Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal Edges Closer Despite Fierce Fighting in Gaza

Published on November 20, 2023

GAZA/JERUSALEM—Hamas gunmen battled Israeli forces trying to push into Gaza’s largest refugee camp on Sunday, but despite the fighting U.S. and Israeli officials said a deal to free some of the hostages being held in the besieged enclave was edging closer. About 240 hostages were taken during Hamas’s deadly cross-border rampage into Israel on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to invade the tiny Palestinian territory to wipe out its ruling Islamist group after several inconclusive wars since 2007. Israeli tanks and troops stormed into Gaza late last month and have since wrested control of large areas of the north and northwest and east around Gaza City, the military says....

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US Calls Nicaragua’s Decision to Leave Organization of American States a ‘Step Away From Democracy’

November 20, 2023
MEXICO CITY—The U.S. State Department called Nicaragua’s formal withdrawal from the Organization of American States on Sunday “another step away from democracy.”The regional body, known by its initials OAS, has long criticized rights violations under Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Ortega, who governs alongside his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, has rejected those criticisms and started

Western Australia Brings Back Mask Mandates at Hospitals

November 20, 2023
The state of Western Australia is bringing back mask mandates at public hospitals from Nov. 20.All staff and patients will now have to wear surgical masks in high-risk hospital clinical areas and in critical care settings.The decision has been made “based on the latest health advice” after a rise in COVID hospitalisations, WA Labor Premier Roger Cook has indicated.Mr. Cook said the measure is “eas