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NATIONAL AFFAIRS: The breakthrough in Israel-Lebanon talks is that both sides now agree that Hezbollah is the problem, but whether Lebanon can do anything about it is a different question

US President Donald Trump this month threatened to pull the US out of the alliance over European members' refusal to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz near Iran.

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

New, flourishing plants are being placed in pots in preparation for eventual growth and the planting of strong, older orchids back in their natural habitat.

The study argues that current guidance largely focuses on prohibitions and warnings, without offering a practical alternative that can compete with WhatsApp’s speed and ease of use.

Hezbollah expresses caution about Israeli breaches of ceasefire in official statement In a statement released on Telegram, Hezbollah expressed that it is “cautious about the enemy’s treachery and breach of promises.” The statement recounted the group’s military activities between March 2 and April 16, including 2184 operations “in which they confronted the occupation forces of the Israeli enemy army inside Lebanese territory, and targeted its sites, barracks, and military bases inside occ…

The country’s leaders secured a truce through risky talks with Israel, but the government now finds itself caught between competing pressures.

The Eurovision Fun website reported that Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE, had announced it would not air the song contest for the first time since the country began participating in 1961.

The Foundations of Zionism: An epic work of Palestinian scholarship now available in English Hossam el-Hamalawy on Fri, 04/17/2026 - 08:34 Translated by his daughter Fidya, the landmark work by Sabri Jiryis arrives in English not as a museum piece, but as an important intervention Israeli flags atop the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, the occupied West Bank, on 24 April 2023 (Mosab Shawer/AFP) Off First published in Arabic across two volumes in 1977 and 1986, and now tr…

ALBAWABA - Images of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) taking part in activities related to the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports have been made public by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). In an attempt to impose limits on maritime transportation to and from Iran, the ship carried out operations in the Arabian Sea, according to CENTCOM. Deployment of Air Power F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 jets, EA-18G Growler aircraft, surveillance, transport, and support units comprise the…

Celebrations have taken hold across Lebanon after a 10-day truce agreed with Israel began on Friday morning. Celebratory gunfire erupted in Beirut’s southern suburbs, and people beeped their car horns and cheered across the country as they returned to their homes after being displaced by Israeli strikes. While many appeared hopeful, some were still cautious. A man who had returned to his home in Nabatieh said he would be leaving again upon seeing the destruction in the city Middle East crisi…

ALBAWABA - Images of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) taking part in activities related to the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports have been made public by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). In an attempt to impose limits on maritime transportation to and from Iran, the ship carried out operations in the Arabian Sea, according to CENTCOM. Deployment of Air Power F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 jets, EA-18G Growler aircraft, surveillance, transport, and support units comprise the…

Palestinians observe Prisoner’s Day amidst 83% increase in number of prisoners since October 2023 Palestinians are marking Prisoner’s Day as over 9,600 Palestinians, including 350 children, remain incarcerated in Israeli prisons, according to Wafa news agency.  Around half of those imprisoned at the moment are being held without charge or trial, Wafa reported. The Wafa report stated that the number of Palestinian prisoners has increased by 83% since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war on …

There is a sense of both caution and hope. Although the Lebanese army had warned residents who fled the south not to return, footage shows vehicles already moving back toward the area. Six weeks of Israeli strikes displaced well over a million people—around one-fifth of Lebanon’s population. The conflict has also hit a country already struggling with a severe economic crisis, and with limited government support available, private organisations have stepped in to help fill the gap. France24 Seni…

Lyse Doucet says Iranians want a solution to the long-running animosity with the US, but leaders is not willing to make a deal on Washington's terms.

Israeli settlers raid homes of displaced Palestinian communities near Jericho Israeli settlers attacked the homes of displaced Palestinian Bedouin families and chased shepherds in Balqa, north of Jericho, Wafa news agency reported.  According to Wafa, a local Palestinian rights group noted that these families had been previously displaced in July 2025. As of March 31, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that over 1,700 Palestinians have b…

By holding off America’s more powerful military, Iran showed how Taiwan can deter or defeat China.

Trump administration has riled head of Catholic church over use of theology to justify conflict in Iran The contrast in experience between the two men disagreeing over war and theology was striking. On the one side was Pope Leo XIV, the first North American to head the Catholic church and the first cleric from the Augustinian order, who this week visited the modern Algerian city where Saint Augustine once lived. For Leo, who wrote his doctoral thesis on Augustine’s ideas, it was the culmination…

Most Israelis wanted the fight against Hezbollah to continue. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s critics say he is showing that he cannot, or will not, stand up to President Trump.

Turkey, Pakistan could become Israel's new enemy, analyst says Predictions of who is set to be next in line to become Israel's arch nemesis have start rolling in, with whispers pointing to Pakistan or Turkey as Iran's successors for that role.  In an opinion piece by Israeli analyst Boaz Golani published in the daily Maariv, he indicates "shifting sands" in the Middle East, as discussions on the end of the war on Iran swirl.  As Tehran "will be forced to vacate the role of Israel's great …

Donald Trump’s ‘favourite field marshall’ Asim Munir has been a key figure in securing the US-Iran ceasefire Middle East crisis – live updates Stepping off a plane on Wednesday evening, Field Marshal Asim Munir walked straight into the warm embrace of Iran’s foreign minister and chief negotiator, Abbas Araghchi. Dressed in full army fatigues, the powerful chief of Pakistan’s military cut an unusual figure as a beacon for peace. Yet that was just the role he intended to play. Munir had rushed …

According to findings at the scene, the vandals sawed off the bronze legs of Herzl's statue, which stands about seven meters tall, in an attempt to topple it.

U.S. military officials say the blockade of Iranian ports is holding and so is a ceasefire in the war with Iran.

In an interview with NPR's A Martinez, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta reviews current Secretary Pete Hegseth's wartime job performance.

Pakistani Prime Minister welcomes ceasefire announcement Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon “facilitated through bold and sagacious diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump,” via a statement on X. Sharif added that “Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and will continue to support all efforts aimed at lasting peace in the region.” The Prime Minister is currently on a diplomatic to…

The firing was declared an operational success and even served as a basis for developing new artillery fire responses while fighting, the military wrote in a press release.

Many in the Iranian capital feel trapped between war with the US and the brutality of the regime’s repression Like many in Tehran, Mehdi, 36, an IT professional, had fled the capital in the early days of the war to stay with relatives in the north. Returning to the city, he was confronted by bombed-out buildings, debris and rubble still scattered across the roads. His home has been damaged by the blasts, the glass shattered and bedroom window frames blown out. In his first days home – just befo…

A 10-day ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel came into effect this Friday, though the Lebanese army has already reported several alleged violations in the southern border region, where these images were taken. US President Donald Trump announced the deal and said he has invited both countries’ leaders to the White House for further talks. A direct, high-level meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leadership would mark a significant turning point for the region, while the truce also si…

Pakistan-flagged tanker first crude carrier to exit Hormuz with cargo since US curb A Pakistan-flagged tanker has become the first crude carrier to exit through the Strait of Hormuz with a cargo since a US blockade began on Monday, according to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic. Shalamar sailed out into the Gulf of Oman late Thursday after loading around 450,000 barrels of crude at the UAE.

Macron expresses concern that Israel-Lebanon ceasefire 'already undermined' French President Emmanuel Macron backed the ceasefire announced on Thursday, but aired concern that it may already be compromised due to ongoing military operations. "I fully support the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel as announced by President Trump yesterday," Macron wrote in a post on X. "I also express my concern that it may already be undermined by the continuation of military operations," he added. "I…

According to videos circulating on social media, the civilians who fled north at the start of Israel's war with Hezbollah are trying to make their way back south via the Litani's central bridge.

Israel carries out 'massive' demolition in south Lebanon despite ceasefire The Israeli army carried out a "massive" demolition in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam on Friday, the official Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported. Hours after a ceasefire came into effect, Israeli forces conducted a large-scale detonation in the town, located in the Marjayoun district.

Tens of thousands return to southern Lebanon: Report Tens of thousands of those displaced from southern Lebanon are reportedly returning to their areas following a ceasefire deal with Israel, Anadolu Agency reports.  Footage circulating online shows citizens in droves driving back to their homes, despite earlier statements by the Lebanese army cautioning against returning to southern villages and towns due to Israeli attacks. Displaced people make their way home after a 10-day c…

Europe has capacity to clear mines in Hormuz Strait, French Defence Minister says French Defence Minister said on Friday that European countries, such as Belgium, the Netherlands and France, have mine clearance capacity which could help secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "There are capabilities to provide fully supported escort services – that is to say, in no way offensive, of course – for ships to ensure safe passage through the strait; that is what will be debated today in Pa…

Independence is not isolation. It is the only way to ensure that “Never Again” remains a promise Israel can keep by itself.

The meeting, which was not publicly announced by either leader, was confirmed by the Israeli embassy to the French outlet Le Parisien. It was unclear what the pair discussed.

Australia did not receive US request to join operations against Iran Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that his country did not receive any "new requests" from the Washington to participate in military operations against Iran. The remark comes in response to criticism from US President Donald Trump, who expressed he is "not happy with Australia" because it was "not there when we asked them to be there" in regards to the Strait of Hormuz. Treasurer of Australia,  Ji…

A 10-day truce between the two countries is now in effect, with Iran-backed Hezbollah voicing support, as negotiations continue between the US and Iran.

Both countries also recognize that Hezbollah’s activity “must be curtailed,” as Lebanon’s security forces are the only ones authorized to bear arms.

Poll: 62 percent of Israelis think war on Iran will restart A poll by the Israeli daily Maariv found that a majority of Israelis (62 percent) believe that Israel will return to fighting Iran in the near future.  According to the survey, 24 percent think the war will not restart and another 14 percent are unsure about the outcome.

Ceasefire in Lebanon widely welcomed, Trump says may be 'historic day' Several countries have hailed the 10-day ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel that came into a few hours ago. Statements have poured in from across the Arab world, including supportive remarks by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council.  The Iranian Foreign Ministry was quick to welcome the agreement, praising the "tremendous efforts" made by Pakistan in mediating talks.  The European Commissio…

Netanyahu rejects demand by Hezbollah for full Israeli army withdrawal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has agreed to a “temporary ceasefire” with Lebanon to facilitate discussions, but rejected Hezbollah's demands for Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has agreed to a “temporary ceasefire” with Lebanon to facilitate discussions. However, he has rejected Hezbollah's demands for Israel to fully withd…

António Guterres welcomes truce and says through spokesperson he hopes halt in fighting will ‘pave the way for negotiations’ Hello and welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East. United Nations chief António Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire announced on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon, urging “all actors” to fully respect the truce. A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has come into effect, pausing fighting in a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah th…

Hezbollah lawmaker demands end to Israeli attacks under ceasefire deal A lawmaker from Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc said the new ceasefire agreement with Israel must include a complete cessation of Israeli hostilities across Lebanon.  In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Ibrahim al-Moussawi said the Lebanese group would approach the 10-day truce cautiously and monitor developments closely. He added that the deal was reached "under Iranian pressure, Pakistani efforts and Saudi cooperatio…

Oded Papourish, an activist injured in the village of Kusra last month, emphasized that settler violence “relies on the understanding that Israel's law enforcement will always stand by their side."

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the communications were not public, said several European countries will be affected, including in the Baltic region and in Scandinavia.

“The findings point to despair and pessimism as dominant sentiments, alongside high levels of fatigue and a clear expectation that the conflict is far from over,” the research team stated.

Civilians bear the brunt of conflict in the Middle East as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon takes effect Continue reading...