According to media reports US.mediator Amos Hochstein is carrying a two-phase solution for the border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and its implementation hinges on the halt of the war in Gaza, a prominent political source said.During the first phase, Hezbollah and its elite Radwan force would withdraw to the area north of the Litani River, the source told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Wednesday.“The second phase involves turning the area that is eight to 10 kilometers from the border into a safe zone in which 12,000 Lebanese Army soldiers would deploy alongside forces from UNIFIL,” the source added.
Hamas proposal
Hamas has proposed a ceasefire plan that would see a four-and-a-half-month truce.The armed group wants a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war after three 45-day truce periods.
.The offer is likely to be unacceptable to Israel’s prime minister, who has called for “total victory” in Gaza.
A source close to the negotiations told Reuters that the Hamas counterproposal did not require a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire at the outset, but that an end to the war would have to be agreed on during the truce before the final hostages were freed.
About 1,500 people have been evacuated from surrounding buildings following a fire at the Old Bailey court in central London.
In the beginning four fire engines and 25 firefighters were at the scene. The fire service advised people to avoid the area and said traffic was likely to be affected.
The BBC journalist Nick Johnson was at the court when the fire began. On X, he said: “Black acrid smoke coming from rear of central criminal court, Old Bailey – lights flickered inside before it was evacuated – firefighter says fire in section of building where electrical substation sits.”
He told the BBC he had heard an electrical humming before the courtroom went dark, followed by an alarm over a sound system telling people to leave the building quickly. He added that there was a smell of smoke similar to when a lightbulb blows.
All proceedings at the court have been postponed. The trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, who are accused of manslaughter by gross negligence after their newborn daughter died while they were on the run from authorities, was paused because of the fire.
The Times journalist David Brown said there was a “series of explosions heard from the building next to the Old Bailey for
Boy, 16, arrested
Wembley of the North
The Daily Telegraph moves forward the story about Manchester United’s plans to redevelop Old Trafford on the front page of its sports section with suggestions it could receive some public funding. According to the paper Sir Jim Ratcliffe has “already begun dialogue” with Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, Trafford Council leaders and other civic officials over the future of Old Trafford while “starting to explore financial options”.
The report adds that a new stadium has the potential to create jobs and “provide a huge boost to the local economy and beyond” while “sources suggested that such a major regeneration programme could attract government funds”.
The Chicago Bulls edged a 129-123 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA: Chicago Bulls charge down Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime victory, Kevin Durant wins Giannis Antetokounmpo duel
Russian Missile hit Kyia
BBC is reporting that Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv and other cities on Wednesday morning, causing at least one death.
While Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a downed Russian missile damaged power lines and some households in the capital were without electricity. injuries, Ukrainian authorities reported.
Pakistan: Blasts Rock Balochistan Ahead of Pakistan Elections
Images on social media show cars and motorbikes blown apart by the force of the explosion in Pishin. It took place outside the election office of a local independent candidate who officials told the BBC was meeting his polling agent at the time.
At least 14 people have been killed as the first blast took place outside an independent candidate’s office in Khano
The second blast took place outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Killa Saifullah district.
At least 12 people were killed and 17 others injured in the second explosion, Balochistan Information Minister Achakzai said.
He said JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Wassay, who is contesting elections from PB-3, remained unhurt in the attack.
independent candidate who officials told the BBC was meeting his polling agent at the time.. Images on social media show cars and motorbikes blown apart by the force of the explosion in Pishin. It took place outside the election office of a local independent candidate who officials told the BBC was meeting his polling agent at the time
House reject to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
The Republican-led House of Representatives has failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border.For a moment, the vote was tied at 215-215 before another Republican switched to vote against.The Mayorkas measure is likely to come up again
59 arrested by European police for drug trafficking
Authorities from across Europe have arrested dozens of suspected members of a drug trafficking network who smuggled narcotics in cars with secret compartments.
https://p.dw.com/p/4c6fR
Spainish police siezed 11 tons of cocaine in December 2023.
The network mainly smuggled heroin, cocaine, hashish and marijuana into Germany and Spain using cars with double bottoms or secret compartments,” Europe’s judicial agency Eurojust said.
Bolts that should have kept Alaska Airlines flight’s door plug in place are missing
Four bolts should have kept the left door plug secure to prevent it from moving upwards and disengaging from the Boeing 737 Max 9, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said during a Monday night press conference.
Those four bolts were also missing when the NTSB recovered the door plug, making it unclear if they were ever there to begin with.