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A significant generational divide has emerged among conservatives at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, as the group's leaders plead for unity ahead of a challenging midterm election year for Republicans. The divide centers on the US war with Iran, with younger conservatives expressing disappointment and even 'betrayal' over Donald Trump's launch of strikes against Iran.Younger conservatives argue that Trump's actions run counter to his campaign pledges to oppose foreign entanglements. In contrast, older conservatives are looking past Trump's campaign criticism of military action, arguing that the war in Iran is a pragmatic act forced by threats to the US.The conference, usually a place of optimism, was marked by anxiety over the Iran war, with attendees debating the direction of the Maga movement. The absence of Trump, who is apparently consumed with the war in Iran, was also notable.Meanwhile, Iran has accused the US of plotting a ground assault while publicly seeking talks, as the war enters its second month. The conflict has killed thousands of people and caused significant disruptions to global energy supplies.In related news, US lawmakers are reacting to reports that the Pentagon is preparing for ground operations in Iran, with some expressing concerns about the objectives and execution of such operations.

On Palm Sunday, Christians in Lebanon gathered in churches to commemorate Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but the celebrations were overshadowed by the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Maronite Catholic church near Dahiyeh in Beirut's southern suburbs was filled to capacity, despite being close to a largely deserted district due to Israeli evacuation orders and ongoing air strikes.In the coastal city of Tyre, church bells tolled and choral music filled the air as residents sought solace in preserving their sacred traditions amid the devastation. Worshippers prayed earnestly for peace, aware of Lebanon's history of sectarian tensions rooted in the 1975-1990 civil war between Christians and Muslims.Mahia Jamus, a 20-year-old university student in Beirut, expressed concern that no one is safe from the conflict's effects. "There's no bombing here right now, but no one is safe from this—not the Christians, not anyone," she said. "No one is spared from its effects."In Tyre, Roseth Katra, 41, emphasized the importance of preserving traditions despite the surrounding devastation. "Amid the wars, the tragedies, and the destruction happening around us, we remain on our land," she said. "Today is Palm Sunday, and we are celebrating."The conflict has resulted in at least 1,238 people killed and over 3,500 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health. Israeli troops have launched a ground invasion advancing towards the Litani River, while Hezbollah has claimed dozens of operations against Israeli forces.

A devastating attack by Sudanese paramilitaries on South Kordofan has claimed the lives of at least 14 people, including five children and two women, according to a medical group. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North launched a hours-long assault on residential areas in the city of Dilling, leaving at least 23 others wounded, including seven children.The Sudan Doctors Network reported that the attack was part of a larger conflict that has ravaged the region. The military, which recently broke an RSF siege on the city, said it successfully fended off the attack on the capital of South Kordofan province.The doctors' group warned of a possible “catastrophic scenario” similar to the one that occurred in the Darfur city of el-Fasher. The RSF's invasion of el-Fasher in October was marked by “hallmarks of genocide”, according to UN-commissioned experts. More than 6,000 people were killed over three days in el-Fasher when the RSF unleashed a wave of intense violence.The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in mid-April 2023, has led to one of the world's fastest-growing man-made humanitarian crises. Over 12 million people have been forced from their homes, and more than 33 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. According to UN figures, more than 40,000 people have been killed over the past three years, although aid groups believe the true death toll could be significantly higher.Both sides have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which are being investigated by the International Criminal Court. The fighting has recently centered on Darfur and the Kordofan region, with deadly drone attacks reported daily. The UN Human Rights Office reported that more than 500 civilians were killed in drone strikes this year as of mid-March.

The US-Israel war on Iran has entered its 30th day, with diplomatic efforts intensifying to bring an end to the conflict. Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to hold talks in Islamabad, aimed at de-escalating the situation.The conflict has escalated across the Middle East, with Yemen's Houthis joining the war by firing missiles at Israel on Saturday. Tehran has threatened retaliatory attacks on Israeli and US universities in the region after the United States and Israel bombed Iranian universities.US-Israeli strikes have continued, with powerful explosions rocking Tehran on Sunday morning, killing two people and wounding five in a residential area. The Iranian Fars news agency reported that US-Israeli attacks also hit the Saadat Abad neighbourhood of northern Tehran and another residential area in the west of the capital.In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed 10 drones in the early hours of Sunday, while the UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defences responded to missiles and drone threats. Emirates Global Aluminium reported that an Iranian attack on Saturday inflicted significant damage on one of its sites in Abu Dhabi and wounded six employees.Iran's power has been underestimated, according to Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall, reporting from Tehran. He said that one month into the war, Iran has proved that its power was underestimated by the enemy, who thought that the war would be a short excursion and that the country would capitulate after just a few days of bombardment.The conflict has also led to protests in Lebanon, with protesters taking to the streets in Beirut after Israeli forces killed journalists Fatima Ftouni and her brother and colleague, Mohammed, of Al Mayadeen, as well as Al-Manar's Ali Shuaib on Saturday.In Israel, people took to the streets in Tel Aviv, rallying against the war and increased settler violence, as they clashed with police. The Israeli military announced the death of a soldier, Moshe Yitzhak HaCohen Katz, in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel continue.The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said some 3,500 additional soldiers arrived in the Middle East on board the USS Tripoli. The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, although Al Jazeera could not independently verify the report.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for conducting missile and drone attacks on aluminium facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to a statement carried by Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC targeted sites on Saturday that were allegedly linked to US military bases in the Gulf states.The attacks resulted in injuries to two employees at Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and significant damage to one of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) sites in Abu Dhabi, with six people injured. The IRGC stated that the strikes were in retaliation for a US-Israeli attack on Iranian industrial infrastructure launched from military bases hosting US forces in the Gulf states.The attacks have raised concerns about the global aluminium supply, with estimates suggesting that between 4 to 9 percent of the global supply comes from this region. The escalation of attacks in the Middle East has led to increased tensions, with Saudi Arabia intercepting and destroying 10 drones and the Kuwaiti National Guard shooting down four drones.Analysts warn that if Iran continues to match attack for attack, the situation could become very concerning, potentially leading to further escalation in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The attacks have also prompted Oman's Foreign Ministry to condemn the attacks on its territory, with authorities investigating the sources and motives behind the assaults.

Kuwait's airport experienced significant disruptions following Iranian drone strikes, underscoring the increasing tensions between the two nations. The incident has raised concerns about regional stability and security.

The southern Israeli city of Eilat came under attack by missiles, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region. The incident occurred on March 29, 2026, at 02:00:53.855689+00:00. Details about the attack, including casualties or damage, have not been provided.Eilat, a strategic port city on the Red Sea, has been a focal point in various regional conflicts. Missile strikes on the city could indicate a rise in hostilities or a new wave of aggression.The situation remains fluid, with authorities likely to investigate the incident and respond accordingly. The international community is closely monitoring developments in the region, given the historical significance and geopolitical importance of Eilat.

Recent air strikes on Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) have resulted in the deaths of three PMF fighters and two Iraqi police officers. The attacks, which occurred near northern Iraq's Kirkuk Airport, also left two fighters wounded and six Iraqi soldiers injured.An Iraqi security source revealed that the double-bombing was part of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which has been spilling over into Iraq's eastern border. The PMF, a coalition now integrated into the regular Iraqi army, accused the US and Israel of a 'treacherous Zionist-American' attack.In a separate incident, Reuters reported that two members of the Iraqi police were killed in an air strike targeting the PMF in Mosul, approximately 105 miles northwest of Kirkuk. This development has contributed to the escalating tensions in the region.Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reported from Baghdad that Iraq is becoming an 'expanding battleground' in the crisis. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and now threatens to engulf the region in a protracted conflict.The PMF, formed in 2014 to fight ISIL (ISIS), has been targeted by pro-Iran armed groups within the coalition. These groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and beyond.Haque noted that the PMF takes its orders from Baghdad, but some factions are loyal to Tehran. This complex dynamic makes it challenging for Baghdad to manage the different factions effectively.Iraq finds itself 'on a tightrope' between the US and Iran, said Haque, due to its economic and security ties with both countries. The government must balance its relationships with its biggest neighbor, Iran, and the United States.In related incidents, two drones targeted an airbase serving as a hub for US and coalition forces near Erbil airport in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The US C-RAM air defence system successfully intercepted the drones.French President Emmanuel Macron described the increased attacks in Iraq as a 'worrying development' after speaking to Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdish region.

Iran has agreed to permit 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil supplies. This development is seen as a significant step towards alleviating the severe energy crisis affecting the region.Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, announced the agreement, stating that two ships will cross daily under the arrangement. He described Iran's decision as 'a harbinger of peace' and a 'welcome and constructive gesture'.The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a war that has resulted in significant loss of life and disruptions to global markets. The conflict has killed about 2,000 Iranians and over 1,100 people in Lebanon.The strait is a critical passage for oil supplies, with an estimated 2,000 vessels stranded on either side. This blockade has caused oil prices to surge past $100 a barrel, up by roughly 40 percent. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has turned the strait into a checkpoint, requiring ships to submit cargo details and receive clearance codes.At least two vessels have reportedly paid $2 million per crossing, settled in Chinese yuan, to secure passage. Iran's parliament is now moving to legalize this arrangement as a potential source of revenue.This agreement is the result of intense Pakistani diplomacy, with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir speaking to US President Donald Trump and Foreign Minister Dar holding calls with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts.