Hard Numbers: Deadly day for Israeli troops, former UN official ordered to pay up, Tesla admits Autopilot isn’t safe, US Fed keeps interest rates the same

Israeli soldiers prepare to enter the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, December 13, 2023.
Israeli soldiers prepare to enter the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, December 13, 2023.
REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

10: Ten Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza on Tuesday, marking one of the deadliest days of the conflict for the IDF since it launched a ground invasion of the enclave in late October. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry on Wednesday said that over 18,600 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.

$63.6 million: An ex-UN official is being ordered to personally repay the organization $63.6 million, court filings show. The former official, Vitaly Vanshelboim, entrusted tens of millions of dollars to a British businessman he met at a Manhattan party – who apparently squandered the money, which was meant to finance renewable energy and housing projects. Vanshelboim was a top official at the UN Office for Projects Services before he was fired over the scandal in January.

2 million: Tesla is issuing a recall and sending a digital update to almost all its cars in the US – roughly 2 million – over safety concerns surrounding its Autopilot system. Elon Musk’s car company said that its Autopilot software system controls “may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse,” and will add additional alerts and geographical limits on where the system can be used. The recall follows an investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – and reports of deadly crashes involving Tesla vehicles in Autopilot.

5.25-5.5: The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged – in the 5.25% to 5.5% range – at its final 2023 meeting on Wednesday. This comes after recent economic data showed inflation cooling, though falling short of hitting the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed says it remains “highly attentive to inflation risks.”

More from GZERO Media

Open Call is the heart of Walmart’s $350 billion commitment to US manufacturing, supporting products made, grown or assembled in America. The pitch event represents a unique opportunity for selected entrepreneurs to meet face-to-face with Walmart merchants and earn a chance to get their products on store shelves nationwide. Last year, finalists from across the country represented 48 states, with entrepreneurs from over half these states receiving deals. It’s all a part of Walmart’s investment in American jobs and communities. Learn more about Walmart’s annual Open Call.

Last week, Microsoft released its 2025 Responsible AI Transparency Report, demonstrating the company’s sustained commitment to earning trust at a pace that matches AI innovation. The report outlines new developments in how we build and deploy AI systems responsibly, how we support our customers, and how we learn, evolve, and grow. It highlights our strengthened incident response processes, enhanced risk assessments and mitigations, and proactive regulatory alignment. It also covers new tools and practices we offer our customers to support their AI risk governance efforts, as well as how we work with stakeholders around the world to work towards governance approaches that build trust. You can read the report here.

Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo, left, shakes hands with Zohran Mamdani, center, as Whitney Tilson reacts after participating in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, on June 4, 2025, in New York City.
AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, Pool

New York City residents head to the polls today to vote in the Democratic primary election for mayor.

US President Donald Trump says that both Israel and Iran “don't know what the fuck they are doing” after violations of the ceasefire take place. Trump makes these remarks to the press as he boards Marine One for a trip to the NATO Summit on June 24, 2025.
Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto

The Iran-Israel ceasefire that US President Donald Trump announced yesterday evening is hanging by a thread this morning.