ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu (left) meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015 (Wikipedia photo).

A large anti-government protest in Jerusalem on Sunday urged a cease-fire deal to free hostages as well as calling for early elections in Israel.

Crowds estimated at “tens of thousands” marched in the nation’s capital and grievances included not just the lack of progress in defeating Hamas militants who started the war by raiding into Israel and seizing hostages, but also anger over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempted remake of the judiciary.

There were also protestors in Tel Aviv, where marchers also called for new parliamentary elections, which are now scheduled for 2026.

Under Israel’s parliamentary system, the nation’s top leader – the prime minister – is chosen not directly by voters, but by which party can muster a majority in the Knesset. At present no one party has a majority, but Netanyahu has assembled a coalition that has kept him in power since 2022.

Sports: Men’s Final Four lineups now set

The Final Four of the NCAA men’s Division 1basketball tournament is now set. The quartet will consist of North Carolina State, Purdue, Alabama and number one-seeded UConn (University of Connecticut).

In semifinals on Saturday, April 6, NC State will face Purdue and Connecticut will take on Alabama at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Sports: Angels get first win of 2024

After two forgettable games in which they lost by a combined score of 24-7 to the Orioles in Baltimore, the Los Angeles Angels got their first win of the 2024 MLB season with a 4-1 victory over the O’s on Sunday.

The Halos (1-2) got a two-run home run by Taylor  Ward – his second homer of the young season – and a strong start by Redi Detmers to post the win. He worked five innings, giving up two hits and one earned run and struck out seven batters while walking just three.

Monday will see the start of a three-game series in  Florida against the Marlins. The Angels home opener is Friday, April 5 against the Boston Red Sox.

Sports: Dodgers rally to beat the Cards

The Los Angeles Dodgers pushed across three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals  5-4 on Sunday afternoon at home. With the win, the Blue Crew is 4-2 and second in the National League West.

Max Muncy and Teo Hernandez each homered in the eighth, with Muncy’s two-run shot providing the winning runs.

Next up for the Dodgers is the start of a home stand Monday hosting the San Francisco Giants (2-2).

Weather:  Rain is done, cloudy days here

The rainy weather that gave our West Orange County a wet weekend is gone and partly cloudy conditions are expected to be in place for several days. The forecast for Monday is for a daytime high of 68 with an overnight low of 50. Tuesday will warm to 73 with a low of 52. Wednesday will be similar at 73 (53). Cooler weather will arrive on Thursday with a high of 61 and a low of 46.