A federal grand jury indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged bank fraud and making false statements. President Donald Trump had demanded Ms. James be charged and alleges that she falsely claimed a home in Virginia as her second residence to obtain favorable loan terms. It was Ms. James who won a civil fraud case against Mr. Trump before he regained office. Both the James prosecution and that of former FBI Director James Comey are seen as retribution by Mr. Trump against perceived political enemies.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner is Venezuela’s most influential opposition leader, María Corina Machado. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which announced the award this morning, said it chose her for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights.” Ms. Machado, who founded an organization that promotes free and fair elections, was blocked from running for president 2024 under Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime.

Argentina is getting financial assistance from the Trump administration in a show of support for President Javier Milei and his controversial economic reforms. Washington announced yesterday that it finalized plans for a $20 billion currency swap – essentially a loan – and bought Argentine pesos, whose value has dropped sharply in recent months. If Mr. Milei’s party does well in upcoming midterms, he’ll have enough legislative power to continue with his libertarian economic approach.

Taiwan unveiled the T-dome, a plan to boost air defenses. In a national day speech today, President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan will pursue “peace through strength” by raising defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2030 and accelerating a more effective, multi-layered air defense system. Mr. Lai called on Beijing to renounce the use of force against the democratic island. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has ramped up military incursions and practiced blockading the island in recent years.

North Korea is welcoming senior leaders from China, Russia, Vietnam, Laos and other countries to attend an anticipated military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea tonight. Beijing sent its No. 2 official, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, for a three-day visit. Mr. Li has said China is “unwavering” in its support for the traditional alliance between the two communist countries. Pyongyang has a mutual defense treaty with Beijing, but relations cooled as it moved closer to Moscow last year.

Somalia reclaimed independent oversight over its human rights affairs, following approval by a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution. That ends more than three decades of international monitoring and the mandate of a U.N.-appointed independent expert on human rights in the country. Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, a minister for women and human rights, said it represents the world’s recognition of Somalia’s “progress in rebuilding democratic institutions.”

California is saying goodbye to ultra-processed foods, at least for students. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law Wednesday that phases out certain ultra-processed foods in school meals over the next decade. It builds on the Golden State’s efforts to ban food additives considered harmful and offer all students two free meals a day.

– From our staff writers around the world

As Israel and Hamas finalize the first phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, many in the region are focused on what can go wrong after two years of war. Even so, joy is enveloping many Israelis and Palestinians eager for emotional and physical relief.

While many Americans aren’t feeling the impacts of the government shutdown, federal workers just missed their first paycheck – the latest blow in a tough year.

Delays resurfaced at multiple airports this week because of air traffic controller shortages. The current shutdown might have a greater effect on the FAA’s attempt to hire enough workers to fully staff the nation’s airports.

As artificial intelligence intertwines itself with daily life, some students are pushing back. Their reasons range from profound to practical, and speak to preserving a sense of community – and humanity.

As America wrestles with DEI issues, some other countries take them in their stride. A woman will be Japan’s next prime minister, and a woman was just named archbishop of Canterbury. For all the sound and fury, the direction of travel will not change.

Arthur Sze, the new U.S. poet laureate, hopes you’ll take time to read a poem today – slowly. Within it, he says in an interview, are words and phrases that can be “seeds that nurture you.”

After news broke on Wednesday of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, it seemed as though the people in Gaza were rejoicing more than the Israelis. One reason, of course, was a feeling of greater relief among Gaza’s 2 million residents after a devastating war on their land. Yet another reason might be this: The 20-point plan locks in steps toward Palestinian self-governance even if Hamas does not support the next phases.

Peace and prosperity, in other words, are not the plan’s only purposes.

One point allows a proposed interim administration over Gaza – led by President Donald Trump – to take shape with Palestinian participation, backed up by an Arab-led force. Foreign aid would flow toward rebuilding Gaza without Hamas, which currently controls only portions of the land.

The plan’s ultimate aim is to create a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” During the war, public opinion in Gaza toward Hamas has generally gone down, with Palestinians largely rejecting the group’s call for the destruction of Israel in favor of a two-state solution.

“We, the civilians, are the ones who’ve suffered – truly suffered,” one man in Gaza told the BBC.

“The factions [like Hamas] don’t feel our pain. Those leaders sitting comfortably abroad have no sense of the suffering we’re enduring here in Gaza.”

The war might have strengthened the people’s aspirations to have their voices heard. “Beyond the war’s direct effects, it is important to emphasize the deep crisis of trust existing between Palestinian citizens and their political system,” wrote analyst Omar Shaban earlier this year for the Arab Reform Initiative. “This crisis shapes Palestinians’ vision and perceptions of Gaza’s future.” 

While Israel will have its own postwar politics to work out, the more critical process lies with the people in Gaza using the plan to fulfill their desire for self-governance. Hamas misread those aspirations. The plan, with its broad international support, did not.