A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday, offering hope for peace after more than a year of conflict. Brokered by the U.S. and France, the deal aims to end violence that escalated after the Gaza war, though its lasting success remains uncertain.
The two-month ceasefire agreement requires Hezbollah to pull back from southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces are to retreat to their side of the border. An international panel, led by the United States, will oversee the implementation of the truce, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that any violations by Hezbollah would be met with force.
In a rare diplomatic move, Hezbollah did not engage directly in the ceasefire talks, with Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri acting as an intermediary.
Reactions to the ceasefire in Beirut have been mixed, with many residents expressing cautious optimism, while others remain doubtful about the deal's durability. Similarly, in Israel, the mood is one of guarded hope, with some citizens optimistic about the possibility of peace, but others worried about the fragile nature of the agreement.
As both nations brace for what lies ahead, this ceasefire provides a fragile moment of respite in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives. Whether this agreement will bring lasting peace or only a temporary break in the violence is still to be seen.
Day four of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku brings a packed agenda on sustainable cities and the global housing crisis, with sessions on green housing, smart cities, public spaces and urban rights taking place on Wednesday (20 May) at Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
UEFA has imposed a lifetime ban on Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women’s football coach, after finding him guilty of serious misconduct involving the secret filming of players in changing rooms.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya warned on Tuesday (19 May) that Moscow could retaliate against Baltic states if Ukraine launches military drones from that region. Latvia, the United States and Ukraine responded strongly during a UN Security Council meeting.
Lithuania on Wednesday issued an “air danger” warning urging residents to seek shelter and temporarily suspended operations at the capital’s airport amid fears that drones had entered the country’s airspace, as tensions between Russia and the Baltic states continue to escalate.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
Lithuania on Wednesday issued an “air danger” warning urging residents to seek shelter and temporarily suspended operations at the capital’s airport amid fears that drones had entered the country’s airspace, as tensions between Russia and the Baltic states continue to escalate.
UEFA has imposed a lifetime ban on Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women’s football coach, after finding him guilty of serious misconduct involving the secret filming of players in changing rooms.
Russian attacks killed two people and injured 19 across Ukraine overnight, local officials said on Wednesday, while Kyiv launched drone strikes targeting industrial sites in central Russia.
At least 21 people have been killed and thousands evacuated after torrential rain triggered flooding, landslides and transport disruption across southern and central China, with authorities warning that more heavy rainfall is expected along the Yangtze River.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) national football team will be allowed to enter the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup, despite a travel ban on visitors from the country due to an Ebola outbreak.
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