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Saudi Arabia has lifted a five-year ban on imports from Lebanon, a move widely seen as a significant step toward restoring relations between Lebanon and Gulf countries and providing a boost to Lebanon’s struggling economy. The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the decision was made at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and followed what it described as “positive steps taken by the Lebanese state.” Saudi Arabia first banned imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables in 2021, accusing exporters of using shipments to smuggle drugs into the kingdom. In one high-profile case, Saudi authorities said they seized more than five million Captagon pills hidden inside a consignment of pomegranates from Lebanon. Later that year, Riyadh expanded the restrictions to cover all Lebanese imports after then-Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi criticized the Saudi-led military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The diplomatic fallout was also linked to Saudi Arabia’s longstanding concerns over the influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The ban came at a time when Lebanon was already grappling with a severe economic crisis and a sharp depreciation of its national currency. While the Saudi statement did not specify the measures that led to the lifting of the ban, Lebanon has recently announced plans to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities have also pledged reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the decision and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed, saying the move would help revive the national economy and support Lebanese producers and exporters. Lebanon’s current government, which took office last year on a reform agenda, has been seeking to strengthen relations with Gulf states. Prior to the outbreak of the latest conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese officials had been working to attract Gulf tourists back to the country, while several Gulf nations had eased travel restrictions on visits to Lebanon. The latest Saudi decision is expected to improve trade opportunities for Lebanese businesses and further support efforts to rebuild ties between Beirut and Gulf capitals.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that 13 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, matching casualty figures earlier reported by Afghan authorities. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, UNAMA said it had documented 13 civilian deaths and 10 injuries resulting from airstrikes carried out overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday in the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika. The UN mission said the casualties were mainly children and women and renewed its call for de-escalation, a durable ceasefire, protection of civilians, reopening of border crossings for humanitarian assistance and dialogue to resolve differences between the two neighboring countries. The strikes ended nearly a month of relative calm between Pakistan and Afghanistan, whose border conflict has continued despite repeated international mediation efforts. Pakistan had earlier rejected claims made by Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid that the attacks killed 13 civilians, dismissing the allegations as propaganda. The border between the two countries has remained closed for months, disrupting trade and transport and leaving thousands stranded. Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan has intensified since February, when Afghan forces reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed in the violence, while multiple rounds of peace talks have failed to secure a lasting truce. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside its territory, particularly members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul has denied the allegations. At a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the latest airstrikes targeted militant camps and hideouts along the border. He said the operation was launched in response to a series of recent militant attacks inside Pakistan and was based on credible intelligence. According to Andrabi, the strikes specifically targeted hideouts of militants referred to by Pakistan as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term used by authorities for the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups. He maintained that the operation was carried out with precision and that Pakistan would continue military actions against militant sanctuaries to protect national security. Asked about the UN report on civilian casualties, Andrabi said the government would review its findings but questioned the methodology used to determine the casualty figures, insisting that the strikes were directed solely at militant targets.

The mayor of a southern Philippine municipality severely affected by a powerful earthquake has appealed for the immediate deployment of helicopters to deliver food and relief supplies to villages cut off by landslides. The 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake struck Monday near the southern province of Sarangani, making it one of the strongest tremors to hit the Philippines in the last 50 years. The disaster has claimed at least 47 lives, injured 688 people and left 31 others missing. More than 45,000 residents remained displaced as of Thursday, with roughly half taking shelter in evacuation centers. Authorities said over 12,600 homes were damaged across several farming towns and urban areas, while ongoing aftershocks have discouraged many families from returning home. Sarangani recorded the highest death toll among affected areas, with 20 fatalities. Most of the deaths were linked to a landslide that buried homes in the coastal town of Glan, according to the Office of Civil Defense. Glan Mayor Victor James Yap said electricity has yet to be restored, and 10 of the town’s 31 villages remain largely inaccessible because of landslides. He urged the national government to dispatch military helicopters to transport food, drinking water and emergency supplies to isolated residents. According to Yap, relief efforts are being hampered by damaged roads and blocked routes, leaving some communities without adequate access to basic necessities. He warned that food shortages were becoming critical in several villages. Although a major road leading to the town has been reopened, allowing fuel deliveries to resume, power outages persist and mobile phone services remain unreliable in many areas. The Office of Civil Defense said the government has distributed more than 26 million pesos (about $426,000) worth of food packs, cash assistance and other relief items. It added that 180 aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks have been mobilized to support rescue and recovery operations. Around 3,400 government workers and military personnel are engaged in search-and-rescue missions, road-clearing efforts, damage assessments and other emergency response activities. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited General Santos City on Wednesday to inspect damaged schools and hospitals and review recovery measures. He approved the release of 100 million pesos (about $1.6 million) for repairs to the partially damaged city hall and ordered financial assistance of 50,000 pesos ($820) for each family that lost a loved one in the disaster. Most fatalities were caused by collapsing structures and landslides in Sarangani, General Santos City, South Cotabato and Davao Occidental. The earthquake also triggered hazardous sea conditions. Two swimmers drowned and another remains missing after being swept away by strong waves off General Santos shortly after the tremor. Waves reaching up to 1.4 meters above normal tide levels were recorded in southern Philippines, while smaller waves reached parts of Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan. The quake ranks among the strongest to strike the Philippines since the devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami of August 1976, which killed an estimated 8,000 people. Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its position on a major zone of tectonic movement.

The United States and Iran exchanged attacks for a second straight day, raising fears of a renewed full-scale conflict across the Middle East. The latest U.S. strikes, which continued into Thursday morning in Iran, appeared broader and more intense than the previous day's operation. Iranian authorities, however, provided few details regarding the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, an Indian official reported that a U.S. strike on an oil tanker accused of breaching Washington's blockade of Iranian ports killed three Indian sailors, highlighting the growing risks faced by maritime workers in the region. The latest hostilities marked the third major exchange of fire in the region this week. The violence began with clashes between Iran and Israel and was followed by two rounds of attacks between Washington and Tehran, affecting several countries that host U.S. military facilities. The escalation comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain deadlocked. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would "pay the price" if negotiations continued to stall. In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that recent U.S. attacks had "effectively rendered the ceasefire meaningless," though it stopped short of announcing a formal withdrawal from the agreement. A key issue in the negotiations remains Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route whose disruption has affected global energy markets, increased fuel costs and contributed to rising prices for essential goods worldwide. Iran announced on Thursday that the strait had been closed, although the practical implications remained uncertain. Maritime traffic has already been severely restricted since the outbreak of the conflict, with only limited shipping activity continuing through the waterway. U.S. Central Command rejected Tehran's claim, while Trump stated that the U.S. had been conducting a covert operation in recent weeks to move vessels safely through the strategic passage. Another major sticking point remains Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are intended solely for peaceful purposes, while the United States and Israel argue that Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium could potentially be used to develop nuclear weapons. Both Washington and Tel Aviv have cited this concern as a primary reason for launching military operations against Iran on Feb. 28.

The United States carried out a new wave of airstrikes on Iran early Thursday, intensifying hostilities after President Donald Trump warned Tehran of consequences over stalled negotiations. The latest attacks targeted multiple locations across Iran as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remained deadlocked. Iran continued to maintain pressure on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, contributing to rising oil prices and concerns over energy supplies. Following the strikes, Iran threatened retaliation. Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, which hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait reported that its air defense systems were activated. Iran had earlier launched missiles toward Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan after a previous round of American strikes. The U.S. Central Command said the operation was completed shortly before sunrise and targeted Iranian military surveillance networks, communications infrastructure and air defense facilities. The military described the action as a response to what it called Iran's continued aggression. Explosions were reported in Tehran, the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and other areas near the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed exchange marked the third major escalation this week, testing a fragile two-month ceasefire. Wednesday had already seen missile exchanges involving Iran and several Gulf countries hosting American forces. Trump has repeatedly urged Iran to agree to a deal that would end the conflict, suggesting earlier this week that a breakthrough could come within days. However, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the UN Security Council that Tehran would not negotiate under pressure or threats. Despite the rhetoric, observers believe both sides are looking for a way to end the conflict while preserving political gains at home. Iran appears to be relying on its ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in negotiations. The strategic waterway is one of the world's most important routes for oil and natural gas exports. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to pursue broader objectives, including dismantling Iran's nuclear programme, weakening its regional allies and pressuring the country's ruling establishment. Iran and Israel also exchanged attacks earlier this week. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, has rattled global markets and driven up energy prices. International benchmark crude oil prices climbed above $93 per barrel on Wednesday, more than 25 percent higher than before the conflict began. Trump claimed the U.S. military has been helping commercial oil shipments move through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian attempts to restrict traffic. He said more than 100 million barrels of oil had passed through the area since last month, though no independent confirmation of the figure was immediately available. The U.S. military also denied Iranian claims that the Strait had been fully closed, saying commercial shipping continued to operate. Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. military reported disabling a tanker carrying Iranian oil that allegedly attempted to breach a naval blockade. The vessel, sailing under the Palau flag, was struck in its engine room using precision-guided munitions. India later said three of its sailors aboard the vessel were missing, while 21 others were rescued. Iran condemned the American strikes, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing them as violations of Iranian sovereignty. Diplomatic efforts continued alongside the fighting. A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran for discussions after consultations with Washington, according to officials familiar with the talks. The latest military exchanges followed the crash of a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. A U.S. official said the aircraft collided with an Iranian drone, though it remains unclear whether the collision was deliberate. Both crew members were rescued and were not injured, according to Trump. Major disagreements continue to hinder any quick peace agreement. Washington wants Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, arguing it could be used for nuclear weapons development. Iran rejects that demand, insisting its nuclear programme is peaceful. Tehran is also seeking sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets before any final agreement is reached. Another obstacle is Iran's insistence that any settlement must include an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel, however, has intensified military operations against the Lebanon-based group, further complicating prospects for a broader peace deal.  

US President Donald Trump has claimed that more than 100 million barrels of oil are currently moving through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he had ordered the US military to carry out a “secret mission” to assist oil tankers and other vessels navigating the strategically important Gulf waterway. In a post on social media, Trump said over 200 commercial ships had safely passed through the strait. Iran will stand firm against threats and pressure, says Pezeshkian However, he did not provide any evidence to support the claims. Trump also asserted that the United States-not Iran-controls the Strait of Hormuz. With inputs from Al Jazeera

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said on  that Iran will remain steadfast in the face of threats and pressure following fresh warnings from US President Donald Trump of possible military action against the country. In a post on X, Pezeshkian said Iran would “stand firm” against any intimidation and condemned threats targeting the country's infrastructure. US-Iran strikes rattle Middle East He said that threats aimed at transportation networks, as well as the electricity and water sectors, do not demonstrate strength but rather reflect desperation when confronted with the determination of a nation. The remarks came shortly after Trump said his administration would be “attacking very hard,” escalating tensions between the two countries. With inputs from Al Jazeera

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told lawmakers on Wednesday that meeting disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was a “grave error in judgment,” as he testified voluntarily behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee.  Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place” and stressed that he never witnessed or had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. US lawmakers say Epstein file release falls short  He was introduced to Epstein through people involved in his professional and philanthropic work and initially believed Epstein could help mobilise billions of dollars for global health initiatives and he ended the relationship in 2014 after concluding that Epstein could not deliver on those promises, Gates added. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Gates was not accused of any wrongdoing and that the inquiry was focused on justice for Epstein’s victims and understanding government failures. Documents reviewed by lawmakers include meeting records, emails related to philanthropic projects and photographs showing Gates and Epstein at the same events. Their association began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor, and continued until at least late 2014. Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of girls and has previously described the relationship as “a huge mistake.” Both Gates and his former wife, Melinda French Gates, have said the association created strain in their marriage. The Gates Foundation acknowledged earlier this year that a small number of employees met Epstein because of his claims that he could attract major philanthropic support for global health projects. The foundation said it never established a charitable fund with Epstein and made no payments to him.

Amnesty International accused Israel on Wednesday of carrying out a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank with the intention to annex the Palestinian territory. The accusation came in a new, 149-page report alleging that the forced displacement of West Bank Palestinians resulted from a concerted state policy, and not just the actions of violent settlers. While much of the displacement is driven by settlers who build outposts on Palestinian land, the report asserts that the process could not occur without the support of the government. U.N. data says that over 100 West Bank villages have been fully or partially emptied out between January 2023 and April 2026. At the same time, the United Nations has tracked more than 7,280 instances of individual Palestinian displacement because of demolition of homes and structures by Israeli forces, a figure that includes people who were displaced more than once. Israel has in the past denounced such accusations — including allegations of ethnic cleansing — as reflecting longtime unfair bias. It did not immediately respond to the report. “These abuses are not the result of a few ‘bad apples.’ Settler violence is a core component of a state-sanctioned campaign of ethnic cleansing,” said Agnès Callamard, the head of Amnesty. “What we are witnessing is deliberate, state-led annexation, in complete violation of international law unfolding before the eyes of the entire world.” Israeli leaders have condemned particularly grave violence by Jewish settlers but tend to denounce them as exceptions. Key Cabinet ministers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government are pushing for a formal annexation of the territory, and officials have voiced support for Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Amnesty says it has identified dozens of bills in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, to extend Israeli civil law and jurisdiction over settlement blocs, as well as over courts that try Palestinians. Recently, the parliament approved a measure making the death penalty the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group that aimed to stop the war in Gaza also acknowledged Palestinian aspirations for statehood. Amnesty says the large-scale displacement of Palestinian Bedouin communities in the territory is caused by settler violence, advancement of new settlements and the Israeli takeover of large swaths of unregistered land. Rights groups have raised the alarm about this form of displacement before 2023, but say it dramatically intensified after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel that year that triggered the war. Rights groups say Bedouin herding communities in remote areas of the West Bank are most vulnerable to displacement. Unlike Palestinians in cities and towns across the West Bank, the villagers are less able to withstand the pressure from often-armed settlers as they establish new outposts around Palestinian villages. The anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now says that 212 of at least 363 existing outposts in the West Bank were created since 2023. The outposts are built without permission from Israeli authorities, who sometimes dismantle them but other times turn a blind eye or even legalize them retroactively. The international community overwhelmingly considers the settlements illegal. Israel, meanwhile, views the West Bank as disputed territory and says its final status is subject to negotiations. Amnesty said its report looked into 27 hamlets and villages in the West Bank where Palestinians were displaced between 2023 and 2025. Researchers interviewed dozens of Palestinians and lawyers, spoke with witnesses of settler violence, watched over 420 videos and analyzed government statements and other reports. The group also said the international community has failed to act to stop the displacement. More than 700,000 Israelis live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in 1967 and sought by the Palestinians for their independent state, along with the Gaza Strip.

Hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan came under Iranian fire, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that Iran was taking “too long to negotiate a deal” and that “now they will have to pay the price.” It wasn’t clear what exactly that would mean, but the back-and-forth strikes Wednesday again raised the question of how much pressure the deal can take before it cracks. The exchange of fire was the second time this week that such strikes have tested the ceasefire after Iran and Israel targeted each other on Monday.