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Hamas Releases 20 Living Hostages - Ceasefire Takes Hold

Hamas handed over all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire deal brokered with international mediation, marking a pivotal step in pausing two years of war and triggering urgent diplomatic and humanitarian responses across the region

Number

4,074 - Gold hits record high per ounce

Quote

"This is not only the end of a war, but the end of an age of terror and death" — President Donald Trump


SPX 6,553 ↓ 2.71% Dow 45,480 ↓ 1.90% Nasdaq 22,204 ↓ 3.56% Gold 4,100 ↑ 2.49% BTC 114,657 ↓ 0.38%


24 Hours

Hamas releases 20 living hostages - ceasefire underway

Hamas handed over the final group of living Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire arrangement, marking a pivotal early step in the Trump brokered pause to a two year conflict. The releases have immediate diplomatic and humanitarian consequences across the region.

Trump hails ceasefire at Knesset - calls peace a victory

President Trump used his address to Israel's Knesset to celebrate the hostage releases and press for a diplomatic transition. His remarks included public appeals and controversial calls that dominated the parliamentary session.

Red Cross buses carry Palestinian prisoners out of Israeli jails

As living hostages were freed, parallel prisoner movements began with Israeli releases of Palestinian detainees and Red Cross transports. These coordinated transfers are a central part of the initial phase of the ceasefire deal.

Returned hostage Eitan Mor reunites with family in Israel

Individual reunions and emotional returns underscore the human toll of the Gaza war and the significance of the hostage releases. Medical and family reunification operations are proceeding as freed captives arrive to Israeli care facilities.

World leaders gather in Egypt for Gaza summit

World leaders convened in Egypt and elsewhere to back the Gaza ceasefire and press for a follow up diplomatic track. International buy in is being sought to stabilize the fragile truce and move to broader talks.

Aid convoys enter Gaza but UN warns supplies remain insufficient

Humanitarian access is inching forward but agencies warn supplies remain insufficient and complex returns raise medical and forensic challenges. Families of missing hostages continue to demand information about remains still unreturned.

Government shutdown drags into third week - votes stalled

The US federal government shutdown extended into a third week, straining services and prompting layoffs and travel disruptions. Lawmakers remain deadlocked while federal operations and national parks face closures and furloughs.

White House reinstates some CDC staff after layoff backlash

The White House reversed some CDC layoffs after blowback but the agency remains destabilized as rescindments and firings ripple through key offices. The personnel moves have prompted political attacks and operational concerns.

Vance warns deeper cuts to federal workforce as shutdown persists

Vice President JD Vance signaled further cuts to the federal workforce if the shutdown persists while the White House debated extraordinary legal options. The administration publicly weighed invoking statutes that would raise legal and political stakes.

China locks down rare earth exports - US supply risk grows

Beijing moved to tighten controls on minerals and magnet technologies, a flashpoint in the US China trade contest. China also urged Washington to withdraw recent tariff threats as both sides dial up economic leverage.

China exports rise at fastest pace in six months

Economic data underlined divergent trade trends with China showing overall export growth while shipments to the US slipped. Investors watched the split as tariff rhetoric and export controls added volatility to global trade flows.

Gold hits record 4,074 per ounce - markets jittery

Markets reacted to trade and geopolitical shocks as safe havens and supply fears accelerated. Gold surged to new highs and strategic materials stocks rallied amid concern about supply disruption and tariff escalation.

JPMorgan pledges up to 10 billion for firms critical to US security

JPMorgan unveiled major domestic investment commitments aimed at shoring up industries deemed critical to national security while also announcing a broader multitrillion dollar investment initiative. The moves reflect rising private capital involvement in strategic sectors.

Dutch government seizes chipmaker Nexperia over security fears

The Dutch government stepped in to take control of a Netherlands chipmaker amid national security concerns over Chinese ownership. The unprecedented intervention reflects broader Western scrutiny of supply chain and technology risks.

Medvedev warns Tomahawk supplies could end badly - Russia reacts

Russia signaled strong condemnation of potential US missile transfers to Ukraine with senior officials warning of dangerous repercussions. Moscow's rhetoric intensified amid renewed Western debate over providing long range strike capabilities to Kyiv.

Russia strikes Ukraine power grid overnight - outages reported

Russia carried out strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as Kyiv pressed allies for deeper strike capabilities to blunt Moscow's campaign. The exchanges raised the stakes for broader NATO and US involvement in supplying long range weapons.

Two high speed trains collide in Slovakia - dozens injured

A high speed collision in Slovakia injured dozens and left at least two in critical condition as authorities launched an investigation. The crash highlighted transport safety concerns across European rail networks.

Bus crash in South Africa kills at least 42 passengers

A long distance bus plunged on a mountain road in South Africa killing dozens and leaving many wounded. The tragedy prompted national mourning and scrutiny of road safety in remote regions.

Madagascar president to address nation amid military unrest

Madagascar's president reported an attempted coup and called for calm as protesters and parts of the military moved against the government. The situation remains fluid with national addresses and calls for restraint underway.

20 gang members labeled foreign terrorists escape Guatemalan prison

Guatemala reported a mass escape involving members of a gang that the United States has designated a foreign terrorist organization, raising regional security alarms. Authorities launched searches as the event underscored cross border organized crime threats.

WHO sounds alarm on surge of drug resistant superbugs

The World Health Organization issued urgent warnings about the rapid rise of drug resistant bacterial infections and their threat to modern medicine. Public health experts urged accelerated research and stewardship as cases mount globally.

Nor'easter forces New York and New Jersey state of emergency

A powerful nor'easter battered the US East Coast, prompting state of emergency declarations and widespread travel disruptions. Coastal flooding and heavy rainfall forced evacuations and emergency responses across multiple states.

Dozens rescued after Alaska floods sweep away homes

Alaska suffered severe flooding from typhoon remnants, sweeping away homes and prompting large scale search and rescue. Federal and state teams mobilized to evacuate stranded residents and assess damage in coastal communities.

SpaceX plans 11th Starship test flight as soon as Monday

Space and energy tech developments moved forward as SpaceX prepared another Starship test flight and private investors struck deals to power AI data centers. Both actions reflect accelerating commercial efforts in space launch and grid scale power solutions.