Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday that Russia will observe a three-day truce next month during its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and its allies’ triumph in World War Two.
According to a Kremlin announcement, the ceasefire will take effect at the beginning of May 8 and continue until the conclusion of May 10, spanning 72 hours in total. Russia also urged Ukraine to participate in the pause.
The statement emphasized that if Ukraine breaches the ceasefire, Russia’s military would deliver an “adequate and effective response.”
{Matzav.com}

A United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet was lost to the depths of the Red Sea after slipping off an aircraft carrier in a serious incident — though, fortunately, the pilot survived, according to officials.
The incident occurred Monday aboard the USS Harry S. Truman as the fighter, valued at roughly $56 million, was being hauled out of a hangar when the tractor towing it lost control.
According to Navy reports, both the Super Hornet and the towing vehicle ended up plunging into the sea.
Both the pilot and the sailor operating the towing tractor were able to jump to safety, with one of them suffering only a minor injury.

President Trump is set to sign executive orders on Monday targeting sanctuary jurisdictions and offering strong backing to police officers and departments accused of misconduct.
Trump has advocated stripping financial support from cities and states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, and the new orders will increase that pressure.
According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, one of the executive actions regarding sanctuary jurisdictions “direct[s] the attorney general [Pam Bondi] and also [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem… to provide a list of sanctuary cities in which local officials are not complying with this federal order and are not complying with federal immigration laws,” she said during a morning press briefing.

The New Jersey State Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin a key new phase of road improvement work along Route 9 in Lakewood, NJ this evening, April 28th.
The current area of focus, as part of the ongoing “Indian Head Project,” will be on and around Route 9 between Route 88 and 3rd Street, in both directions. Road closures and detours in that area are expected to begin Monday evening through early morning hours. These closures will continue on a nightly basis for the duration of this project, currently estimated to last approximately six months.
This phase of improvement work will focus on improving water drainage, as well as adding a variety of lane enhancements to speed up traffic flow on that busy stretch of road.

Agudath Israel is outraged by several ordinances recently passed and others that are being contemplated by the City of Linden designed to prevent Orthodox Jews from moving there, in line with the mayor’s recent comments to “keep our community from being taken over by guys with big hats and curls.” These discriminatory measures represent a blatant attempt to marginalize religious and minority communities under the guise of land-use regulation.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu testified at his criminal trial on Monday, downplaying the significance of any cigars or champagne he received, saying it was minor compared to the vast supply owned by billionaire Hollywood producer, onetime confidant, and current state’s witness Arnon Milchan.
The defense is nearing completion of testimony for Case 1000, known as the “Illegal Gifts” case. Once these testimonies conclude, proceedings for Case 2000 will commence, followed by the prosecution’s cross-examination. In Case 1000, Netanyahu is accused of promoting legislation that would have benefited Milchan, allegedly receiving cigars and champagne valued at thousands of shekels in return.

Chareidi demonstrators gathered on Monday outside the Tel Hashomer induction center to protest against the IDF’s efforts to enlist members of the chareidi community.
Footage shows activists sitting across the roadway, obstructing traffic, until police intervened and forcibly removed them.
The police issued a statement labeling the gathering “illegal,” although they emphasized that they “view the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic state and allow demonstrations as long as they are conducted within the law.”
They added, “However, the police will not allow any disturbances of public order, violations of freedom of movement, or behavior that may endanger public safety.”

Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, announced today that he will be stepping down from his position.
Speaking during a ceremony honoring the agency’s fallen heroes, Bar said, “As the head of the organization, I took responsibility” for the events of October 7.
During his remarks, Bar shared, “And now, on this special evening, symbolizing memory, heroism and sacrifice, I have chosen to announce the implementation” of accepting this responsibility, “and decided to end my role as head of the Shin Bet.”
Bar emphasized that his choices throughout his career have always been driven by deep devotion and allegiance to Israel. “The same is true tonight,” he added.

In a strong rebuke aired Monday on 103FM, Ilan Lotan, a onetime top official within the Shin Bet, publicly criticized agency head Ronen Bar and urged him to resign immediately.
“They turned the Shin Bet into an enemy of the people, even greater than Hamas and [Palestinian] Islamic Jihad,” Lotan charged, emphasizing that “the relationship between the Shin Bet and the prime minister is critical.”
Lotan expressed serious doubt over how Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Bar could continue collaborating, given the mutual accusations between them, asserting that the only viable way to determine the facts would be through the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.

The true measure of the IDF’s worthiness in its mission to protect Israel hinges on its ability to bring back the hostages taken by Hamas, declared IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. He delivered these remarks during a ceremony at Mount Herzl on Monday, an event dedicated to honoring Israel’s fallen security personnel as part of Remembrance Day commemorations.
“We are fighting in order to build a more secure future, and a free state. It is our ethical obligation to return our hostages [held by Hamas] to their homes – this is the test of being the Israeli Defense Forces,” stated Zamir during his address.