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Lebanon urges UN action over Israel targeting of journalists

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The flowers on the chair, where Halil’s photo, press vest, and helmet were placed, is seen during funeral ceremony for journalist Emel Halil, who was killed in an Israeli military strike targeting the village of Tayri, in Nabatieh, Lebanon on April 23, 2026. [Elif Öztürk – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanon has called on the United Nations to take urgent action to halt Israel’s targeting of journalists, following the reported deaths of 28 media workers since October 2023.

In a letter addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Caroline Ziadeh, raised concerns over what she characterised as repeated attacks on journalists operating in Lebanon.

According to a statement, Ziadeh said the Lebanese Ministry of Information had documented a series of incidents involving Israeli strikes targeting media personnel since early 2023. Among those named were journalist and radio presenter Ghada Dayekh of Sawt Al Farah radio, and Suzanne Khalil, who worked with Al Nour radio and Al Manar TV.

Ziadeh said that Israeli military operations since mid-October 2023 had resulted in the deaths of 28 Lebanese journalists, including reporters and photographers, “without any accountability to date”.

She described the killings as “grave violations of international humanitarian law”, stressing the obligation to protect journalists during armed conflict.

Calling for UN intervention, Ziadeh urged Türk to take steps to reinforce legal protections and support investigations that could lead to accountability. She also called for pressure on Israel to cease such actions and comply fully with its obligations under international law.

READ: Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil killed in Israeli strike in southern Lebanon

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Continue ReadingLebanon urges UN action over Israel targeting of journalists

Israel tells US it wants to resume war with Iran

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz holds a security situation assessment meeting with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) Shlomi Binder and other senior commanders in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 07, 2026. [Israeli Ministry of Defense – Anadolu Agency]

Israel and the United States are preparing to resume the war with Iran, despite ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to arrange a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan this week.

Kan reported that Iran is refusing to make concessions on its nuclear programme. Following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Israel is waiting for the green light from US President Donald Trump to restart the fighting. Israel has sent a message to Washington saying: “We are interested in resuming the campaign against Iran.”

Over the past 24 hours, the United States has reinforced its presence in the region by sending an additional squadron of F/A-18 fighter jets to the Middle East, deploying more refuelling aircraft, and moving defence systems and interceptor missiles across the region.

An Israeli source told the Hebrew channel: “We are on maximum alert, awaiting President Trump’s decision.”

READ: Israeli minister says army awaiting US approval for potential strike on Iran

Regarding Iran, Israel has threatened to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating openly that he is among the targets awaiting Trump’s approval.

US President Donald Trump sparked confusion about the coming days in a series of posts earlier yesterday.

Regarding Lebanon, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a three-week extension of the ceasefire after Israeli and Lebanese representatives met at the White House. Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel exchanged attacks during the talks, underlining the fragility of the truce, according to CNN.

The conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah remains one of the main obstacles to US-Iran peace efforts.

READ: Iran announces tolls for Hormuz transit as nuclear talks remain stalled

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Continue ReadingIsrael tells US it wants to resume war with Iran

Iran leaders reject Trump claims of internal divisions

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivers a speech during an inspection visit to the Ministry of Sports and Youth in Tehran, Iran on April 19, 2026. [Iranian Presidency – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that there is an internal infighting within Iran’s leadership.

Pezeshkian said: “There are no hardliners or moderates in Iran. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.” “With the iron unity of the nation and the state, and full obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the criminal aggressor regret its actions.”  

He added: “One God, one nation, one leader, and one path; victory for Iran, dearer than life.” 

Ghalibaf reposted the same message on his account on X.

Trump had earlier claimed there was a “crazy” internal conflict in Iran between rival factions within the leadership.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, he said: “Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know! The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!”   

READ: Israel tells US it wants to resume war with Iran

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Continue ReadingIran leaders reject Trump claims of internal divisions

Israeli Defense Minister Says IDF Is ‘Awaiting a Green Light’ From Trump to ‘Push Iran Back Into a Dark Age’

Article by Brad Reed republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz visits a military base and the military unit in the occupied territory of southern Lebanon on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Elad Malka (IMoD)/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

One critic described the Israeli official’s remarks as the country’s “official statement of intent to commit further war crimes in Iran.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said his country was ready to unleash devastating new attacks on Iran should it get approval from US President Donald Trump.

As reported by Amichai Stein, diplomatic correspondent for iNews24, Katz said that Israel is “prepared to resume the war” and is “awaiting a green light from the United States.”

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Katz also vowed that Israel would hit Iran even harder than in previous strikes, vowing “to complete the elimination of the Khamenei family and to push Iran back into a dark age.”

“This time, the strike will be different and far more lethal, delivering devastating blows at the most sensitive points,” Katz warned, “ones that will shake and undermine its very foundations.”

Targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants is a war crime under international law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already has a warrant out for his arrest issued in 2024 by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.

Dylan Williams, vice president for government affairs at the Center for International Policy, described Katz’s remarks as “Israel’s official statement of intent to commit further war crimes in Iran.”

Drop Site News reporter Ryan Grim observed that the Israeli defense minister’s threats are reminiscent of the strategy that it has employed in Gaza in its effort to dislodge Hamas over the last three years.

“Israel believes it is always a few good assassinations away from total victory,” Grim commented. “Now pledging more.”

Trump, in partnership with Netanyahu, illegally launched a war with Iran in late February without any congressional authorization. In response to the attack, Iran shut down all shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, choking off roughly 20% of the global oil supply.

In that time, the price of oil has soared, Trump’s approval ratings have crashed to record lows, and a UN expert warned on Wednesday about the possibility of a global food crisis if the strait is not soon reopened to fertilizer shipments.

There has been a fragile ceasefire agreement in effect between the US, Israel, and Iran for the last two weeks, which Trump extended indefinitely on Tuesday.

Article by Brad Reed republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingIsraeli Defense Minister Says IDF Is ‘Awaiting a Green Light’ From Trump to ‘Push Iran Back Into a Dark Age’

‘No Oil, No War’: Trump’s Attack on Iran Condemned Ahead of Global Climate Summit

Article by Jessica Corbett republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Greenpeace Spain activists displayed a giant image of US President Donald Trump vomiting oil into a black-stained fountain in Madrid’s Plaza de Colón, alongside the message in English, “No oil, no war,” on April 23, 2026. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez/Greenpeace)

“Current conflicts prove that moving away from fossil fuels is an urgent necessity for security, well-being, and the climate,” said Greenpeace campaigner.

On the eve of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Colombia, Greenpeace Spain activists roughly 5,000 miles away unveiled an image of US President Trump vomiting oil into a black-stained fountain in Madrid’s Plaza de Colón with a banner declaring, “No Oil, No War.”

“We are saying no to oil and war!” said Greenpeace Spain climate and energy campaigner Pedro Zorrilla Miras in a Thursday statement. “Current conflicts prove that moving away from fossil fuels is an urgent necessity for security, well-being, and the climate.”

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Since returning to power last year with help from the fossil fuel industry, Trump has spent his second term attacking already inadequate US climate policies and trying to deliver on his promise to “drill, baby, drill,” despite the harm that causes to the planet and its inhabitants.

After sending in US troops to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as part of an effort to take over the country’s nationalized oil industry in January, Trump, alongside Israeli forces, began bombing Iran in February. Although there is now a fragile ceasefire in place, Iran responded to the US-Israeli attack by restricting ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade route, including for fertilizer and fossil fuels.

As fuel prices have soared, green groups—including Greenpeace—have called for a permanent end to the US and Israel’s assault on Iran, a windfall profits tax for fossil fuel giants that have cashed in on the conflict, and making “food and energy secure for all.” They have also argued that the war highlights the need for a just shift away from oil and gas.

“Instead of war, ending our reliance on fossil fuels is our best possible defense,” said Zorrilla Miras. “That is why governments must show leadership at the Santa Marta conference to accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels. We are calling for clear and ambitious action from Spain that matches its rhetoric and embraces pathways that show Spain can achieve a 99% decarbonization rate by 2040.”

“Fossil fuel dependence is exposing countries to volatile global markets, where conflict, disruption, and political tensions rapidly translate into higher energy, food, and transport prices,” the campaigner continued. “The Santa Marta summit is therefore a key political moment for leaders to progress the delivery of energy systems that are affordable, stable, and resilient in an increasingly uncertain world.”

Colombia and the Netherlands are co-hosting the summit, which is set to run from Friday to Wednesday and is “intended to support practical action by those already prepared to move forward,” according to organizers. “It does not seek to deliver a negotiated outcome, but rather to generate shared understanding and actionable guidance that can help accelerate a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”

Standing on top of and around the visual of puking Trump in Madrid, Greenpeace activists carried signs calling for such a transition. The messages included: “Renewables, Power, Peace” in English, “No Oil, No War” in Portuguese, and “For a world free of fossil fuels” in Spanish.

A Greenpeace Spain activist holds a sign that says “For a world free of fossil fuels” in Spanish during a protest in Madrid on April 23, 2026. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez/Greenpeace)

“In the midst of a fossil fuel-driven energy crisis, the Santa Marta meeting offers light on the horizon,” said Greenpeace International climate politics expert Tracy Carty. “Rather than prolonging exposure to volatile and conflict-prone fossil fuels, governments must use this moment to accelerate a just transition to renewable energy that protects people from price shocks and builds long-term stability.”

“The coalition of committed states coming together in Santa Marta has the potential to spark bolder national action and international cooperation,” she noted. “That requires the development of national roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels, including ambitious renewable energy targets, and to scale up predictable, accessible, and affordable climate finance to support developing countries in delivering a just transition.”

Article by Jessica Corbett republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him. He says that Reform UK has received millions and millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.
Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him. He says that Reform UK has received millions and millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.

Continue Reading‘No Oil, No War’: Trump’s Attack on Iran Condemned Ahead of Global Climate Summit