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Israel, Hamas cease-fire deal could enable rearming of Gaza terrorists

As the cease-fire deal is underway between Israel and Hamas terrorists, some military and political commentators in Israel are worried that the deal will enable the Iran-backed terror group to rearm.

Illegal mining ringleader escaped during South Africa disaster with help from officers, police say

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A suspected illegal gold mining ringleader known as “Tiger” escaped from custody with help from police officers after resurfacing last week from a disused mine in South Africa where dozens of miners died and 246 were rescued, authorities said Monday.

Bittersweet rejoicing as first hostages return to Israel after 471 days in captivity

Three hostages return to Israel after 471 days in Hamas captivity under a cease-fire deal. Israelis celebrate their return but face concerns about the release of convicted Palestinian prisoners.

German ambassador warns Trump will 'undermine' democratic principles with 'maximum disruption' agenda: report

In a confidential briefing document, Germany's ambassador to the United States Andreas Michaelis warned that Donald Trump will "undermine" democratic principles.

Vice President Han Zheng, China's representative at Trump's inauguration, is a trusted adviser to Xi

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Donald Trump's inauguration, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping and a long-time survivor of Chinese politics who rose from toiling on a collective farm and in factories to becoming one of the most powerful people in

66 dead after fire erupts at popular ski hotel in Turkey

At least 66 people died and 51 others became injured in a fire that broke out at a Turkish ski resort hotel on Tuesday. Over 200 guests were staying at the hotel when the disaster struck.

At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as peace talks fail, official says

More than 80 people were killed in northeast Colombia over the weekend after the government failed to hold peace talks with the National Liberation Army.

Rubio's first order of business: Meeting Quad's foreign secretaries

Newly sworn-in Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hitting the ground running Tuesday with meetings with his counterparts in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, which includes India, Australia and Japan, a bloc formed to counter Chinese clout in the Indo-Pacific.

South Korean authorities take impeached President Yoon to detention center after questioning

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was sent to a detention center near Seoul on Wednesday night, after being questioned by anti-corruption officials who took him into custody over his imposition of martial law last month.

White House cheers release of two Americans freed in a swap with Taliban brokered by Biden, Qatar

WASHINGTON (AP) — A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday.

Most recent

What to expect as Israel-Hamas cease-fire goes into effect on Sunday

The Israeli government approved the deal early Saturday morning for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages captured after Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

South Korea's Yoon defends his martial law decree in his first public appearance since his arrest

South Korea’s impeached president has denied that he ordered the military to drag lawmakers out of the National Assembly to prevent them from voting to reject his martial law decree last month, as he appeared for the first time before the Constitutional Court that will determine his fate.

Mexico defends sovereignty as US seeks to label cartels as terrorists

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's executive order moving toward designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations would only impact Mexico if there's close coordination between the two governments.

Canada says it is ready to respond if Trump follows through with imposing sweeping tariffs Feb. 1

TORONTO (AP) — Top Canadian ministers said Monday that Canada will be ready to retaliate after President Donald Trump said he was thinking of imposing a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. Trump has been threatening to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and other trading partners.

Israel releases 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of cease-fire deal to free hostages

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners to cheering crowds in the West Bank after Hamas returned three hostages that were being held in Gaza.

Italian journalist detained in Iran says she expected to be held longer and praises Musk's role

ROME (AP) — An Italian journalist detained in Iran whose fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer wanted by the United States said she assumed she would have been held much longer, and said her boyfriend's contact with Elon Musk might have been “fundamental” to her release.

What to know about the hostages and cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas set to begin Sunday

Israel and Hamas finalize a historic cease-fire and hostage deal set to begin Sunday. The agreement includes phased releases, intense negotiations and ongoing security concerns.

Rubio unanimously confirmed as secretary of State, becoming Trump's first Cabinet official

The Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as America's 72nd secretary of State, putting in place the first member of President Trump's Cabinet on the day of his inauguration. Rubio’s confirmation vote passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 99-0.

Israel's top general resigns over Oct. 7 failures, adding to pressure on Netanyahu

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's top general resigned Tuesday, taking responsibility for security failures tied to Hamas' surprise attack that triggered the war in Gaza and adding to pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has delayed any public inquiry that could potentially implicate his leade

Gunman shoots dead 2 Supreme Court judges in Iran's capital before turning gun on himself, state media says

Two Iranian Supreme Court judges were shot and killed in Tehran on Saturday while a third judge and a bodyguard were wounded, although the motive is unclear.

In case you missed

Middle East latest: Israel launches a major West Bank operation, days after Gaza ceasefire

Israel has launched a major military operation in the occupied West Bank, just days after a fragile ceasefire with Hamas took effect in Gaza.

Cease-fire between Israel, Hamas to go into effect Sunday morning, Qatar says

The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel is expected to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced Saturday.

As Davos 2025 reacts to Trump tack, EU chief leads defense against climate change

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — As the World Economic Forum’s annual gabfest in the Swiss Alps got into full swing on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump gave everybody something to talk about with his actions on his first day back in office.

Panama, familiar with US intervention, bristles at Trump's comments on canal

PANAMA CITY (AP) — President Donald Trump’s insistence Monday that he wants the Panama Canal back under U.S. control fed nationalist sentiment and worry in Panama, home to the critical trade route and a country familiar with U.S. military intervention.

Israel, Hamas cease-fire deal could enable rearming of Gaza terrorists

As the cease-fire deal is underway between Israel and Hamas terrorists, some military and political commentators in Israel are worried that the deal will enable the Iran-backed terror group to rearm.

Illegal mining ringleader escaped during South Africa disaster with help from officers, police say

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A suspected illegal gold mining ringleader known as “Tiger” escaped from custody with help from police officers after resurfacing last week from a disused mine in South Africa where dozens of miners died and 246 were rescued, authorities said Monday.

Bittersweet rejoicing as first hostages return to Israel after 471 days in captivity

Three hostages return to Israel after 471 days in Hamas captivity under a cease-fire deal. Israelis celebrate their return but face concerns about the release of convicted Palestinian prisoners.

German ambassador warns Trump will 'undermine' democratic principles with 'maximum disruption' agenda: report

In a confidential briefing document, Germany's ambassador to the United States Andreas Michaelis warned that Donald Trump will "undermine" democratic principles.

Vice President Han Zheng, China's representative at Trump's inauguration, is a trusted adviser to Xi

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Donald Trump's inauguration, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping and a long-time survivor of Chinese politics who rose from toiling on a collective farm and in factories to becoming one of the most powerful people in

66 dead after fire erupts at popular ski hotel in Turkey

At least 66 people died and 51 others became injured in a fire that broke out at a Turkish ski resort hotel on Tuesday. Over 200 guests were staying at the hotel when the disaster struck.