Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu revealed on Sunday that he held an extensive conversation with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The discussion comes as Israeli officials signal that a potential ceasefire-hostage agreement could be finalized by Chanukah, though key issues remain unresolved. Netanyahu, speaking in a video message, described the conversation with Trump as “very friendly, very warm, and very important.” While refraining from sharing specifics, the prime minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to bringing the hostages home. “We are working tirelessly, without rest, to bring our hostages home, the living and the fallen together,” Netanyahu said.

Prosecutors in Texas announced Friday that they will seek the death penalty against two Venezuelan men who are accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl after they had entered the U.S. illegally. The death of Jocelyn Nungaray was among several cases this year that became flashpoints in the debate over the nation’s immigration policies. Nungaray’s mother campaigned for President-elect Donald Trump, calling for better control of the border in the wake of her daughter’s death. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said her office would file an official court notice later Friday that prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26. Each man has been charged with capital murder for Nungaray’s June 16 death.

Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering her next steps in politics after her 2024 election loss to Donald Trump, with close advisers debating whether she should pursue another presidential bid or run for governor of California. According to CNN, Harris has signaled to supporters and donors that her political career is far from over, telling them, “You haven’t seen the last of me.” Advisers are divided on what her next move should be, with some pushing for a gubernatorial campaign in 2026, which they view as a strong opportunity. “It seems like a layup,” one adviser said, adding that Harris could likely clear the Democratic primary field in California.

Some banks and banking trade groups are suing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over a finalized rule that limits overdraft fees banks can charge. The rule is part of President Joe Biden administration’s campaign to reduce junk fees that hit consumers on everyday purchases, including banking services. But banks argue that without overdraft protection, desperate consumers will instead lean on worse, unregulated services to ease their crunch.

SpaceX is launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. Billionaire Elon Musk ‘s company on Thursday sent a letter to local officials requesting an election to turn what it calls Starbase — the South Texas site where SpaceX builds and launches its massive Starship rockets — into an incorporated city. Residents of the area known as Starbase submitted the petition, according to the company. The area is on the southern tip of Texas at Boca Chica Beach, near the Mexican border. Earlier this year, Musk announced he was moving the headquarters of SpaceX and his social media company X from California to Texas. “To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community.

After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference.

Drones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on who can operate them and where they can be flown. No-fly zones are enforced around airports, military installations, nuclear plants, certain landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and sports stadiums during games. Not everybody follows the rules. Sightings at airports have shut down flights in a few instances. Reported sightings of what appear to be drones flying over New Jersey at night in recent weeks have created anxiety among some residents, in part because it is not clear who is operating them or why. Some state and local officials have called for stricter rules to govern drones.

An investigative report by Channel 12’s “Uvda” program has unveiled dramatic new details surrounding the lead-up to the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza and regional unrest. Among the revelations: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by Israel’s top security officials of heightened vulnerability to attack while recovering in the hospital in July 2023 after receiving a pacemaker. According to the report, the heads of the Shin Bet and the IDF contacted Netanyahu on July 23, 2023, while he was at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan following a potentially life-threatening cardiac event.

The sudden release of Mofid Abdel Kader Mashaal, the brother of former Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal, from a U.S. prison has raised hopes that it could signal progress toward a potential hostage deal. Mashaal, who was serving a 20-year sentence for financing Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation, was reportedly released after serving 16 years. According to Israeli media, he will spend the next year in a rehabilitation facility. The U.S. has not confirmed his release, but the news has been widely reported in Arab media. The release comes amid ongoing talks surrounding a possible hostage agreement, fueling speculation that the two developments could be connected.

As Monsey Scoop reported,  New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressman Mike Lawler. During their meeting, Mayor Spitzer extended a personal invitation to Speaker Johnson on behalf of the Skvere Rebbe to attend the wedding of the Rebbe’s grandchildren. Although Speaker Johnson could not attend the wedding due to Congress being in session, he expressed his warm regards through a heartfelt letter. The letter was delivered to the Rebbe during the wedding by Rafi Silberberg, Congressman Mike Lawler’s district director. In his message, Speaker Johnson conveyed his congratulations and admiration for the Skverer Rebbe’s leadership. He wrote, “Mazal Tov on the joyous occasion of your grandchildren’s wedding!