The New York City Rent Guidelines Board cast a narrow vote Monday night approving rent increases for rent-stabilized apartments across the five boroughs.
By a 5-to-4 margin, the board opted for a 3% rise for one-year leases and a 4.5% bump for two-year leases. These final figures fell within the range previously proposed, which had included possibilities as high as 4.75% for one-year leases and 7.75% for two-year contracts.
These changes are set to apply to leases commencing between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.
In the spring, the board gave preliminary approval to a range of potential increases. Later, the focus shifted to potentially limiting the hikes for two-year leases, a concession to tenant advocates pushing for restraint.

In an inspiring encounter between two leading gedolim, the renowned mekubal, Rosh Yeshivat Ahavas Shalom, Rav Yaakov Hillel, visited the home of senior posek Rav Moshe Sternbuch. The two engaged in a heartfelt and profound conversation, focused on the pressing spiritual needs following the conclusion of the war with Iran.
At the outset of the meeting, Rav Sternbuch warmly greeted Rav Hillel with the words: “Fortunate are you, who disseminates Torah in Klal Yisroel, increasing kedushah, increasing taharah, increasing truth—for the Toras Hashem is truth in your mouth.”

The United Torah Judaism faction announced on Monday that it has unanimously decided to suspend all coalition support in the Knesset until the government finalizes deliberations on the long-disputed draft law and brings it to a vote.
The faction, which includes both Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisrael, issued a clear message: it will not participate in any coalition votes this week as a protest against the continued delay in resolving the issue.
In recent months—prior to the outbreak of war with Iran—UTJ had already launched a similar boycott, refusing to vote with the coalition unless a concrete solution to the draft law was advanced.

[Video below.] In an unusual and moving gesture, the Slabodka rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, personally phoned Rav Don Segal late Sunday night to express his deep appreciation for the mashgiach’s unwavering commitment to the recent fundraising mission on behalf of the Keren Olam HaTorah in the United States.
Rav Segal, who had been resting in Switzerland, agreed—at the personal request of Rav Landau—to join the intense campaign, despite the physical toll and demands involved.

In light of renewed public focus on efforts to secure a hostage release deal following the ceasefire with Iran, opposition leaders voiced strong positions on Monday, signaling readiness to support dramatic moves—even if it means halting the war in Gaza.
Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu MK Avigdor Lieberman opened his party’s weekly meeting with pointed remarks on the stalled hostage negotiations. He called for a full prisoner exchange deal, even if it requires the IDF to withdraw from Gaza and end its military campaign against Hamas.

Several members of the Jewish community arrested in Iran have been released on bail, while others remain in custody, Matzav.com has learned. Jewish leaders are urging the public to continue davening for the safe release of those still imprisoned.
Sources within the community confirmed that while the release of some detainees offers hope, others are still behind bars. “We can see that the tefillos are making a difference,” said a community representative. “Please continue to pray.”

Donald Trump released a handwritten message on Monday addressed to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, calling on him to make significant interest rate cuts — a continuation of Trump’s criticism of the Fed’s current monetary policy.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump blasted Powell and the rest of the Federal Reserve’s leadership, writing, “They should be ashamed of themselves” for not bringing down interest rates.
“They have one of the easiest, yet most prestigious, jobs in America, and they have FAILED — And continue to do so,” Trump stated in his post.
Accompanying his remarks was a photo showing interest rates from central banks across various countries. Trump had marked up the image with a Sharpie, directing a pointed message at Powell.

A political firestorm is brewing within United Torah Judaism, with serious implications for the faction’s internal balance and particularly for Degel HaTorah. Minister Meir Porush of Agudas Yisroel is threatening to resign from the government if MK Yisrael Eichler is not appointed housing minister in the wake of Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf’s departure.
Porush is demanding that the Housing Ministry be handed over to Eichler, the representative of the Belzer chassidus, and has issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Should Porush follow through on his threat, MK Yaakov Bruchi—Degel HaTorah’s representative who only returned to the Knesset this morning under the Norwegian Law—would be forced out once again.

In a significant shakeup within Israeli politics, the National Unity party revealed on Sunday that MK Gadi Eisenkot, its second-ranking member and a former IDF chief of staff, would be stepping down from both the party and the Knesset.
“Member of Knesset Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot informed National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz of his intention to leave the party and return his mandate to it,” the official party statement read. “The two emphasized their long-standing friendship and mutual respect, and stated that they will continue to collaborate toward shared goals and for the benefit of the people of Israel in the future as well,” the statement added.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington next Monday, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will also be in the U.S. capital on the same day.
The Israeli cabinet convened recently but chose to hold off on any major decisions related to Gaza until they receive an update on Dermer’s meetings in Washington.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling for a resolution in Gaza, writing, “get the hostages back!!!”
Trump previously stated that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is working on a deal with Hamas aimed at securing the release of the remaining hostages.