ETHIOPIA: The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which is warring the federal government in Oromia state, offered a humanitarian truce today in light of a drought that has caused widespread famine.

A fifth successive year without a rainy season has left an estimated 20 million Ethiopians in urgent need of assistance, according to the UN.

The OLA said a truce could facilitate humanitarian aid. But the government did not immediately respond.

SYRIA: The government denied claims it is holding a US journalist prisoner today.

Austin Tice disappeared in Syria 10 years ago, while covering the country’s civil war.

US President Joe Biden said last week said Washington knew Tice had at some point been held by Syria and suspected he still was.

But Syria’s Foreign Ministry called it a “baseless accusation” and said it had never detained him.

CHINA: Taiwan staged military drills off its coast today in a bid to demonstrate it could resist the mainland in any conflict.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said “Communist China’s military operations provide us with an opportunity for combat-readiness training.”

China staged more manoeuvres in the Yellow Sea today, where the US and South Korea plan war games next week.

EL SALVADOR: Congress has approved a month’s extension to the “state of exception” imposed since March, which suspends civic rights supposedly to crack down on gangs.

More than 50,000 people have been jailed since the draconian measures were introduced.

The right of association is suspended, as are the right to be given a reason for your arrest and the right to see a lawyer.