ABU DHABI -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday denied reports of a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the country, noting that reports claiming that the UAE had received the Israeli prime minister or any Israeli military delegation were false.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that its relations with Israel are conducted within the framework of the publicly known Abraham Accords, not based on secret arrangements. (UAE-Israel-Denial)
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PARIS -- An infectious outbreak reported aboard the cruise ship "Ambition," docked in Bordeaux, has been confirmed as viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus, the prefecture of Gironde in southwestern France said in a statement on Wednesday.
No severe cases have been reported at this stage, and asymptomatic people will be allowed to leave the vessel, according to the statement. (France-Norovirus outbreak)
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YAOUNDE -- More than 120 people were injured in a major fire that broke out on Tuesday night at a large fuel depot in Abeche, the capital of Chad's eastern Ouaddai Province, local media reported on Wednesday.
According to a preliminary toll released by local authorities, victims received immediate treatment at the city's health facilities. While many of the injured remain under intensive medical observation, no fatalities have been reported so far. (Chad-Oil depot-Fire)
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BEIRUT -- Deputy head of Hezbollah's political council Mahmoud Qomati said on Wednesday that the group will not allow Israel to remain on Lebanese territory, stressing that Hezbollah considers itself responsible for defending Lebanon.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher, a Doha-based public affairs television network, Qomati accused Israel of failing to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, saying that ongoing Israeli attacks and violations prove it continues to operate through "the logic of force and military pressure." (Lebanon-Hezbollah-Israel)
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BEIRUT -- At least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week despite a ceasefire agreement, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday, warning of deepening physical and psychological harm among young survivors.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17, bringing the total number of child casualties since March 2 to 200 killed and 806 injured. (Lebanon-UNICEF-Child casualties) ■
