Latest International agreements News

Israelis and Palestinians rejoice after more hostages and prisoners are freed

Jan. 30, 2025 14:35 PM EST

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Eight more hostages were freed from the Gaza Strip by Hamas-led militants on Thursday in a sometimes chaotic process that briefly delayed Israel's release of 110 Palestinian prisoners and underscored the fragility of the ceasefire that began earlier this month. ...

Israel's ban on UN's Palestinian aid agency has come into effect. Here's what that looks like

Jan. 30, 2025 10:18 AM EST

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Thursday formally banned the main United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees from operating on its territory despite heavy diplomatic backlash, a move that humanitarian officials warn could have a disastrous impact on aid delivery and jeopardize regional...

A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori

Jan. 30, 2025 01:04 AM EST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people was recognized as a legal person on Thursday after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being. Mount Taranaki — now known as Taranaki Maunga, its...

Over 100 Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar arrive in Indonesia's Aceh

Jan. 29, 2025 21:55 PM EST

PEREULAK, Indonesia (AP) — A rickety wooden boat carrying more than 100 Rohingya Muslims landed Wednesday in Indonesia as the northernmost province of Aceh continued to receive the refugees fleeing persecution and political unrest in Myanmar. Indonesia's government blames a surge...

Leader of rebels who toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad is named country's interim president

Jan. 29, 2025 17:39 PM EST

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Syrian factions that toppled President Bashar Assad last month named an Islamist former rebel leader as the country‘s interim president on Wednesday in a push to project a united front as they face the monumental task of rebuilding Syria after nearly 14 years of civil...

Middle East latest: Israeli strike kills at least 10 people in the West Bank, officials say

Jan. 29, 2025 16:44 PM EST

Palestinian health authorities said an Israeli airstrike in the northern West Bank killed at least 10 people late Wednesday, as Israeli forces have carried out a major crackdown in the occupied territory during the ceasefire in Gaza. Israel's military said a fighter jet targeted a...

Palestinians' return to northern Gaza complicates Netanyahu's war aims

Jan. 29, 2025 15:27 PM EST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed 15 months ago that Israel would achieve “total victory” in the war in Gaza — by eradicating Hamas and freeing all the hostages. One week into a ceasefire with the militant group, many Israelis are dubious. Not...

Hamas will free 3 Israelis and 5 Thais in next hostage release Thursday

Jan. 29, 2025 15:13 PM EST

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, as well as five Thai nationals during the next hostage release set for Thursday, Israel and Hamas said Wednesday as their tenuous ceasefire moves ahead. The Israeli women are Arbel...

Congolese civilians caught in a growing rebellion face a terrible choice

Jan. 29, 2025 12:20 PM EST

GISENYI, Rwanda (AP) — Many of the millions of people trapped in eastern Congo's escalating rebellion face a terrible choice: Retreat into Congo's interior and seek the protection of a weak army in disarray, or cross into nearby Rwanda, which is accused of backing the rebels. The...

Western officials warn Ukraine over weapons procurement dispute

Jan. 29, 2025 05:40 AM EST

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Western officials have warned Ukraine that an escalating rift between the defense minister and procurement chief may jeopardize trust in the country and urged the government to resolve the situation quickly so as not to disrupt weapons supplies. The conflict...