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The Israeli attacks on Lebanon have pushed the country's population to the brink of a humanitarian crisis, with millions of civilians suffering and nearly a quarter of the population displaced. The conflict, which began four weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, has resulted in 1,094 deaths and 3,119 injuries in Lebanon, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health.The displaced are extremely frustrated and fatigued, with many feeling the pressure of deadly Israeli attacks, increasing petrol prices, and a general slowdown in business. The crisis has hit the most vulnerable populations, including migrant workers, Syrians, and those with chronic diseases.The humanitarian situation is dire, with women, children, and those with psychological issues suffering the most. The mass evacuation orders have resulted in a massive displacement crisis, with at least 1.2 million people displaced, according to the Lebanese government. The crisis has also had a significant impact on the country's healthcare system, with many women displaced from their healthcare networks.The never-ending trauma of the conflict has also taken a toll on the mental health of the population, with three in five people in Lebanon screening positive for depression, anxiety, or PTSD. The National Lifeline in Lebanon (1564) for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention Hotline has seen a substantial increase in calls, with almost 50 calls a day, up from 30 a day during the 2024 Israeli attacks.

In a devastating incident, three journalists were killed in southern Lebanon on Saturday, prompting outrage and condemnation from the Lebanese government and the international community. The victims, identified as Ali Shoeib from Hezbollah-owned al-Manar television station, and Fatima Ftouni and her brother Mohammed Ftouni from pro-Hezbollah outlet al-Mayadeen, were struck by an Israeli missile while driving in Jezzine, a district in south Lebanon far from the frontlines.The Israeli military claimed that the target was Shoeib, whom it accused of being a Hezbollah 'terrorist' in an intelligence unit who had reported on the locations of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon. However, international law clearly states that journalists are considered civilians and targeting them is a war crime, regardless of their political affiliation.The Lebanese government has strongly condemned the killings, with Lebanon's president, Joseph Aoun, describing the journalists as 'civilians doing their professional duty'. The minister of information, Paul Morcos, stated that the killing of the three journalists 'constitutes a deliberate and blatant war crime against the media and the mission of journalism'. The Lebanese government has compiled a list of Israeli attacks against healthcare workers and media personnel, which it will submit to the UN and the EU.This incident is part of a larger pattern of violence against journalists in the region. Israel has killed more than 220 journalists since 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders. The fighting in Lebanon started when Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel on 2 March, triggering an Israeli aerial campaign and invasion. The conflict has resulted in 1,189 deaths and 3,427 injuries in Lebanon, including 48 healthcare workers, according to the Lebanese ministry of health.

Ukraine has announced a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a mutually beneficial arrangement. The deal, which lays the groundwork for future contracts and technological cooperation, was made ahead of a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Zelenskyy stated that the agreement will facilitate technological cooperation and investment between the two nations. Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed the pact.The partnership comes at a time when Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, are under attack by Iran. Since the US and Israel began their military campaign against Tehran on February 28, Riyadh has intercepted hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. On Friday, the Saudi defence ministry reported that at least six missiles were intercepted.Ukraine, which has long battled Russian drones, is well-positioned to assist Gulf countries in countering Iranian attacks. Kyiv has become a major producer of cheap but efficient interceptor drones to counter Moscow's waves of drone attacks. In one of Russia's largest wartime aerial attacks on Ukraine, it launched 948 drones within 24 hours, killing two people.“This winter alone, Russia launched over 19,000 drones into Ukraine, just to give some perspective on how much experience they do have in shooting down drones,” said Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine, reporting from Kyiv. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to assist in the defence against Iranian attacks.

Iran has introduced a ban on its sports teams traveling to countries it considers 'hostile', as reported by Iranian state TV. This move comes ahead of Tractor SC's scheduled football match in Saudi Arabia as part of the Asian Champions League. The ban was announced nearly a month after US-Israeli attacks on Iran led to war on February 28. The Iranian Ministry of Sports stated that the presence of national and club teams in countries unable to ensure the security of Iranian athletes is prohibited until further notice. The decision specifically affects Tractor's playoff game against Shabab Al Ahli of Dubai in Saudi Arabia, set to take place next month. The Iranian football federation and clubs are responsible for notifying the Asian Football Confederation to relocate the games. Although the statement did not list countries deemed hostile, it mentioned that the western zone playoffs have been rescheduled for April 13-14 in Jeddah, with the tournament quarterfinals, semifinals, and final set for April 16-25 in the Saudi city. This development is separate from Iran's participation in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US in June and July, for which Iran has qualified. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has been negotiating with FIFA to move Iran's group-stage matches from the US to Mexico due to safety concerns raised by US President Donald Trump. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed a desire for the tournament to proceed as scheduled. The Iranian national team is currently training in Turkey ahead of friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica.

Balendra Shah, Nepal's youngest prime minister, has been officially sworn in following his party's decisive election victory that came after months of youth-led protests which resulted in the government's collapse in September.The rapper-turned-politician was appointed prime minister by President Ram Chandra Paudel on Friday, after his three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured 182 seats in the 275-member parliament during the March 5 election. This vote marked Nepal's first election since the anticorruption Gen Z-led demonstrations that tragically claimed 76 lives.The 35-year-old leader made a distinctive appearance during his swearing-in ceremony at the President House, wearing black trousers, a matching jacket, his signature black Nepali cloth cap, and sunglasses, in the presence of diplomats and senior government officials.A day prior to his formal appointment, the new premier, better known as Balen, released his first public statement since the historic election through a rap song shared on social media platforms. Titled Jay Mahakaali (Victory to Goddess Mahakali), the song features lyrics such as 'Nepal is not scared this time, the heart is full of red blood … Laughter and happiness will reach every household this time.' The accompanying music video, showcasing large crowds cheering during his campaign, has garnered nearly three million views.'The strength of unity is my national power,' Shah raps in the track that emphasizes his political message of national cohesion.A former mayor of Kathmandu, Shah holds the distinction of being Nepal's first Madhesi premier – representing people from the southern plains bordering India – to lead the Himalayan nation.China extended its official congratulations to Nepal on Shah's swearing-in, with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing support for its Himalayan neighbor in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.The political transition follows months of protests driven by widespread discontent over unemployment and systemic corruption in the nation of 30 million people. Approximately one-fifth of Nepal's population lives in poverty, with an estimated 1,500 citizens leaving the country daily for work abroad.Although Shah did not directly participate in the demonstrations, he publicly expressed solidarity with the largely Generation Z protesters who spearheaded the movement that brought down the previous administration.Political instability has long plagued Nepal, with 32 governments taking office since 1990, none of which have completed a full five-year term. The Nepali Congress party, the country's oldest political organization, secured only 38 seats in the recent election, placing it a distant second. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) of KP Sharma Oli, who resigned following the Gen Z unrest, now controls 25 parliamentary seats.Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki had been leading the nation through the interim period preceding the parliamentary election that brought Shah to power.

Rania Jaber had always dreamed of having a daughter, and when Narjis was born in 2020, she was overjoyed. Narjis was a bright and caring child, always looking out for her parents and twin brothers. Tragically, on March 2, Israeli bombs struck the family's home in Maifadoun, south Lebanon, killing Narjis and her aunt.Jaber described her daughter as 'wise beyond her years,' recalling how Narjis would comfort her during stressful times. The last thing Narjis said to her mother was, 'Mama, you're my life. Don't cry, I love you so much.' Hours later, Narjis was killed in the airstrike that left her mother and two brothers injured.Narjis's death is one of many child casualties in the conflict. Since the war began, 120 other children in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli strikes, making up nearly 10% of all deaths in the country. The Basma family, who were killed in an airstrike on their home in Nabatieh on March 14, is another example of the devastating impact on families.Experts warn that exposure to violence in children can lead to long-term developmental and behavioral issues. Dr. Rabih El Chammay, head of the national mental health program at the Lebanese ministry of public health, emphasized that 'children wake in fear, parents carry unbearable worry, and the hurt will echo for years, if not generations, after the bombs fall silent.'Jaber plans to seek psychological treatment for her sons once the war ends, deeply concerned about the long-term trauma caused by the bombing. For now, she and her family must cope with the immense grief of losing Narjis, a child described as 'incredibly kind, gentle, and loving.'

New York City's public hospital system has announced that it will not be renewing its contract with Palantir, a data analytics and AI firm, amid growing controversy over its government contracts in the UK. The decision comes as health officials in the UK express concerns over data privacy issues related to Palantir's £330m agreement with the National Health Service (NHS).The contract between NYC Health + Hospitals and Palantir, which focused on recovering money for insurance claims, was set to expire in October. According to documents shared with the Guardian, Palantir has paid nearly $4m to the hospital system since November 2023. The contract allowed Palantir to review patient health notes and help the hospital claim more money in public benefits through programs like Medicaid.Despite assurances from NYC Health + Hospitals that there was an 'absolute firewall' preventing Palantir from sharing information with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), activists and data privacy experts have raised concerns over the potential risks of Palantir accessing de-identified patient data for purposes other than research.As New York City prepares to part ways with Palantir, the company is expanding its influence in the UK, despite backlash from activists and lawmakers. Palantir has contracts with the British government's Ministry of Defence and is seeking access to sensitive national financial regulation data through a contract with the Financial Conduct Authority.Medact, a health justice charity, has raised concerns that Palantir's software could enable 'data-driven state abuses of power', including US-style ICE raids. In response, Palantir has denied that its data could be used in this way, citing that it would be illegal and a breach of contract.The decision by NYC Health + Hospitals to drop Palantir has been hailed as a victory by activists, who are now calling on the NHS to follow suit and terminate its £330m contract with the company. The 'Purge Palantir' campaign, which involves nurses, pro-Palestinian activists, and social and climate justice groups, aims to stop Palantir from contracting with government agencies, universities, and corporations.

Afghanistan's authorities have released US citizen Dennis Coyle, who was detained in the country for over a year. The release was announced by the country's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, stating that Coyle's detention period was deemed sufficient by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate.The decision to release Coyle was made on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of 'goodwill'. The UAE facilitated the release, which came after a meeting between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, former US Special Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, the UAE Ambassador to Kabul Saif Mohammed al-Ketbi, and a member of Coyle's family.Coyle, a linguist and researcher, was detained in January 2025 while working to support Afghan language communities. He was held 'in near-solitary conditions' without access to adequate medical care, according to the Foley Foundation. The Taliban authorities stated that Coyle was held 'due to violations of Afghanistan's applicable laws'.The release is seen as a positive step towards ending the practice of hostage diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked the UAE and Qatar for their support in securing Coyle's release, stating that it is a positive step towards ending the practice of hostage diplomacy.This is not the first time the Taliban has released US citizens as a goodwill gesture. Last year, five other US citizens were released under similar circumstances.

US President Donald Trump has asserted that negotiations to end the war on Iran are ongoing, claiming Tehran is eager to make a deal. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated the US is talking to 'the right people' about a potential agreement, mentioning a 'very big present' related to 'oil and gas' allegedly gifted by Tehran. Trump's claims come as fighting continues, with Iran launching attacks on Israel and a strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, had previously dismissed Trump's claims as 'fake news.' Media reports suggest Washington has sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war, which includes ending Iran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 61% of Americans disapprove of the attacks on Iran, while 35% approve. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged receiving messages from 'friendly countries' indicating a US request for negotiations. Negar Mortazavi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, stated Iran would seek to end the war on its 'own terms,' including establishing deterrence and economic gains. Despite Trump's diplomatic efforts, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said Israel's war plan remains 'unchanged,' aiming to 'deepen the damage and remove existential threats.' The US is reportedly preparing to send thousands of soldiers to the Middle East, fueling fears of a longer conflict.