Hamas signals progress on ceasefire
Hamas leader said yesterday The group is studying Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal with a “positive spirit” to bring hope of progress to the stalled truce effort.
Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political wing, said a delegation would travel to Cairo to discuss the ceasefire. The current deal would include a week-long truce and the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The proposal would also allow civilians to return to northern Gaza and increase aid to the territory.
Complex ceasefire negotiations have dragged on for months. This week, Israel softened its stance somewhat, saying it would allow mass returns of Palestinians to the north and reduce the number of hostages it accepts from the ceasefire agreement from 40 to 33.
But Israel’s insistence on a ground invasion of Rafah, a city where about a million Palestinians have taken refuge in the southern Gaza Strip, remains a major sticking point. “Negotiations will stop if the enemy carries out Operation Rafah,” a Hamas spokesman said.
US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons
US blames Russia The use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces violated the global ban on chemical weapons.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement that Russia used chloropicrin, a “suffocating agent” widely used during World War I, as well as tear gas. Both weapons are banned from use in warfare under the Chemical Weapons Convention, an arms control treaty ratified by more than 150 countries, including Russia.
The U.S. State Department said attacks using chemical substances were “not isolated incidents” and that they could be used to push Ukrainian troops from defensive positions.
Ukrainian authorities have reported some 1,400 cases of suspected Russian use of chemical weapons since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. That rate has accelerated as Moscow stepped up its attacks on the front lines, officials said.
Protests spark in Georgia over ‘foreign interests’ bill
Security forces clash Protesters in the Georgian capital sparked weeks of demonstrations after parliament advanced the legislation.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Tbilisi since the ruling Georgian Dream party pushed the bill through parliament early last month. Georgia’s interior ministry said yesterday that security forces used water cannon and tear gas when protesters became “violent”.
The draft law would require non-governmental groups and media outlets with more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register with the government and provide annual financial statements, or face hefty fines. The pro-Western opposition believes the law could be used to suppress dissent.
More headlines
Less than two years ago, Brittney Griner began a nine-year sentence in a Russian penal colony, sewing uniforms for the Russian army and surviving on spoiled food. Never far from the sport that made her famous, she rarely hears from her wife, Cherelle, and doesn’t know when — or if — she’ll be able to return home.
My colleague J Wortham spoke to Griner new york times magazine. “I will never forget this,” said Griner, whose memoir, “Coming Home,” will be published on May 7.
conversation starter
sports news
Strength and Concentration: Borussia Dortmund defeats Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
Challenges for theater leaders in Shakespeare’s hometown
Visitors flock to the English town of Stratford-upon-Avon, famous as the home of William Shakespeare, in anticipation of his works in period costume. Stratford is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, which brings Shakespeare’s works to contemporary audiences through a diverse and forward-thinking repertoire.
The company’s new artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey Trying to embrace classics and modernitythey began their first season in charge.
That’s all for this week. Have a great weekend and see you now. My colleague Natasha Frost will be back on Monday. —Dan
PS Lynsey Chutel is the author of our Africa Focus series Move to our London newsroom. Congratulations, Lindsay!
You can contact Dan and the team at: Briefing@nytimes.com.
