Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Three bombs exploded on empty buses near Tel Aviv in a major attempted attack, while two other devices were disabled. Israeli authorities are investigating, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages, including infants, in a highly publicised handover. The move comes amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and a deadly 16-month-long war.
Hezbollah is set to hold a funeral for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as regional tensions escalate. The event comes amid rising hostilities, with concerns over potential repercussions in Lebanon and beyond.
As Israel maintains control over key positions in southern Lebanon, the government in Beirut is calling for international pressure to ensure the full implementation of the November 27 ceasefire and increased support for Lebanese security institutions.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei urged the Emir of Qatar to release Iranian oil revenues that had been frozen in Doha regardless of any U.S. pressure.
Israel prepared on Thursday to receive the bodies of Kfir Bibas, a nine-month-old baby, and his four-year-old brother, Ariel, who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Their deaths have become a tragic symbol of the suffering caused by the attack.
Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani has called for the arrest of Houthi officials reportedly attending the funeral of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. He urged the Lebanese government to hand them over to Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, has arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior Iranian officials.
A potential Ukraine ceasefire and the associated easing in sanctions on Russia are unlikely to substantially increase Russia's oil flows, Goldman Sachs said on Wednesday.
Iranian authorities have filed espionage charges against a British couple detained in January, as reported by local media citing Iran's Judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday morning for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kazakhstan will once again host global leaders, policymakers, and business experts at the Astana International Forum in May, following a one-year break.
"The final report on the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 near Aktau will be published by December, said Talgat Lastaev, vice minister of transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, during a government briefing on Tuesday.
Almaty is set to enhance its air connectivity with China by introducing new flight routes in 2025, aiming to boost tourism and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Afghanistan’s economy showed growth in 2023-2024, but high poverty, unemployment, and weak demand persist. Inflation rose in December, while the trade deficit surged by 54% to $9 billion. Despite improved food exports, declines in textiles and coal exports signal ongoing economic challenges.
A senior Hamas official has said the group will release on Saturday the six remaining hostages who are alive within the first phase of the Gaza hostage deal. In addition, four bodies will be handed over on Thursday.
