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Donald Trump is undergoing his annual physical on Friday, potentially giving the public its first details in years about the health of a man who in January became the oldest in U.S. history to be sworn in as president. “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!” Trump, 78, posted on his social media site. Despite long questioning predecessor Joe Biden’s physical and mental capacity, Trump has routinely kept basic facts about his own health shrouded in secrecy — shying away from traditional presidential transparency on medical issues. If history is any indication, his latest physical is likely to produce a flattering report that’s scarce on details.

A deal to secure the release of hostages appears to be nearing completion, based on updates delivered to the relatives of those still in captivity. Steve Witkoff, former President Donald Trump’s Middle East representative, assured families during a Thursday meeting that “a very serious deal is taking shape—it’s a matter of days.”
Insiders suggest that Trump has signaled to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that he has only a limited window—possibly just a few more weeks—to carry on military operations before a more extensive ceasefire agreement is expected to be pursued.

The IDF, working in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), has eliminated eleven operatives from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who took part in the brutal October 7 attacks, according to a military announcement issued Thursday. These targeted killings took place following the resumption of military activity in Gaza that began in mid-March.
The renewed offensive marked the official end of a two-month-long truce between Israel and Hamas.
Of the eleven terrorists identified, nine were neutralized in the most recent wave of strikes carried out in Gaza.

Republicans narrowly got their budget plan over the finish line. Now comes the hard part. The resolution adopted this week was only a first step that allows Republicans to draft legislation that they can push through Congress without Democratic support. Next, they begin crafting a final bill with enough spending cuts to satisfy those on the right while not jeopardizing the reelection prospects of more vulnerable lawmakers whose constituents rely on key safety net programs. With thin majorities in the House and the Senate, Republicans can afford to lose hardly any votes from their side of the aisle as they draft legislation, giving each lawmaker leverage over the process. “It’s going to take all of us to get it done,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.

Iran is reportedly weighing the possibility of presenting a temporary nuclear deal to the United States as a stepping stone toward a broader, more permanent arrangement, according to a report by Axios on Thursday. The outlet cited a European diplomat and a source with knowledge of the internal discussions in Tehran.
This development comes as the White House intensifies diplomatic pressure, with President Donald Trump giving negotiators a 60-day window to secure a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran. At the same time, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, a move widely interpreted as a contingency plan in case diplomatic efforts falter.

Britain on Friday announced a “surge” of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged country’s Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russia’s invasion and a U.S. envoy flew to St. Petersburg amid ongoing ceasefire efforts. Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines, as well as repair and maintenance contracts to keep Ukrainian armored vehicles on the battlefield. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was back in Russia on Friday but he didn’t confirm whether he will meet with Putin.

China announced Friday that it will raise tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% — the latest salvo in an escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies that has rattled markets and raised fears of a global slowdown. While U.S. President Donald Trump paused import taxes this week for other countries, he raised tariffs on China and they now total 145%. China has denounced the policy as “economic bullying” and promised countermeasures. The new tariffs begin Saturday. Washington’s repeated jacking up of tariffs “will become a joke in the history of the world economy,” a Chinese Finance Ministry spokesman said in a statement announcing the new tariffs. “However, if the U.S.

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the nomination of Yehuda Kaploun as the next U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social account, praised Kaploun as a dedicated advocate for Jewish rights and religious freedom. “I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large,” Trump wrote. “Yehuda is a successful businessman and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation on Thursday in response to comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who appeared to validate a protester’s allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
“Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney. But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state. Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!” Netanyahu wrote on X.

President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that negotiations are inching closer to securing the release of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, suggesting that a breakthrough may be imminent—though he offered few specifics. “We’re getting close to getting them back,” Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting. “We’re making progress. We’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas—and it’s a nasty group.” The president described meeting with previously released hostages, some of whom returned in poor physical condition, and emphasized the psychological toll of their ordeal. “A lot of people are very grateful. Some came back in pretty bad shape. They’re okay, but they’re going to be scarred mentally for a long time,” he said.

Two Jewish families from Flatbush’s Syrian community survived a horrifying private jet crash in Mexico on Thursday—emerging with nothing more than scratches as flames and smoke consumed their $10 million aircraft. The Gulfstream V jet had just arrived from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, carrying the families to Cabo San Lucas for Pesach, when it veered violently off the runway during landing Thursday afternoon. Shocking footage now circulating on social media shows the aircraft skidding across the tarmac before careening off the paved surface and coming to a jarring halt near the edge of the airfield, smoke billowing from the wreckage. “We are alive,” one passenger can be heard saying emotionally in a video filmed just moments after the crash. “Thank you Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman “Yes, no joke!

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO — Two Jewish families from Brooklyn, New York, are safe and unharmed after the Gulfstream V executive jet they were traveling on skidded off the runway while landing at Cabo San Lucas International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

Former President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that he has selected Yehuda Kaploun, a businessman, Chabad rabbi, and active Trump campaign supporter, to serve as his administration’s new special envoy charged with monitoring and fighting antisemitism.
Trump shared the announcement on Truth Social, stating: “I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large. Yehuda is a successful businessman, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!”

A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can move forward with a controversial initiative requiring undocumented immigrants to enter their personal details into an online database — and face fines or jail time if they don’t comply.
The policy, first unveiled by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in February, is scheduled to go into effect on Friday.
Under the new rule, undocumented immigrants aged 14 and up — including minors — must provide details such as fingerprints and residential addresses. As reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, noncompliance could result in penalties of up to $5,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months.

Agudath Israel of America presents a special Shailos Uteshuvos session on Hilchos Pesach and Erev Pesach Shechal B’Shabbos with Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia Yeshivah. The discussion, originally conducted four years ago, is moderated by Rav Doniel Osher Kleinman, noted rov and author of Kovetz Halachos containing Rav Kamenetsky’s p’sakim. With clarity, Rav Kamenetsky addresses a range of practical halachic questions.
WATCH:

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