Israeli Prime Minister disclosed on Friday that he has overcome a malignant tumor in the prostate. He underwent a radiation therapy treatment that he did not reveal at the time to avoid coinciding with the peak of the war in the Middle East, stating, "not allowing the terrorist regime of Iran to spread more false propaganda against Israel."
Regarding the war in the Middle East, this Friday opens up hope for a dialogue leading to the end of the conflict. According to sources from Pakistan, the mediating country, the Iranian Foreign Minister will travel to Islamabad on the same day to resume talks with the US.
Lebanon denounces the death of two people in an Israeli attack despite the truce announced by Trump
Lebanese health authorities announced on Friday the death of two people in an Israeli attack on southern Lebanon, despite the extension announced by US President Donald Trump of the ceasefire between Israel and the Mediterranean country.
According to a statement from Lebanon's Emergency Operations Center, the new "Israeli enemy attack" took place in the early hours against the city of Touline, in Marjeyún, and resulted in "the martyrdom of two individuals." The announcement comes after the Israeli Army emphasized on Telegram that they had attacked a rocket launcher belonging to the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, which had fired several times from Lebanon into Israeli territory.
Hegseth avoids specifying how long the demining of the Strait of Hormuz would take
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on Friday that any attempt by Iran to place more mines would violate the ceasefire. Hegseth refrains from setting a deadline for demining Hormuz, after a Pentagon report to Congress mentioned six months. He encourages other countries to participate in this effort.
Hegseth criticizes Europe and demands "a serious effort" in the Strait of Hormuz
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth adds that he would welcome Europe making "a serious effort" in the Strait of Hormuz. He had previously stated that the Old Continent needs the transit through that maritime route much more than the US and that "America" - a term frequently used in the US to refer only to the country itself - should not fight alone. Washington deserves "capable" and "loyal" partners, Hegseth insists.
"We do not rely on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do; perhaps they should start talking less, celebrating fewer ostentatious conferences in Europe, and instead, get on a boat. This is largely more of their fight than ours," stated the US official.
US has redirected 34 ships in the Strait of Hormuz so far
US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, declared on Friday that Iran has the opportunity to reach a "good agreement" with the United States, adding that the US Navy has redirected 34 ships from the Strait of Hormuz so far.
"Our blockade is growing and expanding globally," Hegseth told reporters. "No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the US Navy," he assured.
Netanyahu reveals successful treatment of malignant tumor in the prostate and hiding treatment due to war
The Israeli Prime Minister provided an update on his health this Friday, revealing previously unknown information. He made it public in a message shared on the social network X.
"I had a minor medical issue in the prostate that was completely treated. Thank God, that is now behind me. A year and a half ago, I underwent successful surgery for an enlarged benign prostate and have been under routine medical follow-up since. In the last check-up, a tiny spot of less than a centimeter was detected in the prostate. The examination determined it was a very early stage of a malignant tumor, with no spread or metastasis.
The doctors told me that it is very common in men of my age, and there are two options: 1 - It is not necessary to treat it; it can be left under observation. It is possible to live with it, and many do. 2 - Undergo treatment and eliminate the problem. They already know me. When I am given timely information about a potential danger, I want to address it immediately. This is true at a national level and also on a personal level. That's what I did. I underwent a focused treatment that eliminated the problem and left no trace of it," Netanyahu shared.
Additionally, Netanyahu claims he requested a delay in the release of the annual medical report. Thus, he concealed the radiation therapy treatment he was undergoing. He explains in the same message: "I asked to postpone its publication for two months so that it would not be released at the peak of the war, in order not to allow the terrorist regime of Iran to spread more false propaganda against Israel."
Iranian Foreign Minister to arrive in Islamabad this Friday to resume dialogue with the US, according to Pakistani sources
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abas Araqchí, will arrive in Islamabad on Friday accompanied by a small government delegation to resume peace talks with the United States, as reported by Pakistani government sources.
These officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Iran has not immediately confirmed Araqchi's trip. Islamabad has been trying to reactivate the negotiations, which were supposed to resume this week but did not materialize, to end a war that has left thousands dead across the Middle East, shaken energy markets, and darkened the global economic outlook.
A technical team of US logistics and security is already deployed in Islamabad, added the Pakistani sources, to facilitate the negotiation process stalled for two weeks.
Hizbulá states that extending the ceasefire "makes no sense" in light of "hostile acts"
Hizbulá reserves the right to respond to Israeli "aggressions" that continue despite the ceasefire in Lebanon, declared Ali Fayad, a deputy of the pro-Iranian group, as reported by Afp.
Extending the ceasefire "makes no sense" in light of the persistent "hostile acts" by Israel, he said.
UNIFIL announces the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper due to injuries sustained in an attack in Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mourned on Friday the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper in a hospital in Beirut due to injuries sustained in an attack in southern Lebanon on March 29, as reported by Efe.
In a statement, UNIFIL expressed that it "mourns the death today of Corporal Rico Pramudia, who was seriously injured after the explosion of a projectile at his base in (the southern Lebanese town of) Adchit Al Qusayr on the night of March 29."
"Corporal Pramudia, 31, tragically died from his injuries at a hospital in Beirut," detailed the statement.
Scarcity and price hikes suffocate agriculture in Asia
The scarcity of fuel and fertilizers and the rising costs threaten the world's food security, particularly in Asia, where in countries like Cambodia or Thailand, farmers are beginning to question whether it is worth investing in crops of basic products like rice.
The impact of the Middle East war on agriculture is manifold: the rise in crude oil prices is compounded by the increase in fertilizer prices, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman producing approximately 20% of ammonia and nitrogenous fertilizer exports, essential for agriculture.
ANCI requests an "exceptional review" of prices due to the cost shock derived from the Middle East war
The association of non-listed construction companies, ANCI, warned on Friday that the current situation in the Middle East increases pressure on the construction sector and poses a risk to the stability of public works contracts, calling for an "exceptional review" of prices, as reported by Europa Press.
At a time when the sector was already under significant economic strain due to rising costs over the past five years - due to the continuous increase in materials and labor costs - the escalation of fuel prices and energy derived from the war in Iran has exacerbated the problem, as explained by this business association in a statement.