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  • Israeli PM says 70 per cent of Iran’s steel industry wiped out

    Israeli PM says 70 per cent of Iran’s steel industry wiped out

    MIDDLE EAST, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that the Israeli Air Force has destroyed 70 per cent of Iran’s steel production capacity, calling it a “tremendous achievement” that deprives the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of critical funding sources and the ability to manufacture large quantities of weapons.

    In a televised address, Netanyahu emphasised that the operation was carried out in full coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military, underscoring the depth of strategic cooperation between the two allies. He vowed to continue pressing Iran militarily, declaring that Israel would “crush” its adversary until its capacity to wage war was eliminated. “The Iranian regime is weaker than ever — Israel is stronger than ever,” he said.

    Turning to ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are intensifying strikes against Hezbollah positions. He explained that the expansion of the security zone along the northern border is aimed at protecting Israeli communities from rocket fire and cross‑border attacks. “We are continuing to forcefully strike at Hezbollah. We are expanding the security zone and firmly establishing it to safeguard the North,” he noted.

    The Prime Minister also commended Israeli citizens for their resilience and discipline in following Home Front Command instructions, even during the Passover Seder night. He urged the public to remain steadfast as the conflict continues. “With God’s help, we will continue to fight and achieve all of our goals. Happy Passover,” Netanyahu concluded.

    Analysts say the destruction of Iran’s steel capacity represents a significant escalation in the conflict, potentially crippling Tehran’s industrial base and limiting its ability to sustain prolonged military operations. 

    The announcement also highlights the growing coordination between Israel and the United States, a partnership that has become central to the broader regional strategy against Iran and its allies.

  • U.S. pilot rescued after fighter jet downed in Iran, one missing

    U.S. pilot rescued after fighter jet downed in Iran, one missing

    MIDDLE EAST, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — One of the two pilots aboard a U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran has been rescued by American forces, U.S. officials confirmed Friday, while an intensive search continues for the second crew member. The U.S. Army said it maintains a robust search‑and‑rescue capability in the region and is deploying all available resources to locate the missing pilot.

    Earlier in the day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for downing the jet over central Iran. Images and videos of wreckage quickly circulated on social media and were amplified by Iranian state outlets. Reports also suggested that at least one U.S. C‑130 transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were seen flying low over central and southwestern Iran, believed to be part of ongoing recovery efforts.

    The incident comes amid repeated assertions by President Donald Trump, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and senior military commanders that U.S. forces had established air superiority in the conflict. They argued Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been largely neutralised. “Now, in our fifth week of the campaign, it is my operational assessment that we are making undeniable progress. We don’t see their navy sailing. We don’t see their aircraft flying, and their air and missile defence systems have largely been destroyed,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Thursday.

    Iranian state television escalated rhetoric following the shootdown, with a local affiliate announcing a reward for anyone able to capture the surviving pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to authorities. The broadcast also carried a written message urging civilians to fire at any U.S. aircraft seen overhead, a move analysts warn could further inflame tensions and complicate rescue operations.

    The downing of the F‑15E marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising questions about the durability of U.S. air dominance and the potential for broader confrontation. With one pilot safely recovered and another still missing, the situation remains fluid.

  • BREAKING: U.S. F‑15E Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran as conflict escalates

    BREAKING: U.S. F‑15E Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran as conflict escalates

    MIDDLE EAST, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Reports from Reuters and the Wall Street Journal indicate that a U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has been shot down over Iranian territory, with officials confirming that a search is underway for the crew. Iranian media outlets have circulated images claiming to show wreckage from the aircraft, including identifiable markings, which has heightened tensions in the already volatile Middle East conflict.  

    According to Iranian sources, the jet was downed by advanced air defence systems, while U.S. officials acknowledged the loss but withheld details about the crew’s status.

     Analysts note that this marks the first confirmed U.S. warplane lost to hostile fire since the escalation of the Iran conflict, a development that could trigger retaliatory measures and further complicate diplomatic relations. 

    The incident underscores the growing risks of direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with both sides now facing pressure to respond decisively. 

    More reports on the incident will be available as the situation develops. 

  • Iran’s envoy criticises Argentina’s expulsion decision, says decision influenced by US, Israel

    Iran’s envoy criticises Argentina’s expulsion decision, says decision influenced by US, Israel

    INTERNATIONAL, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Argentina, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, has condemned Buenos Aires’ decision to expel him, warning that the move “does not benefit” his host country and “only makes things worse.”

    Speaking in an interview before departing Argentina for Tehran, the veteran diplomat criticised what he described as Argentina’s misguided political participation in the ongoing Iran War. “It is not a sovereign decision to join an illegal war against all international norms,” Tehrani said, accusing the Argentine government of aligning itself too closely with the United States and Israel in the Middle East conflict.

    He stressed that Iran does not object to Argentina maintaining relations with Washington or Tel Aviv, but strongly opposed the government’s declaration that Argentina is part of the aggression against Iran. “What we criticise is that the President says Argentina is part of the aggression, that he is willing to send logistical support and that ‘we are going to win the war.’ That is something very serious,” Soltani noted.

    The envoy argued that such rhetoric carries consequences even if Argentina lacks the capacity to send troops. “Just saying it has consequences. The President’s decisions may bring consequences,” he warned, adding that the stance undermines Argentina’s sovereignty and risks escalating tensions. 

    Tehrani concluded that the expulsion reflects a broader failure of diplomacy and could further isolate Argentina at a time when constructive engagement is most needed.

  • UN Chief warns of wider Middle East War, urges dialogue over destruction

    UN Chief warns of wider Middle East War, urges dialogue over destruction

    INTERNATIONAL, 2 April 2026 (NPA) — United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that the world is “on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe.” Speaking at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, following a Security Council meeting on cooperation with Gulf States, he appealed to all parties to halt hostilities and choose diplomacy over confrontation.

    Guterres condemned the military strikes against Iran on 28 February and subsequent attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan, describing them as “clear violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He stressed that “conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction.”

    The UN chief called on the United States, Israel and Iran to stop the war, warning that each day of continued fighting brings mounting human suffering, indiscriminate attacks and escalating devastation. He urged Iran specifically to “stop attacking your neighbours,” while pressing all sides to respect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including nuclear installations.

    Highlighting the global economic repercussions, Guterres emphasised the need to uphold freedom of navigation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor through which one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas is exported. He cautioned that disruptions to maritime routes and energy supplies risk deepening the cost‑of‑living crisis and fuelling hunger worldwide.

    Diplomatic efforts are underway, with Jean Arnault appointed as the Secretary‑General’s Personal Envoy to lead UN engagement on the Middle East conflict. Guterres underscored that strengthened cooperation between the UN and Gulf States is “not only timely; it is necessary.”

    “The choice is clear,” he concluded. “Dialogue must prevail over destruction if the region and the world are to avoid catastrophe.”

  • Amina Mohammed brings UN Women leaders together to champion equality and multilateralism

    Amina Mohammed brings UN Women leaders together to champion equality and multilateralism

    INTERNATIONAL, 2 April 2026 (NPA) — United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed has united senior women leaders in a powerful call to defend multilateralism and advance gender equality at a time of mounting global challenges.

    The meeting, now in its fifth year, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to women’s rights, the Sustainable Development Goals and the principles of the UN Charter. Convened against a backdrop of economic volatility, rising inequality and growing pressure on hard-won freedoms, participants stressed that gender equality is not only a human rights imperative but also the foundation of sustainable development, peace and inclusive prosperity.

    Women leaders underscored the decisive role of female leadership in building fairer, more peaceful societies. They identified the urgent removal of systemic barriers across political, economic and social spheres as a critical priority. With first-hand experience of today’s intersecting crises, the leaders focused on practical policies and solutions to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

    Discussions ranged from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to artificial intelligence, philanthropy, financing human dignity and the state of multilateralism. The gathering also featured meaningful engagement with youth, whose perspectives highlighted the importance of intergenerational collaboration.

    The event concluded with a unified call to action: protect multilateralism, increase investment, and elevate women’s leadership to the highest levels of decision-making.

  • Russia launches massive drone assault on Ukraine, strikes Kharkiv and Dnipro

    Russia launches massive drone assault on Ukraine, strikes Kharkiv and Dnipro

    INTERNATIONAL, 2 April 2026 (NPA) — Russia carried out a sweeping overnight drone offensive across Ukraine, striking residential areas, infrastructure, and port facilities, leaving at least one civilian dead and several others injured.

    Authorities in Kharkiv reported multiple waves of attacks beginning on the evening of 1 April. Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that a Molniya suicide drone struck a residential high-rise in the Shevchenkivskyi district, shattering windows and hitting the ninth floor. Casualties were reported, though details remain under verification. Subsequent strikes with Shahed drones ignited fires in the Kyivskyi district, damaging vehicles and targeting critical infrastructure.

    The State Emergency Service (DSNS) said two civilians were injured in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, after drones set ablaze several floors of a residential building. The fire spread across 300 square metres, damaging nearby homes and a gas network.

    In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Synelnykove suffered a deadly strike that killed one man and injured a woman and a 12‑year‑old boy. Fires engulfed a shopping complex, an administrative building, and private homes.

    Ukraine’s Ministry of Community and Territorial Development confirmed that port infrastructure in Odesa was also attacked. Warehouses, hangars, and administrative facilities were damaged, with containers and a civilian car set alight. No casualties were reported in that strike.

    According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 172 drones between 6 p.m. on 1 April and the morning of 2 April, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas models. Air defences intercepted or suppressed 147 of them, but 22 drones struck 12 locations, with debris falling in eight others.

    Emergency services remain deployed across affected regions as Ukraine continues to repel one of Russia’s largest drone assaults in recent months.

  • Trump says Iran requests ceasefire conditional on Strait of Hormuz opening

    Trump says Iran requests ceasefire conditional on Strait of Hormuz opening

    INTERNATIONAL, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iranian authorities have approached Washington seeking a ceasefire. However, he insisted that any such consideration would only be possible if the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear.”

    The President made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on Truth Social, adding that the US military would continue its operations against Iran if the strategic waterway remained obstructed.

    He wrote: “The Iran’s New Regime President, much less radicalised and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!! President DJT.”

    Iran, however, has on many occasions denied engaging in ceasefire talks with the United States, stating that it alone will decide when the war ends. Tehran has also insisted on keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed. It remains unclear what diplomatic efforts, if any, are being pursued behind the scenes between the adversaries to bring the conflict to a conclusion.

  • Kemi Badenoch issues stark Passover warning to UK Jews: “This year is different”

    Kemi Badenoch issues stark Passover warning to UK Jews: “This year is different”

    INTERNATIONAL, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, has extended a goodwill message to British Jews for Passover, but with a sombre warning that this year is unlike any other.

    In her statement on Wednesday, Badenoch noted that recent events — Jews murdered in a UK synagogue, Hatzola ambulances torched in Golders Green, and growing fears about safety — mark a disturbing shift. “This year I can’t write the usual sort of Passover message,” she said, rejecting platitudes in favour of a call to vigilance.

    Reflecting on the meaning of Passover, Badenoch emphasised that freedom is not guaranteed but must be defended in every generation. She warned that antisemitism has eroded basic freedoms, from walking openly in London to worshipping without heavy security.

    The Conservative leader pledged stronger action under her leadership, including banning extremist marches, revoking visas for hate preachers, and adopting a zero-tolerance approach to radicalisation. She insisted that antisemitism is not just prejudice but “Jew hatred” — an existential threat to Jewish life in Britain.

    Badenoch urged British Jews to resist intimidation with visibility and defiance, stressing that Israel cannot be the only sanctuary. “This is your home,” she declared, promising to lead from the front in tackling sectarian hate and defending Jewish rights.

    Her message concluded with a reminder that Passover teaches resilience: “Freedom must be defended, generation after generation. We can and will defeat the scourge of antisemitism.”

  • IDF confirms killing of Hezbollah commander, Hamas operative, and Qods Force engineer in strikes across region

    IDF confirms killing of Hezbollah commander, Hamas operative, and Qods Force engineer in strikes across region

    MIDDLE EAST, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has announced the targeting and killing of Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, in a precision airstrike. According to an IDF statement on Wednesday, Hashem was eliminated by the Israeli Navy in Beirut. He was described as a senior commander with more than 40 years of experience, a central figure in Hezbollah’s leadership, who oversaw its rehabilitation and directed attacks against Israel.

    Within the last 24 hours, the IDF also confirmed the killing of Mahdi Vafaei, Head of the Engineering Branch of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps, in the Mahallat area of Iran. Vafaei was accused of advancing underground projects across Lebanon and Syria, leading efforts to establish and manage subterranean terrorist infrastructure for Hezbollah and the Assad regime.

    Additionally, Ibrahim al-Khaldi, identified as a Hamas naval force operative, was killed in Nuseirat. The IDF described al-Khaldi as a source of expertise in maritime operations, responsible for planning and advancing terror attacks against Israeli troops from Gaza.

    Meanwhile, the IDF said it has concluded inquiries into the deaths of two Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The troops were reported killed by an explosive device in the Bani Haiyyan area. The IDF’s operational review determined that no explosive device was planted by Israeli forces and that no IDF troops were present in the area at the time.

    A statement from the IDF read in part: “The IDF is operating against Hezbollah, and not against UNIFIL, the Lebanese Armed Forces, or Lebanese civilians.” 

    The military further urged UNIFIL to avoid presence in combat zones where evacuation warnings have been issued to civilians for their safety.