Israel Hamas to release three more Israeli hostages under ceasefire deal Qatar mediated an agreement between Israel and Hamas to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. The exchange is set for Thursday. 27/01/2025
EuroVerify No, UK and US didn't bomb Yemen protests A protest depicted in a video on social media happened last year, in response to US and UK airstrikes on Yemen after Houthi militants attacked shipping lanes. The demonstration itself was not bombed. 27/01/2025
Gaza Palestinians head back to northern Gaza amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire Militant group Hamas has hailed the return of thousands of displaced people to northern Gaza a "victory", as Palestinians gathered with their belongings to return to the strip for the first time since the war began. 27/01/2025
Europe News Thousands march in Brussels demanding permanent ceasefire in Gaza Thousands took to the streets of Brussels on Sunday demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as sanctions against Israel by both the Belgian government and European Union. 26/01/2025
Lebanon Israel says it won't complete its withdrawal from Lebanon Israel argues that the Lebanese army has not fully deployed to the area to prevent Hezbollah's return. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army says it can't deploy until Israeli forces withdraw. 26/01/2025
Gaza Israel says displaced Palestinians can't return to northern Gaza Hundreds of Palestinians began gathering in Wadi Gaza on Saturday hoping to cross back to their homes into the northern part of the Strip. 26/01/2025
The Dialogue Francis Ngannou, the hard-hitting MMA champion with a soft heart In partnership with Media City From a difficult childhood in Cameroon to becoming one of the best combat sports champions of his time, Francis Ngannou holds the record of 18 MMA fight wins. 25/01/2025
Gaza Hamas releases four Israeli hostages in exchange for 200 Palestinians Israeli authorities said they released 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefire deal, hours after four Israeli soldiers were released. 25/01/2025
Azerbaijan Pantsir missile downed Azerbaijan Airlines flight, Russian probe shows Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 was downed on 25 December by a missile from a Pantsir-S1 system brought from Syria to Russia, killing 38 and injuring 29, sources reveal. 24/01/2025
Gaza Hamas announces names of next four hostages to be released on Saturday The Palestinian militant group made public on Friday the names of the next four hostages that it plans to release as part of the ceasefire deal signed with Israel. Israel is expected to publish a list of its own, naming Palestinian prisoners it will release in return. 24/01/2025
Art Jakarta hosts exhibition of looted artefacts returned by Netherlands A collection of 800 artefacts taken from Indonesia during Dutch colonial rule is now on display in Jakarta's National Museum as part of the exhibition Repatriated. 24/01/2025
Indonesia Indonesia will repatriate French man who spent 20 years on death row The release deal for Serge Atlaoui comes weeks after five Australians, serving sentences for drug smuggling, were allowed to return home last month. 24/01/2025
Economy Bank of Japan raises interest rates to highest level in 17 years Stronger wages have contributed to the decision by Japan's central bank to raise rates to about 0.5%. The BOJ reiterated that it may in the future raise interest rates again, if required. 24/01/2025
No Comment Disastrous living conditions despite ceasefire in Gaza The ceasefire in Gaza has brought some respite, but two million displaced people are enduring disastrous conditions exacerbated by the winter rains. 24/01/2025
Lebanon Israel seeks 30-day extension for Lebanon withdrawal, reports claim Israel has reportedly asked the US for more time to withdraw from southern Lebanon - only days before the deadline to do so is up. Hezbollah says this is unacceptable, and support for Lebanon from major international players is on display. 24/01/2025
No Comment Palestinians return to Gaza after ceasefire to find homes destroyed Displaced Gazans have returned to find their homes destroyed after Israel and Hamas agreed a fragile ceasefire, ending 15 months of fighting. 23/01/2025
Culture news In pictures: LGBTQ couples in Thailand celebrate equal marriage rights Thailand has become the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage, with hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples registering their marriages under the new Marriage Equality Act. 23/01/2025
South Korea South Korean investigators call to formally charge President Yoon The agency leading criminal investigations into impeached former-leader Yoon Suk Yeol have recommended he be formally charged with insurrection and abuse of power. 23/01/2025
West Bank Israeli army launches major operation in Jenin amid West Bank violence Palestinians returned home in Gaza amid a ceasefire, while Israeli forces launched a major operation in Jenin, killing two Hamas militants involved in a recent attack. 23/01/2025
Culture news India offers $1million to whoever deciphers this 5,300-year-old script Archeologists and linguists, assemble! An eye-wateringly huge prize awaits whoever can decipher a 5,300-year-old Indus language. 23/01/2025
Economy China orders funds to buy more shares to boost languishing markets China's share markets hit their peak value before the 2008 global financial crisis and have stayed well below that level since. A lack of gains in share prices, along with falling housing prices, has discouraged Chinese families from spending, slowing consumer demand and economic growth. 23/01/2025
Saudi Arabia More than €500bn to be invested in US, Saudi crown prince says Saudia Arabia's state run news agency reported that the country's crown prince intended to invest hundreds of billions into the US economy during US President Donald Trump's term in office. 23/01/2025
Art French ballet brings site-specific dance to Saudi Arabia’s AlUla A unique dance performance staged in AlUla's desert, marked the pre-opening of Villa Hegra, a Saudi-French cultural institution that aims to unite art, heritage, and community. 23/01/2025
Israel Euroviews. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire is a deal that cannot last In truth, the first phase of the deal is relatively easy to implement and gives all parties a respite from draining conflict. After the six-week ceasefire, any extension will depend on the success of future negotiations, Soli Özel writes. 22/01/2025
Modern Nomads Kazakhstan’s Hollywood stunt stars and cinema’s golden age In partnership with MDQ In this episode of Modern Nomads, we explore Kazakhstan's cinematic rise, from world-class stunt performers to acclaimed directors, showcasing how the country's nomadic roots shape its bold film identity. 22/01/2025
Afghanistan Afghans who fled Taliban urge Trump to lift refugee scheme suspension Afghans who fled Taliban rule are pleading with US President Donald Trump to reverse refugee programme suspension, saying it puts them in danger. 22/01/2025