THIS IS AP NEWSMINUTE

U.S. VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE ARRIVED IN ISRAEL ON TUESDAY TO SHORE UP THE FRAGILE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS IN GAZA.

THE U.S.-BROKERED DEAL HAS TEETERED OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS FOLLOWING A BURST OF DEADLY VIOLENCE.

===

JAPANESE PARLIAMENT ELECTED ULTRACONSERVATIVE SANAE TAKAICHI AS THE COUNTRY’S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER TUESDAY.

TAKAICHI, HEAD OF THE STRUGGLING LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, REPLACES SHIGERU ISHIBA.

===

FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY ARRIVED AT A PRISON IN PARIS ON TUESDAY TO BEGIN SERVING A 5-YEAR SENTENCE FOR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO FINANCE HIS 2007 ELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH FUNDS FROM LIBYA.

HE IS THE FIRST EX-LEADER OF MODERN FRANCE TO BE IMPRISONED.

===

AND THE WHITE HOUSE ON MONDAY STARTED TEARING DOWN PART OF THE EAST WING TO BUILD PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S BALLROOM.

PHOTOS OF THE DEMOLITION WORK SHOWED A BACKHOE TEARING INTO THE EAST WING FACADE AND WINDOWS.