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Israel’s High Court of Justice on Tuesday issued a conditional order requiring the state to explain within two months why it continues to fully fund chareidi schools that do not teach the complete core curriculum as required by law, and why it has not imposed sanctions or taken corrective action, including budget cuts for noncompliant institutions.

The order was issued in response to a petition filed in March 2025 by the Chiddush association, which called on the government to enforce mandatory core studies and apply financial penalties to schools in education networks affiliated with chareidi political parties.

During court hearings on the petition, significant deficiencies were revealed regarding implementation of the core curriculum in the chareidi networks. At a hearing held in January, a state representative acknowledged substantial gaps, including shortcomings in teacher training, institutional reporting, and non-participation in Meitzav standardized testing. It also emerged that the Education Ministry did not attend that hearing and failed to provide requested data.

Subsequently, and following a directive from the court, official data was disclosed for the first time indicating that 92 percent of schools in chareidi networks lack teachers trained to deliver the core curriculum at a level that meets regulatory standards. The findings further showed that the Education Ministry does not require these institutions to provide the full number of core-study hours mandated in state schools, and that most teachers in the networks do not hold academic degrees, despite receiving salaries accordingly.

The panel of justices — Daphne Barak-Erez, David Mintz, and Ruth Ronen — demanded that the Education Ministry clarify why, in light of these findings, it continues to fully fund the institutions; why it does not require the full core curriculum hours; why teacher training has not been properly regulated; why oversight relies largely on self-reporting and pre-coordinated visits; and why most schools do not participate in Meitzav exams or international assessments that evaluate student performance in core subjects.

The case also follows directives issued in September 2024 by Deputy Attorney General Avital Sompolinsky, who instructed the Education Ministry to tighten enforcement, strengthen supervision and oversight mechanisms, train teachers, and consider budget reductions where necessary. According to the petitioners, those directives were not implemented, prompting the current petition.

Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni responded sharply to the court’s order, stating: “It is clear to anyone with understanding the hatred of the High Court judges toward the chareidi public and chareidi education. Most of the students in the networks, the majority of whom are girls, study all subjects in the spirit of our forefathers and they are the most outstanding in the exams.”

“There is no logic in issuing orders against the chareidi networks, which as stated are the best in the education system. There is only one professional explanation — hatred and envy. Nothing more!”

{Matzav.com}

A political uproar erupted after Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) responded to remarks by a New York-based Muslim activist about dogs, prompting sharp denunciations from Democratic lawmakers who accused him of bigotry and Islamophobia.

The controversy began with a February 12 social media post from Nerdeen Kiswani, who referenced the November election of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and wrote, “NYC is coming to Islam.” In the same exchange, she added that while dogs have a role in society, they should not be kept as indoor pets, stating that in Islamic tradition they are considered unclean.

“Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets. Like we [Muslims have] said all along, they are unclean [‘najis’].”

As criticism mounted online, Kiswani responded to detractors, writing: “[Laughing] at the Zionists frothing at the mouth at this, thinking they’re doing something. It’s obviously a joke I don’t care if you have a dog, I do care if your dog is … everywhere and you’re not cleaning it.”

Three days later, on February 15, Fine reacted to the exchange with a post of his own: “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.”

Democratic lawmakers quickly condemned the Florida congressman. “We must call this what it is. Disgusting bigotry,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) reacted. “Fine must be censured.”

After social media users argued that Khanna had overlooked the broader context of the exchange, he clarified his position: “Taking an alleged comment by one person and attributing it to everyone who shares that person’s faith is the definition of bigotry,” he stated.

Fine responded by mocking Khanna’s use of the phrase “an alleged comment,” noting that the activist’s remarks had been publicly posted. “Perhaps you should have read it before spouting off like an idiot,” the Congressman quipped.

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) criticized Fine’s statement as harmful, saying the “Islamophobic” comment is “incredibly damaging to Jews trying to combat antisemitism.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) wrote, “America is BETTER because of our Muslim community,” adding, “And we are WORSE when ….like this guy spout hate.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) also rebuked Fine, stating, “This is genuinely one of the most disgusting statements I have ever seen issued by an American official. Fine should be censured & stripped of committees.”

Jennifer Jenkins, who previously ran against Fine in November, weighed in as well: “I’m running to kick that bigot out of Washington.”

Rep. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) accused Fine of exploiting controversy for political gain. “This is what it looks like when Islamophobia and outrage are the only two items on your political agenda,” he complained.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom added his voice to the criticism, posting: “Resign now, you racist slob.”

Prominent media figures joined the backlash. CNN’s Jake Tapper described Fine’s remarks as “Disgusting bigotry.” New York Times columnist David French wrote: “Absolutely evil.”

Within Republican circles, reactions were more muted. Some GOP figures, already critical of Fine’s campaign style and political decisions, have avoided publicly defending him, preferring instead to focus attention on advancing President Donald Trump’s populist policy agenda.

“This is a drain-the-swamp presidency,” said Mark Mitchell, polling director at Rasmussen Reports. He noted that swing voters are focused on tangible outcomes, adding that “anything that distracts from it at this point is not helpful,” he told Breitbart News.

At the same time, some conservative activists who view Islam as politically assertive and expansionist have rallied behind Fine’s stance.

Despite the widespread condemnation, Fine has not backed down. In response to critics, he posted “Don’t Tread on Me” posters featuring puppies.

Appearing on Newsmax, Fine defended his comments, arguing that broader cultural issues are at stake. “It’s not enough for Democrats to think anyone who wants to come here illegally should be able to do that. They also think they should be able to get whatever free stuff they want. Now they’re demanding that we change our values and how we live as Americans.”

Many Muslims and commentators have interpreted Fine’s remarks as equating observant Muslims with dogs in a derogatory way.

Kiswani called the statement “genocidal.”

Egyptian-born journalist Mehdi Hassan likewise condemned the post, describing it as “genocidal Rwandan rhetoric” and asserting that it suggested “Muslims are lower than dogs.”

The controversy has also drawn renewed attention to longstanding debates over Islamic teachings regarding dogs. Certain traditional interpretations hold that dogs are ritually impure and should not be kept inside the home except for specific purposes such as guarding property. Some Islamic texts state that the presence of dogs can affect spiritual standing, and historical accounts attributed to Islam’s founder, Mohammed (c. 570–632), include statements discouraging the keeping of dogs as household pets.

{Matzav.com}

VP Vance: “We’re going to make it easier to build and create homes. We’re going to make it easier for Americans — rather than Wall Street — to buy those homes.”

The Justice Department has issued new subpoenas in a Florida-based investigation into perceived adversaries of President Donald Trump and the U.S. government response to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. An initial wave of subpoenas in November asked recipients for documents related to the preparation of […]

VP Vance on the midterms: “The question we’re going to put to the American people is, do you want to give the government back over to the people who frankly burned down the house and made most Americans much less wealthy and much less safe?

VP Vance on AOC’s performance in Munich. “I think it’s a person who doesn’t know what she actually thinks.”

VP Vance on Europe: “The problem that we have with Europe is not that we don’t like Europe… it’s that they are doing a lot of things to sabotage themselves. We would like that to stop. We would like them to be an ally in the true sense of the word.”

TRUMP: Our MASSIVE Trade Deal with Japan has just launched! Japan is now officially, and financially, moving forward with the FIRST set of Investments under its $550 BILLION Dollar Commitment to invest in the United States of America — part of our Historic Trade Deal to REVITALIZE the American Industrial Base, create HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS […]

VP Vance on Iran: “Our primary interest here is we don’t want Iran to get a nuclear weapon. We don’t want nuclear proliferation.”

Democrats have sent a counteroffer for immigration enforcement reforms to the White House and Republicans as the partial government shutdown continues.

Dubai is ramping up robotics in public spaces, deploying robots to help firefighters tackle dangerous blazes, expanding automation in emergency services.

Anderson Cooper is leaving CBS News’ “60 Minutes” after nearly two decades.

Trey Yingst reports on the second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Today, in the court of Vizhnitz, the chassidim mark the yahrzeit of the Rebbetzin, Rebbetzin Leah Esther Hager a”h, first wife of the Rebbe, the Yeshuos Moshe of Vizhnitz zt”l. This year, however, the day carries an especially stirring weight, following the revelation of a heart-rending story that closed a painful circle more than three decades after her passing.

As the chassidim reflect upon the memory of the Rebbetzin, known as an emblem of nobility and refinement, a powerful phone call from overseas came to light — one that reopened the raw emotions of the night of her histalkus 33 years ago and revealed a breathtaking moment of forgiveness by her son, the present Vizhnitzer Rebbe.

It was Motzaei Shabbos Kodesh, the 29th of Shevat, 5753. The corridors of Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer were heavy with grief following the Rebbetzin’s passing on leil Shabbos. In the room, near her bed, ten individuals stood guard to preserve kavod hameis before the levayah. Among them was a young man who, to this day, carries the scar of that night.

“I need to ask mechilah from the Rebbe for something that has troubled me for more than thirty years,” the man, now living in the United States, said in an emotional phone call to the Rebbe’s gabbai. “I was one of the ten who stood by the bed on Motzaei Shabbos. The Rebbe came to part from his mother one final time, but the door had been locked from inside, following instructions given to us by another family member. The Rebbe knocked on the door, identified himself in a broken voice: ‘It’s Yisroel Hager, the son of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe,’ and pleaded that we allow him to enter to bid farewell to his mother.”

The caller continued through tears: “I was the closest one to the door. I felt the pressure around me, heard the warnings not to open it for anyone — and I remained silent. The Rebbe stood outside for long minutes, begging to part from his mother a”h, and we did not open. I have never forgiven myself for that moment.”

The gabbai, shaken by the testimony of those agonizing minutes, entered to relay the request to the Rebbe. The pain of that terrible night — when a son was prevented from paying final respects to his mother — resurfaced. Yet the Rebbe’s response left those present stunned.

Without a trace of resentment, with serene composure and extraordinary calm, the Rebbe replied: “I forgive him with a full heart, and he should be well.”

The gabbaim, who understood how deeply that episode had cut — an open wound for a son denied his final farewell — attempted to press further. “But this is anguish beyond description. A son comes to part from his mother and the door is shut in his face?”

The Rebbe, in his remarkable humility and boundless compassion, looked at them almost in wonder. “But he asked forgiveness… Of course I forgive him!”

The story, revealed on the yahrzeit, has stirred hearts within Vizhnitz and far beyond. It is not merely a tale of a painful episode from years past, but a living testimony to the power of true mechilah and to the greatness of a leader who bears no grudge, even when the hurt touches the most sensitive fibers of the soul.

{Matzav.com}

Several wildfires erupted Tuesday afternoon across Northern Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

UPDATE: 1 Firefighter was critically injured in a catastrophic explosion at a church in Boonville, NY. State Police say there is no indication of criminal activity at this time.

Colorado State Patrol confirms that 30 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup, leaving at least four people dead.

President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are both “fantastic,” but fell short of saying if he would support either one of them to lead the Republican presidential ticket in the 2028 election.

“It’s something I don’t have to worry about now. I’ve got three years to go,” Trump told reporters Monday when asked if he would support Vance or Rubio in 2028.

“JD is fantastic. And Marco – they’re both fantastic,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “I think Marco did a great job in Munich.”

The president has been coy about who he would like to see lead the Republican Party after his second term in the White House ends. But Trump has repeatedly named both his vice president and his secretary of state when asked who he’d like to succeed him as president.

Trump last year said that Vance is “most likely” the heir-apparent to the Make America Great Again movement, but has also said that Rubio would make a great nominee.

The question comes after Rubio received positive reviews at the Munich Security Conference where he sketched out a shared heritage with Europe and asserted a common path ahead, while still focusing on the Trump administration’s stance on western dominance, immigration and climate skepticism. He struck a markedly softer tone than Vance did at the event a year earlier.

In that speech last year, Vance lambasted European allies and focused on cultural divides in a speech that was widely seen as inflaming rifts between the US and the EU. Rubio, in an interview with Bloomberg News, said he was not turning away from Vance’s speech, but wanted to explain the Trump administration’s reasoning.

Rubio, 54, a longtime anti-communist hawk, has embraced Trump’s aggressive approach while seeking ways to make deals in private. Vance, 41, a relative newcomer to politics best known for a memoir about life in small-town Ohio and Kentucky, embodies the MAGA movement’s anti-elite sensibilities, and Trump’s penchant for disruptive and unpredictable dealmaking.

Trump has spent months privately – and at times publicly – teasing a rivalry between the two, suggesting at turns that one, then the other, is best positioned to take the torch from him.

(c) 2026, Bloomberg 

TRUMP: Tax refunds this year, because of “ THE GREAT BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” are substantially greater than ever before. In some cases, estimates are that over 20% will be returned to the taxpayer.