(BBC News) At least 76 people have been killed in a fire that engulfed a popular Turkish ski resort hotel, leaving some to jump out of windows.
The fire broke out at the wooden-clad 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a busy holiday period when 234 people were staying there.
An initial toll of 10 dead was raised significantly in the hours after the fire by Turkey's interior ministry. At least two people died...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) The military wing of Hamas handed over three female Israeli captives today in Gaza City’s as-Saraya square.
The military wing of Hamas – which has been engaging in battles with the Israeli occupation forces across many areas in the strip – appeared today, organizing the implementation of the deal and the exchange of the Israeli captives.
Crowds of Palestinians gathering in the area around Hamas fighters chanted for liberation and freedom.
Despite the significant...
(BBC News) TikTok is resuming service to its 170 million users in the US after President-elect Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order to give the app a reprieve when he takes office on Monday.
On Saturday evening, the Chinese-owned app stopped working for American users, after a law banning it on national security grounds came into effect.
But after Trump promised on Sunday to delay the implementation of the law and allow more time...
(BBC News) US President-elect Donald Trump has launched his own cryptocurrency, which quickly soared in market capitalization to several billion dollars.
His release of the meme coin, $Trump, comes as he prepares to take office on Monday as 47th president of the US.
The venture was co-ordinated by CIC Digital LLC — an affiliate of the Trump Organization — which has previously sold Trump-branded shoes and fragrances.
Meme coins are used to build popularity for a viral...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) Israel’s broader cabinet is meeting to consider a deal for a truce in Gaza, after its security cabinet accepted the deal with Hamas earlier today (Friday). The ceasefire is expected to come into force on Sunday.
The Palestinian Authority says that it has completed all preparations to assume its “full responsibilities” in the Gaza Strip following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/17/live-no-pause-in-israeli-attacks-on-gaza-ahead-of-ceasefire-on-sunday
(BBC News) The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company ByteDance sells the platform by this Sunday.
TikTok had challenged the law, arguing it would violate free speech protections for the more than 170 million users it says it has in the US.
But that argument was rejected unanimously by the nation's highest court, meaning TikTok must now find an approved buyer for the US...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) A months-long standoff between South African authorities and illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine in the town of Stilfontein ended this week with at least 78 people killed – likely from starvation, rights groups say.
On Thursday, South African police confirmed it ended a rescue operation launched on Monday following a court order. Authorities said there were no more survivors or bodies in the deep, multilevel mine, according to cameras...
(BBC News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Zyn nicotine pouches to be sold as a tool to quit smoking cigarettes.
Thursday's decision allows 10 Zyn flavours, including mint, coffee, cinnamon and menthol, to remain on the market.
The pouches, which are made by tobacco giant Phillip Morris, have been on the market for US adults for more than a decade as the FDA reviewed whether to formally allow them.
Nicotine pouches do not...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) Russia appeared to ready itself for talks on the future of Ukraine with United States President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his swearing-in on Monday.
“No special conditions are needed for this. What is required is the mutual intent and political will to have a dialogue,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday.
But Russia expressed its parameters very quickly.
Putin aide Nikolai Patrushev told Russian news outlet KP that a Ukraine settlement...
(BBC News) This outline of the six-week ceasefire and hostage release has been widely leaked – and it involves several phases.
Phase one is an initial six-week ceasefire. During that period, Hamas will release 33 of the hostages that it seized in the October 7 attack. It is not clear how many of those 33 are still alive.
In return for each hostage released, Israel will release dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel will pull its soldiers out...
