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Ramat Gan (Israel) (AFP) – Three hostages freed by Hamas reunite with their families in Israel as a ceasefire between the Israeli army and the militant group begins. The initial 42-day truce — which follows more than 15 months of war — will see the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza, in return for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Ninety Palestinians were freed as part of the first hostage-prisoner swap of the truce’s first phase.

Beitunia (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Crowds greet the first Palestinian prisoners released as part of the hostage-prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, as the first phase of a ceasefire begins. Brokered by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, the initial 42-day truce will see 33 Israeli hostages returned in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians, and will allow the entrance of much-needed humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza.

Matamoros (Mexico) (AFP) – Images of the Mexico-US border in Matamoros ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term as US President. The Republican vowed to unleash a blitz of executive orders undoing outgoing President Joe Biden’s legacy, and to launch immediate deportations of undocumented migrants. IMAGES

Tapachula (Mexico) (AFP) – More than a thousand migrants depart southern Mexico in a caravan as a form of protest ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president. The Republican vowed to unleash a blitz of executive orders undoing outgoing president Joe Biden’s legacy, and to launch immediate deportations of undocumented migrants. IMAGES

Beijing (AFP) – “I don’t hold out much hope,” says Dai, a student in Beijing, on the day of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. Expectations are low in the Chinese capital after Trump’s economic threat to impose tariffs on products from the country, as well as those from Canada and Mexico.

Novo-Ogaryovo (Russia) (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Donald Trump on his inauguration, which kicks off a second term in office for the US President. Putin also uses his address to say any pause in the fighting in Ukraine should not be “some kind of respite for regrouping forces”, but “a long-term peace”. Trump has said he intends to bring a quick end to the conflict, without specifying how.

Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – Images of the Mexico-US border in Ciudad Juarez ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term as US president. The Republican has vowed to unleash a blitz of executive orders undoing outgoing president Joe Biden’s legacy, and to launch immediate deportations of undocumented migrants. IMAGES

Hong Kong (AFP) – Chinese-owned app Xiaohongshu – or Red Note in English – was recently propelled to the top of the US Apple App Store free downloads chart, as American users facing a potential TikTok ban look for an alternative.

Tibú (Colombia) (AFP) – A fresh outbreak of guerrilla violence amid a faltering peace process in Colombia has left more than 80 people dead, including civilians, and displaced thousands in just four days.

(AFP) – “I don’t believe that a war of this magnitude can be ended in one day. It’s not realistic. This is a romantic idea…” says Volodymyr, 37th Marine Brigade battalion commander operating in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. With the United States about to inaugurate Donald Trump as president for the second time, Ukrainian soldiers on the eastern frontlines voice their concerns about a possible cut in funding, and scepticism about the prospect of a brisk end to the war. During the US election campaign Trump said he could bring the war to an end in a day but has failed to say how he would do so, although some fear he envisions pressuring Ukraine to give up land that Russia has captured.