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In the wake of the deadly incident at a children’s daycare center in Yerushalayim, the Israel Tax Authority is examining the possibility of launching audits and investigations into the financial conduct of daycare centers and toddler frameworks that have been operating without licenses and without being formally registered as businesses, according to a report by Ynet.

Officials stressed that the review is not directed at the specific daycare where the tragedy occurred. However, they emphasized that any suspicion of long-term tax evasion grants the Tax Authority full legal powers to examine the matter, demand the filing of reports, and collect back taxes retroactively, in accordance with the law.

Professional sources noted that there are numerous daycare centers that are not registered with tax authorities and do not submit annual reports, despite operating for extended periods and receiving regular payments from parents. Under Israeli law, even small frameworks or those serving economically disadvantaged populations are required to declare and report income, regardless of the amounts involved.

A tax attorney told Ynet that the Tax Authority has both civil and criminal tools to locate businesses that fail to report income. In cases where there is no cooperation, the Authority is empowered to assess income independently. He added that while many cases initially proceed on the civil level, more serious situations can escalate into criminal proceedings.

The Tax Authority further clarified that statutes of limitation apply only to those who submitted reports as required by law. In cases where no reports were filed at all, authorities may review conduct retroactively, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the findings.

Sources familiar with the matter told Ynet that the Yerushalayim incident is likely to prompt a broader review of unlicensed and unreported educational frameworks, as part of a wider effort to combat the shadow economy and enforce tax laws.

{Matzav.com}

Americans are expressing their strongest support for religious freedom in at least seven years, according to new data released by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Becket’s latest Religious Freedom Index scored public support at 71 out of 100 — the highest level recorded since the nonprofit began publishing the index in 2019. The findings […]

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is expected to travel to the United States toward the end of February to take part in the annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington, according to reports in Israeli media. Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the trip is being considered, and there is also a possibility of a meeting with President Donald Trump during the visit.

The AIPAC conference, organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is scheduled to take place in Washington from February 22 through February 24 and is regarded as one of the most prominent pro-Israel gatherings in the United States.

According to a report by Ynet, Netanyahu may also meet with President Trump, whom he met last month. Sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said discussions are ongoing regarding the logistics and timing of the visit.

The potential trip comes amid heightened tensions with Iran and an ongoing buildup of American forces in the Middle East. Israeli officials continue to closely monitor the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran, with assessments and situation evaluations taking place in recent days. Reports indicate that the United States has been reinforcing its presence in the region while making those moves highly visible.

American officials have also pointed to continued internet shutdowns in Iran as evidence of the regime’s fear of internal unrest. A U.S. official quoted in the reports said that Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign is aimed at the Iranian regime rather than the Iranian people, stressing that the United States will continue to support internet access for Iranians as a means of exposing the reality inside the country.

{Matzav.com}

Stocks slumped on Wall Street Tuesday after President Donald Trump threatened to hit eight European countries with new tariffs as tensions escalate over his attempts to assert American control over Greenland. The losses were widespread, with nearly every sector losing ground. Major indexes in the U.S. extended losses from last week in what has been […]

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani deflected criticism Tuesday when pressed about inflammatory social media posts made by two senior aides, choosing instead to pivot to his own priorities during a live television interview.

Appearing on The View, Mamdani avoided directly addressing remarks attributed to his chief equity officer and the city’s tenant advocate, despite a pointed question from co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin about the now-deleted comments.

Griffin cited posts by Chief Equity Officer Afua Atta-Mensah, including the statement “there’s NO moderate way to black liberation,” as well as comments by tenant advocate Cea Weaver calling to “seize private property.”

“Your new chief equity officer made several now deleted comments, disparaging liberal white women,” said Griffin, a former Trump administration staffer. “Your tenant advocate said that home ownership was a weapon of white supremacy and called to elect more communists, among other posts.”

She then asked, “What message do you think this conveys to New Yorkers, and how would you push back on this?”

Rather than responding directly to the substance of the criticism, Mamdani redirected the discussion to his own platform and leadership.

“If you want to know my views or my opinions, you’ll find them in my words,” Mamdani replied. “As the mayor of New York City, and I’m someone who’s looking to make a city that every New Yorker can afford.”

He continued by speaking positively about the work of his administration, praising Weaver’s office without naming her or addressing the specific remarks that had drawn scrutiny.

“And I think, frankly, what New Yorkers are also looking for are the outcomes, and that’s what I care about, the outcomes and the excellence we deliver,” he said.

Mamdani asserted that in the 20 days since Weaver was hired, the city has “taken on a landlord that had more violations than I can count, and we have secured $30 million in guaranteed repairs for thousands of those violations.”

In an apparent effort to calm concerns among property owners, the mayor added that his vision of an affordable city “includes tenants, homeowners, and those who aspire to be homeowners.”

During the same appearance, Mamdani also reiterated his support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a position he has previously endorsed.

{Matzav.com}

California Republicans turned to the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, urging the justices to halt a push by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries ahead of the next election cycle.

In an emergency filing, the California Republican Party asked the high court to step in and stop what it says is a gerrymandering effort set in motion by Newsom through Proposition 50, framing the request as a last effort to prevent the new maps from taking effect.

Republicans argue that the revised district lines could flip as many as five seats currently held by the GOP, significantly altering California’s congressional delegation.

The legal fight carries national political consequences, as Democrats are widely viewed as having a strong chance to reclaim control of the House of Representatives amid voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

While polling data and prediction markets suggest Democrats are well positioned to capture the House, Republicans warn that an unfavorable ruling in the Proposition 50 dispute could derail those expectations.

Supporters of Proposition 50 have described it as a response to a similar redistricting push in Texas, where the state’s Republican-led legislature moved to redraw congressional maps in a way that would benefit their party.

Newsom promoted Proposition 50 as a counterweight to what he described as partisan mapmaking in Texas, and voters approved the measure by a wide margin in last November’s election.

According to a report by the Sacramento Bee, Republicans are asking Justice Elena Kagan, who oversees emergency matters from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, to issue an injunction that would temporarily restore California’s current congressional map.

In their challenge, Republicans contend that the boundaries created under Proposition 50 would disproportionately advantage Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups.

Justice Kagan can either reject the emergency request outright, a decision that could come within days, or send the matter to the full Supreme Court for consideration.

If the case is taken up by the full court, the justices are expected to rule on the emergency motion well before California’s candidate filing deadline of March 6.

{Matzav.com}

At least five vehicles were reported stolen overnight in Boro Park, according to Boro Park Shomrim, as part of what appears to be a coordinated auto theft operation. Sources tell YWN that the vehicles were not taken due to owners leaving keys inside. Instead, suspects are believed to be using electronic devices capable of quickly […]

Federal prosecutors served grand jury subpoenas Tuesday to Minnesota officials as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed or impeded law enforcement during a sweeping immigration operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, a person familiar with the matter said. The subpoenas, which seek records, were sent to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney […]

President Donald Trump reignited debate over Greenland on Tuesday, brushing aside questions about limits to U.S. action and responding with a brief “you’ll see” when asked at the White House how far he is prepared to go to bring the Arctic territory under American control.

He waved off objections that residents of Greenland oppose joining the United States and rejected warnings that any attempt to take the island would fracture the NATO alliance.

Over the past several weeks, Trump has returned to the subject with renewed intensity, focusing attention on Greenland, the largest island on the planet and a pivotal foothold in the Arctic.

Although distant and sparsely populated, the semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty sits at the center of shifting global dynamics. It is part of a NATO ally, hosts a critical U.S. military installation, and lies in an Arctic zone that is becoming increasingly contested as receding ice opens new sea routes and access to valuable natural resources.

Trump has repeatedly cast Greenland as essential to American security interests, contending that failure to secure the island would allow Russia and China to expand their influence across the Arctic.

His latest comments come as he prepares to travel to Davos, Switzerland, where political and economic leaders from around the world are gathering for the World Economic Forum.

Greenland is expected to be a frequent topic in private discussions at the summit, particularly as European officials react to Trump’s new warning that he could impose tariffs on countries that stand in the way of his Greenland ambitions.

Those tariff threats arrive while the administration is still awaiting a Supreme Court decision on whether certain trade duties imposed in 2025 were lawful.

European leaders, speaking over the weekend, indicated they could respond with countermeasures totaling as much as $107.7 billion if the dispute escalates.

Trump originally floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his previous term in office, a proposal that was quickly rejected by Denmark and met with resistance across Europe—opposition he now appears ready to challenge once again.

It remains uncertain whether the Trump administration will ultimately reach an agreement to take control of Greenland. What is clear is that as climate change reshapes the Arctic and geopolitical competition accelerates, the island’s strategic value is only set to increase.

{Matzav.com}

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, President Trump is pressing advisers for what he calls “decisive” military options against Iran, even after pulling back from ordering strikes last week. * The U.S. has moved additional military assets into the Middle East, including fighter jets, an aircraft carrier, and air-defense systems, officials said. […]

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche: We said that this administration would not tolerate local officials doing what they were doing and have been doing, impeding federal officers and doing everything they could to encourage rioters…

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders came out to support nurses on the ninth day of their strike.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot is floating a major political gambit: a broad opposition merger that would unite his Yashar! party with Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid and a new political vehicle being formed by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, according to a report aired by Channel 12. The report says both Lapid and […]

WATCH (SKIP TO MINUTE 102:00):

Several good samaritans rushed to rescue a woman who drove her SUV into freezing water in Virginia Beach.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday proposed a record $260 billion election-year budget designed to “improve affordability and manage dramatic cuts in federal aid without raising taxes”.

Jake Tapper: President Trump today marking one full year in office with a marathon rambling, at times incoherent, possibly unsettling, White House news briefing. For any supporters of his looking for reassurance that the Trump doing wild 1 A.M. Social media post is not the same Trump in the White House, well, they probably were […]

Q: Trump is taking Venezuelan oil money and banking it in Qatar. Did you read about this? Rep. McGovern: He’s not well. There needs to be an intervention. This is crazy. And again, there are so many unanswered questions about what our future involvement in Venezuela is going to be.

Trump: I would have no problem invoking the Insurrection Act if needed.

President Trump warned Tuesday that the U.S. would respond forcefully if Iran acts on alleged assassination threats against him. Saying if “Anything ever happens, the whole country is going to get blown up”.