Death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war tops 45,000 Palestinians, health officials say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Health officials in the Gaza Strip say more than 45,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas militants. Gaza’s Health Ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but has said more than half of the dead are women and children. Meanwhile, often-stalled ceasefire talks appear to be gaining ground. Israel’s defense minister says negotiators are closer to a deal than at any time since the only previous truce in November 2023. Mediators have said there appears to be more willingness from both sides after 14 months of war.

France rushes aid to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido leaves hundreds feared dead

MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — France is rushing rescue workers and supplies to its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte after the island group off Africa was battered by its worst cyclone in nearly a century. Authorities fear hundreds and possibly thousands of people died when Cyclone Chido leveled neighborhoods on Saturday. Mayotte is the poorest territory of France and the European Union, and its people have accused French authorities of neglect. France’s health minister has said any death toll estimates are likely major undercounts “compared to the scale of the disaster.” But the Muslim practice of burial within 24 hours could mean the true toll might never be known.

Canada’s finance minister resigns as unpopular Trudeau faces biggest test

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing the biggest test of his political career after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, announced that she was resigning from the Cabinet. The stunning move Monday raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years can stay on as his administration scrambles to deal with incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Trudeau’s popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration. Opposition leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party Trudeau’s ruling Liberals have relied upon to stay in power, called on Trudeau to resign. The main opposition Conservatives demanded an election.

7 foreign tourists hospitalized in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Health and tourism officials in Fiji say seven foreign tourists have been hospitalized after drinking cocktails at a resort bar. They included four Australian tourists and an American, according to local news reports. They were drinking at the five-star Warwick Resort near the town of Sigatoka before they became ill. Health officials said they did not yet know the cause of the illness and it was too soon to know if tainted alcohol was involved. Fiji’s Tourism Minister said two people remain in the hospital, both of them conscious and in stable condition. The others have been discharged.