Headlines- After an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the weekend that set it on fire and left a crew member missing, the United States launched several waves of strikes on Iran on Sunday.
- Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, voiced his "deep concern" over the escalating attacks in Iran and warned "catastrophic consequences" on a global scale if parties resume "full-scale hostilities."
- Iran has denounced the latest wave of American attacks on its territory, claiming that they have "rendered futile" all of the past few months' diplomatic efforts..
- In order "to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships" in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday that its forces had carried out more strikes against Iran.
- A bar fire in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, claimed at least 27 lives and injured over 60 more.
Month: February 2020
Botswana’s ‘Edible Diamonds’ Decline with Drought,...
A prolonged dry spell in Southern Africa has caused a decline in mopane worms, a key source of income and food for rural communities in Botswana. Experts say over-harvesting of the protein-rich caterpillars has also affected breeding
Senegal’s International Airport Defends Against Coronavirus
In Dakar, Senegal’s international airport is taking steps to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country after the first suspected case in Africa was flagged in January. But while the suspected case in Ivory Coast tested negative, Senegal’s Blaise Diagne Airport is preparing just in case
Lesotho First Lady Arrested, Faces Charges...
After a month on the run, Lesotho’s First Lady Maesaiah Thabane is in police custody, and on Wednesday was served with charges over the killing of her predecessor, former First Lady Lipolelo Thabane
Oscars Seen as Slow to Embrace...
Only two of the 20 actors and actresses nominated for an Oscar this year are minorities, and no women were nominated in the Best Director category. Upon announcing the Oscar nominations, actress Issa Rae made a point of that by remarking, “Congratulations to those men.” But why is there lack of female and minority representation four years after the Academy announced it would strive for greater diversity?
Delhi Police Uses Facial Recognition to...
Facial recognition technology acquisition was mandated for the Delhi police following an order from the Delhi High Court. The Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) software was acquired by the police in March 2018 and was meant only to be a tool for identifying lost and found children through facial matching
Arrest of a Former Syrian Jihadist...
A former spokesman for the Syrian jihadist organization Jaysh al-Islam, Islam Alloush, was indicted on Friday in Marseille. He is suspected of “ war crimes ”, “ acts of torture and complicity ” and “ complicity in enforced disappearances “
Bangladeshi Militant Chief Escapes Counter-Terror Dragnet...
Salahuddin Salehin is wanted for murder in Bangladesh and for a bomb blast at an Indian temple in 2018. He fled to India after escaping from a prison van in 2014 when militants mounted a daring daylight rescue that killed a police officer and wounded two others
Yazidi Family Reunites in Germany After...
After surviving the Islamic State genocide in Sinjar, Iraq, in 2014 and being separated for five years, a Yazidi family of nine finally had a happy reunion in Germany
Kenya FGM Eradication
Despite Kenya banning FGM – female genital mutilation – in 2011, the tradition has continued in some ethnic communities. President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to end FGM before 2023, seven years ahead of a United Nations deadline to stop the practice globally. Activists, however, say more needs to be done as millions of girls are still at risk of undergoing the cut
UN Secretary-General Swears in Director-General of...
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres swears in Zainab Hawa Bangura, as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi