An appeals court in California has refused to halt a judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to rehire thousands of federal workers who were let go in mass firings. A split 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel turned back an emergency motion late Wednesday to pause the order from U.S. District Judge William Alsup in a case brought by labor unions and nonprofits as Republican President Donald Trump moves to dramatically downsize the federal workforce. Alsup is one of two judges who found legal problems with the way the firings of probationary workers were carried out. Two of the three judges on the panel ruled against the request for an emergency stay. The dissenting judge said the government had a strong argument against reinstating the workers.

The United States has put forward a new proposal through Qatari mediators in an effort to secure the release of American hostage Edan Alexander and revive stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, according to U.S. and Israeli officials. The deal reportedly hinges on Hamas releasing Alexander in exchange for a public statement by President Donald Trump calling for calm in Gaza and resuming negotiations for a broader ceasefire. However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas will accept these terms. After Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza, talks over a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal hit an impasse. Israeli forces expanded their operations, launching ground incursions across multiple areas of the enclave.

On Thursday, Senator Bernie Sanders revealed that he plans to introduce resolutions next week that aim to halt $8.8 billion in arms sales to Israel, according to a report from Reuters.
The senator pointed to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which have worsened since Israel’s military actions and its decision to halt aid shipments to the region. “(Prime Minister Bibi) Netanyahu has clearly violated US and international law in this brutal war, and we must end our complicity in the carnage,” Sanders stated.
“No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza in more than three and a half weeks since Israeli authorities announced a complete blockade—that’s no food, water, medicine, or fuel since the start of March,” he continued.

A stunning new report has revealed that the classified U.S. airstrike plans leaked in a high-level group chat—including details accidentally exposed to a journalist—were based on Israeli intelligence gathered from a human source in Yemen, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the Wall Street Journal, which cited two senior U.S. officials, Israeli intelligence played a direct role in identifying the senior Houthi figure targeted in the March 15 U.S. airstrike. The new revelations add a volatile international dimension to what is already being called one of the most reckless national security breaches in recent memory.

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — A 7.7 magnitude earthquake and an aftershock measuring 6.4 rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar on Friday,

At the Meir Dagan Conference held at the Netanya Academic College on Thursday, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed concern that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu might prioritize his political goals and prolong the war aimed at dismantling Hamas, even at the cost of delaying an agreement to bring home the remaining 59 hostages. Gallant noted that between 22 and 24 of these hostages are still alive.
Gallant emphasized that returning the hostages should be the primary focus, especially now that Hamas has already been significantly weakened in terms of its threat to Israel.
The former defense minister also pointed out that Netanyahu missed an opportunity in the summer of 2024 to finalize a deal for the return of the hostages when one was reportedly within reach.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
As we observe the world around us and witness the depths to which many have sunk, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember that we were created to achieve great heights, both as a nation and as individuals. Our mission is to continually strive for self-improvement, always working toward the goal of becoming better people.
We see so many Yidden who have become ensnared by ideologies and behaviors that are foreign to Torah. Many have been misled and strayed from our well-trodden path, and we feel pity for them, seeking to bring them back. We wonder how, and if we possess the capability, to engage in outreach that will bring about positive change.

Rabbi Ronen Chaim Kadosh zt”l, a tzaddik who inspired many to do teshuvah, passed away suddenly, leaving behind his wife and seven young orphans. The Shuva Yisrael community in Ashdod is devastated by this tragic loss. Originally from Nes Tziona, Rabbi Kadosh was a charismatic leader who turned to Torah and brought many along with him. A devoted member of Shuva Yisrael, he spent years immersed in Torah and tefillah. Despite financial hardship, he and his wife built a home of deep faith, raising their children with dedication. Their struggles were immense—two children have autism, and two have severe attention disorders. Their only income was Rabbi Kadosh’s disability payments, which have now stopped, leaving them in a dire financial state.

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman Rosh Chodesh Nissan is known as the Zman Ge’ulaseinu, certainly a time of joy.  It is also the season of cleaning for Pesach, which can at times be challenging to our state of Simcha.  And in general, some