The end to the long-raging Gaza war may be in sight. US President Donald Trump has rolled out a new 20-point plan, which is gaining traction across the world. Most leaders of Europe, and Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, have already accepted Trump's proposal. Only Hamas' agreement is awaited.
But if the armed Palestinian group does not comply, Israel has vowed to 'finish the job.'
Trump's plan calls for a ceasefire, release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas and gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, followed by a post-war transitional authority headed by Trump himself.
"I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims," Netanyahu said in a joint press conference with the US president.
"If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr President, or if they supposedly accept it and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself."
Trump said that Israel would have his "full backing" to do so if Hamas did not accept the deal.
A White House meeting on Monday with top Republican and Democratic congressional leaders yielded no budget breakthrough, with both sides trading blame less than 36 hours before government funding runs out.
A shutdown would see non-essential operations grind to a halt, hundreds of thousands of civil servants temporarily left without pay, and payment of many social safety net benefits disrupted.
Such shutdowns are deeply unpopular in the United States, and Democrats and Republicans alike try to avoid the scenario -- while blaming the other camp should such a closure arise.
Afghanistan faced a second day without internet and mobile phone service on Tuesday, after Taliban authorities cut the fibre optic network.
The government began shutting down high speed internet connections to some provinces earlier in the month to prevent "vice" on the orders of shadowy supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
On Monday night, mobile phone signal and internet service gradually weakened nationwide until connectivity was less than one percent of ordinary levels, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.
It is the first time since the Taliban government won their insurgency in 2021 and imposed a strict version of Islamic law that communications have been shut down in the country.
The Indian cricket team refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan interior minister.
Now, Naqvi has reportedly set a condition to hand over the trophy to the India -- the Asian champions. The Pakistani minister said he would give away the accolades if a formal function was arranged. He also demanded to be in the spotlight during the presentation ceremony.
