Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Israel's Cabinet Approves Four-Day Pause In War For Hostage Release
Israel’s Cabinet voted late yesterday to approve a deal to allow for the release of at least 50 hostages during a four-day pause in attacks on Gaza. As part of the deal, 150 Palestinian prisoners will be released by Israel. Hamas confirmed the deal via Telegram, saying that 50 women and children being held hostage in Gaza would be released during the four-day cease-fire. The US expects that orphaned three-year-old Israeli-American hostage Abigail Edan will be among the hostages released by Hamas.
2 Several US Service Members Injured In Missile Attack On Iraq Airbase
The Pentagon confirmed yesterday that several US service members were injured in Iraq. Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that a ballistic missile was launched at the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq where US and coalition forces were located. Ryder said the missile was launched by Iranian-backed militias, and the US military responded with a retaliatory strike that killed several of the militia’s personnel. The extent of the injuries to US service members was still being evaluated yesterday. It was the 66th attack against American-affiliated military bases in Iraq and Syria since October 17th, resulting in injuries to around 62 US personnel. When asked at a news conference yesterday if the US plans to launch preemptive strikes to avoid future attacks, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said, “We have not taken anything off the table or ruled anything out.”
3 Binance CEO Steps Down After Record $4.3 Billion In Damages From Violating Bank Secrecy Act
Big changes and an even bigger fine are headed to the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The Justice Department announced yesterday that Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance, would step down from his position after the company pleaded guilty yesterday of violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, an anti-money laundering law. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in a press conference yesterday that the company will pay more than $4.3-billion in fines and forfeitures, the largest penalty ever levied in the history of the Treasury Department. Binance has agreed to a third-party monitor overseen by the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which will have access to Binance’s systems, transactions, and accounts. Zhao announced his departure on X and stressed that there were no allegations related to any misuse of customer funds or market manipulation. Garland said that the changes in business practices moving forward at the exchange would help authorities clamp down on financial backing for groups like Hamas.