23 dead as Pakistan’s Punjab faces historic floods, two million affected
At least 23 people have died in the past 24 hours in Punjab province, Pakistan, after heavy monsoon rains triggered severe flooding, officials said....
Hamas has released a hostage, identified as Alexander, in what it described as a goodwill gesture toward U.S. President Donald Trump. The confirmation came late Sunday from Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in a message to the Associated Press.
Hamas has announced plans to release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who has been held captive for over 550 days, in a gesture aimed at President Trump. The move is part of a broader effort by Hamas to initiate a ceasefire and reopen serious negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. The group expressed its willingness to engage in talks to secure a final resolution, including a prisoner exchange and the establishment of governance in Gaza by neutral professional figures.
Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and Israel Defense Forces soldier, was captured by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. His release would mark a significant development in the broader negotiations between Hamas and the United States, which aim to establish a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a closed meeting with Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, expressed optimism about Alexander's potential release, suggesting it could occur during Trump's visit.
Hamas has indicated that the final details of the agreement are being finalized.
While Hamas has previously claimed to have lost contact with the group holding Alexander following Israeli airstrikes, recent statements suggest that his release is imminent.
The release of Edan Alexander is seen as a potential catalyst for broader ceasefire agreements and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation has been deteriorating due to ongoing conflict and blockades. International actors continue to urge both sides to reach a lasting resolution to the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed late Sunday in a message to AP that Hamas had agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture toward Trump.
The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week. It highlighted the willingness of Israel’s closest ally to inject momentum into ceasefire talks for the 19-month war as desperation grows among hostages’ families and Gaza’s over 2 million people under the new Israeli blockade.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least 23 people have died in the past 24 hours in Punjab province, Pakistan, after heavy monsoon rains triggered severe flooding, officials said.
Germany’s Merz: Ukraine war could last for a long time
Russian drone attacks on power facilities in northern and southern Ukraine overnight left nearly 60,000 people without electricity, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowing to retaliate by ordering new strikes inside Russia.
Malaysia marked its 68th National Day on Sunday with a vibrant parade in Putrajaya attended by over 14,000 participants and the country’s top leadership.
Norway will purchase a fleet of British-built frigates to reinforce its naval strength, the government confirmed on Sunday. The move marks a decisive step in what is expected to be the country’s largest-ever military procurement and a significant boost to NATO’s northern maritime defences.
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