International
Hezbulá announces a “specific” reprisal to the “Israeli massacre” against its militiamen in Lebanon
The Lebanese Shiite group Hezbulá promised on Wednesday that it will give a “specific” response to the “Israeli massacre” caused among its ranks by the simultaneous and massive explosion of thousands of searchers in the hands of its members in Lebanon and Syria, which caused a dozen deaths and thousands of injuries of varying severity.
In a message issued this morning, the armed formation indicated that despite the attack received, it will continue its support for the “resistance of Gaza and its people” and will continue to defend “Lebanon, its people and its sovereignty.”
The group added that Tuesday’s “massacre” will have a “hard punishment” and “specific accountability.”
“What happened yesterday will fill us with will and insistence on following the path of resistance and struggle and we totally trust in the divine promise with the victory of the faithful patient fighters,” the formation said in the statement.
Hizbulá also expressed his “most sincere blessings and condolences” to the families of those killed and injured “in the treacherous attack.”
Already last night, both Hizbulah and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon individually attributed to Israel the massive explosion of the searchers, which they condemned as a “criminal aggression that also targeted civilians and killed several people.”
“This serious and deliberate Israeli escalation coincides with Israeli threats to expand the war against Lebanon and with its uncompromising stance that calls for more bloodshed, destruction and sabotage,” the Lebanese Government denounced in a statement.
Around 15.30 on Tuesday (12.30 GMT), thousands of searchers in the hands of members of Hezbula exploded simultaneously in various parts of Lebanon, mainly in the south of the country and the southern suburbs of Beirut, controlled by the Shiite formation.
The Lebanese Minister of Public Health, Firas Abiad, said on Wednesday that the death toll from the chain explosion increased this Wednesday to twelve, while about 1,800 of the more than 2,800 injured required hospitalization.
According to Abiad, most of the injured were registered in Beirut and its suburbs, while in the south of the country about 750 people were injured and, in the eastern Bekaa Valley, another 150.
“There were more than a hundred hospitals that helped us receive the injured, all hospitals in all areas, including the north. The medical teams stayed all night and even today they are still working in the Eye and Ear units of the Hotel Dieu and the Roum,” he said in statements to the press during a visit to hospitals.
The Lebanese authorities received 15 tons of supplies on Wednesday and also medical personnel provided by Jordan, Iran and Iraq to help treat the victims, while Egypt, Syria or Turkey have also offered their help to Lebanon, according to Abiad.
International
Air Canada suspends JFK flights amid soaring fuel costs linked to Iran conflict
Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June through late October, citing rising jet fuel costs driven by the conflict involving Iran.
“Since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, some routes and less profitable flights have become economically unviable, so we are making adjustments accordingly,” the airline said in a statement.
Despite the suspension, the carrier confirmed it will continue operating 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Air Canada expects to resume its JFK operations after October 25.
Meanwhile, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a temporary ceasefire in the region. However, jet fuel shortages could persist even if the truce holds.
Fuel accounts for between 25% and 30% of operating costs for most airlines, and carriers worldwide have responded to the crisis by raising fares and suspending select routes due to safety and profitability concerns.
International
UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions
The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.
Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.
The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.
“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.
While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.
To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.
Central America
El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program
The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.
Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.
The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.
According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.
In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.
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