Israeli military says one of the bodies handed over by Hamas is not that of a hostage

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli military says one of the bodies handed over by Hamas is not that of a hostage who was held in Gaza. The statement on Wednesday added to tensions over the fragile truce that has paused the two-year war. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said it received 45 more bodies of Palestinians from Israel, another step in implementation of the ceasefire agreement. That brings to 90 the total number of bodies returned to Gaza for burial. The forensics team examining the remains said they showed signs of mistreatment.

Pakistan and Afghanistan announce ceasefire after deadliest clashes in years

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan and Afghanistan have announced a ceasefire following days of the deadliest clashes in years that killed dozens of people on both sides of the border. The pause came after appeals from major regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The violence has threatened to further destabilize a region where groups including the Islamic State and al-Qaida are trying to resurface. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring armed groups. The country’s Taliban rulers deny it. Pakistan has seen a growing number of militant attacks since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. Key border crossings remain closed.

Leader of Madagascar’s military coup tells AP he is ‘taking the position of president’

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — The leader of Madagascar’s military coup says he is “taking the position of president” and that the armed forces will remain in charge of the sprawling African island nation for up to two years before elections are held. In his first interview with a global news outlet since taking power, Col. Michael Randrianirina told The Associated Press that he expects to be sworn in as Madagascar’s president in the next few days. Randrianirina announced Tuesday that the armed forces were taking power in Madagascar, capping weeks of youth-led protests against President Andry Rajoelina and his government. The colonel said Wednesday that he’s taking over as head of state after the country’s highest court invited him to do so.

Former Kenyan premier Raila Odinga, a key figure in African democracy efforts, dies at 80

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died of a heart attack in India. He was 80 years old. A statement from a hospital in Kerala State said Odinga didn’t respond to resuscitation efforts. Odinga ran for Kenya’s presidency five times over three decades. His populist campaigns challenged one-party rule, rattled authorities and gave him outsized influence on political life in the East African country. President William Ruto has declared a seven-day mourning period during and called Odinga’s death an “immense and immeasurable loss.” Ruto says Odinga will have a state funeral.