China's Long March-8A rocket launches new internet satellite group
China launched a Long March-8A carrier rocket on Saturday in the southern island province of Hainan, sending a group of internet satellites into space.
The rocket lifted off at 3:53 p.m. from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. It successfully placed the payloads, the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites, into preset orbit.
Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the Long March-8A rocket is 50.5 meters long with a takeoff weight of 371 tonnes. It is capable of carrying up to 7 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 km.
U.S., Ukraine agree on security framework
The U.S. Department of State said on Friday that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators met over two days and agreed on the framework of security arrangements.
"Over two days, Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov for constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine," the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.
"The group had their sixth meeting over the past two weeks. Secretary Umerov reaffirmed that Ukraine's priority is securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future," the statement said.
Hamas says to give up weapons "if occupation ends"
Head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya, said on Saturday that the group will give up its weapons "if the (Israeli) occupation ends."
"Our weapon is linked to the presence of the occupation and aggression, and if the occupation ends, this weapon will be handed over to the state," he said during an interview with Al Jazeera.
"Weapons are still under discussion with the factions and mediators, and the agreement is still in its early stages," he added.
During the interview, al-Hayya also mentioned that "new areas will be entered on Sunday to search for some bodies of (Israeli) occupation prisoners."
Britain mulls release of frozen Russian assets as aid to Ukraine
Britain is considering unlocking 8 billion pounds (about 11 billion U.S. dollars) of frozen Russian assets as aid to Ukraine, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Friday.
According to the report, Britain is working with Canada and some other countries, as well as the European Union (EU), on a deal that could release up to 130 billion dollars for Ukraine.
These funds could cover more than two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs over the next two years -- for defense or for reconstruction if peace is achieved, the report said.
Torch relay for Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games starts in Rome
The torch relay for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games began on Saturday morning in Rome, marking the start of a two-month journey ahead of next year's opening ceremony.
The launch ceremony was held at the Stadio dei Marmi, an open-air arena lined with Roman-style statues next to Rome's Olympic Stadium.
At around 9:50 a.m., Giancarlo Peris, the final torchbearer of the 1960 Rome Games, brought the flame onto the launch stage. A torch was lit with the flame, and Giovanni Malago, president of the Milan-Cortina 2026 organizing committee, lit the cauldron with it.
The first torchbearer, Italy's Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, lit the relay torch from the cauldron and then ran a half-lap around the stadium to cheers from spectators, officially starting the relay.
Israeli military kills 2 Palestinians at West Bank checkpoint
The Israeli military said Saturday that its troops shot and killed two Palestinians in the southern West Bank city of Hebron after the pair drove a vehicle toward soldiers at a checkpoint.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the soldiers opened fire after the vehicle accelerated toward them during an "operational activity." One soldier was slightly injured, according to Israel's Kan public broadcaster, which said the troops were from the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA offered a different account, reporting that Israeli forces fired on a vehicle carrying Palestinian civilians in the Bab al-Zawiya area of central Hebron and then blocked Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances from reaching the scene.
5 killed in Afghanistan after border clash between Pakistani-Afghan forces
Five people were killed and five others sustained injuries due to a clash that erupted between Pakistan and Afghan forces in the border town of Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Spin Boldak district chief Mawlawi Abdul Karim Jihadyar said Saturday.
The clash, according to the official, erupted on Friday night after the Pakistan border forces opened fire on the Afghan side and the Afghan forces responded, which lasted around two and a half hours.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Friday night that "the Pakistani side once again launched an attack on Afghanistan in Kandahar's Spin Boldak district, which compelled the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respond."■
