**Summary:** Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that starting April 1st, they will attack the facilities of major US companies operating in the Middle East as retaliation for what they deem terrorist operations carried out by the US and its Israeli allies. The threat specifically targets technology and intelligence-related institutions.

**Key points:**
- The threat is a response to repeated warnings ignored by the US regarding stopping terrorist operations that resulted in Iranian citizen deaths.
- Targeted tech companies include Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Cisco, HP, Intel, Oracle, and Google.
- Google's offices and data centers in the UAE (Dubai) and its hub in Riyadh and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) are specifically mentioned as potential targets.
- Microsoft's assets in the UAE and Israel, including R&D centers linked to defense, are also in the crosshairs.
- Amazon's critical assets, including data centers in the UAE and Bahrain, and a major project in Saudi Arabia, are named as possible targets.
- Meta's engineering and development centers in Israel, along with commercial offices in the UAE and Israel, are also threatened.

**Why it matters:** This announcement signals a significant escalation in regional conflict, moving beyond attacks on military bases to targeting major US corporate infrastructure in the Middle East.

Irán establece como blanco de sus ataques a empresas de EEUU en Medio Oriente: Apple, Nvidia y Microsoft figuran en la lista - Diario Financiero

Estas son las empresas estadounidenses que "deben esperar la destrucción" en Oriente Próximo tras la amenaza de Irán - El HuffPost

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Threatens to Attack US Companies in Middle East

**Summary:** Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans for the IDF to maintain security control over a zone in Southern Lebanon up to the Litani River after the current operation against Hezbollah concludes. This security zone, extending about 30 kilometers from the border, will involve demolishing border villages, similar to the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza.

**Key points:**
- The security zone will be established along a defensive line against anti-tank missiles.
- Hundreds of thousands of evacuated Lebanese residents will be prohibited from returning south of the Litani River until Israeli northern residents' security is guaranteed.
- Katz stated that houses in Lebanese villages near the border will be destroyed, mirroring the approach in Rafah and Beit Hanoun, Gaza.
- The current Israeli operation involves entering villages with force to clear Hezbollah militants and destroy infrastructure.

**Why it matters:** This reiteration of a long-term military presence and demographic control measures in Southern Lebanon signifies a significant shift in Israeli security policy regarding its northern border post-conflict.

كاتس: إسرائيل ستحتل أجزاء من جنوب لبنان حتى بعد الحرب - زاد الاردن الاخباري - أخبار الأردن

Israel reiterates plan to control parts of Lebanon after war, invokes Gaza strategy - Egypt Independent

Israel's Defense Minister Katz: Control of South Lebanon to continue post-war

**Summary:** Jeune Afrique has released a new, 100% renewed list of the 20 future champions of African tech for 2026, noting a selective bright spot in 2025 funding. The total funding raised by African startups in 2025 reached $4.6 billion, showing a selective improvement.

**Key points:**
- The 2026 list of startups to watch is entirely renewed compared to previous years.
- The annual funding for African startups saw a jump of over 25% in 2025.
- The total amount of financing recorded in 2025 was $4.6 billion.
- The results confirm a consolidation of investments in the seed stage.
- A key question raised is whether the next generation of leaders can be secured.

**Why it matters:** This annual ranking highlights emerging leaders in the African technology ecosystem and assesses the sustainability of investment trends, particularly in early-stage funding.

Who are the 20 future champions of African tech in 2026?

Jeune Afrique names 20 future African tech champions for 2026

Qui sont les 20 futurs champions de la tech africaine en 2026 ?

**Summary:** The Israeli army announced on Tuesday the death of four of its soldiers, including a captain, during clashes in southern Lebanon. This incident marks the highest single-day casualty count since the resumption of hostilities with Hezbollah on March 2nd.

**Key points:**
- Three of the deceased belonged to the reconnaissance unit of the 'Nahal' Brigade, identified as Captain Noam Madmoni, Sergeant Ben Cohen, and Sergeant Maxim Antiss; the fourth soldier's name was not immediately released.
- Three other soldiers were injured in the same incident, one critically, and others sustained moderate to minor injuries.
- The clash reportedly occurred near the western sector of southern Lebanon following a close-range confrontation involving an Israeli tank hit by an anti-armor missile, suggesting the force fell into an ambush.
- The total Israeli military death toll since March 2nd has risen to ten, with over 260 wounded.
- In response, the Israeli army launched intensive raids on the area where the clashes took place.

**Why it matters:** The incident represents a significant escalation in the ongoing military confrontation in southern Lebanon, highlighting the increasing challenges faced by Israeli forces operating deeper into Lebanese territory.

إسرائيل تعلن تفاصيل مقتل 4 جنود جدد جنوب لبنان - زاد الاردن الاخباري

مقتل 4 جنود إسرائيليين بجنوب لبنان - هسبريس

Israel Announces Death of 4 Soldiers in Southern Lebanon Clashes

**Summary:** Ahead of the decisive World Cup 2026 play-off final between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy, an incident occurred where a man in an Italian military uniform was filmed recording the Bosnian team's training session on March 30th. Bosnia & Herzegovina filed a complaint with EUFOR, the European Union mission, while Italy denied any connection, claiming the individual was merely a curious soldier near the EUFOR command base.

**Key points:**
- The incident took place at the Butmir training ground on the afternoon of March 30th, involving a man wearing an Italian military jacket with an Italian insignia.
- Bosnia & Herzegovina identified the suspect as belonging to the EUFOR forces and lodged a complaint with the EU mission.
- Italy's side, citing the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, asserted the suspect was not a spy for the Italian team but a soldier coincidentally observing the practice.
- The match is the final of European play-off bracket A for a spot in the World Cup 2026 finals in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
- Italy previously won the World Cup four times but has missed the last two tournaments after losing play-offs to Sweden and North Macedonia.

**Why it matters:** This alleged espionage attempt has added tension to the high-stakes World Cup 2026 play-off match between Italy and Bosnia & Herzegovina, which will determine one of the final European qualifiers.

Ngày quyết định những đội cuối cùng dự VCK World Cup 2026

Xác định 6 đội tuyển cuối cùng góp mặt vòng chung kết World Cup 2026

Italy bị tố sử dụng gián điệp trước trận tranh vé vớt World Cup 2026

Italia bị tố do thám Bosnia trước trận play - off World Cup 2026 | Báo Điện tử An ninh Thủ đô

Italy accused of spying on Bosnia ahead of World Cup 2026 play-off match

**Summary:** Over the past day, Russian forces reportedly lost 970 personnel, 2 tanks, and 61 artillery systems in Ukraine, according to the General Staff. Russian attacks using guided aerial bombs on the Sumy region resulted in 13 injuries, while debris from an enemy UAV caused one fatality and three injuries in the Poltava region. Explosions were also reported in Odesa, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zhytomyr regions.

**Key points:**
- The Russian strike on the Hlukhiv community in Sumy Oblast involved two guided aerial bombs hitting a residential area, damaging at least 15 homes.
- The youngest casualty in Sumy was a 6-year-old girl who was home with her father during the strike.
- In the Poltava region, debris from an enemy UAV damaged a multi-story building, resulting in one death and three injuries, including an 11-year-old boy.
- Odesa was attacked by strike UAVs, with one impact hitting a 9-story residential building in the Kyivskyi district, injuring one man.
- Total estimated Russian combat losses since February 24, 2022, reached approximately 1,297,670 personnel as of March 31, 2026.

**Why it matters:** The ongoing military actions continue to inflict significant personnel and equipment losses on Russian forces while causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across multiple Ukrainian oblasts.

За минулу добу РФ втратила в Україні ще 970 солдатів, 2 танки й 61 артсистему

Россияне ударили по нескольким областям, есть разрушения и раненые

Russian Forces Suffer Heavy Losses in Ukraine; Strikes Reported Across Several Regions

**Summary:** White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump is interested in asking Arab countries to help cover the costs of the war with Iran. Leavitt indicated that Trump has this idea and may elaborate on it later, while also noting that private talks with Iran are progressing well despite public posturing.

**Key points:**
- Leavitt confirmed Trump's interest in calling on Arab nations to finance the Iran war.
- Trump had previously threatened to obliterate Iran's energy plants and oil wells if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened.
- Iran had described US peace proposals as "unrealistic" and fired missiles at Israel prior to the statement.
- Leavitt mentioned that private communications with Tehran differ from public statements, with Iran privately agreeing to some US points.

**Why it matters:** This signals a potential shift in US strategy regarding the financial burden of military action against Iran, seeking regional allies to contribute funding.

sudaress.com - ترامب: إيران منحتنا 20 ناقلة نفط والشحن يبدأ غدًا

Cyprus Mail - Trump interested in calling on Arab states to help pay for Iran war, White House says

Hespress - ترامب يعد للتخلص من "كلفة الحرب"

Trump Interested in Arab States Paying for Iran War Costs, White House Says

**Summary:** Céline Dion announced her return to the stage with a series of ten concerts scheduled at the Paris La Défense Arena from September 12 to October 14, 2026. The announcement was made on her 58th birthday via an emotional video message broadcast near the Eiffel Tower.

**Key points:**
- The residency, titled "Céline Dion Paris 2026," will feature her greatest hits in French and English.
- Presale tickets begin on April 7, with registration opening April 2; Visa cardholders receive priority access.
- Dion mentioned feeling the prayers and support from fans during her time away due to Stiff-Person Syndrome.
- Previous Paris concerts scheduled for 2020 were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and her health issues.

**Why it matters:** This marks Céline Dion's first stage comeback after a multi-year hiatus caused by her diagnosis with Stiff-Person Syndrome, signaling a positive step in her recovery.

Quarte Bot