Middle Eastern Headlines at 2:57 a.m. GMT
Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says
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CNNHamas gave the three hostages ‘gift bags’ upon their release. This is what was inside
When Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, released its propaganda video of three Israeli hostages being released Sunday night, there was a striking detail.
- INSIDER
Ukraine's military chief says Russia has 'practically halved' artillery ammo usage after its production lines and depots were hit
Oleksandr Syrskyi credited Ukraine's attacks on "industrial enterprises" that manufacture ammo, missile parts, and other weapons deep inside Russia.
- INSIDER
The one-of-a-kind ex-USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier is heading to the scrapyard, but a new JFK flattop is coming
See the ex-USS John F. Kennedy, the Navy's last conventionally powered aircraft carrier, which was in a class of its own.
- Sky News
Iran unveils underground naval base as it seeks to counter Israeli threat
Iran has unveiled an underground naval base capable of taking on "enemies big and small". Footage broadcast on state TV shows a large number of speedboats lined up in what appears to be an underground tunnel. State TV showed Revolutionary Guards chief General Hossein Salami visiting the base with naval arm commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.
- Reuters
Philippines, U.S. hold joint maritime exercises in South China Sea
The Philippines and the United States carried out joint maritime exercises for a fifth time in the South China Sea, Manila's armed forces said on Sunday, in a move that would likely irk China. The Philippine military said in a statement it held a "maritime cooperative activity" with the U.S. on Friday and Saturday, its first for the year and fifth overall since launching the joint activities in 2023. Security engagements between the two allies have soared under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington, allowing the expansion of military bases that American forces can access, including facilities that face Taiwan.
- Associated Press
Scores of Afghans have left for the US after their visas were processed in the Philippines
Nearly 200 Afghan nationals have been flown on to the United States after their special immigration visas were processed in the Philippines as part of an agreement between Manila and Washington, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said Sunday. The Afghans left the Philippines in several groups on commercial flights last week after completing their application process for resettlement in the U.S., according to the embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay. An embassy statement expressed "deep appreciation to the government of the Philippines for their cooperation and support for U.S. efforts to assist Afghan special immigrants.”
- The Telegraph
Russia rearming faster than thought ‘for possible attack on Nato’
Russia is rearming faster than first thought for a potential attack on Nato, Germany’s military pointman on Ukraine has warned.
- Associated Press
Yemen's Houthis signal they'll now limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to Israeli ships
Yemen's Houthi rebels signaled Monday they now will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip, but warned wider assaults could resume if needed. The Houthis' announcement, made in an email sent to shippers and others on Sunday, likely won't be enough to encourage global firms to reenter the route that's crucial for cargo and energy shipments moving between Asia and Europe. “The ceasefire is considered fragile,” said Jakob P. Larsen, the head of maritime security for BIMCO, the largest international association representing shipowners.
- The Guardian
Three hostages released by Hamas reunited with mothers after ceasefire deal
Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher return to Israel after 15 months in captivity
- The Guardian
‘Animals can feel good and evil’: film puts new perspective on Ukraine war
Collection of seven shorts due out in 2025 tells story of conflict from perspective of animals
- Euronews
Hamas releases three Israeli hostages in the first phase of the ceasefire
The three were met by their mothers in Israel, the military announced on Sunday, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold.View on euronews
- The Telegraph
What we know about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal so far
Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to end the war and release the hostages.
- Associated Press
Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect Sunday morning, officials say
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT), mediator Qatar announced Saturday, as families of hostages held in Gaza braced for news of loved ones, Palestinians prepared to receive freed detainees and humanitarian groups rushed to set up a surge of aid. Netanyahu also asserted that he negotiated the best deal possible, even as Israel’s far-right Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he and most of his party would resign from the government in opposition to it. Netanyahu earlier warned that a ceasefire wouldn’t go forward unless Israel received the names of hostages to be released, as agreed.
- HuffPost
CNN Data Reporter Hits Joe Biden With A Harsh Truth In His Final Hours Of Office
"My goodness gracious," Harry Enten said of one particular polling detail on the outgoing president.
- Cosmo
Emily Ratajkowski is red hot in a teeny tiny scarlet thongkini
Emily Ratajkowski shared a video of herself on Instagram dancing by a pool in Mexico wearing a teeny tiny red hot thong bikini and sipping a piña colada.
- The Telegraph
Trump becomes one of world’s richest men after $43bn crypto coin launch
The launch of a Donald Trump “meme coin” has handed the incoming president a paper fortune that makes him one of the world’s richest men on the eve of his inauguration.
- INSIDER
I moved to China from the US to be a teacher. My $4,000 monthly salary went much further, but there were tradeoffs.
Tatiana Smith spent five years teaching in China. Although the cost of living was more affordable, she felt that China was as capitalistic as the US.
- The Telegraph
‘The worst team maybe in Manchester United’s history’ – Amorim’s astonishing admission
Ruben Amorim says he is managing arguably the worst Manchester United team in history.
- INSIDER
I traveled to Hong Kong for the first time. Here are 5 things that surprised me about its food, transportation, and efficiency.
When I told my family I was planning a trip to Hong Kong, they responded: "Why? Isn't Hong Kong similar to Singapore?"
- Yahoo News Singapore
CPF’s Special Account closure boosts retirement payouts for seniors; Singapore to enhance cost of living support in 2025 Budget: Singapore live news
CPF announces Special Account closure for members aged 55 and above as the government pledges more aid for cost of living woes. Plus some of the biggest and fascinating news in Singapore and beyond.