Israel Pounds Lebanon Despite ‘Fragile’ Ceasefire

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Israel unleashed a bombing campaign in Lebanon on Wednesday despite a recent ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated in an X post that it “completed the largest coordinated strike across Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion,” targeting Hezbollah headquarters, military arrays and command centers. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly agreed that fighting in Lebanon could continue during a phone call in the lead-up to the ceasefire, Axios reported.

At least 89 people have been killed and more than 700 wounded in the strikes Wednesday, The Associated Press reported, citing Lebanese Health Ministry figures. More than 1,500 people have been killed since the conflict began in March, with another million displaced.

Hezbollah had stopped its attacks early Wednesday morning as the ceasefire took effect, Reuters reported, citing three Lebanese sources.

“Hezbollah was informed that it is part of the ceasefire – so we abided by it, but Israel as usual has violated it and committed massacres all across Lebanon,” senior Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi, told Reuters. (Read more from “Israel Pounds Lebanon Despite ‘Fragile’ Ceasefire” HERE)

Trump, Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire

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President Donald Trump and the Islamic Republic of Iran both announced on Tuesday evening just before the U.S. president’s deadline for a deal that they have agreed to a two-week ceasefire while negotiators finalize a deal between the warring nations.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce that he has agreed to the ceasefire urged by the Pakistani Prime Minister:

The Iranian Foreign Minister confirmed that Iran has also agreed to the two-week ceasefire:

(Read more from “Trump, Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire” HERE)

Mysterious Christian Artifact Found Near Jesus’ Ministry: ‘No known parallel’

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Archaeologists have uncovered a one-of-a-kind artifact near the Sea of Galilee that may reveal new details about how early Christians practiced baptism.

The 1,400-year-old artifact was recently found in the ancient city of Hippos, a prominent bishop’s seat during the Byzantine era, according to a March 30 press release shared with Fox News Digital.

The city was once the only Christian city around the Sea of Galilee, controlling territory associated with Jesus’ ministry.

The marble block was found in a hall of baptism called a photisterion. It may shed light on “a stage of the early Christian baptismal rite that has until now gone unrecorded,” officials said.

Hippos’ cathedral had two baptismal halls: one for adults, and another for infants and children, which is where the new object was found. (Read more from “Mysterious Christian Artifact Found Near Jesus’ Ministry: ‘No known parallel’” HERE)

Iran Appears to be Preparing for Trump to Follow Through with Threat

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The Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone in southwest Iran has been evacuated amid threats by President Donald Trump to bomb Iranian energy infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

The zone’s public relations office said all personnel was ordered to evacuate by the region’s emergency command committee, Iran International reported.

Trump’s threats came amid Tehran’s reluctance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He set a Tuesday night deadline before warning of dire consequences. (Read more from “Iran Appears to be Preparing for Trump to Follow Through with Threat” HERE)

The Iran Ceasefire Talks Have Imploded

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Operation Epic Fury will continue, as the Iranians have rejected all US demands, even refusing to meet with Trump officials in Islamabad. This conflicts with Trump’s claims that the supposedly new regime is more transparent and open to a deal. The Iranian government is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. You can’t trust them. The Obama team did, and they got played like a fiddle. For now, the ceasefire talks have collapsed (via WSJ):

The current round of efforts by regional countries led by Pakistan to reach a cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran has reached a dead end, mediators said Friday.

Iran has officially told the mediators it isn’t willing to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad in the coming days and that U.S. demands are unacceptable, the mediators said.

Turkey and Egypt are still pushing to find a way forward and are considering new venues for the talks, including the Qatari capital Doha, or Istanbul, along with fresh proposals to overcome the deadlock, the mediators said.

(Read more from “The Iran Ceasefire Talks Have Imploded” HERE)

Iran Threatens to ‘Rain Fire’ on US Troops

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Iran threatened to rain fire on U.S. troops if President Donald Trump escalates the war to a ground invasion as both parties work to come to an agreement to end the fighting.

The war has reached its 30-day mark and there are indications that it could become even more intense — especially if the U.S. sends in ground troops.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf recently accused Washington of planning to send ground troops into Iran’s borders, according to CNN.

“The enemy signals negotiation in public, while in secret it plots a ground attack,” he said, further warning that Iranian military forces are already “waiting for American soldiers to enter on the ground so they can rain fire upon them.”

Meanwhile, the United States is still considering its options. While the president has not taken a ground invasion off the table, it appears he is looking for other ways to pressure the Iranian regime.

The president has floated the idea of seizing Kharg Island to squash Iran’s oil revenue while destroying the regime’s ability to close down the Strait of Hormuz to mitigate its impact on the price of oil and other resources.

(Read more from “Iran Threatens to ‘Rain Fire’ on US Troops” HERE)

3,500 US Troops Arrive in the Middle East on USS Tripoli as Iran Issues Threat Against Ground Invasion

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A force of 3,500 US sailors and Marines arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli — as Tehran warned that American forces will be killed if President Trump orders a ground invasion of Iran.

The flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived over the weekend with troops in tow, US Central Command said Saturday.

Along with the troops, the amphibious warship brought transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as assault and tactical assets, with the Pentagon allegedly preparing for weeks of boots-on-the-ground operations in Iran.

As the war in Iran continues to escalate, thousands of Marines are being prepped to deploy to the Middle East, sources told The Washington Post.

The troop movement would fall short of a full-scale invasion, with roughly 10,000 American troops being considered for deployment to boost the already significant military presence in the Gulf region. (Read more from “3,500 US Troops Arrive in the Middle East on USS Tripoli as Iran Issues Threat Against Ground Invasion” HERE)

IDF Chief Warns of ‘Collapse’ as Israel Delays Ultra-Orthodox Draft

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The Israel Defense Forces is “on the verge of collapse” due to acute personnel shortages, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has warned, according to local media. Opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of stalling on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Military service is mandatory for most Israeli citizens, both men and women. However, members of the Haredi community have historically been exempt from conscription. While the Israeli Supreme Court revoked the exemption in June 2024, Netanyahu’s cabinet has so far delayed drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Parties within the ruling coalition representing the Haredi community have repeatedly threatened to withdraw support for Netanyahu should he introduce the measure.

Addressing the cabinet on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Zamir said he was “raising ten red flags for you before the IDF collapses,” as quoted by The Jerusalem Post.

In addition to its ongoing campaign against Iran, the Israeli military is continuing its years-long operation against Hamas in Gaza. The IDF also launched an incursion into southern Lebanon in early March, targeting Hezbollah militants. (Read more from “IDF Chief Warns of ‘Collapse’ as Israel Delays Ultra-Orthodox Draft” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Uganda’s Military Chief offers to Fight for Israel

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Uganda’s military chief has offered to fight alongside Israel in its war against Iran.

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted a series of messages on social media saying his country could enter the conflict if hostilities escalated.

He called for a swift end to the fighting while warning that any attempt to destroy Israel could prompt Uganda to enter the war on Israel’s side.

“If Israel needs help, it only need ask. Their Ugandan brothers are ready to assist,” said Gen Kainerugaba, who is the son of Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s president.

He framed his support based on historical ties, acknowledging Israel’s past support for Uganda. (Read more from “Uganda’s Military Chief offers to Fight for Israel” HERE)

Gay Ex-UK Justice Minister Who Hosted ‘Chemsex’ Parties Fined For Crystal Meth Possession

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A U.K. court fined former Conservative justice minister Crispin Blunt £1,200 (about $1,600) on Wednesday after he admitted possessing crystal meth, cannabis, and sedative drugs, following revelations he hosted chemsex, a sexual gathering where participants use drugs to enhance sexual activity.

The 65-year-old former Member of Parliament for Reigate, Surrey, U.K., who served from 1997 to 2024, pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing drugs at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He also received a £480 (approx. $640) victim surcharge and £200 (approx. $260) in costs, The Guardian reported. Blunt represented himself in court and told the bench he had originally considered a jury trial to argue that drug possession should not be a criminal offence.

In a 30-minute statement, he criticized the legal system, saying politicians take the easy moral stance that drugs are bad and illegal, without considering the serious problems that approach causes. He suggested that his advocacy on drug policy reform, trans rights, and support for Palestinians may have contributed to the decision to charge him, according to Sky News.

Prosecutor Zarah Dickinson said Blunt’s actions stemmed from his professional experience in government. She said that after coming out as gay, Blunt saw first-hand the harm caused by the government’s drug policy during his time as justice minister. Dickinson added that Blunt later took part in the chemsex scene and that his personal experience with drugs helped shape his ideas on government drug policies, Sky News reported.

Police raided Blunt’s house in Surrey, in October 2023 as part of a broader investigation connected to a chemsex party. Officers found £200 to £250 (approx. $260 to $320) worth of crystal meth on his bedside table, £200 (approx. $260) of GBL — a chemical that acts as a sedative when used as a drug — in a syringe stored in a laptop bag, and cannabis valued under £10, along with weighing scales that had powder residue. Dickinson said Blunt remained calm throughout the raid, pointing out the drugs to officers, The Guardian reported. (Read more from “Gay Ex-UK Justice Minister Who Hosted ‘Chemsex’ Parties Fined For Crystal Meth Possession” HERE)