Feb 19 Thousands of Palestinians flee West Bank homes as Israel confronts militants By Isabel DeBre, Associated Press Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled home following recent Israeli military operations across the northern West Bank. Continue reading
Feb 18 Watch 3:24 Without Ukrainian officials present, U.S. and Russia meet to discuss ending war By Geoff Bennett, Dan Sagalyn, Winston Wilde Russian and U.S. officials met in person for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine more than 1,000 days ago. They aimed to chart a path towards peace and raised the possibility of lifting sanctions they’ve aimed at each other. Continue watching
Feb 18 Watch 7:54 U.S. foreign policy experts analyze the opening talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine By Geoff Bennett, Dan Sagalyn In Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials met with Russian counterparts to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Missing from these talks were Ukrainian and European representatives. Geoff Bennett analyzed the notable absences with Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former senior intelligence officer focused… Continue watching
Feb 18 French lawmakers consider banning headscarves in sport. Amnesty International says it would discriminate against Muslims By Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press The bill is backed by right-wing senators and will be debated in the upper house of the French parliament. Its aim is to ban "ostensibly religious" clothing and symbols during competitions. Continue reading
Feb 18 Villagers begin to return to southern Lebanon as Israeli army withdraws under ceasefire deal By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press Israeli forces have withdrawn from border villages in southern Lebanon under a deadline spelled out in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. Continue reading
Feb 18 Egypt developing Gaza rebuilding plan, a counter to Trump’s call for depopulating the territory By Samy Magdy, Associated Press Egypt is developing a plan to rebuild Gaza without forcing Palestinians out of the strip in a counter to President Donald Trump’s proposal to depopulate the territory so the U.S. can take it over. Continue reading
Feb 18 Vatican cancels papal audiences and Holy Year events as Pope Francis remains hospitalized By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The Vatican has canceled papal audiences through the weekend and delegated others to cover for Pope Francis as the 88-year-old pope remains hospitalized with a multi-pronged respiratory infection. Continue reading
Feb 18 UN human rights chief accuses Rwanda-backed rebels in east Congo of killing children, attacking hospitals By Wilson McMakin, Associated Press U.N. agencies have previously accused both Congolese government forces and the rebels of recruiting children. Continue reading
Feb 18 Hamas says it will free 6 living hostages and hand over 4 bodies, accelerating Gaza releases By Samy Magdy, Natalie Melzer, Associated Press The six are the last living hostages set to be freed under the ceasefire's first phase. Continue reading
Feb 18 Russian and U.S. officials meet in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine to discuss improving ties and ending war By Matthew Lee, Baraa Anwer, Dasha Litvinova, Associated Press President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country won't accept any outcome from this week's talks if Kyiv doesn't take part. Continue reading