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.
Tag: Famine
In the Face of Record Drought,...
Nearly eight million Somalis, or half the population, have been affected by the record-breaking drought, and the Somali authorities are scrambling to avert famine. As thousands of people flee starvation in the countryside to displaced camps in the city, Baidoa, the largest city in Somalia’s South West state, is bearing the brunt.
Famine Fear in Madagascar
Southern Madagascar is experiencing severe hunger as food supplies have almost completely vanished, resulting in a full-fledged nutrition emergency. People have resorted to extreme measures such as consuming locusts, raw red cactus fruits, and wild leaves in order to survive. For the first time, pockets with the highest levels of Acute Food Insecurity – IPC phase 5 or “Catastrophe” – have been identified, signalling a worsening of hunger