The Yesh Atid refused to support a bill submitted by National Unity MK Matan Kahana on Wednesday regarding pension payments to widows of fallen IDF soldiers. Why? The law was submitted jointly with Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har Melech. The Yesh Atid party boycotted the vote because they refused to have anything to do with a bill submitted by a member of Itamar Ben Gvir’s party, and the bill failed to win a majority in a plenum vote. A furor broke out in the Knesset, with the members of Benny Gantz’s National Unity party hurling insults at Yesh Atid members. MK Pnina Tamano-Shata yelled: “You’re a garbage opposition.” Kahana wrote on X: “It turns out you actually can mobilize.

The United States has decided to no longer insist that Saudi Arabia formally recognize Israel as a precondition for advancing discussions on civilian nuclear cooperation, according to two individuals familiar with the matter, speaking to Reuters just days before President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to the region.
This marks a significant policy shift by Washington, signaling its willingness to ease a key demand that has long tied nuclear discussions to broader diplomatic recognition. Under Joe Biden’s administration, nuclear cooperation was closely linked to normalization with Israel and Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of a formal security alliance with the U.S.

President Trump renewed his push for a month-long truce between Russia and Ukraine on Thursday, following a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said he remained “committed to securing Peace,” even after recently indicating he might step back from mediating between the two countries.
“Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue,” Trump, 78, posted to Truth Social. “The U.S. calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations.”
“If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions,” he added.

Even if the end of World War II in Europe spawned one of the most joyous days the continent ever lived, Thursday’s 80th anniversary of V-E Day is haunted as much by the specter of current-day conflict as it celebrates the defeat of ultimate evil. Hitler’s Nazi Germany had finally surrendered after a half-decade of invading other European powers and propagating racial hatred that led to genocide, the Holocaust and the murdering of millions. That surrender and the explosion of hope for a better life is being celebrated with parades in London and Paris and towns across Europe while even the leaders of erstwhile mortal enemies are bonding again. Germany itself again expressed gratitude for the change that May 8, 1945 brought — to the world and to itself.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama President José Raúl Mulino sai

Israel’s top fire official, Chief Fire Officer Eyal Caspi, has issued an urgent directive prohibiting all bonfires and outdoor flames throughout Israel, citing unusually high temperatures and dry conditions that dramatically raise the danger of widespread blazes.
This sweeping restriction will be enforced beginning Thursday and will extend through Shabbos, May 18. It includes Lag Ba’omer festivities and covers all open-air locations. The order forbids bonfires, the burning of garden debris, and any maintenance or construction work that could generate sparks or flames.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the White House’s East Room on a rainy Thursday, first lady Mela