Waiting for Iran: Things are (more) tense in Israel and at the White House as “Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria’s capital.” A top US general is in Israel and the Pentagon has moved additional assets to the region. Here’s the latest from CNN.

+ Waiting for America: “Ukraine is now digging in to stop a collapse across the war’s front lines as Russian attacks and American delays leave Kyiv and its allies to confront the possibility of a painful defeat.”

+ Tastes Just Like Outsourcing: “A few New York City restaurants are experimenting with virtual staff members, who greet customers onscreen via Zoom from the Philippines.” NYT (Gift Article): The Fried Chicken Is in New York. The Cashier Is in the Philippines.

+ Cohen’s Head: Ahead of next week’s start to the Trump trial in NYC, Ryan Lizza talks to star witness, Michael Cohen. “He’d be a horrible witness. You guys would all enjoy it because it would give you so much to talk about. ‘Saturday Night Live’ would pay Donald to get up on the witness stand; they wouldn’t have to write anything for then maybe the next three, four episodes.”

+ Shohei Can You See? “Eventually, as with alcohol and cigarettes, the evidence of harm will become overwhelming, and policymakers will reign in the industry’s most predatory practices. Future generations will look at today’s gambling ads the same way we look at old cigarette ads, where paid doctors preached the benefits of smoking, and wonder how they were ever allowed. But we’re not there yet.” WSJ (Gift Article): ‘Responsible Gambling’ Campaigns Always Fail. That’s the Point. They definitely didn’t work for Ippei Mizuhara. Shohei Ohtani’s ex-translator Ippei Mizuhara turns himself in after allegedly stealing $16 million. The details of the betting and stealing in this story are truly amazing. Here are 5 of the most surprising revelations.

+ Liver Failure: “A Houston hospital is investigating whether a doctor altered a transplant list to make his patients ineligible for care. A disproportionate number of them have died while waiting for new organs.” NYT (Gift Article): Texas Surgeon Is Accused of Secretly Denying Liver Transplants. Whoa.

+ Brush with Greatness: Why dentists say you shouldn’t rinse after brushing.

+ Show Me the Muni: “The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which runs the city’s Muni Metro light rail, claims to be the first US agency to adopt the train control system it currently uses, which has software run off floppy disks. But today, the SFMTA is eager to abandon its reliance on 5¼-inch floppy disks—just give it about six more years and a few hundred more million dollars.”