INTERNACIONAL
Edan Alexander’s release offers ‘window of opportunity’ for wider hostage deal amid Trump Middle East visit
American and Israeli officials believe the release of Edan Alexander, 21, presents a «window of opportunity» to free the remaining 58 hostages still held by Hamas after 585 days since their capture on Oct. 7, 2023.
Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and hostage envoy Adam Boehler will travel from Israel to Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday for further negotiations for the release of not only the 24 hostages still believed to be alive, but also the bodies of at least 34 individuals who have been held by the terrorist group including four Americans: Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, and Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai.
In a nearly two-hour meeting with Witkoff, Boehler and the Hostages Families Forum, both officials emphasized that they remain committed to returning all hostages and confirmed they would not be traveling to Doha if they did not believe there was a real chance in advancing negotiations.
Edan Alexander, center, speaks with loved ones following his release. (IDF)
AMERICAN HOSTAGE EDAN ALEXANDER RELEASED BY HAMAS AFTER MORE THAN 580 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY
While Alexander’s return has been championed as a major success story, and both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were reported to have spoken with the Israeli American from a hospital in Tel Aviv, immense concern remains over the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.
Though Israel ceased its military operations in the Gaza Strip to secure the safe transport of Alexander on Monday, it has not committed to any continued cessation of strikes.
In Witkoff’s comments to the families of the hostages, he said President Trump would not «tolerate anything other than everybody coming home, and he will be relentless in that pursuit.» He continued, «you saw what happened with the Houthis. You saw what happened when people don’t do well with the United States, we don’t do so well with them. So it’s a message of do what we ask you to do. And you know then things will be better.»
Israeli reports also suggested the envoy may be feeling frustrated with his Israeli counterparts.
«We want to bring the hostages home, but Israel is not willing to end the war. Israel is prolonging it despite the fact that we don’t see where else we can go and that an agreement must be reached,» Witkoff reportedly said during the meeting with the hostage families.
«There is currently a window of opportunity that we hope Israel and all the mediators will take advantage of,» he was reported to have added. «We are putting pressure on all the mediators and doing everything we can to bring the hostages home.»
The comments reportedly come following reports that Trump has also grown increasingly frustrated with his Israeli counterpart.
Edan Alexander thanks President Donald Trump in a handwritten message following his release from captivity in Gaza. (The White House)
TRUMP STRAINS RELATIONSHIP WITH NETANYAHU AS MIDDLE EAST POLICY INCREASINGLY ISOLATES ISRAEL
Israel said last week that Trump’s visit to the Middle East would be «the window of opportunity» to secure a ceasefire otherwise it would continue with its newly announced plans to capture all of Gaza, despite immense international pushback and concerns over human rights abuses and violations of U.N.-established borders.
The comments came after Netanyahu prompted immense outcry after he said his number one priority was destroying Hamas, not returning the hostages, despite opposition to the plan by the majority of Israelis.
On Monday, Netanyahu reiterated his intent to «destroy» Hamas while speaking with injured reservists and confirmed that even if Hamas agrees to return the hostages, Israel will continue with its military operations.
People hold posters of hostages during a rally to mark the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel, on Oct. 6, 2024 in New York City. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
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«In the coming days, we are going in with full force to complete the operation. Completing the operation means defeating Hamas. It means destroying Hamas,» he said.
«It’s possible that Hamas will say, ‘Time out — we want to release ten more [hostages].’ Fine, bring them. We’ll take them, and then we’ll go in. But there will not be a situation in which we stop the war. There may be a temporary ceasefire, but we’re going all the way,» he confirmed.
Witkoff’s team did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions.
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The U.S. consulate in Toronto was struck by gunfire early Tuesday morning in what authorities are calling a «national security incident.»
Deputy Chief Frank Barredo of the Toronto Police Service said two male suspects exited a white Honda CR-V around 4:30 a.m. and discharged firearms at the heavily fortified building before fleeing the scene.
Police said the CR-V was traveling westbound on Dundas Street West before turning southbound onto University Avenue, and stopping in front of the consulate.
Investigators recovered multiple shell casings and found damage to the building’s glass and door.
ENEMY WITHIN: COUNTERTERRORISM EXPERTS FEAR SLEEPER CELLS COULD BE POISED INSIDE USTO
Police release a photo of the suspects’ white Honda CR-V after it was seen on video on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, stopping in front of the U.S. Consulate. (Toronto Police Service)
Barredo said he believes there were people inside the building at the time of the shooting, though no injuries were reported.
Chris Leather, chief superintendent and officer in charge of criminal operations for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ontario, told reporters the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team has been engaged and is working with Toronto police, federal partners and U.S. counterparts, including the FBI.
He said it is too early to determine a motive or whether the shooting will ultimately be classified as terrorism under Canada’s criminal code.
«There will be no tolerance for any form of intimidation, harassment, or harmful targeting of any communities or individuals in Canada,» Leather added.
‘LOUD BANG,’ DAMAGE REPORTED AT US EMBASSY IN NORWAY; POLICE INVESTIGATING
Deputy Chief Frank Barredo speaks during a briefing on a firearm discharge at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto on March 10, 2026. (Wa Lone/Reuters)
Security has been increased at the U.S. and Israeli consulates in Toronto and in the Ottawa region as a precaution.
US EMBASSY STRUCK BY DRONES IN SAUDI ARABIA AS AMERICANS INSTRUCTED TO SHELTER IN PLACE
Officials said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety as the investigation continues.
A State Department official told Fox News Digital the agency is aware of the incident and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local law enforcement.
Police officers work at the scene of a shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto on March 10, 2026. (Cole Burston/AFP via Getty Images)
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«The shooting that took place at the U.S. consulate early this morning is an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors,» said Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario.
«Everyone at all levels of government and across Canada needs to make clear that there is zero tolerance for this sort of intimidating and dangerous behaviour, and that we will do whatever it takes to prosecute and punish the people responsible to the fullest extent of the law,» he wrote on X.
toronto,canada,police and law enforcement
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PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Republicans aim to hold their fragile House and Senate majorities in the 2026 midterm elections, they’ve got an ally in the politically potent and deep-pocketed fiscally conservative group Club for Growth.
Framing the midterms, Club for Growth President David McIntosh emphasized in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview on the sidelines of the group’s annual economic conference «what’s at stake» in the midterms.
«It’s the difference between all the great progress, the jobs, the good economy, turning America around,» that McIntosh said President Donald Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill have accomplished over the past year, «versus letting the socialists back in, they’ll shut it all down.»
For a quarter-century, the club has been one of the biggest backers of Republican candidates and causes, as it pushes its pro-growth and limited-government conservative agenda.
SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CHIEF REMAINS OPTIMISTIC DESPITE ROUGHER MIDTERM CLIMATE
Club for Growth President David McIntosh speaks at his group’s annual economic conference, in Palm Beach, Florida, March 6, 2026 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
McIntosh, in a presentation to major donors to the group, highlighted that the club spent more than $160 million in the GOP primaries and general election during the 2024 election cycle, «and won nearly 80%» of its races.
In 2026, the group aims to raise and spend $175 million in the midterms, and says it’s already brought in $65 million from donors.
The club plans to spend $75 million on Senate races, $55 million on House showdowns, $20 million in ballot box battles for governors, and $20 million — mostly already spent — on issue advocacy in support of Trump’s tax cuts, school choice efforts and the push for congressional redistricting.
CASH SURGE: HOUSE GOP SMASHES FUNDRAISING RECORDS AS REPUBLICANS GEAR UP TO DEFEND SLIM MAJORITY
«I think the House is the most vulnerable,» McIntosh said as he pointed to the GOP’s fragile 218–214 majority.
«So we’ve already started raising money for the general. I’ve got a House fund, an ambitious goal of $40 million to help our guys win,» he added as he spotlighted a fund for vulnerable House Republican incumbents.
As the party in power, Republicans are facing traditional political headwinds which usually result in the loss of congressional seats in the midterms. And Democrats are energized, thanks to a slew of ballot box victories and overperformances in off-year and special elections in the 14 months since Trump returned to the White House, as they stay laser focused on affordability amid persistent inflation.
But the GOP also is dealing with a low propensity midterms issue that it didn’t have to worry about before Trump upended the political order: MAGA voters who don’t always go to the polls when Trump’s name isn’t on the ballot.
«We’ve got to get the folks who voted for President Trump,» McIntosh said. «They don’t necessarily come out in the midterms. We have to share with them what’s at stake.»
«We’re going to work with President Trump on that so they know he wants them to vote,» he said. «He wants them to come out. He needs them so he can keep going.»
President Donald Trump speaks on inflation at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
McIntosh said the Club will highlight that «Republicans have a plan that will help make things more affordable. It will keep cutting taxes. They will see the benefits.»
«But the bigger message is going to be, you can’t let the Democrats back in, because they’ll shut everything down,» he claimed. «It’ll be back to the Biden days, high inflation, higher taxes, fewer jobs. That’s what’s at stake, and our job is to tell the voters, we need you to vote because it makes all the difference.»
The economy, and specifically inflation, was a key issue that boosted Trump and Republicans to sweeping victories in 2024. But affordability boosted Democrats at the ballot box in 2025 and so far in 2026.
STRATEGY SESSION: TRUMP TEAM HUDDLES ON MIDTERM MESSAGING
And with oil and gas prices surging since the start of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran a week and a half ago, Republicans face more potential political headaches.
But McIntosh predicted that «by the end of the year, we’re going to be back to a robust economy because the Trump tax cuts are going to kick in. People will keep more of their money. There’s a huge incentive for companies to build factories back here in America again, and that will kick in. People will say, ‘Yeah, I like the direction we’re going. Things are turned around. We can’t let the Democrats ruin that.’»
Most Democrats obviously disagree with the political narrative coming from the club.
And the Democratic National Committee has long criticized the group for its «extreme positions on banning abortion and cutting Social Security and Medicare.»
While the club is ramping up for the general election showdowns, it’s already playing in this year’s GOP primaries.
Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, who is running for the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, is one of three major candidates in a competitive and combustible GOP primary. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
In the battle for the Senate, the club recently made a major endorsement, backing Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, who’s involved in an ugly three-way fist fight for the Republican nomination in the race to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the southeastern swing state.
«We’re definitely going to be there in Georgia to help Mike Collins win,» McIntosh pledged.
FORMER NAVY SEAL TOPPLED IN REPUBLICAN HOUSE PRIMARY IN TEXAS
The club enjoyed a major victory March 3, as the candidate it was backing, Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, toppled high-profile incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL officer, in the GOP primary for a Houston-area congressional seat.
Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, left, who was backed by the Club for Growth, toppled incumbent Rep. Dan Crenshaw in a Houston-area congressional district, in the early March Republican primaries in Texas. (Getty Images)
But in this case, the club kept quiet its efforts to support Toth, as it put its funding in an aligned startup PAC.
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McIntosh said he «knew if Club for Growth came in guns blazing, then the Washington money would come in to help Crenshaw.»
«We don’t need the glory. We don’t need to take credit for it,» McIntosh said. And pointing to Tosh, he added, «He did the job, but we were able to bring the funds in that let the voters know what their choice was.»
donald trump,republicans elections,midterm elections,fund raising,campaigning,politics
INTERNACIONAL
Chile da un giro ideológico de 180 grados: asume la presidencia el ultraderechista José Antonio Kast
José Antonio Kast se convertirá este miércoles en el primer presidente abiertamente pinochetista de Chile, a 36 años de la recuperación de la democracia, en un giro de 180 grados después de cuatro años de gobierno izquierdista de Gabriel Boric.
Kast, de 60 años, asumirá el poder en un contexto global complejo dominado por la guerra de Medio Oriente y en un país cuya mayor preocupación pasa hoy por la inseguridad y la inmigración.
Leé también: Con la designación de Mojtaba Jamenei, Irán endurece el régimen y profundiza la confrontación con EE.UU.
Chile se ha caracterizado por pacíficas alternancias de poder entre la izquierda moderada y la derecha tradicional no pinochetista en las últimas tres décadas.
Este será el primer gobierno de un presidente que, a lo largo de su extensa carrera política, reivindicó en varias ocasiones la dictadura de Augusto Pinochet (1973-90) y que prometió en campaña “mano dura” contra la violencia y la migración irregular.
“Un cambio de expectativas”
Javier Milei será uno de los presidentes de la región que asistirán a la jura de Kast, que se realizará en la sede del Congreso Nacional, en la ciudad de Valparaíso, 121 kilómetros al norte de Santiago. Entre ambos hay una gran sintonía ideológica y personal.
Además, se espera la presencia de sus pares de Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; de Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves; de Honduras, Nasry Asfura; de Paraguay, Santiago Peña, y de Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, todos ubicados en el arco ideológico de la centroderecha, entre otros. También estará la líder opositora venezolana, María Corina Machado. El presidente saliente Gabriel Boric, a la izquierda, y el presidente electo José Antonio Kast asisten a la ceremonia de cambio de mando del Ejército antes de la entrega presidencial en Santiago, Chile, el lunes 9 de marzo de 2026. (AP Foto/Esteban Félix)
Sin embargo, no asistirán tres presidentes identificados con el progresismo en la región: el brasileño Luiz Lula da Silva, la mexicana Claudia Sheinbaum y el colombiano Gustavo Petro. En cambio estará el uruguayo Yamandú Orsi.
Kast gobernará hasta el año 2030 después de imponerse en el balotaje del pasado 14 de diciembre, con más del 58% de los votos, a la candidata oficialista Jeannette Jara, afiliada al Partido Comunista (PC).
Leé también: Un testigo iraní aportó nuevas pruebas sobre la participación de Irán en el atentado terrorista a la AMIA
La analista chilena Marta Lagos, fundadora de la consultora Latinobarómetro y la encuestadora MORI Chile, dijo a TN que la asunción de Kast abre un escenario caracterizado “sobre todo por un cambio de expectativas”.
La economía chilena creció alrededor del 2,5% el año pasado. El Banco Central estima un alza del PBI de entre 1,75% y 2,75% para 2026.
“Los empresarios empezarán a invertir porque confían en el (nuevo) gobierno. Pero dada la situación económica mundial debido a las guerras, las inversiones, la bolsa y las monedas que están volátiles, el efecto positivo en la economía tendrá que esperar a que se calme la situación mundial”, dijo Lagos.
En campaña, Kast prometió recortar 6000 millones de dólares de gasto en los próximos 18 meses.
La inflación en Chile cerró en 2025 con 3,5% anual, el nivel más bajo en cinco años, según el Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (INE). El desempleo se ubica en 8%.
Inseguridad y migración
La inseguridad es el gran problema que enfrentan los chilenos. Esta preocupación está presente en todas las encuestas. El país pasó de ser el más seguro del Cono Sur a presentar un creciente índice de violencia vinculada al narcotráfico.
Si bien Boric logró bajar un 11,5% los asesinatos el año pasado, la tasa de homicidios se ubicó en 5,4 por cada 100.000 habitantes frente al 6,1 de 2024. En Argentina, ese índice se situó en 3,7, el más bajo de Sudamérica.
Un sondeo reciente del Centro de Estudios Fundación Paz Ciudadana reveló que el 23,8% de los chilenos consultados consideraba “bastante o muy probable” ser víctima de asesinato en los próximos 12 meses.
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“La gente esperará que el gobierno mande militares a las calles a eliminar la violencia, los homicidios y los asaltos. Pero no creo que Chile pueda lograr más que lo que han logrado otros países con los militares, a menos que sigan a (el presidente de El Salvador Nayib) Bukele”, dijo Lagos.
Los expertos achacan las causas de la violencia a la entrada de bandas internacionales del narcotráfico, como la venezolana Tren de Aragua, lo que derivó en una ola de xenofobia contra la emigración de ese origen estimada en alrededor de 700.000 personas.
Kast prometió en campaña expulsar a todos los inmigrantes sin papeles. Se estima que 300.000 migrantes, sobre un total de 1,6 millones, carecen de documentos. La mayoría de ellos son venezolanos.
Chile, Gabriel Boric, Jose Antonio Kast
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