Hamas agrees to ceasefire, Social Security, and Met Gala.

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Big Stories

Hamas accepts ceasefire conditions

Hamas has agreed to a plan that includes a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

• The proposed agreement involves a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas would release some hostages, including vulnerable individuals like women, children, the elderly, and wounded persons. This is followed by a longer ceasefire aimed at freeing the remaining hostages.

• International mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have been facilitating discussions between Hamas and Israel. Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has not yet officially responded to the proposal. They are evaluating the terms to ensure they align with Israel's security interests.

• Meanwhile, Israel expressed willingness to send a delegation for cease-fire negotiations but found Hamas's proposal insufficient. The Israeli Cabinet decided to continue military operations against Hamas targets and fired upon them late Monday night. Civilians were given instructions to evacuate to a “humanitarian zone” in the north of Rafah.

Social Security funds to last longer than expected

Social Security and Medicare won’t be able to fully pay benefits by 2035 if lawmakers don't take action to address the financial shortfalls.

• Social Security's combined trust funds, which support payments to seniors, and people with disabilities, are expected to run out by 2035, with only 83% of benefits covered thereafter. Medicare's financial condition has improved slightly, with its hospital insurance trust fund now projected to last until 2036. After that, it will only cover 89% of scheduled benefits.

• The fate of Social Security and Medicare has become a prominent issue in presidential campaigns. Both President Biden and former President Trump have pledged to protect these programs. Biden has suggested increasing taxes on higher-income individuals to bolster Social Security, while Trump has not offered a specific plan for Medicare.

• Social Security and Medicare are financially strained due to demographic shifts—more retirees are drawing benefits, while fewer workers contribute to the programs. The rising cost of healthcare is also adding to the financial burden.

• Maintaining current benefits will be challenging. Lawmakers have loosely proposed changes like increasing the retirement age and reducing the growth of benefits. However, the proposals have never gained momentum because lawmakers don’t want to upset the beneficiaries of the programs.

US soldier detained in Russia

A US soldier stationed in South Korea was arrested in Russia over the weekend.

• The soldier, a staff sergeant, traveled to Russia on his own and was arrested on accusations that he stole from a woman. This is not the first time a US service member has been arrested in Russia on what the US considers to be baseless charges.

• There are currently several Americans being held in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. The US has urged Americans to leave Russia and warned that they may be targeted for detention.

• Recent prisoner swaps, like the one involving WNBA player Brittney Griner and arms dealer Viktor Bout, show a pattern. Russia gets people involved in serious crimes in exchange for letting Americans go home.

Little Stories

• The Pulitzer Prizes, honoring excellence across journalism, literature, and the arts, were awarded Monday. The New York Times and Washington Post dominated journalism awards, with The Times exposing the Gaza war and child labor in the US. The Post won in commentary, editorial writing, and shared a national reporting Pulitzer with Reuters, which also won for photography of the Gaza conflict. Film critic Justin Chang (Los Angeles Times) won for insightful reviews. (More)

• Netflix is ramping up its live programming offerings. Their focus is now on increasing engagement and revenue growth, potentially moving away from solely relying on subscriber numbers. By Friday, they will have broadcasted a live comedy show for seven consecutive nights, showcasing formats like talk shows, stand-up specials, and a roast. (More)

• Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, confirmed his plan to run for reelection in November. In a video posted on social media, the 82-year-old said he hopes to serve another term in the Senate and emphasized the importance of continuing to address progressive issues. (More)

• The FAA is investigating Boeing again after the company revealed it might not have properly inspected wing joints on some 787 Dreamliners. Boeing is now re-inspecting undelivered planes and needs a plan for those already in service. The FAA says it is prioritizing public safety and may take further action. (More)

• The Met Gala, a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, took place last night. This year's star-studded event had record ticket prices ($75,000 per ticket) and a surprising sponsor - TikTok, the social media app facing a national ban. The theme for this year's gala was "The Garden of Time".(More)

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