INTERNACIONAL
White House demands all Gaza hostages return home ‘this week’ amid stalled talks
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White House special envoy Steve Witkoff said he is pushing for all hostages held in the Gaza Strip to be returned this week, though negotiations with Hamas still appear to be at an impasse.
«We adamantly want, and I’m following the president’s direction here when I say this, all of those hostages home this week,» Witkoff told Fox News’ Bret Baier on «Special Report» Tuesday night.
«There’s been a deal on the table for the last six or seven weeks that would have released 10 of the hostages out of the 20 who we think are alive,» he said, noting that he believes Hamas is «100%» to blame for the hold-up.
«It was Hamas who slow played that process, and it is Hamas now who is saying we accept that deal,» Witkoff added.
Protesters hold photos of hostages as they march during a rally calling for the Israeli government to sign a deal to release the hostages held in the Gaza Strip, on Aug. 26, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)
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Witkoff did not go into detail on what specifically is holding up the return of the hostages who have been held captive in the Gaza Strip for nearly two years following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
But reports on Tuesday suggested the Israeli security cabinet refused to review a deal that would see the partial release of hostages and Witkoff confirmed the «official position» of Jerusalem is a full return of hostages or no ceasefire deal as it pushes forward with its plans to take Gaza City.
In a statement to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group that represents the families of the hostages, said it is «hopeful that with this deal on the table, we will finally see our loved ones return.»
Special envoy Steve Witkoff greets relatives of hostages held in Gaza at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2025. ( Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)
«Time is running out, and we know that only by finalizing this deal can we bring all 50 hostages home – those who are alive to begin their healing journey, and those who were tragically lost to receive a dignified burial,» it added. «We have no time left – let’s make this deal happen now.»
But the forum also issued a public statement on Tuesday after reports said Israel refused to review a partial return deal, and said, «It is deeply disappointing that on the very day when masses of Israelis take to the streets demanding the return of all hostages and an end to the war, the government continues to delay progress on the agreement, contrary to the people’s will.»
Protesters gather in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, calling for an end to the attacks on Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, on Aug. 24, 2025. (Yair Palti/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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A demonstration of some 350,000 people took place in Israel’s Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, according to the Forum, just days after another massive protest took to the streets of Tel Aviv, in which the families of the hostages and supporters again called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal with Hamas.
Witkoff argued that there can be negotiations after the hostages are returned for «what next day… looks like in Gaza after this is all done and what the definition of Hamas is» – suggesting these issues remain major hurdles as Israel has repeatedly vowed the complete destruction of Hamas.
The special envoy said it wasn’t his «call» to say whether the terrorist network should be completely destroyed, but noted there was room for negotiations in returning the hostages as Palestinian prisoners would also be swapped in exchange.
Fifty yellow chairs, symbolizing the 50 prisoners-hostages, were placed in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on Aug. 24, 2025. (Yair Palti/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Fifty hostages continue to be held by Hamas, only 20 of whom are assessed to still be alive.
President Donald Trump on Monday predicted there would be a «conclusive» end to the war in Gaza within the next «two to three weeks,» though he did not say how this would be accomplished.
The Forum responded to the pronouncement and said, «We pray this is true and that you gave a deadline to end our suffering. You have committed directly to released hostages that you will bring all of the hostages home – now is the time to make that happen.»
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Witkoff also said Trump would be hosting a meeting at the White House on Wednesday to discuss a «day after» plan for Gaza, though it is unclear who will take part in this meeting.
When pressed for details on the meeting, a White House official told Fox News Digital, «President Trump has been clear that he wants the war to end, and he wants peace and prosperity for everyone in the region. The White House has nothing additional to share on the meeting at this time.»
middle east,white house,israel,donald trump,world,benjamin netanyahu,terrorism
INTERNACIONAL
Witkoff meets Ukraine officials in New York ahead of emergency UN Security Council meeting: ‘Very productive’
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EXCLUSIVE: White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian officials in New York City Friday for «very productive and constructive» talks ahead of Kyiv’s emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Fox News Digital has learned.
Witkoff met with Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s office of the president and chief of staff, and Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s ambassador extraordinary.
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Senior administration officials familiar with the meeting told Fox News Digital that Yermak and Kyslytsya gave Witkoff a status update on the war with Russia and Moscow’s most recent attacks.
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv Wednesday night, killing at least 17 people, wounding 48 others and damaging buildings, officials in Ukraine said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meets with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, right, at Kremlin Palace in Moscow Aug. 6, 2025. (Kremlin Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Ukrainian officials invited Witkoff to visit Ukraine in the future, a senior official told Fox News Digital.
Witkoff is continuing talks with Ukrainian officials, who say they are making progress.
The meeting, according to Trump administration officials, was a status update and a reaffirmation of the goal of getting both Ukraine and Russia to meet to ultimately reach an agreement to end the war.
Witkoff’s diplomatic approach in the highly sensitive talks has been met with praise by Trump Cabinet officials and foreign officials alike.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also touted Witkoff’s work, saying he is «a key member of President Trump’s team and plays an indispensable role in advancing the president’s priorities.»
Rubio told Fox News Digital that Witkoff’s «unique perspective and innovative approach open new opportunities for diplomacy that were previously unavailable.»
«It’s been remarkable to see him in action and a privilege to call him a colleague,» Rubio told Fox News Digital.
National Security Advisor to the United Kingdom Jonathan Powell also praised Witkoff’s style.
Powell reflected on his more than 30 years of experience in peace negotiations, telling Fox News Digital that «there is a lot of snobbery in diplomacy — that peace can only be made in grand chandelier rooms, with a delegation of tens of officials and decades of diplomatic experience.»
«But in my experience, the people who are actually successful at making peace operate on their own and concentrate on building trust between key leaders on either side and moving quietly to cut a deal,» Powell said. «Steve Witkoff is exactly that sort of person.»
Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, during an executive order signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Feb. 3, 2025. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Powell told Fox News Digital that Witkoff’s experience of «making deals in a completely different field,» along with his «charm and optimism, unburdened by the tens of reasons why an initiative cannot work, and a steely focus on getting to a lasting agreement.
«In the court of this year, Steve has been able to open doors that no one else could and make peace possible in a series of different conflicts which would otherwise have remained insoluble.»
And Jared Kushner, a former senior adviser to Trump during his first administration, told Fox News Digital that the Trump administration’s «small, focused teams with the right leadership can achieve great results.»
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also touted Steve Witkoff’s work, saying he is «a key member of President Trump’s team and plays an indispensable role in advancing the president’s priorities.» (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press)
«Coming from the deal world, managing several complex deals at the same time is not uncommon,» Kushner said, touting Witkoff’s «commitment, creativity and determination to solve some of the world’s most complex problems.»
«Steve is quick to seek out advice and expertise when he is assessing a situation and evolves his perspectives as the facts change,» Kushner said.
Reports this week, however, quoted anonymous sources who said Witkoff didn’t have enough experience to handle the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Vice President JD Vance, though, told Fox News Digital that Witkoff has «made more progress toward ending the bloodshed in Ukraine than all his critics combined.»
«He’s a natural diplomat, an experienced negotiator and a true humanitarian,» Vance said.
Vance blasted those who have criticized Witkoff for simply being «threatened.»
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«These smears are coming from lifelong bureaucrats who are threatened by Steve’s success and who are basically opposed to a productive peace process,» Vance said.
Meanwhile, Witkoff’s meeting with officials in New York City comes just hours after Ukraine requested an emergency open briefing at the U.N. Security Council following Russia’s overnight aerial attacks on Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine.
Council members Denmark, France, Greece, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia and the United Kingdom supported the meeting request.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, meets with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., Aug. 19, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Reports say Russia used nearly 600 drones and more than 30 ballistic and cruise missiles in the attack this week.
Russia’s continued attacks come after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier in August. Putin proposed Ukraine cede some territory in exchange for peace.
Days later, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European heads of state at the White House, and he urged Ukraine to accept a land swap deal with Russia. Trump has argued that it is the most efficient way to end the war.
Trump hosted Zelenskyy along with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attended the meeting at the White House.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte prepare to depart after a group photo prior to meeting at the White House Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Trump is coordinating the next steps in brokering an end to the war and is encouraging Putin and Zelenskyy to meet.
Trump has said that after Putin and Zelenskyy meet, he will host a «trilat,» which will be a meeting between Putin, Zelenskyy and Trump.
«After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,» Trump said last week. «Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine.»
But after the latest attack, Zelenskyy blasted Putin, saying Russia «chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war.
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«And this means that Russia still does not fear the consequences,» Zelenskyy added. «Russia still takes advantage of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin.»
Zelenskyy added that it is «definitely time for new, tough sanctions against Russia for everything it is doing.
«All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined,» he said. «Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this war. Eternal memory to all victims of Russia.»
ukraine,russia,white house,state department,marco rubio,jd vance
INTERNACIONAL
Rusia lanzó un ataque masivo con misiles y drones contra la región de Zaporizhzhia: al menos un muerto y 22 heridos
Un ataque masivo ruso durante la madrugada del sábado causó la muerte de al menos una persona e hirió a 22 en la región de Zaporizhzhia, donde viviendas, comercios e infraestructuras resultaron seriamente dañadas, informaron autoridades locales.
El jefe de la administración militar regional, Ivan Fedorov, precisó en Telegram que entre los heridos se encuentran tres niños, dos de 9 y 10 años y una niña de 16 años.
“Los ataques rusos destruyeron viviendas y dañaron numerosas instalaciones, entre ellas cafeterías, gasolineras y empresas industriales”, señaló.
Fedorov detalló que durante el día el ejército ruso realizó 613 ataques contra 15 asentamientos en la región de Zaporizhzhia, con 99 informes de destrucción de casas, apartamentos, dependencias, garajes, automóviles e instalaciones de infraestructura.
El Servicio Estatal de Emergencias reportó que dos edificios de cinco pisos y cinco viviendas privadas resultaron afectados. Los incendios alcanzaron edificaciones vecinas, mientras todas las unidades de emergencia, médicos y especialistas en explosivos trabajaron en la mitigación de los daños.
La policía regional de Zaporizhzhia indicó que entre la 01:46 y las 04:05 (hora local), las fuerzas rusas lanzaron siete misiles y seis drones, preliminarmente del tipo Shahed, contra instalaciones de infraestructura, viviendas particulares y edificios residenciales.
Más al norte, la región central de Dnipropetrovsk también sufrió ataques con misiles y drones, informó su gobernador, Sergii Lysak, en Telegram. “Infraestructuras sufrieron daños en Dnipro y Pavlograd, lo que provocó incendios”, indicó.
Comunidades de Nikopol, Marhanetska, Pokrovska y Myrivska fueron alcanzadas por drones Grad MLRS y FPV, con daños en empresas, una gasolinera y viviendas, aunque hasta el momento no se registraron víctimas.
La provincia de Volinia, en la frontera con Polonia, sufrió ataques masivos de drones sin que se reportaran víctimas, según el responsable de la administración militar local, Ivan Rudnitski.
En la región de Kiev, la compañía ferroviaria informó retrasos debido a daños en las vías provocados por los bombardeos.
El ataque se produce mientras los esfuerzos diplomáticos para resolver el conflicto, que ya dura más de tres años y medio, permanecen estancados, y dos semanas después de la cumbre entre Vladimir Putin y Donald Trump en Alaska.
El presidente francés, Emmanuel Macron, y el canciller alemán, Friedrich Merz, solicitarán este fin de semana al presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, que imponga sanciones a Rusia si Vladimir Putin no cumple con su compromiso de reunirse con el presidente ucraniano, Volodimir Zelensky.
Macron subrayó en una conferencia de prensa conjunta con Merz, al término del Consejo de Ministros franco-alemán en Tolón, que si Putin no acepta el encuentro con Zelensky antes del lunes, significará que “una vez más” habría engañado a Trump. “Eso no puede quedar sin respuesta”, afirmó. El mandatario indicó que hablará con Trump para coordinar las medidas correspondientes.
Según ambos líderes europeos, en caso de que Putin no se avenga a negociar la próxima semana, París y Berlín solicitarán la aplicación de “sanciones primarias y secundarias” para obligar al mandatario ruso a sentarse a dialogar sobre un acuerdo de paz.
Merz recordó que tras la cumbre entre Trump y Putin en Alaska se esperaba un encuentro entre el presidente ruso y el ucraniano en dos semanas, pero Putin reclamó condiciones que calificó de “inaceptables”.
“No me sorprende porque forma parte de la estrategia del presidente ruso”, comentó el canciller alemán. Añadió que la próxima semana los aliados de Ucrania debatirán cómo proceder y que está a favor de hablar con Estados Unidos para ejercer presión sobre Putin. Ambos dirigentes reiteraron que Ucrania no está sola y que el apoyo a Kiev también representa un interés propio.
Macron anunció que en los próximos días se realizará una nueva reunión de la Coalición de Voluntarios, integrada por 30 países aliados de Ucrania, en su mayoría europeos, para consolidar el trabajo de los jefes de Estado Mayor.
El presidente francés precisó que se han “finalizado las contribuciones” de los 30 miembros para las garantías de seguridad a Ucrania, destacando como primera medida la construcción de “un ejército ucraniano robusto”, así como la presencia de fuerzas de reaseguro en suelo ucraniano y de apoyo en países vecinos para prevenir futuros ataques rusos.
(Con información de AFP y EFE)
Europe,Military Conflicts,ZAPORIZHZHIA
El 30 de agosto se celebra el Día Internacional del Puma en todo el continente americano. Este animal, conocido como Puma concolor, león de montaña o león americano, tiene presencia desde Alaska hasta el sur de Argentina y Chile. Con capacidad de adaptación a diversos ambientes, recorre praderas, desiertos, bosques y montañas, logrando más extensión territorial que cualquier otro mamífero silvestre terrestre en América.
El puma actúa como depredador tope, es decir, ocupa el último eslabón de la cadena alimentaria en numerosos ecosistemas. De acuerdo con un informe de la organización WCS Argentina, el felino regula las poblaciones de presas como el guanaco en Sudamérica, y sus restos alimentan al cóndor andino y otras aves carroñeras.
Según la Sociedad Argentina de Medicina Veterinaria, el registro fósil sugiere que el puma evolucionó hace unos seis millones de años en Norteamérica, donde encontró nuevas presas y ambientes a los que se adaptó en Sudamérica. Su distribución cubre 110 grados de latitud desde el Yukón en Canadá y abarca todo tipo de bosques, tierras bajas y desiertos montañosos.
La relación entre los pumas y la ganadería ha sido conflictiva, especialmente en áreas de baja densidad de presas silvestres.
El ganado, sobre todo ovino y caprino, se vuelve una presa frecuente, lo que lleva a represalias como envenenamiento o caza del felino. Para Andrés Novaro, director de conservación terrestre de WCS Argentina: “La conservación saludable del hábitat y de la comunidad de fauna nativa contribuye a que el puma no tenga que desplazar su consumo alimenticio hacia el ganado. A la vez, es importante desarrollar estrategias que permitan la coexistencia armoniosa entre la fauna silvestre y la producción ganadera”.
La WCS Argentina ha promovido métodos no letales de protección del ganado, respaldando a productores con la incorporación de elementos de disuasión como emisores de sonidos, luces nocturnas en los corrales o el uso de perros protectores. Tal como subraya la organización, la introducción de estos métodos permite acceder a la certificación internacional Wildlife Friendly®, elevando entre un 15 y un 20% el valor de las fibras naturales como lana merino o mohair.
La caza y la pérdida de hábitat representan los mayores desafíos para la supervivencia del puma, junto con la urbanización y la fragmentación de sus entornos por el avance agrícola y los proyectos de infraestructura.
En Mendoza, los pumas reciben protección legal, por lo que su caza o tenencia como mascota se encuentra prohibida. El Día Internacional del Puma se fijó el 30 de agosto tras un incendio que en 2009 amenazó a varios ejemplares en la reserva de flora y fauna Pumakawa en Córdoba. La intervención del equipo de la ONG permitió salvar a los felinos y originó la conmemoración anual.
Pero además existen otras amenazas, como el hostigamiento por perros domésticos y los atropellos en carreteras cercanas a su hábitat natural. Además, el impacto de la crisis climática, que afecta la disponibilidad de presas y altera los ecosistemas. Ante encuentros con estos animales, se aconseja avisar de inmediato a las autoridades ambientales o al servicio de emergencias.
El puma es sujeto de campañas orientadas a erradicar su mascotismo y a evitar el retiro de crías durante la cosecha. La reserva Pumakawa desarrolla actividades para llegar al Día Internacional del Puma con acciones concretas de defensa. Entre los objetivos figuran el trabajo conjunto con productores para minimizar daños, la clausura de criaderos para caza y la prohibición de importación de trofeos procedentes de especies amenazadas.
Según la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN), la población total de pumas se estima en menos de 50.000 ejemplares, con una tendencia descendente.
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