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This is the World In Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

After Hamas released four more Israeli hostages, all of them female soldiers, held in Gaza since October 2023, Israel free 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Most of the latter was sent to the West Bank, but others will be deported.

Israel said it would not allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until a female civilian, also due to be released today,

had been freed. The exchange forms part of a six-week ceasefire between Israel and the militant

group, which began on January 19. America's Senate confirmed Christy Noem, governor of South Dakota, as Homeland Security Secretary,

overseeing immigration and customs enforcement, among other agencies.

Pete Hegeseth was sworn in as Defense Secretary, having been confirmed on Friday only on the casting vote of Vice President J.D. Vance.

Mr. Hegeseth, who thinks America's armed forces are too, woke, prevailed despite fierce criticism of his fitness for office.

Donald Trump reportedly dismissed more than a dozen inspectors general of federal agencies as the president seeks to reshape

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