An inspiring Lag BaOmer parade took place on the grounds of the Jewish Museum in Moscow and in neighboring educational institutions, with hundreds of children participating under the leadership of Rabbi Berel Lazar, Head Shliach and Chief Rabbi of Russia. Despite Lag BaOmer falling on a Friday this year, a dedicated group of Shluchim, led by Rabbi Eliyahu Dikshtein, initiated a special campaign to organize a large parade—an event typically held on Sunday. Their efforts paid off, drawing an overwhelming number of participants, so much so that organizers had to bring in extra chairs to accommodate everyone.

Andrew Cuomo, who has entered the race for New York City mayor, launched a campaign ad on Wednesday that paints him as a direct counterforce to President Trump—just hours after reports surfaced of a Justice Department investigation into his conduct.
The ad showcases a sequence of well-known political figures who have clashed with Trump and are now under federal scrutiny, concluding with Cuomo himself, who is reportedly being investigated over testimony he gave to Congress regarding his handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
“If Donald Trump doesn’t want Andrew Cuomo as mayor, you do,” the ad boldly proclaims.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a press briefing from his office in Yerushalayim—the first time in six months that he has done so.
He opened by asserting that Israel is operating according to a comprehensive wartime strategy, and emphasized that there are still at least 20 hostages known to be alive.
He made clear that while Israel is open to halting combat temporarily if it would enable the safe return of the hostages, it will not scale back military pressure. “If there is a chance for a temporary ceasefire to bring back hostages, we are ready for it.”

Explosions were heard on Wednesday afternoon as warning sirens blared throughout Ashkelon, a city along Israel’s southern coastline. According to the IDF, a missile fired by Islamic Jihad militants from northern Gaza was successfully intercepted. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
A military spokesperson stated: “Following the sirens that sounded in the Lakhish area, one projectile that was identified crossing into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip was intercepted by the IAF. No injuries were reported.”
As night fell, sirens were triggered once again in the border communities of Netiv Ha’asara and Zikim, situated within the Gaza envelope.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for a “Golden Dome” to protect the United States from long-range missiles was at least partly inspired by Israel’s multitiered missile defenses. Trump announced the $175 billion concept in the Oval Office on Tuesday, saying it would put U.S. weapons in space for the first time and be would be “fully operational” by the end of his term in early 2029, though a U.S. official familiar with the program said it could take longer. Israel’s multilayered defenses, often collectively referred to as the “Iron Dome,” have played a key role in defending it from rocket and missile fire from Iran and allied terror groups in the conflict unleashed by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The sophisticated system, developed over decades with considerable U.S.

A former New York state trooper pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges that he shot himself then falsely claimed he was wounded by an unknown gunman on a Long Island highway, prompting a regionwide search. Thomas Mascia agreed to serve six months in jail, followed by five years probation and continued mental health treatment as he formally changed his not guilty plea during a court appearance in Nassau County court in Mineola. He also agreed, as part of his plea deal, to pay $289,000 in restitution for the overtime costs for officers during the three-day search for a nonexistent suspect. The 27-year-old West Hempstead resident had been charged with official misconduct, tampering with evidence and falsifying documents.

Israeli military officials have confirmed that the terrorist responsible for the deadly shooting near Bruchin, which claimed the life of Tze’ela Gez, has been killed. Additionally, two other individuals were taken into custody by the Shin Bet for questioning.
The targeted operation unfolded last Shabbos when soldiers from the IDF’s Ephraim Brigade, working on intelligence provided by the Shin Bet, carried out a sweep in the village of Burqin, not far from the site of the attack. During the search, a man approached the troops, shouting in Arabic and carrying a suspicious bag. Believing their lives were in danger, the soldiers responded with lethal force. None of the soldiers were harmed.