Monday briefing: Hostage talks continue in Qatar
Hostage talks in Qatar will continue
An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Qatar as soon as possible for talks on a new agreement for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas and the release of some hostages held in Gaza, according to an Israeli official.
The negotiations follow talks held in Paris on Friday between an Israeli delegation and mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt. During those talks, the Israeli delegation agreed to a basic outline for an agreement that would include a six-week ceasefire and the exchange of about 40 hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, officials said.
Israel’s war cabinet approved the terms and conditions on Saturday evening, an Israeli official said. The aim was to reach an agreement before the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, which is expected to start around March 10.
Hamas representatives were not present at the Paris meeting, and it was not immediately clear how acceptable the outline was to the group. One of the main sticking points is Hamas’s insistence on a complete cessation of hostilities as a condition for any hostage taking, as well as the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
The Ukrainians promise never to bow to Russia
Ten years after the outbreak of conflict with Russian-backed separatists and two years after Moscow’s large-scale invasion, Ukrainians remain determined. According to a recent poll, nearly 90 percent still believe in Ukraine’s eventual victory as long as Western aid continues.
More than 60 percent of respondents considered themselves happy, despite a similar percentage saying they had lost at least one family member or friend. But there are signs of growing pessimism: In December, 19 percent of respondents said they were willing to make concessions to Russia to end the war, up from 10 percent in May.
Women and children have been raped or gang raped. Recruiting child soldiers is common. Both sides have carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Foreign powers, including the United Arab Emirates and Iran, have stepped in to support one side or the other, sending advanced weapons to the battlefield that have increased risks to civilians.
Background: The fighting began in April 2023 as a power struggle between the leaders of the army, which dominated Sudan for decades, and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force drawn mainly from Darfur.
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The power of an Oscar
For Ugandan opposition politician Bobi Wine and his wife, an Oscar-nominated film feels like a ‘bulletproof vest’.
This was said by Barbie Kyagulanyi, Wine’s wife, about the film ‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President’, one of the nominees for best documentary this year.
Wine is a leading opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The film examines the 2021 presidential elections in Uganda. Wine, who is also a popular singer in the country, has been arrested several times and has been under house arrest.
The film shows Kyagulanyi’s determination to free her husband, as well as tender moments between the couple. “The more the world knows about our plight, the safer we will become,” Wine said in an email interview. “An Oscar win would mean life is secured.”
The Oscars ceremony will take place on March 10 in Los Angeles.