News

Red Cross starts operation to retrieve Israeli hostages

Red Cross starts operation to collect first Israeli hostages in Gaza amid ceasefire agreement with Hamas

Published

4 months ago

October 13, 2025

Ahron Young

Red Cross starts operation to collect first Israeli hostages in Gaza amid ceasefire agreement with Hamas

In Short:
– The Red Cross is collecting 20 Israeli hostages in Gaza under a ceasefire agreement facilitated by Trump.
– Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees after the initial hostage handover amidst ongoing regional tensions.

The Red Cross has initiated an operation in the Gaza Strip to collect the first 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The effort marks the beginning phase of a ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

The framework for this deal was facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump.As part of the agreement, Israel plans to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees from its prisons. Following the initial handover of hostages, 28 others — including 26 deceased and two unaccounted for — are expected to be addressed later.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will transport the released hostages to Israeli security forces, who will then return them to their families and take them to hospitals in central Israel.

In Israel, crowds have gathered near military installations, waving flags and displaying signs in support of the hostages. Reports indicate that armed members of Hamas have also gathered at transfer locations, awaiting the handover of hostages or the arrival of Palestinian prisoners.

Ongoing Uncertainty

The truce and exchange of hostages follow significant casualties in Gaza, with over 67,000 Palestinians reported killed and the conflict exacerbating regional tensions. The evolving political landscape, influenced by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has led to a complex situation.

A global summit in Egypt, involving more than 20 world leaders including Trump, aims to address the future of peace in the region. Yet, uncertainties remain regarding the governance of Gaza post-conflict and Hamas’s future, as they resist disarmament demands.

News

Big Tech earnings spark investor unease over AI spending

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Investors are reacting sharply to Big Tech earnings this week, sending a clear signal that massive spending must translate into real growth. Markets are becoming less forgiving as companies pour billions into artificial intelligence, data centres and future tech while returns remain uncertain.

Meta has delivered a standout performance, posting a 24 percent jump in revenue for the December quarter, fuelled by AI-powered advertising. The company is doubling down on its strategy, with aggressive investment in AI and infrastructure expected to drive a further 33 percent growth this quarter.

Microsoft and Tesla tell a more cautious story. Microsoft reported only modest growth in its Azure cloud business, raising questions about its exposure to OpenAI, while Tesla plans to double spending on AI and autonomous driving. Analysts warn of a widening gap between bold AI ambitions and what investors expect in returns.

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News

Federal Reserve holds interest rates amid economic uncertainty

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut. #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut.

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates unchanged, marking the first pause since July. Officials are showing little urgency to resume cuts, even after previous rate reductions.

Two Fed governors opposed the decision, calling for a quarter-point cut, highlighting ongoing debates within the rate-setting committee, which includes both appointed governors and regional bank presidents.

Concerns over the job market and persistent inflation continue to weigh heavily on the Fed’s policy decisions, leaving economists and investors closely watching the next moves.

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#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

News

Trump warns Iran as U.S. naval forces approach amid rising tensions

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and tensions rise.

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and rising tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to return to nuclear negotiations, warning that failure to do so could result in a far more severe military response. Posting on Truth Social, Trump signalled a hardening stance as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Trump confirmed that a U.S. naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is moving towards Iran, as protests grow inside the country over alleged government repression.

The show of force comes amid heightened regional instability and mounting pressure on the Iranian leadership.

#Trump #Iran #USForeignPolicy