Latest John Kirby News
Congress bestows its highest honor on the 13 troops killed during Afghanistan withdrawal
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday presented Congress' highest honor — the Congressional Gold Medal — to 13 U.S. service members who were killed during the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, even as the politics of a presidential election swirled around the event. ...
Israeli defense chief says a temporary truce with Hamas is possible. Ending the war is another story
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s defense minister says the window is closing on an opportunity to reach a temporary cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that he believes could also bring calm to the country’s volatile northern border with Lebanon. Speaking to...
Netanyahu gives a starkly different take on Biden administration's hopes for a Gaza deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were sharply at odds Thursday over prospects of reaching a deal for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release, with Netanyahu saying it was “exactly inaccurate” that a breakthrough was close. ...
Israel-Hamas war latest: Protesters gather in Tel Aviv again to pressure government to reach a deal
Large protests continued in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a third consecutive night Tuesday as hundreds took to the streets to call on the government to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza. The protests have come after the Israeli military said...
Biden speaks with Modi about Indian premier's recent visit to Ukraine, situation in Bangladesh
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, days after the most prominent leader from a nation that maintains a neutral position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine visited Kyiv. Modi said in a posting on X that he spoke to Biden...
White House insists it is making progress on Gaza cease-fire as talks continue over the weekend
BUELLTON, Calif. (AP) — The White House said Friday that cease-fire talks in Cairo have been constructive and will continue over the weekend as the U.S. and Mideast allies continue to press Israel and Hamas to forge an agreement. CIA Director William Burns and Brett McGurk, a...
Israel-Hamas war latest: Israel's evacuation orders have displaced 90% of Gaza residents, UN says
Successive Israeli evacuation orders in Gaza have displaced 90% of its 2.1 million residents since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, the top U.N. humanitarian official for the Palestinian territory says. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris says she and President Joe Biden are...
Mediators hold new Gaza cease-fire talks and hope to head off a wider war
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — International mediators held a new round of talks Thursday aimed at halting the Israel-Hamas war and securing the release of scores of hostages, with a potential deal seen as the best hope of heading off an even larger regional conflict. The United States, Qatar...
US-Russian dual national jailed for 12 years on treason charges for $52 donation to Ukraine
YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AP) — U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana was convicted Thursday of treason in a Russian court and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. Khavana, identified by Russian authorities...
Israel-Hamas war latest: Leaders of France, Germany and Britain endorse push for cease-fire in Gaza
The leaders of France, Germany and Britain in a joint statement have endorsed the latest push by mediators United States, Qatar and Egypt to broker an agreement to end the 10-month Israel-Hamas war. They also call for the return of scores of hostages held by Hamas and the “unfettered” delivery...
