Hamas released American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander on Monday, calling it a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration. Alexander, taken during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, was handed over to the Red Cross and is now with Israeli forces. His release comes just before President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East.⁠
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The same day, an Israeli strike on a Gaza school shelter killed at least 16 people, mostly women and children. Aid groups and the U.N. warned of a growing famine, blaming Israel’s ongoing blockade of food and supplies into the region.⁠
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In Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, crowds gathered in celebration. His family thanked Trump for securing the release. Some families of other hostages expressed frustration, saying U.S. citizenship appeared to be a deciding factor.⁠
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A ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was struck by drones in international waters near Malta early Friday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel, Conscience, suffered damage to its generator and hull, leaving it without power and stranded. A nearby tugboat helped extinguish the fire, and Malta confirmed that 16 people aboard were safe, with no serious injuries. The coalition accused Israel of carrying out the strike but offered no direct evidence. Israel has not commented.⁠
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Video shared by activists showed fire and damage to the ship’s deck, with smoke rising and holes visible. Codepink activist Tighe Barry said the vessel had lost its flag prior to the attack and was at risk of being impounded by authorities in Malta, Greece, or Turkey. The captain reportedly requested re-entry into Maltese waters, warning of a “huge risk to life.” The ship had departed from Tunisia and was due to be joined by more volunteers in Malta, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who did not board and remains safe.⁠
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The incident comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has blocked all aid since March. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza health officials. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned Friday that critical food and medical programs could shut down within weeks without renewed access. Turkey condemned the strike and pledged to pursue accountability, calling it an attack on maritime security.⁠
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The Trump administration has admitted 49 white South Africans to the U.S. as refugees, citing “government-sponsored racial discrimination,” according to a senior State Department official. ⁠
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Most of the group are Afrikaners from farming communities. President Donald Trump ordered their resettlement through an executive action titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” claiming they face violence and economic exclusion. ⁠
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The move comes amid an ongoing dispute over South Africa’s land reform efforts. In 2017, an audit found that white South Africans—who make up about 7% of the population—own roughly 75% of individually held farmland.⁠
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A 2025 law allows limited expropriation without compensation, which the Trump administration framed as targeting whites. South African officials say the policy is intended to address the legacy of apartheid, during which the Afrikaner-led government denied Black South Africans land rights, political representation, and basic freedoms under a formal system of racial segregation that lasted from 1948 to 1994.⁠
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South Africa’s government rejected Trump’s refugee designation, calling the persecution claims “completely false” and politically motivated. “There is no data at all that backs that there is persecution of white South Africans,” said Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. ⁠
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Critics in the U.S., including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, questioned why this group was prioritized while refugee programs for people fleeing war and famine remain suspended. ⁠
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President Donald Trump’s newly released budget plan calls for a $163 billion cut to nondefense spending while increasing the defense budget to $1.01 trillion. ⁠
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The Department of Homeland Security would receive $175 billion to fund expanded border security. The proposal targets “woke” and “radical left” programs and seeks to eliminate funding for climate initiatives, DEI efforts, and agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.⁠
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The Department of Education would lose $12 billion, with funding shifted toward charter schools. Health and Human Services would see a $33.3 billion cut, eliminating grants for mental health, substance abuse, and chronic illness prevention. ⁠
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The EPA faces a $5 billion reduction, with climate programs slashed and limited investment in clean water. Several international aid programs, including disaster relief and peacekeeping, would be eliminated or severely cut.⁠
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Despite widespread cuts, the Department of Defense receives a $113.3 billion boost, with pledges to dismantle DEI and climate programs. The VA would gain $5.4 billion for healthcare and records upgrades, while NASA’s budget would drop by $6 billion, with funding redirected to lunar and Mars exploration. ⁠
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The budget also includes increases for rural development, food inspection, and FAA modernization, while scaling back social programs, housing support, and job training initiatives.⁠
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