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The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has reached a critical point, with intensified airstrikes on Iranian targets, including universities and oil facilities. US President Donald Trump has warned of the “complete demolition” of Iran’s key infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by a looming deadline.Iran’s military has dismissed Trump’s threats as “delusional”, saying they cannot mask what it described as US “disgrace and humiliation” in the region. Iranian missiles and drones continue to target sites across the Gulf region.US ultimatum: Trump has issued a strict deadline, threatening the “complete demolition” of Iran’s power plants and bridges by Tuesday evening (00:00 GMT, Wednesday) if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.Iran rejects pause offer: Iran has rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, arguing it would give the US and Israel time to regroup and launch further attacks. Instead, Iranian officials have put forward a 10-point proposal calling for a comprehensive and permanent end to the war.The conflict has also spread to other countries in the region, with Saudi Arabia intercepting up to 18 drones over the past few hours and Bahrain closing an important bridge linking the island nation to Saudi Arabia due to fears of attacks from Iran.The United Nations has reported that more than 1.1 million people have now been registered as displaced in Lebanon as Israel continues its ground invasion in the country’s south.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have intensified, causing widespread devastation and deepening fissures within Lebanese society. The violence has resulted in over 1,500 deaths, including 130 children, and displaced more than 1.2 million people. The attacks have predominantly targeted the Shia Muslim community, including civilians not affiliated with Hezbollah.The latest incident occurred in Ain Saadeh, a predominantly Christian area east of Beirut, where two US-made GBU-39 bombs killed three people, including Pierre Moawad, a member of the anti-Hezbollah Christian party Lebanese Forces, his wife Flavia, and a visiting friend named Roula Mattar. This attack has further strained sectarian relations, with some Lebanese blaming Hezbollah for drawing Israeli wrath.Experts warn that Israel's strategy aims to create a rift between Lebanese communities and isolate the Shia community. The attacks have sparked panic and fear, with displaced people facing discrimination and locals demanding increased security measures.Human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing 'apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks' on civilians in Lebanon. While Israel claims to target Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure, the mounting civilian casualties have raised concerns about the proportionality of its actions.As the conflict escalates, Lebanese citizens express growing despair. One resident, Huda, said: 'We are dying, little by little.' The situation remains dire, with no immediate end to the violence in sight.

In the hills of Mount Lebanon, a school has been transformed into a shelter for families displaced from southern Lebanon due to Israeli attacks. The schoolyard, once filled with students, is now a hub for aid deliveries, with empty swings and slides a stark reminder of the disruption to daily life.Families like Aymane Malli's have fled their homes, seeking safety in the mountains. Malli, a 49-year-old father of five, described the traumatic experience of leaving his home in Habbouch, near Tyre, after Israel began bombing Lebanon on March 2. 'It's very difficult,' he said, 'but for me, it's OK because I have to survive. I have to take care of my family.'The humanitarian situation is dire, with over 1.1 million people forced from their homes and more than 1,300 killed, including 120 children. Aid groups, such as Action Against Hunger, are struggling to provide support, with over 400 people turned away from the Qabr Chamoun school due to overcapacity.Conditions in shelters are deteriorating, with water leaks, gastrointestinal illnesses, and eye infections reported. The destruction of key infrastructure, particularly bridges and access routes, is exacerbating the crisis, making it difficult for families to flee and for aid to reach them.The future remains uncertain for these displaced families, with concerns about long-term food security and the possibility of a prolonged Israeli security presence or occupation in southern Lebanon. As Mohammed al-Mustafa, a sweets seller from Tyre, poignantly noted, 'It's not the material things I worry about leaving behind. It's the memories. We lived in that house for 40 years. Old photographs, our lives.'

For Konstantin, a 53‑year‑old resident of St Petersburg, the war in Ukraine has become a literal scent in the air. Over the past fortnight he has repeatedly detected the acrid odor of burning crude, fuel and chemicals drifting from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s two largest Baltic oil terminals. The facilities at Ust‑Luga and Primorsk together handle about 40% of Moscow’s seaborne oil exports and roughly 2% of global oil supply, according to the International Energy Agency. Both ports lie within 150 km of St Petersburg, making the smoke visible – and smelt – to locals. Ukrainian drones have flown more than 1,000 km from the front lines to strike storage tanks and loading infrastructure, igniting fires that have burned for days. The smell, described by Konstantin as a mix of diesel exhaust, burning plastic and rotten eggs, first appeared in late March. These attacks are a key element of Kyiv’s strategy to erode Russia’s “unexpected windfall” from oil exports, a revenue stream that has surged as the US‑Israel campaign against Iran pushed global oil prices higher. Satellite imagery shows extensive damage at both terminals, with Ust‑Luga’s sprawling processing complex blackened by fire. As a result, both ports are currently unable to dispatch cargo, forcing traders to reroute oil to smaller Baltic and Black Sea ports that lack the capacity to absorb the displaced volume. Financial analysts estimate that the disruption has already cost Moscow roughly $1 billion in lost export earnings, according to Bloomberg data released on March 31. Moreover, every $10 rise in global oil prices translates into about $1.6 billion of additional monthly income for the Kremlin. Russian officials have blamed European nations for allegedly facilitating the drone overflights, but Ukrainian experts dispute this claim. Andrey Pronin, a pioneer of Ukraine’s drone warfare, emphasized that the strikes are meticulously planned to stay within Russian airspace, bypassing air‑defence systems. Since the campaign began, Ukrainian forces have targeted 13 oil sites, seriously damaging at least eight refineries from the Baltic coast to the Volga region. The attacks are timed to coincide with the heightened profitability Russia enjoys from the Iran‑related oil price surge, according to researcher Nikolay Mitrokhin of Bremen University. Beyond the immediate economic impact, Kyiv views the strikes as leverage in negotiations with Moscow. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has floated the idea of a temporary moratorium on attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure in exchange for concessions, though the strategy also inadvertently benefits Iran by sustaining higher oil prices. On the tactical side, Ukraine now relies heavily on FP‑1 drones produced by the domestic Firepoint company. These unmanned aircraft can carry up to 120 kg of explosives and travel roughly 1,500 km, enabling strikes deep inside Russian territory. For civilians living near the conflict zones, the nightly “fireworks” of explosions have become a grim routine. Abdulla, a Tatar resident of Crimea, described the constant shelling as a new normal, while analysts note that President Vladimir Putin remains resolute, using the ongoing talks with the White House as a diplomatic façade. Overall, the Ukrainian drone campaign illustrates how modern warfare increasingly intertwines kinetic attacks with strategic economic disruption, reshaping the dynamics of the Russia‑Ukraine war and its broader geopolitical reverberations.

At least ten displaced Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded, including six in critical condition, after Israeli drones launched two missiles near a school housing refugees in the central Gaza Maghazi refugee camp, health officials reported. The strike occurred amid clashes between residents and an Israeli‑backed militia that had allegedly attempted to abduct people from the school. Witnesses said the militia’s leader later claimed to have killed five Hamas members, a statement that could not be independently verified. According to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the victims were struck east of the camp, where residents were trying to defend their homes. "The residents tried to defend their homes, but the occupation forces targeted them directly," said Ahmed al‑Maghazi to Reuters. The Maghazi camp, once one of the smallest Palestinian refugee enclaves with roughly 30,000 residents, has seen its population more than triple since the war began, according to UNRWA. Despite being designated by the Israeli military as a "safe zone," the area has suffered multiple lethal attacks, including a December 2023 strike that killed over 100 civilians, primarily women and children. Earlier on the same day, a World Health Organization (WHO) staff member was killed and several others injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a WHO vehicle, underscoring the broader risk to humanitarian personnel in the region. The latest incident highlights the fragility of ceasefire arrangements reached in October and raises urgent questions about the protection of civilians in areas purportedly shielded from conflict.

Deep in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a tireless conservationist is working to safeguard the future of the critically endangered Grauer's gorilla. Dominique Bikaba, founder and executive director of Strong Roots Congo, has dedicated his life to protecting these majestic creatures and their habitats.Bikaba's journey into conservation began in 1992, driven by a desire to mediate tensions between park authorities and displaced communities. His work is deeply personal, rooted in his own experiences growing up near Kahuzi-Biega national park, where his family was displaced in the 1970s. The park, a sanctuary for Grauer's gorillas, elephants, and a rich array of wildlife, is a landscape of immense biological wealth and political fragility.The Grauer's gorilla, the largest subspecies of primates, can weigh up to 250kg (39st). However, their numbers have drastically declined due to conflict, slash-and-burn agriculture, and hunting for bush meat. Before the conflicts, there were approximately 17,000 Grauer's gorillas; by 2016, that number had dwindled to around 3,800.Bikaba's organization, Strong Roots Congo, aims to create a biodiversity corridor linking Kahuzi-Biega national park with Itombwe nature reserve. This ambitious project seeks to secure 1m hectares of land for wildlife and Indigenous communities, formalizing customary land rights and promoting coexistence. So far, Strong Roots has helped establish 23 community forests, covering about 600,000 hectares.Bikaba emphasizes the importance of community-led conservation. "What we are doing is putting communities back together, so they can thrive together as they have done for centuries," he says. His approach contrasts with traditional conservation models that often cast local people as threats. Bikaba believes that humans are part of nature and that there is much wisdom to be learned from communities living in forests.Despite the challenges posed by ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, Bikaba remains committed to his work. "If there is one thing we should avoid in life, it's war," he says. "If there is a way we can stop war in this region, we should do it. No matter the cost."

Reports from Gaza have highlighted a significant increase in rodent infestations and attacks within tent camps housing displaced persons. The situation has raised serious concerns about public health and the overall well-being of those living in these makeshift settlements.The unsanitary conditions and lack of proper waste management in these camps have created an ideal environment for rodents to thrive. As a result, residents are facing increased risks of disease transmission and property damage.Efforts to address this issue are underway, with a focus on improving sanitation infrastructure and distributing essential supplies to affected communities. However, much work remains to be done to mitigate the impact of these infestations and ensure a safer, healthier environment for all inhabitants.

In Lebanon, Christian families who have been forced to leave their homes are gathering to celebrate Easter, underscoring the perseverance of displaced communities despite ongoing hardships.While the nation grapples with a protracted displacement crisis, these families have managed to organize modest religious observances, reflecting both cultural continuity and the deep personal significance of the holiday.Celebrating Easter under such conditions illustrates the determination of Lebanon's Christian diaspora to maintain traditions even when faced with uncertainty and limited resources.Humanitarian groups continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing the need for sustained support to ensure that displaced families can safely observe religious and cultural practices while seeking stable shelter.

Gaza City, Gaza – While Easter traditionally celebrates resurrection and renewal, Gaza’s dwindling Christian population spent the holiday in quiet reflection, confronting displacement, scarcity and the trauma of a conflict the United Nations has described as genocide. The enclave is home to fewer than 1,000 Christians, a community already small before the war that has suffered heavy casualties; more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began on 7 October 2023. Inside the remaining churches, prayers and modest services carried profound meaning as families clung to hope for survival and peace. Yet basic necessities—electricity, water and food—remain in short supply, and even traditional Easter items such as eggs are virtually unavailable. Fouad Ayad, a bio‑energy trainer displaced from near al‑Rantisi Children’s Hospital, described searching the markets of Gaza City for eggs without success. “We decorate eggs for the children, and sometimes Muslim children visit us for colourful eggs,” he told Al Jazeera, highlighting the inter‑communal bonds that persist despite the siege. Shortages have also erased the customary communal lunch. “Meat is scarce and extremely expensive,” Ayad lamented, recalling how families once gathered to share meals, colour eggs and visit elderly neighbours of all faiths. The Church of the Holy Family, which Ayad once attended, has been struck multiple times. “Three of my relatives were killed in one attack, and another strike killed more than 20 Christians,” he recounted, illustrating the direct targeting of places of worship. Attendance at Easter services in Gaza’s sole Catholic church has dwindled as many believers have fled the Strip. Yet, as one worshipper put it, “We only performed the prayers, refusing to celebrate because of our martyrs,” affirming their resolve to remain rooted in the land despite the devastation. Israeli restrictions have prevented Christians from traveling to the Old City of East Jerusalem to attend the Holy Sepulchre for the past two years. Recent attempts by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa to enter the site were initially blocked, only to be reversed after international outcry. Elias al‑Jelda, a 60‑year‑old Orthodox council member, recounted sheltering in the Church of the Holy Family after his home was destroyed. “I lost friends, neighbours and relatives, many killed while staying close to their homes and faith,” he said, underscoring the personal toll of the conflict. Traditional Easter treats—coloured eggs, kahk, maamoul and Eidiya gifts—are largely absent this year. “There are no eggs anywhere in the Strip,” reported 74‑year‑old Amal al‑Masri, who recalled pre‑war celebrations filled with shared meals and festive sweets. Power outages compound the hardship. “Electricity continues to be a major problem, and the soaring cost of diesel and generator oil makes it worse,” al‑Jelda warned, highlighting the broader infrastructure collapse affecting all Gazans. Despite the bleak circumstances, the remaining Christians affirm their identity and solidarity with the broader Palestinian population. “No matter what your political agenda or religion is, all of us Palestinians are targeted by the occupation,” a worshipper declared, encapsulating the collective sense of victimhood and resilience.