Russian President Vladimir Putin met with freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, whose release from Hamas captivity was facilitated, according to Putin, through Russia’s relationship with the terror group. Sasha Troufanov, along with his mother Elena and partner Sapir Cohen—who were all taken hostage during the brutal October 7th attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz—were received at the Kremlin this week. The attack killed Sasha’s father, Vitaly Hy”d. In a televised segment aired on Russian state media, Putin openly acknowledged Russia’s longstanding ties with Hamas.

A disturbing incident during the first days of Pesach has left the Crown Heights community on edge as organizers prepare for a public rally in response to the assault of a Black man in a wheelchair by a member of the Orthodox Jewish community. The attack, which took place on Lincoln Place, has drawn widespread condemnation across Crown Heights and beyond. But despite the near-universal denouncement of the assault by Orthodox Jewish leaders, concern is growing over inflammatory messaging accompanying the rally, which some fear could lead to renewed tensions between the Black and Jewish communities. On Yom Tov, 30-year-old Levi Kabakov, a Jewish man walking with his children, confronted a Black man in a wheelchair, Troy McLeod, who was out walking his two muzzled but unleashed dogs.

What was nearly a tragedy turned into a powerful reminder of the Hashgacha Pratis that accompanies each Yid, wherever they may be—even in a Florida resort, on a sunny Chol Hamoed afternoon. Just 24 hours after pulling their unconscious two-year-old daughter from the water, the Cohen family of Baltimore gathered friends, family, and first responders for an emotional and deeply moving Seudas Hodaah. Their little girl, Aliza Rivka bas Chana, had been miraculously revived after a harrowing near-drowning accident—thanks to the quick actions of bystanders and the heroic intervention of Hatzalah of South Florida. The father, Levi Cohen, stood before the crowd, his voice thick with emotion. “You read about these kinds of stories on Yeshiva World News,” he said.

President Donald Trump has reportedly halted Israeli plans to launch a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, choosing instead to pursue a diplomatic deal with Tehran. According to a bombshell report by The New York Times, Trump personally informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a high-stakes meeting at the White House that the United States would not support an Israeli-led attack—one that would have required critical American military backing. The revelation marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy and a rare public rebuke of Israel’s security calculus, particularly as tensions with Iran continue to rise.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Miriam Yarimi, 32, of Midwood, Brooklyn, has been arraigned on an indictment charging her with reckless manslaughter and other charges for allegedly speeding through a steady red light before crashing into an Uber that was waiting for a family to finish crossing the street, plowing through the pedestrians as her car rolled over. A 34-year-old mother and her daughters, 5 and 8, died from the impact, and her 4-year-son suffered serious injuries. District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This horrific fatal crash was one of the worst I’ve seen in over 25 years as a prosecutor. It wasn’t an accident. This defendant’s unconscionably dangerous driving wiped out a family.

The Trump administration has referred New York Attorney General Letitia James for criminal prosecution, accusing her of mortgage fraud related to property purchases dating back decades. According to documents obtained by Fox News, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent a criminal referral to the Department of Justice, addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. FHFA Director William Pulte alleged that James falsified records to secure favorable loan terms for two properties. The first involves a Virginia property James allegedly claimed as her principal residence in 2023, despite serving as New York’s attorney general, a role requiring New York residency.

On the first day of Chol Hamoed, a 2-year-old child’s life was saved thanks to the heroic actions of Hatzalah South Florida (HSF)-Orlando EMTs and paramedics. Responding to an urgent call at Encore in Orlando, HSF arrived swiftly to find the toddler, who had been pulled from a pool and was not breathing. In seamless collaboration with Osceola County Fire Rescue paramedics, HSF’s team delivered critical life-saving interventions. Their rapid response and skilled coordination stabilized the child at the scene, enabling a successful airlift to a local hospital for further treatment. The child’s survival is a testament to HSF’s incredible response time and unwavering dedication. Tragedy can strike in seconds. Never leave children unattended near pools, even for a moment.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, reported on Tuesday that they can no longer reach the team responsible for holding American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, following an Israeli attack on their position, according to spokesman Abu Obeida. “We announce that we have lost contact with the team guarding soldier Edan Alexander following a direct Israeli bombardment targeting their location. We are still trying to reach them,” Abu Obeida said. In a separate propaganda video released the same day, Hamas issued a menacing warning: “Be prepared, soon your children will return in black coffins.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YWN regrets to inform you of the sudden and tragic petirah of R’ Chaim Lipschutz z”l, a 25-year-old yungerman from Lakewood, who was niftar in Chicago on Friday night after suffering a severe allergic reaction. Reb Chaim, a ben aliyah through and through, was a chaver beTorah u’beYiras Shamayim, beloved by all who knew him. A true talmid chochom with refined midos, he lived and breathed limud haTorah with remarkable hasmadah and depth. He married several years ago, and was beginning to build a home that radiated kedushah and avodas Hashem with his wife, Mrs. Adina Lipschutz (nee Heinemann) yb”l.

US President Trump has taken a firm stance against Iran’s nuclear program, declaring, “We’ve got a problem with Iran. I’ll solve that problem.” Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he described the issue as manageable, saying, “It’s almost an easy one.” Trump emphasized his position, stating, “Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon.” He expressed a desire for Iran’s prosperity but underscored a non-negotiable condition: “I want them to be a rich, great nation. The only thing is, one thing, simple, it’s really simple: They can’t have a nuclear weapon. And they’ve gotta go fast. Because they’re fairly close to having one.