What was President Donald Trump’s motive when he requested that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu fly straight to Washington from Budapest, refusing a suggestion to delay the meeting until after Pesach? On the surface, the meeting was ostensibly about the 17% tariff the Trump administration imposed on Israel, with Netanyahu holding great hopes that he could negotiate a reduction. But Trump surprised Netanyahu, revealing to him the real reason for his urgent summons to Washington: not the tariff but the beginning of direct high-level negotiations between the US and Iran. Ynet reported that Trump wanted to personally inform Netanyahu about his intention to initiate direct talks with Tehran.

Jordanian security forces prevent protesters from storming into the Israeli embassy in Amman during a demonstration against the war in Gaza.

Wall Street endured another turbulent session Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average staging a dramatic surge early on—climbing more than 1,400 points—only to collapse later in the day as anxiety over international trade once again shook investor confidence.
The Dow initially soared by 1,146 points after the opening bell, fueled by renewed optimism that trade agreements could be reached in time to prevent harsh new tariffs slated to take effect on Wednesday.
Fueling that early enthusiasm were comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who hinted that the administration was willing to negotiate. He remarked that they could “end up with some good deals.”

Several of Iraq’s most powerful Iranian-backed militias are now preparing to lay down their arms for the first time in nearly two decades—not out of reconciliation, but out of fear. Faced with the threat of direct U.S. military retaliation under the Trump administration, the commanders of key Shiite militia groups say they are ready to dismantle their armed networks, multiple senior Iraqi officials and militia leaders told Reuters. These groups, once considered untouchable power brokers, now appear shaken by the specter of American airstrikes and rising regional instability. The decision follows private ultimatums from U.S. officials warning Baghdad: disband the militias—or Washington will do it by force. The U.S.

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In an unexpected change of plans, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Yisroel Hager, will not be returning to Eretz Yisroel for Pesach, as originally scheduled. Instead, due to a significant decline in his strength, the Rebbe will remain in Los Angeles for the duration of Yom Tov.

A groundbreaking study has upended a foundational principle of forensic science, revealing that fingerprints may not be as unique as long believed. Researchers from Columbia University, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), have demonstrated that prints from different fingers of the same person can share striking similarities, challenging over 100 years of law enforcement practice and raising profound legal implications. For more than a century, the belief that every fingerprint—from every finger of every individual—is entirely distinct has underpinned criminal investigations worldwide. This assumption has been a bedrock of forensic identification, linking suspects to crime scenes with what was thought to be unassailable precision.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is expected to travel to the United States for an informal visit shortly after the conclusion of Pesach. Representing the Otzma Yehudit party, Ben-Gvir is slated to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and to engage with members of the American Jewish community. While no formal invitation was extended by the Trump team, the visit has received their stamp of approval.