Israel identifies latest hostage remains returned by Hamas from Gaza as those of a Tanzanian student

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli authorities confirmed Thursday that the remains of a hostage returned the previous day from Gaza are of a Tanzanian agricultural student in Israel who was killed on Oct. 7, 2023 in the Hamas-led attack that started the war. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains were identified as those of Joshua Loitu Mollel and that his family has been notified. The development was the latest step forward under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Mollel, 21, had arrived at kibbutz Nahal Oz only 19 days before the attack, after finishing agricultural college back home and looking to gain experience in Israel he could apply in Tanzania. He is survived by two parents and four siblings in Tanzania.

Sudan’s paramilitary group agrees on truce proposed by US-led mediator group

CAIRO (AP) — The Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group that has been at war with the Sudanese military for over two years, said it has agreed to a humanitarian truce that was proposed by U.S.-led mediator group, also known as the Quad. The RSF’s agreement on Thursday to the proposal comes over a week after the group seized el-Fasher city that has been under siege for over 18 months. It was also the last Sudanese military stronghold in Sudan’s western Darfur region. A Sudan military official told The Associated Press that the army will only agree to a truce which includes withdrawing from civilian areas and giving up weapons.

Fishermen missing in Vietnam as Philippines mourns dead from Typhoon Kalmaegi

NHA TRANG, Vietnam (AP) — Typhoon Kalmaegi has struck Vietnam with powerful winds and heavy rain after causing over 100 deaths in the Philippines. On Thursday, three fishermen went missing in Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province. Authorities evacuated more than 537,000 people due to rising floodwaters and landslides. Vietnam’s central provinces were already dealing with record-breaking rains. Kalmaegi brought winds up to 220 kilometers per hour and waves up to 3 meters high. In the Philippines, the typhoon killed at least 114 people and displaced over 560,000. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency, allowing faster emergency fund disbursement.

Ukraine says it has hit a major Russian oil refinery with long-range drones

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian drones have struck a major oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd region for the second time in nearly three months, according to Ukraine’s general staff. Russian officials have not confirmed the attack, but the local governor reported a fire at an unspecified industrial facility. The refinery is a key producer of fuel in Russia’s Southern Federal District. Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes aim to cut off Russia’s oil export revenue. Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s power grid. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says foreign countries are helping maintain the grid amid ongoing attacks.