President Donald Trump responds to questions on the impact of the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and his position with Russia.
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Neera Tanden, who previously held a senior position in President Joe Biden’s administration, appeared before Congress and acknowledged that she had the authority to initiate the use of an autopen for the president’s signature. However, she admitted she was not aware of who ultimately gave the go-ahead for using the device.
Tanden, who oversaw the Domestic Policy Council during her time in the White House, told lawmakers that Biden’s team made use of a mechanical signature tool that enabled staffers to sign official papers—including pardons and memoranda—on the president’s behalf. Despite being involved in the process, she stated that she did not know who exactly authorized each instance. As Fox News reported:

Following the conclusion of Operation Rising Lion, a fresh survey commissioned by Kan News and carried out by the Kantar Institute indicates a surge in popularity for the Likud party. Should elections take place now, Likud is projected to receive 31 Knesset seats—marking a four-seat increase. Yisrael Beytenu would also experience a jump, climbing to 15 seats.
The remainder of the Knesset, based on the survey’s findings, would be divided as follows: Yesh Atid would secure 14 seats, National Unity would take 13, the Democrats would capture 11, Shas would obtain 10, United Torah Judaism would get 8, Otzma Yehudit would land at 7, Ra’am would earn 6, and Hadash-Ta’al would finish with 5. The Religious Zionist Party, however, would not cross the electoral threshold.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz have instructed the IDF to develop a comprehensive strategy within two days to stop Hamas from hijacking humanitarian supplies meant for Gaza’s civilian population.
This move comes after video footage circulated online on Wednesday, showing Hamas operatives armed with weapons forcibly taking aid shipments in northern Gaza and stripping them from the hands of local residents.
According to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, the video’s release sparked a heated exchange between Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Netanyahu. During their discussion, Smotrich emphasized that he would not support any return to a system where Hamas controls and distributes humanitarian aid.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe issued a public statement Wednesday addressing the current state of Iran’s nuclear program following recent military actions.
“CIA can confirm that a body of credible intelligence indicates Iran’s Nuclear Program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes. This includes new intelligence from an historically reliable and accurate source/method that several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years,” he said.

In a candid interview in Hebrew with Kikar HaShabbat, Shas chairman and War Cabinet member Aryeh Deri offered his firsthand reflections on Israel’s unprecedented military campaign against Iran. Deri described the behind-the-scenes deliberations that preceded the operation, the unexpected successes, and the dramatic moments in the command bunker when the order was given to launch the offensive.
“We paid a heavy price in this war,” Deri acknowledged, referencing the loss of 28 soldiers. “But that number is less than 8% of the minimum estimate we were given before the operation—and not even 3% of the maximum projection. We must recognize the miracles.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) responded enthusiastically to the outcome of New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, hailing Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s win as an “incredible victory.”
Taking to X, Omar offered her congratulations and applauded New Yorkers for rejecting what she described as the influence of “bigots and corrupt billionaires.” Her post came shortly after Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor, acknowledged Mamdani’s lead and conceded the race.
“Congratulations @ZohranKMamdani!” Omar wrote. “This is an incredible victory and testament to the people powered campaign you put together. Thank you NYC for not letting the bigots and corrupt billionaires prevail. This victory also belongs to you.”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte extended a warm and colorful welcome to President Donald Trump during Wednesday’s alliance summit in The Hague, lauding him as “a man of strength,” “a man of peace,” and even “the daddy” who managed to broker a truce between Iran and Israel.
According to SkyNews, Trump likened the recent conflict to a schoolyard brawl, saying, “They fight like hell. You can’t stop them. Let them fight for about two, three minutes. Then it’s easier to stop them.”
Rutte picked up on the analogy, replying with a grin, “Then, daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” in reference to Trump’s colorful remarks during his efforts to enforce the ceasefire, as reported by SkyNews.

President Donald Trump urged Israeli authorities to put an end to the legal proceedings against Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, calling the charges a politically driven attack.
“I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel, which has just had one of its Greatest Moments in History, and is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister!” Trump declared in a detailed message posted on Truth Social.
He criticized the ongoing corruption trial as a baseless pursuit with political motives.

MK Moshe Gafni, who leads the Degel HaTorah faction within United Torah Judaism, stirred outrage from right-wing politicians on Wednesday morning after questioning the rationale behind Israel’s continued military campaign in Gaza.