In what could be a transformative moment in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, scientists at Cambridge University have found what they believe may be signs of life in the atmosphere of a far-off planet named K2-18b Of course, YWN readers are wondering: If there really is a habitable, ocean-covered planet out there, with sunlight and possibly beaches, how long until we see the first Pesach or Sukkos program on K2-18b? And will it finally make Orlando go out of style? These are questions still too early to ask. The planet, located 124 light-years away in the constellation Leo, is more than twice the size of Earth and orbits a small red star.

Hamas on Thursday publicly rejected Israel’s latest proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, insisting it would not agree to any truce that falls short of ending the war and securing a full IDF withdrawal from the enclave. The terrorist group confirmed it had delivered a written response to international mediators turning down the 45-day ceasefire plan presented by Israel. According to Hamas, the proposal included the release of 10 living hostages, the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian security prisoners, and expanded humanitarian aid into Gaza. Crucially, it also demanded that Hamas begin disarming — a condition the group has repeatedly refused.

As the medical condition of the Rosh Yeshiva of Kisei Rachamim, Rav Meir Mazuz, remains critical, the rabbanim of the Tunisian Jewish community in Eretz Yisroel and abroad have issued a heartfelt public letter calling for urgent tefillos.
The letter, titled “A Sefer Torah is in Distress,” urges the public to gather in shuls at midnight on the night of Shevi’i Shel Pesach, to open the Aron Kodesh and daven during this auspicious time for the complete recovery of Rav Refael Meir Nissim ben Kamasna. The letter expresses a plea for Hashem’s mercy and healing for the Rosh Yeshiva.

The White House issued a sharp rebuke of Hamas on Thursday after the terror group dismissed Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal, reaffirming that President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict remains firm.
“Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence,” said US National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt.
“The terms made by the Trump Administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell,” he added.
The statement followed remarks by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who is leading the group’s negotiations. He accused Israel’s leadership of sabotaging the deal from the start.

Joe Biden’s post-presidency venture into the speaking circuit has hit a wall, with few groups willing to pay the $300,000 he’s reportedly asking per event, according to The New York Post. The pushback comes as some of Biden’s former aides quietly urge him to step away from the public eye, especially following remarks in which he awkwardly referenced “colored kids” during his first major speech since leaving the White House.
Sources familiar with the situation say that Biden’s standard fee is $300,000 — a figure that’s about 25% lower than the $400,000 Barack Obama requested after finishing his term in 2017.
Whether Biden is open to negotiating that fee remains unknown.

President Donald Trump has officially removed the MTA from overseeing the long-awaited overhaul of Penn Station, handing control over to the federal government instead, with Amtrak now taking the lead under a new initiative.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed the updated direction for the project, explaining that the federal government will move forward with a public-private partnership to carry out the revamp.
“President Trump has made it clear: the days of reckless spending and blank checks are over,” Duffy declared in a statement.
“New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James has dismissed the Trump administration’s criminal referral accusing her of mortgage fraud, calling the accusations “baseless” but refraining from offering any specifics in a recent interview.
James joined Spectrum NY1’s “Inside City Hall” on Thursday, where she pushed back against claims made by the Trump administration that she manipulated real estate filings in both New York and Virginia.
“Let me just say to all New Yorkers and to all Americans: the allegations are baseless. The allegations are nothing more than a revenge tour,” James told host Errol Louis during the interview.

The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, arrived in Israel on Friday and began his diplomatic mission with a moving visit and prayer at the Kosel. The highlight of the visit was the placement of a special note sent by President Trump, who entrusted Huckabee with the note before his departure for Israel and requested that it be placed on his behalf. On the note, Trump wrote briefly and movingly: “For peace in Israel – Donald Trump,” an extraordinary and deeply meaningful gesture that reflects the strong friendship between the two nations. Ambassador Huckabee was received by the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr.