The Likud is projected to gain one mandate over the initial post-election vote count, pushing it from 35 to 36 seats, one more than Gantz’s 35, after the counting of special ballots was completed Thursday.
Special ballots, which make up some five percent of the nearly 4.3 million votes cast in Tuesday’s election, include the votes of Israeli soldiers stationed at bases across the country, prisoners in jails and detention facilities, voters in Israeli hospitals, and members of the Foreign Ministry overseas service.

After dire election results, Labor head says he plans to serve the public 'from the opposition' as an MK, does not explicitly say he'll resign amid growing calls to do so

New York – Amazon’s Jeff Bezos challenged other retailers to raise wages and improve benefits for their employees, saying the competition will help everyone. Bezos covered a wide range of topics in his annual letter to shareholders Thursday that was released on Twitter and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission . “Today I challenge [...]

A lawyer is poised to sue New York City for ordering mandatory measles vaccinations in the toughest action against the virus in US history, with refusals to vaccinate facing fines of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, according to New York Senate emergency laws.
Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, which, he said, gave him the power to require vaccinations in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, where more than 250 measles cases have been reported since September, particularly in the Orthodox Jewish community.
Michael Sussman, a civil rights lawyer, says there are not enough cases to warrant a state of emergency, he believes the move unlawfully targets religious groups, and he plans to have a case filed against the city by Friday.

Yahadut Hatorah Seeking A Recount Before Releasing Election ResultsAttorney Avraham Yustman send a letter on Thursday afternoon to the Justice Chanan Meltzer, Chairman of the Central Election Committee (CEC), requesting a delay in publishing the official results of the Knesset election.
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Facebook Cracks Down On Groups Spreading Harmful InformationFacebook said Wednesday it is rolling out a wide range of updates aimed at combatting the spread of false and harmful information on the social media site — stepping up the company’s fight against misinformation and hate speech as it faces growing outside pressure.

Official insists only data posted online was wrong, while actual ballot count safe in 'separate and secure server'; says no suspicion that glitches were caused by cyberattack

Los Angels – Attorney Michael Avenatti has been charged in a 36-count federal indictment alleging he stole millions of dollars from clients, did not pay his taxes, committed bank fraud and lied in bankruptcy proceedings. Avenatti, 48, was indicted late Wednesday by a Southern California grand jury on a raft of additional charges following his [...]

The Yemin Hachadash, headed by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, fell just short of the 3.25% electoral threshold, despite an influx from the votes of the soldiers.
Earlier Wednesday, Bennett said, “We need about 5 percent of the soldiers’ votes, compared to the 3 percent we had nationally. It is possible but borderline. It can succeed or fail on the basis of [only] dozens of votes one way or the other,” Bennett said.
However a full count of the special ballots showed the faction falling just short of the minimum threshold, with some 138,000 votes, or slightly over 1,000 votes below the bare minimum required to enter the Knesset.
The party has called for a recount of special ballots, citing irregularities in the counting process.

Islam Alushachaya indicted for attempted murder for stabbing two guards, one in the neck, sparking March 24 prison riot

Miami – A federal judge threatened Wednesday to temporarily block Carnival Corp. from docking cruise ships at ports in the United States as punishment for a possible probation violation. The Miami Herald reports U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz said Wednesday that she’ll make a decision in June, and she wants company chairman Micky Arison and [...]

Chebaa, Lebanon – Akram Kanaan looked toward an Israeli military position on a snow-capped mountain that overlooks the village of Chebaa in southern Lebanon, pointing toward the scenic area captured by Israel more than five decades ago. No matter how long it takes, he says, it will eventually return to Lebanon’s sovereignty. Like many others [...]

Car Cleaning Crew Kicking off Pesach Cleaning with At-Your Home ServiceAlthough the weather is frigid and Purim was just a few days ago , believe it or not Pesach is just around the corner! Homemakers everywhere are starting (or at least thinking about) the cleaning that comes along with the chag.
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U.S. officials have filed computer hacking charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in connection with the organizations’ release of classified government cables from former Army private and intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
The Justice Department announced early Thursday that Assange had been arrested in London in connection with a federal charge of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion of a classified U.S. government computer, which carries a five-year maximum sentence.
Assange had been residing in the Ecuadoran Embassy for seven years for fear of being arrested and possibly extradited to the United States for his crimes.

Defense minister announces toppling of regime, says a transitional military council will rule for 2 years

67,000-year-old bones and teeth from previously unknown member of 'Homo' branch of the family tree

Attacks against Jews in Crown Heights stir old fears and new dialogue; Madonna's Israel trip for Eurovision finale has billionaire backer aiming to bolster country's image

Beresheet spacecraft expected at Terminal 3 between flights from Istanbul and Madrid, website jokes

New York – Authorities say a flight to Los Angeles returned to New York’s Kennedy Airport shortly after takeoff because it had struck a sign and light on the runway. American Airlines Flight 300 was carrying 101 passengers when it took off at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday. It landed safely at 9:09 p.m. and taxied to [...]

After poor showing in Tuesday’s election, Eran Hermoni says he told the former Kulanu minister that his time at the helm of the center-left party is up

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