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By Hannah Jewell and Jamie Ross Listen to this briefing Good morning. It’s Tuesday, March 18, and a new course from The Post’s Try This podcast just dropped. It will teach you how to put down your devices and focus better. Find it here. Now let’s get to the news. Israel launched extensive strikes on Gaza, breaking a ceasefire with Hamas. This morning: Israel carried out its deadliest bombing campaign in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect in January. More than 400 Palestinians were killed, Gaza authorities said. Zooming out: Hamas wants to negotiate a second phase of the ceasefire and a permanent end to the war. Israel has pushed for a temporary truce extension instead. Read this story          President Donald Trump escalated his fight with the federal court system. How? Government lawyers yesterday called for the removal of a judge who blocked Trump from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. In related news: Relatives of four deported Venezuelans said they are innocent. And a White House deportation video featured a song by Semisonic — the band is not happy. Read this story          The Trump administration moved to reinstate at least 24,000 fired federal workers. Why? The mass firings of some probationary workers were illegal, a judge ruled last week. Meanwhile, officials are planning a 25% staff cut at the IRS’s taxpayer help office. In other administration news: The Pentagon took down a webpage on a Native American Iwo Jima flag-raiser. And Trump suggested some nominees for Kennedy Center Honors. One more thing: Trump has found a new target for his ire — the autopen. Read this story          Texas arrested a midwife under its abortion ban. The details: Maria Margarita Rojas, 49, was charged with performing illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license, Texas authorities said yesterday. Digging deeper: These are the first criminal charges brought under the state’s near-total abortion ban. Providing an abortion in Texas is punishable by up to life in prison. In related news: Some states are limiting access to abortion pills — check yours here. Read this story          Southern Plains states are at risk of more wildfires today. Fire weather risk today into tomorrow. Data source: NOAA/SPC. (Ben Noll/The Washington Post) What to expect: The highest risk will be in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. It follows wildfires in Oklahoma and Texas that destroyed hundreds of homes. What’s driving the fires? Storms are bringing dry air to the drought-stricken region, with wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph. That could spread new blazes. Read this story          The FBI asked people to protect their Gmail and Outlook accounts. What to know: Attacks using a type of ransomware called Medusa have crippled organizations in critical industries. The FBI issued a new advisory last week. What to do: Check for software updates, turn on two-factor authentication (here’s how) and don’t click on suspicious links. Find all our tips to protect yourself here. Read this story          ADVERTISEMENT   Two NASA astronauts stuck in space for nine months are on their way home. A 286-day space odyssey: The pair’s mission to the International Space Station was meant to last just eight days. But their return has been repeatedly delayed by technical issues. This morning: Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore undocked from the ISS. Their SpaceX capsule is scheduled to splash down off the coast of Florida this evening.   Read this story          Before you go … have you been craving kimbap? How Korea’s comfort food became a global sensation. Try making your own: Just follow this recipe. One more good read: Does sleeping on an idea work? Here’s what the science says. And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post’s daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word games, Keyword and the brand-new Wridges. You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow.