Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah

"In an emergency session held at Baabda Palace on April 9, Lebanon’s Cabinet made a consequential decision: the immediate prohibition of all Hezbollah military and security activities on Lebanese soil.

The government in many times formally demanded that Hezbollah surrender its weapons and transition into a purely political party, ending its status as an armed non-state actor.
President Joseph Aoun delivered a pointed message in a speech on April 9 underscoring Lebanese sovereignty, insisting that 'the Lebanese State must negotiate for itself,' in a clear rejection of any regional power, particularly Iran, claiming authority to negotiate Lebanon’s future.
The Cabinet also ordered the Lebanese Army and security forces to impose full state authority across Beirut Governorate, declaring that only legitimate state institutions may possess weapons within the capital." msn

5.2 Earthquake - South Shetland Islands

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the South Atlantic Ocean near Elephant Island island, Antarctica, in the afternoon at 5.59 pm local time (GMT -4). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

Israel to Begin Direct Talks with Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah — Eyes ‘Historic’ Peace Deal

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” aimed at disarming Hezbollah and advancing what he described as a “historic, sustainable peace agreement.” Breitbart

134 clashes on frontline

"Russian forces attacked Ukrainian defensive positions 134 times since the beginning of the day.
According to the General Staff, in the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy carried out four airstrikes using six guided aerial bombs, conducted 62 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, two of which involved multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched four attacks on Ukrainian positions near Vovchanski Khutory, Prylypky, and Starytsia. One assault is ongoing.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy attacked six times near Petropavlivka, Novoosynove, and toward Lyman. One attack is ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian forces repelled five enemy assaults toward Lyman, Dibrova, Novomykhailivka, and Tverdokhlibove. One assault is ongoing.
In the Sloviansk sector, the enemy attempted to advance once toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the invaders launched one attack toward Nykyforivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy conducted 22 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Stepanivka, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Ivanopillia, and toward Illinivka, Sofiivka, Kostiantynivka, and Novopavlivka. One attack is ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy carried out 28 attacks. The invaders attempted to advance near Ivanivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Shevchenko, Hryshyne, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Novopavlivka, Molodetske, Myrne, Kotlyne, and Novopidhorodnie. Three assaults are ongoing.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces launched six attacks near Oleksandrohrad, Vorone, Zlahoda, and toward Andriivka-Klevtsove. One assault is ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, 17 enemy attacks were recorded near Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, Varvarivka, Hirkе, Huliaipilske, Staroukrainka, and Dobropillia. Five assaults are ongoing." Ukrin

Iran Blocks Traffic in Strait of Hormuz over Israeli Strikes in Lebanon

"Iran reportedly violated the ceasefire agreement brokered by Pakistan in a matter of hours by

once again closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, ostensibly because Israel has refused to halt its operation against the Hezbollah terrorists of Lebanon.
Iran’s state-run Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said on Wednesday morning that two oil tankers were allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz “with permission from Iran” – but the strait was then closed again “in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.”
CBS News reported that Iran’s remaining naval forces are still warning ships in the Persian Gulf that they must obtain “permission” from Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz." Breitbart

5.1 Earthquake - South Papua, 94 km northeast of Nabire, Indonesia

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit 94 km (58 mi) away from Nabire, Central Papua, Indonesia, in the afternoon of Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 at 4.32 pm local time (Asia/Jayapura GMT +9). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

164 combat engagements on frontline

"164 combat clashes between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invading forces were recorded.
Airstrikes targeted areas in the Zaporizhzhia region, including Lisne, Nove Pole, Vozdvyzhivka, Pryluky, Verkhnia Tersa, Liubytske, Hirke, Huliaipilske, Barvinivka, Shyroke, Charivne, Veselianka, Mykilske, and Kushuhum, as well as Svarkove and Fotovyzh in the Sumy region.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, the enemy carried out one airstrike using a guided bomb and conducted 106 shelling attacks, including six with MLRS. One combat engagement was recorded there.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, Russian forces attempted seven times to break through defensive lines near Vovchanski Khutory, Starytsia, Krasne Pershe, Synelnykove, Prylipka, and Lyman.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian troops launched eight attacks toward Petropavlivka, Novoosynove, Kivsharivka, and Novoplatonivka.

In the Lyman direction, invaders attacked six times near Hrekivka, Zarichne, and toward Stavky, Dibrova, Novyi Myr, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled five attempts to advance toward Riznykivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces carried out one attack toward Tykhonivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy conducted 20 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Stepanivka, Novopavlivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukraine's Defense Forces stopped 32 assault actions near Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Muravka, Hryshyne, Udachne, Filiia, and toward Bilytske, Novooleksandrivka, Novopidhirodne, and Serhiivka.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy attacked seven times toward Lisne, Oleksandrohrad, Novoselivka, and near Novohryhorivka.
In the Huliaipole direction, 18 Russian attacks were recorded toward Pryluky, Dobropillia, Tsvitkove, Zaliznychne, Huliaipilske, Olenokostiantynivka, Varvarivka, and near Myrne and Huliaipole." Ukrin

U.S., Iran, Israel Agree To 2-Week Ceasefire; Tehran Will Allow Safe Passage Via Hormuz For Two Weeks

"President Trump agrees to a two-week ceasefire with Iran

, conditional on them "agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz"
Iran accepts Pakistan's two-week ceasefire proposal, with the deal approved by the New Supreme Leader; Iran also says safe passage via Hormuz "Possible" for two weeks
Israel has reportedly agreed to suspend bombing while talks are ongoing." ZeroHedge

5.2 Earthquake - Pacific-Antarctic Ridge

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean near the coast of n/a shortly after midnight at 12.07 am local time (GMT -9). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

170 clashes on frontline

"170 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the frontline.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian forces repelled six enemy attacks; Russian troops carried out 78 shelling attacks, including two with MLRS, and conducted four airstrikes, using 10 guided bombs.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched four assaults near Prylipky, Vovchansk, Lyman, and toward Hrafske.

In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces attacked seven times near Kurylivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane, and Novoosynove.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian troops repelled five attempts by the enemy to advance near Lyman, Drobysheve, Stavky, Dibrova, and toward Tverdokhlibove.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces stopped nine attempts by Russian troops to advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and near Riznykivka and Ozerne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, no attacks were recorded.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 32 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, Stepanivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka, and toward Pavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 26 assault actions near Bilytske, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Rivne, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Hryshyne, Dachne, Filiia, Muravka, and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy launched 12 attacks near Sosnivka, Andriivka-Klevtsove, Kalynivske, Verbove, Sichneve, Vorone, and toward Lisne.
In the Huliaipole sector, 26 Russian attacks were recorded near Dobropillia, Tsvitkove, Varvarivka, Huliaipole, Sviatopetrivka, Pryluky, Hirkе, Olenokostiantynivka, and Zaliznychne.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted to advance once near Kamianske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian units stopped five enemy attacks near the Antonivskyi Bridge.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of the formation of offensive groupings by Russian forces were detected." Ukrin

Iran's new Supreme Leader is 'unconscious' and unable to run war-torn country, memo says

"Iran's new Supreme Leader is 'unconscious' and currently incapable of running the country, according to a new intelligence memo.
An assessment understood to be based on American and Israeli intelligence says Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated for a 'severe' medical condition in the religious city of Qom.
Khamenei, 56, has not been seen in public since he took over as Supreme Leader from his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the first day of the war.
The regime previously reported he had sustained a 'minor' injury to his leg in the strike that killed his father - as well as his mother, wife, and one of his sons - but it has never explained his absence." msn

Ukrainian drones target key US-linked oil hub in Russia

"Ukrainian drones have attacked the oil infrastructure of the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is operated by the internationally-owned Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the Defense Ministry in Moscow has reported. The CPC crude shipment hub on the Black Sea

shore has been repeatedly targeted in suspected Ukrainian UAV strikes in recent months, prompting condemnation from Kazakhstan and the US.
The consortium ships oil from Kazakhstan through the Caspian Pipeline to a marine terminal in Novorossiysk, where it is loaded onto tankers bound for Europe and Asia. Among the CPC shareholders are major energy companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, several Western European countries and the US, including Chevron and ExxonMobil." RT

4.7-magnitude earthquake off Lebanon coast felt in northern Israel

"A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck the eastern Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lebanon
on Monday morning and was felt in parts of northern Israel, the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry said.
There were no reports of injuries or damage. Reports from northern Israel indicated that the earthquake was primarily felt from Haifa north to Nahariya." msn

150 combat engagements on front line

 "150 clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, the enemy carried out five airstrikes using 13 KABs (precision-guided bombs) and conducted 93 shellings, including six from MRLS. Four combat engagements were recorded.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, the Russians twice attempted to break through defensive lines near Starytsia and toward Kolodyazne.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attacked eight times near Pishchane and toward Kivsharivka, Novoosynove, Petropavlivka, and Kurylivka.

In the Lyman direction, the invaders attacked six times toward Lyman, Stavky, Novoserhiivka, and Drobysheve.
In the Sloviansk direction, the Defense Forces repelled five enemy attempts to advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka, Yampil, and Riznykivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops attacked three times in the areas of Pryvillia, Markove, and toward Minkivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy carried out 19 attacks in the areas of Stepanivka, Kleban-Byk, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Illinivka, Sofiivka, and Kostiantynivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the Defense Forces repelled 31 assault actions by the Russian army in the areas of Bilytske, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Hryshyne, and Muravka.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy attacked 13 times in the areas of Ivanivka, Myrne, Kalynivske, Pryvillia, Verbove, Zlahoda, and Oleksandrohrad.
In the Huliaipole direction, 11 Russian attacks occurred in the areas of Olenokostiantynivka, Charivne, and toward Sviatopetrivka, Zaliznychne, and Pryluky.
In the Orikhiv direction, the Defense Forces stopped two enemy attempts to advance near Shcherbaky." Ukrin

Ukrainian air defences down 114 out of 141 Russian drones overnight

"Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 141 drones on the night of 4-5 April. Ukrainian air defences have destroyed or jammed 114 UAVs." msn