Tense Negotiations: Hostage Deal, China's Population Decline, and Israeli Coalition Strains

Good Morning,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a deal to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, China's population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, dropping by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion, and Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to withdraw his Otzma Yehudit party from Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition government if a ceasefire deal with Hamas is approved.

Top Stories

• Netanyahu says deal to release hostages held in Gaza has been reached after last minute snags (AP)

• China's economy meets official growth ambitions, but many feel a downturn (RT)

• Pakistan pulls closer to post-Hasina Bangladesh amid shared India concerns (AJ)

• Trump tariffs on Canada could jeopardize oil and gas exports to U.S., says trade chief (CNBC)

• China’s population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its government and economy (AP)

• Eric Adams Heads to Mar-a-Lago to Meet With Trump (NYT)

• SpaceX Starship Spacecraft Explodes During Test Flight (WSJ)

• Israel’s national security minister threatens to resign over ceasefire (AJ)

• Trump taps the leader of his personal detail to run the US Secret Service (CNN)

• South Korea investigators to file request to extend President Yoon's detention (RT)

• Treasury nominee calls for stronger Russia sanctions and Fed independence at confirmation panel (AP)

• Top Trump Diplomat to Share Foreign-Policy Role With Army of Envoys (WSJ)

• California utility faces billions in claims for fire damage even if it did nothing wrong (RT)

• Border app that became ‘a salvation’ for migrants to legally enter the US may end (AP)

United States and Canada

• Driver in Texas migrant smuggling run that led to the deaths of 53 people pleads guilty (AP)

• Giuliani gets to keep property, agrees not to defame Georgia election workers (RT)

• State Attorneys General Ask Courts to Preserve Biden-era Gun Control Measures (NYT)

• Hundreds ordered to evacuate as fire erupts at huge California battery storage plant (AP)

• More Than a Week After the Fires, Los Angeles Evacuees Remain in Limbo (NYT)

• Red states can pick up the legal fight against mifepristone, judge rules (CNN)

• Brazil Supreme Court nixes Bolsonaro’s effort to attend Trump inauguration (AJ)

• Civil rights investigation finds pattern of excessive force by Louisiana State Police (AP)

• US sues Georgia's Houston County, says it violates Black voters' rights (RT)

Africa

• Italy Commits €400 Million to Support Tunisia's Energy Initiatives (AN)

• Nigerian army says 76 Islamist militants killed in Borno state (RT)

• Guinea’s main opposition parties call for withdrawal from junta-led legislative body (AP)

• Enhancing trade relations: UAE and Kenya sign economic pact (AN)

• US issues sanctions on Sudanese army chief Burhan (RT)

• Tanzania denies suspected outbreak of deadly Marburg virus (AN)

• Head of Libya's National Oil Corporation resigns (RT)

Middle East

• Yemen's Houthis to continue attacks if Gaza ceasefire breached (RT)

• Mysterious airstrip appears on a Yemeni island as Houthi rebel attacks threaten region (AP)

• Iraq wants Iran-backed factions to lay down weapons, foreign minister says (RT)

• Qatar’s PM calls on Israeli forces to withdraw from Syria buffer zone (AJ)

• Blinken Insists Gaza Cease-Fire Deal Is on Track After Hecklers Disrupt News Conference (NYT)

• Macron heads to Lebanon to push sovereignty, reforms amid new hope (RT)

• Russian, Iranian presidents to discuss Syria, Middle East and nuclear programme (RT)

Indo-Pacific

• Death toll rises to 5 in rocket and gun attack on an aid convoy in restive northwestern Pakistan (AP)

• Taiwan carries out first execution in five years, upsetting EU, rights groups (RT)

• China critic Jimmy Lai paid US general to advise on Taiwan, Hong Kong court hears (RT)

• At least 12 Maoist rebels killed by India’s security forces (AJ)

• Japan launches independent mission to NATO as tensions with Russia, China and North Korea rise (AP)

• North Korea denounces US for sending aircraft over Korean peninsula, KCNA reports (RT)

• India docks 2 satellites in space in a milestone for its scientific ambitions (AP)

Europe

• Finland's intelligence chief urges vigilance over planned Russian military build-up (RT)

• UK leader Starmer signs ‘100-year partnership’ agreement with Ukraine during trip to Kyiv (AP)

• U.K. Announces Rapid Review Into Scale of Child Sexual Abuse by Grooming Gangs (NYT)

• Romania sets May date for new presidential election (AJ)

• Student detained in Slovakia after 2 people fatally stabbed at high school (AP)

• Cyprus hails US decree on arms sales, Turkish Cypriots decry "warmongering" (RT)

• Albania approves luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner's company (RT)

Latin America

• Venezuela NGO says director Correa released from prison (RT)

• Federal grand jury indicts a US tourist accused of burning down businesses in Puerto Rico (AP)

• “Este gobierno está con el pueblo del Catatumbo”, Gustavo Petro tras combates entre las Farc y ELN (SM)

• Brazil final tax rate slightly higher than the one approved by Congress, special tax secretary says (RT)

• Seis ministros de Luis Arce ligados a organizaciones sindicales fueron procesados por corrupción (ANF)

• Quién es Paul Starc, el flamante presidente de la UIF: la polémica por el Caso Pomar y los vínculos con el peronismo bonaerense (CA)

• Tarek William Saab carga contra Petro: «Usted debe ocuparse de Colombia» (LN)