Israel Poised to Assault Last Gaza Town
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New York Times
25 minutes ago
- New York Times
New Hostage Videos Sow Fear and Horror in Israel
The family of Evyatar David, an Israeli held hostage in Gaza, saw him for the first time in months on Friday evening in a video circulated by his Hamas captors. He was emaciated and sallow in what appeared to be an underground tunnel. The video prompted an outpouring of fear and horror among the families of the dozens of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza nearly two years after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and ignited the war. 'Our brothers are turning into skin and bones at this very moment,' Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was one of about 250 people taken hostage during the Hamas assault, said at a rally on Saturday. His son is believed to still be alive. More than 100 hostages were freed during two short-lived cease-fires, the last of which ended in March. Israeli forces have found the corpses of some other hostages as they swept through Gaza. Israel believes that about 20 hostages are still alive and nearly 30 are presumed dead. Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas to free more hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners have stalled. Last month, Israeli and American negotiators left Doha, Qatar, where most of the talks have been held, without a breakthrough. On Saturday, President Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with the families of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv. He reiterated Mr. Trump's commitment to bringing home the remaining captives and said, 'those who are alive must be kept alive,' according to the Hostage Families Forum, an advocacy group. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Business Insider
27 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Senegal targets $10 billion in revenue to escape debt crisis
Senegal will raise nearly $10 billion over the next three years through tax increases, renegotiations of energy contracts, and spending cuts as part of a comprehensive plan to stabilise public finances and restore investor confidence. Senegal aims to mobilize $10 billion over three years by increasing taxes, renegotiating energy contracts, and reducing spending. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko emphasized prioritizing domestic resource mobilization to reduce dependency on external aid. The fiscal plan emerges as Senegal confronts debt challenges revealed by an audit indicating a debt-to-GDP ratio increase. Senegal will raise nearly $10 billion over the next three years through tax increases, renegotiations of energy contracts, and spending cuts as part of a comprehensive plan to stabilise public finances and restore investor confidence, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced on Friday. Speaking in Dakar, Sonko stated that the government will prioritise domestic resource mobilisation to reduce its dependence on external aid. The measures follow the discovery of $7 billion in previously undisclosed borrowing by the former administration, which pushed Senegal toward a debt crisis, Bloomberg reported. Under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the government plans to fund 90% of its economic recovery plan through domestic revenue, including new taxes on goods, services, and mobile money transfers. The aim is to generate 5.7 trillion CFA francs ($9.9 billion) throughout the period. The fiscal misreporting prompted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to suspend a $1.8 billion loan program last year, while S&P Global Ratings downgraded Senegal's credit rating further into junk status. The government's new fiscal strategy is designed to reassure investors and restore credibility. The IMF announced last week that it will begin discussions with Senegal in September toward a new financing arrangement, contingent on the country presenting a credible path back to fiscal sustainability. However, financial markets remain cautious. Senegalese Eurobonds due in 2033 fell 0.7% to 73.98 cents on the dollar by Friday afternoon in London trading. Rebasing GDP Senegal's statistics agency is also working on rebasing the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), a move that could improve the country's debt metrics. Following an audit, Senegal's debt-to-GDP ratio surged to 99.7% in 2023 from a previously reported 74.4%. Economy Minister Abdourahmane Sarr stated that the country's debt obligations stood at 119% of GDP last year. A new IMF program, aimed at financing the recovery plan and regaining investor confidence, will depend on Senegal's ability to demonstrate fiscal discipline. Sarr said the government's roadmap includes improving the efficiency of public spending, prioritising high-impact investments, and reducing the budget deficit to 3% by 2027. While the government is considering debt reprofiling, extending maturities to ease repayment pressures, it remains committed to avoiding a full debt restructuring.
CNN
27 minutes ago
- CNN
Steve Witkoff meets with hostages' families in Tel Aviv
Steve Witkoff, the United States' Special Envoy to the Middle East, held a nearly three-hour meeting with the families of those still being held in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, telling them that the US' 'first priority' is getting the hostages back to Israel, the forum said. Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. CNN has reached out to Witkoff's team to confirm that he made these comments.
