Lebanon rocked by deadly walkie-talkie and pager attacks
What we covered here Cross-border airstrikes: Israel and Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah exchanged dozens of strikes Thursday as the Israeli military shifts its focus north and expands its war aims. Wave of explosions: Lebanon is reeling after thousands of small…
‘Putin is pure evil’ — Trump’s spiritual advisor on Russia’s war against Ukraine
When U.S. President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine last month, the man described as his “spiritual advisor,” Pastor Mark Burns, backed the decision. This week, Burns is urging him to send Kyiv more tanks, fighter jets, and air…
‘Everything was black’ — Russia strikes downtown Sumy filled with people on Palm Sunday, killing dozens
The burnt shell of a red bus lied in the center of Sumy after Russia launched two ballistic missiles hurtled at city on April 13 — not one passenger survived, Anna Shpurik, a journalist at local media Cukr told the…
Russian drone attack injures 5, causes fires in Odesa
A Russian drone strike on Odesa late on April 13 injured at least five people and sparked fires, damaging civilian infrastructure including a major roadway, a car repair shop, and several vehicles, regional authorities reported. “According to preliminary information, five…
‘They are not afraid’ — Zelensky calls for increased international pressure after Russian attack on Sumy
The international community must increase pressure on Russia following its deadly Palm Sunday attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address April 13. Russia attacked Sumy with ballistic missiles armed with cluster munitions…
UK commits additional £10 million of aid to Lebanon
£10 million humanitarian package will support thousands of people who have been displaced and impacted by the conflict.
UNHCR: Lebanon crisis deepens as Israeli airstrikes intensify
GENEVA – The escalating conflict and intensified Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon are taking an increasingly devastating toll on civilians in the country, pushing more people to flee to Syria. More people are being displaced in Lebanon every day. On Monday,…
Iran president says Lebanon’s Hezbollah ‘cannot stand alone’ against Israel
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that its ally Hezbollah “cannot stand alone” against Israel which carried out its deadliest day of airstrikes on Lebanon since 2006. “Hezbollah cannot stand alone against a country that is being defended and supported and supplied…
Pentagon says no US support for Israeli offensive operations as Lebanon tensions rise
US believes invasion or Israeli attempts to create a so-called “buffer zone” inside of Lebanon will not result in the return of Israeli residents to the north The US defense secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart four times this…
Pilgrims only allowed to perform Hajj if they apply via official channels: Saudi ministry
Those wishing to perform Hajj will only be allowed to do so if they book through the relevant Saudi platforms that grant authorized Hajj visas, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement. The ministry warned those…
Russia says bombing Iran will not work after Trump threats
Russia said on Wednesday the world was getting tired of endless threats against Iran and that bombing the Islamic Republic would not bring peace, cautioning that Tehran was already taking preventative measures. Iran is approaching weekend talks with the United States over…
I left as a child’: Yusra Mardini returns to Syria after a decade of fleeing war
Olympic swimmer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini has spent the last decade turning trauma into purpose. Now, for the first time since fleeing Syria at 17, she’s returned home to help rebuild her country. Mardini’s return marked a full-circle…
Turkey detains two prominent journalists in Istanbul raids
Turkish police detained two prominent opposition journalists in early morning raids on Thursday in Istanbul as part of an investigation into alleged threats and blackmail, according to a court document seen by Reuters. Timur Soykan and Murat Agirel are both…
Lebanon’s new government leads to new, more promising phase: Analysts
“Lebanon faces a unique window of opportunity, where Hezbollah is weakened and no longer in a position to derail reform efforts or enforce its will on the country’s decision-making process,” one analyst says” “Lebanon faces a unique window of opportunity,…
Over 100 Houthi targets hit in US bombing campaign, defense official says
“When the Houthis stop shooting at us, we will stop shooting at them,” the official said, citing previous comments by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.” The US military has struck more than 100 Houthi targets in Yemen since launching its bombing campaign last…
Former South Korea ruling party head Han Dong-hoon declares candidacy for president
Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, announced his bid for the presidency on Thursday. South Korea will hold a presidential election on June 3, after former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment stemming from…
Trump says Israel will lead military strike against Iran if nuclear program persists
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel would be the “leader” of a potential military strike against Iran if Tehran doesn’t give up its nuclear weapons program. Trump made the comments ahead of this weekend’s scheduled talks involving US and Iranian officials in the…
Iraq signs deal with US firm to produce 24,000 mw of electricity
Iraq on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy firm GE Vernova to produce 24,000 megawatts of electricity, the government said, during a visit by an American trade delegation. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani oversaw “the signing of…
Nawaf Salam: Who is Lebanon’s newly designated prime minister?
During his time at the UN, he was a key architect behind the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which blamed Hezbollah for being behind the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In less than a…