Middle East

Trump Envoys Head to Egypt as Hamas Agrees to Free Gaza Hostages
Trump Envoys Head to Egypt as Hamas Agrees to Free Gaza Hostages

Two envoys of US President Donald Trump headed to Egypt on Saturday to discuss the release of hostages in Gaza, after Hamas agreed to his ceasefire proposal, while Israeli forces launched deadly strikes across the territory. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff were expected to finalize details on the release of hostages and ...

Gaza Peace Plan: Key Reactions to Hamas's Response
Gaza Peace Plan: Key Reactions to Hamas's Response

International reactions have been pouring in following Hamas's positive response on Friday to US President Donald Trump's plan to free Israeli hostages in Gaza and end the nearly two-year conflict. Here are some of the main reactions from around the world: United States "Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for ...

Israeli Army Still Operating in Gaza Despite Calls for Ceasefire
Israeli Army Still Operating in Gaza Despite Calls for Ceasefire

Israel said Saturday its troops were still operating in Gaza and warned residents not to return, despite calls from the families of Israeli hostages and US President Donald Trump for an immediate halt to the fighting. Trump issued the appeal to the key US ally after Palestinian militant group Hamas said it was ready to release all hostages and ...

Hamas Says Ready for Peace Talks, Trump Urges Israel to Halt Bombing
Hamas Says Ready for Peace Talks, Trump Urges Israel to Halt Bombing

Hamas said on Friday it was ready to start immediate talks on freeing the Israeli hostages it holds and the end of the Gaza war, welcoming US President Donald Trump's call for Israel to stop bombing the Palestinian territory. Trump's peace proposal, backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for a halt to hostilities in ...

Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal
Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said Friday it was willing to release all hostages held in Gaza under the framework laid out in US President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal. "The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages—living and ...

US Treasury Department Mulls Minting $1 Coin with Trump's Image
US Treasury Department Mulls Minting $1 Coin with Trump's Image

The US Treasury Department is considering making a one-dollar coin that features President Donald Trump in order to commemorate the country's 250th independence anniversary, officials said Friday. In a social media post retweeted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Treasurer Brandon Beach shared early drafts of the coin. Beach posted "first ...

Drone Kills French Photojournalist in Ukraine
Drone Kills French Photojournalist in Ukraine

A drone killed a French photojournalist on assignment in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region on Friday, two media unions and a Ukrainian military unit said. Ukraine's Fourth Armoured Brigade and France's President Emmanuel Macron said a Russian drone had killed the photojournalist, Antoni Lallican. Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Ivanchenko was wounded ...

Swiss Seek Mini-Drone Defense System
Swiss Seek Mini-Drone Defense System

Switzerland's military said Friday it plans to acquire a defense system against "mini-drones", after several European countries recently reported incursions into their airspace, pointing the finger at Russia. Following multiple incursions, European leaders are seeking to build an anti-drone "wall" for ...

Are Things Looking Brighter for the Middle East?
Op-edAre Things Looking Brighter for the Middle East?

A year after Israel defanged Hezbollah, and in the wake of the annual opening of the UN General Assembly and several developments related to the Middle East, it may be a good time to take stock. In my 38-year career of diplomacy in the Middle East, anytime someone expressed optimism, I would suggest a head examination might be in order. However, ...

Trump Gives Hamas Until 2200 GMT Sunday to Agree to Gaza Deal
Trump Gives Hamas Until 2200 GMT Sunday to Agree to Gaza Deal

US President Donald Trump has given Hamas until 2200 GMT on Sunday to accept his 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, warning the Palestinian militant group faced "all hell" if it did not agree to the terms. The US leader set the deadline -which would fall at 1:00 a.m. Monday in Gaza- after an official for the Islamist movement told AFP ...

What Are These Drones Hovering Over Europe?
What Are These Drones Hovering Over Europe?

Munich Airport suspended operations for several hours on Friday after reports of unidentified drones. Seventeen flights were canceled, about 15 were diverted, and nearly 3,000 passengers were affected. Authorities could not determine the size or type of the drones, but the incident disrupted one of Europe’s busiest hubs and reignited concerns ...