Headlines
  • "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic [Republic] of Iran," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on the X social media platform..
  • 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 deal 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

January 11, 2020

“Like My Own Family:” Romanian Man...

After spending part of his childhood in the dire conditions of a Romanian orphanage, Florin Catanescu founded a shelter in Brasov for young people leaving state institutions. The residents share housing, meals, friendship, and Catanescu’s guidance in giving back to the community

Armyworm Invasion Threatens Malawi’s Food Security

Authorities in Malawi say an invasion by fall armyworms is threatening to create food shortages in the southern African country. Since the start of the rainy season in November, the worms have destroyed crops for a quarter million farming families. Farmers say pesticides that the government is supplying are inadequate and ineffective, forcing some to turn to traditional methods to combat the pests

January 10, 2020

Facebook Again Declines to Limit Political...

Since last fall, Facebook has insisted that it won’t fact-check political ads, a move that critics say gives politicians license to lie in ads that can’t be easily monitored by outsiders

Bikutsi Singer Calls For Boycott Of...

St Désir Atango, the Cameroonian Bikutsi singer, has decided to take the boycott road for the upcoming twin elections. In a five-minute video made in Nkometou, a city near Yaoundé; the artist expresses his disappointment with firmness and calls on Cameroonians not to go voting on February 9, 2020

Watch Out: Bangladeshi Minister Comments on...

Obaidul Quader, the minister of road transport and bridges, made the statement the same day that New York-based Human Rights Watch called on Bangladeshi authorities to unblock online access to the Sweden-based website after it showed photos of the minister wearing a variety of what appeared to be luxury timepieces

Large Kentucky Army Community Reacts to...

In southwestern Kentucky, near the border with Tennessee sits Fort Campbell, a US Army base that is one of the largest military installations in the world. Its personnel and families are profoundly affected by all things military

Third Edition of the Winter Youth...

Eight-time Olympic Champion Usain Bolt sent a message of good luck to athletes assembling in Lausanne for the third edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The Jamaican sprinter was an ambassador for the first ever YOG in Singapore in 2010 and he told the competitors to enjoy every moment of their experience at …

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Says He Is...

Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, has accused the government of Nicolás Maduro of trying to bribe lawmakers to vote against his re-election as National Assembly president in an effort to put Maduro loyalists in the parliament Guaidó made the comments in an exclusive interview with VOA

UN Security Council Meets on Maintenance...

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrives to attend the Security Council meeting on maintenance of international peace and security and upholding the United Nations Charter on 9 January 2020

Chinese Investment in Cambodia Comes at...

China’s close alliance with Cambodia has been forged, in large part, with billions of dollars in aid and investment tied to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which provides developmental assistance around the world to strengthen trade ties and political influence. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government have welcomed this assistance, saying it comes without “strings attached” compared to western nations that link aid to democratic reforms

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