U.S. Reinstates Sanctions on U.N. Expert Francesca Albanese Amid Legal Battle 
UN Blacklists Israel and Russia Over Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Claims 
China Expands Nuclear Defense Network in Remote Desert 
US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay 
Brazil Struggles to Stop Illegal Amazon Gold Mining as Gold Prices Surge 
US and Iran Near Nuclear Deal as Ceasefire Extension Awaits Trump Approval 
DOJ Investigates Group Linked to Reid Hoffman Over E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit Funding 
Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Boston Sanctuary City Policy 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
U.S.-China Taiwan Conflict Could Trigger Nuclear Escalation, IISS Warns 
US Designates Brazil’s PCC and Comando Vermelho as Global Terrorist Entities Ahead of FTO Listing 
Russia Prepares New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine, Zelenskiy Warns 
US Tightens Ebola Controls as Congo Outbreak Sparks Global Concern 
Hamas Commander Mohammad Odeh Killed in Gaza as Israel Intensifies Campaign 
Poland Considers Revoking Zelensky’s Top Honor Over Controversial UPA Army Unit Recognition 
U.S. Lawmakers Back Ukraine’s Request for More Patriot Missiles Amid Rising Russian Attacks 
Hamas officials arrived in Egypt on Sunday for renewed negotiations with Israel, a move Washington hopes will lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that “the next days are critical,” noting the talks will reveal whether Hamas is serious about peace.
Israeli negotiators, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, were expected to join the discussions in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday. The talks form part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative aimed at ending the nearly two-year Gaza war, freeing hostages, and shaping Gaza’s future.
Trump said negotiations were “advancing rapidly,” urging all sides to “move fast” to complete the first phase this week — the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas’ delegation, led by Gaza’s exiled chief Khalil Al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt late Sunday, marking his first visit since surviving an Israeli strike in Doha last month.
While Hamas has agreed to several key elements of Trump’s plan, it continues to reject demands for disarmament. Trump, however, praised Hamas’ response, saying it signaled readiness for “a lasting peace,” and called on Israel to halt its strikes on Gaza — which have continued, killing at least 19 people on Sunday, according to Gaza health officials.
Negotiators in Egypt are now focused on achieving a comprehensive agreement before enforcing a ceasefire, avoiding the phased approach that caused past talks to collapse. Rubio warned the process “cannot take weeks or even multiple days.”
Despite the ongoing violence, optimism is growing in Israel. The shekel hit a three-year high and Tel Aviv stocks reached record levels. While right-wing ministers oppose ending the war, opposition leader Yair Lapid vowed to support the Trump-led deal to ensure it succeeds.
Since Hamas’ October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, Israel’s military campaign has claimed over 67,000 lives in Gaza, deepening its global isolation.
