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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that his government is ready to hold direct talks with Lebanon, following a series of devastating Israeli attacks that killed over 300 people and threatened a fragile US-Iran ceasefire.In a statement released on Thursday, Netanyahu said that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon. This move comes a day after Israeli attacks across Lebanon resulted in significant casualties and raised concerns about the stability of the region.The Israeli attacks have killed at least 303 people and wounded over 1,000 in central Beirut and other areas of Lebanon. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has declared Thursday a 'national day of mourning' in response to the attacks.Netanyahu's announcement comes as Hezbollah has rejected direct negotiations with Israel, stating that the Lebanese government should demand a ceasefire as a precondition before further steps. An official source has also confirmed that there will be no talks before a ceasefire is secured.The situation remains volatile, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning that Israeli strikes on Lebanon would render negotiations meaningless. The US and Iran are set to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday for talks on ending the war, with concerns growing about the impact of the conflict on the fragile ceasefire deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Thursday that it would be "dumb" for the United States to permit Israel to jeopardise the newly‑declared regional ceasefire by persisting with its intense bombardment of Lebanon, a campaign that has already claimed hundreds of lives. Araghchi noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial is set to resume on Sunday, suggesting the prime minister may have ulterior motives for sustaining the fighting. He wrote on social media that a ceasefire encompassing Lebanon would "hasten his jailing," implying that the truce could pressure Netanyahu’s legal woes. Addressing Washington directly, Araghchi said: "If the US wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice. We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it." The statement echoes language used by U.S. Vice President JD Vance the previous day, who warned that Iran would find it "dumb" to let the ceasefire collapse over Lebanon, yet framed it as a choice for Tehran. Since the ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, the dispute over whether it applies to Lebanon has become a central obstacle to sustaining the truce. Iranian officials and media have hinted that Tehran could respond militarily to Israel’s assault on Lebanon or even block the Strait of Hormuz to enforce a Lebanon‑wide ceasefire. President Donald Trump told NBC News that he had spoken with Netanyahu and urged the Israeli government to "scale back" its operations in Lebanon, describing the approach as "low‑key." Vance also reported that Israeli officials had agreed to "check themselves a little bit in Lebanon." Despite these diplomatic overtures, the violence shows no sign of abating. The death toll from recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon has already surpassed 300, marking one of the deadliest days in the country’s recent history. On Thursday, Israel launched several new attacks, including a strike that killed four rescuers in the southern town of Borj Qalaouiye, and issued a displacement order for Beirut’s Jnah district, home to two major hospitals and tens of thousands of residents and displaced persons. The United States has a track record of asserting that Israel will curb its military actions, only to witness continued strikes. In 2024, the Biden administration insisted that Israel’s operation in Rafah was "limited," yet the Israeli military ultimately razed nearly every structure in the city, a tactic now hinted at for southern Lebanon. The Lebanese conflict escalated into full‑scale war in early March after Hezbollah fired rockets in retaliation for Israeli strikes and following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. Since a separate November 2024 ceasefire, Israel has maintained near‑daily attacks on Lebanon, targeting civilian infrastructure and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

Google and Intel announced an expanded multiyear agreement that will keep Google Cloud on Intel’s Xeon CPUs while accelerating joint development of custom infrastructure processing units (IPUs) designed for AI inference and data‑center workloads. Expanded Multiyear AI Infrastructure Deal Announcement date: 2026-04-09 Partnership originally launched in 2021 Focus on co‑development of ASIC‑based IPUs and continued use of Intel’s Xeon line Technical Scope and Processor Commitments The agreement specifies that Google Cloud will run Intel’s latest Xeon 6 chips for AI, cloud, and inference tasks, extending a decades‑long reliance on Xeon CPUs. Xeon 6 chips are positioned as the flagship CPU for AI workloads, complementing GPU accelerators. Custom IPUs will offload AI‑specific processing from general‑purpose CPUs, improving efficiency. Pricing details were not disclosed by Intel. Strategic Impact on the AI Compute Landscape Industry analysts note a pivot toward CPU‑centric architectures as the global AI boom strains GPU supply chains. By bolstering CPU and IPU capabilities, the partnership aims to deliver balanced systems that can scale AI workloads without relying solely on GPUs. Lip‑Bu Tan, Intel CEO, emphasized that “balanced systems” are essential for modern AI workloads. Recent CPU shortages have prompted rivals like Arm Holdings to launch their own AI‑focused CPUs (Arm AGI). The move may pressure other cloud providers to diversify beyond Nvidia‑centric stacks. Future Outlook for CPU‑Centric AI Architecture With the partnership deepening, both companies are likely to iterate on next‑generation Xeon processors and IPU designs, targeting higher throughput and lower power consumption. Expect further announcements on custom silicon roadmaps and potential joint reference designs for enterprise AI deployments. Short‑term: Expanded Xeon deployment across Google Cloud’s AI services. Mid‑term: Introduction of first‑generation custom IPUs in production workloads. Long‑term: A more heterogeneous compute stack where CPUs, IPUs, and GPUs coexist to meet diverse AI demands.

On 9 April 2026, a group of Israeli settlers moved into the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem shortly after the site was reopened to worshippers. The incursion, reported by Al Jazeera, sparked immediate concern among Palestinian authorities and international observers, who warned that such actions could further inflame long‑standing tensions over the holy site.Witnesses described the settlers as storming the compound, prompting a rapid response from local security forces attempting to restore order. The episode underscores the fragile security environment surrounding the Temple Mount/Haram al‑Sharif area, a flashpoint in the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.Analysts note that the incident may have broader implications for diplomatic efforts in the region, potentially affecting ongoing negotiations and the stability of the broader Middle East. The event also raises questions about the enforcement of access agreements that govern the sensitive religious site.

A tragic incident unfolded early on Thursday off the northern coast of France, near Calais, as four people died while attempting to board an inflatable dinghy to cross the English Channel to the UK. The group of migrants waded into the sea to reach a small boat positioned offshore, but things went wrong, and they struggled in the water.Christian Fourcroy, the mayor of Equihen-Plage, confirmed that two women and two men lost their lives in the incident. A fifth person remains in a critical condition. Emergency services launched a rescue operation along the coastline between Equihen and Ecault, France, and 38 other people were rescued, including one with a medical emergency.The Boulogne prosecutor has opened an investigation into the deaths. This incident is part of a surge in attempted crossings and deaths in recent days. French maritime authorities reported rescuing 102 people in two separate operations on Wednesday while trying to cross the channel. Just last week, two people died in a similar incident off the coast north of Calais.Despite heightened enforcement efforts by France and the UK, 4,776 people crossed the channel between January 1 and April 4 this year, following over 41,000 crossings in 2025. The UK remains a destination for many undocumented migrants due to family ties, language, and the prospect of work. However, the journey is frequently perilous, with overcrowded boats and unpredictable conditions putting lives at risk.The issue has intensified political debate across Europe, with Paris and London seeking to deter crossings through a 'one in, one out' scheme, allowing some migrants to enter the UK legally in exchange for the return of others who arrive by boat. Rights groups argue that such measures fail to address the root causes driving people to risk the journey, emphasizing the need for safer pathways to be created.

Event details: The heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov is scheduled for Saturday, 11 April 2026. The main card will tip‑off at 19:00 GMT, with the headline bout slated for just after 22:00 GMT at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The fight will be streamed live on Netflix, while Al Jazeera will provide a text‑based live commentary starting at 18:00 GMT. Fury, the 37‑year‑old former two‑time world champion, returns after a 15‑month hiatus following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. His professional record stands at 34‑2‑1 with 24 knockouts, and he towers at 206 cm (6 ft 9 in) with a 216 cm reach. Makhmudov, a 36‑year‑old Dagestani‑born Canadian resident, holds a 21‑2‑0 record, 19 of those wins by KO, measures 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) and has a 194 cm reach. The bout is billed as a 12‑round heavyweight clash, offering Fury a chance to rebuild his résumé and potentially earn a high‑profile encounter with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. Makhmudov, however, is far from a tune‑up opponent; 90 % of his victories have come by knockout, and he has demonstrated power against seasoned fighters such as Dave Allen and Carlos Takam. Fury’s perspective: In a recent BBC interview, the “Gypsy King” said he feels “as good as I’ve ever felt” and is “as sharp as I’ve ever been,” emphasizing the need to be at peak form to survive Makhmudov’s single‑punch knockout power. He added that a win would pave the way for a long‑desired showdown with Joshua. Makhmudov’s outlook: The Dagestani fighter described Fury as a “legend” and expressed confidence in his ability to win, noting that the contest will test both mental and spiritual strengths. He hinted at a philosophical edge, saying, “It’s a war between mind and spirit – Inshallah the spirit wins.” Beyond the headline fight, the co‑main event will feature Conor Benn versus Regis Prograis** at 21:30 GMT, marking Benn’s first bout under Zuffa Boxing after parting ways with Matchroom. The British heavyweight title will be defended by Jeamie Tshikeva against Richard Riakporhe**, while Frazer Clarke meets Justis Huni** in a heavyweight clash. Preliminary action includes middleweight, light‑welterweight and flyweight contests, rounding out a full card designed to keep fans engaged throughout the evening. Personal drama adds intrigue: Fury’s father, “Big John” Fury, who has been a vocal presence in his son’s career, is reportedly absent after a recent fallout, though Tyson downplays the impact, stating that the crowd’s composition is irrelevant to his focus. Overall, the London event promises a high‑stakes narrative – a veteran champion seeking redemption, a rising knockout artist eager to cement his status, and a potential pathway to a blockbuster British heavyweight showdown later in the year.

Israel's wave of air attacks on Lebanon has resulted in a significant escalation of violence, with over 250 people killed and 1,165 wounded. The attacks, which occurred just hours after the announcement of a two-week US-Iran ceasefire, have raised concerns about the fragility of the agreement.The Israeli military claimed it was targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure, but Lebanese officials and aid groups reported that entire neighborhoods were devastated, with hospitals overwhelmed and emergency services struggling to cope. The United Nations described the casualty figures as 'appalling', with its human rights chief Volker Turk calling the destruction 'horrific'.The attacks have exposed major disagreements over the scope of the ceasefire, with the US and Israel claiming it excludes Lebanon, while Iran and Pakistan argue it includes the country. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped broker the deal, stated that the ceasefire deal included the halting of attacks on all fronts, specifically mentioning Lebanon.The continuation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon poses a significant threat to the prospects for the ceasefire between the US and Iran. Analysts warn that if Hezbollah continues to be targeted while attacks on Iran remain paused, Tehran could lose both its leverage and credibility within its network of resistance groups.International reaction has largely focused on condemning the scale of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and calling for Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire. Several countries, including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, described the attacks as a 'dangerous escalation' and urged the international community to act.

President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that U.S. troops, aircraft and naval vessels will stay positioned around Iran until what he termed the "REAL AGREEMENT" is fully honored, warning that any failure by Tehran will trigger "bigger, better, and stronger" military action.Trump’s message, posted late Wednesday, underscores Washington’s demand that Iran abandon any nuclear weapons ambitions and guarantee safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. He added that U.S. forces are "loading up and resting, looking forward to its next conquest," a rhetoric that heightens concerns of a rapid escalation.The announcement follows a two‑week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan that paused six weeks of combat and briefly steadied global markets worried about disruptions to oil shipments through Hormuz. However, the truce remains precarious.Iranian semi‑official outlets ISNA and Tasnim released a chart suggesting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had laid sea mines in the strait, marking a "danger zone" that forced some vessels to navigate farther north near Larak Island. The chart, dated Feb. 28 to Apr. 9, leaves it unclear whether the mines have been cleared.On the ground in Tehran, public sentiment is deeply skeptical. One woman told Al Jazeera that any day without bloodshed would be "very good," while another dismissed the ceasefire as meaningless while Israel continues its bombardment of Lebanon. A third resident called the truce "a theatrical show" orchestrated by Trump.Negotiations are further complicated by Tehran’s rejection of a sweeping U.S. proposal. Iran insists on an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the lifting of sanctions—conditions Washington has yet to accept.Despite the uncertainty, Iranian officials hinted at a diplomatic push: Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam announced on X that a delegation would arrive in Islamabad for talks based on ten Iranian‑proposed points, though he later deleted the post. Pakistan’s capital simultaneously announced two days of unannounced holidays, adding to the opacity.Israel has intensified its campaign in Lebanon, killing at least 182 people in a single day, which Tehran warns could render further negotiations "unreasonable" under the current circumstances.In Washington, opposition to the conflict is mounting. Senator Cory Booker announced that Democrats intend to invoke the War Powers Resolution to force a congressional vote, condemning Trump’s actions as "unauthorised" and "reckless war‑mongering" that the American public does not support.The convergence of U.S. military posturing, Iranian skepticism, Israeli escalation, and domestic political pressure creates a volatile environment where the fragile ceasefire could unravel, threatening regional security and global energy markets.

At a Wednesday briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the ongoing US‑Israel war against Iran as a "test" that NATO failed, hinting that President Donald Trump is weighing a possible withdrawal from the alliance. She quoted the president saying the partnership had turned its back on the American people over the past six weeks. Shortly thereafter, Trump met with NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte at the White House. Both described the discussion as "frank and open," with Rutte acknowledging logistical support and base access from allies, but noting the absence of direct military contributions. During a CNN interview, host Jake Tapper asked Rutte whether the president intended to pull the United States out of NATO or at least reduce its backing. Rutte admitted there was disappointment, yet emphasized he had listened carefully to Trump’s arguments and praised the president’s leadership. Since assuming office in 2025, Trump has intensified pressure on NATO members to raise defence spending. At the 2025 NATO summit, members agreed to a non‑binding target of 5 % of GDP by 2035. Spain’s request for an exemption sparked a year‑long public denouncement by Trump. Earlier, Trump threatened to seize the Danish territory of Greenland, claiming its strategic value, though the United States has since softened that stance. Nevertheless, he continues to argue that US control of Greenland is essential, despite opposition from local residents and European leaders. The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration is evaluating the closure of U.S. bases or the redeployment of troops from countries such as Spain and Germany as retaliation for their limited engagement in the Iran conflict. When pressed about a potential NATO exit, Leavitt confirmed that the president "has discussed" the option and may address it after his meeting with Rutte. The president’s relationship with Rutte remains close; the Dutch leader has visited the White House multiple times during Trump’s second term. Rutte warned that NATO "will not work" without U.S. support, underscoring the strategic stakes of any American pull‑back. The unfolding debate highlights a deepening rift between Washington and its European partners at a time when the broader geopolitical landscape is already destabilised by the Iran war.