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A projectile strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant has resulted in the death of one person, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The incident occurred amid escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iranian industrial sites, raising concerns over the safety of nuclear facilities. The IAEA confirmed that there was no increase in radiation levels after the attack on Saturday, citing Iranian authorities. The agency's Director General, Rafael Grossi, expressed deep concern about the incident, emphasizing that nuclear sites and nearby areas must never be attacked. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed that the Bushehr facility had been bombed four times since the war erupted on February 28, criticizing the lack of concern for its safety. The strike damaged an auxiliary building on the site, but the main sections of the power plant were not affected. The incident has sparked a renewed call for maximum military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident. The US and Israel have been escalating their targeting of Iranian industrial sites, including petrochemical plants in the southern Khuzestan region. The Bushehr plant, Iran's only operational nuclear power plant, is located in Bushehr city and is one of the country's most important industrial and military nodes. The plant's safety has been a concern, with 198 Russian staff evacuated following the attack, according to Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear company.

President Donald Trump warned that “all hell” would descend on Iran if Tehran failed to agree to a peace settlement within 48 hours. The Iranian government dismissed the demand as “helpless and nervous,” signaling a firm refusal to bow to U.S. pressure.Amid the diplomatic standoff, Iran reported that recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone resulted in five fatalities and left 170 people injured. The attacks, part of a broader campaign, have also targeted more than 30 Iranian universities since the conflict began, highlighting an expanding focus on the country’s educational and industrial infrastructure.In a separate development, a fire erupted at a key oil complex in Kuwait, raising concerns about potential interruptions to the nation’s oil output and the broader Gulf energy market. While the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, officials are working to contain the incident and prevent any spillover effects on global oil supplies.The twin events illustrate escalating geopolitical friction in the region. Iran’s rejection of the U.S. ultimatum may embolden further confrontations, while the Kuwait fire adds an economic dimension that could influence oil prices and investor sentiment worldwide.

James, the Manchester‑originated nine‑piece, have turned a five‑decade career into a living testament to longevity, headlining arenas while celebrating the surprise success of their 2024 album Yummy, which finally secured a UK No.1 spot 42 years after the band first formed.The group continues to defy conventional touring formulas. Frontman Tim Booth describes their shows as “crazy, idiosyncratic,” with nightly set‑list revisions and unreleased songs that often lack finished lyrics. One such piece, the eight‑minute “Nantucket,” features a wordless chorus, an electro‑violin groove and verses that proclaim a mission to inspire, embodying the band’s experimental spirit.Rather than relying solely on a greatest‑hits marathon, the two‑hour, 21‑song performance weaves in moody interludes, deep‑cut selections, and influences ranging from Brian Eno’s ambient textures to the pulsating beats of Italian house. Lyrical barbs aimed at billionaires and organized religion sit alongside anthemic warmth, creating a communal atmosphere. The opening number “Come Home” subtly nods to Booth’s Leeds roots, while trumpeter Andy Diagram sports a “No more war” T‑shirt, and Booth often reaches out to audience members, reinforcing the show’s inclusive vibe.Driving the rhythm is veteran drummer David Baynton‑Power, complemented by recent additions Chloe Alper and Debbie Knox‑Hewson, who inject fresh sonic layers. Booth, now 66, remains the band’s charismatic talisman, occasionally appearing on a balcony for “Born of Frustration” and the soaring “Say Something,” moments that feel almost ritualistic. Arena‑sized sing‑alongs erupt during “Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)” and the classic “Sit Down,” and when Booth finally dives off the stage, he is hoisted aloft by a sea of hands, underscoring the band’s unique connection with fans.The concert at P&J Live in Aberdeen on 7 April exemplified why James remains a special, brilliant force in live music, continuing a tour that proves their relevance and humanity endure across generations.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has condemned a drone strike that hit Al Jabalain Hospital in Sudan’s White Nile State, killing 10 people, among them seven medical staff members. The attack, which struck an operating theatre and a maternity ward, occurred during a children’s immunisation campaign, heightening the humanitarian outcry.MSF’s Sudan emergencies chief, Esperanza Santos, said the assault was “unacceptable” and noted that several of the deceased had previously worked with the organisation. She added that the strike represents a grave violation of medical neutrality.While the perpetrators have not been officially confirmed, MSF’s statement attributes the strike to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a claim echoed by Sudanese officials. On Friday, Khalid Aleisir, Sudan’s minister of culture, information, antiquities and tourism, called for the RSF to be designated a terrorist organisation and for its members to face prosecution.The incident follows a series of attacks on Sudan’s health infrastructure since the war erupted in April 2023. In a separate incident the same day, a medical supply depot in Rabak, the capital of White Nile State, was also hit. According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 attacks have targeted health facilities since the conflict began, underscoring a systematic pattern of violence against civilians.Local rights group Emergency Lawyers highlighted that recurring drone strikes across South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and the Darfur regions have displaced thousands, further straining an already fragile health system. The Sudan Doctors Network described the Al Jabalain strike as a “deliberate assault on health facilities and unarmed civilians,” warning that such actions exacerbate the nation’s deteriorating medical capacity.International observers note that the targeting of hospitals not only violates international humanitarian law but also hampers efforts to control disease outbreaks and provide essential care to vulnerable populations. The growing body of evidence may prompt renewed calls for accountability and stronger protective measures for health workers in conflict zones.

Israel’s military announced plans to bomb the Sohmor and Mashghara bridges spanning the Litani River in the western Bekaa Valley, stating they are being used by Hezbollah. The threat comes as Israeli forces intensify a ground invasion that began in early March. Al Jazeera reporter Obaida Hitto described the two spans as “the main arteries for goods, for people, for movement” between the rest of Lebanon and the western Bekaa. He warned that their destruction would effectively isolate the western Bekaa, making it extremely difficult for residents to reach the hub of Chtoura, hospitals, and other essential services. According to the same source, Israel has already demolished at least six other bridges over the Litani River since the offensive escalated in early March, signalling a systematic effort to sever transport links. Human‑rights organisations have condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure, arguing that the strategy appears designed to isolate the region and contravene international humanitarian law. The deepening ground operation, announced last week, also includes plans to raze “scores of residential homes,” raising further concerns about the scale of civilian displacement. On Friday, the South Lebanon Water Establishment reported that Israeli strikes damaged critical water facilities in Ibl al‑Saqi and al‑Maysat, and impaired solar‑power installations at several stations. The authority called the attacks a “clear and explicit violation of all international conventions and norms” protecting civilian services. In the same wave of violence, the National News Agency (NNA) confirmed that four people were killed across Lebanon on Friday, including two worshippers exiting a mosque in the western Bekaa town of Sahmar. Since the conflict erupted on 2 March, more than 1.2 million people have been forced from their homes, according to UN data. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health cites a death toll of 1,345 and over 4,000 wounded nationwide. The fighting has also claimed the lives of at least three United Nations peacekeepers this week, with two additional peacekeepers seriously injured after an explosion near a UN position in al‑Adaissah. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel urged all parties to respect the safety of peacekeepers, emphasizing that combat activities must not endanger UN personnel.

The United States has reaffirmed that it is still prepared to engage Tehran in diplomatic talks, despite the ongoing US‑Israel war against Iran and President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to target the country’s civilian infrastructure. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Al Jazeera that President Trump had pursued negotiations with Iran before the conflict erupted, but accused the Iranian regime of persisting in its quest for a nuclear weapon. "The president is always open to diplomacy, but he’s also clear that we will see our objectives fulfilled here," Pigott said, underscoring the administration’s dual track of diplomatic engagement and military pressure. In a primetime address aired on Wednesday, Trump echoed his earlier claims that the United States is winning the war, yet offered no concrete roadmap for ending the hostilities or reopening the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint whose closure by Tehran has driven global energy prices higher. The conflict began on February 28, shortly after a round of Geneva talks that Omani mediators and Iranian officials described as “positive.” Last year, Israel struck Iran’s three primary nuclear facilities in an operation the White House dubbed “Midnight Hammer.” Iran continues to deny any intention to develop a nuclear weapon, while Israel is widely believed to possess an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Former intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard testified to Congress that Iran was not rebuilding enrichment capacity before the June 2025 attacks, and later reiterated that there have been no efforts to restore its nuclear program since the strikes. Nevertheless, Tehran insists on the right to enrich uranium domestically and has ruled out negotiations over its missile program and support for groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Pigott emphasized that the United States is maintaining high‑level diplomatic contacts across the region, stating, "We see diplomatic engagement at the highest levels of this administration, with our partners in the region, to pursue our interests and explore what can happen here." The spokesperson also accused Iran of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, describing the threat of a nuclear‑armed Tehran as "intolerable." In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. and Israeli assets, as well as energy facilities, hotels, and airports throughout the Middle East. Trump later posted footage of a U.S. strike on a major Iranian bridge, warning that similar attacks could follow. He wrote on social media, "IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, and there is nothing left of what could become a great country." In the same speech, he threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants and, earlier in the week, suggested the United States could also target water desalination stations – actions that legal experts say would constitute collective punishment under international law. Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center, told Al Jazeera that Trump appears to be "scrambling" to intensify the war in hopes of forcing a resolution before the conflict turns into a definitive failure.

Widespread celebrations have erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo after the national football team secured a historic qualification for the World Cup, ending a 50-year wait for the country's football fans.The DR Congo team's achievement marks a significant milestone in the country's football history, bringing joy and pride to the nation.

Police forces in Gambia resorted to tear gas to break up a demonstration that erupted after authorities rearrested two siblings. The crowd gathered to protest what they described as an unjust repeat detention, prompting security officials to intervene with crowd‑control measures.Witnesses reported that the deployment of tear gas escalated the situation, forcing demonstrators to flee the area. The incident underscores growing public frustration with the handling of arrests and raises concerns about the use of force in managing civil unrest.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake erupted in the Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of Ternate, Indonesia, resulting in at least one fatality and an initial tsunami alert that was later rescinded.The United States Geological Survey (USGS) clarified that the tremor, first reported as magnitude 7.8, actually occurred at a depth of 35 km, deeper than the early estimate of 10 km. Apart from the confirmed death, no other immediate injuries were reported.The quake’s epicentre lay roughly 120 km (75 mi) from Ternate in the North Maluku province, prompting local authorities in Ternate and nearby Tidore to ready evacuation plans. Metro TV broadcast footage of damaged structures across the area.In Manado, North Sulawesi, a building collapse buried a resident, leading to the sole confirmed death; a rescue official added that another person sustained a leg injury.The Hawaii‑based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) warned of potentially hazardous waves within a 1,000‑km radius, affecting coastlines of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.Within thirty minutes, Indonesia’s BMKG agency recorded wave heights of up to 75 cm in North Minahasa and 20 cm in Bitung, both on Sulawesi’s northern shore, with an additional 30 cm rise in North Maluku.Just over two hours after the event, the PTWC lifted the tsunami warning, declaring that the threat had passed.Indonesia’s position on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it especially vulnerable to such seismic activity, underscoring the importance of rapid monitoring and public‑safety measures.