Headlines- The declaration of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was applauded by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which described it as "a critical and long-overdue reprieve for civilians who have endured weeks of unrelenting violence."
- The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been welcomed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who expressed optimism that it will lay the groundwork for long-term stability in the Middle East.
- As part of an earlier two-week ceasefire agreement between Tehran and the United States to pause the conflict in the Middle East, Iran's Foreign Ministry praised the ceasefire reached by Israel and Lebanon.
- At midnight local time on Friday, gunfire broke out in the southern suburbs of Beirut as a ceasefire with Israel came into effect.
- The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health estimates that since March 2, Israeli forces have killed at least 2,196 civilians and injured another 7,185.
- The Lebanese government urges people not return back to their homes in southern Lebanon, despite Israel and Lebanon have reached a 10-day ceasefire.
- The United States is "very close" to a deal with Iran, President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House.
Year: 2020
Somalia’s ‘While Gold’ Producers to Expand...
Somalia is home to the world’s largest camel population, and camel milk plays an important role in Somali food. The camel milk industry is trying to expand beyond the domestic market but is facing some challenges
Istanbul Art Exhibition Brings Light, Hope...
With Istanbul facing further COVID restrictions at the start of the New Year, scores of public spaces across the city have become venues for light installations as part of a major art exhibition
Iraqis Disabled by IS Pursue Volleyball...
A number of Iraqis who have lost limbs during the war against the Islamic State in Mosul are now chasing their dreams of becoming professional volleyball players
Vladimir Putin: President for Life?
For Russians, the past year saw a national vote to approve changes to their constitution … including an amendment granting longtime leader Vladimir Putin the right to remain president through the year 2036
Press Freedom China
In a year of declining press freedom amid the global pandemic, China took the lead in media repression
Gulshan Abbas, Sister of Uyghur Activist...
Gulshan Abbas, a Uyghur doctor from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) who went missing after her Washington-based sister spoke out against Beijing’s policies in the region, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term on charges of “terrorism,” family members said Wednesday
New COVID App Helps Manage Crowds...
As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, businesses, houses of worship and homeless shelters are turning to space management apps to create safer indoor spaces in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines
Tibetan Nomad Jailed For One Year...
A Tibetan nomad was jailed this month by a court in northwestern China’s Qinghai province after being convicted of promoting “separatism” for posting photos and teachings of Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on social media, Tibetan sources said
Shona Celebrate Kenyan Citizenship as Decades...
Members of the ethnic Shona community in Kenya are celebrating their new status as Kenyan citizens after decades of being stateless
What The Past Can Teach Us...
Historian Selika Ducksworth-Lawton reflects on similarities between the past and the year 2020 in the U.S., and what this year has taught people