Netanyahu accepts US Gaza ceasefire plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he has accepted the proposal of US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange.
"Israel accepted Witkoff's new plan," Netanyahu said during a meeting with families of hostages held by Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hamas representatives have had reservations about the draft approved by Israel, but have said they will carefully review it before giving an official response.
Ukraine: Fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was a Russian provocation
Ukrainian authorities have blamed Russian forces after a fire broke out on Sunday evening at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control.
According to Yevhen Yevtushenko, head of the Nikopol military administration, Russian troops burned car tires near the cooling towers to create the impression that the plant was engulfed in flames.
“This action could be a provocation or an attempt to spread panic in the surrounding areas,” Yevtushenko said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also commented on the event, considering it a destabilizing act.
Massive flooding in Romania due to extreme weather
Strong winds and heavy rainfall over the past two days have caused serious flooding in several regions of Romania.
Emergency services announced that hundreds of people had been evacuated from the counties of Covasna and Brasov in the center of the country, as well as from Botosani in the northeast.
On Thursday, floods also threatened an old salt mine in the town of Praid, a popular tourist spot that attracts about half a million visitors each year.
Russia proposes new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul
Under increasing pressure from the US president, Russia has proposed a new round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow hopes that this initiative will be supported by "all those who sincerely wish for the success of the peace process."
This statement comes after a major wave of Russian air strikes on Ukraine, which used hundreds of drones and missiles.
Lavrov added that he had also held talks with the US Secretary of State, where he presented Russia's concrete proposals for the next round of negotiations.
