A board bearing signatures of athletes, leaders and public figures, in support of the Olympic Truce is displayed inside the Athens Olympic Museum on Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Olympic organizers invoke an ancient pledge to call for the suspension of all wars

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are just one week away and United Nations and Games organizers are urging a 7-week global Olympic truce, calling for a pause in wars worldwide. Rooted in ancient Greek tradition, the truce spans the Winter Games and Paralympics, seeking to promote peace amid a record rise in global conflicts. While the modern truce has failed to halt wars, supporters argue it sets a vital moral standard and enables humanitarian options to conflict. With war escalating from Ukraine to Africa, Olympic leaders and analysts say even symbolic ceasefires can create rare spaces for dialogue, cooperation and shared humanity.

Venezuela announces amnesty bill that could lead to mass release of political prisoners

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons. The measure had long been sought by the United States-backed opposition. It is the latest concession Rodríguez has made since taking the reins of the country on Jan. 3 after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military attack in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Rodríguez told a gathering of justices, magistrates and others that the ruling party-controlled National Assembly would take up the bill with urgency.

Arab allies urge restraint from US and Iran as Trump demands deal on nuclear program

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. allies and partners in the Middle East again are urging restraint from both the United States and Iran as the Trump administration warns of a possible strike and builds up its military presence in the region. That is according to an Arab official, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic discussions. The official says Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman and Qatar have been in touch with leaders in Washington and Tehran to make the case that escalation would cause massive destabilization throughout the region and affect energy markets. President Donald Trump recently shifted his rationale for possible military action from a response to the deadly crackdown on nationwide protests to a deterrent of Iran’s nuclear program.

Syria’s Kurdish-led force & Damascus government reach new agreement to stabilize ceasefire

QAMISHLI, Syria (AP) — The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have announced a new agreement with Syria’s central government in Damascus to stabilize a ceasefire. The deal aims to integrate the SDF and government forces. Security forces from the Syrian Ministry of Interior will enter the cities of al-Hassakeh and Qamishli, which they were previously barred from entering. The agreement includes forming new military brigades and integrating local institutions into state structures. It also addresses civil and educational rights for Kurds and the return of displaced people. The U.S., a former SDF backer, has moved closer to Damascus under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The truce reached last week is largely holding.