World News

US navigates choppy waters in freeing American hostages caught in Hamas attack on October 13, 2023 at 9:30 am

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2023

The Biden administration this week found itself navigating yet another complex effort to free Americans abroad — this time as the result of a surprise and unprecedented attack by Hamas against Israel over the weekend in which more than two dozen U.S. citizens were also killed.

President Biden and his top deputies have made clear that freeing American hostages are a first priority but they are also faced with working with scant details about how many hostages there are, where they are and whether they are still alive.

The situation is made more difficult by the ongoing fighting and the practical realities of trying to find and get hostages out of Gaza, a Palestinian enclave that is under heavy bombardment by Israel in retaliation for attacks that killed thousands of Israelis.

Add to that what some officials on Thursday called a typical “playbook” of moving hostages around, to contribute to making them harder to locate and identify. There’s also the matter of negotiations — the U.S. has designated Hamas a terrorist organization and therefore has no direct relations.

That’s left the White House employing assets from around the region. It has framed that effort as “casting a wide net,” which involves deploying U.S. experts on the matter to assist and working with nations like Qatar that have lines of communication open with Hamas. Qatar has served in other situations as mediator between the U.S. and Middle East nations seeking thorny diplomatic deals.

One thing the U.S. has ruled out is putting their own American troops on the ground in Gaza, instead largely relying on diplomats, hostage negotiators, experts and Israeli forces.

Biden, who confirmed to the nation that Americans were among more than 100 hostages taken on Saturday, offered few details about the work being done, suggesting doing so would undercut those efforts.

“Folks, there’s a lot we’re doing. A lot we’re doing,” Biden said in remarks to Jewish leaders. “I have not given up hope on bringing these folks home. But the idea that I’m going to stand here before you and tell you what I’m doing is bizarre.”

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said this week that the number of Americans believed to be held as hostages is “very small,” underscoring that 14 Americans are unaccounted for. As of Thursday, 27 Americans were confirmed dead.

U.S. officials though have largely stopped there in terms of giving other details about whereabouts, or the condition of those Americans believed to be hostages in part to not jeopardize any operations.

“These are very delicate circumstances, and I think you’re going to see a commitment to continuing to keeping the American public updated on the facts as we understand them, but certainly not a play-by-play on how recovery operations are going in real time,” said Emily Horne, former spokesperson for NSC under the Biden administration.

Jon Finer, Biden’s deputy national security advisor, told MSNBC on Thursday that one of the biggest challenges will be to determine where the hostages are being held before tackling other obstacles.

“There is an intelligence challenge of how do you actually find these people, and then once you do find them, if you do find them, how do you actually locate them, either negotiate their release or try operationally to remove them,” Finer said.

Kirby told reporters during the daily briefing later in the day that it was typical for Hamas to move hostages around to make them more difficult to find as part of what he called the group’s “playbook.”

“It is a common tactic in the Hamas playbook to break up hostages and move them around in sometimes small groups. So we have nothing that would indicate to us that they would follow a different set of protocols but I can’t….prove to you that that is exactly what’s happening,” he said.

That sentiment was reiterated by Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, who warned in a CNN interview that Hamas will likely spread out hostages.

“This is going to be a brutal situation. Hamas is not stupid,” Himes said. “They will not have concentrated hostages, they will spread them out, they will probably be underground in ways that are very hard to identify them.”

The Biden administration has dealt with high-profile hostages in its first term before, one of the most notable being the secured release of basketball star Brittney Griner who was held in Russia amid its war with Ukraine and released in a prison swap with convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Another five Americans were recently released as part of a prisoner swap with Iran which in return was promised the release of $6 billion in unfrozen funds that were transferred from South Korea to Qatar to be accessed for humanitarian purposes.

That deal though has now come under fresh scrutiny. Though the administration maintains that money has not been spent, and that it has not yet determined Iran had direct involvement with the attack in Israel, Tehran has long been known to back, fund and train Hamas fighters.

With its prior experience, Biden allies say the administration stands ready to embark on the challenges in Israel.

“Unfortunately, tragically, there is a bit of a playbook on how to work with a wide range of actors in order to bring home Americans who have been taken hostage or detained unjustly overseas,” Horne said. “This is an administration that has proven that it has an ability to bring home our people including by working with, with partners in the region, as is appropriate.”

But, experts point to the difference when dealing with a group like Hamas.

Dani Gilbert, an expert in hostage-taking at Northwestern University, said that kidnappings by non-state actors like Hamas can be harder in some ways but offer more options like “the use of force.”

“In the case of Hamas, it is challenging when there’s not a clear leadership structure and not a clear sense of who you might be talking to or who you might be negotiating with,” she said.

“Special forces hostage recovery missions are extraordinarily difficult, they are incredibly dangerous. They represent the time in a hostage taking when the hostage is most likely to die. But it is an option that’s really not even in discussion when we’re talking about dealing with a government like Russia or Iran,” she added.

Robert O’Brien, who served as the Trump administration’s top hostage negotiator before becoming national security adviser, called for the Biden administration to put forward its “elite hostage rescue elements.”

“This isn’t just a Hamas-Israel issue now,” O’Brien said at a Nixon Seminar event on Wednesday. “It’s a Hamas/Iran-American issue now. So we need to get our diplomats forward.”

Business

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Published

1 month ago

May 16, 2026

Bolanle Media Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”

London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.

This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:

• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria

• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico

• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament

• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia

• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia

• Former President of Tanzania

• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum

• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria

• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia

• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom

• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom

• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum

• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast

• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo

• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)

• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto

• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia

The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:

“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”

The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

News

US May Completely Cut Income Tax Due to Tariff Revenue

Published

7 months ago

November 30, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.

What Trump Is Saying

Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.

How Taxes Work Now

Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.

Questions From Experts

Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.

What Congress Must Do

The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.

What It Means Right Now

For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.

News

Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

Published

7 months ago

November 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.