Ceasefire Tensions and Legal Battles: Hostage Release Stalls, China Agent Trial Verdict, and Georgia Election Ruling

Good Morning,

Hamas has delayed the next hostage release, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire, while tensions rise over President Trump's Gaza comments, Israel's military readiness, and the Palestinian Authority's decision to end payments to prisoners' families, a Boston jury acquitted 65-year-old Litang Liang of charges that he acted as an unregistered agent for China, and a judge ruled that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove ballot errors impacted the outcome of Georgia’s House District 128 race, allowing Democratic incumbent Mack Jackson’s 48-vote victory over Republican Tracy Wheeler to stand.

Top Stories

● Hamas says it will delay the release of more hostages, putting Gaza ceasefire at risk (AP)

● Boston man cleared of US charges he acted as Chinese agent (Reuters)

● A judge won’t order a new election in a Georgia state House district despite ballot errors (AP)

● Supreme Court lawyer Tom Goldstein rearrested as flight risk after hiding cryptocurrency, prosecutors say (CNBC)

● Sudan army-aligned foreign ministry sets path to elections amid civil war (AJ)

United States and Canada

● Hawaii court rules against insurance companies in Maui wildfire, allowing $4B settlement to proceed (AP)

● US judge orders Trump administration to obey halt on spending freeze (AJ)

● Canada opposition head says he will slash foreign aid to build Arctic base (Reuters)

● Two flights carrying U.S. deportees heading to Venezuela, alleged gang members aboard (Reuters)

● GOP Rep. Andy Barr to run for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat, though McConnell hasn't said he's retiring (CBS News)

● 22 States Sue to Block Trump Cuts to Medical Research Funding (NYT)

Latin America

● Brazil, Mexico apply wait-and-see strategy before reacting to Trump steel tariff threat (Reuters)

● Former Colombian President Uribe denies bribery and witness tampering charges in historic trial (AP)

● At least 51 people killed in Guatemala bus crash (AJ)

● Brazil denies report of potential tax on US tech firms after Trump steel tariffs (Reuters)

Africa

● International Criminal Court opens inquiry into Italy over release of Libyan warlord (AN)

● Zuma’s party files treason complaint against AfriForum (AN)

● Trial begins for 84 Congolese soldiers accused of murder, rape and other crimes against civilians (AP)

● South Africa's military reinforces beleaguered Congo mission (Reuters)

● Migrants' bodies in Libya mass graves had gunshot wounds, IOM says (Reuters)

● A Tunisian extremist is on trial accused of killing 3 people in a French church (AN)

Middle East

● UN suspends its humanitarian work in Houthi rebels’ stronghold in Yemen after more staff detentions (AP)

● 'Emaciated' Gaza hostages, Palestinian detainees show poor conditions in captivity, UN says (Reuters)

● Arab states reject Trump plan for Gaza, Egypt foreign minister tells Rubio (Reuters)

● Hamas accuses Netanyahu of ‘intentionally sabotaging’ ceasefire (AJ)

● Saudi authorities free doctoral student initially sentenced to 34 years for tweets, activists say (AP)

● Norwegian Refugee Council NGO to suspend aid work in over 20 countries due Trump policy (Reuters)

Indo-Pacific

● China slams US as Panama quits Belt and Road Initiative (AJ)

● North Korea’s Kim slams US-South Korea-Japan partnership and vows to boost his nuclear program (AP)

● Marriages in China plunge by a record in 2024, fanning birthrate concerns (Reuters)

● China's foreign minister to visit Britain on Thursday for talks (Reuters)

Europe

● Romania’s President Iohannis resigns after impeachment threat by far right (AJ)

● Russia warns outlook for extending last nuclear arms pact with US does not look promising (Reuters)

● An Albanian court orders the capital’s mayor into custody and accuses him of corruption (AP)

● Russia yet to receive satisfactory proposals to start talks on Ukraine, RIA reports (Reuters)

● German economy minister says Europe prepared to act on possible trade restrictions (Reuters)

● Ethnically split Cyprus’ rival leaders say they’re ready for UN-led meeting to restart peace talks (AP)

Interested in more from Atlas?

🌐Atlas Technologies: We are building world class OSINT technology that unifies the intelligence cycle by automating data collection, intelligence production and delivery to key stakeholders, all aligned with your priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). If you want to learn more, check out our website.

🛒Merch Store: Visit our merch store to shop our latest gear.

📰Newsletters: Check out our other publications to stay on top of the news and get insights from intelligence professionals.

• The Public Daily Briefing

• Apolitical 

• Table Stakes

• The BLUF 

• The Situation Room

If you'd like to get involved with Atlas, please contact us with your experience or ideas. If you're a solid fit, we'll be in touch.

Advertise with us || Contact Us

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 Atlas.1A