A Utah man who allegedly threatened to unleash violence on New York City shuls was arrested in a dramatic police operation Friday night, just moments before he could enter Manhattan. Luis Ramirez, 23, was taken into custody at approximately 5:30 p.m. by Port Authority police in New Jersey, after law enforcement was alerted to a string of antisemitic threats he allegedly posted on social media, authorities said. Among his chilling online threats, Ramirez specifically mentioned Central Synagogue, a prominent synagogue on Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, according to police sources. Authorities quickly mobilized after learning he was en route to New York from out of state. Port Authority officers intercepted him at the Lincoln Tunnel before he could step foot in the city.

The reunion of the three hostages released on Shabbos with their families was bittersweet. Sasha Troufanov, 29, who was abducted from Nir Oz was reunited with his mother, grandmother, and partner Sapir Cohen. However, sadly, he also came home to the news that his father Vitaliy, H’yd, was murdered on October 7. IDF representatives who transferred Sasha from the Red Cross informed him about his father and he burst into tears. Sasha’s family released a statement saying: “On October 7, Sasha was brutally abducted from his home and shot in both legs. Seeing him today strengthens us and gives us great hope for the long rehabilitation process that awaits him.

President Donald Trump’s decisive action on illegal immigration is delivering immediate results, with border crossings plummeting to levels not seen in decades, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data obtained by the New York Post. So far in February 2025, the U.S. is averaging just 359 illegal crossings per day—a staggering 90% drop from February 2024. If the trend continues, illegal immigration could fall to levels not seen since 1968, nearly 60 years ago. “This is a historic turnaround,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

Even weeks after returning to Israel following 477 days in captivity, there remains a striking gap between the relative openness of the female soldiers about their time in the Gaza Strip and their reluctance to discuss the events of October 7 itself, Ynet reported. They recounted in detail to their parents the conditions of their captivity, the constant danger to their lives, the treatment by their captors, the hunger, and the poor hygiene, but regarding what happened in the fortified shelter at the Nachal Oz outpost that day—during the hours they waited in vain for help, were beaten by the terrorists, and saw their friends killed—they remain mum.

Gadi Mozes, 81, who was released from captivity two weeks ago, was held completely alone in a series of small cramped rooms in apartments, suffering from hunger, life-threatening situations, and cruel psychological terror. In an interview with Ynet, his daughter-in-law Einav Mozes-Orbach recounted what he experienced in the hell of Gaza. Gadi, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was rarely exposed to the news but he heard enough to know that many Israelis were murdered in the October 7 massacre and others were abducted. However, his captors told him that his wife, Efrat Katz, H’yd, was alive and “sends regards.” But later, during one of the rare times he was exposed to the news, he heard that she was murdered. “It was a major crisis for him,” Einav said.

Motorists are being cautioned about a fraudulent E-ZPass scam that has surfaced following the implementation of New York City’s congestion pricing plan. State transportation officials have issued warnings about deceptive text messages claiming to be from E-ZPass, falsely notifying recipients of unpaid toll invoices. The scam messages attempt to create urgency by warning drivers that failure to pay will result in excessive late fees. Officials stress that these messages are not legitimate and advise recipients to avoid clicking any links contained within them. Scammers are impersonating toll collection agencies by sending fake SMS messages. Some of these texts reference “NY Toll Services” or other fictitious names to appear credible.

A terror group in Gaza launched a rocket on Thursday evening amid the ceasefire agreement with Israel. The rocket landed in Nuseriat in central Gaza, killing a 14-year-old Gazan. The IDF spokesperson confirmed that a rocket launch was identified within the Gaza Strip that fell outside Israeli territory. “The IDF is determined to fully uphold the terms of the agreement for the return of the hostages,” emphasized the IDF spokesperson without addressing the violation of the ceasefire. Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich stated in response: “Mr. Prime Minister, this is a moment of test. A moment for a strong and disproportionate response that will make it clear that we will not return to the conceptzia of October 6.” “For those of you calling for an end to the war – wake up!

A terrifying mid-air ordeal unfolded on a flight from Miami to Newark when a New Jersey man erupted in a violent tirade, hurling threats at fellow passengers—including a disabled child and a group of Jewish travelers—before attempting to force his way into the cockpit. Luis A. Vaquero, 27, of Passaic, was arrested upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport after a string of aggressive and menacing outbursts that left passengers shaken. Authorities say he threatened flight attendants, intimidated Jewish passengers, and even banged on the cockpit door while demanding the captain face him.

Authorities in public hospitals in Israel have expressed outrage over the phenomenon of Nukhba terrorists being treated in Israeli hospitals, even in cases that are not life-threatening or urgent, Yisrael Hayom reported on Thursday. Dr. Ilya Chorny, the head of the anesthesia department at the Rabin Medical Center, told Yisrael Hayom: “I encountered a case of a terrorist with a leg injury and there are two options – either amputate the leg, or perform a complex surgery involving vascular, nerve, and bone connections. His life in not in danger. The dilemma is whether to amputate his leg or to carry out a 20-hour operation to save his limb.” “Unfortunately, he is being treated in an ‘extra’ manner, like we did for Sinwar when he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.