New York
Armani Charles, 28, was arraigned this week in Brooklyn Criminal Court on charges stemming from an antisemitic stabbing in December near Chabad headquarters in Crown Heights.
Prosecutors allege Charles followed a frum man in his 30s, shouted antisemitic slurs including threats to “kill a Jew,” and stabbed him once in the chest with a knife. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and has since recovered. Surveillance video captured portions of the incident, aiding the investigation. Charles pleaded not guilty and was released on $50,000 bail with conditions including a stay-away order from the victim and the synagogue. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force continues to investigate the case as a bias-motivated assault.
Last Thursday, a Yeshiva University student was assaulted by a group of six to eight masked individuals near the 181st Street 1 train station in Washington Heights around 7 p.m. The attack occurred on a staircase described as a known “blind spot” with no police presence or camera coverage. The student was struck multiple times, sustaining injuries that required hospitalization; he is now recovering and stable. NYPD has classified the incident as an assault and is investigating, though no arrests have been made and the motive remains unclear.
Mount Sinai nurses have ratified a new three-year contract, officially ending their strike after weeks of negotiations with the hospital system. The agreement, approved by a strong majority, includes wage increases, improved staffing ratios, and enhanced workplace safety measures that were central to the union’s demands. Nurses are scheduled to return to work, restoring full staffing levels at the affected facilities. Votes remain underway for Montefiore Medical Center nurses, with results expected soon, while New York-Presbyterian nurses are actively voting on their proposed deal. The settlements, if finalized across all systems, would resolve the largest simultaneous nursing strike in New York City history and provide a framework for addressing ongoing workforce shortages and burnout in the region’s major hospitals.
A billboard in Times Square went up displaying Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas alongside the message “Palestinian Authority still pays for killing Jews,” referring to the PA’s ongoing policy of providing financial stipends to families of individuals killed while committing acts of terrorism against Israelis, commonly known as “pay-for-slay.” The advertisement, funded by a private pro-Israel advocacy group, highlights monthly payments that continue to be made to perpetrators and their relatives even after the October 7, 2023 attacks. The PA has long defended the program as social welfare support for families of “martyrs,” while critics, including U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials, view it as incentivizing violence.
U.S.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act by a vote of 221-198, sending the bill to the Senate for consideration. The legislation requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate—to register to vote in federal elections. Republicans argue the measure is essential to prevent non-citizen voting and restore election integrity, with House Speaker Mike Johnson stating it “closes a loophole that has left our elections vulnerable.” Democrats, who largely opposed the bill, contend it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters—particularly older Americans, married women with name changes, and those without easy access to documents—while claiming non-citizen voting is already illegal and exceedingly rare. The White House has signaled President Trump’s support, calling it a “common-sense safeguard.” The bill now faces an uncertain path in the Senate, where it would require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster unless Republicans can secure enough Democratic support or use procedural maneuvers.
The Florida House approved legislation (HB 31) by a 92-14 vote requiring public schools, charter schools, and state agencies to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank” in all official communications, maps, textbooks, and materials. Sponsored by Rep. Debra Tendrich (D-Lake Worth) and Rep. Chase Tramont (R-Port Orange), the bipartisan bill adopts the biblical and Israeli government terminology for the disputed territory, aligning with longstanding Jewish historical claims while rejecting the post-1948 “West Bank” designation commonly used internationally. The measure now heads to the Senate, where passage is considered likely given Republican control. If enacted, Florida would become the first U.S. state to mandate this specific nomenclature in public institutions.
U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in December 2025, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%, the Labor Department reported. However, significant downward revisions slashed the previously reported 2024-2025 payroll figures by hundreds of thousands, with last year’s job growth revised to just 181,000—the weakest annual total since 2020 and less than half the initial estimate of 584,000. Economists noted the stronger-than-expected December headline number provides some offset, but the broader trend points to a cooling labor market despite low unemployment.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced Wednesday that he has removed Carrie Prejean Boller from President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission after a heated exchange during Monday’s hearing on rising antisemitism in America. Patrick accused Boller of derailing the proceedings with what he called anti-Israel remarks and inappropriate comments that strayed from the commission’s focus on threats facing Jewish communities. The incident occurred as witnesses and members discussed recent incidents of hate crimes and campus antisemitism. Patrick stated the commission must remain unified in defending religious liberty without introducing divisive political positions.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting enforcement operations on state-owned property, including prisons, courthouses, and public buildings. The directive aims to protect immigrant communities and limit cooperation with federal deportation efforts. She also instructed the Attorney General to launch an online portal allowing residents to upload videos and report ICE interactions, creating a public record of encounters. Additionally, a new state website will outline constitutional rights during immigration enforcement and provide referrals to pro-bono legal services.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced an end to credits for automakers installing automatic start-stop systems, a fuel-saving technology Zeldin dismissed as the “Obama switch” that “everyone hates” for causing vehicles to “die” at stops. The credits, part of Obama’s emissions regulations, also covered items like advanced air conditioning. Zeldin said they’re now “over, done, finished,” aligning with Trump’s deregulation agenda to cut burdens on the auto industry. Automakers have long complained the feature annoys drivers and adds repair costs without noticeable savings.
Gallup announced it will end its 88-year tradition of tracking presidential approval ratings, a fixture of American political measurement since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration. The polling organization stated the decision is strategic, allowing it to redirect resources toward broader, long-term public opinion research on issues such as economic confidence, cultural attitudes, and generational shifts. Gallup emphasized that the move was made independently and was not influenced by the White House or any political pressure. The final presidential job-approval survey will conclude with the current administration’s term. Industry observers noted that other pollsters, including Rasmussen and Morning Consult, will continue daily tracking, though none match Gallup’s historical continuity or prestige in this specific metric.
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced it will no longer allow green card holders (permanent residents) to apply for SBA-backed loans starting March 1. The new policy restricts eligibility to businesses that are fully owned by U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, excluding any foreign ownership or partial foreign equity. The change aligns with President Trump’s “America First” agenda by prioritizing American citizens and ensuring taxpayer-backed loans support domestic entrepreneurs.
Israel
Two female Israeli soldiers evacuated from Bnei Brak after being surrounded by ultra-Orthodox residents told police they had specifically requested not to enter the area due to known sensitivities, but their commanders ordered them to proceed anyway. One soldier testified she hid inside trash bins during the incident, stating she was unarmed—“which was lucky because I couldn’t have used a weapon against them anyway.” She explained she had worn a skirt in advance “to avoid this” and that a local woman who spotted them entering the building warned them they were not permitted there. The clash stemmed from the soldiers’ presence in the charedi enclave, where strict gender-separation and modesty norms prevail. Police are investigating the incident, while the IDF confirmed the soldiers were safely extracted and that the matter is under internal review. Community leaders in Bnei Brak called for clearer guidelines on military operations in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods to prevent future confrontations.
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel began registering women for its rabbinical certification exams, marking the first time females can pursue official Orthodox rabbinical credentials in the state system. The move follows repeated High Court rulings declaring the prior exclusion of women unlawful gender discrimination. The exams, which carry significant professional and financial weight in Israel’s public sector—particularly for roles in education, religious counseling, and community leadership—will feature multiple certification tiers. The inaugural session is scheduled shortly after Pesach 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed Israel’s Justice Ministry to initiate legal proceedings to revoke citizenship from Israelis convicted of spying for Iran during the ongoing war, a step officials describe as unprecedented in scope and one that will apply even to Jewish Israeli citizens. The move targets individuals found guilty under the Espionage Law of transmitting classified information to Iranian handlers, often in exchange for payment, with cases involving surveillance of military sites, public figures, and critical infrastructure. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara confirmed the process will follow existing statutes allowing denaturalization for acts of treason or espionage that endanger state security, though it requires High Court approval in each instance.
Israeli security forces arrested multiple suspected terrorists across Judea and Samaria this week, seizing a cache of weapons and millions of shekels believed to be intended for terrorist financing. In coordinated raids, troops recovered several assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosives, and ammunition hidden in civilian areas. Authorities also confiscated large sums of cash—estimated in the millions of shekels—suspected of being routed through Hamas-linked networks to support attacks against Israeli civilians and security personnel.
Deni Avdija made history becoming the first Israeli player ever selected to the NBA All-Star Game. The 25-year-old Portland Trail Blazers forward earned his spot on Team World, competing against Team USA Stars at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles during the 2026 All-Star festivities. Avdija, drafted ninth overall in 2020, has emerged as one of the league’s most versatile forwards, averaging 18.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season while shooting 52% from the field. He expressed immense pride in representing Israel on the global stage, stating, “This is for every kid back home who dreams big.” His selection underscores Israel’s growing presence in professional basketball and highlights Avdija’s rapid rise from role player to All-Star.
A rare honey badger was spotted in northern Israel, captured on camera by a farmer in an agricultural field near the Galilee region. The farmer contacted the Israel Nature and Parks Authority for identification after noticing the distinctive animal, known for its fearless reputation and ability to take on much larger predators. Authority officials confirmed the sighting as one of very few verified records of honey badgers in Israel in recent decades, describing the species as extremely elusive in the country’s northern landscapes. The honey badger, often called the “world’s most fearless animal” for its aggressive defense and thick skin, is more commonly found in Africa and parts of Asia. Wildlife experts believe climate shifts and habitat changes may be pushing the species northward into Israel.
WORLD
The European Union has approved Google’s $32 billion all-cash acquisition of Israeli-founded cloud security company Wiz, clearing the most significant regulatory hurdle for the deal. The transaction, announced in July 2025, represents the largest exit in Israeli tech history and Google’s biggest acquisition ever, surpassing its $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility in 2012. Wiz, founded in 2020 by Israeli entrepreneurs Assaf Rappaport, Yinon Costica, Roy Reznik, and Ami Luttwak, will bring its cloud-native security platform into Google Cloud, enhancing enterprise protection capabilities. The EU’s clearance follows earlier scrutiny over potential competition concerns in cloud security, but regulators concluded the deal would not substantially lessen competition. The acquisition is expected to close in the coming months pending remaining approvals, delivering massive returns to Wiz’s investors and employees.
A French court in Lyon sentenced 55-year-old Rachid Kheniche to 18 years in prison on Thursday for murdering his 89-year-old Jewish neighbor, René Hadjadj, by pushing him from the 17th floor of their apartment building in 2022. Prosecutors had requested 20 years and argued the killing was antisemitic, but the jury rejected that aggravating circumstance, concluding the evidence did not sufficiently prove religious hatred as the motive. The decision drew criticism from Jewish community leaders and anti-hate groups who viewed it as downplaying antisemitic violence amid rising incidents in France. Hadjadj, a Holocaust survivor, was described by family as kind and unassuming. Kheniche claimed the act was not premeditated and stemmed from a personal dispute rather than bias.
Approximately 250,000 demonstrators gathered in Berlin to protest against Iran’s government, coinciding with a major international summit attended by world leaders. The rally responded to a public call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urging intensified global pressure on the Tehran regime to support regime change and the restoration of a secular, democratic Iran. Protesters waved pre-1979 Iranian flags, chanted slogans against Supreme Leader Khamenei, and demanded the release of political prisoners and an end to the Islamic Republic’s support for terrorism and nuclear ambitions. Organizers described it as one of the largest anti-regime rallies in Europe in recent years, reflecting growing diaspora frustration with economic collapse, repression, and regional aggression.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has formally designated his daughter, Kim Ju-ae—believed to be around 13 years old—as his successor, marking a historic shift in the secretive regime. Ju-ae first appeared publicly in November 2022 at a missile launch and has since been present at numerous high-profile events, including military parades, state banquets, and reportedly a visit to Beijing. Analysts note her rapid promotion, frequent use of honorific titles, and placement alongside senior officials signal deliberate succession planning. If confirmed, she would become North Korea’s first female supreme leader and the fourth generation of the Kim dynasty to rule.
Space
NASA has launched four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, replacing the previous crew that returned to Earth earlier than planned due to a serious medical condition affecting one member. The new team, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, docked successfully at the ISS. During their planned eight-month mission, the crew will conduct numerous scientific experiments focused on human health in long-duration spaceflight, advanced materials testing, and technologies critical for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. The studies include research on bone density loss, fluid shifts in microgravity, and radiation effects, all designed to inform safer lunar missions and eventual Mars exploration.