Arab mediators are working on a proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war that would include a five- to seven-year truce and the release of all remaining hostages, officials said on Wednesday.

No one knows who the world&s Catholic cardinals will choose to succeed Pope Francis as the new leader of the global Catholic Church. But for those watching attentively, there are sometimes hints about who might emerge as the next pontiff. The process to choose a new pope is long and secretive. Most of the world&s 252 cardinals are coming to Rome to take part. Those under the age of 80, about 135 prelates, are preparing to enter into a conclave to elect the next pontiff. Once it starts, which by Church law should be no earlier than May 6, the cardinals will be completely shut off from the modern world until a new pope is named.