World News

American families plead with Biden to rescue loved ones taken hostage by Hamas on October 10, 2023 at 4:11 pm

Published

3 years ago

October 10, 2023

The last text message Rachel Goldberg received from her son Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Saturday morning was “I love you” and “I’m sorry.”

Goldberg says Hirsh is believed to be among the hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, kidnapped after the group launched a surprise assault into Israel, infiltrating dozens of small communities bordering the Strip and attacking a music festival with hundreds of party-goers, at least 260 of whom were killed on the spot.

“I knew immediately wherever he was, it was a terrible situation. I took it to mean ‘I love you and I’m sorry because whatever is going to happen is going to cause you a tremendous pain and worry,’” Goldberg, a dual Israeli-American citizen, told a press conference in Israel on Tuesday.

She was one of six dual citizens who spoke to reporters in Israel and pleaded for President Biden and the Israeli government to do everything possible to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas into besieged Gaza.

The number of those kidnapped is likely to exceed more than 100. The Biden administration is assuming there are Americans among them, but have not confirmed a specific number. The families present represented at least five dual Israeli-American citizens, but said that they are in touch with at least 10 families with dual citizenship who believe loved ones are being held hostage in Gaza.

While more than 1,000 people are believed killed in the assault that began on Saturday, a key prize for Hamas was the taking of hostages that leaders in the group have said they will use as bargaining chips to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli. They’ve also threatened to broadcast executions of hostages in retaliation for Israeli counter strikes on the Gaza strip.

The American-Israeli families who spoke to the press on Tuesday pleaded for the Israeli and U.S. governments to do everything possible to secure the release of their loved ones.

Goldberg said she and her husband have been able to put together a picture of Hirsch’s last moments in Israel – that he took refuge in a bomb shelter with other party-goers, which was then attacked by Hamas terrorists who threw in grenades and shot inside with machine guns.

“We’ve spoken to eyewitnesses, we know that he was injured in a gun battle. I mean, they were all civilians at a music festival. They were fish in a barrel sitting in this bomb shelter,” she said.

Hirsch’s arm from the elbow down was blown off, Goldberg said, and he tied a tourniquet around his arm with his shirt. The family said eyewitnesses told them that Hirsch and his friend Amer Shapira saved peoples lives in the bomb shelter by tossing out grenades that had been thrown in.

“Hamas came in after the gunfire settled down and said anyone who can walk, stand up and walk out. We are told that he was completely calm. I think he was probably in shock,” Goldberg said.

“And he got up and he walked out with five other young people from the music festival. Two young women, three other young men, they were put on a pickup truck and driven away by Hamas. And then the police told us one thing they knew is that the last known cell signal from his phone was on the border with Gaza.”

American citizen Nahar Neta, who’s 66-year-old mother Adreinne Neta is believed kidnapped from the southern Israeli community of Be’eri, said the Israeli and U.S. governments have a responsibility to bring back all the hostages kept by Hamas.

“President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken… they’re responsible to bring the U.S. citizens back home safe and sound,” Neta said, struggling to speak after describing how his family was on the phone with their mother when they heard her screaming as Hamas terrorists barged into her home.

“My mom used a little bit of Arabic that she picked up working as a nurse in the hospital in Sorokov for 20 years to calm down the terrorist,” Neta continued.

“And it is our hope, which is a bit ridiculous at this stage to say that the optimistic scenario here is that she’s held hostage in Gaza and not dead, on the street of the kibbutz [community] where we grew up.”

White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Monday said the president had directed his team to work with Israel “on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.”

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, an American citizen who lived on the kibbutz Nir Oz that was attacked in the early morning on Saturday, said his 35-year-old son Sagui Dekel Chen is missing. The kibbutz – typically a tight-knit, farming community – was destroyed, of 400 residents there are 160 confirmed survivors, he said.

“Kibbutz Nir Oz is no more… It was destroyed in a barbaric inhuman attack, in which dozens of my friends, my neighbors were killed. Many dozens more are either known to be hostages, or missing,” he said.

“The survivors call this a pogrom,” Dekel-Chen said, using the term for an organized massacre where Jewish communities have been historically targeted.

Dekel-Chen, originally from Connecticut, appealed for people the U.S. government and Congress “to do what they can on the side of good here.”

“We’re waiting for Sagui to come home. We do not know what fate he met.”

The families represented at the press conference said their loved ones likely held by Gaza include young men, fathers, Netta’s mother Adreinne, and uniformed Israeli soldiers.

Ruby Chen, who’s son Itay is an Israeli soldier missing-in-action, appealed for the U.S. and Israel to pressure the international community to demand military hostages be treated as Prisoners of War.

“The last time that we heard from him was Saturday morning, where he said that they were under attack,” Chen said of contact with his son.

With no confirmation that Itay is alive, wounded or dead, Chen is assuming he is being held in Gaza and “then he is by definition, POW, a U.S. citizen, an Israeli citizen.”

“What we are asking… for the U.S. government, as well as from the captives Hamas is to treat him as a POW, should be treated according to international law, meaning having someone visit him, have a the doctor to see him, have a U.N. representative see him as well.”

Chen, who has family living in New York and New Jersey, told the group of journalists not to think of Itay and the other families as “a headline,” and described how his son had volunteered to stay on his military base on the Gaza border over the weekend of October 7 so he could be with his extended family the following weekend to celebrate the bar mitzvah of his younger brother.

“And as I said before, we want to go back to being a family. We want this to end as soon as possible,” Chen said.

“We still hope that that celebration with my sisters and my family will happen in the near future.”

Sharon Udasin contributed to this report

The last text message Rachel Goldberg received from her son Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Saturday morning was “I love you” and “I’m sorry.” Goldberg says Hirsh is believed to be among the hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, kidnapped after the group launched a surprise assault into Israel, infiltrating dozens of…

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.