Around the World
Iranian hacker group targeted Israel and US in 2020
A new report shows that an Iranian hacker group known as TA453, or “Phosphorus,” conducted cyber attacks on 25 senior Israeli and American medical researchers in genetics, neurology, and oncology in 2020, Jerusalem Online reported Thursday. In its report, cybersecurity firm Proofpoint cited outside sources in connecting “Phosphorus” to the Iranian regime and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
US and NATO meet to discuss ‘Russia’s recent large-scale military activities’ near Ukraine
The United States and European allies are “discussing concerns” about Russia’s reported military buildup on the border of Ukraine, a senior State Department official said in a warning to Moscow.
US ready for ‘mutual’ steps as world powers to hold nuclear talks with Iran
World powers and Iran will meet by videoconference to discuss the possible return of the United States to the Iran nuclear deal, the European Union announced Thursday, in a development welcomed by Washington.
Iran said enriching uranium with 4th batch of advanced centrifuges
The United Nations’ atomic watchdog has concluded that Iran is now enriching uranium with a fourth cascade of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its underground nuclear facility in Natanz, according to a report Thursday.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan set for more dam talks after El-Sissi issues stark warning
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have agreed to meet in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this Saturday to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi reiterated his country's concerns about the project.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Ancient Temple-tax coin found in Jerusalem
Israeli archaeologists in Jerusalem have unearthed a rare Tyre shekel coin that is believed to have been used by Jewish pilgrims to pay the Passover Temple tax during the Second Temple era, All Israel News reports. The discovery was made in the course of extensive conservation work on an ancient citadel known as the Tower of David in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Israel conducts successful trials on upgraded Iron Dome
In what has been described as the latest step in the Middle East arms race, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced last month that it has conducted a series of successful trials on an upgraded version of the Iron Dome air defense system, the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reports.
Bennet to meet with Netanyahu and Lapid
Chairman of right-wing Yamina party Naftali Bennett will have meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid this weekend, Ynet News reports. The scheduled meetings follow a week in which Bennet declined to indicate who he would recommend to President Reuven Rivlin to form Israel’s next government.
Jordan warns Israel it’s violating Temple Mount status quo
Jordan sent a formal complaint to Israel's Foreign Ministry over its concern that the status quo on the Temple Mount had been violated in light of the number of Jewish visitors over the Passover holiday.

Inside the United States
Court Bans Pastor’s Good Friday Prayer Near At U.S. Capitol
A U.S. court has prevented a prominent pastor and rights activist from praying at the U.S. Capitol on Good Friday.
Record 4.7M FBI Gun Background Checks in March
A month which saw multiple mass shootings -- including high-profile murders in Georgia and Colorado -- also featured a record number of FBI-conducted background checks for firearm purchases, complicating the narrative at a time Democrats are trying to push new gun control legislation.
Biden launches influencer coalition to boost COVID vaccinations
Seeking to overcome vaccine hesitancy, the Biden administration on Thursday stepped up its outreach efforts to skeptical Americans, launching a coalition of community, religious and celebrity partners to promote COVID-19 shots in hard-hit communities.
Biden’s new $2 trillion spending plan is Green New Deal in ‘disguise,’ GOP lawmakers say
President Biden rolled out a $2 trillion "American Jobs Plan" focused on infrastructure and climate change, and Republicans immediately decried it as the Green New Deal warmed over. Even an iconic liberal magazine agreed it had a lot of similarities to progressives' signature but controversial climate blueprint.
New York Governor Sought Book Deal As Aides Hid COVID Deaths
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reportedly sought a $4 million book deal on his “hero” image during the coronavirus pandemic while aides hid a damaging death toll in nursing homes.

Christian News
Nigeria Bandits Kidnap Evangelists
Bandits have reportedly abducted eight Christian evangelists in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna State amid an Islamic campaign of targeted kidnappings.

Worthy Watch
Report: COVID ‘Vaccine Passports’ Coming Quickly to the United States