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Lee Goldberg with the latest on the blizzard still raging across the Tri-State Area.

The forecasts called for major snow — and they were right on target. More than a foot of snow has already fallen in parts of New York City, with even higher totals on Long Island and along the Jersey Shore. Snowfall rates peaked at up to 3–4 inches per hour, with wind gusts topping 50 […]

In an escalation in the struggle against Israel’s corrupt judicial system, Prof. Moshe Cohen-Eliya, one of Israel’s leading critics of what he calls the “judicial system’s tyranny,” has launched an initiative to ask U.S. President Donald Trump to impose personal sanctions on Supreme Court Justice Yitzchak Amit and the dismissed Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara. Cohen-Eliya […]

Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps military commanders have been holding meetings in hospitals in recent days, a medical staff member in a hospital in Tehran told Iran International. “The presence of these individuals, along with their protection units, has alarmed staff because the meetings had nothing to do with medical matters,” a hospital employee said. Similar […]

Yediot Achronot journalist Ben-Dror Yemini wrote an article excoriating Keir Starmer, the leftist prime minister of the UK, for citing “international law” as an excuse to “embolden the axis of evil.” “You can never know where help for a repressive regime of terror will come from,” he wrote. “But it always comes. Even when the […]

Retired Gen. David Petraeus said that even if the Trump administration proceeds with military strikes against Iran amid growing tensions between President Donald Trump and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, such action would not succeed in removing the Iranian regime.

Speaking in an interview broadcast Sunday on the “Cats Roundtable” radio program with host John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 AM, the former CIA director described Khamenei as deeply entrenched in his views and unlikely to compromise on key issues. He said the Iranian leader is “such an ideologue, he’s so hard-lined, that it appears that he may not budge on the issues that really matter,” a posture that could lead Trump to authorize force.

“Look, candidly, I’m all for taking the missile program down further or [bringing] damage to the security forces, but we should be very clear-eyed,” Petraeus said. “This will not bring about a regime change, sadly.”

Petraeus argued that Iran’s supreme leader has shown little capacity to engage meaningfully in nuclear negotiations. American and Iranian officials met Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss Tehran’s nuclear activities, but as of early Sunday no agreement had been reached.

He described Iran’s nuclear program as a serious threat to U.S. allies in the region. According to Petraeus, Iran’s capabilities are “so threatening to our partners and allies in the region, including Israel, and the support that [Iran] provide to these murderous proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and Shia militia in Iraq.”

“So, unless he demonstrates some flexibility, I think they’re going to be at the receiving end of a very, very substantial demonstration of American military power,” he added.

Petraeus also referenced Trump’s 10-day deadline for Tehran to reach an agreement and offer “some serious concessions, which they have not been willing to do before.”

On Thursday, Trump cautioned that Iran would face “steep consequences” if talks collapse. He had said the previous week that failure to reach a deal would be “a bad day for Iran, very bad.”

The current diplomatic window mirrors the timeline seen last June, when U.S. stealth bombers struck three Iranian uranium enrichment facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer. U.S. officials said the operation severely impaired Iran’s nuclear program, though Iranian authorities disputed that assessment.

On Friday, Trump indicated he was weighing the possibility of a limited military strike.

The United States has since reinforced its military posture in the region, sending two aircraft carrier groups while flight tracking data showed numerous American fighter jets and refueling aircraft moving toward Europe and the Middle East.

The prospect of escalation has drawn resistance on Capitol Hill. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced plans to force a House vote this week on a war powers resolution that would require Trump to obtain congressional approval before launching an attack.

“Trump officials say there’s a 90% chance of strikes on Iran. He can’t without Congress,” Khanna said Wednesday in a post on the social platform X. “@RepThomasMassie & I have a War Powers Resolution to debate & vote on war before putting U.S. troops in harm’s way.”

Not all lawmakers support that effort. Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said Friday they oppose advancing a war powers resolution.

“We respect and defend Congress’s constitutional role in matters of war,” they said in a joint statement. “Oversight and debate are absolutely vital. However, this resolution would restrict the flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks signaling weakness at a dangerous moment.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said he is dispatching a U.S. hospital ship to Greenland, the Danish territory he has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring, stating that the vessel will provide medical care to residents in need.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!! President DJT.” Landry is serving as the president’s special envoy to Greenland.

Earlier in the day, Danish military officials disclosed in a Facebook statement that they had assisted with a medical emergency involving U.S. personnel. In a post translated into English, Danish forces said they had “evacuated a crew member from an American submarine.”

“The crew member needed urgent medical treatment and has been transferred to the Greenlandic health authorities and the hospital in Nuuk,” the statement added.

The Hill sought comment from both the White House and the office of Denmark’s prime minister regarding the developments.

In recent months, Trump has intensified his calls for the United States to acquire Greenland, a stance that has created friction with allied nations such as Denmark, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Trump has argued that control of Greenland would be strategically important, citing its relevance to his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system and contending that American ownership would counter Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appeared to allude to the medical evacuation in her own Facebook message on Sunday, while also drawing a contrast with the American healthcare model.

“Am happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it’s not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment. You have the same approach in Greenland,” she said in a translated post, according to Facebook.

{Matzav.com}

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier was spotted entering the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar after being ordered to the region as part of the U.S. military buildup for possible military action against Iran.

The State Department on Sunday advised American citizens in several Mexican states to remain indoors until further notice, citing “ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity” following violent unrest.

The advisory applies to the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon, where authorities warned that conditions could remain unstable.

The alert followed an announcement from Mexico’s Ministry of Defense that the Mexican army had killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the influential head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The ministry confirmed the development Sunday in a statement posted on the social platform X.

After news of the cartel leader’s death spread, confrontations broke out across parts of western Mexico. Vehicles were set ablaze and used to obstruct highways in Jalisco and neighboring areas. By midday Sunday, Mexico’s Security Cabinet reported 21 active highway blockades.

According to The Associated Press, drug cartels frequently employ roadblocks as a tactic to hinder military and law enforcement movements.

Footage circulating on social media captured thick smoke rising above Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, while other clips appeared to show travelers running in alarm inside Guadalajara International Airport.

In response to the unrest, several airlines issued travel alerts or suspended flights to affected destinations. Authorities in Jalisco also announced that schools would be closed Monday.

In recent months, President Donald Trump has stated that he would consider military action within Mexico if necessary to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. His remarks followed U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected Trump’s suggestions of potential U.S. intervention.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would deploy a hospital ship to Greenland, alleging that many people there are sick and not receiving care, even though both of the U.S. Navy’s hospital ships are currently docked at a shipyard in Alabama. Trump’s announcement prompted a defense on Sunday of Denmark and Greenland’s health care system […]

  Make this snow day a fun day! The Loop is an audio world of wholesome fun + it’s FREE. Epic Purim content is live and the popular Loop Live Show starts in just a few hours! Get a one-month free trial to The Loop. No commitment. Just fun! Stories, games, live shows and contests. […]

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A new Torah learning platform has launched this week, offering individuals the ability to ask questions about Torah, emunah, and personal avodas Hashem and receive responses grounded in established Torah teachings.

The platform, titled Rav Pinson AI, is built upon the published sefarim and recorded shiurim of Rabbi DovBer Pinson, famous Mashpia, Rav, and Author of over 60 books in Chassidus, Kabbalah, Halacha, and Jewish thought.

Users may submit questions relating to faith, personal struggle, spiritual growth, or deeper Torah concepts. The system formulates responses within the language and conceptual framework found in Rav Pinson’s Torah teachings, creating an interactive learning experience similar to engaging in dialogue during a shiur.

Developers of the platform emphasize that it is not intended for psak halacha and does not replace consultation with a Rav for practical halachic guidance. Rather, it is designed as a structured tool for Torah study and reflection. As digital Torah learning continues to expand, this initiative introduces a format that allows individuals to interact with established Torah teachings in a responsive, question-based setting.

The platform is available at: https://ravpinson.ai

✈️❄️ 14,000+ FLIGHTS DISRUPTED AS HISTORIC BLIZZARD PARALYZES NORTHEAST Air travel across the U.S. is grinding to a near standstill as the powerful “bomb cyclone” slams the Northeast. As of now: •⁠ ⁠14,000+ U.S. flights disrupted through Tuesday •⁠ ⁠8,858+ flights canceled •⁠ ⁠Thousands more delayed Major hubs — including JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Boston […]

President Donald Trump has indicated to senior advisers that he is prepared to escalate US action against Iran, potentially including efforts to remove the country’s leadership, if diplomatic efforts and any initial military strike fail to halt Tehran’s nuclear program, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing officials familiar with internal discussions.

US and Iranian representatives are expected to convene in Geneva on Thursday in what may be a last opportunity to prevent open conflict. Even as preparations for the talks move forward, Trump has been reviewing military contingencies should negotiations break down.

According to the report, while no definitive course has been approved, Trump is considering launching a preliminary strike in the near future to send a clear message to Iranian authorities that they must give up their capacity to produce nuclear weapons. If that step does not achieve its objective, he has suggested the possibility of expanding military operations later in the year, potentially directing action at the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Officials within the administration have raised questions about whether air power alone would be sufficient to accomplish such an ambitious objective. At the same time, a separate diplomatic concept has surfaced in internal deliberations that might avert a wider war. The idea would permit Iran to continue limited uranium enrichment strictly for medical research, though it remains uncertain whether Washington or Tehran would agree to such terms.

Military preparations in the region have intensified, with two American aircraft carrier strike groups and a large contingent of fighter aircraft, bombers, and refueling planes positioned within operational range of Iran, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

On Wednesday, Trump convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room to review potential military plans. Those present included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Multiple US officials familiar with the session said the conversation reflected differing perspectives about how to proceed. Trump sought assessments from General Caine and Ratcliffe regarding the broader approach to Iran. Caine addressed the armed forces’ readiness and capabilities, while Ratcliffe outlined intelligence evaluations and possible consequences tied to various military scenarios.

In an earlier discussion unrelated to Iran, General Caine had voiced optimism about the prospects of a US mission to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In contrast, during deliberations over Iran, he acknowledged that confronting Tehran would pose a far greater challenge.

Vice President Vance, who has frequently urged caution in deploying American troops abroad, did not reject the idea of a strike but requested further clarification about the strategic and operational risks. He pressed both Caine and Ratcliffe to provide deeper analysis of the potential fallout from military action targeting Iran.

The White House offered no detailed response regarding Trump’s internal deliberations. Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, stated, “The media may continue to speculate on the President’s thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do.”

Tehran has issued its own warning. In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would retaliate against American bases in the region if attacked, though he expressed a preference for diplomacy as US forces increase their presence in the Middle East.

Araghchi maintained that negotiations remain the appropriate path forward, describing diplomacy as the “only way” to address what Iran characterizes as its peaceful nuclear activities, and dismissing the effectiveness of military pressure. “There is no need for a military buildup, and also no use in it – military force cannot exert pressure on us.”

Meanwhile, Axios reported Sunday that a senior US official said American negotiators are willing to participate in another round of talks in Geneva on Friday, provided Iran submits a comprehensive proposal for a nuclear agreement within the next 48 hours.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Sunday that public schools will close Monday, granting students a traditional snow day as a powerful winter storm bears down on the region. The decision marks a shift from last month, when the city kept schools open remotely during a deadly snowstorm, drawing criticism from parents and educators.

In a video shared on X, Mamdani informed families that nearly one million students in the city’s public-school system would not be required to log in for online instruction and could instead enjoy what he described as a return to the classic snow day.

“Hi, Victoria,” Hizzoner said in a posted video of a FaceTime conversation with a young female student who appeared to have been awaiting his call.

The child gushed, “Oh, my god, it’s the mayor!”

A smiling Mamdani delivered the news directly to the student, saying, “So I thought as the mayor, I wanted to call you and give you the news: no online school, no remote learning, full classic snow day.”

Victoria shouts in glee, while the mayor added, “My only ask is for you to stay safe indoors during the height of the storm.

“Once that has passed, you’re free to go out and play.”

Although the announcement delighted students, some parents said the abrupt change created challenges. Anna Oberndorf, 36, a Brooklyn Heights mother of four and primary-care nurse, described the cancellation as “disruptive.”

“After being off for a whole week from school [for the scheduled winter break] and the little additional day off as a snow day, it’s a little frustrating. It’s a little unexpected to say the least and disruptive,” the Brooklyn native told The NY Post.

Even so, Oberndorf expressed appreciation that the administration decided against another round of remote instruction.

“I prefer no Zoom school because it’s not an effective way to conduct schooling. It’s also very challenging to have more than one child trying to do Zoom school,” she said.

At a later press conference, city officials explained that they coordinated with state authorities to allow what they called “their first snow day in years,” following a policy under Mayor Eric Adams that had largely eliminated weather-related closures in favor of remote learning.

Mamdani’s team also pointed out that many students currently lack access to their school-issued Chromebooks, which would have made remote participation unworkable had classes remained open.

Forecasters predicted that Sunday’s storm could drop up to 28 inches of snow in parts of the city, with blizzard conditions expected to persist into Monday morning. The most intense snowfall was anticipated Sunday evening.

The move to close schools comes after the rocky rollout of virtual instruction during January’s Winter Storm Fern. During that storm, many students and parents reported difficulty logging in as technical problems plagued the system.

Parents told The Post that the online system greeted their children with a blizzard of error messages, with many struggling to overcome the computer woes.

Attendance records from that day showed that roughly 20 percent of students were marked absent.

Under state law, New York City must ensure students complete 180 instructional days each year, even though the mayor has the authority to declare an official snow day.

{Matzav.com}

The Department of Homeland Security said Sunday that the Global Entry program would be shut down as long as the partial government shutdown remains in effect. The announcement comes after the department said Saturday night that it planned to shut down both Global Entry and the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program as well, but DHS […]

Over and over, the Republicans and former Republicans who gathered just outside Washington this weekend warned that President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress are tearing at the very fabric of American democracy. A former congressman described the president’s party as an “authoritarian-embracing cult.” A prominent conservative writer said Trumpism is an “existential threat.” […]

U.S. Congressman Scott Perry said during a visit to Israel that his time in the country strengthened his conviction that Israel upholds equal treatment for all its residents, rejecting accusations to the contrary. Perry made the remarks in an interview with Arutz Sheva – Israel National News while touring the country as part of the Yes! Israel Project, led by Ruth Lieberman and Sarah Paley.

Reflecting on his stay, Perry called it “a wonderful experience,” commending both the people he encountered and the general atmosphere. “The people have been fantastic. The environment has been fine,” he said. He explained that as an American guest, he traveled extensively and witnessed everyday life in various parts of the country without restriction.

“What I can tell you,” he emphasized, “is that my perception is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, what your religious background is, what your heritage is. Everybody that I have seen has been treated with respect and equally.” After several days of travel across different regions, Perry said his observations did not align with criticisms leveled against Israel. “Any claims otherwise have not been evidenced by what I’ve seen here over multiple days, multiple parts of the country.”

When the discussion turned to Iran, Perry argued that Americans have strong reasons to pay attention. “Iran has been the largest sponsor of terrorism around the globe for essentially 50 years,” he said, asserting that Tehran’s influence reaches well beyond the Middle East. “We can continue to watch their subversion, the terrorism around the globe not just in this neighborhood, not just in the Middle East, but around the globe, including in parts of America.”

He also cited alleged Iranian efforts targeting American officials as evidence of the danger. “Let’s remember that they hired assassins to assassinate not only the president of the United States, but former government officials,” he said. “We can either continue to put up with that or we can do something about it. And as long as we’re willing to continue to put up with that, it’s only going to get worse.”

Despite his criticism of Iran’s leadership, Perry maintained that long-term transformation must be driven internally. “This needs to be done and carried by the people of Iran,” he said. “We can be supportive, and we should be supportive at this unique opportunity, but we can’t be the people that go into Iran and change things. Change has to come from within.”

Asked whether armed conflict with Iran is unavoidable, Perry expressed hope that diplomacy could prevail, while cautioning against misplaced confidence. “No, I don’t think it’s inevitable, but I also don’t trust, nor should we trust, the current leadership of Iran,” he said.

Even if talks were to yield a formal accord, Perry warned that past behavior raises serious concerns. “They have never found an agreement that they were willing to adhere to after the fact,” he said. “If there is some kind of an agreement, and I sure hope there is, we would much prefer an agreement to some kind of military activity. But you cannot trust Iran. The verification process is critically important.”

He added that any future arrangement must also confront Iran’s support for regional proxy forces. “Iran itself is a problem in this neighborhood,” he said, “but of course they affect freedom, seeking people all around the globe via their proxies.”

“If you seek safety and security, you have a stake in this,” Perry added. “There should be no Iranian proxies allowed to continue to support and foment terror around the globe from this moment forward.”

On domestic politics, Perry stated that backing for Israel continues to draw support from both major parties in Washington. “I think the United States’ support of Israel remains bipartisan,” he said, while recognizing that debates have intensified in some quarters.

He contended that high-level antisemitic rhetoric has predominantly emerged from one political camp. “To say otherwise is to disregard the facts,” Perry said, arguing that the matter requires direct and candid examination.

Regarding disagreements within Republican ranks and criticism voiced by prominent figures such as Tucker Carlson, Perry suggested those disputes do not define the broader movement. “As a conservative, as a Republican, there are always disagreements within Republican and conservative circles,” he said. “But that’s not generally what defines us, and we can’t allow it to define us.”

“A very large part of the Republican Party and conservatives support our shared interest in the America-Israel relationship,” Perry concluded. “That’s not going to change anytime soon because of the difference of opinions of a few people, no matter how high profile they are.”

When pressed on whether he would directly condemn Carlson and others, Perry offered a measured reply. “I have a different viewpoint based in the reality of my experience and continued knowledge,” he said. “I know where I stand, and I’m completely comfortable with that position.”

{Matzav.com}

Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian voted Saturday to ratify a new labor agreement, formally ending a strike that had stretched on for more than a month and affected thousands of healthcare workers across the hospital system.

Over 4,000 nurses employed by the privately operated NewYork-Presbyterian network began their walkout on Jan. 12. With the contract now approved, they are expected to resume their duties in the coming days. The New York State Nurses Association, which represents the workers, announced that 93% of participating members voted in favor of the three-year deal.

Earlier this month, nurses at two other major private hospital networks, Montefiore and Mount Sinai, also concluded their strikes after reaching separate agreements with the same union.

“We are so happy with the wins we achieved, and now the fight to enforce these contracts and hold our employers accountable begins,” union President Nancy Hagans said in a statement Saturday.

In response, NewYork-Presbyterian expressed satisfaction with the resolution and anticipation of welcoming its staff back. The hospital system said the agreement “reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play as part of our exceptional care teams.”

Both management and union representatives had announced Friday that they reached a tentative accord. Rank-and-file members cast their ballots on the proposal over the course of Friday and Saturday.

According to the union, the contract includes measures aimed at improving staffing levels, wage increases exceeding 12% over three years, and protections governing the implementation of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

Union officials previously stated that roughly 15,000 nurses across Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian initially took part in the broader labor action. The strike did not extend to every facility within those systems and did not involve hospitals operated by the city.

To maintain operations during the strike, the three hospital networks hired thousands of temporary nurses, relocated certain patients, and postponed selected medical procedures. Administrators maintained that patient care, including complex operations, continued without disruption. However, some patients and family members reported delays in routine services.

Striking nurses argued that chronic understaffing had created unsafe workloads and alleged that hospital administrators sought to erode health coverage benefits. Hospital leaders rejected those accusations and characterized the union’s demands as excessive.

In 2023, nurses at certain Mount Sinai and Montefiore facilities also staged a strike, which was resolved after three days.

{Matzav.com}

France will summon U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner to protest comments by the Trump administration over the beating death of a far-right activist, the foreign affairs minister said. Jean-Noel Barrot was reacting to a statement by the State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau, which posted on X that “reports, corroborated by the French Minister of the Interior, that […]