South Sudan Rebel Group Lays Down Arms
The South Sudan Democratic Movement declared a ceasefire yesterday, accepting an amnesty offered by President Salva Kiir last July when South Sudan gained independence from the north.
Recent Posts
American Ship Delivers Wheat to Feed One Million Syrians
A U.S. ship carrying enough wheat to feed more than one million people for four months was delivered for distribution to the Syrian people. The United Nations World Food Program received the contribution, worth more than $19 million, on April 21 in Beirut, Lebanon. The ship's cargo gave the WFP the ability to add flour to the monthly food basket of more than one million people.
Humanitarian Day: Congrats to the Heroes That Care for World's Vulnerable
August 19 marks the 11th annual World Humanitarian Day. The day honors people like UN humanitarian veteran Sergio Vieira de Mello, who lost his life in the UN Headquarters bombing in Baghdad in 2003. It is a tribute to aid workers worldwide, a commemoration to those who have lost their lives and a celebration of the spirit of humanitarian work around the world.
Ice Cream Company Delivers Joy Across Afghanistan
In a nation wrenched by decades of war, perhaps it is no surprise that one of Afghanistan's most successful brands manufactures what is sorely lacking in the country: joy. The Herat ice cream factory dips vanilla bars in chocolate, and creates orange sorbets and frozen cones that are sold in each of the country's 34 provinces, a rare success for a business benefitting from no foreign investment.
Teenage Sweethearts Separated During the Holocaust Reunited
When he was 15, Thomas Beck escaped from a Nazi prison camp in Budapest - but he left behind his teenage sweetheart, Edith Greiman, 14. There seemed no chance of them ever seeing each other again, for Thomas eventually made his way to Australia and set up a new life. But fate stepped in.
Once Unthinkable, British Queen Will Meet Former IRA Commander in No. Ireland
The Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein party says one of its leaders, Martin McGuinness, will meet Queen Elizabeth II next week, a once-unthinkable symbol of progress toward peace in Northern Ireland.
Gutsy British WWII Hero was a Woman, and a Muslim Princess
In a time of anti-Islamic sentiment in Britain, it is important to remember that in the last century alone, hundreds of thousands of Muslims volunteered to fight for Britain — especially during World Wars I and II — with many sacrificing their lives. 70 years ago marked the death of an especially gutsy and unlikely war hero — a woman who was a Muslim princess.
Cease-fire in Gaza Conflict Announced by Egypt, US
The Egyptian government announced that Israel and Palestinian leaders in the Gaza strip have agreed to halt hostilities after eight days of Israeli bombardment of the enclave and hundreds of rocket strikes inside Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who engaged in intensive shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict was present for the announcement.
Designer's Low Cost Solution for Clearing Landmines Uses the Wind
Massoud Hassani grew up in Afghanistan and played every day in nearby fields, surrounded by high mountains. His favorite toy was homemade, a small rolling object that was powered by the wind. 20 years later, his 2011 graduation project was an over-sized replica of that toy -- 20 times bigger and heaver -- created to roll on those same landmines and destroy them.
French Resistance Hero Raymond Aubrac Hailed Upon his Death at 97
France is celebrating the life of Raymond Aubrac, one of its last great heroes of the resistance, whose bravery and exploits with his wife Lucie against the Gestapo became the stuff of legend and film. Aubrac died at age 97 in a military hospital in Paris on Tuesday.
Osama Bin Laden Is Dead; President Tells Nation 'Justice Has Been Done'
Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network that killed 3,000 people in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, is dead. President Obama announced to the nation late Sunday night, that bin Laden was killed in Pakistan over the weekend after a firefight in an operation that was based on U.S. intelligence.
Two Vietnam War Enemies Meet and Turn Friends
Two men, who tried to kill each other 40 years ago, met at the Minneapolis airport this afternoon. Dan Cherry and New Yen Hong Me were fighter pilots in Vietnam, on opposite sides of the war.
Iraqi Teen Finally Meets US Soldier Who Whisked Her Out of Iraq 18 Years Ago (WATCH)
She lived her whole life happily in Atlanta, but if not for the spontaneous actions of a soldier at the U.S. border, her life would be drastically different.
Holocaust Survivor at 108: "I was Thankful and Happy"
At 108 years old, Alice Herz-Sommer is the world's oldest survivor of the holocaust. During WWII she survived a Nazi concentration camp in Prague while most of her family was exterminated. But through it all she was smiling and thankful and looked for the good.
Afghan Cricket Team Vies for World Cup, Lifts War-torn Homeland
Rising from the ruins of war to challenge the world's cricketing establishment, Afghanistan's rag-tag team hope to inspire the conflict-ravaged nation with a strong showing at the World Cup in Sri Lanka.
Iraqi War Zone Orphan Wows X Factor in Adoption Tear-jerker (Update)
Emmanuel Kelly, a victim and survivor of chemical warfare in Iraq, doesn't know how old he is. But, thanks to his hero, an Australian woman who adopted him and his brother, he managed to overcome disability and tragedy to become a wonderful singer. This video features his heart-wrenching debut on The X Factor, when he sang John Lennon's Imagine.
"Exciting" Afghan Peace Plan Paying Off as Taliban Fighters Renounce Violence
Peace is beginning to flower across Afghanistan with about 5% of Taliban fighters nationwide already surrendering to re-join civil society through the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program, or APRP, paid for by donors like the United States and Saudi Arabia. People have far more confidence in the future than they did a year ago.
At 92, She Feels Young Again, Takes Joy Ride in Fave WWII Fighter Plane (WATCH)
This 92-year-old female pilot who flew in WWII feels young again, taking to the sky in an iconic Spitfire fighter plane for the 70th V-E Day.
Israeli Peace Movement to Launch Online University for Israeli and Arab Students
Organizers of an online Mideast peace movement say they are launching the Internet's first online university for Israelis and Arabs across the Middle East.
Most Powerful US Nuclear Bomb Dismantled - Forever
The last of the nation's most powerful nuclear bombs has been taken apart in Texas -- a Cold War relic known as the B53.
Recent Stories
A Heartfelt Reminder to Appreciate the Ones We Love
Cherish the Woman Who Stands by You
Breaking Generational Cycles of Pain
Living by Your Own Values, Not Others' Approval
When Life Brings Rain, It’s Okay to Rest
Before You Judge Someone's Life, Take a Moment to Walk in Their Shoes.
A Friend Who Spreads Gossip is Not a True Friend at All
The Value of Human Connection Over Digital Convenience
The Quiet Kind of Love
One Day, Your Mom Won’t Call You Anymore
I’ve reached a point in my life...
Happiness is a mindset, a conscious choice we make every day