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2025
![U.S. Halt to Foreign Aid Does Not Apply to Arms to Israel and Egypt](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25trump-news-foreign-aid-mptz-mediumSquareAt3X-px0s8a-600x400.jpeg)
U.S. Halt to Foreign Aid Does Not Apply to Arms to Israel and Egypt
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s orders could force many groups working on global aid to stop their programs. And the White House has approved sending more 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.
![Israel Welcomes the Return of the Women Who Warned of a Raid From Gaza](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25israel-lookout-01-vpjb-mediumSquareAt3X-Aj5cme-600x400.jpeg)
Israel Welcomes the Return of the Women Who Warned of a Raid From Gaza
Young female “spotters” for Israel’s army reported suspicious activity across the border. When Hamas attacked, 15 were killed and seven abducted. Four came home on Saturday.
![His Opponents Sidelined, Lukashenko Is Set for a 7th Term in Belarus](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25belarus-01-kwmh-mediumSquareAt3X-1gwwo4-600x400.jpeg)
His Opponents Sidelined, Lukashenko Is Set for a 7th Term in Belarus
President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia’s leader, Vladimir V. Putin, has been making signs of reaching out to the West. He is all but certain to win an election on Sunday.
![Gunfire and Bandits Make School an Impossible Dream for Haitian Children](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25haiti-children-top-jzqt-mediumSquareAt3X-V5NRfq-600x400.jpeg)
Gunfire and Bandits Make School an Impossible Dream for Haitian Children
Some school buildings are in gang-occupied territory or have become de facto shelters for those forced from their homes, leaving hundreds of thousands with no chance for formal learning.
![Hamas Hostages Are Released to Israeli Forces](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25mideast-crisis-promo445am-lpjw-mediumSquareAt3X-qxEsRp-600x400.jpeg)
Hamas Hostages Are Released to Israeli Forces
Israel’s military said the four hostages, all female soldiers, were being brought back to Israel from Gaza. Israel is now expected to release around 200 Palestinian prisoners.
![Myanmar Rebels Are Opening Colleges](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/00myanmar-universities-01-cfqg-mediumSquareAt3X-7Fkshg-600x400.jpeg)
Myanmar Rebels Are Opening Colleges
As Myanmar’s civil war heads into a fifth year, anti-junta forces are opening universities and colleges as part of their pursuit of a federal democracy.
![Israel Says UNRWA Has 6 Days to Halt Operations in East Jerusalem](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24israel-unrwa-hwck-mediumSquareAt3X-sG62Ja-600x400.jpeg)
Israel Says UNRWA Has 6 Days to Halt Operations in East Jerusalem
The directive came in a letter to the U.N., after the Israeli Parliament banned the relief agency that has aided Palestinian refugees for decades.
![Israel Appears Poised to Keep Its Troops in Lebanon Beyond Deadline](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/23israel-lebanon-01-mbph-mediumSquareAt3X-7YwxvQ-600x400.jpeg)
Israel Appears Poised to Keep Its Troops in Lebanon Beyond Deadline
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to withdraw from southern Lebanon, but Israel says that Hezbollah hasn’t upheld its promise and that the Lebanese Army isn’t ready to fill the void.
![Israel and Hamas Prepare for Next Round of Hostage and Prisoner Releases](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24mideast-ledeall-top-cbgv-mediumSquareAt3X-VurN3x-600x400.jpeg)
Israel and Hamas Prepare for Next Round of Hostage and Prisoner Releases
Under the terms of the Gaza cease-fire, Hamas was expected to share the names of four female hostages to be released Saturday, and Israel would name the more than 100 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in exchange.
![Gaza at Last Welcomes More Aid. It Needs a Deluge.](https://sydneynewsboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/00gaza-aid-ckmt-mediumSquareAt3X-HM1A3j-600x400.jpeg)
Gaza at Last Welcomes More Aid. It Needs a Deluge.
Hundreds of truckloads of food, fuel and other supplies have arrived in Gaza each day since the cease-fire took effect. But the need is vast after 15 months of war.