Matzav

The Justice Department has issued a fresh round of subpoenas as part of a Florida-based criminal investigation examining individuals who took investigative or legal steps against President Donald Trump, while also revisiting the federal government’s handling of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to several people familiar with the matter.

In November, prosecutors sent out an initial set of subpoenas seeking records tied to the creation of a U.S. intelligence community assessment that outlined what officials described as an extensive and coordinated effort by Moscow to aid Trump in defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Whereas the earlier subpoenas focused on documents connected to the period surrounding the January 2017 release of the intelligence assessment during the final days of the Obama administration, the newer demands cast a much wider net. According to people who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the subpoenas are not public, investigators are now requesting materials covering the years that followed.

The Justice Department declined to comment Tuesday on the ongoing investigation.

The latest subpoenas signal that prosecutors continue to pursue one of several criminal investigations launched by the department involving Trump’s political adversaries.

Among those receiving subpoenas are former intelligence and law enforcement officials. Attorneys representing former CIA Director John Brennan — who played a central role in overseeing the drafting of the 2017 intelligence assessment — have said they were informed that he is a target of the investigation, though they have not been told of any “legally justifiable basis for undertaking this investigation.”

The intelligence assessment, released shortly before Trump took office, concluded that Russia had shown a “clear preference” for Trump in the 2016 race. It also determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed an influence campaign designed to undermine confidence in the American electoral system and damage Clinton’s prospects.

That finding — along with the broader inquiry into whether the 2016 Trump campaign coordinated with Russia — has remained a focal point of the president’s complaints for years. Trump has repeatedly criticized the officials involved and pledged to hold them accountable.

Last year, the Trump administration’s Justice Department brought false statement and obstruction charges against former FBI Director James Comey, but the prosecution was later dropped.

Numerous official reviews, including bipartisan congressional investigations and a criminal probe led by former special counsel Robert Mueller, concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in ways that benefited Trump. Those efforts included hacking and releasing Democratic emails as well as orchestrating a covert social media campaign aimed at inflaming divisions and influencing public opinion.

Mueller determined that while the Trump campaign welcomed assistance from Russia, his investigation did not find sufficient evidence to prove that Trump or his associates conspired with Russian operatives to alter the election outcome.

The Trump administration has recently renewed scrutiny of the original intelligence assessment in part because its classified annex referenced a summary of the so-called “Steele dossier.” That document, funded by Democrats and compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, was turned over to the FBI and included allegations about Trump’s possible ties to Russia.

The dossier contained claims that were not independently verified and included salacious material. Trump has long cited those weaknesses to challenge the credibility of the broader Russia investigation.

The Florida probe appears to be one element of a wider effort by the administration to revisit decisions and conclusions that emerged from the Russia investigation years ago.

A CIA tradecraft review that was declassified last July by current Director John Ratcliffe did not dispute the conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. However, it identified “multiple procedural anomalies” in how the intelligence community assessment was prepared and criticized Brennan for allowing the classified version to reference the Steele dossier.

Brennan has told Congress and written in his memoir that he opposed incorporating dossier material into the assessment because neither its content nor its sources had been validated. He has said the dossier did not shape the assessment’s core judgments and has maintained that the FBI advocated for its inclusion.

The newly released CIA review offered a different interpretation of Brennan’s role, stating that he “showed a preference for narrative consistency over analytical soundness” and dismissed concerns about the dossier because he believed it aligned “with existing theories.” The review cites him, without additional context, as writing that “my bottomline is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report.”

It remains uncertain whether the Florida-based investigation will ultimately lead to criminal charges.

In a letter sent last December to the chief judge of the Southern District of Florida, Brennan’s attorneys questioned the legal foundation of the inquiry. They asked what justification prosecutors had for opening the case in that jurisdiction and said they had not been informed of the specific crimes under investigation.

“While it is mystifying how the prosecutors could possibly believe there is any legally justifiable basis for undertaking this investigation, they have done nothing to explain that mystery,” the lawyers wrote, characterizing the probe as “manufactured.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Tuesday that he intends, in a future term, to pursue a policy of encouraging Palestinians to leave the West Bank, as Israel faces intensifying international criticism over its recent actions in the territory and ongoing settler violence.

Addressing a gathering organized by his far-right Religious Zionism party together with settlement leaders, Smotrich outlined what he described as the priorities for Israel’s next government. Among them, he called for nullifying the Oslo Accords of the 1990s and extending Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank — a step widely viewed as tantamount to annexation.

“Destroy the idea of an Arab terror state; finally, formally and practically cancel the cursed Oslo Accords and get on the path of sovereignty, while encouraging migration both from Gaza and from Judea and Samaria,” said Smotrich, using the biblical term for the West Bank. “There is no other long-term solution.”

The proposal — which opponents argue would amount to ethnic cleansing — has been championed by far-right figures since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Until now, however, most of the public discussion around such plans centered on Gaza rather than the West Bank.

Smotrich’s latest remarks mark one of the few times that a senior Israeli official has openly advocated extending this controversial objective to the West Bank.

His comments follow a cabinet decision, made only days earlier, to approve a contentious policy allowing large portions of West Bank land to be formally registered as state property eligible for Israeli development. The move came on the heels of another security cabinet decision the previous week to implement sweeping changes to land registration and property acquisition rules in the territory — steps critics say effectively amount to annexation in practice.

On Tuesday, 85 nations issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s recent measures, including countries considered close partners of Israel such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Cyprus, Greece and Germany.

“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” said the statement organized by the Palestinian Mission to the UN. “Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also weighed in Monday, urging Israel to roll back the new land registration policy and describing it as “destabilizing” and “unlawful.”

Thousands of Yidden streamed to the Kosel Plaza this morning, beginning at the first light of dawn, to mark Rosh Chodesh Adar with special tefillos. Crowds continued to grow throughout the morning as Yidden ushered in the new month with heartfelt davening at the Kosel.

The Kosel Heritage Foundation reported that during the tefillos, activists affiliated with the radical Women of the Wall group obstructed the primary entrance and exit to the Kosel Plaza.

According to the Foundation, members of the group conducted a “Torah reading” while ignoring requests from police officers and Kosel ushers, even as thousands of mispallelim were arriving at the site. The morning also coincided with the start of Ramadan, bringing additional Muslim worshippers to the area.

The Foundation emphasized that the blocked access points led to unusual congestion and created what it described as a significant safety concern for the many people gathered in the Plaza.

A day earlier, representatives of the Foundation appeared before Supreme Court justices to present their position regarding what they termed “repeated provocations” by Women of the Wall on every Rosh Chodesh.

They stated that Wednesday morning’s events exceeded prior incidents and, they stressed, posed “a real danger to human life.”

In response, Women of the Wall issued a statement saying: “The ushers of the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall leave us no choice. We are fed up with the mistreatment and the attempts to harm our prayers. We are fed up with the fact that despite there being no legal or halakhic prohibition, the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall prevents us in every way from reading from the Torah scroll. We will read from the Torah on the first day of the Jewish month, and implement what the court decided a long time ago: Women of the Wall’s prayer with a Torah scroll is a local custom, and we are allowed to read from the Torah at the Western Wall.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States is said to be moving closer to a major military clash in the Middle East, with new reports indicating that such a confrontation could unfold in the near future, Axios reported Wednesday.

According to the report, any American strike on Iran would not be limited in scope. Instead, it is expected to be extensive and sustained, more akin to a full-scale war than a narrow, targeted operation.

Individuals briefed on the matter said that if hostilities erupt, the campaign would likely involve coordinated action by both the United States and Israel. They indicated that the scope would surpass that of Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, when Israel targeted Iran’s underground nuclear installations and was later joined by American forces. A conflict of this magnitude could significantly reshape the region and influence the remainder of US President Donald Trump’s final term in office.

The report further stated that Trump weighed the possibility of striking Iran as far back as January, following Tehran’s harsh crackdown on domestic protests.

After that opportunity passed, the administration reportedly adopted a two-pronged approach: pursuing renewed nuclear negotiations while simultaneously building up a substantial American military presence in the region. Even so, US officials are said to believe that the chances of achieving a meaningful diplomatic agreement remain slim.

{Matzav.com}

For nearly two decades, Batya Kahan — the visionary behind the acclaimed Batya’s Kitchen — has transformed the way families experience Pesach. With her signature blend of elevated flavor, meticulous standards, and heartfelt hospitality, Batya has helped thousands of families serve gourmet, homestyle Yom Tov meals with confidence and grace.

Now, for the very first time, she opens her kitchen to the public.

Pesach Secrets from Batya’s Kitchen is Batya Kahan’s highly anticipated debut cookbook — and it is so much more than a collection of recipes. It is a complete Pesach companion, designed to guide you through every stage of Yom Tov preparation with clarity, organization, and calm.

Over 150 Timeless, Gluten-Free, Non-Gebrokts Recipes

Inside this extraordinary volume, you’ll discover more than 150 refined, gluten-free, non-gebrokts recipes — each crafted with care and backed by over 18 years of Pesach expertise. From beloved family classics to fresh, innovative creations, every dish reflects Batya’s elevated style and commitment to foolproof results.

Her recipes are celebrated fortheir:

• Beautiful presentation
• Freezer-friendly brilliance
• Reliable, repeatable success

Whether you’re hosting a small Yom Tov meal or a full Seder for a crowd, these recipes are designed to work, every time.

More Than a Cookbook — A Complete Pesach System

What truly sets Pesach Secrets apart is its practical, make-ahead approach. Batya understands that Pesach is not just about cooking — it’s about managing time, energy, and expectations during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

That’s why this book includes:

Checklists, timelines, and prep plans
Thoughtfully structured to help you stay organized, ahead of schedule, and stress-free.

• A comprehensive shopping and label-reading guide
  Including how to confidently navigate imported Kosher for Pesach labels.
• The Batya Freeze Code
  A step-by-step system teaching you how to properly freeze, store, and reheat dishes so they taste freshly made.
• Plating and presentation guidance
  Transform your Yom Tov table with elegance and intention.
• Traveling-with-food tips
  Pack like a pro for hotel stays, family visits, or Yom Tov away from home.

Throughout the book, Batya’s practical “make-ahead magic” ensures you can focus on what truly matters — meaningful moments around your Yom Tov table.

Bringing Calm and Confidence Back to Pesach

Batya’s Pesach dishes have already earned a treasured place in Jewish homes across the globe. With Pesach Secrets, she shares not only her most beloved recipes, but also the systems, organization, and mindset that allow Pesach to feel doable, stress-free, and absolutely delicious.

Thoughtful, inspiring, and beautifully written, this remarkable guide blends culinary artistry with real-life practicality — empowering every home cook, from beginner to seasoned, to host with serenity and joy.

Whether you’re preparing your first Seder or your thirtieth, Pesach Secrets from Batya’s Kitchen is destined to become a year-after-year staple in Jewish kitchens everywhere.

Available at ArtScroll.com, by calling 718 921-9000 or at your local Jewish bookseller.

A group of leading rabbis identified with the Religious Zionist community sent a sharply phrased letter to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu cautioning against proposals to broaden the inclusion of women in frontline combat roles, particularly within the Armored Corps.

In their message, the rabbis warned that transforming the Armored Corps into a mixed-gender framework would place their students in a direct clash between adherence to religious law and participation in military service. They pointed to scenarios such as male and female soldiers sharing the confined space of a tank, writing that such arrangements are irreconcilable with halakha.

The rabbis underscored that many of their students serve in key combat positions in the Israel Defense Forces with deep dedication, regarding their enlistment as both a national duty and a sacred mission. At the same time, they voiced serious concern over what they described as an accelerated effort to integrate female combat soldiers into central fighting units. They stated that the IDF’s power is not derived only from its operational capabilities, but also from its spiritual character, adding that preserving standards of sanctity and modesty in military settings is vital not just for observant soldiers, but for the army’s overall strength and effectiveness.

According to the letter, the rabbis had avoided public criticism throughout long months of warfare out of a sense of collective responsibility. However, they wrote that recent moves left them compelled to object openly to mixed-gender service that, in their view, conflicts with Jewish law, longstanding tradition, and the foundational principles of the state. They further cautioned that advancing such policies would contradict the IDF’s declared objective of increasing enlistment among religious and haredi recruits.

The letter argues that redesignating the Armored Corps as a mixed unit—similar to previous adjustments in the Artillery Corps, where the number of religious soldiers has reportedly declined significantly—would effectively prevent Torah-observant servicemen from serving in major combat roles. The rabbis warned this could diminish the army’s fighting capacity and weaken the idea of a unified “people’s army.” They also took issue with what they characterized as the introduction of outside social agendas that, in their view, are disconnected from operational necessity or security considerations.

Concluding their appeal, the rabbis urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the IDF remains an institution in which soldiers can serve in line with their religious convictions, emphasizing that this is essential for both military victory and national cohesion. They requested an immediate meeting with Netanyahu in hopes of stopping the plan before it develops into what they described as a grave and irreversible crisis.

{Matzav.com}

WFAN host Craig Carton sharply criticized filmmaker Spike Lee this week, accusing him of going too far during the NBA All-Star festivities and urging that he be barred from league arenas.

Speaking on his Monday program, Carton reacted angrily after Lee was seen seated courtside at the All-Star Game with a bag displaying a Palestine Liberation Organization flag, at the same time Israeli-born player Deni Avdija was making history. “Spike Lee should be banned from every basketball game for the rest of his life,” Carton said in a clip shared on social media. “The fact that Spike Lee would protest the fact that an Israeli-born player made it to the All-Star game… The player’s not political, the player’s just playing basketball. There’s no place for this.”

The incident took place during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Lee, long associated with the New York Knicks as one of their most visible celebrity fans, was photographed sitting near the court carrying the PLO-themed bag. The moment drew heightened attention because Avdija, now a forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, had just become the first Israeli-born athlete ever selected to participate in the league’s All-Star Game.

Carton also faulted the NBA itself for permitting the display, suggesting it detracted from what should have been a milestone celebration for Avdija. “But for the NBA to open up their doors and front-row service to a despicable human being and allow him to make this Israeli-born player feel bad, he shouldn’t be allowed in Madison Square Garden,” Carton stressed. “He shouldn’t be allowed in another NBA arena for a long time.”

While many in Israel viewed Avdija’s selection as a proud achievement, Lee’s choice of attire drew criticism from those who argued that political messaging did not belong at a sporting event. Lee has not publicly commented on the matter.

The controversy extended beyond Lee. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers also faced backlash after remarks he made about Israel during his All-Star media availability.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, James was asked by an Israeli journalist about Avdija. He replied, “I said I believe he was an All-Star. He’s playing exceptional basketball. So that’s that.”

He then addressed Israel more broadly, stating, “If I have fans over there – I’ve never been there – I hope you’ve been following my career. I hope I inspire people over there to not only want to be great at sports but be better in general in life. Hopefully someday I could make it over there. Like I said, I’ve never been over there, but I heard nothing but great things.”

His comments quickly ignited debate online. British-American commentator Mehdi Hasan reacted on Twitter, writing, “What a disgrace LeBron is,” while reposting a message from Laila Al-Arian of Al Jazeera that read, “The entire human rights community: Israel is an apartheid state committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. LeBron James: ‘I’ve heard great things about Israel.’”

Other users on social media accused James of ignoring “Palestinian Arab suffering” and argued that speaking positively about Israel was inappropriate in light of the ongoing conflict.

James has not issued any further response to the criticism.

The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday morning that Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, 21, from Hayogev, was killed during combat operations in Gaza.

Yafe was a member of the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit and was fatally wounded while operating in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

Preliminary findings suggest that he was struck by friendly fire amid activity in Khan Yunis.

The incident took place at approximately 2:00 a.m. in the area known as the “yellow line” in southern Gaza. Two separate forces from the Paratroopers Brigade were engaged in a standard mission to search and secure buildings. During the course of the operation, one unit mistakenly believed the other to be a hostile force.

As a result of the misidentification, shots were fired at the second unit, leaving Staff Sergeant Yafe critically injured. Medical personnel were rushed to the scene and began evacuating him, but he was pronounced dead during transport before reaching the hospital. The IDF has opened a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly how the fatal error occurred.

Yafe is the fifth Israeli soldier to lose his life in Gaza since the ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. The others killed in Gaza during this period were Major Yaniv Kula, Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, Master Sergeant (Res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum, and Sergeant Major (Res.) Asael Babad.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, 925 IDF soldiers have fallen. In total, 2,013 people have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities.

{Matzav.com}

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The Stoliner Rebbe sharply denounced the recent unrest in Bnei Brak, expressing deep anguish over the violence and particularly over reports that tefillin and a siddur were burned during the disturbances.

Speaking to his chassidim in a special address marking Rosh Chodesh Adar, the Rebbe addressed the events that took place in the city.

“We all heard with shock what happened two days ago in Bnei Brak. To our shame, these riots have become somewhat of a norm, and this is something terrible,” the Rebbe said.

He acknowledged the strain facing many in the chareidi community but stressed that hardship does not justify lawlessness.

“It is true that we are in a very difficult situation, many in the chareidi public are going through a challenging period and do not know how this will be resolved. But none of this justifies behaving in a wild and reckless manner.”

The Rebbe emphasized that throughout Jewish history, even in times of suffering, there was never any license to violate halacha.

“Throughout the generations we endured troubles and difficult times, and we never found any permission to act against clear halacha, against the Shulchan Aruch. It is forbidden to cause damage, it is forbidden to burn. We have the Torah and we have halacha above all. It is absolutely forbidden to harm others or damage property. Not garbage bins and not other objects — these are clear matters. How did we deteriorate to this point? Who permitted this?”

He also criticized the blocking of roads during the protests, pointing out the potential danger and hardship such actions can cause.

“And it is not only forbidden to cause damage — what permission is there to block roads and prevent the public from reaching their destinations, including cases involving danger to life, and causing distress to many? What has happened to us? Does this help anyone? It certainly does not add to ahavas Yisrael. This only harms and injures our own community. We are the ones who suffer from this without having done anything wrong.”

The Rebbe said the most disturbing aspect of the events was the reported burning of tashmishei kedusha.

“And what should shake all of us is that tefillin and a siddur were burned. Heaven forbid. If this had happened elsewhere, the entire Jewish world would be outraged and horrified. How did we reach such a dreadful situation that tefillin and a holy siddur were burned by Jewish hands? Where is our Jewish feeling? How low have we fallen? Have we completely lost our minds?!”

He concluded by calling for introspection and change.

“This decline must be stopped. We must conduct a serious accounting of the soul, correct what is required of us, and act according to the will of the Creator, may He be blessed — in all your ways know Him.”

{Matzav.com}

Knesset Member Michael Malkieli sharply criticized police conduct following the recent riots in Bnei Brak, accusing law enforcement of excessive force and staging what he described as a public relations display.

In an interview on an Israeli news broadcast, Malkieli addressed the violence that erupted in the city, stressing that the position of gedolei Yisrael is unequivocal. “Gedolei Yisrael, the roshei yeshiva, issued very, very clear letters that our path is not one of violence — certainly not to burn things and not to go out to uncontrolled protests — and we condemn every type of violence,” he said. At the same time, he argued that this condemnation does not justify what he characterized as harsh police behavior.

Malkieli recounted that even before police forces entered Bnei Brak, residents had contacted him expressing concern about how officers would act. “People called and said, look, we have experience with the Israel Police, and it’s clear to us that now the police will want to put on a show,” he said. According to Malkieli, the police response was disproportionate. “It cannot be that they come and beat people who are not connected, take people into custody who are not connected to the incident.” He added that he has submitted a parliamentary motion and intends to demand explanations. “I expect the police to restore order, but they behaved there in a brutal manner.”

Addressing claims of selective enforcement, Malkieli reinforced his criticism. “Absolutely. Not only selective enforcement — there is a show here that the Israel Police put on for television to show that it is also doing something.”

Turning to developments surrounding the draft law, Malkieli said that gedolei Yisrael instructed representatives to continue negotiations rather than sever dialogue. “The instruction was unequivocal to do everything,” he said, describing ongoing cooperation with the committee chairman and legal advisers. He maintained that there is no political barrier to passing the legislation if an agreed-upon text is finalized. “The Prime Minister, the coalition chairman, say — when there is a version acceptable to you, it will have 61 fingers in the Knesset.” Still, he acknowledged the process has been marked by frustration and setbacks.

Malkieli also voiced serious concern about High Court involvement in matters relating to the Kosel. He argued that even when the Knesset enacts legislation, judicial intervention remains unpredictable. “We already don’t know, once there is legislation, what the court will do with that legislation. We have already seen very major laws in the Knesset that the court struck and put into storage.” In his view, this reflects a broader pattern of interference in sensitive issues.

As another example, he cited the authority of rabbinical courts. “The court stripped them of the authority, in an arbitrary, crude and inconsiderate manner, to adjudicate monetary cases.” He noted that a bill to expand those powers has advanced in the Constitution Committee but cautioned, “You don’t know what the High Court will do, you have no idea.” He described the situation as marked by “arrogance” and as undermining the dignity of Israel’s dayanim.

On the issue of funding for chareidi educational institutions following a conditional order from the High Court, Malkieli again attacked what he sees as judicial overreach. “The High Court behaves like the last member of the opposition in a Knesset committee,” he said. He emphasized that these schools serve tax-paying citizens. “Are we second-class citizens? Are we residents here? Where did we come from?” He concluded with a broader critique: “We were taught that the people are sovereign. The court was not taught that.”

{Matzav.com}

Taxpayers are seeing larger refunds at the start of this year’s filing season, with early Internal Revenue Service data showing the average refund climbing 10.9 percent compared to the same point last year.

As of Feb. 6, the typical refund stands at $2,290, up from $2,065 during the comparable period in 2025.

The IRS indicated that the average is likely to increase further in the coming weeks because the current totals do not yet reflect millions of refunds connected to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

Changes enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump, are expected to increase refunds for many Americans this year. An analysis referenced by the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee projects that some filers could receive as much as $1,000 more.

At this stage, the average refund is $225 higher than it was a year ago, and that difference may expand as additional returns are processed.

The Bipartisan Policy Center cautioned in a January report that early-season figures can be misleading, pointing to past years when refunds initially appeared lower before rising as the filing period progressed.

The 2026 tax season officially began on Jan. 26. By Feb. 6, the IRS had processed roughly 22.3 million returns. That total is 5 percent below last year’s pace but accounts for only 14 percent of the 164 million filings the agency anticipates receiving.

In the previous filing year, the average refund amounted to $3,167, with approximately 63 percent of taxpayers receiving a payment. According to the IRS, most people who file electronically can expect to receive their refund within 21 days.

More than 7.4 million refunds had been distributed as of Feb. 6, compared to 8.1 million at the same point last year — an 8.1 percent decline.

The deadline to file federal income taxes is April 15.

It is typical for the average refund amount to fluctuate early in the season before increasing as more returns are completed.

One reason for that pattern is that the IRS is prohibited from issuing refunds tied to returns claiming the EITC or ACTC until after Feb. 15. In addition, returns filed by higher-income taxpayers, which tend to be more complex, often take longer to prepare and submit.

Data reviewed by the Bipartisan Policy Center shows that in recent years, the average refund has often surged in mid-February before leveling off somewhat as Tax Day approaches.

The IRS publishes the average refund in its weekly statistics rather than the median amount, meaning unusually large refunds can influence the overall figure.

President Trump has described this year’s filing period as potentially “the largest tax refund season of all time,” citing more than 100 revisions to the tax code included in his 2025 legislation.

Individual refund totals will vary widely, however.

Measures such as an increased standard deduction, an expanded Child Tax Credit and a new deduction for seniors are expected to lower tax liabilities by several hundred dollars for tens of millions of households, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Other provisions are forecast to generate savings in the thousands for a narrower segment of taxpayers, including certain employees who earn tips or overtime pay.

Principal Asset Management, an international investment firm, estimates that the average refund could climb by nearly $700 to about $3,800 per filer in 2026.

The firm projects that middle- and higher-income households will benefit the most, potentially receiving around $1,000 more on average. Lower-income households, many of whom already owe little or no federal income tax, may see smaller increases — often less than $100 in additional refunds.

A newly filed bill in Congress is proposing a different solution to the long-running daylight saving time debate, calling for clocks to move ahead by 30 minutes permanently rather than by a full hour.

The Daylight Act of 2026, introduced earlier this month by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), would shift clocks forward by half an hour from their current setting and eliminate the twice-a-year time changes altogether.

Sleep specialists caution that even a 30-minute adjustment could carry health consequences, though they acknowledge it would be less disruptive than a full-hour change. Experts say that any permanent move forward may still negatively affect long-term well-being.

“Medically, a half hour delay would be less harmful than a full hour delay of permanent daylight saving time and would have the benefit of ending the biannual change,” Dr. Karin Johnson, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and co-chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, told Nexstar via email.

Still, Johnson noted that such a change would reduce exposure to morning sunlight, which researchers generally consider beneficial. She also warned that a half-hour system could complicate daily scheduling. Permanent standard time would prevent “the confusion of trying to sync schedules that are offset by a half hour,” she said.

Jay Pea, president of the nonprofit Save Standard Time, agreed, emphasizing that “the design of Standard Time (when aligned properly to longitude) is to minimize misalignment between clocks and the sun to within 30 minutes or fewer.”

Pea also raised concerns about logistical challenges, pointing to the “unintended complications for technology, transportation, and business.”

Those complications would be particularly significant for international coordination. Time zones function on a global scale, not just within the United States. For instance, when it is 3 p.m. in New York City, it is also 3 p.m. in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Lima, Peru.

Although regions may use different names for their time zones — Eastern Time in New York and Quebec, Peru Time in Lima — they are structured according to their offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the worldwide 24-hour clock system often referred to as Zulu time, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Eastern Time and Peru Time operate at -5 UTC, meaning they are five hours behind Greenwich, near London, where the modern time zone system was established in the 19th century.

Most time zones differ by whole hours — Central Time is one hour behind Eastern Time, for example — though there are exceptions. Afghanistan follows Afghanistan Time, which is +4.5 UTC. When it is 3 p.m. in New York, it is 12:30 a.m. in Kabul. Iran uses a time zone one hour behind Afghanistan, making it 11:30 p.m. there when it is 3 p.m. in New York.

“I appreciate the congressman’s willingness to explore alternatives to [permanent daylight saving time]. However, [permanent standard time] remains both the simplest solution and the true compromise between ‘fast’ and ‘slow time,’ as supported by health science, historical precedence, and first principles,” Pea said, in part, in a statement to Nexstar.

Other Florida lawmakers are pushing a different approach through the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. If enacted, clocks would move forward in March and remain unchanged throughout the year.

Steube has previously voiced support for permanent daylight saving time. Last year, he wrote on X that “it’s time to end this pointless ritual.” In November, he submitted a discharge petition seeking to bring the House version of the Sunshine Protection Act to the floor for a vote.

The Senate attempted to expedite its own version of the Sunshine Protection Act last October, but the effort ultimately stalled.

Steube’s office did not respond to Nexstar’s inquiry for comment prior to publication.

As of Tuesday, the Daylight Act of 2026 remains under review in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

A separate measure also titled the Daylight Act, introduced by Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT), has likewise been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. That proposal would give individual states the authority to observe daylight saving time year-round.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in multiple states are weighing their own proposals related to daylight saving time during the current legislative session.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday rolled out a proposed $127 billion budget, warning state leaders that if they refuse to approve higher taxes on wealthy residents, he will move forward with a significant increase in city property taxes.

The self-described democratic socialist characterized the spending plan as a fallback option to close projected gaps if Gov. Kathy Hochul declines to support raising taxes on high earners. His blueprint would also tap into the city’s $10 billion reserve fund.

“I do not want to raise property taxes,” Mamdani said of his preliminary budget plan, which would hike property taxes 9.5% to raise an additional $3.7 billion in the next fiscal year.

“When faced with this crisis, the question is who should pay these taxes? I believe that it should be the wealthiest New Yorkers, the most profitable corporations. I believe that they can afford to pay a little bit more,” Mamdani said.

The announcement begins what is expected to be months of budget talks with key city officials, including City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who quickly rejected the idea of higher property taxes.

“At a time when New Yorkers are already grappling with an affordability crisis, dipping into rainy day reserves and proposing significant property tax increases should not be on the table whatsoever,” Menin wrote in a statement.

Hochul, who is up for reelection this year and whose approval would be needed for changes to state income tax rates, likewise indicated she does not back a property tax increase, though the mayor would not require Albany’s consent to enact one.

“I’m not supportive of a property tax increase, I don’t know that that’s necessary,” Hochul told reporters Tuesday during an unrelated event.

Additional officials at City Hall also criticized the proposal.

“This is insanity,” one insider told The Post. “Property taxes haven’t been raised since 9/11.”

The same source warned that drawing heavily from city reserves could damage New York’s bond rating, calling the move a “major red flag” that might weaken the city’s ability to borrow.

If adopted, Mamdani’s plan would increase overall spending by roughly $11 billion compared to the current fiscal year, allocating new money for expanded legal services, homeless assistance programs and other initiatives.

The proposal follows Hochul’s announcement a day earlier that the state would provide an additional $1.5 billion in aid to the city, amid Mamdani’s repeated appeals to raise income taxes on affluent New Yorkers.

The mayor is seeking a 2% income tax increase targeting approximately 33,000 residents earning more than $1 million annually.

In recent weeks, Mamdani has repeatedly highlighted what he describes as looming fiscal trouble, using those warnings to press Albany to embrace his push to increase taxes on top earners.

Just three weeks ago, he estimated the city’s deficit at $12 billion. That figure shifted after updated revenue projections showed tax collections — largely fueled by Wall Street bonuses — coming in 24% higher than the previous year.

Last week, Mamdani said his budget team had reduced the shortfall to $7 billion. Then, in a post on X Tuesday morning, he announced the projected gap had fallen further to $5.4 billion.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement may not take Kilmar Abrego Garcia back into custody, finding that the legally permitted 90-day detention window has lapsed and that the government lacks a realistic path to deport him.

Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, has drawn national attention in the ongoing immigration debate after he was erroneously deported to his native country last year. Following his return to the United States, he has been contesting renewed efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to remove him, this time to several African nations.

In her order issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland sharply criticized the government’s handling of the case. The government “made one empty threat after another to remove him to countries in Africa with no real chance of success,” she wrote. “From this, the Court easily concludes that there is no ‘good reason to believe’ removal is likely in the reasonably foreseeable future.”

Abrego Garcia, who is married to an American citizen and has a child, has lived in Maryland for many years. He entered the United States unlawfully as a teenager. In 2019, an immigration judge determined that he could not be returned to El Salvador due to credible threats from a gang that had targeted his family. Despite that ruling, he was mistakenly deported there last year.

Amid mounting public scrutiny and under court direction, President Donald Trump’s administration arranged for his return in June. His reentry, however, followed a federal indictment in Tennessee accusing him of human smuggling. Abrego Garcia has entered a plea of not guilty. At the same time, administration officials have maintained that he will not be allowed to remain in the United States, stating in court filings that they have sought to deport him to Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, or Liberia.

A total of 85 countries have endorsed a Palestinian-initiated declaration criticizing recent decisions by Israel’s security cabinet designed to strengthen Israeli control in the West Bank.

The declaration, coordinated by the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations, states: “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank.”

It continues, “Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation,” the countries add.

The Israeli security cabinet’s approved steps include policies intended to simplify the process for Israeli settlers to acquire land in the West Bank, alongside measures allowing for the expropriation of property from Palestinians who assert legal ownership.

Support for the statement comes from a broad coalition of nations across multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that discussions between the United States and Iran have been productive so far, though he made clear that Tehran has yet to agree to all of President Donald Trump’s core demands regarding its nuclear ambitions.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance emphasized that the current negotiations over Iran’s illegal nuclear weapons efforts differ sharply from the diplomacy that produced the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. That agreement drew widespread criticism for failing to block Iran’s path to a bomb and for provisions that critics argued effectively normalized elements of Tehran’s nuclear program through sunset clauses.

President Trump “has shown very clearly that he is not Barack Obama,” Vance stated. “He takes a much different approach to America’s national security, and he’s much more willing to act aggressively to defend America’s national security.”

Vance stressed that the administration’s priority remains preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon, whether through negotiations or other means.

“The President of the United States is very much trying to find a solution here, whether it’s through diplomatic options or through another option, that means that the Iranians cannot have a nuclear weapon. That has always been the main focus,” he said.

The vice president also underscored what he described as the dangers posed by the Iranian government, warning that its leadership cannot be trusted with such destructive capability.

The Iranian regime “is one of the most hostile and also one of the most irrational regimes in the world. You can’t have people like that have the most dangerous weapon known to man. It would be awful for our security. It would be awful for the future of our children. That is the goal of the President of the United States and he’s got a lot of options and a lot of tools to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly called on officials in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., to take swift action in response to a major sewage leak that has polluted the Potomac River, as cleanup operations continue and health concerns mount.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump insisted that state and local authorities “must get to work, IMMEDIATELY” and added that if they “can’t do the job,” they should “call me and ask, politely, to get it fixed.”

Trump emphasized that the federal government did not play a role in the incident, stating that “the Federal Government is not at all involved with what has taken place, but we can fix it.” He described the spill as a “Radical Left caused Environmental Hazard” and cautioned that conditions would “only get worse” if immediate steps are not taken.

The environmental crisis began on Jan. 19, when a 72-inch sewer pipe known as the Potomac Interceptor gave way near the Clara Barton Parkway in Montgomery County, Maryland. The collapse released hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the Potomac River, an event that environmental advocates have characterized as among the most severe of its kind in the nation’s history.

Officials estimate that approximately 243 million gallons of wastewater have flowed into the river since the rupture. Authorities have indicated that repairing the damaged infrastructure could take several months.

In his remarks, Trump directly faulted “Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., who are responsible for the massive sewage spill,” urging the governors of the two states and the mayor of the nation’s capital to move without delay.

He also alluded to the ongoing federal funding standoff, arguing that even if assistance from Washington were requested, the effort would depend on “true Patriots … because many are not working right now.”

Meanwhile, public health agencies and environmental officials have advised residents and pet owners to stay away from affected portions of the river. Activities including swimming, fishing, and boating have been limited in impacted areas due to elevated bacteria levels in the water.

Following the recent unrest in Bnei Brak, the Shevet HaLevi Rebbe addressed his yeshiva bochurim, instructing them that they may only participate in demonstrations explicitly organized or endorsed by leading Torah authorities.

The Rebbe delivered his remarks at the conclusion of his daily halacha shiur after Shacharis, responding to the disturbances that took place in the city on Sunday.

In his comments, he referred to the serious events that unfolded and stressed that every bochur must know a clear and unwavering rule: one may attend protests only when Gedolei Yisroel explicitly direct that participation is warranted, specifically protests initiated by Gedolei Yisroel and no others. He emphasized that no bochur has permission to act based on personal emotions. Even if an incident in the city appears stirring and seems to be a matter of mitzvah, each individual must carefully verify whether it is being conducted under the guidance of Gedolei Yisroel. If it is not, he said, one must distance himself from the area completely.

The Rebbe also warned that such gatherings can pose real physical danger. As was evident this past Sunday, he noted, innocent bystanders and passersby were arrested and injured. These situations constitute a place of danger, and therefore there is certainly no obligation of mesirus nefesh in circumstances of this nature. He added that acts of vandalism are unquestionably forbidden, stating that such behavior has never been the way of Bnei Yisroel.

Concluding his remarks, the Rebbe said that what is truly incumbent upon us is to fulfill the teaching of the Gemara: “If someone rises against you, rise early to the beis medrash and they will fall on their own.” The strength of Klal Yisroel, he said, lies not in force but in tefillah and Torah, for the power of Yisroel is only through the mouth.

{Matzav.com}