We are also covering: Allu Arjun’s Father Meets Stampede Victim’s Husband, Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement From International Cricket and other top stories.

Israel and Saudi Arabia reportedly reached a breakthrough in normalization talks, potentially facilitating a hostage release deal and progress toward ending the Gaza war. According to Haaretz, the agreement includes Israel offering a vague commitment to a “path towards Palestinian statehood,” enabling Saudi Arabia to maintain its pledge to support Palestinians while normalizing ties. The United States mediates the talks, which involve future security and reconstruction efforts. However, both nations officially deny any breakthroughs, and internal opposition within Israel complicates the agreement’s prospects. n18oc_world n18oc_crux

Geir Pedersen tells the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen that Syrians are experiencing “a lot of hope and a lot of fear”. 

​Geir Pedersen tells the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen that Syrians are experiencing “a lot of hope and a lot of fear”.