Israel and Hamas Agree to 42-Day Cease-Fire and Hostage Release

Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have reached a 42-day cease-fire agreement that includes the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. The deal, mediated by Qatar, requires ratification by the Israeli cabinet, with votes expected soon. Under the agreement, Israeli forces will withdraw from populated areas, and Hamas will release 33 hostages over the cease-fire period. The total number of Palestinian prisoners to be freed remains unclear. The war, which began in October 2023, has resulted in at least 45,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction. President Biden expressed hope that the cease-fire would allow Palestinians to begin rebuilding, while reactions from both Israelis and Gazans reflect a mix of relief and skepticism about lasting peace.

Source: The New York Times

Palisades and Eaton Fires: Containment Efforts and Widespread Destruction

Two major wildfires, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, continue to burn in Southern California, causing extensive damage and prompting widespread evacuations. As of Wednesday night, the Palisades Fire had burned 23,713 acres and was 21% contained, while the Eaton Fire had scorched 14,117 acres with 45% containment. Officials have confirmed the destruction of thousands of structures and a combined death toll of 25 people. Evacuations remain in effect for large areas, including Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Goldman Sachs Beats Q4 Estimates, Inflation Rises 2.9% in December

Goldman Sachs reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, driven by strong trading revenue and cost reductions. The bank posted earnings of $11.95 per share, significantly beating analysts’ estimates of $8.22. Revenue surged 23% to $13.87 billion, exceeding expectations of $12.39 billion. Gains were fueled by equities and fixed income trading, as well as an 8% rise in asset and wealth management revenue. The firm’s stock jumped over 5% following the announcement. CEO David Solomon credited an improving market environment and renewed confidence in corporate deal-making.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% year-over-year in December 2024, with a 0.4% increase from November, marking the fastest monthly gain since February. Rising grocery and gas prices contributed to the increase, with egg prices surging over 30% in the past year. However, core inflation, which excludes food and energy, showed a slight improvement, slowing to 3.2% after three consecutive months at 3.3%.

Sources: CNBC, The New York Times

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Successfully Launches, SpaceX Starship Launch Today

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its New Glenn rocket for the first time early Thursday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, Florida. The mission, originally delayed for several years, marks a crucial step in Blue Origin’s competition with SpaceX. The rocket blasted off at 2:03 AM EST, as shown in a live webcast. This successful launch represents a major milestone for the company’s ambitions in commercial spaceflight and national security contracts.

SpaceX's Starship launch was delayed again due to bad weather but will attempt to launch today between 5:00 and 6:00 PM EST. The livestream will be available on X, SpaceX.com, and other platforms. 

Source: Barron's, X

OpenAI Introduces "Tasks" in ChatGPT: A Step Toward AI-Powered Virtual Assistance

OpenAI has launched a beta feature called Tasks in ChatGPT, allowing users to schedule future actions and reminders. Rolling out to Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers, this feature moves ChatGPT closer to a traditional digital assistant like Google Assistant or Siri but with more advanced AI capabilities. Users can request one-time or recurring tasks, such as daily weather updates, reminders, or notifications, which can be managed through a new Tasks section (currently web-only). Notifications will be available across web, desktop, and mobile, though users are limited to 10 active tasks at a time.

Source: The Verge