Several dead and missing after Lebanon building collapse
Two adjoining residential buildings collapsed in Tripoli’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood on Sunday, with the death toll rising to nine as search ope...
Leaders across the world have welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan, calling it a critical first step but warning that full implementation is essential.
The agreement, announced on Wednesday, marks the first phase of a long-awaited truce between Israel and Hamas, which have been locked in a war since October 2023.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the deal offered “a moment of profound relief” and urged all parties to uphold their commitments.
“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said in a statement.
Global Affairs Canada echoed the call, welcoming the agreement and stressing the need for unimpeded humanitarian access.
“Canada will support all efforts to turn this positive step into lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” it said on social media.
Trump, who announced the deal via his Truth Social platform, said it marked a “GREAT Day” for the region and praised the roles of mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye. “All Parties will be treated fairly!” he wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a big day for Israel,” confirming he would convene his cabinet on Thursday to approve the agreement.
“With God’s help, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbours,” he said.
Hamas also confirmed its support, while urging Trump and other guarantor states to ensure Israel abides by its obligations. “We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain,” the group said.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the deal and urged “immediate and unimpeded entry” of humanitarian aid into Gaza. “A permanent ceasefire must be secured,” he said.
“The suffering must end,” Guterres said.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the ceasefire “an essential first step” and pressed both sides to build on the deal toward a “complete resolution.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised American freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said he felt conflicted about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy, sparking a public clash that highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Games.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
Several avalanches struck northern Italy on Saturday, killing at least three people, as rescue officials warned the death toll could rise with unstable conditions persisting across the Alps.
A Japanese city near Mount Fuji has cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival, saying growing numbers of badly behaved tourists are disrupting daily life for residents.
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Hamas has strongly condemned new Israeli government decisions to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning the measures pose an “existential threat” to Palestinians and are designed to consolidate Israeli control over the territory.
Two adjoining residential buildings collapsed in Tripoli’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood on Sunday, with the death toll rising to nine as search operations continued into the night, according to Lebanese authorities.
The Board of Peace created by U.S. President Donald Trump will hold its first leaders meeting on 19 February in Washington, a U.S. government official confirmed, marking the board's formal debut after weeks of global scrutiny.
Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, a date brought forward as indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman restart and Tehran presses its enrichment rights while ruling out missile negotiations.
Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed agreements worth about $5.3bn aimed at boosting cooperation across aviation, telecommunications and water infrastructure, marking one of the largest economic initiatives since Syria’s leadership change.
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