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A sweeping new report is sounding the alarm over New York City’s public education system, alleging that academic failure has become deeply entrenched across hundreds of schools while officials mask the problem through grade inflation, lowered standards, and policies that reward poor performance instead of fixing it.

The report, released Tuesday by the Success Academy Charter Schools network, examined student achievement throughout the city’s public schools and concluded that 906 campuses had fewer than half of their students passing state math exams, reading exams, or both during the past school year.

According to the analysis, roughly 43% of the city’s approximately 912,000 public school students attend one of those underperforming schools.

Among those 906 schools, the report found that 503 had majorities of students who failed both math and reading assessments.

Researchers also determined that about one-third of those schools have appeared on New York State accountability lists dating back to 2012, with some carrying failing designations for decades.

Rather than confronting the crisis, the report argues that state and city leaders have adopted policies that either ignore the academic decline or conceal its true scope.

“These are not accidents. They are the product of a system that has chosen, year after year, to protect itself rather than serve its students,” the report, titled, “By Any Honest Measure,” said.

To illustrate the severity of the situation, the report compares the education system to other public services where such widespread failure would never be tolerated.

“Imagine a hospital where more than half of patients died from routine procedures. A fire department that failed to respond to more than half its calls. A municipal water utility that delivered contaminated water to more than half its residents, or air traffic controllers whose lack of oversight regularly resulted in massive casualties.

“No other public institution would be permitted to operate in this way.”

The report contends that, unlike those examples, failure within New York City’s public schools has become accepted and hidden from public view.

Eva Moskowitz, head of Success Academy, described the study as the most comprehensive examination yet of schools that have consistently produced poor academic results.

The report further argues that policymakers have effectively incentivized failure by directing increasing amounts of funding toward struggling schools even as student enrollment continues to decline.

New York City spent approximately $40 billion on public education in 2024, equating to $36,293 per student—about twice the national average of $17,619.

According to the report, the lowest-performing schools receive even greater financial support, with spending exceeding $40,000 per student.

The findings show that academic struggles become more widespread as students advance through the system. About 34% of elementary school students attend failing schools, compared with 49% of middle school students and 62% of high school students, based on state exam results.

In many instances, students move from one failing school to another throughout their educational careers, progressing from struggling elementary schools into similarly underperforming middle and high schools.

The report also notes that many graduates leave high school unprepared for college coursework and must enroll in remedial classes upon entering the City University of New York’s community colleges.

Researchers argue that the academic picture would appear even worse without widespread grade inflation, asserting that the systems used to evaluate both students and teachers have little connection to actual learning.

Current grading policies emphasize factors such as attendance, participation, and effort, while excluding results from the state’s standardized English and math exams.

That policy was adopted after the Panel for Educational Policy, during the administration of then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, eliminated the use of state test scores as part of student grades.

As a result, the report says, students who perform poorly on state assessments frequently receive passing grades anyway and continue advancing to the next grade level.

At the same time, New York State bars districts from using student test performance as part of teacher evaluations, leading to overwhelmingly positive ratings for educators.

Summarizing the disconnect, the report states: “98% of teachers [rated] effective. 43% of students failing. The math doesn’t add up.”

The report also criticizes the New York State Education Department, accusing it of repeatedly lowering proficiency benchmarks on state math and reading exams in order to increase passing rates.

It argues that the lowered standards become evident when New York students perform substantially worse on the federally administered National Assessment of Educational Progress exams, which are widely regarded as the nation’s benchmark assessment.

According to the report, state officials in Albany have played a role in minimizing or obscuring the extent of academic failure.

Researchers also point out that the state no longer publishes direct comparisons of standardized test performance between traditional public schools and charter schools, where students generally achieve stronger results.

The report further faults lawmakers for limiting access to higher-performing charter schools by maintaining a cap on the number of charter campuses permitted to open.

It also notes that about ten years ago the state Legislature replaced the designation “persistently failing school” with the less severe label “persistently struggling.”

Among the report’s sharpest criticisms is New York’s class-size reduction mandate, which it describes as a costly policy mistake endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers.

According to the report, the legislation—supported by United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew—was enacted even though public school enrollment has fallen by approximately 123,000 students since 2020.

Researchers argue that the New York City Department of Education failed to respond appropriately by consolidating or closing schools despite years of declining enrollment.

The report adds that many struggling schools already have relatively small class sizes because families have left them, and it says research does not support the claim that mandated classroom caps will improve academic performance. Of the roughly 900 failing schools identified in the report, 167 were significantly under-enrolled.

It also criticizes the Education Department for continuing to financially support schools that have lost large numbers of students rather than restructuring the system.

According to the report, more than 800 of the city’s approximately 1,800 public schools now enroll fewer than 400 students, while 241 have fewer than 200 students.

The report says elected officials have compounded the problem by shielding those schools from funding reductions, allowing them to retain previous budget levels despite serving far fewer students.

“Failing schools rob children of their futures,” the report said. “Under-enrolled schools drain the budget for no return.

“The class size mandate will spend billions more on schools where class size is already low — and where it has demonstrably not helped,” it adds. “New York City cannot afford any of this in the midst of a significant educational crisis.”

Among its recommendations, the report calls for greater public access to testing data, linking teacher and school evaluations to student achievement, ending grade inflation, preserving rigorous testing standards, and reducing what it describes as unnecessary education spending.

The New York State Education Department rejected the report’s conclusions, noting that Success Academy has long opposed the law limiting the expansion of charter schools in New York City.

“It is the New York State Education Department’s responsibility to meet schools where they are so that every student – regardless of zip code – has an opportunity to succeed,” the SED statement said.

“Success Academy’s report is a vehicle to detract from its attempts to circumvent the New York City charter cap and promote its academic achievements by comparing one limited data sample to another.”

The department also disputed claims that it hides education data, saying its reports remain available to the public.

“NYSED has continually modified its reporting tools and data presentations to improve accessibility and usability for families, educators, and community stakeholders through the school report card which is publicly available on the NYSED website. These enhancements were designed to make complex information more understandable and meaningful,” the statement said.

“Additionally, the report fails to acknowledge that there was no assessment data in 2020 and significantly limited data in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

{Matzav.com}

Shas MK Michael Malchieli said low voter turnout among the chareidi public in the next election would strengthen left-wing parties, warning that every mandate lost by the chareidi bloc could translate into additional political power for its opponents.

Speaking with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai Radio’s flagship news program, Malchieli addressed several major political issues, including the proposed Communications Law, the Basic Law on Torah Study, the Supreme Court, and preparations for the upcoming elections.

Discussing the Communications Law, Malchieli said Shas does not oppose the legislation in principle but cannot support it in its current form because of concerns over several provisions.

“There are many things that need to be fixed in the communications sector. This law also solved a large portion of those issues,” he said. “But there are many concerns that the law has raised… We said that if some of the sections are separated, perhaps we will be able to support it.”

He added that even when legislation is well-intentioned, lawmakers must carefully consider its long-term consequences.

Turning to the proposed Basic Law on Torah Study, which has already passed its first Knesset reading and is now being considered by a parliamentary committee, Malchieli described it as “one of the truly good laws,” saying its purpose is to grant constitutional status to the value of Torah study.

“Tomorrow morning nothing will happen because of this law,” he said. “But when the Supreme Court comes against Torah scholars, we will be able to use this Basic Law against claims based on the other Basic Laws.”

Malchieli also argued that Israel currently has “no Basic Law… that speaks about equality,” claiming that the Supreme Court has adopted an interpretation that does not explicitly appear in the legislation itself. According to him, the proposed law is intended to make it more difficult in the future to undermine Torah scholars by formally recognizing the constitutional importance of Torah study.

Responding to criticism that the chareidi parties have failed to secure legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students, Malchieli said Shas deliberately chose “the difficult path” rather than giving up in advance.

“We don’t enjoy burning hundreds and thousands of hours” in negotiations and committee meetings, he said, but argued that pursuing legislative solutions is preferable to abandoning the effort altogether.

As an example, he pointed to regulations governing the appointment of rabbis that he signed while serving as a government minister. Although those regulations faced heavy criticism at the time, he said they ultimately resulted in the appointment of “dozens, many rabbis.”

“If we had cried along the way and said, ‘We won’t succeed,’ we would have remained stuck where we were 30 years ago,” he added.

Looking ahead to the election campaign, Malchieli acknowledged that the chareidi parties could do more to improve their public messaging but said voters understand that “a difficult battle over our home” is underway.

He warned that substantial resources would be invested in an effort to influence chareidi voters and argued that failing to vote for the chareidi parties would ultimately strengthen their political rivals.

Responding to Mimran’s suggestion that the chareidi parties could lose two Knesset seats, Malchieli said, “It’s not that there will be fewer members of Knesset—there will be another seat for Yair Golan,” arguing that such an outcome would negatively affect issues including the Torah world, daycare funding, mikvaos, and the preservation of Jewish tradition.

Malchieli also addressed relations between the chareidi and religious Zionist communities, arguing that media outlets supportive of the religious Zionist public are motivated primarily by opposition to the chareidi community.

“The media that embraces them doesn’t really love them—it uses them against the chareidi public,” he said.

He added that cooperation between the chareidi and religious Zionist communities has historically produced significant achievements in religious services and public policy, including, he said, approximately 300 million shekels in funding for the construction of mikvaos.

“If we continue fighting each other, the ones who will benefit are the media and the left,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A new poll published Monday night by Israel’s Channel 12 News points to a dramatic shift in the political landscape, with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party tied at 23 Knesset seats each for the first time in the current election campaign. The survey, conducted by the Midgam Institute, marks a significant turning point in the race.

According to the poll, Likud lost one seat compared to previous surveys, while Yashar gained one, leaving the two parties deadlocked atop the standings with 23 seats apiece.

Meanwhile, the Beyachad Party, led by Naftali Bennett, continued its downward trend, dropping another seat to 16 mandates. The results suggest the joint Bennett-Lapid political alliance is continuing to lose momentum.

Among the chareidi parties, the poll showed positive movement for United Torah Judaism, led by Yitzchak Goldknopf, which climbed to eight seats—an increase of one mandate from previous polls. Shas, headed by Aryeh Deri, remained steady with eight seats.

Among the mid-sized parties, The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, secured 10 seats, making it the fourth-largest party in the Knesset according to the survey. Yisrael Beiteinu, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, and Otzma Yehudit each received nine seats, with Lieberman’s party showing continued stability among voters.

The Arab parties also maintained a presence in the poll. Hadash-Ta’al, led by Yousef Jabareen and Ahmad Tibi, received six seats. Religious Zionism, headed by Bezalel Smotrich, remained above the electoral threshold with four seats, while Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, also received four mandates.

Several parties failed to cross the electoral threshold. Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz, received just one percent of the vote, as did the Reservists Party under Yoaz Hendel. Balad, headed by Sami Abu Shehadeh, polled at only 0.7 percent.

The bloc map remained complex. Parties aligned with the opposition totaled 58 seats, while the current governing coalition stood at 52. The Arab parties collectively held 10 seats, positioning them as a potentially decisive factor in the formation of Israel’s next government.

{Matzav.com}

A major security scandal has erupted within the IDF after eight soldiers from the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion were accused of participating in multiple smuggling operations that allegedly funneled goods into the Gaza Strip in exchange for enormous profits. The alleged operation included cigarettes, motorcycles, and other contraband, with investigators estimating that the network generated tens of millions of shekels.

According to a report by journalist Avishai Grinzaig on i24NEWS, the eight soldiers—who served at various levels throughout the battalion’s chain of command—have been implicated in several separate smuggling cases. Investigators believe that, in many instances, the suspects operated independently and were unaware that other soldiers in the battalion were carrying out similar schemes.

Authorities say the investigations involve multiple smuggling operations conducted over an extended period. In one case, an entire motorcycle was allegedly smuggled into Gaza. The soldiers are suspected of working with traders and truck drivers operating near the Gaza border to facilitate the illegal transfers.

Among the most striking allegations is that, in one smuggling operation, soldiers received approximately 1,000 shekels in cash for every cigarette they smuggled into Gaza. Investigators also uncovered what they described as a price list used by two of the suspects, under which a single cigarette was sold for 1,000 shekels, while a pack of 20 cigarettes was priced at approximately 10,000 shekels. The transactions were allegedly carried out with individuals inside Gaza and along the border area.

According to investigators, the soldiers purchased cigarette packs for roughly 30 shekels each at supermarkets in the Eshkol region before transporting them toward Gaza, where they were allegedly resold at dramatically inflated prices. Authorities estimate that two of the suspects alone earned approximately 1.5 million shekels, while the combined proceeds from all of the alleged smuggling operations totaled tens of millions of shekels.

The investigation remains ongoing as security officials continue examining the full scope of the operation, including the extent of each suspect’s involvement and whether additional soldiers or commanders were implicated. Investigators believe most of the suspects were unaware that others within the battalion were conducting similar smuggling operations.

Authorities are also examining the financial aspects of the scheme, including the total profits generated and possible connections to civilian accomplices who may have assisted in facilitating the smuggling network.

In response to the revelations, the IDF said it views smuggling into the Gaza Strip with the utmost severity, particularly when active-duty or reserve soldiers are involved.

“Following these incidents, significant lessons have been learned,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement. “The IDF views the phenomenon of smuggling into the Gaza Strip as a serious threat to the security of the State of Israel, and even more so when IDF personnel serving in regular or reserve duty are involved. All law enforcement bodies within the IDF—the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Military Advocate General, together with the other security agencies and law enforcement authorities—will continue investigating incidents of this kind and bringing those responsible to justice.”

The military added that Battalion 585 is currently undergoing a broad strengthening process that includes reinforcing command standards, expanding values-based education, and improving operational readiness at every level.

{Matzav.com}

Nigel Farage announced Tuesday that he is resigning from Parliament and will immediately seek a new mandate from voters, casting the upcoming by-election as a showdown between ordinary Britons and the political establishment amid growing scrutiny over his finances.

The Reform UK leader, whose party surged to a landmark victory in local elections earlier this year, said he will once again stand for election in the eastern England constituency of Clacton. He portrayed the contest as a defining battle between the public and an entrenched political class determined to stop his movement.

Farage’s announcement comes after a report published Sunday by The Times of London alleged that convicted criminal George Cottrell provided financial support for Farage’s staffing and security expenses before he entered Parliament.

Responding forcefully to the allegations, Farage insisted the attacks against him are politically motivated.

“It seems to me that the establishment have now decided that they can’t beat us fairly, so they’ve chosen to use foul means,” Farage said.

He went on to reject any suggestion of wrongdoing.

“Let me be absolutely clear, after the furor and the media pile-on, well, not just the media, the other political parties too – let me be absolutely clear – I have done nothing wrong.

“I have not broken the law in any way at all. I have not misused public money, and you know, for the first two years of being an MP, my personal MP expenses are zero, not of course that you’ll read about that in mainstream media.”

Speaking during an emotional appearance in London, the 62-year-old politician said he wants voters—not political opponents or the media—to decide his future.

“I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” he said.

“And that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election. I will fight to win.”

Farage is also under investigation by Parliament’s standards watchdog over a reported $6.7 million gift from Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Addressing that matter, Farage argued that the substantial personal gift, which he says was intended to cover security costs and was received before he became an MP, was comparable to unexpectedly winning the lottery. He added that he had been left with limited financial resources following the 2016 Brexit referendum, in which Britain voted to leave the European Union.

Under British parliamentary rules, newly elected lawmakers are required to disclose all financial interests received during the 12 months before taking office. Farage won the Clacton seat in July 2024.

Had he remained in Parliament and ultimately been found to have violated the rules in the ongoing investigation, he could have faced suspension from the House of Commons.

Despite the controversies, Reform UK continues to enjoy strong political momentum. According to Politico’s poll of polls, the party currently leads national voting intentions with 25% support, placing it ahead of the governing Labour Party, which stands at 20%.

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of shuls in Tel Aviv won a significant legal victory after a court rejected the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality’s attempt to require them to sign a new agreement as a condition for continuing to use municipal properties. In a sharply worded ruling, the court criticized the municipality’s conduct, opening its decision with the words, “This shall not be done in our midst,” and ordered the city to pay legal costs, according to a report by Israel’s Kan public broadcaster.

The dispute centered on the municipality’s demand that nonprofit organizations operating shuls sign a revised agreement before they could continue occupying city-owned buildings. Among the provisions was a requirement that religious services be provided “without distinction based on age, gender, or faith.”

Shuls that refused to sign the new agreement were instructed to vacate the premises, and in several cases the municipality filed eviction lawsuits against them.

During the legal proceedings, representatives of the shuls argued that the requirement went far beyond a technical contractual matter and could force them to operate in ways that conflict with halachah. Attorney David Shov, who represented the shuls on a volunteer basis, argued that the disputed clause would undermine the independence of the shuls and their ability to maintain traditional tefillah practices.

The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, for its part, maintained throughout the case that the provision was simply a standard anti-discrimination clause used in other public institutions across the city and would not alter the religious character or practices of the shuls.

The dispute has been unfolding for more than a year. One of the earliest cases involved the Shul in Memory of the Kedoshim of Antopol, which faced eviction proceedings after refusing to sign the agreement. In a separate case, the Rabbinical Court declared the Tiferes Tzvi Shul to be a religious trust in an effort to prevent its eviction, prompting the municipality to petition Israel’s Supreme Court against that ruling.

The controversy also sparked widespread public debate and drew criticism from cabinet ministers and members of Knesset, who argued that the municipality’s policy threatened the religious character and autonomy of the city’s shuls.

The latest ruling represents a major legal victory for the shuls and a significant setback for the municipality. The court’s decision to open its opinion with the words, “This shall not be done in our midst,” has been widely viewed as an unusually strong rebuke of the municipality’s handling of the dispute.

{Matzav.com}

Indian authorities have launched an investigation after a Jewish family filed a complaint alleging that ancient Jewish graves were desecrated at the only Jewish cemetery in the city of Jabalpur. Members of the remaining Jewish community claim that the local “land mafia” is attempting to take control of the historic burial ground by damaging gravestones and erasing evidence of its Jewish heritage.

The cemetery, which is more than 100 years old, was established during the British colonial era to serve the Jewish community that once lived in the region. At the time, approximately 200 Jewish families resided in Jabalpur, and the British administration allocated land for the cemetery. Around 100 people are buried there, including Jewish soldiers who fought alongside British forces.

According to the Jewish families who still live in the area, real estate agents—described by Indian media as the “land mafia”—have recently sought to seize the property by claiming it is privately owned. They allege that several gravestones have been damaged or destroyed in an effort to eliminate the site’s historical significance.

The dispute was first heard in a lower court and later in the district court, with both courts ruling in favor of the Jewish community. Despite those rulings, the developers have announced plans to appeal to India’s Supreme Court, arguing that the land is privately owned.

Attorney Manish Verma, who represents the Jewish families, told local media, “The people are trying to grab the cemetery land. They have also damaged the tombstones erected over several graves to erase the historical marks. The court has ruled that the Jewish families will have possession of the land, but despite that, an appeal has been filed before the Supreme Court claiming it is private property.”

Most of Jabalpur’s Jewish community emigrated over the years to Israel and other countries. Today, only three or four Jewish families remain in the area, continuing their efforts to preserve the community’s heritage and protect the historic cemetery.

At the same time, Indian citizens and civic organizations have called on authorities to safeguard the cemetery and designate it as a protected historical heritage site. Local residents have also spoken out against the attempted takeover, arguing that the cemetery is an integral part of the city’s history and cultural heritage.

{Matzav.com}

Former Rishon L’Tzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef has instructed Shas chairman Aryeh Deri to support the coalition’s key legislative priorities—including Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s communications reform bill—in exchange for the advancement of the Basic Law protecting limud Torah and legislation strengthening kashrus, according to a letter released Tuesday.

In the letter, Rav Yosef made clear that the proposed agreement between Shas and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu should move forward without delay. He directed that Shas support legislation deemed important to the coalition in return for the passage of the laws the party has been seeking.

As part of the effort to secure Rav Yosef’s backing, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi sent the Rav Yosef a detailed letter explaining the provisions of the communications bill.

Karhi wrote that, “An explicit clause has been added to the law stating that sporting events of public importance will not be broadcast through the application on Shabbos or Yom Tov, with a clear definition of the beginning and end times of Shabbos and the festivals.”

The minister also argued that the legislation would reduce chilul Shabbos rather than increase it.

“So too regarding technical services provided to the public,” Karhi wrote. “This is a unique and explicit provision that has never before appeared in similar legislation. Honorable Rabbi, the real question, in my humble opinion, is not whether the proposed arrangement is perfect, but whether it is better than the existing situation. To me, the answer is clear: the law reduces chilul Shabbos in government operations, decreases the need for human labor on Shabbos, adds restrictions that did not previously exist, and even limits the application to channels that existed before the law’s publication in order to prevent the expansion of inappropriate content. I would be honored to meet with the Rabbi at any time to present all of the facts and professional details and answer any questions so that these matters can be evaluated based on facts rather than biased reports.”

In his response to Deri, Rav Yosef stressed the urgency of securing passage of the Torah legislation.

“There is no room for delay, and under no circumstances should the passage of the Torah Study Law be endangered,” Rav Yosef wrote. “Regarding kashrus, we must save the Jewish people from consuming neveilos and treifos, and therefore the current version of the law should be supported. It is not sufficient merely to refrain from wrongdoing. Therefore, the matters that are important to the authorities should be allowed to pass, while urgently conditioning them on the advancement of the above-mentioned legislation.”

The letter follows an understanding reportedly reached between Netanyahu and the chareidi parties to advance a Basic Law protecting limud Torah, legislation preventing the arrest of bnei yeshivah who have not complied with military draft orders, and a comprehensive kashrus law.

In exchange, the chareidi parties agreed to support several coalition initiatives, including legislation splitting the role of the Attorney General. On Monday, they also voted in favor of the first reading of a bill establishing a political commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre.

Until now, however, Shas had announced that it could not support Karhi’s communications bill in its current form, arguing that changes demanded by its rabbinic leadership had not been incorporated into the final version. The party said those amendments were intended to safeguard religious values and declared that, without them, it would oppose the legislation.

Even so, Shas urged Karhi to divide the bill and hold a separate vote on the provisions easing regulatory restrictions for newer television stations, including Channel 14. The party indicated it would support such a measure and expressed hope that the proposal would be brought before the Knesset quickly.

Tuesday morning’s directive from Rav Yitzchak Yosef now appears to clear the way for Shas to support the broader communications legislation as part of the coalition agreement advancing the Torah Study Law and other measures important to the chareidi parties.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has firmly rejected reports that he could meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during his visit to Washington, declaring that he has no intention of holding talks with the Israeli leader and would immediately leave if the two were to find themselves in the same room.

In an interview with the longtime Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, Aoun dismissed speculation that a meeting with Netanyahu was being planned as part of diplomatic efforts in Washington.

“It is true that the issue of relations between Israel and Lebanon is on the agenda of the President of the United States, but the reports about a meeting between us are not true. I have no intention of doing so,” Aoun was quoted as saying.

The newspaper further quoted the Lebanese president as saying, “The meeting will not take place as long as Israeli attacks against Lebanese civilians and the Israeli occupation continue. If, by chance, we both end up in the same room, I intend to leave it immediately.”

During the interview, Aoun also outlined how Lebanon expects to implement the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Washington.

According to Aoun, a new oversight body known as MCG4L will be established, consisting of American, Lebanese, and Israeli representatives under the leadership of U.S. General Joseph Clifford. The committee will operate from the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, though Aoun emphasized there will be no direct coordination between Lebanese and Israeli military officers.

He said the new trilateral committee will replace the previous ceasefire monitoring framework, commonly known as the “Mechanism Committee.”

Aoun also revealed that France will not have officers serving on the new oversight body. However, he said Paris will continue assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Addressing the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, Aoun said Lebanon will not establish a special military unit dedicated to disarming the terrorist organization. He explained that he does not distinguish between officers within the Lebanese army and expressed confidence in the military’s existing command structure.

“We have full confidence in all the officers and soldiers of the Lebanese Army,” he said.

Aoun reiterated that while the Memorandum of Understanding reached in Washington “is not ideal,” he believes it is “a realistic document that allows Lebanon to regain control of the territories occupied by the IDF in southern Lebanon.”

The Lebanese president also defended his government’s decision to send the country’s defense minister as Lebanon’s official representative to the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, despite criticism from some quarters.

“We continue to maintain normal diplomatic relations with Iran,” Aoun said. “If other Arab countries participated and sent their own delegations of condolences, why should Lebanon be expected to act differently?”

“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin said Monday that neighborhoods displaying large numbers of American flags make her feel “unsafe,” arguing that the Stars and Stripes has been appropriated by people she associates with racism and white supremacy.

Speaking during Monday’s broadcast, Hostin explained that seeing numerous American flags in a neighborhood causes her unease because, in her view, some individuals have transformed the flag into a symbol of racial extremism.

“There are times when I walk into a community and I see American flags all over the community and I suddenly feel unsafe, because there’s a section of this country that has co-opted the American flag and they equate being an American or an American flag with White supremacy and that should never be the symbol of White supremacy. But they have weaponized [the flag].”

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin responded by emphasizing that the American flag represents every citizen, saying, “It belongs to all of us.” Hostin agreed with her, replying, “it does belong to all of us.”

Hostin noted that she had expressed similar concerns about the American flag several years ago on the program, indicating that her views have remained unchanged in 2026.

Her remarks followed comments from actress and guest co-host Michelle Buteau, who questioned the significance of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary over the Independence Day weekend.

“When you say this is the best nation — the best nation for who?” Buteau asked.

Hostin echoed the sentiment, responding, “Yeah, the best nation for who?”

Buteau then continued, “If we are celebrating 250 years — what are we exactly celebrating is what I want to know.”

The discussion arose during a segment focusing on a group of self-described neo-Nazis who were photographed riding a Washington, D.C., Metro train on the Fourth of July.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) intensified his criticism of fellow Democrats on Monday, accusing party leaders of ignoring warning signs surrounding embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner and calling on Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other prominent supporters to apologize for backing him after new allegations surfaced.

The latest controversy erupted after Politico published an interview Monday with Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident who said she dated Platner several years ago.

In the wake of the report, a growing number of Democratic officials have withdrawn their endorsements of Platner, while speculation has mounted that he may exit the race. Although he secured the Democratic nomination in Maine’s primary election, state law still allows the party a brief window to replace him on the ballot.

Fetterman has repeatedly criticized Platner throughout the campaign as various controversies emerged and has frequently voiced those concerns during appearances on Fox News.

Appearing Monday night on The Ingraham Angle, Fetterman discussed the newest allegations with host Laura Ingraham.

Ingraham noted that Fetterman had become one of Platner’s most outspoken critics and asked how he viewed the latest developments.

Fetterman praised Racicot for coming forward, describing her as “courageous” and “very brave,” while adding that he was “so sorry for what she’s been through.”

Ingraham responded by saying, “Your party was willing — your party leaders, not you — was willing to look past all of these other allegations against him,” adding, “from the … tattoo, the Nazi tattoo, to all the other Reddit posts that had been dug up. So they were willing to overlook all of that because he was their star.”

“Yeah. I refuse to overlook that,” Fetterman replied. “But honestly, I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone he helped him elect. Now apologize to the victims…”

Fetterman continued, “So I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people…”

Ingraham pointed out that Platner has denied the allegations and said he was “basically reviewing his opinions,” while predicting that he was “obviously gonna drop out, correct?”

Fetterman responded that “He was already a dead man walking politically,” noting that “the entire Democratic party in Maine,” along with Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, had publicly urged Platner to withdraw.

“I don’t know why he’s trying to pretend that he’s not done,” Fetterman continued. “Those Pod Save America people that pushed that dirt bag — they dismiss those things in The New York Times article — maybe they ought to apologize to the women that clearly they didn’t believe or they dismissed.”

He also criticized other Democrats for supporting Platner, saying, “I know Democrats that have back-to-back endorsed and got all in on” former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), and “were on the Platner train as well, too.” Fetterman added, “So maybe stop getting in bed with absolute dirt bags, someone like Platner.”

During the interview, Ingraham played a portion of Racicot’s interview with Tapper, describing her account as “hard words to hear.”

Fetterman agreed, calling the allegations “terrible,” and faulting “so many Democrats” for previously dismissing earlier accusations by saying “it’s not a big deal or we don’t believe it or it’s politically motivated.”

When Ingraham asked whether he had any message for Platner, Fetterman did not hold back.

“I don’t have anything to say to that trash bag,” he replied, once again describing Platner as “a dead man walking politically.”

Fetterman concluded by expressing sympathy for “the poor women that have been brutalized by him,” and said he wanted to “salute the courage for the women to come forward.”

He also argued that Democrats who promoted Platner had placed the party’s chances of regaining a Senate majority at “serious risk” and should “maybe look in the mirror” and consider “the kind of person you were pushing.”

“Any normal person could have seen what was coming, the kind of person it is now,” Fetterman concluded, adding that he would “just call him out for what he is.”

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Trump administration initiative that drove widespread federal workforce reductions and spending cuts, officially concluded its operations on July 4, marking the end of a program that reshaped much of the federal government over the past year.

In a farewell message posted on social media, the department quoted President Theodore Roosevelt, writing, “‘Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.’”

DOGE said its formal work may have ended, but insisted its broader objectives would remain in place. “While the formal mission of DOGE has come to an end, the mission to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse will continue,” DOGE added. “Good stewardship of taxpayer dollars and accountable government are not temporary initiatives. We hope those principles endure long into America’s next 250 years.”

The department’s expiration had been planned from the outset. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order renaming the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service and directing every federal agency to “ensure” that DOGE officials received “full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems.” The order specified that the initiative would conclude during America’s semiquincentennial celebration.

Amy Gleason served as DOGE’s acting administrator from February 2025 until the agency’s closure. According to her LinkedIn profile, she now serves as chief product officer at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. During the early months of Trump’s second administration, Elon Musk directed DOGE’s activities and became the public face of its cost-cutting efforts.

Musk, who contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, served as a special government employee for 130 days and reported directly to the president. After leaving government service, he and Trump publicly clashed over Musk’s opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump ultimately signed into law in July 2025.

During Musk’s tenure at DOGE, shares of Tesla fell sharply, and several incidents involving the burning of Tesla vehicles were reported.

By October, DOGE estimated that its initiatives had produced approximately $214 billion in savings through asset sales, canceled contracts, leases and grants, fraud prevention, reductions in improper payments, lower interest expenses, regulatory reforms, program changes, and workforce reductions. According to the department, that equated to roughly $1,329 per each of the nation’s approximately 161 million taxpayers and reduced the national debt by 0.54 percent, based on figures from a national debt tracking website.

The initiative also drew criticism over its costs. In December, Timothy White, executive director of the environmental advocacy group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), argued that the administration’s deferred resignation program cost taxpayers an estimated $10 billion during 2025.

“Ironically, this unreasonably costly mass idling of civil servants was done in the name of ‘government efficiency,’” PEER executive director Timothy White wrote in a letter to Shirley Jones, the managing associate general counsel at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Although DOGE has formally shut down, the administration requested an additional $35 million from Congress for fiscal year 2027 in reimbursable program funding connected to the initiative. The Hill reported that it sought comment from the White House regarding future cost-cutting efforts following DOGE’s closure.

Since President Trump returned to office, the federal workforce has shrunk by more than 272,000 employees through a combination of a hiring freeze, early retirement incentives, and reductions in force, according to the Office of Personnel Management.

OPM said nearly 140,000 federal workers accepted deferred resignation offers, allowing them to continue receiving full salary and benefits until officially leaving government service by Sept. 30, 2025.

The Departments of Defense, Treasury, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Interior recorded the largest number of departures through the program, including more than 48,000 employees at the Pentagon and over 23,000 workers at the Treasury Department.

Despite those reductions, hundreds of employees who had been laid off as part of DOGE initiatives were rehired during the fall, while court rulings allowed other federal workers to retain their positions.

Among DOGE’s earliest priorities was the Internal Revenue Service, where the department sought access to taxpayer return information for individuals and businesses, a move that sparked concerns among privacy advocates.

Several of DOGE’s top officials—including Musk, advisers Steve Davis and Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and general counsel James Burnham—departed the federal government in May 2025.

Even with the department’s closure, many former DOGE officials remain in influential government roles. Gavin Kilger now serves as chief data officer at the Pentagon, while Sam Corcos is the Treasury Department’s chief information officer.

Edward Coristine, the programmer widely known by the nickname “Big Balls,” who survived an attempted carjacking in Washington last August, is currently employed at the National Design Studio.

Joe Gebbia, another former DOGE official, now leads the National Design Studio, an initiative established by President Trump to modernize and improve federal government websites.

In a landmark decision aimed at ending years of uncertainty and controversy, Israel’s Ministry of Education has issued new nationwide regulations requiring all state schools to allow students who wish to lay tefillin on school grounds. The new directive establishes, for the first time, a uniform national policy governing the practice throughout the public school system.

The move follows several well-publicized incidents in recent years in which students faced opposition or confrontation when attempting to lay tefillin at or near their schools. Seeking to prevent similar disputes in the future, the Ministry has now released an official directive setting forth clear procedures that every state school must follow.

Under the new guidelines, every school principal must permit students who choose to lay tefillin during the school day and establish a school policy explaining how the practice will be accommodated. Schools will be required to designate a respectful location for students to lay tefillin, schedule designated times during the school day—limited to recess periods—and include the policy in the school’s official regulations.

The directive also states that students are responsible for bringing their own tefillin and ensuring that participating in the mitzvah does not cause them to miss class or disrupt the school day. The Ministry stressed that the policy is designed to allow students to fulfill the mitzvah while preserving the regular educational schedule.

In addition, the Ministry recommended that school administrators work together with teachers, parent organizations, and student councils to implement the new policy through open dialogue and cooperation. Officials said the goal is to create a respectful educational environment and maintain a positive atmosphere for all students, whether or not they choose to lay tefillin.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch praised the new policy, saying, “Laying tefillin in the Jewish state is not a matter for controversy or local interpretation. It is a fundamental right, a basic Jewish tradition, and a source of national pride. The lack of a clear policy over the years created unnecessary friction and uncertainty that harmed students, parents, and school administrators. The directive we are issuing today brings order to the situation. It gives principals clear guidelines and ensures that every student who wishes to do so will be able to daven and lay tefillin in a respectful, organized, and natural manner. Today we are strengthening Jewish identity and connecting the younger generation to its deep roots and our heritage.”

The Ministry of Education said the new regulations were developed after an extensive internal review prompted by numerous inquiries from schools and parents, as well as several incidents that highlighted how the absence of a nationwide policy had led to confusion, inconsistent enforcement, and unnecessary disputes over students laying tefillin.

According to the Ministry, the purpose of the new directive is to establish clear and consistent standards throughout Israel’s public school system, provide principals with an orderly framework for implementation, and ensure that every student who wishes to fulfill the mitzvah of tefillin is able to do so in a respectful and dignified manner.

{Matzav.com}

After years of bitter public attacks and legal battles, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, says he and the president have repaired their relationship, revealing that the two reconciled several months ago following a personal exchange of messages.

Speaking on the “Cats & Cosby Show” on 77 WABC with John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby, Cohen said the reconciliation took place about six months ago. He also claimed that, ironically, it was the actions of the “far left” that ultimately led to the restoration of his relationship with Trump.

“Out of nowhere, when I was sitting with my wife at a restaurant, my phone buzzed and it was a text from that friend who expressed to me the president’s genuine empathy for the h— that I was being dragged through … I deeply appreciated that text,” Cohen said. “I actually texted the president. I thanked him. Expressed my sincere hope that this long, exhausting feud between the two of us could finally end.”

According to Cohen, Trump responded almost immediately, telling him that it was “actually time for us to meet.”

Reflecting on the moment, Cohen said, “We both knew the cost of this war. In that moment the ice between us, it didn’t just melt, it broke.”

Cohen also said he believes he was embraced by political opponents of Trump only so long as he served their agenda.

“The left embraced me as their ultimate weapon against” Trump, he said, but after he “deviated from their script, the pack, they turned feral.”

During the interview, Cohen also addressed Trump’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, insisting that he never witnessed any improper connection between the two. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.

“I never once witnessed, I never heard of, I never saw, I never communicated, never saw in the office Jeffrey Epstein,” he said. “Never saw him speak to him … Those two things shattered [the left’s] narrative. The far left, they literally went on this absolute warpath against me.”

Cohen’s relationship with Trump unraveled publicly after he acknowledged during the 2024 hush money case, claiming he acted at Trump’s direction.

In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and tax evasion. He later admitted to lying to Congress, receiving a prison sentence before being released in late 2021 after serving part of his sentence under house arrest.

He later became the prosecution’s central witness in the New York case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump and the Trump Organization, testifying that he had “reverse-engineered” Trump’s financial statements.

Trump was ultimately convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the criminal case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Last month, the president appealed both that conviction and the civil fraud judgment entered against him.

Cohen’s latest comments stand in sharp contrast to statements he made during the 2024 presidential campaign, when he insisted he would flee the United States if Trump returned to the White House.

“I’m out of here. I mean, I’m already working on a foreign passport with a completely different name,” Cohen told MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace. “I don’t know how it’s going to work, as far as dealing with my wife and my children. I certainly don’t want them moving to where I’m looking to go.”

Foreign nationals hoping to obtain U.S. citizenship by marrying an American citizen are encountering increased scrutiny and lengthier processing times under immigration policies adopted by the Trump administration, according to NPR. Although marriage remains one of the most common avenues to permanent residency and eventual citizenship, attorneys say the process has become significantly more demanding.

Current U.S. immigration law continues to permit American citizens to sponsor their foreign-born spouses for green cards and, ultimately, naturalization. However, immigration lawyers and advocates say recent policy changes have expanded background investigations, increased the number of required interviews, and, in some cases, left applicants vulnerable to deportation proceedings while their applications are still pending.

Administration officials insist the changes are designed to improve enforcement and combat immigration fraud, not to change the legal standards governing marriage-based immigration.

“Our enhanced screening and vetting processes help identify fraud, public safety and national security concerns before immigration benefits are granted,” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Zach Kahler said.

He added that “the filing or approval of an immigrant petition does not confer any immigration status or protect an alien from removal.”

The agency also emphasized that submitting or even receiving approval for a family-sponsored immigration petition does not shield an individual from immigration enforcement if that person is otherwise violating U.S. immigration laws.

For decades, marriage to a U.S. citizen has offered one of the quickest paths to lawful permanent residency because spouses are categorized as “immediate relatives,” allowing them to bypass the annual visa quotas that apply to many other family-sponsored immigration categories.

Once a green card is obtained, eligible spouses generally may seek U.S. citizenship after three years, provided they continue living with and remain married to their American spouse while also satisfying other legal requirements, including continuous residence, physical presence in the United States, English proficiency, and successfully completing the civics examination.

The process typically begins when the American citizen files the necessary paperwork to sponsor his or her spouse for lawful permanent resident status.

Applicants must also prove that their marriage is genuine and was not entered into solely for immigration benefits, often by providing documentation demonstrating a shared household, combined finances, and other evidence of a bona fide marital relationship.

Federal statistics indicate that approximately 343,000 individuals received lawful permanent resident status through marriage in 2024, representing roughly one-quarter of all green cards issued during that year.

Immigration attorneys say those applications now undergo more rigorous examination, including additional interviews, expanded background screenings, and more frequent requests for supporting documentation.

“Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps,” immigration attorney Charles Kuck said.

Another immigration attorney, Rosina Stambaugh, said the stricter enforcement environment has caused growing anxiety among many families considering the legal immigration process.

“People are afraid,” she said, adding that some couples have postponed or chosen not to file immigration applications because they fear the immigrant spouse could be detained before a decision is reached on the case.

{Matzav.com}

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Speculation over the condition of Sen. Mitch McConnell erupted across social media Monday after conservative commentator Laura Loomer and journalist Desiree Townsend each claimed, citing unnamed sources, that the Kentucky Republican had been declared brain dead. McConnell’s office, however, firmly rejected the reports, saying the senator remains hospitalized and continues to recover.

Responding to the claims, a spokesperson for McConnell said the senator’s health is improving and that he remains actively involved with his staff despite being away from Washington.

“Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session,” the spokesperson told Breitbart News.

Before the statement from McConnell’s office, Loomer posted on X that a senior source she described as being close to the White House had informed her the senator had been declared brain dead and would not recover.

“High level source close to the White House tells me Mitch McConnell is officially brain dead. He’s not coming back,” Loomer posted.

Townsend later echoed the allegation, saying her own sources had conveyed the same information. She also asserted that McConnell’s Capitol Police protective detail remained stationed at the hospital.

“I have heard the same thing from my sources for days,” Townsend wrote. “At this point, I am at the hospital for when they eventually decide to move cut him off of life support and move his body. His Capitol police detail is still here as of 3:39pm ET.”

McConnell was admitted to a hospital on June 14, although his office has not revealed why he was hospitalized or provided specific information about his medical condition. At 84 years old, McConnell is the longest-serving Senate leader in American history and is currently serving the final term of his Senate career, which concludes in January.

Three days after McConnell entered the hospital, his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, traveled to Beijing for meetings with Chinese officials. During her visit, she met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who urged the United States and China to deepen cooperation and continue efforts to build what he described as a more stable relationship between the two nations.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Monday pointed to new price reductions at Walmart as evidence that his administration is making headway in lowering the cost of everyday essentials, a central economic priority as critics continue to fault the White House over the high cost of living.

According to Business Insider, Trump said Walmart agreed to cut prices on a variety of products, including ground beef, after his administration encouraged major retailers to help make household necessities more affordable as part of events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

Trump called on other large retailers to adopt similar measures, saying lower prices at the nation’s biggest retailer would provide meaningful relief to millions of Americans.

The White House said Walmart’s decision followed a request from the administration and was part of a broader initiative tied to the country’s 250th anniversary celebration aimed at reducing costs for consumers.

Reuters later reported that Walmart confirmed it would be lowering prices on a number of products sold in its stores, including meat, fresh produce, beverages, and other consumer staples. Ground beef was among the items that will see a price reduction.

The announcement comes as Trump continues to face attacks from Democrats and other political opponents, who argue that Americans are still struggling with elevated prices and contend that some administration policies have made affordability more difficult.

Critics have cited inflation, tariffs, and the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran as factors they believe have contributed to higher costs for consumers.

They have also argued that the fighting involving Iran has injected uncertainty into global energy markets, raising concerns that disruptions to oil production and shipping lanes could drive up the price of gasoline, transportation, and a wide range of consumer goods.

Energy experts have noted that instability in key oil-producing regions has the potential to push crude oil prices higher while increasing broader economic risks through rising fuel and shipping costs.

The White House has rejected those claims, maintaining that Trump’s agenda is centered on lowering prices, increasing domestic energy production, strengthening the U.S. economy, and safeguarding America’s national security by preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Trump has repeatedly maintained that he inherited an economy burdened by inflation and says his economic agenda is designed to restore the purchasing power of working Americans.

The debate over affordability has emerged as one of the defining political issues confronting the administration, with grocery prices serving as one of the clearest indicators voters use to judge the health of the economy.

Food prices remain particularly important because grocery shopping is one of the most frequent and visible expenses faced by American households.

Newsweek reported that Trump has personally urged Walmart and other major retailers to lower prices as the administration seeks to demonstrate measurable progress in reducing everyday costs.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that many retailers have cautioned that tariffs could place additional pressure on prices by increasing costs associated with imported products and global supply chains.

Trump’s latest effort involving Walmart underscores the growing role major retailers are playing in the national debate over the economy, with the president insisting his policies are bringing prices down while critics argue that tariffs, international conflicts, and other administration decisions could continue to strain household budgets.