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Relatives of Israeli hostages are terrified as the Gaza ceasefire teeters

Relatives of Israeli hostages are terrified as the Gaza ceasefire teeters

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — After 16 months of excruciating uncertainty, Idit Ohel finally received word this week that her 24-year-old son, a hostage in Gaza, is still alive.
Israel’s fatal shooting of a pregnant Palestinian woman puts the focus on West Bank violence

Israel’s fatal shooting of a pregnant Palestinian woman puts the focus on West Bank violence

KAFR AL-LABAD, West Bank (AP) — The call came in the middle of the night, Mohammed Shula said. His daughter-in-law, eight months pregnant with her first child, was whispering. There was panic in her voice. “Help, please,” Shula recalled her saying.

Iraq's top court throws out challenge to new laws, including one increasing Islamic courts authority

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top court on Tuesday threw out a legal challenge that had temporarily halted three controversial laws passed last month by the country’s parliament.
Hamas' threat to delay the next release of Israeli hostages raises fears for Gaza ceasefire

Hamas' threat to delay the next release of Israeli hostages raises fears for Gaza ceasefire

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas' threat to delay the next planned release of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip has jolted a fragile ceasefire that’s seen as having the potential to wind down the war .
Middle East latest: Israel threatens to restart war in Gaza if Hamas doesn't release hostages

Middle East latest: Israel threatens to restart war in Gaza if Hamas doesn't release hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday threatened to withdraw from the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and resume its war against Hamas if the militant group does not go ahead with the next scheduled release of hostages on Saturday.
Pope Francis accepts the resignation of a Peruvian bishop accused of ignoring abuse

Pope Francis accepts the resignation of a Peruvian bishop accused of ignoring abuse

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of an influential Peruvian bishop, who has come under criticism for not doing enough to stop abuses committed by a conservative Catholic movement that was recently disbanded by the Va
The Church of England votes to boost oversight on abuse claims. Victims say it's not enough

The Church of England votes to boost oversight on abuse claims. Victims say it's not enough

LONDON (AP) — Members of the Church of England 's parliament voted Tuesday to introduce more independent oversight of the way it handles abuse allegations, amid growing pressure to improve its accountability.
Some Israeli soldiers traveling abroad are targeted for alleged war crimes in Gaza

Some Israeli soldiers traveling abroad are targeted for alleged war crimes in Gaza

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Israeli army reservist's dream vacation in Brazil ended abruptly last month over an accusation that he committed war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Yuval Vagdani woke up on Jan.

27 religious groups sue Trump administration to protect houses of worship from immigration arrests

More than two-dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans — ranging from the Episcopal Church and the Union for Reform Judaism to the Mennonites and Unitarian Universalists — filed a federal court lawsuit Tuesday challenging
Pope rebukes Trump administration over migrant deportations, warns 'it will end badly'

Pope rebukes Trump administration over migrant deportations, warns 'it will end badly'

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis issued a major rebuke Tuesday to the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants, warning that the program to forcefully deport people purely because of their illegal status deprives them of their inherent dignity and