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Israel: Newly Discovered Hamas Tunnels Under Gaza Justify Expanded Attacks

Voice of America - Fri, 12/08/2023 - 13:15
Israel said Friday it has discovered a new tunnel, weapons and Hamas facilities under Gaza — evidence, it says, that Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group carries out military operations through an extensive network running underneath civilian infrastructure.  The military did not provide video or photo evidence of the kilometer long tunnel extending from the campus of Al-Azhar University in Gaza to a nearby school, but it released photos of weapons soldiers allegedly found at the...
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Many Israeli Evacuees Afraid to Go Home

Voice of America - Fri, 12/08/2023 - 06:39
About 200,000 Israelis have been evacuated from their homes in communities near the border with Gaza in the south or Lebanon in the north. They’ve been in hotels and guest houses for two months and have no idea when they’ll be able to go home. Linda Gradstein reports. Camera: Ricki Rosen.
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Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree to Exchange POWs, Work Toward Peace Treaty

Voice of America - Fri, 12/08/2023 - 04:35
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed Thursday to exchange prisoners of war and work toward signing a peace treaty in what the European Union hailed as a major step toward peace in the long-troubled region. The two countries said in a joint statement they "share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace." They said they intend "to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and...
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In Paris Exile, Family Becomes Proud 'Voice' of Jailed Iran Nobel Winner

Voice of America - Fri, 12/08/2023 - 04:12
The address on the invitation to the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize says it all. "Ms. Narges Mohammadi, c/o Evin Prison, Tehran province, Iran." Mohammadi, 51, awarded the prize in October in recognition of two decades of work defending human rights in Iran, in defiance of constant persecution by the Islamic republic, remains in prison in Iran with no hope of release, let alone attending the glitzy event in Oslo on Sunday. Instead, it will be her twin children Ali...
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UN Aid Operation in Gaza in Tatters

Voice of America - Fri, 12/08/2023 - 02:42
The United Nations humanitarian chief said Thursday that Israel's military offensive in the southern Gaza Strip is "a repeat" of the assault on northern Gaza and has left no place safe for civilians while crippling humanitarian operations. "We do not have a humanitarian operation in southern Gaza that can be called by that name anymore," Martin Griffiths told reporters at the United Nations in Geneva and online. He said it has become a plan of "humanitarian...
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Putin’s Lightning Visit to Arab States Highlights Bid to End Isolation

Voice of America - Thu, 12/07/2023 - 22:26
Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia Wednesday on a quick tour in what observers say is a show of defiance against Western efforts to isolate him through sanctions and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Elizabeth Cherneff narrates this report from the VOA Moscow bureau.
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US Sanctions Money Lending Network to Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Voice of America - Thu, 12/07/2023 - 20:25
Responding to increased attacks on ships in the southern Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, the U.S. announced sanctions against 13 people and firms alleged to be providing tens of millions of dollars from the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities to the Houthis in Yemen.  Treasury says that previously sanctioned Houthi and Iranian financial facilitator Sa'id al-Jamal uses a network of exchange houses and firms to help Iranian money reach the country's militant partners...
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Denmark Passes Bill to Stop Quran Burnings

Voice of America - Thu, 12/07/2023 - 19:06
Denmark's parliament passed a bill on Thursday that makes it illegal to burn copies of the Quran in public places, after protests in Muslim nations over the desecration of Islam's holy book raised Danish security concerns. Denmark and Sweden experienced a series of public protests this year where anti-Islam activists burned or otherwise damaged copies of the Quran, sparking tensions with Muslims and triggering demands that the Nordic governments ban the practice. Denmark sought...
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