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On September 22, 2025, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi granted a presidential pardon to Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a prominent activist and symbol of opposition, releasing him after nearly 12 years in prison. The pardon followed a petition by Egypt's National Council for Human Rights and international pressure, including from the UK government. Abd el-Fattah's family is adjusting to his freedom amid ongoing concerns about political prisoners in Egypt.
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Khaled el-Enany, Egypt's former tourism and antiquities minister, has been elected to lead UNESCO, marking the first Arab to hold the position. The vote follows the US withdrawal from the organization, which faces financial and political challenges. The decision now awaits ratification at the upcoming general assembly.
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Two years after the start of the Gaza war, indirect negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, and mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are progressing toward a potential ceasefire. Discussions focus on hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawal, and Gaza reconstruction, amid ongoing Israeli military actions and mounting Palestinian casualties.
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The UN has announced a detailed 60-day aid plan to increase humanitarian assistance in Gaza following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The plan aims to deliver over 170,000 tons of supplies, including food, medicine, and water, but requires increased access and funding to meet urgent needs amid ongoing conflict and destruction.
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Israel and Hamas have ratified a ceasefire, with Israel set to release hostages within 72 hours and partial troop withdrawal from Gaza. The deal, brokered after two years of conflict, aims to end hostilities, facilitate aid, and address future governance of Gaza. Key issues like disarmament and political control remain unresolved.
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Recent days have seen renewed violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Internal clashes, settler attacks, and Israeli military operations have caused casualties, displacement, and property destruction. Despite a ceasefire in Gaza, internal conflicts and settler violence continue to threaten stability and Palestinian lives.
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Since the ceasefire last week, aid into Gaza has increased to about 750 metric tons daily, but remains far below the needs of 2 million people. Israeli restrictions, border closures, and delays in aid delivery continue to hamper efforts to address the humanitarian crisis, with food and medical supplies still critically short.
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Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for the release of 20 Israeli hostages in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a partial troop withdrawal. The agreement follows days of negotiations, with the release of hostages expected within 72 hours. The deal aims to de-escalate ongoing conflict and facilitate humanitarian aid entry into Gaza.
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Leaders from over 20 countries, including Egypt, the US, and European nations, are convening in Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss Gaza's future amid a recent ceasefire. The summit aims to promote regional stability, support reconstruction, and address the ongoing conflict, with key players like Hamas and Israel absent.
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Israel has begun releasing captives held by Hamas, with seven Israeli hostages handed over to the Red Cross. Simultaneously, Israel is releasing Palestinian prisoners, and a ceasefire is holding, raising hopes for ending the conflict. US President Trump is visiting Israel and Egypt to support the deal, amid ongoing negotiations on Gaza's future.
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On October 13, 2025, President Donald Trump declared the Gaza war over as a ceasefire took effect and the first seven hostages were released by Hamas. Trump visited Israel, met with Netanyahu and hostage families, and will co-host a peace summit in Egypt. The deal includes prisoner releases, partial Israeli troop withdrawal, and plans for Gaza's governance, though key issues remain unresolved.
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All 20 hostages held by Hamas have been released and returned home, marking a significant step in the Gaza ceasefire. Israel expects some dead hostages may not be recovered. The deal involves the release of nearly 2,000 prisoners, with international leaders, including Donald Trump, participating in peace efforts.
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On October 13-14, 2025, US President Donald Trump secured a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending two years of war in Gaza. The deal included the release of 20 surviving hostages by Hamas and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Trump signed the agreement with regional leaders in Egypt, launching a phased peace plan involving governance reforms and international oversight.
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US officials, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, helped broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, following intense negotiations in Egypt. The deal includes hostage exchanges, prisoner releases, and partial troop withdrawals, with Egypt playing a key mediating role. The agreement marks a significant step toward regional stability.
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On October 14, 2025, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Time magazine's cover photo accompanying a story praising his role in brokering a Gaza ceasefire. He called the image, taken from a low angle, the "Worst of All Time," complaining it made his hair "disappear" and featured a "floating crown." The cover story hailed the ceasefire as a major achievement of his second term.
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Leaders gathered in Egypt for a Gaza ceasefire summit, but Israel's Netanyahu did not attend due to regional opposition and diplomatic tensions. Turkey actively worked to block his participation, citing regional support and diplomatic efforts. The summit aims to support Gaza's ceasefire, excluding Israel and Hamas.
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French President Emmanuel Macron prioritizes attending the Egypt peace summit despite domestic turmoil. The summit revisits past failures in Gaza peace efforts, with ongoing violence and diplomatic challenges threatening fragile ceasefires and peace negotiations. Macron's presence underscores France’s focus on regional stability amid internal political instability.
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Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum opened this week, housing over 50,000 artifacts including King Tut's collection. The museum aims to boost tourism and national pride, while Egypt intensifies calls for the return of the Nefertiti bust from Germany, citing legal and ethical disputes. The debate highlights ongoing restitution tensions.
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Egypt began its parliamentary elections on November 10, nearly two years after President Sisi's third term was confirmed. The vote includes a mix of party-list and individual seats, with many opposition figures barred. Results are expected by December 25 amid low turnout and a tightly controlled political environment.
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Tanzania's recent elections, marked by violence and repression, have resulted in hundreds of deaths, a government crackdown, and international criticism. President Hassan declared victory amid allegations of misconduct, with reports of bodies being concealed and opposition figures detained. The election's legitimacy is widely questioned today, December 2, 2025.
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Ukrainian forces are engaged in heavy fighting across multiple regions amid ongoing Russian missile and drone strikes. Kyiv reports advances and setbacks, while international efforts focus on sanctions and diplomacy. The conflict remains highly active as Ukraine seeks military and economic support today, Nov 20, 2025.
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The Biden administration is moving to designate chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as foreign terrorist organizations, citing their support for violence and destabilization. The move follows regional crackdowns and regional tensions, with the process including reports from US agencies and potential legal challenges.