Top new prog from VMBRA, Kristoffer Gildenlöw, Lost In Kyiv and more in all new Tracks Of The Week

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spent a lifetime staring down death—whether it was Egyptian fire in the Suez Canal, a terrorist’s bullet during the Sabena Flight 571 rescue, or the crushing weight of leading a nation in a multi-front war for survival. On Friday, the world learned that he has spent the last two months quietly staring down a new enemy: cancer. And, true to form, the cancer blinked first. In a characteristically blunt announcement, Netanyahu revealed that a routine medical screening recently detected a “tiny spot” of a malignant tumor in his prostate. While many men his age might opt for the “wait and watch” approach, the former Sayeret Matkal commando—a man who once refused to let fellow soldiers carry his stretcher during grueling navigation exercises—chose the path of maximum aggression. “You already know me,” Netanyahu said, in a statement that served as both a medical update and a warning to Israel’s enemies. “When I’m given information in time about a potential danger, I want to address it immediately. This is true on the national level and also on the personal level.” Netanyahu delayed the publication of his annual medical report by two months, a strategic move designed to deny the Iranian “terror regime” the opportunity to weaponize his health for propaganda purposes during the height of the current conflict. It was a classic “Bibi” maneuver: subordinating personal vulnerability to national security. Much like the resolve of a certain president who rose powerfully to his feet after an assassin’s bullet nearly took off his head, the prime minister’s resolve is backed by a medical history that reads like a manual on physical toughness. In July 2023, after undergoing emergency surgery to implant a pacemaker under general anesthesia, Netanyahu was discharged on a Monday morning and was back in the Knesset by Monday afternoon to vote on historic judicial reform. Less than a year later, in March 2024, he underwent hernia surgery and was back at his desk within 24 hours. This latest skirmish with a malignant tumor was no different. Netanyahu opted for targeted treatments that he claims have now “removed the problem,” leaving no trace of the disease. During the procedures, he reportedly read a book and continued working. For the man who survived the “Unit,” the message was clear: a tumor is just another insurgent to be neutralized. Whether it is Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in the north, or a rogue cell in his own body, Netanyahu’s philosophy remains the same: identify the threat, strike it with precision, and return to the mission. “Thank God, I overcame this too,” Netanyahu stated. “I am in excellent physical condition.” The prime minister concluded his announcement by urging Israeli citizens to take care of their own health—a rare moment of paternal warmth from a leader whose political identity is forged in the fires of elite special forces combat. But make no mistake: the “commando” is still very much in the room, and he has no intention of retreating.

This article is part of Upstream, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you. *** Welcome to the Bright Side, a weekly roundup of all the good news and ideas you might have missed from the past week. I was casually taking an internet quiz to see which culinary herb I am (as one does), when I was asked to pick a sound that “speaks” to me. I chose a crackling campfire. My shoulders relaxed just thinking about camping in Sequoia National Park and how small I felt among giant redwoods. I could almost taste the whisky we sipped while telling stories as millions of stars spilled into the sky. In the spirit of uncovering soul-soothing joy wherever we can, here are a few things to get the party started. Humanity Weighs In On Little Joys When happiness researchers surveyed 100,000 people to find out what brings them the most joy, most responses didn’t mention anything about winning the lottery or getting famous. Instead, the crowd-sourced results (which you can explore with this interactive map) were much more relatable.    View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Pudding (@the.pudding) Revealing the greatest moments of the last 24 hours or the most recent three months, people recorded things like driving 300 miles to help a friend, laughing at their silly pets, foraging for mushrooms, and reading a book. Seeing ordinary responses arranged via tiny figures on an imaginary continent highlighted the power of 100,000 happy moments.   Going “Peak Bondi” This Summer Immediately after I heard this story, I dedicated my life to achieving this level of unbotheredness. It happened during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. But the real star was the woman who didn’t move a muscle as the “royal” entourage nearly trampled her on the sand.  The unknown queen barely looked up from her reading as lifeguards, fans, and camera crews stepped all over her personal bubble. One Redditor noted the “peak Bondi attitude” on display. It may have been the responsibility of the royals’ hosts (the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club) to steer everyone clear of the beachgoer, but when you’re presented with the opportunity to stand your ground by never leaving your beach towel, you take it. Upgrade Your Weekend Tuna Melt With Kimchi I’m all for the new trend of going to dinner early so I can change into sweats by 7 p.m., but if I don’t want to go anywhere, nothing beats a comforting meal at home. Bon Appétit’s Kimchi Tuna Melts come together in 30 minutes, with just seven ingredients, kicked up a notch with tangy kimchi and umami-boosting soy sauce.  Toss two five-ounce cans of oil-packed tuna (drained), with 3/4 cup chopped kimchi (plus one tablespoon brine), 1/2 cup mayo, two teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, four sliced scallions, 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar, and salt and pepper to taste.  Toast four English muffin halves under the broiler for two minutes. Scoop tuna salad evenly onto the muffin halves, and sprinkle with an additional cup of grated cheddar. Broil until the cheese is melted, and serve. A Med School Grad’s Lucrative “Balloon Doctor” Side Hustle To help pay off $405,000 in student loans, 27-year-old medical specialist Brandon Alexrod is taking hot air all the way to the bank using his balloon animal talents.  @doctorbrandini Help me pay my student loans with balloons @Bad Bunny @NFL @duolingo oficial @GRAMMYS #fyp #surgeon #doctor #medicine #dental ♬ EoO – Bad Bunny The Cornell University alum says he flipped a favorite childhood hobby into his current side hustle to take the edge off the anxiety he felt over his debt. He may have been twisting flower and dog shapes back in the day, but now he’s making thousands of dollars crafting viral balloon sculptures. His take on the Statue of Liberty just might have you falling in love with the sound of balloons squeaking against each other. Taking Inspiration From The Toaster If you woke up after your alarm should have gone off and the coffee creamer went bad two days ago, you may want to count your blessings. Well, at least you can put a good spin on annoying events by remembering the Burnt Toast Theory. The idea goes like this: Instead of bad luck working against us, minor setbacks could serve as welcome detours, gently guiding us along a better path. “Not every setback is meant to stop you,” author Rebecca Simon says. “Some are quietly moving you away from something that would have cost you more than you realize.”  Modern Medicine Might Have Found A Cancer Cure Forget what you know about mRNA vaccines. As the first person to try an mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer, Donna Gustavson skirted “a death sentence” after her diagnosis, thanks to surgery to remove the tumor and a clinical trial that worked. Six years later, she’s cancer-free, with immune cells from eight vaccines still detectable in her system. She celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary and welcomed two more grandchildren. Research continues, but doctors are hopeful that the groundbreaking results will affect other cancers in the future. “Every day, I wake up and thank God I’m here,” Gustavson said. Take A Worthwhile Mental Break I don’t always scroll social media, but when I do, I love it when the algorithms align to show me something delightful. (Not today, TikTok girls crying about breakups.) This week, a sweet baby with Down Syndrome saying his first word had me sobbing at my desk.  Every man who has seen this has claimed there was “just something in his eye.” pic.twitter.com/Rf81Xy2ZTS — Megan Basham (@megbasham) April 21, 2026 Elsewhere, influencers making fun of influencers is the influencer trend I can get behind. (Watch these two crack themselves up doing a “Get Ready With Me” for Coachella). And I’m living for Alex Haddon’s “Match The Song To The Person” bit where he sings the perfect track for a random stranger. Maybe “Fly Away” for the guy who looks like Lenny Kravitz is too on the nose, or maybe it’s perfection.    I love hearing about what caught your eye, lifted your spirit, and brightened your day. Share your favorites in the comments (you can email me too) and spread the joy! — Lauren

Gen Z and Millennials aren’t just avoiding politics; they’re looking for something real.

Our top 10 The Roots songs list looks at the catalog of a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop band best known for its interminable musical creativity in the rap scene. Formed in 1987, The Roots established its musical career on a path earlier cut by Stetsasonic, one of the pioneering hip-hop bands of the early ‘80s. Before becoming a house band for the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Roots had already established itself as a prolific and progressive hip-hop band in the contemporary music scene. Despite its reputation as a hip-hop band, The Roots heavily features a jazzy/progressive soul sound. The The post Top 10 Songs By The Roots appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

McDonald’s Pizza was the chain’s bold attempt to reinvent family dinner, a fast food experiment that sparked curiosity, slowed drive thrus, and became one of the most enduring legends in menu history. The post McDonald’s Pizza: A Slice of Fast Food History appeared first on The Retro Network.

Participants have already started getting doses of the vaccine, which targets H5N1 flu.