International News
Israel-Hamas Truce Extended Amid Negotiations
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend a truce just before its expiration, as announced by both sides on Thursday.
Mediator Qatar confirmed the extension for one day under conditions similar to those that led to the release of hostages in exchange for prisoners.
Israel’s military declared the extension of the ceasefire just moments before the scheduled end at 0500 GMT.
It said “In light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework, the operational pause will continue.”
Following this, the prime minister’s office confirmed the extension, citing the reception of a new list of hostages.
“A short time ago, Israel was given a list of women and children in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and therefore the truce will continue,” it said, without specifying the number of captives to be freed.
Hamas stated there was an agreement to “extend the truce for a seventh day,” offering no additional specifics.
Before this, Hamas mentioned that Israel initially declined to prolong the truce despite its offer to release seven hostages and the remains of three others.
Qatar, leading the truce negotiations alongside Egypt and the United States, verified the extension of the pause for one day “under the same previous conditions.”
The announcement followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Israel late Wednesday night, amid increasing pressure for a prolongation of the pause.
The truce deal temporarily halted the conflict that commenced on October 7, when Hamas militants breached Gaza’s fortified border into Israel. According to Israeli authorities, the violence resulted in 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and around 240 kidnappings.
Israel responded by declaring its intention to eradicate Hamas, launching a sustained military offensive involving airstrikes and ground operations.
The Hamas administration reports approximately 15,000 deaths in Gaza, primarily civilians, and significant destruction in the northern parts of the territory.
Under the truce terms, extensions are possible if Hamas releases an additional 10 hostages daily. However, both parties had previously cautioned about being prepared to resume hostilities.
Hamas’s armed wing instructed its fighters to stay on high military alert, anticipating a potential return to combat if the truce isn’t renewed, as per a message shared on its Telegram channel.
Israeli army spokesman Doron Spielman mentioned that troops would swiftly transition into operational mode and resume targeting in Gaza if the truce lapsed.
Late Wednesday, an additional 10 Israeli hostages were released in accordance with the agreement’s terms. Additionally, four Thai hostages and two Israeli-Russian women were freed outside the framework of the arrangement.
Hamas released a video showing masked gunmen handing over hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Among those liberated was Liat Beinin, who holds American citizenship and serves as a guide at Israel’s Holocaust museum Yad Vashem.
US President Joe Biden expressed deep satisfaction with the release, stating, “This agreement has produced meaningful outcomes,” referring to the truce.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, shaking the region and sending tremors as far as Thailand and China.
The quake’s epicenter was located in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to around one million people and renowned for its historic temple complexes.
Panic erupted as buildings swayed and dust filled the air.
READ ALSO: Powerful 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits China, Dozens Killed
In Mandalay, videos shared online showed terrified residents rushing out of residential towers while traffic came to a sudden halt.
Reports indicate that a major bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River collapsed into the water in a cloud of dust and debris.
The quake was felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, where video footage showed a partially constructed building in Chatuchak Park crumbling to the ground.
Thai authorities reported that 43 people were trapped in the wreckage, while seven others sustained injuries.
In Chiang Mai, a resident described feeling the tremors for about ten seconds before fleeing into the streets.
In Myanmar’s commercial hub, Yangon—about 380 miles from the epicenter—residents also experienced the powerful shaking.
One resident recalled, “We felt the quake for about a minute, then ran out of the building.
It was very sudden and very strong.” Another noted that phone networks in the city, home to around 8 million people, briefly went down but were later restored.
Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, is already grappling with the effects of a brutal civil war sparked by a military coup over four years ago.
The conflict has devastated the economy, and the country remains ill-equipped to handle a major natural disaster of this scale.
The Sagaing region, where the earthquake struck, is a war zone with multiple factions—including the ruling junta, pro-military militias, and rebel groups—fighting for control.
The ongoing violence has made travel by road or river extremely dangerous, posing significant challenges to delivering emergency aid and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Tremors were also felt in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, underscoring the quake’s intensity.
Authorities across the region are now assessing the situation, with emergency teams mobilizing in both Myanmar and Thailand.
Han Jong-hee, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics and a driving force behind the company’s dominance in the global television market, has died of a heart attack at the age of 63, the company confirmed on Tuesday.
“He died from cardiac arrest today,” a Samsung spokesperson stated, adding that Han is survived by his wife and three children.
Having joined the company in 1988, Han played a significant role in shaping Samsung’s television business.
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His leadership was instrumental in the launch and success of the company’s high-end LED TVs, which helped establish Samsung as a global leader in the industry.
“Han was central in the unveiling of Samsung’s world-class LED TVs,” the company noted in a biography published earlier this month. “His numerous other innovations enabled the company to continually demonstrate its technology leadership.”
His efforts ensured that Samsung maintained its position as a dominant force in the global television market.
Han’s death comes at a time when Samsung Electronics is grappling with challenges in the AI chip sector.
The company has been facing difficulties in meeting Nvidia’s standards, while its South Korean competitor, SK Hynix, has emerged as the leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for Nvidia’s AI processors.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong recently underscored the urgency of the situation, urging Samsung to adopt a “do-or-die” approach to overcome the growing challenges in the AI industry.
Last October, the company acknowledged it was facing a “crisis,” citing concerns over its “fundamental technological competitiveness and the future of the company.”
Pope Francis will on Sunday be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he has been receiving treatment since February 14 for breathing difficulties and pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pontiff will return to his residence at Saint Martha’s House in the Vatican, where doctors have advised that he undergo “a long convalescence… of at least two months.”
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Dr. Sergio Alfieri explained that while the pope’s health is improving, further recovery is best achieved at home.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis’ Condition Improving, Says Vatican
“Further progress will take place at his home, because a hospital — even if this seems strange — is the worst place to recover because it’s where one can contract more infections,” Alfieri said.
Dr. Luca Carbone, another physician at Gemelli, added that there are positive signs in the pope’s condition. “We hope that he will soon be able to resume his normal activities,” he stated.
Before leaving the hospital, Pope Francis is expected to greet the public and offer a blessing from a hospital balcony after the Angelus prayers on Sunday, marking his first appearance in weeks.
Speculation about a possible resignation has been circulating due to the pope’s prolonged absence from public duties, but Vatican officials have firmly denied such claims.
When asked if the topic had been discussed, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin was clear in his response: “No, no, no, absolutely not.”
The pope, who had part of a lung removed in his youth, has received an outpouring of prayers and well-wishes from Catholics worldwide.
Supporters have been gathering outside Gemelli hospital, leaving flowers, candles, and messages of encouragement.
His hospitalization, the longest of his papacy has led to questions about how Easter celebrations will be handled in his absence.
However, Vatican officials remain optimistic about his gradual return to his duties in the coming weeks.
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