Ousted Syrian leader Assad says he had planned to keep fighting but the Russians evacuated him
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Ousted Syrian leader Assad says he had planned to keep fighting but the Russians evacuated him.
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The IndependentThe fatal lengths North Korean soldiers will go to to avoid capture by Ukraine
SPECIAL REPORT: The North Korean troops fighting for Russia are highly trained and will stop at nothing to avoid surrender, Ukrainian sources tell Sam Kiley, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor, in Sumy
- Reuters
North Korea suspected of preparing to send more troops to Russia, Seoul says
South Korea's military said on Friday that it suspects North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia to fight Ukrainian forces, even after suffering losses and seeing some of its soldiers captured. "As four months have passed for the dispatch of troops for the Russia-Ukraine war, and multiple casualties and captives have occurred, (North Korea) is suspected to be accelerating follow-up measures and preparation for an additional dispatch of troops," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. The JCS analysis did not specify what other follow-up measures Pyongyang might take.
- CNN
Four hostages freed but Israel blocks people in Gaza returning north
Hamas freed four female Israeli hostages on Saturday, in the second round of a deal between Israel and Hamas which also saw about 200 Palestinian prisoners released.
- Reuters
Inside the Ukrainian drone unit conducting deep strikes on Russia
As snow fell in a wooded area of Ukraine, the long-range attack drones accelerated one by one down an unlit, abandoned road and their whirring engines propelled them into the night sky. The unmanned aircraft carrying explosive warheads are part of a Ukrainian campaign of long-range drone attacks that aim to inflict blows on Russia far behind the front line as Moscow's troops advance in the east. "Our main goal is to conduct strikes to hit logistics hubs in the rear, ammunition warehouses and decrease our enemy's pressure on the front," said the battalion commander of the Ukrainian drone unit, who gave only the call sign Casper.
- CNN
Israel says it won’t withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday deadline
The Israeli government says its military will not withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday’s deadline, in violation of a deadline set in a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
- BBC
Who are the four Israeli hostages released by Hamas in latest swap?
Female soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag have returned to Israel.
- The Independent
Who are remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and when might they be freed?
More than 250 foreign and Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the 7 October attack, according to Israel, with 91 still in Gaza
- BBC
Hamas names next Israeli hostages set to be released
Four are due to be freed in a second exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
- Evening Standard
Freed Israeli hostages reunited with families in prisoner swap under Gaza ceasefire deal
Soldiers released by Hamas on Saturday in exchange for prisoners said to be in ‘stable’ condition
- BBC
Gaza rescuers face toll of their work: 'I have become afraid of my own memories'
Throughout the Israeli bombardment, the Civil Defence was responsible for pulling the living and the dead from the rubble.
- Sky News
Gaza's rocky truce tested by delayed release of civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud
Israel had insisted that hostage Arbel Yehoud be released this week. This is because she is a woman, a civilian and alive, so therefore should be in the top category of hostages freed in this first phase of the ceasefire. It's suspected she could be being held by Islamic Jihad, another militant group in Gaza.
- CNN
With Gaza quiet, Israel is turning its focus on the West Bank. Here’s why
The Israeli military has intensified operations across the occupied West Bank, targeting Palestinian militant cells, imposing roadblocks and cutting communities off from the outside world.
- USA TODAY
Jonathan Glazer's controversial Oscars speech and why people are still talking about it
Hollywood has sharp opinions about Jewish director Jonathan Glazer's Oscars speech for "The Zone of Interest," which denounced the Israel-Hamas war.
- The Independent
Timeline: How a year of war in Gaza has unfolded as hostages released in ceasefire deal
Ceasefire reached fifteen months after Israel vowed to wipe Hamas ‘off the face of the earth’ following 7 October attack
- The Daily Beast
What Jennifer Aniston Says About Obama Affair Rumors
A wild story that Barack Obama is romantically involved with actress Jennifer Aniston has resurfaced amid growing rumors that the former president and his wife Michelle were headed for divorce. The Obama split rumors intensified after Michelle let her husband fly solo at two major presidential events: Jimmy Carter’s funeral, and Donald Trump’s inauguration. On Jimmy Kimmel in October, actress Aniston rejected the gossip after the late-night host handed her an In Touch magazine with a cover that
- Hello!
Jools Oliver shows off toned abs in daring photo – and husband Jamie is besotted
Jools Oliver has shared a glimpse of her toned abs from a daring photoshoot a decade ago, and it appears that the risqué photo certainly attracted the praise of her husband, Jamie Oliver
- HuffPost
Wall Street Journal Shreds Trump’s Most Recent ‘Vindictive Whim’ As A ‘New Low’
The president may find himself unable to escape responsibility, warned the newspaper’s conservative editorial board.
- Cosmo
Olivia Rodrigo is summer ready in a teeny tiny red hot string bikini
Olivia Rodrigo shared a photo on Instagram standing on the beach and wearing a teeny tiny red hot string bikini paired with a snorkel mask and flippers.
- Yahoo Sport Australia
NRL legend calls out ugly truth about Reece Walsh as Broncos rocked by Payne Haas development
Matty Bowen has weighed in amid debate around Reece Walsh. Read more here.
- Cosmo
Katy Perry's sheer corset dress with green layered mini skirt is giving lettuce
Katy Perry performed at the Yellow Coins Gala 2025 in Paris wearing a Mugler SS25 white and green see-through corset mini dress with layered green skirt.