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People stand at the site of an Israeli strike, in Al-Mazraa in Beirut, Lebanon, April 8, 2026. REUTERS/Yara Nardi * Israel launches heaviest Lebanon strikes despite Iran ceasefire* Lebanon’s Aoun and France’s Macron urge Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah broke out last month, killing more than 250 people yesterday even as the group paused its attacks under a two-week US-Iran ceasefire.The strikes raised questions about regional truce efforts, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian saying a ceasefire in Lebanon was an essential condition of his country’s agreement with the US. Yesterday afternoon, at least five consecutive strikes rocked the capital Beirut, sending columns of smoke into the sky as Israel’s military said it had launched the largest co-ordinated strike of the war. More than 100 Hezbollah command centres and military sites were targeted in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon within ten minutes, it said. A total of 254 people were killed and over 1,100 wounded across Lebanon, the country’s civil defence service said. The highest toll was in Beirut, where 91 people were killed. The health ministry gave a toll of 182 dead across the country and said it was not a final figure. It was the deadliest day of the war that erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah fired into Israel in support of Tehran after the US-Israeli attack on Iran two days earlier. Israel launched a fully fledged air and ground campaign in response. Reuters reporters saw civil defence workers guiding an older woman onto a crane to evacuate her from a building in a western part of Beirut. Half of the building had been sheared off in an Israeli strike, leaving residents on the upper floors trapped. Earlier, Reuters reporters saw people on motorcycles picking up the wounded and transporting them to hospitals because there were not enough ambulances to get to them in time. One of Beirut’s biggest medical facilities said it needed donations of all blood types. “The scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today is nothing short of horrific,” said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. “Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief.”Late yesterday evening, a strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to a Reuters live broadcast. In a televised address yesterday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire with Iran and the Israeli military was continuing to strike Hezbollah with force. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Vice President JD Vance also said that Lebanon was not included in the truce. “I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t,” Vance told reporters in Budapest.Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key intermediary in the US-Iran ceasefire talks, had said the truce would include Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah condemned what it called Israel’s “barbaric aggression” and said the attacks underscored its right to respond. Hezbollah had stopped attacking Israeli targets early yesterday, three Lebanese sources close to the group told Reuters. The group’s last public statement on its military activity was posted at 1 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday), saying it had targeted Israeli troops inside Lebanon on Tuesday evening. “Hezbollah was informed that it is part of the ceasefire — so we abided by it, but Israel as usual has violated it and committed massacres all across Lebanon,” senior Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi told Reuters. Another Hezbollah lawmaker, Hassan Fadlallah, told Reuters there would be “repercussions for the entire agreement” if Israel’s attacks continued.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned the US and Israel it would deliver a “regret-inducing response” if attacks on Lebanon did not stop. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned yesterday’s strikes and said French President Emmanuel Macron had told him he was ready to make a diplomatic push for Lebanon to be included in any ceasefire.A senior Lebanese official had earlier told Reuters that Lebanon had not taken part in correspondence leading up to the ceasefire.Most of yesterday’s strikes were in civilian-populated areas, Israel’s military said. Hours before the attacks, the military had issued warnings for some areas of southern Beirut and southern Lebanon. No such warning was given for central Beirut, which was also hit. Following the strikes, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that Hezbollah had moved out of its traditional stronghold in southern Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighbourhood to religiously mixed areas elsewhere.He said Israel’s military would pursue Hezbollah wherever it was. Source link
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah discussed today, in a telephone call with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the latest developments in the region and the efforts underway.The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Sheikh Al-Sabah praised during the call the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Pakistan, which contributed to a ceasefire between the United States of America and Iran. Source link
Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud discussed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Jeddah the latest regional and international developments, particularly those in the region and their security and economic repercussions. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Thursday that the meeting emphasized support for all efforts aimed at strengthening regional security and stability, in addition to discussing several issues of mutual interest, including aspects of the strategic partnership. Source link
Medical sources in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from the Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Strip, since Oct. 7, 2023, has risen to 72,317, in addition ti 172,158 wounded.The same sources said that hospitals in the Gaza Strip received two bodies and 21 wounded individuals in the past 24 hours.The sources indicated that the total number of martyrs since the ceasefire on Oct. 11 has risen to 738, and the total number of wounded to 2,036, while 759 bodies have been recovered.A number of victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, as ambulance and rescue crews have been unable to reach them so far Source link
Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Dr. Amer Bisat confirmed that the country has entered a phase of caution and anticipation since the outbreak of the war on Lebanon on March 2, due to fears related to regional instability. He noted that emergency plans had been developed and studied in advance, and were activated immediately after the outbreak of the war.The Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Lebanon is facing a clear economic shock at all levels. The scale of destruction is large and widespread, and the competent authorities have begun conducting a comprehensive engineering survey, including the use of modern technologies to estimate the extent of the damage.The exact figures are still not available, but it cannot be ruled out that the losses recorded will exceed those recorded in 2024, he added.The minister pointed out that the economic losses in Lebanon are not limited to material damages, but also include the closure of a number of companies, a decline in tourism, and the disruption of exports, which would exacerbate the overall losses.Dr. Bisat stated that GDP recorded a decline of about 7% in 2024, adding that initial estimates indicate that the current rate of decline may be similar or slightly higher, in light of what he described as a major structural shock.He stressed that the priority is currently focused on ensuring the continued availability of basic goods, confirming that stocks of food, wheat, fuel and medicines are still available.The Lebanese minister acknowledged the difficulty of the current stage, noting that the economic losses are very large, but he stressed that the country is working to adapt to these repercussions, especially by maintaining the availability of stocks of basic goods and ensuring the continuity of supplies in the markets.Dr. Bisat confirmed that the Ministry of Economy and Trade is monitoring prices on a daily and weekly basis for about 60 basic commodities, noting the reactivation of the National Price Policy Council after years of stagnation, where it holds periodic meetings to follow up on market developments.He added that the ministry intervenes when any unjustified increases are detected, in coordination with the relevant authorities, including ports and the judiciary, to control violations and reduce exploitation, stressing the continuation of this mechanism permanently to ensure consumer protection under the current circumstances.Lebanon is suffering from difficult economic conditions amid escalating military tensions in the region since February, and the direct repercussions this has had on Lebanon, which is already suffering from a financial and structural crisis that has been ongoing since 2019. Source link
Throughout history, great civilizations have been shaped by intellectual achievements, spiritual values, and cultural heritage. Central Asia has long been a center of science, art, and philosophy, forming civilizational foundations that have influenced the entire world. Today, this potential is embodied in a large-scale project — the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, which not only preserves historical artifacts but also serves as a living platform for science, education, and spiritual development. Established on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Islamic Civilization Center demonstrates how spiritual and educational values can serve as a foundation for national revival and international cooperation, attracting researchers, tourists, and the wider public from around the world. Amir Temur holds a distinguished place in world history as an outstanding statesman, military leader, and founder of the Guragani dynasty, which ruled one of the largest empires of its time. The late 14th and early 15th centuries were a period of profound political transformation, and in this context Amir Temur succeeded in uniting vast territories from India to the Middle East, establishing a powerful and highly structured empire with an advanced system of governance. Diplomacy played a central role in his governance. Amir Temur established contacts with European countries, including France, England, and Castile. The Spanish envoy Ruy González de Clavijo, who visited Samarkand in 1404, noted the high level of state organization, developed infrastructure, and the respect shown to foreign ambassadors. Amir Temur also created a unique legal foundation for his empire. According to the “Code of Temur,” the state relied on four pillars: council, deliberation, a well-considered plan, and determination. Nine-tenths of affairs were resolved through consultation and wise measures, and only one-tenth by the sword. This principle reflects the priority of diplomacy and legal solutions over military force, emphasizing the balance between justice and determination in governance. After the death of Amir Temur, his successors — the Timurids of the Guragani dynasty — continued the development of the state, paying particular attention to science, culture, and education. This period is often referred to as the Second Eastern Renaissance, marked by a flourishing of intellectual and artistic life that contributed to the development of the European Renaissance. A special place among the Timurids is occupied by Mirzo Ulughbek (1394–1449), grandson of Amir Temur. He was an outstanding scholar, astronomer, mathematician, and statesman of the Timurid era. Ulughbek ruled primarily from Samarkand, transforming it into one of the leading scientific centers of the medieval world. One of Ulughbek’s greatest achievements was the construction of the Ulughbek Observatory in the 1420s. This observatory was considered one of the most advanced in the world at that time. Together with scholars, he compiled the famous astronomical catalog “Gurgan Zij”, which recorded the coordinates of more than 1,000 stars with remarkable accuracy. Today, the legacy of the Guragani dynasty can be seen at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, where unique exhibits demonstrating the cultural and spiritual richness of the era are preserved. Among them is a fragment of the Quran copied by the calligrapher Umar Aqta for Amir Temur, known as the “Baysunghur Quran.” This manuscript represents a triumph of calligraphy over ornamentation: harmonious, powerful letterforms and the precise flow of ink create a grand visual effect. The Islamic Civilization Center preserves a single line of the Baysunghur Quran, allowing visitors to experience the greatness of Timurid art and understand how the culture of writing shaped the spiritual image of the state. A special place is also occupied by the Baburid talismanic robe — a protective garment created in court workshops to safeguard and bless its wearer. The dense cotton fabric is entirely covered with Quranic texts, as well as the shahada and the 99 names of Allah. On the back, there is a verse from Surah Yusuf (12:64): “Indeed, Allah is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is not only a museum but also a living educational platform. The architectural concept of the complex harmoniously combines Timurid traditions with modern technologies, symbolizing the unity of past and present. Its 65-meter dome and majestic portals embody the connection between all regions of Uzbekistan, creating a sense of monumentality and historical continuity. The Center’s exposition is built on the principle of “Civilizations — Personalities — Discoveries” and covers key historical stages: the pre-Islamic period, the First and Second Renaissances, as well as the New Uzbekistan — the Foundation of the Third Renaissance. Visitors can not only observe unique artifacts but also interact with them through VR and AR technologies, holograms, and artificial intelligence, making history vivid and tangible. The Center integrates diverse educational and cultural functions: interactive laboratories, the children’s museum “1001 Foundations,” a library with a collection of more than 2,500 manuscripts and lithographs, around 40,000 printed publications, and over 350,000 digital resources, a school of calligraphy and traditional arts by the King’s Foundation, as well as representative offices of ICESCO, IRCICA, and OCIS. All of this creates a space where tradition and innovation coexist and complement each other, stimulating the development of science and culture. Thanks to this approach, the Islamic Civilization Center becomes not just a repository of knowledge but a living bridge between historical renaissances and the Third Renaissance, ensuring continuity of traditions and inspiring new generations toward scientific, cultural, and spiritual achievements. Today, at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the 690th anniversary of the birth of Amir Temur — a great statesman, military leader, and patron of science and culture — is being widely celebrated. This anniversary is regarded not only as a tribute to history but also as an important factor in strengthening national identity, developing scientific potential, and promoting the country’s cultural diplomacy. As part of the anniversary events, the Islamic Civilization Center serves as a key platform for international dialogue. Thus, on April 9–11 of this year, a large-scale international scientific conference will be held here, bringing together more than 300 leading scholars, researchers, and experts from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The conference aims to provide a comprehensive study of the role and significance of Amir Temur and the Guragani (Timurid) civilization in world history and culture, as well as to establish a sustainable platform for further international scientific and cultural cooperation. The Islamic Civilization Center stands today as a driving intellectual and cultural force in the region, fostering dialogue, advancing knowledge, and contributing to global understanding. Guided by the opening verse of Surah Al-‘Alaq “Read in the name of your Lord”, it connects past achievements with future aspirations. Source link
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the call addressed current developments and ways to de-escalate tensions in order to contribute to the restoration of security and stability in the region Source link
Around 3,000 Palestinian worshippers were able to perform the Fajr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, 40 days after it had been closed by Israeli occupation forces.The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA), citing the Jerusalem Governorate, reported that thousands of worshippers were able to perform the Fajr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque despite strict occupation measures, which included ID checks, preventing a number of young men from entering, assaulting some worshippers at the gates, and attempting to push them away from the mosqueâ€s courtyards.The occupation authorities had also intensified their military measures around the mosque and the Old City throughout the period of closure, hindering worshippers†access by deploying checkpoints and closing the main gates. Source link
Djibouti’s leader Ismail Omar Guelleh is expected to win a presidential election Friday, extending his 27-year rule of the tiny, highly strategic Horn of Africa nation.Guelleh, 78, known as “IOG”, is one of Africa’s longest serving leaders and has ruled the nation of around 1mn people since 1999.He has turned the arid former French colony into an international military and maritime hub for both the United States and China.With the opposition divided and largely silenced, Guelleh faces a single, low-profile opponent.He has campaigned across the country dressed in green, with a matching jersey and cap.”There’s not much at stake. It’s just a token competition,” said Sonia le Gouriellec, a Horn of Africa expert at Lille Catholic University.In a volatile region, Guelleh casts himself as the guarantor of stability in a nation nestled between old foes Ethiopia and Eritrea.To its south lies Somaliland, a self-proclaimed republic with a deep-water port and airfield whose unilateral independence from Somalia is recognised only by Israel.Last year, Djibouti struck a partnership with the Saudi Arabia to run its port at Tadjourah.The country’s stability has drawn foreign military powers to establish bases there.France’s biggest military base in Africa, counting some 1,500 soldiers, is in Djibouti, while China, Japan and Italy have troops in the country too.Djibouti is also home to the only permanent US military base in Africa, with some 4,000 troops supporting “anti-terrorist” operations on the continent, notably in Somalia.Djibouti has a unique location between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.It is situated at the mouth of the key Bab al-Mandab strait, a narrow waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.Without agriculture to rely on, Djibouti depends on its ports for 70% of gross domestic product, with Ethiopia its main maritime outlet.Now, with the Middle East engulfed in the war pitting the United States and Israel against Iran, shipping in the Bab al-Mandab strait is under threat, possibly from Iran’s allies, the Houthi fighters in Yemen.But the presence in Djibouti of military from China, another ally of Iran’s, “protects the country from attacks by the Houthis” for now, said Le Gouriellec, the Horn of Africa expert.Just over 256,000 people are eligible to choose in Friday’s election between Guelleh and Mohamed Farah Samatar, a former member of the ruling party and head of the Unified Democratic Centre (CDU), which has no seats in parliament.Omar Ali Ewado, head of the Djibouti League of Human Rights (LDDH), has called the vote a “masquerade” and said it is a “foregone conclusion”.”The person who will challenge President Guelleh is a member of a small party subservient to those in power,” he said.Djibouti is accused by human rights organisations of repressing dissenting voices. It ranks 168th out of 180 in the 2025 press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders.The head of state is also accused of favouring his ethnic group over the minorities, who complain of being marginalised.Guelleh won re-election in 2021 with 97% of the vote, in a ballot largely boycotted by the opposition.That was meant to be his final term but parliament voted to remove the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates.Asked whether Guelleh, who has difficulty walking, will see out his sixth mandate, Le Gouriellec said it depended on his health.”Those around him, especially his wife, his stepson and his daughter, are in the front row and are already influential,” she said. Related Story Source link
Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip killed four people Wednesday, including an Al Jazeera journalist, local health authorities said and the the television network reported.The strike that killed Al Jazeera’s Muhammad Washah targeted a vehicle he and one other Palestinian, who was also killed, were driving along the coastal road in Gaza City, health authorities said. In February 2024, at the height of Israel’s war in Gaza, the military accused Washah of being a member of Hamas’ military wing.At the time, Hamas and Al Jazeera denied that Washah had any affiliation with the group. Israel’s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his killing.Al Jazeera, which also did not immediately respond to a request for comment, reported on its Arabic-language TV channel that he was killed in a drone strike.The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza condemned Washah’s killing.TWO OTHERS KILLED IN GAZAIn a separate incident in Gaza, medics said an Israeli airstrike killed two people in the central Gaza Strip, without providing details. There was no immediate comment from Israel’s military on the incident.Israel and Hamas reached a US-brokered deal last October that was meant to halt violence in the Palestinian territory. Both sides accuse each other of breaching the agreement.Israeli fire has killed at least 700 people since the deal was struck. Israel says four soldiers have been killed by fighters during the same period.Israel has previously killed Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank.In August 2025, Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was killed along with four other colleagues in an Israeli airstrike.In May 2022, Israeli troops shot dead Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a US-Palestinian citizen, while she was covering a military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. The military said an investigation into that incident concluded she was likely killed by unintentional fire by its forces.The Committee to Protect Journalists has said it has documented 223 journalists and media workers killed in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel. Among those killed were journalists working for Reuters.The CPJ says Israel has never held anyone accountable in the killings of journalists by its military. An Israel Defence Forces spokesperson said the military has targeted only combatants and military sites, avoided civilians and journalists, and warned that staying in active combat zones carries inherent risks despite efforts to minimise harm.The military has alleged at times, without providing verifiable evidence, that some journalists were killed because of their links to Hamas, which their news organisations denied. Related Story Source link