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Education ministry says over 17,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza since start of war

Gaza War

The ministry in a press release marking Palestinian Children’s Day, which is observed annually on April 5, said “education in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, is under direct attack by the Israeli occupation, which continues to destroy schools and prevent children from accessing safe educational environments.”

It noted students in Gaza, Jerusalem, and areas classified as “Area C” in the occupied West Bank face daily challenges due to the ongoing war.

“More than 17,000 children have been martyred in Gaza, a figure that reflects the depth of the tragedy children are enduring, with each number representing a life, memories, and experiences lost,” the ministry added.

Despite these dire conditions, the ministry highlighted the resilience of Gaza’s children, who continue to hold on to their right to education, which they see as the only path to a better future.

The ministry is promoting virtual schools and alternative measures to ensure that education continues despite the challenges.

Since the onset of Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian children have been subjected to catastrophic conditions, with government reports indicating that women and children now account for more than 60% of the casualties, now over 50,000.

Children under the age of 18 represent 43% of Palestine’s population, 3.4 million in the West Bank and 2.1 million in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Tehran wants indirect talks with Washington, warns regional countries over attacks against it

Iran US Flags

Although Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for direct talks, it wants to continue indirect negotiations through Oman, a longtime channel for messages between the rival states, said the official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

“Indirect talks offer a chance to evaluate Washington’s seriousness about a political solution with Iran,” stated the official.

Although that path could be “rocky”, such talks could begin soon if U.S. messaging supported it, the official added.

Iran has issued notices to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that any support for a U.S. attack on Iran, including the use of their air space or territory by U.S. military during an attack, would be considered an act of hostility, the official continued.

Such an act “will have severe consequences for them”, the official said, adding that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei had placed Iran’s armed forces on high alert.

Spokespeople for the governments of Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry announced it was not aware of a warning but that such messages could be conveyed by other channels.

Iran’s ally Russia said on Thursday that U.S. threats of military strikes against the Islamic Republic were unacceptable and on Friday called for restraint.

Iran is trying to gain more support from Russia, but is sceptical about Moscow’s commitment to its ally, stated a second Iranian official.

This “depends on the dynamics” of the relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the official added.

Trump has stated he would prefer a deal over Iran’s nuclear programme to a military confrontation.

The first Iranian official said a first round of indirect talks could involve Omani mediators shuttling between the Iranian and U.S. delegations. Ayatollah Khamenei has authorised Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi or his deputy, Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, to attend any talks in Muscat.

However, the official believed there was a window of around two months to agree a deal, citing worries that Iran’s long-time foe Israel might launch its own attack if talks took longer, and that it could trigger a so-called “snap back” of all international sanctions on Iran to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Iran has long denied wanting to develop a nuclear weapon.

Ukraine investigating leaked U.S. minerals agreement: FT

The administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has directed the security services to find the leakers, the Financial Times reports.

The measures include use of polygraph tests on those with access to the deal across several government ministries, though the Financial Times did not identify them specifically.

The minerals deal is the pet project of U.S. President Donald Trump, who talks about it as a means of securing U.S. engagement with Ukraine via private industry investment. Opponents talk about it as colonial pillaging of Ukraine’s resources.

The actual details of the minerals deal seem to fluctuate regularly, but Ukrainian authorities including Zelensky have assented in general terms to the concept of U.S. miners coming into Ukraine.

An earlier version of the deal did, however, fall apart early in March. Negotiations are, however, very much ongoing. Trump however recently accused Zelensky of “trying to back out” of the minerals deal.

Iran faces 37% rainfall deficit, drought concerns mount

Snow Iran

Hormozgan Province recorded the most severe deficit (-75.9%), followed by Sistan-Baluchestan (-75.4%) and East Azerbaijan (-60%)

Mazandaran was the sole province with increased rainfall (+2.2%)

Tehran saw a 41.4% reduction (81mm less than historical average)

The water crisis persists despite marginal improvement from a 37.5% deficit reported in mid-March.

Experts warn the prolonged drought could threaten agricultural output, strain urban water supplies, and exacerbate dust storms in southeastern regions.

Authorities are expected to implement water rationing in affected provinces ahead of peak summer demand.

Ancient Persian inscription of Darius I faces critical deterioration

The massive stone tablet, known as “Darius’s First Decree,” has suffered significant erosion and partial collapse in recent years.

Controversial conservation attempts in 2020, when authorities removed protective structures without proper approval or studies, reportedly accelerated the damage.

“This isn’t just any artifact; it’s the founding document of Persepolis itself,” said Siavash Arya, a cultural heritage activist who recently documented the inscription’s condition. “The text reveals Darius’s worldview, his respect for workers, and even early monotheistic beliefs in Persia.”

The limestone inscription contains 22 lines of cuneiform script describing the construction of Persepolis and the empire’s governance. Archaeologists consider it the most valuable written record from the Achaemenid period (550-330 BCE).

Authorities at the Persepolis World Heritage Site announced new restoration efforts this week, but experts remain concerned about irreversible damage. The inscription has become increasingly vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and humidity since its protective canopy was removed over four years ago.

“This was a preventable tragedy,” said Farzad Amiri, an ancient Near Eastern historian at Shiraz University. “The inscription survived millennia only to deteriorate under our watch due to poor decisions.”

Ukraine hits US embassy over ‘surprisingly disappointing’ response to Russian attack

Zelensky, in a lengthy Saturday post on X, accused the U.S. embassy in Ukraine of being afraid to mention Russia when commenting on the Friday attack that killed at least 19 people and injured nearly 70 more.

“Unfortunately, the response from the U.S. Embassy is surprisingly disappointing – such a strong country, such a strong people, and yet such a weak reaction,” Zelensky wrote.

“They are afraid to even say the word ‘Russian’ when speaking about the missile that murdered children.”

Following the deadly Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said she was “horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end.”

Zelensky, in the Saturday morning post, agreed that the three-year war in Eastern Europe “must end.”

“But to end it, we must not be afraid to call things by their names. We must not be afraid to pressure the one who continues this war and ignores all the world’s proposals to end it,” Zelensky added.

“We must pressure Russia – the one choosing to kill children instead of choosing a ceasefire. There must be additional sanctions against those who cannot exist without ballistic strikes on their neighboring nation,” Ukraine’s leader continued.

“We must do everything in our capacity to save lives.”

The strike on Kryvyi Rih was condemned by several European leaders, including European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas, who stated on Friday that Russia “continues to destroy Ukraine, no interest in peace.”

“It is critically important not to leave this Russian strike on civilians, on the city – every such strike – without a response from the world. Kryvyi Rih and all of Ukraine have already been supported by many yesterday and today,” Zelensky said.

Russian Defense Ministry announced the Friday attack was a “precision strike with a high-explosive missile” that was aimed at a “restaurant” where “commanders of formations and Western instructors were meeting.”

“As a result of the strike, enemy losses total up to 85 servicemen and officers of foreign countries, as well as up to 20 vehicles,” the ministry wrote on Telegram.

President Donald Trump’s administration has been pushing to secure a ceasefire between the two sides since he came back to office in January. The U.S. announced last week that an agreement was reached between the two Eastern European countries to halt “use of force” in the Black Sea and on energy facilities.

“We count on our agreements with the President of the United States, who promised to help find more Patriots,” Zelensky said on Saturday.

“And we count on the strength of the world to overcome this evil – this war, this Russian aggression,” he added.

Police: Iran deported over 1.12 million undocumented Afghan nationals last year

Afghan Refugee in Iran

General Saeed Montazer-al-Mahdi, the police command’s spokesperson, reported that security forces conducted 1,090 operations nationwide to locate and repatriate illegal immigrants.

“These individuals were identified through systematic border control measures and subsequently returned to their countries of origin,” General Montazer-al-Mahdi stated, referring to Afghan nationals.

The unprecedented deportation figures come amid heightened regional migration pressures and Iran’s ongoing economic challenges and water stress.

According to unofficial figures, Iran hosts over 10 million Afghan refugees, one of the world’s largest refugee population.

Authorities plan to upgrade surveillance technology along eastern border provinces, where most undocumented crossings occur.

Iran’s military chief: Tehran not to initiate war, to respond decisively to threats

Mohammad Bagheri

Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, addressed commanders, officials, and personnel of the General Staff and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters on Sunday morning.

He added that another part of the measures taken in response to Trump’s letter emphasizes that Iran seeks stability in the region, is not pursuing nuclear weapons, and will not engage in direct negotiations, though indirect talks are not an issue.

Major General Baqeri noted that Iran’s response made it clear that the US has been the most unreliable and untrustworthy party in past negotiations, stressing that there is no trust in America.

He pointed out that Trump, following his recent letter to the Supreme Leader, received a fitting response—one that reflected the Leader’s directives and strategic considerations.

Baqeri described the US president as a narcissistic and bullying individual, adding that he has clashed not only with enemies but also with friends and allies.

Major General Baqeri emphasized that the people of Iran and the world should know that the strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to defend its interests, pursue progress, and advance toward its envisioned horizons.

He pointed out that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek war, but it will not accept bullying and coercion and will stand firm against it.

IAEA chief asserts Iran has no nuclear weapons

Rafael Grossi

Grossi, who plans to visit Iran in the coming weeks, framed his trip as an effort to “reduce the risk of confrontation” between Tehran and Washington.

Regarding capabilities, Grossi avoided technical details but noted Iran’s uranium enrichment now exceeds civilian needs. “They have the materials required for weapons production,” he said, while reiterating that no actual weapons exist.

The IAEA chief confirmed ongoing coordination with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to “clarify outstanding issues” regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.

He warned that any military escalation would prove “devastating,” though he provided no specifics about which aspects of Iran’s activities required clarification.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions following US President Donald Trump’s simultaneous calls for negotiations and threats of military action against Iran.

Netanyahu set for talks with Trump over Iran, tariffs

The agenda for the trip will include Turkiye-Israel relations, “the Iranian threat”, Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, tariffs and the “fight against the International Criminal Court,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said on Saturday.

US media reports citing unnamed US and Israeli officials said the meeting would take place at the White House on Monday.

Trump’s invitation came after a phone call on Thursday between the two leaders. Netanyahu raised the issue of tariffs during the conversation. Israel faces a 17-percent tariff under Trump’s so-called “reciprocal tariffs”.

Israel recently moved to cancel remaining tariffs on US imports. Their free trade agreement, signed four decades ago, ensures that about 98 percent of US goods enter Israel tax-free.

Netanyahu is currently visiting Hungary on his first trip to Europe since 2023 in defiance of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Hungary’s government announced its withdrawal from the ICC just before Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed his Israeli counterpart.

The United States is not a member of the court.

Also on the agenda will be stalled efforts to reach a new agreement on a Gaza ceasefire deal and the return of Israeli captives held by Palestinian groups there. Israel renewed its attacks on Gaza last month, shattering a short-lived truce with the Palestinian group Hamas.

Trump also has pressed Iran to enter negotiations on a new agreement regarding its nuclear programme. Iran has stressed it would be willing to hold indirect talks.

Western countries, led by the US, have, for decades, accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran rejects these allegations and maintains that its nuclear activities exist solely for civilian purposes.