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Health ministry: Thirteen killed by Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon 57 minutes agoJamie WhiteheadReutersAt the very least 13 people including four women and one child have been killed by Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon. Eight people were killed in Haboush, Nabatieh District, where Israel Defense Forces had issued an evacuation notice. Two women and a young child were among the eight victims. Four people, two of whom were women, died in Zrarieh, in the district of Sidon, and another person was killed at Ain Baal, in the district Tyre. Total, 32 people were wounded. The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues despite a three-week ceasefire extension. On Saturday, the Iran backed group Hezbollah claimed it had targeted Israeli troops and military vehicles in Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed that one of its soldiers died during combat in southern Lebanon last Thursday, bringing to 17 the number of Israeli deaths since early march. An initial 10-day pause of hostilities was announced on 16th April after ambassador talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations, and the first high-level meeting in Washington was their first since 1993. The US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire on 23 April. He said that the second meeting between the countries “went very smoothly” and that the US would work with Lebanon “to protect it from Hezbollah”. Although the Iran-backed group wasn’t involved in the ceasefire deal, it had indicated it would adhere to its terms if Israel also respected it. The US would “guarantee” this, according to the post on X. The post has not been responded to by either leader. Israel bombarded Lebanon in response. Israeli forces returned to southern Lebanon in March. They destroyed villages and occupied 10km (6.2miles) of Lebanese land. Since early March, 2,586 Lebanese have died, including 103 emergency responders and health care workers. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Along with 17 Israeli soldiers who were killed in Lebanon, Hezbollah has also killed two civilians in Israel. The IDF says that the targets included Hezbollah’s headquarters and military buildings. A previous update said the IDF intercepted two “aerial targets” before they managed to cross into Israeli territory.Israeli ‘double-tap’ strike kills three rescue workers in Lebanon, officials sayWhat we know about the Israel-Lebanon ceasefireMiddle EastIsraelHezbollahLebanon

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US to reduce troop levels in Germany by 5,500 amid Trump spats with Merz2h agoMax MatzaGetty imagesThe US Defence Department is planning to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany amid a spat that has broken out between President Donald Trump, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the war with Iran. The US has a significant military presence in Germany, with more than 36,000 active duty troops assigned to bases across the country as of last December. Boris Pistorius, the German Defence Minister, told the German Press Agency that “the presence” of American soldiers was in both the US and Germany’s interest. He also made it clear that this decision did not surprise him. Trump has also suggested that US troops be pulled from Italy and Spain. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that the order regarding US troops in Germany came from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. “This decision is the result of a thorough review by the Department of Forces in Europe, and it is in recognition of the theatre requirements and conditions in the field,” he said. “We expect that the withdrawal will be completed within the next six to 12 months. “Trump has been a vocal critic of Nato and its allies for refusing to take part in operations to reopen Strait of Hormuz. Trump tells Congress he doesn’t need their approval for Iran WarAsked Thursday if he would also consider removing US troops from Italy or Spain, Trump responded, “I probably will. Look, why wouldn’t I?” “Italy and Spain have been terrible,” he said, criticizing their response to the Iran war. “In every case, they said ‘I don’t want to get into it.’ Merz told students at a university earlier this week that the “Americans clearly have no strategy”. He could not see what “strategic exit” they would choose. “The Iranians have shown themselves to be very adept at negotiating or, rather, very skilful in not negotiating. They let the Americans travel to Islamabad, and then leave without any result,” said he. He added that the “entire country” was being “humiliated by the Iranian leadership.” In response, Trump took his platform Truth Social and said Merz believed it was “OK” for Iran to possess a Nuclear Weapon and “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”. “No wonder Germany does so poorly, both economically and otherwise!” The BBC has contacted Germany’s embassy in Washington to get a comment. The US military deployment in Germany, which is the largest in Europe with 12,000 troops in Italy, and another 10,000 in the UK. Many of them are stationed in the Ramstein Air Base, outside the south-western German town of Kaiserslautern. Trump has proposed US troop reductions, but so far they have not been implemented. Only Japan hosts a greater US troop presence. The Merz government has changed that dramatically. Germany is projected to spend EUR105.8bn (PS91bn) in 2027 – with total defence expenditure next year set to reach 3.1% of GDP. The situation has changed dramatically since the Merz government took office. Germany is expected to spend EUR105.8bn in 2027, with total defence spending next year reaching 3.1% of GDP.

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Violence in Australian town following arrest of man for girl’s murder6 hrs agoSimon AtkinsonandToby Man,SydneyWarning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Readers: This article contains references to someone that has died. Jefferson Lewis was arrested on Thursday night, local time, in Alice Springs after being reportedly attacked by members of the community. “Payback” refers to traditional punishment under Aboriginal Customary Law in Central Australia, usually carried out by Elders to achieve harmony between Indigenous groups and families. “Bringing the term ‘payback,’ into this situation just fuels violence,” said Liddle. “Rhett Hammetton/EPAVideos from the scene show crowds throwing things at police and items being thrown. The police vehicles appeared to be damaged. At least one person was arrested for trying to set fire on a police car. Dole said that the scenes outside of the hospital could not be excused, explained or accepted. He told ABC that the scenes outside the hospital were not “reflective” of what the community in Alice Springs had been like in the past five days. Lewis’ injuries were not serious enough to keep him at the hospital, and he was flown to Darwin, where he was taken into custody by police. He said that police were sure someone in the community was helping him and warned, “we’re going after you too”. Forensic tests to confirm the identity of the young girl and her cause of death will be continued on Friday. Kumanjayi’s Little Baby’s Grandfather called for calm. In a statement, Robin Granites, an elder Yapa (Warlpiri), said that “what happened this week was not our way.” “Our children are precious and we are naturally angry and hurt by what has happened. “This man was caught, thanks in part to community action. We must now let justice run its course, while we mourn Kumanjayi Baby and support our families. “Northern Territory PolicePolice were combing nearby bush for Lewis who was released six days before Kumanjayi Baby disappeared. Dole said that everyone involved in her search had held out hope to find her alive. “It was absolutely devastating to everyone involved when we made that discovery yesterday,” he said. In a statement released on Thursday, Kumanjayi’s mother said she loved her daughter and missed her. It will be hard to live without you for the rest of our life. “We know that you are in heaven, with your family and Jesus. We will meet one day. Me and your brother will meet you one day.

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Oscar is missing after Academy Award winner was prevented from taking it on a flight3 hours agoRegan MorisLos AngelesReutersOscar-winner Pavel Talankin had to check in his golden statuette at a New York Airport for his documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin – and it’s now missing.Talankin claims he had the Academy Award for his documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin in his carry-on for a flight to Germany, but airport security at John F Kennedy International Airport stopped him because they thought it could be a When he arrived in Germany, he found that the Oscar had disappeared. The airline, Lufthansa, who helped him pack it in a box to take on the flight because Talankin did not have a checked luggage, said that their team was treating the incident with a lot of care and urgency and are conducting a “comprehensive search” internally for the award. Pavel Talankin “Our team is treating the matter with utmost urgency and care, and we are conducting an extensive internal search to ensure that the Oscar is returned as quickly as is possible. The BBC contacted the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and US Transportation Security Administration, which handles airport security and prevented Talankin from taking his Oscar on his flight bag. Robin Hessman said that she spoke on speakerphone with Talankin, the executive producer of the BBC documentary, to help him in the airport, as Talankin doesn’t speak fluent English. She said, “This would not have happened to Leonardo DiCaprio.” Talankin, co-director and protagonist in the Best Feature Documentary, often travels with the award to showcase at events or screenings. During his trip to New York, he handed it out to students at a university after a screening. The BBC has seen video of Lufthansa employees using tape and bubble wrap in order to pack the Oscar in a box. The Academy Award is 13.5in (34cm), and weighs approximately 8.5lb. The statuette is said to cost between $400 and $1,000. Mr Nobody Against Putin was a documentary Talankin made documenting the ramping-up of war propaganda at a Russian school where he worked following Russia’s invasion in Ukraine in February 2022. He is now exiled for his safety from Russia and living elsewhere in Europe. The documentary has been banned from three streaming platforms in Russia because it “propagates extremism and terrorist activity”.