Hamas says it will free 3 more hostages as planned

CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says it will release the next group of three Israeli hostages as planned. That would pave the way toward resolving a major dispute over the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Hamas had threatened to delay the next release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations to allow in tents and shelters, among other alleged violations of the truce. Israel has said it will resume fighting Hamas if the hostages are not freed, but did not immediately comment on the statement by the militant group. The announcement by Hamas’ should allow the ceasefire to continue for now, though its long-term viability remains in doubt.

Russia rejoices at Trump-Putin call as Zelenskyy rejects talks without Ukraine present

(AP) — Russian officials and state media have taken a triumphant tone after President Donald Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year-long war in Ukraine. Trump’s change of tack seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters in ending the fighting. It looked set to sideline Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace negotiations. Zelenskyy says he will not accept any agreements about Ukraine that do not include his country in the talks.

Gas explosion at Taiwan food court kills 4 and injures 26

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Fire authorities in Taiwan say a gas explosion at a department store killed four people and injured 26, fire authorities said. The blast occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city on Thursday morning. Two of the dead were tourists visiting from Macau. Among the eight who were hospitalized, one had no vital signs, the Taichung Fire Bureau said. Dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene at about 11:30 a.m. Parts of the building’s exterior were damaged and scattered fragments were strewn on the streets.

A driver plows into a demonstration in Munich, injuring 30 people

BERLIN (AP) — A driver drove a car into a labor union demonstration in central Munich on Thursday, injuring 30 people including children, authorities said. Officials said it was believed to be an attack. The suspect, an Afghan asylum-seeker, was arrested. The incident follows a series of attacks involving immigrants in recent months that have pushed migration to the forefront of the campaign for Germany’s Feb. 23 election. Police said participants in the demonstration were walking along a street at about 10:30 a.m. when the car overtook a police vehicle following the gathering, accelerated and plowed into the back of the group