After nearly four months of war in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis and the mounting civilian death toll have triggered growing international calls for a ceasefire. Amid intense diplomacy, a deal is taking shape. The first truce, in November of last year, lasted just seven days; this one could endure for one or two months and free many or all of the remaining 100 or more Israeli hostages in stages.

Biden ups pressure on Israel: US sanctions West Bank settlers over violence

It’s one of the Biden Administration's strongest critiques of Israel since the war in Gaza began, but it does not directly address the war. The US president has approved sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Inevitable spillover? US blames Iranian-backed militia for deadly attack on soldiers

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base to honour three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan. Washington has blamed an Iranian-backed militia group in Iraq for that attack, and the Pentagon warned that multi-tiered action is coming.

Clear signal to Moscow? Ukraine's Zelensky welcomes EU's €50 billion aid package

While aid in the US for Ukraine has stalled in Congress, more help is on the way from Europe. All 27 EU leaders have agreed on a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine. This money is not for the frontline, but for the Ukrainian government to keep the lights on. Meanwhile, Hungary's PM Viktor Orban reiterated that peace talks should start between Ukraine and Russia, since each day that goes by tilts in favour of Moscow.

France farmers lift blockade: Protesters head home as anger spreads elsewhere in Europe

The effects of the war in Ukraine are one of the major grievances of European farmers. Here in France, farmers are upset over cheaper cereals and poultry from Ukraine, as well as low wages and what they deem excessive regulation. But the two largest unions agreed to lift their blockades of key roads after winning a number of concessions from the French government.

Protests – be they roadblocks, lane closures or demonstrations – have affected more than 150 locations around France for the past week, with motorways around major cities including Paris and Lyon affected. It was the first major crisis for France's new PM Gabriel Attal. Among the concessions he offered: an annual €150 million for livestock farmers and a ban on food imports treated with a pesticide already banned in France.

Cleared of all charges: India releases pigeon accused of spying for China

Finally, a suspected Chinese spy in India has been cleared of all charges and released after spending eight months in detention. Its identity has not been released. That's because it's a pigeon, whose ordeal began in May when it was captured in Mumbai with two rings tied to its legs, carrying a message that was said to look like it was in Chinese. It is not the first time a bird has come under police suspicion in India.

Produced by Charles Wente, Rebecca Gnignati, Imen Mellaz and Guillaume Gougeon.