Rwanda-backed rebels push into a mineral-rich town in Congo

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Rwanda-backed rebels battling Congo’s army have pushed into a strategic, mineral-rich town in the east, ignoring calls for a ceasefire this week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents as the M23 rebel group expands its footprint in the conflict-torn African country. An attempt to bring Congo’s government and M23 leaders together for ceasefire negotiations failed on Tuesday, with the rebels pulling out after the European Union announced sanctions on rebel leaders. The rebels entered the town of Walikale late on Wednesday. That’s according to residents and civil society leaders. Taking Walikale would give them control of a road linking four provinces in eastern Congo and effectively cutting off Congolese army positions.

Military leaders discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force as partial ceasefire plans are worked out

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Senior military officers from countries across Europe and beyond are meeting outside London to flesh out plans for an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine as details of a partial ceasefire are worked out. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the coalition led by Britain and France is moving into an operational phase. But it’s unclear how many countries are willing to send troops, or whether there will be any ceasefire to protect. Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire on Wednesday, though it remained to be seen when it might take effect and what possible targets would be protected.

Israeli strikes across Gaza hit multiple homes, killing at least 85 Palestinians

DEIR-AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes overnight killed at least 85 Palestinians across Gaza, hitting multiple homes and killing men, women and children as they slept, according to local officials. Hamas fired three rockets at Israel, without causing casualties, in the first such attack since Israel ended the ceasefire with a surprise bombardment on Tuesday. The Israeli military ordered people to evacuate an area in central Gaza in response to the rocket fire. Israel has blamed the renewed fighting on Hamas because the militant group rejected a new proposal that departed from their agreement. Nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Tuesday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

French citizen Olivier Grondeau is freed after over 880 days in a prison in Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A French citizen imprisoned in Iran for over 880 days has been freed. That’s according to statements from French officials on Thursday. The release of Olivier Grondeau comes as France and the rest of Europe try to pursue negotiations with Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. Another French citizen held under house arrest in Tehran has also been released and was back in France but he has not been publicly identified. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to jumpstart talks. Trump is also pressuring Tehran over its support of Yemen’s Houthi rebels as the American military has launched an intense new campaign of airstrikes targeting the group.