by MIKE SCHNEIDER
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — For the first time in 27 years, the U.S. government is changing how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity, an effort that federal officials believe will more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage.
by Mahmoud Hassan
A 7-year-old girl drew a Palestinian flag with her coloured pencils; a 10-year-old boy chanted while carrying his school bag, “No way, no how, we will not give up the land” and a 15-year-old girl wrote the word Gaza on her hands.
by Dr Daud Abdullah
Jose Ramon Cabañas Rodriguez served in the Cuban diplomatic service for 37 years. In 2015 he became his country's first ambassador to the United States in 50 years.
by Reuters
Here are some key quotes and reactions after Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to re-establish relations in a deal announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing.
Tehran and Riyadh agreed "to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months".
by Iftikhar Gilani
At the 18th G20 Summit to be held in the Indian capital New Delhi on Sept. 9-10, hosts plan to serve guests millet-based culinary delights prepared by master chefs to promote the long-forgotten crop that has been displaced by other staple foods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement recently at a luncheon for members of parliament, where all dishes from appetizers to main courses and desserts were made with millet.
by Eman Abusidu
In a step that is expected to indicate a shift in his country's policy toward Israel, new President Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva has dismissed Brazil's Ambassador to Israel, General Gerson Menandro Garcia de Freitas. This dismissal was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira in one of the first major steps taken by Brazil's newly-elected president since taking office.
The minister explained that Ambassador Freitas was a general in the Brazilian Army with no previous diplomatic experience.
by Omar Ahmed
In November 2016 prominent Kuwaiti Islamic scholar Tareq Al-Suwaidan unintentionally became an internet meme when, during a recorded lecture delivered in the Moroccan coastal city of Temara, he urged the country and in particular the youth to ditch the French language in favour of learning English.
The clip was picked up quickly by the pro-Israel propaganda organisation, Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI TV), which is known for making memes of translated Arabic political and religious video clips.
by Umar A Farooq
Ammar al-Baluchi, who has spent close to two decades at Guantanamo, has been for years suffering from severe brain damage as a result of his treatment at CIA black sites.
By David Armstrong McKayResearcher in Earth System Resilience, Stockholm University
Stockholm, Oct 7 (The Conversation) Continued greenhouse gas emissions risk triggering climate tipping points. These are self-sustaining shifts in the climate system that would lock-in devastating changes, like sea-level rise, even if all emissions ended.
by Anadolu Agency
Born on 21 April, 1926, Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne upon the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February, 1952.
In 2015, she became the longest-serving British monarch in history, exceeding even the reign of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who sat on the throne for 63 years and seven months.
Elizabeth was also the first-ever British Monarch to see the platinum jubilee, honouring her 70 years on the throne.
She was the only female Royal family member to have entered the armed forces.
by Dr. Murat Yigit
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau last month as his first trip to the continent after re-election. In order to understand Macron's visit, and objections against his Africa vision, we need to remember the story from the beginning.
by President of Russia Vladimir Putin
Citizens of Russia, friends;
My address concerns the events in Ukraine and why this is so important for us, for Russia. Of course, my message is also addressed to our compatriots in Ukraine.
The matter is very serious and needs to be discussed in depth.
The situation in Donbass has reached a critical, acute stage. I am speaking to you directly today not only to explain what is happening but also to inform you of the decisions being made as well as potential further steps.
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