Mossad's Explosive Ploy in Lebanon Escalates Middle Eastern and Global Tensions
Mossad's pager bomb plot in Lebanon kills nine and wounds thousands; Hezbollah vows retaliation against Israel.
Israel’s Mossad has orchestrated a deadly attack by planting explosives in 5,000 Taiwan-made pagers ordered by Hezbollah, leading to their detonation across Lebanon. Nine people were killed and nearly 3,000 were wounded, including fighters and Iran's envoy to Beirut, prompting Hezbollah to vow retaliation against Israel.
Speaking of regional tension, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced plans to strengthen ties with Russia to counter Western sanctions. This declaration follows a meeting with Russia's top security official Sergei Shoigu in Tehran, amid US concerns that Iran might be supplying missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, a claim that Iran denies.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump plans to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi's visit to the United States. At a Michigan campaign event, Trump criticized India's trade practices but also praised Modi as "fantastic," marking a noteworthy diplomatic encounter as President Joe Biden attends his last Quad summit before Vice President Kamala Harris leads the Democratic ticket.
Shifting focus to Europe, thousands of firefighters are battling deadly wildfires in Portugal, which have claimed seven lives and scorched 10,000 hectares, particularly affecting the northern Aveiro region. Among the casualties are three firefighters who tragically died when their vehicle was trapped by flames in Coimbra, with Portugal calling on the EU for additional firefighting support.
The situation in the Middle East has also led to airlines such as Air France suspending flights from Charles de Gaulle airport to Beirut and Tel Aviv until September 19 due to rising security concerns. Lufthansa Group has similarly halted flights to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran, avoiding Israeli and Iranian airspace until further notice.
Back in the US, a Senate hearing on hate incidents sparked controversy when Republican Senator John Kennedy accused Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry of supporting extremist groups, which she vehemently denied. The hearing drew extensive criticism from various rights groups, condemning Kennedy's use of anti-Muslim tropes.
Speaking of regional tension, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced plans to strengthen ties with Russia to counter Western sanctions. This declaration follows a meeting with Russia's top security official Sergei Shoigu in Tehran, amid US concerns that Iran might be supplying missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, a claim that Iran denies.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump plans to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi's visit to the United States. At a Michigan campaign event, Trump criticized India's trade practices but also praised Modi as "fantastic," marking a noteworthy diplomatic encounter as President Joe Biden attends his last Quad summit before Vice President Kamala Harris leads the Democratic ticket.
Shifting focus to Europe, thousands of firefighters are battling deadly wildfires in Portugal, which have claimed seven lives and scorched 10,000 hectares, particularly affecting the northern Aveiro region. Among the casualties are three firefighters who tragically died when their vehicle was trapped by flames in Coimbra, with Portugal calling on the EU for additional firefighting support.
The situation in the Middle East has also led to airlines such as Air France suspending flights from Charles de Gaulle airport to Beirut and Tel Aviv until September 19 due to rising security concerns. Lufthansa Group has similarly halted flights to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran, avoiding Israeli and Iranian airspace until further notice.
Back in the US, a Senate hearing on hate incidents sparked controversy when Republican Senator John Kennedy accused Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry of supporting extremist groups, which she vehemently denied. The hearing drew extensive criticism from various rights groups, condemning Kennedy's use of anti-Muslim tropes.
