Matzav

President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a bridge between Michigan and Ontario, claiming Canada is trying to “take advantage of America” and calling for compensation in the latest flash point in the simmering tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge – a six-lane bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, that has cost about $4.7 billion to build – has been under construction since 2018 and is due to open early this year, according to the organization behind it.

On Monday, Trump said he “will not allow” it to open in a post on Truth Social, saying Canada had treated the U.S. “very unfairly for decades” and that the U.S. would not benefit from the project.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” he said. It was unclear how Trump would be able to delay or block the project from opening.

“We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset,” he said, adding that the revenue generated from the project “will be astronomical.”

The bridge, named after Canadian ice hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played for the Detroit Red Wings, has been labeled a “once-in-a-generation undertaking” by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the Canadian government entity responsible for delivering it. It is set to have U.S. and Canadian entry ports and an interchange connecting to Michigan’s road network.

The bridge is financed by the Canadian government but is publicly owned by the governments of Canada and Michigan, with terms outlined in a 2012 Crossing Agreement. The agreement stated all iron and steel used in the project must be produced in the U.S. or Canada.

Canada will recoup the costs of funding the bridge from toll revenue, the Canadian government said in 2022.

Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said regardless of whether Trump’s threat is real or an attempt at creating uncertainty, “blocking or barricading bridges is a self-defeating move.”

“The path forward isn’t deconstructing established trade corridors, it’s actually building bridges,” she said in an emailed statement.

The complaint is the latest in a string of blows he has leveled at Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney, rupturing the traditionally close relationship between the two allies.

Last month, Trump threatened to decertify and impose tariffs on Canadian-built aircraft in a move that sparked fears of wide ramifications for U.S. air travel. He also traded barbs with the Carney on the world stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and later revoked his invitation for Canada to join the Board of Peace, an entity that Trump has claimed will resolve global conflicts.

The latest comments mark a sharp contrast to Trump’s previous support for the project. In a February 2017 statement with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump highlighted the closeness of the two countries and praised the bridge as a “vital economic link.”

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to absorb traffic from the nearby Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, which is owned by Detroit’s Moroun family and responsible for about a quarter of all trade between the U.S. and Canada. The owners have appealed to Trump to stop construction of the new bridge and sued the Canadian government for approving it, claiming it will infringe on their right to collect revenue.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that Trump’s post was “insane,” noting that U.S. steel was used in construction on the Michigan side of the bridge.

“I really can’t believe what I’m reading,” Dilkens said. “The faster we can get to the midterms and hopefully see a change, the better for all of us.”

He also mocked Trump’s suggestion – made in the social media post without any supporting evidence – that if Canada makes a trade deal with China, China would “terminate” Canadian ice hockey and eliminate the Stanley Cup.

“Thankfully the bridge was named after Gordie Howe before China terminates hockey and eliminates the Stanley Cup!” Dilkens quipped on X.

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) said Trump’s threats to tank the bridge project meant he was “punishing Michiganders for a trade war he started.”

“The only reason Canada is on the verge of a trade deal with China is because President Trump has kicked them in the teeth for a year,” she wrote in a post on X.

“The President’s agenda for personal retribution should not come before what’s best for us. Canada is our friend – not our enemy. And I will do everything in my power to get this critical project back on track.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Todd M. Lyons sparred with Democratic lawmakers who accused his agency of functioning like a violent secret police force at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Tuesday. He vowed to press forward with Trump’s mass deportation campaign.

Legislators pressed Lyons for over three hours on the detentions of U.S. citizens, the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and aggressive actions by immigration officers in cities including Minneapolis. Lyons, at times, refused to answer questions, citing ongoing investigations, and complained about comparisons from Democratic lawmakers of ICE to Gestapo – a reference to the police of Nazi Germany, which conducted brutal arrests with no legal oversight.

In one contentious moment, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-New York) told Lyons that if he and his agents do not want to be referred to as a secret police force, then they should reevaluate their actions.

“I have a simple suggestion: If you don’t want to be called a fascist regime or secret police, then stop acting like one,” Goldman said.

Lyons was joined by Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney S. Scott and Customs and Immigration Services Director Joseph B. Edlow at the bipartisan hearing – the first time the heads of ICE and CBP had appeared before the committee in President Donald Trump’s second term. Although CBP and Border Patrol officers have been at the helm of some of the deportation campaign’s most controversial tactics – including use of force against protesters – much of the scrutiny was focused on ICE.

Republican legislators largely rallied to defend the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and praised the Trump administration for drastically reducing illegal border crossings. But some of the strongest remarks came from House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-New York), who appeared to take a swipe at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem – despite not naming her – by criticizing Department of Homeland Security officials for rushing to conclusions “about law enforcement or their fellow Americans” without the completion of an impartial investigation.

“Officials and elected leaders should not rush to judgment,” Garbarino said. “Public trust and public safety go hand in hand.”

The testimony from Lyons and Scott came as public support for Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda has plummeted in the wake of the fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month. Though the Trump administration has taken some measures to try to tamp down protests in that city, including withdrawing 700 federal officers, tensions have remained between local officials and the federal government about the broad scope of the immigration enforcement operations and the aggressive tactics of officers.

“Some Minnesota officials are finally signaling the willingness to cooperate with ICE,” Lyons said. “Well, let me be clear: Promises are not enough. We need action.”

The hearing also took place as DHS is set to shut down Saturday unless lawmakers strike a last-minute deal to fund the agency.

Democrats have demanded new restrictions on federal immigration agents in exchange for their votes. Their demands include tighter rules around the use of warrants, independent investigations of alleged misconduct, a ban on agents wearing masks, and a mandate for them to wear body cameras. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) have dismissed Republicans’ counteroffer as not detailed enough to negotiate over.

“I think it demonstrates that they want to be seen to be working with us, but they’re clearly sandbagging,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said. Republicans have argued that there is not enough time to hash out a deal and pass it before DHS shuts down. They want Democrats to agree to fund the agency to allow more time for negotiations.

The deaths of Pretti and Good have prompted public backlash and bipartisan calls for an independent investigation. Noem has also faced bipartisan criticism for suggesting after Pretti’s death that he had committed an “act of domestic terrorism” and sought to kill law enforcement, despite video from witnesses contradicting that account.

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (Mississippi), the top Democrat on the panel, directly condemned Noem’s actions in his opening remarks Tuesday, and he demanded that she resign.

“Secretary Noem is a liar with no concern for the lives of Americans killed by the department she runs,” he said. “She must go.”

Democrats also pressed the three officials on the ethics and morals of their actions. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan) asked Scott and Lyons if they expect to get a presidential pardon at the end of their terms. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-New Jersey) was more direct, telling Lyons he has blood on his hands over ICE’s tactics and asking, “Do you think you’re going to hell, Mr. Lyons?” before Garbarino interrupted her questioning.

Lyons said ICE has made 379,000 arrests in the first year of Trump’s administration, a figure that he said included 7,000 suspected gang members and more than 14,000 “known or suspected terrorists” – although he did not define who is given that designation. Federal data has shown that the majority of people who have been arrested do not have criminal convictions.

“The president has tasked us with mass deportation, and we are fulfilling that mandate,” Lyons said.

He said that immigration officers are facing “the deadliest operating environment” in history, including assaults and death threats, and that his family had been targeted. But he said: “Let me send a message to anyone who thinks you can intimidate us: You will fail.”

Noem announced last week that, “effective immediately,” DHS would deploy body cameras “to every officer in the field in Minneapolis” and would expand the body-cam program broadly, “as funding is available.” The Washington Post previously reported that in its initial budget proposal, the department said it planned to cut the staff of ICE’s body-cam program from 22 to three and reduce spending on the initiative from about $20.5 million to $5.5 million.

Lyons told lawmakers Tuesday that about 3,000 of ICE’s 13,000 officers in the field are assigned to wear body cameras, which can record their interactions with the public, and another 6,000 cameras are in the process of being deployed. Scott said that 10,000 of the 20,000 Border Patrol agents in the field have cameras and that the number is going to grow.

Asked about the training regimen of ICE officers, Lyons said the agency has not reduced the “meat of the training” but has sought to shorten amount of time it takes to get officers into the field. He said training used to take place five days a week for eight hours a day but has been changed to six days a week for 12 hours per day.

Scott said Border Patrol agents continue to undergo the standard 117-day training academy, while CBP officers attend for 103 days.

A poll from Quinnipiac University released last week found that 61 percent of voters did not think the Trump administration had provided an honest account of Pretti’s killing and that 58 percent said Noem should be removed. A recent poll from the Economist/YouGov found that 50 percent of U.S. adult citizens said ICE was making Americans less safe.

Under Noem, Border Patrol agents have played a growing role in conducting large-scale immigration enforcement operations in blue cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis. Those operations were led by senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino.

But after Pretti’s death, Bovino, who suggested that Pretti wanted to “massacre law enforcement,” left Minneapolis to return to California, where he was stationed previously. Trump instead dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis.

Edlow, Scott and Lyons are also set to appear before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs this week.


(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

{Matzav.com}

New York City is expected to see a noticeable warm-up in the days ahead, following an extended stretch of severe cold weather that has been linked to at least 18 deaths.

For close to three weeks, temperatures across the city have remained well below seasonal norms, with most days failing to rise above the freezing point.

The prolonged cold set in immediately after the major snowstorm on January 25, leaving behind layers of grimy, hardened snow and ice that complicated everyday life, from navigating sidewalks to finding parking and managing trash collection.

According to AccuWeather, a shift in conditions is now underway. High temperatures are forecast to reach 35 degrees on Tuesday, climb to 41 on Wednesday, and hover between 35 and 40 degrees on Thursday and Friday.

After what residents have endured since late January, those readings may feel almost balmy by comparison.

The cold wave began intensifying on January 24, with temperatures staying largely in the teens and 20s through early February. Although daytime highs briefly edged above freezing on several occasions last week, nighttime lows and wind chills continued to plunge.

The most frigid night of the season occurred this past Shabbos, when temperatures dropped to 3 degrees and wind chills sank to nearly minus 20.

The toll of the cold was a major focus Tuesday at a City Council hearing examining City Hall’s handling of the Arctic blast, after at least 18 fatalities were recorded in New York City during the severe weather period.

{Matzav.com}

As he prepared to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, President Donald Trump said he believes the Israeli leader supports reaching an agreement with Iran and expressed optimism that the current round of nuclear negotiations could succeed.

Speaking with Israeli journalist Barak Ravid of Channel 12 and the Axios news site, Trump reflected on past confrontations with Tehran, referencing the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025 following the breakdown of diplomatic efforts. “Last time they didn’t believe I would do it,” Trump said.

According to the president, Iran misjudged Washington’s resolve. “They overplayed their hand,” he said, contrasting that episode with the current talks, which he described as markedly changed. “We can make a great deal with Iran.”

Trump also rejected suggestions that Netanyahu opposes the ongoing dialogue between Washington and Tehran, including a senior-level meeting held over the weekend in Oman. “He also wants a deal. He wants a good deal,” Trump said of the Israeli prime minister.

The president added that Iran, too, is eager to reach an understanding, saying the country “wants to make a deal very badly.”

At the same time, Trump underscored that the United States is prepared to escalate if negotiations fail. “Either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” he told Ravid.

Trump further noted the expansion of the US military footprint in the region, saying, “we have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” and added that he is “thinking” about deploying an additional aircraft carrier strike group following recent reinforcements.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli-Russian journalist was removed Tuesday from Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s flight to Washington, just moments before departure, in an incident that raised questions about security vetting and press access ahead of the prime minister’s meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Nick Kolyohin, an independent journalist who was traveling as part of the press group invited to the White House, was already preparing to board the Prime Minister’s aircraft, known as the “Wing of Zion,” when security personnel stopped him and escorted him off the plane shortly before takeoff.

Kolyohin, who moved to Israel as a child and later served in the IDF, said the decision was made exclusively by security officials. He maintained that no explanation was provided to him at the airport, despite the fact that his participation in the flight had received prior authorization.

The Prime Minister’s Office addressed the incident in a brief statement, saying: “The security authorities decided not to approve the journalist’s participation in the flight due to security considerations, but we cannot provide further details at this stage.”

The Shin Bet also commented, emphasizing its statutory responsibilities. In its statement, the agency said: “According to its mandate and duties under the law, the service is responsible, among other things, for securing the Prime Minister. As part of this, decisions are made to minimize risks to the Prime Minister and the information surrounding him. Naturally, it is not possible to address the reasons behind individual decisions.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials told CNN ahead of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s expected meeting Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran’s military activity and the dangers it poses will be at the center of the talks.

According to the officials, Netanyahu plans to stress to Trump that Israel must retain the ability to act militarily against Iran, regardless of whether a diplomatic agreement is ultimately reached between Tehran and Washington. “Netanyahu will emphasize to Trump the need for military freedom of action in Iran, even if an agreement is signed between Tehran and Washington,” the officials said.

They added that the prime minister intends to brief Trump on newly obtained intelligence concerning Iran’s military developments, with particular focus on efforts to restore and expand its ballistic missile program.

Israeli assessments indicate that if no steps are taken to stop Iran, the country could amass as many as 2,000 missiles within a matter of weeks or months.

Netanyahu departed for Washington, D.C., earlier today for the diplomatic visit, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump. This marks Netanyahu’s seventh trip to the United States since Trump’s re-election.

Speaking before leaving Israel, Netanyahu said: “I am now going to the United States for my seventh trip to meet with President Trump since his re-election. This, of course, does not include his unforgettable visit to Israel and his speech in the Knesset.”

He went on to highlight the close ties between the two countries, saying: “I think these things reflect the unique closeness in the exceptional relationship we have with the United States, personally with the president, and with Israel and the United States-a relationship that has never been like this in our history.”

Netanyahu also made clear that Iran will be the primary focus of the discussions, alongside other regional matters. “In this trip, we will discuss a number of issues-Gaza, the region-but of course, first and foremost, the negotiations with Iran. I will present to the president our views on the principles of the negotiations, the important principles, which I believe are important not only for Israel but for anyone in the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Missouri Torah Institute is where the next generation of Torah leaders is shaped. Our talmidim immerse themselves in Torah learning, refine their middos, and grow into leaders guided by knowledge grow in character, and prepare to lead with knowledge, integrity, and purpose.

For just 33 powerful hours, our Maalin B’Kodesh campaign is live –  and every donation to MTI is TRIPLED thanks to our generous matchers.

With a $1.5 million goal, your support directly ELEVATES Torah learning, strengthens middos, and fuels genuine aliya biruchniyus for our talmidim.

This is your moment to make a lasting impact

Join our Maalin B’Kodesh campaign today and help shape the future of Torah leadership at the Yeshiva of St. Louis. 

Donate Now charidy.com/mti

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is prepared to use military force against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement, signaling that force remains an option if negotiations break down.

Speaking in an interview with Channel 12 News, Trump emphasized that his preference is for a negotiated settlement, but made clear that he would not hesitate to act if talks do not succeed. “The Iranians very much want to reach a deal. Either we make a deal, or we will have to do something very tough – like last time,” he said.

Trump also revealed that he is weighing the possibility of further strengthening the U.S. military presence in the region, including the deployment of another aircraft carrier to the Middle East. “We have an armada there, and maybe another one on the way,” the President added.

The comments were made ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, which is set to take place Wednesday at the White House.

According to Trump, discussions with Netanyahu will center largely on Iran. He added that the Israeli prime minister is not feeling undue pressure from the ongoing negotiations, but is similarly interested in a favorable outcome. “I don’t think Netanyahu is pressured by the talks with Iran. He also wants a deal. He wants a good deal.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration wants tangible returns for the significant resources the United States devotes to protecting Greenland and safeguarding broader Arctic and NATO interests in the region.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday on the airport tarmac while traveling from Armenia to Azerbaijan, Vance underscored Greenland’s strategic value. “It’s just very simple: Greenland is very important to the national security of the United States of America,” he said. He added that U.S. partners have not always carried their share of the burden, noting, “I do think that some of our allies have underinvested in Arctic security.”

Vance argued that Washington’s financial and military commitments should be matched with clear advantages for the United States. “And if we’re going to invest in Arctic security — if we’re going to basically pay a lot of money and be on the hook for protecting this massive landmass — I think it’s only reasonable for the United States to get some benefit out of that,” he said, adding that “And that’s going to be the focus of the negotiations here over the next few months.”

From Greenland’s side, Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt cautioned that discussions remain preliminary and not yet aligned with her government’s goals. While welcoming continued dialogue with Washington, she said expectations should be tempered. “We are not there where we want to be yet,” Motzfeldt said at a joint press conference in Nuuk alongside Danish and Canadian officials. “There is going to be a long track, so where we are going to land at the end, it’s too early to say.”

Vance echoed that assessment, indicating that negotiations are still in their early stages. “It’s very early in the Greenland talks,” he said. “I know that, you know, we’ve been working quite a bit on this over the last few weeks.”

At the same time, NATO is preparing to increase its Arctic footprint. Five sources told Reuters that the alliance is expected to roll out an Arctic Sentry mission in the coming days as part of an effort to strengthen its regional presence and ease tensions between President Donald Trump and European governments.

According to Reuters, the formal decision could be made as soon as this week, when NATO defense ministers gather in Brussels. The report cited three European diplomats, a military official, and another person familiar with the discussions.

The evolving situation prompted sharp comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, who warned Europe to prepare for continued friction with Washington. He described the recent focus on Greenland as a signal that the European Union must accelerate overdue economic reforms and bolster its global influence.

In interviews published Tuesday across several European newspapers, Macron said Europeans should not assume that a temporary easing of disputes with Washington signals a durable change, even if tensions over Greenland, trade, and technology appear to have cooled. “When there’s a clear act of aggression, I think what we should do isn’t bow down or try to reach a settlement,” Macron said in comments to outlets including Le Monde and the Financial Times. “I think we’ve tried that strategy for months.”

“It’s not working,” he added.

Macron went further, accusing the Trump administration of taking a hostile posture toward Europe and aiming for the bloc’s fragmentation. He said the administration was being “openly anti-European” and seeking the EU’s “dismemberment.”

He also warned that new disputes could soon emerge over technology regulation. “The U.S. will, in the coming months — that’s certain — attack us over digital regulation,” Macron said, pointing to the possibility of American tariffs if the EU uses its Digital Services Act to rein in major technology companies.

Renewing his push for joint European borrowing, Macron argued that tools such as eurobonds would allow the EU to invest on a scale large enough to compete globally and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

European Union leaders are scheduled to convene in Brussels on Thursday, where they are expected to weigh steps aimed at strengthening the EU economy and improving its ability to compete with both the United States and China internationally.

Federal investigators on Tuesday made public the first surveillance images of what they described as a “potential subject” as the investigation intensifies into the disappearance and alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie.

FBI Director Kash Patel released the photographs along with two video clips in a post on X on Tuesday afternoon, as authorities continue to piece together events surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance.

“Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors – including the removal of recording devices,” Patel wrote.

According to Patel, the newly obtained footage was retrieved from residual data stored within backend systems. The images and video depict a person wearing a backpack, long sleeves, and pants approaching the front door, attempting to block the camera with a gloved hand. The individual is then seen turning away, grabbing nearby plants, and placing them in front of the camera.

Investigators had previously hoped that surveillance cameras at the residence would shed light on how Guthrie vanished. However, the doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday, and although movement was logged by software shortly afterward, the footage could not be recovered because Guthrie did not have an active subscription, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said earlier.

Working with additional partners, authorities were later able to retrieve material that had not been accessible before. “Working with our partners – as of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” Patel said.

Officials urged anyone with information to contact federal authorities by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting tips through http://tips.fbi.gov.

Nancy Guthrie has been missing since Sunday, February 1, after she failed to appear at church services. She was last seen the previous evening at approximately 9:45 p.m., following dinner at the Tucson, Arizona, home of her daughter, Annie Guthrie.

Earlier this week, the FBI said there has been no known communication between Savannah Guthrie and any potential kidnappers more than a week after her mother disappeared. Authorities have also stated that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. In a video shared on social media Monday afternoon, Savannah Guthrie described the situation as an “hour of desperation.”

“Please. bring her home. we need you. she needs you. all of you,” the caption accompanying the video reads.

Meanwhile, three media outlets reported receiving alleged ransom letters, with at least one including monetary demands and deadlines. One deadline passed Thursday and another on Monday evening, though officials said it remains unclear whether the letters are genuine.

The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to progress in the case.

Sheriff Nanos also disclosed that DNA testing confirmed blood found on Guthrie’s front porch belonged to her. Investigators said there is currently no proof of life, though they remain hopeful she is “still out there.” Authorities noted that Guthrie requires daily medication for reported high blood pressure and heart conditions, including a pacemaker.

Law enforcement personnel continue to maintain a presence at Guthrie’s home and plan to broaden search efforts. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said officers will persist with operations Tuesday, “including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads.”

{Matzav.com}

City Hall is facing mounting criticism over its decision to leave homeless individuals outdoors during dangerously cold weather, with opponents accusing Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration of inaction as winter deaths in New York continue to climb, the NY Post reports.

Despite pleas from advocates and former officials, the administration held firm to its current approach even as the city’s winter death toll reached 18. The refusal to intervene has drawn sharper contrast with actions taken in other major cities, where leaders have ordered emergency measures to bring people inside during extreme cold.

“When a person is in imminent danger, there is no debate. Whatever ideological divides we have should not have any impact on these policies during a ‘Code Blue,’” Brian Stettin, a former senior adviser in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, told The Post.

Stettin pointed to the widely publicized case of a homeless woman seen muttering to herself while enduring brutal, subzero conditions, calling the situation “infuriating” and insisting that officials should have acted immediately.

“They should be doing everything they can to get them inside. That is why we need cops out on the streets. We are talking about an imminent threat to life or safety; there shouldn’t be any debate with advocates over that.”

The woman survived the extreme cold spell — which brought temperatures in parts of the city lower than those recorded in Antarctica — but remained on the sidewalk as of Monday. First responders told The Post that under existing city rules, they were unable to compel her to accept help.

Reporters attempted to speak with the woman, who was sheltering in a makeshift structure on East 34th Street across from NYU Langone Hospital, but she did not respond. Workers at nearby businesses said she has stayed in the same spot for “years” and that no effort had been made to move her since Saturday.

Over the weekend, City Hall briefed City Council members, but according to one council source, there was little discussion of involuntary removals of people from the streets.

The mayor’s office has argued that its hands are tied by the current “last resort” standard, which allows officials to force someone indoors only if they are judged to be an immediate danger to themselves or others — a framework critics have long described as vague and unscientific.

In contrast, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, whom Mamdani has previously praised for reducing crime, took a more aggressive stance during a recent cold snap. Scott declared the weather an emergency and directed police to bring people indoors even if they refused assistance.

“That direction order came from me because we cannot allow folks to be out in this kind of weather,” Scott said.

A City Hall spokeswoman dismissed comparisons to Baltimore, citing differences between New York and Maryland law. But former city Comptroller Scott Stringer argued that Baltimore’s response better reflects the urgency of the situation, noting that New York’s policy relies heavily on subjective judgment and that the mayor has broad authority in how it is applied.

“You bring ’em in, and you worry about the court case later,” he said.

“The question is: Is it ideology or incompetence for the lack of action? Saving lives is the most important thing you can do as an elected official. The standard has to be in this extreme weather, ‘Can they survive the night?’ And that’s what Baltimore is saying,” Stringer said.

“It’s just not a tough call when people can die in the night. I don’t understand why it’s so complicated.”

City Hall press secretary Dora Pekec said the Mamdani administration has not altered any policies related to removals that were in place under Adams.

Another source said the Department of Sanitation has been instructed to avoid dismantling homeless encampments, marking a shift from prior practice. Instead of clearing sidewalks, sanitation workers are reportedly told to carefully organize belongings left by people living outdoors, while police are barred from taking steps to remove encampments.

“It’s been essentially confusion across the board. Sanitation is now like maid services for the homeless,” said another council source.

For the first time since its passage, Israel has implemented legislation allowing for the removal of citizenship and deportation of terrorists, applying the law to two individuals convicted of deadly attacks.

The decision targets Mahmoud Ahmed, who received a 23-year prison sentence for a series of shooting assaults on soldiers and civilians, as well as for acquiring weapons and plotting additional attacks. It also applies to Mohammed Ahmed Hussein Alhasi, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for a 2016 stabbing attack in which two elderly women were wounded.

The action followed authorization from Israel’s security authorities and the attorney general. The formal order was signed by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, acting in his capacity on behalf of the Interior Ministry.

Announcing the step, Netanyahu said, “This morning, I signed the revocation of the citizenship and expulsion of two Israeli terrorists who carried out stabbing and shooting attacks against Israeli civilians and were rewarded for their criminal actions by the Palestinian Authority.”

Rav Yitzchok Yosef delivered unusually sharp comments criticizing the police, government authorities, and religious-Zionist influences, expressing deep pain over what he described as hostility toward the chareidi and religious public.

In remarks published Tuesday by Ynet, the Rav said he is scheduled to deliver a shiur to police officers ahead of Pesach and made clear that he intends to address what he sees as a disturbing attitude toward frum Jews.

Referring to the upcoming session, Rav Yosef said, “How much hatred do they have for the chareidi? I intend to give them a hard time. Where does this hatred for the religious people come from?” He portrayed the issue as part of a broader cultural and ideological struggle facing Torah-observant Jews in Eretz Yisroel.

Rav Yosef went on to place blame on religious-Zionist messaging and protest activity, stating, “It’s the pamphlets from the Mizrachi people, all of them. How much hatred they have. Those who are protesting, what kind of beatings do they give them?” His words reflected outrage over reports of police violence and what he described as aggressive treatment of demonstrators.

Expanding his criticism, Rav Yosef turned his attention to the current government, accusing it of targeting Sephardic Torah Jews in particular. “We need to break this government, what wicked people. They come only for our Sephardim, trying to break their spirit. I can understand Russian police officers, there are non-Jews among them, I understand why they hate us. But also the Sephardic police officers have become haters? What kind of beatings do they give.”

Rav Yosef concluded by sharply opposing the custom practiced in some circles of reciting Hallel on Israel’s Independence Day, framing it as fundamentally incompatible with a Torah view of galus. “We are in exile. How can you say Hallel on Independence Day? One of the Mizrachi people told me he says Hallel on Independence Day. What is there to say Hallel on Independence Day for? For the beatings from the police? For the arrests? For the mixed swimming pools? For the mixed beaches? For the secular education? They tell me, ‘No, we have a country.’ Fools.”

{Matzav.com}

Speaking at a dramatic gathering Monday night in his home in Bnei Brak, Hagaon Rav Dov Landau sharply condemned the recent arrests of yeshiva bochurim and delivered a stark warning to the authorities, declaring that “anyone who is a partner to this terrible crime should know—there is a Creator of the world, there is judgment (yeish din), and there is a Judge (v‘yeish Dayan).”

The remarks were delivered alongside Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch during an event marking the completion of Maseches Negaim by Kollel Taharos. Opening his address, Rav Landau praised the growth of Torah learning, saying, “Boruch Hashem, Torah is increasing among the people of Israel. Those who learn Torah are toiling in every place with depth, effort, and devotion, in all areas of Torah.” Turning to the participants, he added words of encouragement: “You are engaged in the study of Seder Taharos, and with siyata d’Shmaya you are completing a masechta learned with true chavrusah dedication. May Hashem help you continue onward and rise higher in Torah learning.”

Immediately afterward, Rav Landau turned to the issue of the arrests. “Unfortunately, there are those who do not understand the greatness and spiritual power of the Torah, and they even pursue those who learn Torah,” he said. “In recent days, Torah learners have once again been arrested. This shakes the heart of every Jew.” He then issued his pointed warning: “Anyone who is a partner to the terrible crime of restricting those who learn Torah should know—there is a Creator of the world, there is judgment, and there is a Judge.”

Rav Landau expressed deep solidarity with those who have been detained and their families. “We all share in the pain of those who have been imprisoned because of their desire to learn Torah, and in the pain of their families, and we pray with all our hearts that this evil decree will pass like dissipating smoke,” he said. He also alluded to ongoing efforts behind the scenes, noting, “Everyone also knows that actions are being taken now to ensure that such cases do not continue.”

At the same time, Rav Landau cautioned that the current situation is dangerous and issued practical guidance to bochurim and yungeleit who fear arrest. “It is clear that we are now in a difficult state in which Torah learners are being pursued and searched for everywhere,” he warned. “Certainly, bochurim and yungeleit who are at risk of arrest must be careful not to come into contact with the authorities. In times of danger, all paths are considered dangerous, until the situation is resolved, with Hashem’s help, in the near future.”

Rav Landau concluded, “May it be His will that we always rejoice with the Torah without any interference, and that this decree be nullified.”

{Matzav.com}

The wife of a yungerman who was arrested for failing to report to the draft office broke down in tears during an emotional phone call with Rosh Yeshiva Rav Avraham Salim, who reached out to offer chizuk, guidance, and reassurance amid the unfolding crisis.

During the conversation, Rav Salim spoke with Esti Ben Dayan, the wife of Reb Avraham Ben Dayan, who was detained after an encounter with civilian police and transferred to military custody. The call was marked by pain, fear, and encouragement, alongside a commitment from the Rosh Yeshiva to remain personally involved and to daven for her husband’s release.

Rav Salim opened the conversation with words of chizuk, acknowledging the severity of the situation. “It’s very hard, but don’t worry, don’t worry. Everyone is davening for him and doing everything possible so that he should truly be released. They only want to frighten. This is a great test. I heard that you were married only recently. But this is a harsh decree on all bnei Torah,” he said.

Esti Ben Dayan then described to the Rosh Yeshiva the chain of events that led to her husband’s arrest and the difficult days that followed. According to her account, her husband was stopped during what appeared to be a routine civilian police check when he stepped out briefly to take care of an errand. “They stopped him just for a regular inspection,” she said. “They told him they wouldn’t do anything to him—and from Motzaei Shabbos I had no contact with him. I didn’t know where he was. Only the next day, at two in the afternoon, did he call me for the first time. They told me they took him to Prison 10.”

She went on to describe how shaken her husband sounded when they finally spoke. “He sounded completely broken, terrified by everything that happened. He was worried that the family shouldn’t find out. There’s no real way to communicate with him. We’re waiting for every phone call. This is a decree that’s impossible to bear. He simply went out and never came back,” she said.

Mrs. Ben Dayan also recounted the deep pain her husband expressed over not being allowed to put on tefillin while in custody. “He said, ‘It’s not enough that I’m arrested—they don’t even let me put on tefillin.’ He was completely broken by that,” she told Rav Salim.

The Rosh Yeshiva responded with further words of chizuk, expressing both personal empathy and a broader sense of responsibility for the tzibbur. “This causes a lot of worry, it brings so much anxiety. I understand—it’s truly cruelty. This is a test; we need to accept everything with love, and everything will pass. This isn’t only about him, it’s not only about you—it’s about everyone. This is what all bnei Torah are going through. And these are our fellow Jews—that’s what hurts. You need patience. Know that everyone truly cares about him. With Hashem’s help, when he is released—all of the Torah world, the entire yeshiva world, is with you,” Rav Salim said.

At the end of the call, Mrs. Ben Dayan asked that the Rosh Yeshiva do whatever he could to help secure her husband’s release and to continue davening on their behalf. Rav Salim promised to speak again with the attorney handling the case and asked for the detainee’s full name for tefillah: Avraham ben Basya Rus.

{Matzav.com}

Senior chareidi figures involved in advancing legislation on the draft and the legal status of yeshiva bochurim are voicing sharp criticism of the legal adviser to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, accusing her of deliberately stalling the process to prevent the law from passing during the current term.

According to chareidi officials, frustration is mounting over the conduct of the committee’s legal adviser, Miri Frenkel-Shor, whom they claim is intentionally obstructing progress on the draft legislation.

Within the chareidi factions, a decision was made—following guidance from gedolim—not to advance any bill that does not receive the backing of the Knesset’s legal advisers. Lawmakers warned that passing legislation without such support would likely prompt the High Court to issue an interim injunction, causing more harm than benefit.

In recent days, discussions in the Knesset have focused largely on negotiations with the Knesset’s legal advisory bodies, in an effort to reach understandings that would allow the draft law to move forward.

Until recently, there was a sense of optimism that agreements could be reached by the end of the current week. However, chareidi parties now say the gaps remain wide and difficult to bridge.

Anger within the chareidi factions is directed primarily at the committee’s legal adviser, whom senior chareidi figures describe as the main obstacle to reaching agreed-upon language for the draft law.

“She has become Yuli Edelstein 2,” senior chareidi officials said last night. “She is behaving like Edelstein and doing everything she can to ensure the draft law does not pass. She is afraid to have her name attached to the law, and that is the result.”

Despite the tensions, Shas and Degel HaTorah have not given up hope and continue to believe that understandings may still be reached with the Knesset’s legal advisers in the coming days, enabling the draft law to pass its second and third readings. “We will not give up on the final and meaningful attempt before the Knesset is dissolved,” party officials said.

As previously reported, coalition officials assess that the draft law ultimately may not be enacted. Nevertheless, they expect the chareidi parties to support the state budget in its second and third readings toward the end of March 2026, alongside setting a date for early elections, likely in June or September 2026.

{Matzav.com}

During the shiva of renowned Torah philanthropist Rabbi Zev “Willy” Stern of Brazil, the family revealed an extraordinary personal letter he once wrote to a young boy who, like Rabbi Stern himself, had lost a hand just before reaching bar mitzvah age.

The letter, shared with the family’s permission, was sent years ago by Rabbi Stern, who lost his own hand in his youth, to a boy who had recently lost his left hand. In it, Stern offered a deeply moving message drawn from his own life experience.

In the letter, Rabbi Stern described how his physical limitation became a driving force rather than an obstacle—something that pushed him forward, motivated him to act, and never give up on life.

He wrote that he chose not to allow his disability to define him, and that once those around him saw this, they related to him accordingly—as a regular person. From that mindset, he explained, he was able to build a full and meaningful life: establishing a home, marrying a woman who did not view his disability as a barrier, and sustaining a loving marriage and family life for decades.

Rabbi Stern went on to recount his broad personal and public accomplishments over the years, including Torah study, professional work, building and managing a successful business, public service, and extensive support for Jewish causes. He noted his merit in helping bring numerous Artscroll / Mesorah Publications books to print, as well as his many years of involvement with the Efrat organization, through which he helped save thousands of children.

A central theme of the letter runs quietly but consistently throughout: a physical disability does not prevent a person from living a full life. Rabbi Stern described how he continued to engage in physical activity, to love, to create, and to contribute—never allowing the loss of his hand to dictate the boundaries of his life.

He concluded the letter with a direct and deeply empathetic message to the young boy, expressing faith in his abilities, encouraging him to trust himself, and assuring him that a full, meaningful, and good life lay ahead. He blessed the boy to grow in Torah and mitzvos, to bring pride and joy to his family, and to succeed in all his endeavors.

Rabbi Stern was one of the central figures of the Jewish community in São Paulo, Brazil. A veteran businessman, he devoted decades of his life to strengthening the Torah world, saving lives, and advancing Jewish initiatives in Israel and around the world. Despite the scope of his activity, he consistently avoided public attention, viewing the work itself as his true mission.

Alongside his business pursuits, Stern dedicated significant time and resources to public philanthropy. He was a long-standing supporter of the Efrat organization in Israel, which assists pregnant women and saves thousands of children each year. Those close to him say he viewed this work as a true calling and pursued it with daily devotion. He was also regarded as one of the leading supporters of the Torah world, a role his son, Rabbi Yaakov Stern, continues today with even greater intensity.

The letter he sent to the boy ahead of his bar mitzvah—now revealed by the family during the days of mourning—perhaps captures Rabbi Stern’s essence more than anything else: a man who lived with challenge, yet chose to transform it into a language of strength, encouragement, and hope for others. It was not a letter of consolation, but of shared destiny, quietly conveying the message that it is possible to grow, to build, and to live a life of meaning even through hardship.

This is how Rabbi Willy Stern will be remembered: a man who believed in the power of will, the power of kindness, the power of Torah, and the power of a timely, well-chosen word.

{Matzav.com}

Another yeshiva bochur was arrested after midnight by Israeli police and transferred to the custody of the Military Police, deepening what chareidi leaders are calling an unprecedented crisis facing the Torah world.

The bochur, a Chabad chassid from Tel Aviv, was detained by police in Rosh HaAyin and handed over to military authorities. He spent the night behind bars, and later today a military judge is expected to rule on his case and decide whether he will remain in custody in a military prison in the coming days.

The latest arrest is part of a series of recent detentions of yeshiva bochurim, carried out by the Israel Police, who have transferred the detainees—classified as draft evaders—to the Military Police. The arrests have taken place despite repeated public statements and directives from Police Commissioner Danny Levy that police officers would not take part in such arrests or transfer draft evaders to military authorities.

In the chareidi political parties, discussions are underway regarding how to respond to the recent arrests. Representatives of Shas said last night, “These are yeshiva bochurim being arrested for the crime of learning Torah. They are sitting in prison for learning Torah, and all of this is happening in the Jewish state. This is something that cannot be met with silence.”

The arrests have also sparked protests, with demonstrations held against the detention of yeshiva bochurim.

The issue was addressed last night during a gathering at the home of Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, who spoke forcefully about the arrests and the conduct required of yeshiva bochurim during this period.

“Unfortunately, there are those who do not understand the greatness and spiritual power of the Torah, and they even persecute those who study it,” Rav Landau said. “In recent days, Torah scholars have once again been arrested. This shakes the heart of every Jew. Anyone who is a partner in the terrible crime of restricting those who learn Torah should know: there is a Creator of the world, there is judgment, and there is a Judge.”

He added, “We all share in the pain of those who have been imprisoned because of their desire to learn Torah, and in the pain of their families, and we pray with all our hearts that this evil decree will dissipate like smoke.”

Rav Landau noted that efforts are currently underway to prevent such cases from continuing, but warned that the current situation remains grave. “It is clear that we are now in a difficult state in which Torah learners are being pursued and searched for everywhere. Certainly, yeshiva bochurim and married scholars who are at risk of arrest must be careful not to come into contact with the authorities. In times of danger, all paths are considered dangerous, until the situation is resolved with Hashem’s help, speedily.”

He concluded with a tefillah: “May it be His will that we always rejoice with the Torah without any interference, and that this decree be nullified.”

Nearly four years after Moishy Kleinerman went missing in the Meron area, the investigation remains active, with police and family members emphasizing that the case is still a priority and that new developments continue to surface.

Despite the significant time that has passed, authorities confirmed that the probe is ongoing. This week, Judea and Samaria District Commander Moshe Pinchi met with members of the Kleinerman family to review the status of the case. Moishy disappeared in March 2022 while staying near Mount Meron, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.

The investigation was launched shortly after a missing person report was filed at the Modi’in Illit police station when the teenager did not return home. From the outset, police carried out extensive searches involving large numbers of personnel, along with a wide range of resources and investigative tools in an effort to locate him. At a later stage, responsibility for the case was transferred to the district’s central investigations unit, which continues to handle the matter.

During the meeting, family members were updated on recent developments and on new actions being taken as part of the ongoing efforts to find Moishy. Police stressed that, alongside intelligence gathering and investigative work, advanced technological methods are being used, including cooperation with civilian organizations.

District Commander Moshe Pinchi told the family that locating the missing teen remains a central objective. “Finding the missing person is a major district-level challenge, and we will continue to invest extensive efforts to solve this case,” he said. “As part of this investigation, we are using special methods and tools and are also integrating innovative technological solutions in cooperation with civilian companies. This important meeting was held in order to update the family on the details of the investigation.”

Moishy’s mother, Gitti Kleinerman, said she continues to hold on to hope despite the years that have passed. “I have not lost hope, even though almost four years have passed. The case is still on the table, and we remember Moishy all the time,” she said. “The meeting gives us a sense that the case is very important, and we see that there are constantly new developments. We thank the police for the updates and hope for good news.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Ministry of Health has authorized a new enforcement step allowing unvaccinated children to be kept out of kindergartens and other educational institutions if they were exposed to measles, as authorities intensify efforts to contain a severe outbreak spreading across the country.

The decision followed a confirmed exposure event on February 4 at a kindergarten in the Samaria community of Emanuel, where a child who was later diagnosed with measles attended while contagious. That incident initially led to the exclusion of two unvaccinated children, a number that later rose to six across two kindergartens operating in the same facility.

The order is based on Section 19 of the Public Health Ordinance and applies only to unvaccinated children who had close contact with a confirmed measles patient and did not receive post-exposure preventive treatment, such as vaccination within 72 hours of exposure.

Health officials note that measles is among the most infectious diseases known, with more than a 90% chance of transmission to unvaccinated individuals following close contact. The virus can incubate for as long as 21 days, and infected individuals are capable of spreading it before symptoms become visible. Severe complications may occur, including encephalitis, with mortality estimated at roughly one in every 1,000 cases and a similar likelihood of lasting neurological damage. In rare cases, a fatal degenerative brain disease can develop years after infection, particularly when exposure occurs before the age of two.

The outbreak, which began around April of last year, has so far produced about 2,900 confirmed cases, though health officials believe the actual number may exceed 10,000. Fourteen children have died, and 20 patients remain hospitalized, including 10 in intensive care units. Cases have been reported in Yerushalayim, Beitar Illit, Bnei Brak, Modi’in Illit, Kiryat Gat, Petach Tikva, and Netivot.

The Ministry of Health’s Public Health Division underscored the importance of vaccination, stating: “After an exposure event, the risk of developing the disease is very high. We recommend preventive vaccination within 72 hours, which prevents illness very effectively.” Officials also stressed that while parents are entitled to make decisions for their own children, “parents cannot decide for other children,” warning that allowing exposed, unvaccinated children to attend group settings endangers others, including immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.

In Israel, measles vaccines are offered free of charge at one year of age and again before first grade, and are widely regarded as safe and highly effective based on extensive research. The Health Ministry urged parents to act quickly, emphasizing that vaccination can avert serious illness and fatalities.

The exclusion orders are temporary and will be reassessed on a weekly basis or adjusted if new medical developments arise, such as the onset of symptoms. Authorities warned that sending an exposed, unvaccinated child to school in violation of the order could be treated as a criminal offense.

Officials described the policy as a necessary precaution in the face of an extreme public health emergency, aimed at safeguarding the wider population during one of the most serious measles outbreaks Israel has faced in recent years.