As part of the ceasefire, Israel released 600 Palestinian prisoners, including long-serving inmates and those convicted of deadly attacks, in exchange for the remains of four Israeli hostages. Since January 19, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed. Meanwhile, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, including 13 Israeli soldiers and five foreign nationals.
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Lebanon's parliament aims to elect a new president after over two years of vacancy. Army commander Joseph Aoun is the leading candidate, backed by major foreign powers. The election has been fraught with political deadlock, and Aoun’s candidacy faces constitutional hurdles. Success could pave the way for necessary governmental appointments and vital economic reforms.
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the White House to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, with Trump emphasizing European responsibility. Starmer urged Trump for a US commitment to a Ukraine ceasefire, but Trump remains skeptical of direct involvement.
A blast in a Moscow residential block on Monday killed one person and injured four others, with the wounded in critical condition. The cause of the explosion is unclear, but law enforcement has launched a criminal investigation, charging murder and attempted murder. Among the injured was Armen Sarkisyan, founder of a volunteer battalion fighting in Ukraine, whose bodyguard died in the blast. Sarkisyan is wanted in Ukraine, though details of the charges remain unspecified.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that the US supported Greenland's right to determine their own future, but it could also join the US if they wanted.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attended a Los Angeles Lakers game Thursday. In a viral video, Kamala Harris was seen waving at which haters took a swipe asking whom were they waving. "Kamala Harris is at the Lakers vs. Warriors basketball game right now, and no one there even cares. Who exactly is she waving at?" one wrote on X.
Muhsin Hendricks, the first openly gay imam, was shot dead in a car attack in South Africa. Hendricks, who ran a supportive mosque for marginalized Muslims, faced significant challenges since revealing his sexuality. Authorities urged thorough investigation amid fears of a hate crime.
Latvia's Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, has sought assistance from Sweden and other Nato allies to investigate damage to an underwater data cable linking Latvia to Sweden. The damage is believed to be externally influenced, prompting intensive collaboration and a criminal investigation, while alternate data routes continue to operate.
US President Donald Trump has demanded the return of military equipment left behind in Afghanistan after the 2021 withdrawal and called for accountability of military leaders involved in the exit. The equipment largely seized by the Taliban amounts to over $7 billion worth of US assets.
The UK and EU are in arbitration at the permanent court of justice over fishing rights to sandeel in the North Sea. The UK banned commercial sandeel fishing in British waters to protect the ecosystem, citing environmental concerns. Brussels argues that the ban violates the 2021 trade agreement, which allows EU access to British waters until mid-2026. The outcome could set a precedent for future UK-EU trade disputes. A ruling is expected in two months.
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Myanmar on April 14, 2025, prompting India to send an Indian Army Engineers team under the Operation Brahma to assess the damage. The team is evaluating infrastructure in Naypyitaw and Mandalay, following a larger 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March. India is also providing humanitarian aid, including food and supplies, to local communities and the Indian diaspora.