January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
CAIRO, Oct 24 — Representatives from Hamas and its long-time rival Fatah held rare talks in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the second phase of a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, a source familiar with the discussions told AFP.
“The meeting addressed the current situation and matters concerning the second phase of the proposed ceasefire in Gaza,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Both factions reportedly agreed to “continue their discussions in the coming period and work towards unifying the Palestinian front to confront the challenges posed by the Israeli government.”
According to Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News, the talks also covered “the overall national situation and post-war arrangements for the Gaza Strip.”
The deep-rooted rivalry between Hamas and Fatah, which erupted into conflict following the 2006 elections, has long undermined efforts toward Palestinian political unity.
Egypt, a key mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, hosted the meeting as part of broader efforts to build consensus around the long-term ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
In parallel with the Hamas-Fatah meeting, Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad also met senior figures from other Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—both members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
Al-Qahera News reported that the discussions were part of Cairo’s push to “achieve a unified Palestinian position on implementing the US president’s Gaza ceasefire plan.”
The talks coincided with a visit to Israel by top US diplomat Marco Rubio, the latest in a string of Washington officials seeking to strengthen the fragile truce.
Under Trump’s 20-point peace framework, an international security force comprising Arab and Muslim allies would stabilise Gaza as Israeli troops withdraw, with a transitional authority assuming administrative control from Hamas. — AFP
