On a lush green hilltop on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Carmela Keren Yakuti proudly shows off her home in Dovev, which she fled more than 16 months ago over fears of a Hezbollah attack. - Rockets, mortars - While many of Dovev's residents were returning this week, the scene was not so joyous in other communities along Israel's northern border.
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Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl and the conservative Austrian People's Party have agreed on 6.3 billion euros in savings to reduce the budget deficit without new taxes, overcoming a major hurdle in forming a coalition government. This marks a significant step towards Austria potentially having its first far-right-led government post-World War II.
Residents of South Lebanon, accompanied by the army, attempted to return to their villages on Monday after Israeli fire killed over 20 people. The Lebanese government extended the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah and Israel until February 18. Despite efforts, many were unable to return due to Israeli military presence. Both sides blamed each other for delays in the ceasefire's implementation, while Lebanon's army pledged to protect residents from further attacks.
​"I thought I was done voting in the senate," JD Vance wrote as he had to do a senator's job for Hegseth again. Elon Musk reacted to JD Vance's statement with a 'tears of joy' smiley. JD Vance is no longer a senator as he resigned from the Ohio senator post after becoming the vice president but had to cast the vote to break the tie.
South Sudan’s deputy president Riek Machar has threatened to withdraw from the 2018 peace agreement after President Salva Kiir dismissed multiple officials, including two vice presidents, the health minister, and the spy chief. Machar claims the move violates the power-sharing deal that ended years of civil war. With elections scheduled for 2026, ongoing political tensions and stalled reforms continue to threaten the country’s fragile stability.
Myanmar repatriated 300 Chinese nationals involved in scam centers through Thailand, with thousands more expected to follow. These scam compounds, run by criminal gangs, exploit trafficked workers for online fraud. China, Myanmar, and Thailand are cooperating to dismantle these operations. Repatriated individuals, labeled as "suspects" by China, were escorted by police. Thailand is collecting biometric data to prevent future misuse of its territory for such crimes.
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Starbucks is ending its open-door policy, which will now require customers to make a purchase to use its spaces or restrooms. The new rules, which aim to prioritize paying customers and ensure safety, prohibit discrimination, smoking, drug use, and panhandling. Violators will be asked to leave, and police may be involved.
Belarus's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko moved the 2025 presidential election to January to avoid protests, ensuring a likely seventh term. Lukashenko relies heavily on Russian support, hosting tactical nuclear weapons, and has harshly suppressed dissent, with many opponents jailed or exiled. The vote takes place amid fierce repression and fear.