Africa and Middle East
Yemen The UN announced that negotiations in Jordan between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government had produced an agreement to exchange prisoners. Sources say that as many as 1400 prisoners could be released as part of the deal. This is the first significant exchange of prisoners since the war began.
Israel Netanyahu announced that the planned (minimal) easing of the siege of the Gaza strip would not go ahead after rockets were launched at Israel from the territory. Airstrikes were carried out on Hamas sites in retaliation for the attacks. Meanwhile, 2 million people remain under siege. South Sudan The exiled rebel leader Riek Machar rejected a peace offer by the South Sudanese President. The proposed plan conceded that the country be divided into 10 states once more, but also demanded the creation of three administrative areas. The division of states is controversial because the borders determine the distribution of power in the country between different tribal groups.
Taiwan The global death toll from Coronavirus continued to rise, with one person dying in Taiwan, and another in France. It should be noted, however, that only five people outside of mainland China have so far died of the disease; though the death toll there is over 1,660.
Americas
Venezuela The civilian militia, which dwarfs the size of the country’s military, was designated as part of the latter body. Critics believe the move is to increase the size of the forces loyal to Maduro, without whom he would not be able to remain in power.
Azerbaijan Scores of opposition leaders and members were detained by police for protesting at an election widely regarded as rigged. The ruling party won over half the seats, while other minor parties loyal to the president, who has governed since 2003, held almost all of the rest. Opposition leaders were allegedly driven by the police to remote locations over 100 miles from Baku, and then left there.
Africa and Middle East
Yemen The UN announced that negotiations in Jordan between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government had produced an agreement to exchange prisoners. Sources say that as many as 1400 prisoners could be released as part of the deal. This is the first significant exchange of prisoners since the war began.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/yemen-warring-sides-agree-large-scale-prisoner-exchange-200216173319796.html
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-war-houthi-rebels-prisoner-swap-un-peace-talks-sweden-conflict-a8666751.html
Israel Netanyahu announced that the planned (minimal) easing of the siege of the Gaza strip would not go ahead after rockets were launched at Israel from the territory. Airstrikes were carried out on Hamas sites in retaliation for the attacks. Meanwhile, 2 million people remain under siege. South Sudan The exiled rebel leader Riek Machar rejected a peace offer by the South Sudanese President. The proposed plan conceded that the country be divided into 10 states once more, but also demanded the creation of three administrative areas. The division of states is controversial because the borders determine the distribution of power in the country between different tribal groups.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/south-sudan-machar-rejects-president-kiir-peace-offer-200216090638473.html
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-51521778
Taiwan The global death toll from Coronavirus continued to rise, with one person dying in Taiwan, and another in France. It should be noted, however, that only five people outside of mainland China have so far died of the disease; though the death toll there is over 1,660.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/china-coronavirus-500-words-200127065154334.html
- https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/02/16/Man-dies-from-coronavirus-in-Taiwan.html
- https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/02/16/Two-Indian-women-granted-bail-following-arrest-over-school-play.html
- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/school-sedition-arrests-9-yr-old-waits-for-mother-to-be-freed-police-seize-slippers-question-children-6249745/
Americas
Venezuela The civilian militia, which dwarfs the size of the country’s military, was designated as part of the latter body. Critics believe the move is to increase the size of the forces loyal to Maduro, without whom he would not be able to remain in power.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/venezuela-adds-civilian-militia-armed-forces-200211200206055.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/02/11/world/americas/11reuters-venezuela-military.html
- https://www.caribbeannews.net/news/264025878/numerous-orphaned-children-killed-in-horrific-fire-near-haiti-capital
Azerbaijan Scores of opposition leaders and members were detained by police for protesting at an election widely regarded as rigged. The ruling party won over half the seats, while other minor parties loyal to the president, who has governed since 2003, held almost all of the rest. Opposition leaders were allegedly driven by the police to remote locations over 100 miles from Baku, and then left there.
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-azerbaijan-election-opposition-idUSKBN20A0F3
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/azeri-opposition-leaders-held-police-block-poll-result-protest-200216170418970.html
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