Headlines- After speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
- 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.
Tag: Coronavirus Pandemic
Read, the Beloved Country: Literature in...
This is a story about books in an unlikely place, and their struggle to get into the hands of people during a national lockdown. South Africa’s eased lockdown means books are finally available for sale again, but in the nation’s biggest city, with its reputation for speed and hustle, do people care?
Crowdsourcing App Helps Shoppers Find Essential...
Washington, D.C., entrepreneur developed OurStreets, a crowdsourcing app which he has repurposed so that users can share store inventory information and help make shoppers’ trips for essential items more efficient
To Halt COVID Spread, Senegal Launches...
In Senegal, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the majority-Muslim population normally rushes to bakeries to buy bread for breaking the daily fast. The coronavirus raised the risk of crowds at bakeries spreading the virus, which has more than 1,270 confirmed infections and at least 13 deaths in the West African nation. To halt the pandemic, the government banned the sale of bread at shops and launched a delivery assistance program called “Sell Me Your Bread.”
French Restaurants Cook Up Pro-Bono Response...
France will slowly begin unwinding a two-month lockdown next week, but not for its restaurants. A new poll finds the coronavirus pandemic may put nearly one-third of French restaurants out of business – a tragic development if it happens for France, known worldwide for its fine cuisine. From the Paris suburb of Rueil-Malmaison, Lisa Bryant takes a industry’s dilemma — and a pro-bono movement born from the crisis~VOA NEWS
Deaf Indonesian Woman Makes Clear Face...
Along with people in many parts of the world, Indonesians have been wearing face masks outdoors to stem the spread of COVID-19. This has proven difficult for people who are deaf or hard of hearing — and that includes an estimated 20,000 Indonesians. To help, one resident in Jogjakarta on the island of Java has created a transparent mask using a sheet of plastic
Face Masks Make A Political Statement...
That resistance is fueled by some of the same people who object to other virus restrictions. The push back has been stoked by President Donald Trump — he didn’t wear a mask during a Tuesday appearance at a facility making them — and some other Republicans, who have flouted rules and questioned the value of masks. It’s a development that has worried experts as Americans are increasingly returning to public spaces.
Botswana to Begin Lifting Lockdown to...
Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said that based on the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and the current trajectory of the disease, the administration decided to open the economy albeit incrementally, while observing the disease patterns
COVID Photography During Pandemic
Photographers and models typically go from one photo shoot to another. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are making their jobs challenging, but just like thousands of people around the world, they are finding a way to work
Funeral Fears Rise In Russia As...
Russian funeral homes and undertakers have been adapting to new regulations governing the burial or cremation of COVID-19 victims. Meanwhile, mourners are being offered the chance to attend funeral services online
California Ramps Up COVID-19 Testing as...
California, the most populous U.S. state, will begin its first phase of reopening this week. Stay-at-home measures have kept COVID-19 cases relatively low in the state but testing for the disease has lagged. New initiatives by the governor and health care providers aim to rapidly change that. Matt Dibble reports~VOA NEWS