Intelligence sources from the U.S. and Israel estimate that only about 20 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, remain alive. This figure, shared during ongoing negotiations in Qatar, includes civilians and female Israeli soldiers but excludes male soldiers, whose inclusion might slightly increase the count.
The Biden administration is reallocating over $100 million in military aid originally earmarked for Israel and Egypt to Lebanon. The funding aims to support the implementation of a ceasefire agreement brokered between Israel and Hezbollah. The State Department outlined the plan in notices sent to Congress on January 3.
A new poll by Parents Defending Education (PDE) reveals that 52% of U.S. parents favor reducing the size and influence of the Department of Education. The survey highlights growing dissatisfaction with the federal agency's role in shaping education policy, particularly among Republican and independent parents.
A caravan of up to 2,000 migrants departed southern Mexico on Friday, seeking to reach the U.S. border ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a 33-page letter to Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth on Monday, defending the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the military and criticizing Hegseth’s stance against them. Warren expressed concern that Hegseth, if confirmed, would implement President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to roll back DEI initiatives and other woke policies in the Pentagon.
The FDA is advancing a controversial regulation to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes, drawing criticism for potential unintended consequences, including fueling black market activity.
In a striking contradiction, leftist activists and LGBTQ groups have begun arming themselves, citing fears of persecution under a potential second Trump presidency. Organizations like the Socialist Rifle Association and Pink Pistols have reported significant membership growth, with many left-leaning individuals acquiring firearms for the first time.
McDonald’s announced plans to scale back its diversity initiatives, citing the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision banning affirmative action in college admissions. The fast-food giant joins companies like Walmart, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson in reassessing diversity programs under new legal and social pressures.
