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I am VOA's Tommie McNeil with your worldwide news update.
Thousands of Lebanese continue to return to their homes as the Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire holds. However, Deputy Spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres Farhan Haq tells a news conference that despite the cease-fire, the humanitarian situation in parts of Lebanon is dire with hundreds of thousands displaced. "Our colleagues in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs note that humanitarian needs in Lebanon remain unprecedented, and that we need swift, safe and unhindered access so that aid can reach those in need. The conflict has devastated lives, with more than 3,800 people killed, 15,800 injured and nearly 900,000 displaced internally, alongside over half a million fleeing across borders, according to the authorities." That's Deputy Spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres Farhan Haq. AP correspondent Karen Chammas provides reaction after a Russian barrage against Ukraine's power grid. Ukraine's energy chief says the attacks happened across the country with emergency power outages being implemented nationwide. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, says Russia must be punished for its actions and rhetoric. "The response to the Kremlin's current nuclear blackmail and threats must include tougher sanctions and increased military assistance to the party defending itself." Russian President Vladimir Putin said that over the past two days Russia had fired 100 missiles and 466 drones at Ukraine, saying they were a response to Ukraine using American-made missiles to hit targets on Russian soil after gaining permission to do so from President Joe Biden. I'm Karen Chammas. Pakistani police have leveled multiple charges against imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan, his wife and others, for inciting people to violence. This follows days of protests and clashes in which at least six people were killed and scores more injured. This is VOA News. British and American authorities are investigating why several drones were flying over four U.S. bases in England in recent days. As Henry Ridgwell reports, Britain has deployed dozens of troops around the bases amid concerns such drones could be used to disrupt operations or carry out acts of deception and sabotage. The U.S. military said Wednesday that small drones have been spotted regularly flying over four U.S. bases in Britain since November 20. The bases include Lakenheath, home to the U.S. Air Force 48th Fighter Wing, a cornerstone of its combat capability in Europe. The Pentagon said this week it is taking the incident seriously. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder: "Installation leaders have determined so far that none of these incursions impact the base residents, the facilities or the assets that we have on those bases." Britain has deployed around 60 soldiers around the bases. Henry Ridgwell, VOA News. Some Mexican producers are talking about the tariffs threatened by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and how it might affect them, as well as U.S. consumers. AP's Jennifer King reports. Mexicans are worried that 25 percent tariffs threatened by Donald Trump could affect entire regional economies if U.S. consumers facing higher prices cut back. Avocado grower Fabián Sanabria tells the AP if they raise the tariffs, we have to raise the price of our fruit. Their own consumers are the ones who will pay more for it. The tariffs could put Mexico into a recession. The financial group Banco BASE estimates for every 1 percent that Mexican imports increase in price, their volume falls by 1.3 percent. Automakers like GM, Ford and Stellantis manufacture millions of pickup trucks and car parts in Mexico. Mexico's Secretary of the Economy Marcelo Ebrard says the tariffs would hurt U.S. automakers and raise the price of a pickup truck by $3,000. I'm Jennifer King. France's minority government may be on its last legs as opposition lawmakers move this week toward a no-confidence vote. In a last-ditch effort to save themselves, cabinet members warned of domestic and international turmoil if the government is toppled. Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a conservative allied with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist, acknowledges government's fragile position over a key budget vote in a television interview on Tuesday. The Australian Parliament has passed a social media ban for young children in a law, the first of its kind in the world. It will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fine for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts. Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the legislation has been "rushed." That wraps up this update, but the world and news never stop. For additional updates, visit our website, voanews.com. Tommy McNeil, VOA News. |