Gaza Ceasefire Holds—Barely—as Violence and Accusations Threaten Fragile Truce

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States in early October 2025, remains technically in effect—but only just. While the deal marked a major diplomatic breakthrough after two years of devastating conflict, recent events have exposed deep fractures in its implementation. Sporadic violence, unreturned hostages, and accusations of ceasefire violations have cast doubt on the truce’s durability.

President Donald Trump confirmed on October 19 that the ceasefire is “still in effect,” despite reports of Israeli strikes in Rafah and shootings of unarmed Palestinians The Economic Times. The ceasefire’s first phase included the release of all living Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners govfacts.org. While those exchanges were largely successful, the return of deceased hostages has stalled—only four of the 28 expected bodies have been repatriated, prompting outrage from Israeli families and officials The Shillong Times. Hamas has been accused of breaching the agreement, while Israel faces criticism for retaliatory actions that have killed nearly 100 Palestinians since the truce began Aljazeera.

International observers, including UN envoy Ramiz Alakbarov, have called the ceasefire “a momentous but precarious juncture,” warning that without sustained aid and diplomatic pressure, the region could slide back into full-scale war UN News. Talks are underway to expand the ceasefire into a broader peace framework, with figures like Tony Blair and Jonathan Powell drawing lessons from Northern Ireland’s peace process Yahoo News Singapore.

For now, the ceasefire remains a tense balancing act—one that could collapse under the weight of mistrust, grief, and unresolved demands. The world watches closely, hoping that this fragile pause might still evolve into lasting peace.

The Producer’s Blueprint: Jaclyn Ann Suri on Building Work That Sells

Jaclyn Ann Suri doesn’t just produce content—she engineers opportunity. As Co-CEO of Pelican Point Media, alongside her husband Ike Suri, she leads a multifaceted entertainment firm that blends production, talent management, and strategic casting into a single, high-impact ecosystem. Her bottom line is clear: create projects that get picked up and bought by Amazon, Netflix, or Picturehouse—and build the kind of talent that belongs there.

Jaclyn’s husband and business partner, Ike Suri, is a seasoned entrepreneur whose career spans private equity, fintech, and entertainment. As Co-CEO and Chairman of Pelican Point Media, Ike brings a sharp financial acumen and strategic vision to the company’s slate of film and television projects. He also serves as Chairman and CEO of FundingShield, a leading fintech firm specializing in fraud prevention for mortgage transactions—technology that has safeguarded over $4 trillion in closings pelicanpointmedia.com FundingShield. With a background in merchant banking and venture capital, Ike has held executive roles across multiple industries and is known for his ability to scale businesses and navigate complex markets. His leap into entertainment was born from a deeply personal moment—when Jaclyn faced a life-threatening medical crisis, Ike made the bold decision to invest in a production house, believing she would recover and help lead it. That act of faith became the foundation of their shared creative empire.

Her filmography reflects that ambition. Jaclyn has served as producer and casting lead on commercially viable titles such as Ripped (2017), a stoner comedy starring Russell Peters and Faizon Love; The Con Is On (2018), a stylish heist caper featuring Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, and Alice Eve; Exposed (2016), a psychological thriller with Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas; and Intruder (2016), a suspense-driven feature directed by Travis Zariwny. Her television credits include appearances in Law & Order (1990s), Michael Hayes (1997), and Jon Stewart’s You Wrote It, You Watch It (1992). With a background in modeling for brands like Ray-Ban and Vidal Sassoon, and editorial features in Glamour Magazine and Modern Salon, Jaclyn’s career bridges screen, stage, and strategy.

Her career spans decades and disciplines. From modeling for Ray-Ban and Escada to acting in Law & Order and Michael Hayes, Jaclyn’s on-screen presence laid the foundation for her behind-the-scenes power. Today, she’s not only a Producer, but also a Talent Manager, Casting Associate, Influencer, and Actress—roles she navigates with precision and passion.

Interview with Jaclyn Ann Suri

Producer | Talent Manager | Casting Associate | Influencer | Actress

Q: Can you share the story behind your career choice? What were some pivotal moments or experiences that led you to where you are today?

I started on stage—Les Misérables, Grease, Anything Goes. I studied at NYU Tisch and trained at Lee Strasberg. But producing came from survival. After a medical crisis, my husband Ike bought a production house, praying I’d wake up and help him run it. I did. That moment turned pain into purpose. 

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your journey, and how did you overcome them?

I’ve survived over 40 intubations, seven tracheotomies, two strokes, and multiple rare diseases. I’ve lost organs and battled cancer. But unless I’m in a coma, I work. That’s my ethic. I channel my pain into purpose, and that’s why advocacy and storytelling are so deeply intertwined in my life.

Q: How do you define success, both personally and professionally? Has your definition evolved?

True success is happiness, having a roof over my head, being apart of a beautiful family, and being able to do what I love. On a professional level, landing a project with Lionsgate, Grindstone, Picturehouse and MGM is amazing. And seeing my work on Amazon or Netflix is super gratifying. In Management, watching a client go from local auditions to global campaigns is so fulfilling. It’s building something that lasts beyond me. My definition has evolved—from being cast, to being the one who casts, from performing to producing.

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model in your career?

My father taught me to never give up. LeeStrasberg taught me how to be me in every character I portray. I have worked at Paramount Pictures under Robert Evans as a ghost writer on some films and on his personal book teaching me patience. Jack Nicholson, Jon Stewart, Val Kilmer, Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Sofia Vergara taught me the value of modesty. Each one leaving an indelible mark on my sole. However, it is the quiet mentors, the ones who believed in me when I could not speak, that shaped me most.

Q: What key skills do you believe are essential for someone aspiring to enter your field? Curiosity. Humility. Tenacity. Watch everything. Ask questions. Be open to learning from everyone—grips, stylists, assistants. The best producers are the best listeners.

Q: What do you hope your work contributes to the lives of your clients, community, or industry?

I want my work to be a mirror and a megaphone. I have seen clients go from local auditions to global campaigns. I have watched stories spark conversations that lead to real change. That is the impact I chase.

Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

I am a mother of twin boys, Jaik and Kabir. They are my grounding force. I schedule time for them like I do meetings. I also work with Ike—my husband and business partner—which means our life and work are intertwined. We make it work because we believe in what we are building. Q: What advice would you give to young professionals or students just starting out? Never give up. Even when the lights go out. Even when the door slams shut. Keep going. Your story matters. Tell it. 

Jaclyn Ann Suri is more than a producer—she’s a force of creative resilience, and together with her husband and business partner Ike Suri, she’s building an entertainment empire with purpose. At Pelican Point Media, the duo merges storytelling and strategy, blending Jaclyn’s artistic instincts with Ike’s entrepreneurial precision. Their partnership is rooted not only in love and survival, but in a shared mission: to develop content that resonates globally and lands on platforms like Amazon, Netflix, MGM, Grindstone, and Picturehouse.

Whether Jaclyn is casting the next breakout star, managing talent for global campaigns, or producing films with commercial and emotional weight, her work reflects a deep commitment to impact. Ike, with his background in finance and technology, ensures that every creative risk backed by business acumen. Together, they are redefining what it means to lead in entertainment—balancing vision with viability, and heart with hustle.

In an industry that often rewards spectacle over substance, Jaclyn and Ike deliver both. Their projects built to sell, but more importantly they are built to last. And in every frame, every casting call, and every deal, their signature is unmistakable: bold, intentional, and impossible to ignore.

Explore more at Pelican Point Media, Pelican Point Talent, or view her full credits on IMDb. 

Paris Jewel Heist: $102M in Napoleonic Treasures Stolen from the Louvre

In a brazen daylight robbery on October 19, thieves struck the Louvre Museum in Paris, escaping with an estimated $102 million in royal jewels once belonging to Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie de Montijo Firstpost The News International.

The heist unfolded just minutes after the museum opened, with visitors already inside. According to French police, the suspects used a basket lift to scale the museum’s facade, forced entry through a window, and smashed display cases in the Apollo Gallery—home to France’s crown jewels CNBC.

Among the stolen items were:

• A pearl and diamond tiara commissioned by Napoleon III for his marriage to Eugénie CBS News | MSN

• A sapphire necklace and earring set worn by Queen Marie-Amélie CBS News | MSN

• A brooch originally part of a belt featuring over 4,000 stones CBS News | MSN

In their haste, the thieves dropped Empress Eugénie’s gold-and-emerald crown near the exit, damaging it in the process ABC News. The crown was recovered but remains under restoration.

Interpol has joined the investigation, and security footage is being analyzed. No suspects have been publicly identified, though officials believe the operation was highly coordinated and may involve international actors.

The Louvre remains closed for forensic review and security upgrades. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati called the theft “an assault on national heritage,” and vowed to pursue justice swiftly.