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☆ Top baby names: Mateo’s popularity is growing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Catherine E. Shoichet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —There’s a new arrival on the list of the most popular baby names in the US. Officials also pointed out that pop culture is having an impact on the list of baby names that are rising in popularity the fastest. In a news release Friday, the Social Security Administration credited a social media influencer for inspiring the trend. Influencer Kaeli Mae, shown here attending New York Fashion Week in February, says she was surprised to learn of her name's rising popularity. Curtis Bonds/NetflixKihm traces the name’s rising popularity back even earlier, to 2015, when NFL player Cam Newton named his son Chosen.

Persons: CNN —, Mateo, Benjamin, “ Mateo, ”, Sophie Kihm, Kihm, Liam, Olivia, “, it’s, Kaeli, Kaeli McEwen, Kaeli Mae, Influencer Kaeli Mae, Manny Carabel, McEwen, Nameberry, Alitzel, Chozen, Cobra Kai, Yuji Okumoto, Kai, Curtis Bonds, Cam Newton, Barbie, Ken Organizations: CNN, Social Security Administration, Social Security, New York, US Social Security Administration, Netflix, NFL Locations: United States

☆ A complete timeline of Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift's friendship
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Claudia Willen | Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +40 min

Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss became inseparable after meeting at the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. AdvertisementThe friendship of Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss dates back to 2013, when the musician and the supermodel met backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. AdvertisementApril 2014: Kloss and Swift are spotted together in New York CityTaylor Swift and Karlie Kloss often spent time together in New York City. November 23, 2014: Swift brings Kloss as her date to the American Music AwardsTaylor Swift and Karlie Kloss at the 2014 AMAs. July 11, 2015: Kloss appears at another of Swift's concerts in New JerseyTaylor Swift's friends went to her concert in New Jersey.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Karlie Kloss, Kloss, —, Swift, didn't, Katy Perry, Scooter Braun, Karlie, Michael Kovac, Jamie McCarthy, Milk, Christina Tosi, Randy Brooke, we're BFFs, I'd, Raymond Hall, Kate Bosworth, Harry Josh, Charles James, Oscar de la, They're, Alo Ceballos, She's, Rolling, James Devaney, Ben Stiller, Quinlin, SoHo Taylor Swift, Jeff Kravitz, Dick Clark, Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho, WireImage Kloss, Lily Aldrige, Martha Hunt, taylor, it's, Taylor, Matty Healy, Marie Claire, Beyonce, Jay, Justin Timberlake, Sam Smith, Michael, r was, els, rais, hou, "I, ove, stor, ste, "(M, bro, K, Ma y, orr, "B, Perry, tim e, oe Jonas, maki, J ohn Shea, dow, deo, cele, Jo, hatta, lia, nce, e, hough, lor h, 2016:, Joh, Delilah, L orde, Conn, Loo, ned the photo,, y, as well, loss and Swift, Augu, rld, kee, mus, raun, cate, rau, hite, theo, abou, ody, ted in a, ike H, Derek Bl Organizations: Big, Service, Vogue, Twitter, Hollywood Life, Big Sur, daisies, Surrey, Costume, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty, Swift, Apple, New York Knicks, Garden, Chicago Bulls, Madison, American, New York City's, Yahoo, New, YouTube, the de, acc, Adv, ober, Wil, unc, ift, who's known Locations: Big Sur, Swift's New York, New York City, Big, Instagram, New York, Manhattan, brunching, SoHo, Madison, SoHo Taylor, June., ber

☆ Barbie is the blueprint as Mattel seeks to revitalize American Girl, Fisher-Price
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

This is especially important for the company's Fisher-Price and American Girl brands, which have been in the midst of their own transformations for several years. In just the last year, net global sales for American Girl were down 9%. When it comes to to the American Girl brand, Kreiz admits that the challenges "were not product driven," but rather an issue with its commercial strategy. American Girl doll by Mattel Source: Mattel"We think there's some real opportunities to continue to grow the brand and extend the story that exists within American Girl thoughtfully, and we want to do it authentically," said Silverman. Mattel executives remained tightlipped about what to expect from an upcoming American Girl movie, which currently does not have a release date.

Persons: Barbie, Ynon Kreiz, Fisher, Price, Kreiz, He's, Greta Gerwig, Josh Silverman, Margot Robbie, It's, company's Fisher, Capital, Mattel, Silverman, Lisa McKnight Organizations: Warner Bros, Mattel, Barington Capital, American Girl, CNBC, Sinfonietta, Sunday's, American, Fisher, Disney, Paramount Locations: American

☆ With the Oscar-nominated ‘Barbie,’ Mattel has arrived in Hollywood. What’s next for the toy company?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Driven largely by benefits associated with the “Barbie” movie, Mattel finished last year strong with 24% fourth-quarter growth. Before the “Barbie” movie was released, the Barbie brand already had a 99% rate of global brand awareness, selling more than 100 dolls every single minute, according to Mattel. What’s next for Mattel Films? Mattel Films, which is headed by Oscar-nominated producer Robbie Brenner, faces a lot of pressure to live up to “Barbie” with its second go-around. When asked about the possibility of an R-rated film at Mattel, Kreiz says, “I wouldn’t rule out different scenarios.

Persons: CNN — Barbie, “ Barbie ”, Fisher Price, Barbie, J.J . Abrams, Vin Diesel, ”, Lena Dunham, Lily Collins, “ Barney, Daniel Kaluuya, Bob, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Ramos, “, Matt Mason, Tom Hanks, KELLY CLARKSON, Jennifer Lopez Weiss Eubanks, Mattel, Ynon Kreiz, Kreiz, ” Kreiz, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie’s “ Barbie ”, Chris Pizzello, Lisa McKnight, ” Barbie, “ Barbie, Robbie, Amy Schumer, Anne Hathaway, ” McKnight, Barney ’, Oscar, Robbie Brenner, Gerwig, Mark Ronson, Barney, BARNEY, “ It’s, ‘ Barbie, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Academy, Hollywood, American, Warner Bros . Pictures, Marvel, Mattel, UNO, KELLY CLARKSON SHOW, Fox Kids Europe, Endemol, Hasbro, Universal, Sony, Mattel Films, Entertainment, Everett, haven’t Locations: Hollywood, J.J, ”, Arizona, Los Angeles, Cold

☆ I didn't think I wanted to have kids until a boyfriend changed my mind. We started planning for the future — then, he ghosted me.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Melissa Persling | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

He told me his friends and family wanted to know about me, "the American girl." I don't know if I recognized it then, but the Canadian was changing me too. I told myself they didn't know or understand him as I did. Ultimately, he said he hoped to have the life he wanted with me when he was ready — but that time was not now. This was two and a half months ago, and I still don't know whether I want kids or whether I want them with him.

Persons: didn't, I'd, —, We'd, hadn't, we'd, FaceTimed, I'm Organizations: Service Locations: Seattle, Spokane , Washington, Alberta, Canada, Spokane

☆ Activist pushes Mattel to fix American Girl, Fisher-Price brands or sell them off
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Activist investor Barington Capital is pushing Mattel to consider selling off its American Girl and Fisher-Price brands, citing underperformance within the divisions. Mattel shares were up around 3% in premarket trading Friday following a letter sent to Mattel Thursday, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. American Girl and Fisher-Price, two iconic brands, are among the most popular in their respective markets. Mitarotonda said that if Mattel cannot stymie continued erosion in both Fisher-Price and American Girl, which has suffered similar declines, the company "may not be the right owner of these brands." "We believe that these brands are now detracting from the success at Mattel's other segments and hurting shareholder value," Mitarotonda said in a release.

Persons: Barbie, Barington, Price, Fisher, Barington's James Mitarotonda, Ynon Kreiz, Mitarotonda, Mattel, Kreiz, Michael Dolan, Dolan Organizations: Mattel Inc, Mattel, American, Price, Wall Street, Fisher, Bacardi, IMG, Young, Body Works, Darden Locations: El Segundo , California

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Meta, Apple, Intel, Amazon, Clorox and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Apple — The iPhone maker's shares inched down 0.3% after Apple provided financial guidance for the current quarter that hinted at weak iPhone sales. Amazon posted $1 in earnings per share on $169.96 billion in revenue, according to LSEG. Analysts polled by LSEG had estimated $8.9 billion in revenue and earnings of $4.18 per share this year. Bristol Myers Squibb — The pharmaceutical stock added 1% after fourth-quarter earnings and revenue at the maker of the Opdivo anti-cancer treatment beat analysts' estimates. ExxonMobil , the largest oil company in the U.S., rose 1% after its fourth-quarter earnings per share topped analysts' estimates.

Persons: LSEG, Cigna, Barbie toymaker, Clorox, —, Alex Harring, Yun Li, Tanaya Macheel, Michelle Fox Organizations: Revenue, Apple, Amazon, Analysts, Bristol Myers Squibb, LSEG . Revenue, Wall, Mattel —, Barington, Mattel, Price, Chevron —, Chevron, LSEG, ExxonMobil, Intel, Street Journal Locations: China, U.S, Ohio

☆ From ‘Barbie’ to ‘Bob the Builder’: Mattel’s next big movie, and how Jennifer Lopez is involved
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Now, CNN has learned that Mattel hopes to maintain that momentum with a cinematic adaptation of another kids’ character: Bob the Builder. An animated movie based on the long-running animated children’s series is in development, with Jennifer Lopez attached to executive produce and “In the Heights” star Anthony Ramos set to voice the beloved titular cartoon contractor. This new take on “Bob the Builder” will “celebrate the vibrant and colorful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people.”Aside from voicing Bob the Builder, Ramos will also serve as a producer. In a statement, Ramos said that the movie will focus on friends working together and how love can help conquer any obstacle. The “Bob the Builder” television series ran in worldwide syndication for over a decade in the early aughts, and is known for its popular catchphrase, “Can we fix it?

Persons: “ Barbie, Mattel, Bob, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Ramos, Roberto “ Bob ”, Ramos, Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith, Thomas, Benny Medina, . Abrams, Vin Diesel, “ Barney ”, Daniel Kaluuya, Polly, ”, Lena Dunham, Lily Collins, “, Matt Mason ”, Tom Hanks Organizations: CNN, Mattel, Getty, Nuyorican Productions, “, UNO Locations: Puerto Rico, Caribbean, American

☆ Opinion | ‘Barbie’ Is Bad. There, I Said It.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Pamela Paul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Critically and commercially, several movies did well, and only one of those successes took place within the Marvel cinematic universe. Is it safe now to call “Barbie” the outlier? After “Barbie” so buoyantly lifted box office figures, it also felt like a willful dismissal of the need to make Hollywood solvent after a season of hell. Disliking “Barbie” meant either dismissing the power of The Patriarchy or dismissing Modern Feminism. They despised its commercialism and dreaded the prospect of future films about Mattel properties like Barney and American Girl dolls.

Persons: “ Barbie, winsome, “ Barbie ”, “, Barney Organizations: Marvel, Mattel Locations: American

☆ Opinion: Why the ‘Barbie’ Oscars snubs are so enraging
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Opinion Sara Stewart | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“Barbie” (whose distributor shares a parent company with CNN) got nods for best picture, best supporting actress (America Ferrera) and best supporting actor (Ryan Gosling), among others. Think back to the movie moment where Writer Barbie (Alexandra Shipp) accepts the Nobel Prize in Barbieland with a concise speech: “Thanks. It’s worth noting that Robbie was nominated as a producer for “Barbie” and Gerwig was nominated for best adapted screenplay, but that doesn’t alter how enraging this all is. But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film.”Ryan Gosling as Ken in 'Barbie.' Courtesy of Warner Bros. PicturesI’ve always been struck by the dissonance between the best picture and best director categories.

Persons: Sara Stewart, Sara Stewart Todd Thompson, Oscar, “ Barbie, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Barbie, it’s, Barbie ”, Ryan Gosling, “ Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, Alexandra Shipp, Robbie, “ Barbie ”, Gerwig, Bird, Brad Meltzer, Ken, ” Stephen King, Gosling, “, l’d, I’m, ” Ryan Gosling, I’ve, There’s, Justine Triet, ”, Jane Campion, Triet, Marielle Heller, Celine Song, ” Gerwig Organizations: CNN, Mojo, “ Little, Academy, Warner Bros, Pictures Social, New York Times Locations: Pennsylvania

☆ America Ferrera’s powerful Critics Choice Award speech
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —America Ferrera, who was honored with the SeeHer Award at Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards, used her speech to inspire others. Ferrera starred as Gloria in “Barbie.” Her character delivered a memorable movie monologue about the challenges of being a woman, and she was introduced by her “Barbie” co-star Margot Robbie. Ferrera began by thanking the Critics Choice Association. “Truly, your voices shape how people think about and value the stories we tell. “Receiving the SeeHer Award for my contributions to more authentic portrayals of women and girls — could it be more meaningful to me?

Persons: America Ferrera, Ferrera, Gloria, “ Barbie, ”, Barbie ”, Margot Robbie, “, I’m, ” Ferrera, Betty ”, Ariana Greenblatt, ” Jenna Ortega, Selena Gomez, Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Tom Ackerley, David Heyman, Ryan Gosling —, ’ Organizations: CNN, America, Choice, “, Latina Locations: Honduran

☆ Israel-Hamas war updates: American girl, 4, among 17 hostages freed; Musk meets with Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Burlington Police Department said it arrested a suspect in the shooting of three students of Palestinian descent. The students were shot and wounded near the University of Vermont Saturday night, police said. Two of the three 20-year-old men are in stable condition, while the other is facing more serious injuries, according to a police report. "On Sunday afternoon, at approximately 1538 hours, ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] agents who were conducting a canvass at the location of the shooting encountered and detained Jason J. Eaton, 48. — Matt Clinch

Persons: Jason J, Eaton, Detectives, Sarah George, Eaton's, — Matt Clinch Organizations: Burlington Police Department, University of Vermont, ATF, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, United States, District of Locations: District of Vermont, Chittenden

☆ Sterling steady, dollar wobbles as markets brace for post-Thanksgiving buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In this photo illustration, a old British £1 note is pictured with a one Dollar bill note on November 05, 2023 in Bath, England. The Australian dollar likewise stood near a roughly three-month high and last bought $0.6578, ahead of domestic inflation data on Wednesday. The weakening greenback provided some respite for the Japanese yen , which sat on the stronger side of 150 per dollar and last stood at 149.52 per dollar. The New Zealand dollar eased 0.1% to $0.6076, but was likewise hovering near Friday's more than three-month high of $0.6096. "I think the issues in the Middle East have definitely become more of a background risk," said CBA's Kong.

Persons: Sterling, Carol Kong, Jane Foley, CBA's Organizations: Federal, Reserve Bank of New, PMI, Bank of England, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S ., U.S, Rabobank, Fed, New Zealand, Israel Locations: Bath, England, OPEC, Australia, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Friday's, U.S, East, Gaza

☆ Biden hopes for extension of Israel-Hamas truce as more hostages released
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Thirty-nine teenage Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Sunday, taking the total since the truce began to 117. The four-day truce agreed last week is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The latest three Thai hostages released were in good health, Thailand's prime minister said. Hamas released 24 hostages on Friday, the first day of the truce.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Carmel Edan, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, he'd, Thais, Sunday's, Israel, gaunt, children's agency's James Elder, Elder, Raphael Satter, Diane Craft, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday, International Committee, Red Cross, Reuters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saturday, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Ramallah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Palestinian, Gaza's, Qatari, Gaza City

☆ Israeli hostage, 84, released by Hamas in 'fight for her life'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Elma Avraham, 84, who was released after being taken hostage during the October 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, appears in this undated handout image, obtained by Reuters on November 26, 2023. When Hamas released her on Sunday, she was in a "fight for her life", according to hospital staff. The great-grandmother was freed with 16 other hostages, including a four-year-old American girl named Abigail Edan, on the third day of a truce between Israel and Hamas. "She was kept in harsh conditions," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. They said a medical doctor had accompanied Avraham as she and hostages were taken out of Gaza.

Persons: Elma Avraham, Abigail Edan, Avraham's, Tali Amano, Daniel Hagari, Amano, Hagai Levine, we're, Avraham, Emily Rose, Christina Fincher, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Reuters, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, ICRC, Thomson Locations: Kibbutz, Israel, Beersheba, Gaza

☆ Hamas Releases Third Group of Hostages, Including 4-Year-Old Girl
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hamas Releases Third Group of Hostages, Including 4-Year-Old GirlHamas released more hostages on Sunday as part of the temporary cease-fire deal, Egyptian officials said. A four-year-old American girl was among the captives that were freed by Hamas. Photo: Hatem Ali/Associated Press

Persons: Hatem Ali Organizations: Old, Hamas, Associated

"We hoped and prayed today would come," Liz Hirsh Naftali and Noa Naftali, Edan's great aunt and cousin, said in a statement, thanking Biden and the Qatari government for their work in getting Abigail released. Her siblings were already there, Noa Naftali said, and the family can provide "the love and support that they need after losing their parents." According to Noa Naftali, Abigail had been held captive in Gaza with neighbors also taken from the Kfar Aza kibbutz, where the toddler, her parents and her siblings lived. Biden said he expects Hamas to release other U.S. hostages as well, and that he wants the pause in the fighting to be extended as long as prisoners are being released. "We will not stop working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones," Biden said.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Joe Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Israel, Biden, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Noa Naftali, Edan's, Carmel Edan, he's, Aza, —, Judith Tai Raanan, Natalie, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jeff Mason, Andy Sullivan, Moira Warburton, Jason Lange, Steve Gorman, David Goodman, Alexander Smith, Mark Porter, Josie Kao Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, CBS, Qatari, Reuters, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ofakim, Israel, Rights NANTUCKET , Massachusetts, Israeli, Palestinian, United States, Nantucket, Washington, Buffalo , NY

☆ Hamas released a 4-year-old American hostage orphaned after her parents were killed in the October 7 attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An American girl was released in the latest hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. Abigail Edan, 4, was orphaned when her parents were killed in the October 7 attack. She was among 10 American citizens and legal residents taken hostage by Hamas. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden confirmed Sunday that Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old American girl held hostage by Hamas after her parents were killed, was released as part of the cease-fire deal in the Israel-Hamas war and was "safely in Israel." She was the first American hostage to be released under terms of the cease-fire.

Persons: Abigail Edan, —, Joe Biden, she's, Biden, Abigail, Judith, Natalie Raanan, They've, Israel, Jake Sullivan, ABC's, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Red Cross Locations: American, Israel, Kfar Azza, Gaza, Egypt, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States, Qatar

☆ Israel confirms 17 hostages released, including four-year-old American girl
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed that 17 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were released on Sunday, including four-year-old Israeli-American Abigail Mor Edan. The Prime Minister's office said that 14 of the individuals were Israeli citizens, while the other three were foreign nationals. Fifty Hamas hostages are due to be freed over the four days under the terms of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. In the first two days of the temporary cease-fire, 24 hostages were released from Gaza in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners. There is a clause within the current Israel-Hamas agreement that would extend the military pause if Hamas agrees to release additional hostages beyond the initial 50.

Persons: Abigail Mor Edan, Abigail Edan, Alma Avraham, Aviva Adrian Siegel, Ron Cariboy, Hagar Brodetz, Yuval Brodetz, Uriah Brodetz, Chen Goldstein Almog, Agam Goldstein Almog, Gal Goldstein Almog, Tal Goldstein Almog, Ella Elikim, Joe Biden, Abigail, she's, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Noa Naftali, Edan's, Biden, presser, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ronen Neutra, Omer Neutra, Orna, We're, Omer's Organizations: Aviva, United States National, Qatari, CBS, U.S, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Press Locations: Israel, Rafah, Gaza, Israeli, Qatar, Egypt, Long Island , New York

President Biden on Sunday hailed the release of Avigail Idan, a 4-year-old American citizen who has been held hostage by Hamas for seven weeks, and vowed to keep working to secure freedom for others in captivity and extend the pause in the fighting. “Thank God she’s home,” Mr. Biden told reporters in Nantucket, Mass., where he has been marking the Thanksgiving holiday. Her case has been the focus of widespread international attention and concern as she marked her fourth birthday on Friday. “More is needed but this deal is delivering lifesaving results,” Mr. Biden said. This deal is structured so that it can be extended to keep building on these results.

Persons: Biden, Avigail, God she’s, ” Mr, “, ” Avigail, Abigail, ” Organizations: Sunday Locations: Nantucket, Israel, Gaza

A third group of Gaza Strip hostages, including a 4-year-old American girl whose parents were killed in the Hamas raids on Israel, was freed on Sunday, raising the prospect more captives could be set free and a fragile truce extended. The 17 hostages released by Hamas, who were seized when the militants raided Israel on Oct. 7, included three Thai citizens, one Russian and the little girl Avigail Idan, a dual American-Israeli citizen who was kidnapped from a kibbutz. She marked her fourth birthday in captivity in Gaza on Friday. “Thank God she’s home,” President Biden said to reporters in Nantucket, Mass., where he spent the Thanksgiving holiday. “I wish I was there to hold her.”Much hinged on the latest release of hostages, who were exchanged for 39 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel on the third day of a four-day truce.

Persons: Avigail Idan, God she’s, Biden, “ Organizations: ” Locations: Gaza, Israel, Nantucket

☆ Biden Hopes for Extension as Israel-Hamas Truce Enters Final Day
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Thirty-nine teenage Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Sunday, taking the total since the truce began to 117. Her grandfather, Carmel Edan, told Reuters he "simply could not believe" she had been returned, thanking Biden "for all the help he's offered us." The four-day truce agreed last week is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hundreds of thousands displaced. Hamas released 24 hostages on Friday, the first day of the truce.

Persons: James Mackenzie JERUSALEM, Joe Biden, Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Carmel Edan, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, he'd, Israel, gaunt, children's agency's James Elder, Elder, Raphael Satter, Diane Craft, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday, International Committee, Red Cross, Reuters, Palestinian, West Bank Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Ramallah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Palestinian, Gaza's, Qatari, Gaza City

"We all hope that this truce will lead to a chance to start a wider work to achieve a permanent truce." A U.S. State Department official called the truce a "hopeful moment" but said work would continue to free all the hostages. Israel had received an initial list of hostages to be freed and was in touch with families, the prime minister's office said. Hamas said 30 people had been killed in an Israeli strike on a school affiliated with the UNRWA in Jabalia. Israel says Hamas fighters use residential and other civilian buildings, including hospitals, as cover.

Persons: Majed Al, Ansari, Joe Biden, Abu Ubaida, Daniel Hagari, Israel, U.N, Philippe Lazzarini, Abu Mustafa, Neighbour Khaled Hamad, Gilad Korngold, Khan Younis, Nasser, Al Shifa, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, Peter Graff, Andrew Heavens, Deepa Babington, William Maclean, Mark Heinrich, Jonathan Oatis, Diane Craft Organizations: Gaza Hamas, UNRWA, Hamas, Qatari, Doha, U.S . State Department, West Bank, UNRWA's, REUTERS, Gaza, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Palestinian, Gaza, DOHA, GAZA, Israel, Qatar, Gaza City, Massachusetts, Nantucket, U.S, Rafah, Jabalia, Indonesian, Gaza's

☆ Biden shares pies for Thanksgiving, expresses hope about hostage release
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jeff Mason | Thomson Reuters | Jeff Mason Is A White House Correspondent For Reuters. He Has Covered The Presidencies Of Barack Obama | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] U.S. President Joe Biden greets Nantucket Fire Department Chief Cranson alongside First Lady Jill Biden, at the Nantucket Fire Department in Nantucket, Massachusetts, U.S, November 23, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Brenner Acquire Licensing RightsNANTUCKET, Mass., Nov 23 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden delivered pumpkin pies to firefighters on Thursday to celebrate the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and expressed hope about a pending hostage release in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Biden, who is vacationing with his family on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket, has spent part of his time here speaking to foreign leaders about the war. Biden has a decades-long family tradition of coming to Nantucket for the Thanksgiving holiday. In earlier remarks on NBC, Biden urged people to focus on solving problems together and stopping rancor in U.S. society.

Persons: Joe Biden, Cranson, Lady Jill Biden, Tom Brenner, Biden, Jill Biden, David Rubenstein, ", Donald Trump, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Jeff Mason, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Nantucket Fire Department, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Hamas, NBC, Democrat, Republican, Thomson Locations: Nantucket, Nantucket , Massachusetts, U.S, Rights NANTUCKET, Israel, Palestinian, Massachusetts, Qatar, Russia

☆ Three Americans expected to be included in Gaza hostage release-US official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli bombardments since have flattened large swaths of Hamas-led Gaza and killed 13,300 civilians, according to authorities in Gaza. Under terms of the deal, Hamas is to release 50 hostages and Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners during a four- to five-day pause in the fighting. The hostage group will include two American women and an American girl named Abigail who will turn four on Friday, the official said. The deal will also include more deliveries of humanitarian relief aid to Gaza, the official said. A rigorous inspection regime will ensure Hamas does not use the pause to rearm the group's fighters in Gaza with weaponry, the official said.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Abigail, Steve Holland, Costas Pitas, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, Scott Malone, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, U.S, Qatar, American

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