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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Iranian officials on Monday, local time, to show restraint as unrest continues to grip the country, urging authorities to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld. He stressed that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly “must be fully respected” and safeguarded.

His comments come against the backdrop of widespread protests in Iran that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 420 demonstrators over the past 15 days, including eight children. The figures were cited by Human Rights Activists in Iran and reported by CNN.

In a message posted on X, the UN chief underscored the importance of avoiding what he described as the “unnecessary or disproportionate use of force” in responding to public demonstrations.

“Shocked by reports of violence & excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters resulting in deaths & injuries in recent days. The rights to freedom of expression, association & peaceful assembly must be fully respected & protected. I urge the Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint & refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force,” Guterres said in his post.

“I also urge steps that enable access to information in the country, including restoring communications,” the UN Secretary-General said.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Israel is “closely monitoring” developments in Iran as demonstrations calling for greater freedom continue to spread.

Netanyahu expressed firm backing for the Iranian population in its confrontation with what he labeled “tyranny.”

In a separate post on X, Netanyahu wrote, “Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran. The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran’s citizens.”

The unrest began on December 28 with protests over rising inflation and worsening economic conditions, before rapidly expanding into nationwide turmoil marked by violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.

Rallies have since erupted in numerous cities, with authorities responding through arrests, sweeping crackdowns, and forceful measures. Human rights organizations have repeatedly voiced alarm over the number of casualties and allegations of mistreatment of those detained.

Iranian officials have attributed the violence to what they describe as “rioters” and foreign involvement, while insisting that legitimate economic complaints will be addressed through official channels.

Against this backdrop, U.S. officials told CNN that President Trump is considering multiple military options related to Iran following the deadly protests, after issuing warnings to Tehran over the use of lethal force against demonstrators.

Iran’s Attorney General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, said that the legal response to the protests would be uncompromising. According to Tasnim News Agency, he stated that cases would be pursued “without leniency, mercy or appeasement.” “The charges against all rioters are the same,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

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A federal bankruptcy judge has stopped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s attempt to step into the sale of thousands of rent-stabilized apartments across the city.

City officials under Mamdani had asked the court to delay the transaction after residents raised concerns that the current owner, Pinnacle Group, failed to properly maintain the buildings and that the buyer, Summit Properties USA, could continue those practices.

The administration argued that the city had standing to intervene because it is a creditor of Pinnacle, which owes more than $12 million in unpaid fines, according to Gothamist. However, Bankruptcy Judge David Jones rejected that argument, dealing an early setback to the mayor’s housing agenda.

Jones could authorize the sale to Summit as early as Thursday, though city officials say they are still reviewing possible next steps.

“We will continue to fight to ensure any owner of this portfolio makes necessary repairs to bring the buildings up to code and respects the rent stabilization regulations,” Leila Bozorg, the city’s deputy mayor for housing, told the outlet.

The court ruling follows another episode that has complicated Mamdani’s housing push: his decision to appoint Cea Weaver to head the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. Weaver has drawn criticism for past remarks in which she described home ownership as a “weapon of white supremacy” and said property should be treated as a “collective good.”

As scrutiny over those statements intensified, Weaver said she regretted “some” of her earlier comments. She did not specify which remarks she was referring to but said her focus in government would be addressing “racial inequalities” on behalf of city residents.

“But, you know, I do think my decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing sort of stands on its own,” Weaver said. “I’m proud to be in this role fighting for stronger tenants’ rights. And I think that for many years, people have been locked out of the property market, that has produced systemic and racial inequalities in our system.”

The controversy was discussed publicly by former Trump special advisor Catalina Lauf and Trump 2024 deputy communications director Caroline Sunshine during an appearance on ‘Kudlow,’ where they criticized Mamdani’s embrace of collectivist ideas.

“I want to make sure that everybody has a safe and affordable place to live — whether they rent or own,” Weaver added. “And that is something that I’m laser-focused on in this new role.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran appears to be edging closer to crossing American red lines, pointing to reports of civilian casualties and warning that any strike on U.S. interests would draw a powerful response as his administration considers what he described as “very strong options.”

Trump made the remarks while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One during his return flight from Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, D.C. He was asked whether recent developments in Iran had reached a point that would prompt action by the United States.

“They’re starting to, it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed,” Trump said. “These are violent — if you call them leaders, I don’t know if their leaders or just if they rule through violence. And, we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination.”

The president later said that some demonstrators died in a stampede while others were shot, adding that he is receiving updates on the situation every hour and will base any decision on the latest intelligence.

His comments followed warnings he issued earlier this week that the United States would respond aggressively if the Iranian government intensified its crackdown on protesters.

“Iran’s in big trouble,” Trump said. “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago. We’re watching the situation very carefully.”

Trump went on to emphasize that any response would be severe but would not necessarily involve deploying American troops. “We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”

Demonstrations had reached at least 190 cities across Iran by Saturday, according to figures released by the National Council of Resistance in Iran.

On Sunday, Associated Press reported that activists said at least 544 people have been killed so far, with concerns that the true number may be higher. Iranian officials have also warned that if the United States intervenes on behalf of protesters, both U.S. forces and Israel would be viewed as “legitimate targets.”

More than 10,600 people have been arrested during the more than two weeks of unrest, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which the AP noted has proven reliable during past periods of upheaval. The group said 496 of those killed were protesters, while 48 were members of Iran’s security forces.

Iranian authorities have also implemented a broad internet shutdown in recent days, largely isolating the country from the outside world as demonstrations expanded and officials threatened increasingly harsh punishment for those involved.

{Matzav.com}

The Sanzer chassidus has been informed in recent days of a significant development with the establishment of a Vaad HaPikuach al Kashrus HaTefillin, an oversight committee created in response to serious concerns and questions that emerged regarding the kashrus of tefillin.

The initiative was launched at the directive of the Sanzer Rebbe, who acted after a range of troubling issues relating to the manufacture and condition of tefillin housing came to light. According to sources, the Sanzer Rebbe had already convened an urgent meeting toward the end of the month of Av with rabbonim and dayanim of the Sanzer community, warning of the critical obligation to stand guard over the kashrus of tefillin and to address the emerging concerns without delay.

Among the serious kashrus problems identified were tefillin batim that are not perfectly square in accordance with halachah; batim containing holes that were filled with glue; batei tefillin shel rosh in which a mechanical saw was used between the four compartments, causing blemishes to the housing; and cases of artificially created or falsified grooves between the compartments of the shel rosh, among other deficiencies.

In light of these findings, the Sanzer Rebbe instructed that a formal oversight body be established. After months of preparation and intensive work, the vaad was officially launched under the Rebbe’s direct guidance. The Rebbe is personally involved in the committee’s activities and closely oversees its operations.

The newly formed vaad includes prominent rabbonim and dayanim of the Sanzer communities: Rav Mordechai Brand, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Hillel Deutsch, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Yitzchak Aharon Yisroeli, Dayan of Sanz Ashdod; Rav Mordechai Levinstein, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Avraham Shraga Stieglitz, Dayan of Sanz Beitar; and Rav Shlomo Stern, Dayan of Sanz Haifa.

On behalf of the Vaad HaPikuach, a special kol korei was issued in recent days to the broader Sanzer chassidus. The proclamation provides clear directives and detailed guidance, instructing chassidim that from this point forward, tefillin should be purchased only from sources operating under the vaad’s supervision, ensuring the highest standards of kashrus and hidur.

In an unusual step, the Sanzer Rebbe personally added his handwritten signature to the kol korei, along with several additional lines emphasizing the obligation to reinforce these measures with even greater strength.

{Matzav.com}

An apartment complex in the Bronx that Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently spotlighted to highlight the qualifications of his newly named housing commissioner is struggling under the weight of close to 200 unresolved housing-code violations.

The revelations have prompted renewed scrutiny of the administration’s broader effort to move rent-stabilized properties out of private hands and into nonprofit management.

According to reporting by the New York Post, the 102-unit building located in Morris Heights had at least 194 outstanding violations as of yesterday, with some records stretching back almost ten years.

City records indicate that 88 of the violations fall under the most serious “Class C” category, which denotes conditions that present immediate danger to residents.

Among the cited problems are infestations of rats and roaches, mold growth, malfunctioning doors and appliances, and failures to provide basic building services, the Post reported.

Mayor Mamdani visited the property on January 4 as part of an event to formally introduce Dina Levy as his choice to lead the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

During that visit, Mamdani highlighted Levy’s experience in nonprofit affordable housing and pointed to the building as a model of effective, publicly supported management.

Levy previously played a role in arranging a 2011 transaction that shifted ownership of the property from a private landlord to the nonprofit Workforce Housing Advisors, supported by a $5.6 million loan from the city’s housing agency intended to stabilize the building and maintain its rent-regulated status.

As commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development, Levy now receives an annual salary exceeding $277,000.

Tenants, however, told the Post that conditions inside the building have declined since the nonprofit assumed control. Several residents described chronic problems — including inconsistent heat and hot water, deteriorating interiors, broken lighting, and persistent rodent issues — that they say often remain unresolved for months at a time.

One longtime tenant said the building was better maintained under its former private owner, recalling quicker repairs and greater responsiveness to complaints.

Despite being held up by city officials as a success, the building reportedly carries a higher number of hazardous violations than many privately owned rent-stabilized buildings throughout New York City.

Mamdani has supported legislation designed to expand nonprofit authority over rent-stabilized housing while curbing private ownership in the sector.

Republican lawmakers and landlord organizations counter that the strategy is driven by ideology and disregards growing evidence that nonprofit-managed properties frequently perform worse, even as they benefit from public subsidies, government loans, and tax breaks.

{Matzav.com}

Jerome Powell: On Friday, the Department of Justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June.

As tensions with Iran continue to escalate and questions swirl about whether the United States could take military action, the White House released a brief and enigmatic social media post on Sunday that drew widespread attention.

“We have three things to say…GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS AMERICA. AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED,” the message read, paired with an image of President Donald Trump standing alongside U.S. troops.

Earlier that day, Axios reported, citing two American officials, that Trump is reviewing a variety of measures aimed at bolstering the ongoing protests in Iran while increasing pressure on the country’s ruling authorities.

According to the report, internal discussions are underway within the Trump administration as demonstrations continue to expand across Iran and accounts emerge of a growing number of deaths. Trump has publicly cautioned that the United States could resort to military action if Iranian authorities proceed with mass killings of demonstrators.

That reporting followed a story published late Saturday by the New York Times, which said Trump has recently received briefings on updated military strike options against Iran, as he considers whether to act on his warning over the regime’s violent response to protests.

Officials told the Times that while the President has not yet reached a final decision, he is seriously weighing the possibility of authorizing a strike in response to the crackdown on demonstrations driven by widespread economic discontent. The briefings reportedly included a range of scenarios, among them potential strikes on nonmilitary targets in Tehran, according to officials who spoke anonymously.

Meanwhile, the The Telegraph reported that Trump has been advised by senior military commanders that more preparation time would be required before any strikes against Iran could be carried out.

{Matzav.com}

A suspect was arrested by the NYPD with the assistance of Flatbush Shomrim volunteers following an attempted robbery in the Flatbush neighborhood. Sources tell YWN that Shomrim volunteers initially observed and discreetly followed four suspicious individuals in the area. Shortly thereafter, the group attempted to rob a victim near the intersection of Kings Highway and […]

The New York Times reports that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that he believes the turmoil gripping Iran is approaching a turning point, predicting that the Iranian people’s suffering under the current regime “will soon be coming to an end” as demonstrations persist and authorities respond with force.

In a message shared on social media, Graham drew a sharp contrast between the current administration and past leadership, writing, “President Trump is not Obama. Freedom now, freedom forever for the long suffering Iranian people.”

He continued by addressing Iranians directly, stating, “I believe your nation’s nightmare will soon be coming to an end. Make Iran Great Again.”

The South Carolina Republican echoed those sentiments a day earlier in another online post, declaring, “TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE: your long nightmare is soon coming to a close. Your bravery and determination to end your oppression has been noticed by @POTUS and all who love freedom.”

Expanding on that message, Graham added, “When President Trump says Make Iran Great Again, it means the protestors in Iran must prevail over the ayatollah. That is the clearest signal yet that he, President Trump understands Iran will never be great with the ayatollah and his henchmen in charge. To all who are sacrificing in Iran, God bless. Help is on the way.”

Graham’s remarks on Sunday came shortly after a brief but pointed post appeared on the White House’s social media account.

“We have three things to say…GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS AMERICA. AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED,” the post read, accompanied by an image of President Donald Trump standing with U.S. service members.

Earlier Sunday, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials, that President Trump is reviewing multiple options aimed at backing the protests in Iran and increasing pressure on the country’s leadership.

According to the report, internal deliberations are underway as unrest continues to widen across Iran and accounts surface of a growing death toll. Trump has also issued public warnings that the United States could resort to military action if the regime moves forward with mass killings of demonstrators.

{Matzav.com}

Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons on Saturday publicly challenged Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to follow through on her warning that she would arrest federal immigration agents who enter her city and “commit a crime.” Lyons made the remarks during an appearance on The Big Weekend Show on Fox News, after […]

A tense disturbance erupted Sunday evening in Bnei Brak when approximately 100 protesters attempted to force their way into a gathering of the IDF’s Chashmonaim Brigade.

The event, held on Rechov Yosef Chaim, was attended by around 60 fathers of soldiers serving in the newly established chareidi brigade. According to reports, demonstrators tried to break into the hall and disrupt the conference, prompting the deployment of police forces to the scene.

Police worked to disperse the crowd and restore order as physical confrontations developed between protesters, security personnel, and officers. During the clashes, two soldiers were lightly injured by demonstrators. One of the injured soldiers was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.

Amid the chaos, the brigade commander, Col. Avinoam Emunah, was extracted from the venue by police for his safety.

In the minutes leading up to the unrest, “emergency calls” circulated on hotlines associated with extremist groups, urging supporters to rush to the area of Yosef Chaim Boulevard in Bnei Brak to protest the event. Following police intervention, the gathering was ultimately dispersed.

Responding to the incident, Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, issued a sharp statement: “Anyone who attacks an IDF soldier for ideological reasons deserves a lengthy prison sentence, and in certain cases even the demolition of his home. That is what the law stipulates. I call on the authorities to enforce the law. Israel is a state governed by law, for heaven’s sake.”

{Matzav.com}

An unusual incident in Haifa on Friday sparked public outrage after a tefillin stand erected in memory of a fallen IDF soldier was confiscated and the soldier’s brother was detained by authorities.

The person detained was Menachem Cohen, a Chabad chossid and a bereaved brother, who had set up the stand together with friends as part of an initiative to honor the memory of his brother, Shneur Zalman Cohen Hy”d, who was killed during the Iron Swords War. The stand included a sign bearing the fallen soldier’s name and photograph and was intended as a merit for his neshamah.

According to those present, municipal inspectors arrived at the scene, followed shortly thereafter by a significant police presence that included five additional patrol cars from both the police and municipal enforcement. Cohen was detained, the tefillin stand and sign were confiscated, and Cohen later claimed that he was physically assaulted during the course of the detention. He was released only after public pressure was brought to bear.

Reacting to the incident, Rabbi Yehuda Ginzburg, a Chabad shliach in Haifa, said that for more than 50 years, members of Chabad-Lubavitch have gone out across the city to offer Jews the opportunity to put on tefillin. “This has always been done in a positive and pleasant atmosphere,” he said.

Rabbi Ginzburg added, “Unfortunately, there are those who try to inflame tensions. We are pained by what happened here. We expect the Haifa municipality to apologize and to work in coordination with this important activity. We are confident that this was a one-time mistake by the city and not an ongoing policy.”

In a statement, the Israel Police rejected claims that the detention was connected to the tefillin stand itself. “Contrary to claims made in publications that may mislead the public, this was a temporary detention following a confrontation with municipal inspectors at the site,” the police said. “To be clear, the police have no interest in harming tefillin stands, and the matter had no connection to the tefillin position that was set up. The incident involved a noise violation and heated behavior toward inspectors, who summoned municipal policing to the scene. The individual was released after several minutes following clarification, and the matter will be reviewed with the municipality.”

{Matzav.com}

Former adviser to President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, is preparing the groundwork for a potential run for president in 2028, according to a report published Saturday by Axios. Axios, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, reported that Bannon has begun taking early steps consistent with a presidential campaign, including setting up a political action […]

Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party, delivered a stark message on the dangers of modern technology during a talk of chizuk delivered this evening to hundreds of mechanchim.

Speaking at an education conference organized by Levaker BeHeichalo, initiated by Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Tzvika Cohen, Deri addressed what he described as the growing spiritual and social challenges facing the current generation, with particular emphasis on smartphone addiction.

Recalling his own years as a bochur, Deri reflected on his time learning at Chevron Yeshiva. “In our days at Chevron Yeshiva, we were more outspoken and freer,” he said. “We would travel to Wadi Qelt, and afterward we were filled with guilt over missing even one seder in yeshiva.”

Contrasting that era with the present, Deri expressed deep admiration for today’s bnei yeshiva. “I say this as a limud zechus for today’s bochurim,” he said. “How are they able to sit and learn with yishuv hadaas—long winter Friday night sedarim of seven hours—after the nonstop ‘brainwashing’ from the news and the hotlines they hear?”

Deri then turned to what he described as an even greater threat. “I’m not even talking about the ‘treife iPhone,’ may Hashem have mercy,” he said. “It is a terrible addiction, worse than any other addiction afflicting today’s youth, something that is almost impossible to withstand.”

He stressed that the problem is widely recognized, even beyond the chareidi community. “Even those who are not chareidi understand that this is an addiction of the younger generation that is impossible to fight,” Deri said. “Families have been destroyed because of it. People can no longer sit together at the table and talk. There is no longer dialogue between parents and children. A child of six or seven is sitting on an iPhone, and it is literally like drug addiction. Hashem should have mercy.”

Deri concluded on a note of awe and gratitude. “When I attend weddings and see a ben Torah and a bas Yisrael standing under the chuppah, building a home of Torah with holiness, and you see that they are preserving the character of bnei Torah,” he said, “I say to myself: What a miracle this is! It is a tremendous miracle.”

{Matzav.com}

An investigation by Haaretz has found that one of its former political analysts received payments worth hundreds of thousands of dollars that could be traced back to the Qatari government, marking the second time in recent months that a writer for the newspaper has been linked to the so-called “Qatargate” scandal. According to a new […]