Officials tout a Gaza ceasefire deal and plan to free hostages

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Officials announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal to pause the devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip, raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies. The deal, coming after weeks of painstaking negotiations in the Qatari capital, promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel and would allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes. It also would flood badly needed humanitarian aid into a devastated territory. Qatar’s prime minister said the deal would go into effect on Sunday. Israel said final details still need ironing out.

Russian missile attack forces Ukraine to shut down power grid

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say Russia has launched a major ballistic and cruise missile attack on regions across Ukraine. The strikes on Wednesday targeted energy production and compelled authorities to shut down the power grid in some areas despite freezing winter weather. The barrage came a day after the Russian Defense Ministry vowed a response to what it said was an attack on Russian soil using multiple Western-supplied missiles. Long-range attacks have been a feature of the nearly three-year war. Russia has been advancing on the battlefield over the past year, though its progress has been slow and costly.

South African police announce sudden end of mine rescue operation

STILFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — South African police say they have ended a rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine where scores of illegal miners were trapped and believe they rescued all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies of those who died. The announcement Wednesday was a surprise and came just a day after the police minister said the rescue operation would likely last until at least next week. Police made the announcement at a news conference at the mine. They said rescuers would do a final sweep of the mine on Thursday to ensure no more survivors or bodies were underground.

Hundreds protest as Mozambique inaugurates a new president

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Hundreds of supporters of Mozambique’s opposition protested as the country inaugurated a new president following disputed elections and deadly unrest. Daniel Chapo took his oath as the country’s fifth president in the capital, Maputo. Opposition supporters peacefully protested a few meters away after security forces wielding guns and batons blocked them from getting to the venue. The 48-year-old law graduate acknowledged the need to end the instability rocking the southern African nation. The country’s Constitutional Council in December declared Chapo the winner of the presidential election, with 65.17% of the vote. The election was followed by protests and a violent clampdown by security forces.