While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Jan 16, 2025
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Palestinians react to news of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, in Deir al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on Jan 15.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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Israel, Hamas reach deal meant to end Gaza war
Negotiators reached a phased deal on Jan 15 to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, an official briefed on the negotiations said, after 15 months of bloodshed that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and inflamed the Middle East.
The complex accord, which has not yet been formally announced, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and release of hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, the official told Reuters.
US President Joe Biden later confirmed a deal had been struck, and the prime minister of Qatar, one of the key mediators, said the ceasefire would take effect on Jan 19.
Palestinians celebrated in streets across Israeli-besieged Gaza - where they have faced an acute humanitarian crisis with severe shortages of food, water and fuel - as explosions from new Israeli air strikes continued.
Trump pick Rubio vows to confront ‘dangerous’ China
Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, said on Jan 15 that a “dangerous” China cheated its way to superpower status as he vowed to ramp up support to deter an invasion of Taiwan.
Mr Rubio laid out his worldview to fellow senators at a confirmation hearing that took place just as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in their 15-month war, a long-sought goal of President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration.
Mr Rubio, who is expected to secure confirmation easily, described China as “the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary this nation has ever faced” and warned of drastic impacts if the United States does not act.
Poland says Russia planned ‘air terror’ on airlines worldwide
EPA-EFE
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Jan 15 Russia had planned acts of “air terror” against airlines worldwide, accusing Moscow of staging sabotage and diversion on Polish soil and beyond.
He made the declaration while hosting neighbouring Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks in Warsaw, just days before US president-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated.
EU and Nato member Poland has been one of Ukraine’s biggest allies since Russia launched a war against Kyiv in February 2022.
US bans red food dye over possible cancer risk
AFP
Outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration on Jan 15 announced a ban on Red Dye No 3, a controversial food and drug colouring long known to cause cancer in animals.
Decades after scientific evidence first raised alarm, Red 3, as it is also called, is currently used in nearly 3,000 food products in the United States, according to the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
“FDA is revoking the authorised uses in food and ingested drugs of FD&C Red No 3 in the colour additive regulations,” said a document from the Department of Health and Human Services, published in the Federal Register on Jan 15.
Shaquille O’Neal vows to help wildfire relief efforts
USA Today Sports
Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal said he feels deeply for those displaced by the massive wildfires that have turned entire neighbourhoods in Los Angeles to ash and said he was working behind the scenes to help relief efforts.
The four-time NBA champion, in addition to being one of the most dominant big men of all time, is a formidable philanthropist who recently received a humanitarian award from the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville.
“My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by the fires,” O’Neal told Reuters, in an interview.
