Sigh of relief to Israeli families as Hamas hands over all living hostages to Israel as Trump declares ‘Gaza war over’
The Israeli military said it had received all hostages confirmed to be alive after their transfer from Gaza by the Red Cross, prompting cheering, hugging and weeping among thousands waiting at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv.
How Trump’s family mega-dollar business interests in Qatar kowtowed Netanyahu into signing Israel-Hamas peace deal
Qatar has also played an increasingly critical role in helping the US broker diplomatic deals. In recent years, Qatar played a role in helping Nato and US arrange the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Iran–US prisoner swap, and the release of Ukrainian children from Russia. More recently, it has been a key mediator and drafter of ceasefire plans to end the genocide in Gaza.
Trump to receive hero’s welcome in Israel’s parliament as fragile Gaza ceasefire holds
The US, along with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, mediated what has been described as a first phase agreement between Israel and Hamas. The next phase of Trump’s plan calls for an international body – a “Board of Peace” led by Trump.
‘Behind the polished image of the Obamas lies a deeply human story of love tested by extraordinary circumstances’
The couple’s struggles sparked rumours of a split, especially when Michelle began retreating from public appearances ahead of President Trump’s inauguration. She notably skipped significant events, including the funeral of President Jimmy Carter and Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, allegedly fuelling speculation about the state of their marriage.
WHO director: Bill Gates has bragged about making $550m from vaccines for Covid-19, which he ‘and others now admit was not a dangerous virus’
Dore pointed out that a previous WHO director, Margaret Chan, admitted to begging donors for money, which she said was spent on projects highly linked to their preferences. “Bill Gates basically is the biggest funder to the WHO and he basically dictates what they do, and it basically comes down to what’s going to pad his bottom-line,” Dore said.
End of two years of war doesn’t guarantee immediate rebound in Israel’s economy
At 3.25 to the dollar, the shekel has appreciated nearly 20 per cent against the US currency since October 2023, aided by Bank of Israel stabilisation measures. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s benchmark index is up nearly 300 per cent, compared to 56 per cent for the S&P 500. Israel has also maintained access to international debt markets, raising a record $8 billion in March 2024 and $5 billion in February 2025.
Burkina Faso terms Trump deportations of Africans as ‘indecent, totally contrary to the value of dignity’
Human Rights Watch said last month the Trump administration offered financial incentives to some African countries to accept deportees. The rights group said it reviewed written agreements showing Eswatini will receive $5.1 million in US funding for migration and border management while Rwanda will receive $7.5 million.
Sissi invites Trump to visit Egypt to witness Israel-Hamas deal signing ‘in a ceremony befitting the occasion’
In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and nearly 170,000 wounded during the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half of the deaths were women and children.
UN to whittle down peacekeeping missions by 14,000 troops in response to US funding strains
UN peacekeeping operations have grown dramatically. At the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, there were 11,000 UN peacekeepers. By 2014, there were 130,000 in 16 peacekeeping operations. Today, around 52,000 men and women serve in 11 conflict areas in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Revealed: US Defence Secretary Hegseth has greenlighted US Navy next-generation fighter jet
Defence officials debated whether Boeing could employ enough engineers for the project after it was awarded a contract to build the US Air Force’s F-47 jet in March, sources said.
