceptional individuals, he emphasized that genuine growth begins with the patient, consistent work of developing one’s inner world, strengthening emunah, and becoming increasingly conscious of Hashem’s presence in daily life.

Rav Schwartz’s influence extended to communities throughout the United States, where he delivered shiurim during visits over the years. His speaking engagements brought him to Lakewood, Flatbush, Boro Park, Monsey, the Five Towns, Passaic, and other communities, where audiences gathered to hear his penetrating insights into avodas Hashem and the inner workings of the nefesh. His teachings were also disseminated through Kol Halashon and other Torah platforms, allowing his shiurim to reach listeners across the globe.

Among the additional works associated with his extensive teachings were Da Es Atzmecha, focusing on understanding one’s inner self, and Da Es Simchasecha, addressing the development of genuine simchah. His English-language works and translations further broadened his influence, making his teachings accessible to readers who could not study the original Hebrew volumes.

Rav Schwartz leaves behind his wife, his family, and an extraordinary legacy of harbotzas haTorah through the many seforim and shiurim that will continue to guide and inspire Yidden for generations to come.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}