In other news, there are signs of progress in talks to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone today.

The White House says Mr. Biden underscored recent shifts in the region's balance of power, including a weakened Iran.

The president also stressed the need for Israeli hostages to be released and for there to be a surge of humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway for Syria to re-engage with other nations.

Foreign ministers and top diplomats from the West and Middle East met in Saudi Arabia today to map out the next steps,

which could include easing Western sanctions on Syria.

The summit was the first of its kind since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last month. South Korea suspended

President Yun Suk Yul will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial. Yun has been

holed up in the presidential residence under protection from his bodyguards since he was impeached

last month for declaring martial law.

Yun's lawyers cite safety concerns.

The trial will go on even in his absence.

The Constitutional Court is deciding whether to remove Yun from office.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Youssefzai is urging Muslim leaders to back efforts to make gender-based discrimination a crime under international law.

She spoke today at a Pakistani summit on girls' education in Muslim communities.

She singled out the Taliban, which bars girls in Afghanistan from going to secondary schools.

Afghan women and girls must be free to shape their own future.

The very loudest champions of their cause must be fellow Muslims,

leaders such as yourselves.

The Taliban tried to kill Yusuf Sae when she was a teen because of her advocacy for girls' education.

At the end of the summit, leaders signed a declaration outlining their commitment to empower girls through education.

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