In the day's other news, three Israeli hostages are back with their families after Hamas released them as part of an ongoing ceasefire deal.

All three men were taken hostage during the October 7th attack nearly 500 days ago.

Among the released hostages, American Israeli Sagi Dekyllchen.

During the reunion, the 36-year-old finally learned the name of his baby girl.

She was born while Dekulchen was held in captivity. It's believed 73 hostages remain in Gaza,

and possibly half of them are not alive. Following the release of the hostages, Israel sent

busloads of freed prisoners and detainees to the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 400 Palestinians were allowed to return to the territory.

But there is uncertainty in the region.

The first phase of the ceasefire ends in two weeks, and there has been little progress in

negotiations about what happens next.

The Internal Revenue Service could soon be the latest agency to see a slash in its

employee headcount.

It is now being widely reported that the IRS will lay off thousands of probationary workers

in the middle of tax season.

It's not known exactly how many will be affected, but the cuts could happen as soon as next week.

Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency have called for the U.S. to, quote,

delete entire agencies as part of its cost-cutting measures. Five people in upstate New York are

charged with torturing and killing a transgender man. Police say 24-year-old Sam Nordquist moved to the area near Syracuse in September,

but lost contact with family members.

After they reported him missing this month, an investigation led police to the suspects

and the motel where Nordquist was last seen.

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