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North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party has reaffirmed Kim Jong Un as its general secretary during a party congress session on Sunday, according to state media, reinforcing his unchallenged authority and signaling what observers describe as heightened confidence in the country’s internal stability.

The Korean Central News Agency reported Monday that Kim was credited with elevating the nation’s standing and strengthening its global position in pursuit of what it described as a revolutionary mission. The state outlet also praised his efforts to transform the armed forces “into an elite and powerful army.”

State media further emphasized advances in Pyongyang’s military capabilities, declaring that under Kim’s leadership, “the war deterrence of the country with the nuclear forces as its pivot has been radically improved,” KCNA said in the laudatory report of the fourth day of the congress’ proceedings.

Outside analysts interpreted the move as a signal that Kim views his grip on power as secure. “The reaffirmation of his authority amounts to a declaration that Kim Jong Un has ended the regime’s ‘crisis management mode’ and entered a phase of confident, stable long term rule,” Lim Eul-chul, an expert on North Korea at Kyungnam University, said.

In addition to confirming Kim’s position, delegates selected members of the party’s Central Committee and approved amendments to party regulations, KCNA reported. While the agency did not outline the substance of the rule changes, it noted shifts in committee membership that appeared to sideline several veteran figures.

Among those reportedly removed from key roles were former Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong, Supreme People’s Assembly Standing Committee Chairman Choe Ryong Hae, and senior military official Ri Pyong Chol, a development analysts described as a possible reshuffling of longstanding leadership figures.

Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, who has appeared alongside him at public events in recent years and has been the subject of succession speculation, has not been seen at the congress thus far.

The ninth party congress, which typically convenes every five years and runs for several days, began Thursday with approximately 5,000 delegates in attendance. South Korean officials are closely monitoring the gathering for signs of shifts in domestic or foreign policy.

So far, however, the sessions have centered largely on claims of economic recovery and achievements attributed to party leadership, with no major new policy initiatives publicly unveiled.

{Matzav.com}

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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 […]

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Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Nissim Vaturi made unusually sharp remarks Sunday evening regarding Iran, suggesting that Israel could use weapons it has never previously deployed if it faces an existential threat.

Vaturi, who serves on the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, spoke in an interview with the chareidi news hotline “Zirat HaNews,” where he hinted at additional Israeli capabilities that have not yet been utilized.

“We also have tools that we haven’t used. No one wants to test us — not the Iranians and not anyone else. I don’t want to elaborate too much,” Vaturi said.

He then issued a pointed metaphor that was widely interpreted as a reference to unconventional weapons.

“They have Persian carpets, we have the textile factory. I don’t think one stands against the other, and if Israel uses that weapon on Judgment Day, then no one should bring us to a situation of Judgment Day.”

Vaturi’s remarks appear to stray from Israel’s long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity and carefully calibrated language regarding its defense capabilities. His statements included direct hints at the possible use of extraordinary measures, though he stopped short of specifying exactly what he meant.

{Matzav.com}

Amid ongoing debate within the United States over how to confront Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has voiced concern about President Donald Trump’s position following their most recent White House meeting.

According to a report Sunday evening by Barak Ravid on Channel 12 News, an American official who met with Netanyahu last week said the prime minister left his meeting with Trump without a clear understanding of what the president intends to do regarding Iran. Netanyahu reportedly told the official: “Is he (Trump) still with us? I’m worried.”

The remarks come against the backdrop of internal disagreements within Trump’s circle over how to respond to Iran’s continued defiance. Two opposing approaches are said to be pulling the president in different directions.

Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, believe more time should be given to diplomacy. Although Trump has reportedly leaned toward ordering a military strike, he has so far agreed to their request to exhaust diplomatic talks first.

On the other side, Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham and other officials in the administration are urging the president not to delay and to move forward with a strike against Iran. Netanyahu is said to be particularly troubled by what he sees as indecision in Washington.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s summit in Geneva between the United States and Iran may represent the final opportunity to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations over a nuclear agreement. Officials in Jerusalem are expected to closely monitor the talks in Switzerland.

Just two days after the Geneva meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel for talks with Netanyahu.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also addressed the upcoming round of negotiations in Geneva, writing on X: “Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. The recent negotiations included the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any possible scenario.”

{Matzav.com}

A major fire broke out in Lizhensk, Poland, as large-scale preparations were underway for the annual yahrtzeit of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk on 21 Adar. The blaze completely destroyed the well-known hachnosas orchim tent that serves thousands of visitors each year, though, remarkably, one pot of kugel was left untouched.

The fire erupted in one of the massive tents erected at the site, which operates year-round to accommodate the steady stream of visitors to the tziyun and houses valuable heating equipment, air conditioning units, and lighting systems. The structure was a central hub for the hachnasas orchim efforts that intensify ahead of the annual hilula, when tens of thousands are expected to arrive.

Local police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are examining all possible factors. At this stage, authorities believe the blaze was likely the result of a technical malfunction.

Despite the heavy financial losses and the urgent need to replace the destroyed equipment in time for the influx of visitors, the leadership of Hachnosas Orchim Lizhensk, headed by the devoted askan and baal chesed Rabbi Simcha Krakowski, said they remain undeterred.

“We are emissaries of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, and Klal Yisroel will arrive again this year and merit to accomplish salvations with expanded hearts and minds,” organizers said.

One witness described the dramatic scene: “The flames took hold of the tent. The fire climbed, spread, and consumed everything. People stood there stunned — everything burned, the tent, the tables, the utensils. Everything turned to smoke.”

“But when the smoke cleared, one thing remained,” he recounted. “The kugel was left whole, standing there, steaming. As if the fire had never touched it.”

He added, recalling a remark once made by the Lelover Rebbe during a visit to the Lizhensk kitchen: “In the kitchen, the greatest salvations are achieved.” And, he noted, “that holy kugel was not touched by the flames.”

{Matzav.com}

The Shas party announced Sunday night that it will support the so-called “Ben Gvir Law,” a renewed version of legislation previously known as “Deri Law 2,” aimed at preventing the High Court of Justice from intervening in the appointment or dismissal of government ministers. At the same time, the party made clear that its chairman, Aryeh Deri, does not intend to return to the cabinet, though a caveat remains.

In a statement issued by the office of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, the party confirmed its backing for the bill. The statement emphasized that the sole authority to appoint and remove ministers rests with the prime minister, “and that is how it should be in a democratic state.” It added that Aryeh Deri does not require such legislation and has no interest in serving as a minister in the current government.

The announcement came amid reports in several media outlets Sunday evening that the coalition has decided to resume advancing the legislation, which would allow ministers who are under indictment or have been convicted to serve at the government table. According to a report by Dafna Liel, the special committee handling the bill is expected to convene this week for a technical discussion, with a final vote in its second and third readings — already prepared — anticipated in the week following Purim.

Under the plan, the coalition will reestablish the committee that previously debated the proposal, which is designed to bar the High Court from reviewing ministerial appointments and dismissals. If enacted, the law would permit ministers to continue serving even while facing a pending indictment. The legislative process had previously been halted after committee deliberations ahead of its second and third readings. A renewed discussion is now required following guidance from legal advisers before the bill can be brought back for a vote.

The legislation passed its first reading in the Knesset in March 2023 by a vote of 63 in favor and 55 opposed. According to the bill’s language, the court would be barred from exercising judicial review over ministerial appointments and their identities, on the grounds that such decisions constitute the “core of democratic activity” and that disqualifying an appointment undermines the will of the voter.

The renewed push comes as a petition is currently pending seeking the dismissal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The bill, initially promoted at the beginning of the government’s term and later stalled at Deri’s request, was originally intended to facilitate his return to the cabinet table. It is now being reconsidered in connection with Minister Ben Gvir. Should the coalition decide to proceed, the measure could receive final approval within days.

Meanwhile, Shas is expected to regain the chairmanship of the Knesset Health Committee as part of a coordinated role swap with the Otzma Yehudit party, set to take effect as early as Monday. Party officials have indicated that Shas intends to lead deliberations on the Arrangements Law directly.

{Matzav.com}

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 […]

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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}