 Hello and welcome to the International Daily Roundup by People's Dispatch, where we bring you major news developments from around the world. Our headlines, Andres Arauz wins first round as Ecuador heads towards a presidential run-off election. Iran once again reaffirms commitment to nuclear deal, mass protests against military coup continue across Myanmar, and Chicago City government announces tentatively a lower school reopening. In our first story, progressive candidate Andres Arauz has won the first round of Ecuador's presidential elections. Arauz is secured 31.74% of the votes as per the quick count conducted by the National Electoral Council. Given that no candidate has crossed 50% threshold or received 40% of the votes for the 10% lead, a run-off election will be held on April 11th. However, it is as yet unclear who will challenge Arauz in the second round. As per the latest reports, the margin between the second and third candidates is extremely narrow, making the results too close to call. As the vote count continues, here is a video feature on the election results. Khatullah Khamenei on Sunday, February 7th affirmed the country's commitment to the JCPOA, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. He said that Iran would, to quote him, return to the JCPOA obligations once the U.S. lifts its sanctions in action, and not in words, or on paper, and once the sanctioned relief is verified by Iran. Khamenei was addressing officers of the Iranian Air Force on the occasion of the anniversary of the defection for the monarchy and joining the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Khamenei emphasized that Americans and Europeans have no right to set any conditions of their own on Iran as they have violated the rules of the JCPOA themselves. He was replying to the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's demand that in order for the U.S. to join the deal again, Iran has to first return to all its obligations under the JCPOA. The JCPOA is signed by Iran and the U.S. along with five other countries in 2015. However, Donald Trump, claiming that the deal was too one-sided in favour of Iran, withdrew from it in 2018 and imposed multiple sanctions on Iran under its so-called maximum pressure campaign. The aim of this campaign was to force Iran to renegotiate the deal, including its missile program and regional policies. Tehran, after giving due warning to the European signatories to abide by the deal and take effective measures to protect Iran from American sanctions, started reverting some of its commitments to the deal last year. It is maintained that all these steps are under the provisions of the JCPOA, and once the U.S. rejoins the deal and lifts sanctions, it will come back to full compliance within days. Antico-resistance continues to intensify in Myanmar as mass protests entered their third consecutive day on February 8. Thousands of people, including members of Labour unions, government officials and healthcare workers gathered on the streets of Yangon today. Massive protests were also held in the capital city with tens of thousands of people in attendance. Police forces launched water cannons to disperse the crowds at some sites and the military has wanted that action will be taken against those who break the law. Martial law was also declared in parts of the capital of Pantalei. The order has banned large gatherings and protests and a curfew has been imposed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Activists are calling for a general strike as part of the nationwide civil disobedience campaign. Doctors and healthcare workers have also issued a call to strike last week and stopped work across 30 towns. Teachers, government workers and government employees have also joined the protests. The military has suspended internet services at restricted phone lines on February 6. However, telephone and internet services were partially restored the next day. Restrictions had also been placed on social media platforms including a bloc on Facebook till February 7. Local activists groups have estimated over 160 people have been detained so far. Protesters are demanding a restoration of the elected government as the military continues to contest the 2020 election results. Depostate councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and the President have been placed at a house arrest in the capital city. Both are also facing criminal charges and have been remarried in custody till February 15. Several lawmakers from Suu Kyi's party have also defied military orders to vacate their living quarters in the capital city. These members proceeded to swear oaths of office and held a parliamentary session within their living quarters on February 4. Myanmar has been placed under state of emergency for one year and all power has been handed over to the Commander-in-Chief. And finally we go to the United States where the Chicago city government has announced a tentative deal for reopening schools. The announcement was made on February 7, a day before the schools were scheduled for a limited reopening. The tentative agreement follows months of organizing by Chicago's teachers for a safe return to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chicago school district is the third largest in the US with over 355,000 students enrolled in 642 schools. The deal requires ratification before February 11 when a phased return to in-person training has been scheduled. According to the deal, in-person schooling for preschool and special education students will start from February 11. Students in kindergarten to fifth grade will return to schools on March 1, followed by those in sixth to eighth grade from March 8. The government has also assured vaccination for 1,500 school staff members per week. Teachers who themselves have health conditions or live with family members who do will be allowed to teach remotely. Parents will also be given the option to choose between in-person or online learning. While the deal provides temporary relief, the Chicago teachers' union has won that a permanent deal with the Chicago Public Schools Board and a city government is yet to be reached. The union has stated that negotiations over federal safety guidelines and other important issues regarding the reopening of the schools will continue. That's all we have time for today. We'll be back tomorrow with more news from around the world. Until then, keep watching People's Dispatch.