The Eurovision final is set to begin in Sweden's Malmo but the Israel-Hamas war is stealing the show at the song contest. The Eurovision spanned about a week and the entire duration saw tensions over Israel's participation in the war and thousands of protesters.

Eurovision: Tensions over Israeli Eden Golan's participation

What we might know of Lebanon and what the ground reality is, might not be the same. WION gets you this ground report, to show the effects of war and life in Lebanon.

Israel war: Spike in Hezbollah-IDF cross-border fire

Hezbollah claimed to have fired Katyusha rockets against Israel in revenge for strikes in southern Lebanon that killed two civilians, according to official media.

Israel war: Israel engaged in exchange fire with Lebanon's Hezbollah

A new survey that was conducted in the backdrop of Israel's ground operations in Rafah has found that Prime Minister Netanyahu's Coalition has dropped by four points in its popularity ratings while the opposition Yesh Atid Party has gained three points.

Netanyahu's Likud Party loses mandate in new poll

Israel has ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah as it prepares to expand its operation. Seeing it is moving into an area in Northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped fighting is escalating across The Enclave with heavy clashes between Israeli troops and Hamas militants.

Israel-Hamas war: Israel orders new evacuation orders in Rafah

The Biden administration stated on Friday that the Israeli military's use of US weaponry in Gaza may have breached international humanitarian law during its battle with Hamas, in a harsh indictment of its ally. Amid this, Israel's war council approved a "limited" expansion of the military attack in Rafah, a southern Gaza city, according to local media.

US report finds possible Israeli violations of international law in Gaza

Student protests demanding that universities cut links with Israel over the Gaza conflict have spread around Europe, causing fights and arrests as new demonstrations erupted in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria. Watch to know more.

Israel-Hamas war: Pro-Palestinian protests flare up in different parts of world

Watch the top headlines of the hour: - Egypt: Hamas, Israel must be flexible - Putin reappoints Mishustin as PM - Rafah hospitals struggle amid bombings - MSC Aries: Iran releases five Indian crew members - Zelensky fires bodyguard Chief - Senegal airport: Boeing 737 catches fire

Egypt: Hamas, Israel must be flexible | Rafah hospitals struggle amid bombings

Four Israeli soldiers were killed and several wounded as fierce battles raged across the Gaza Strip on Friday. Israeli tanks reportedly advanced on a main road dividing the eastern and western halves of southern Gaza’s Rafah. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Four Israeli soldiers killed in North Gaza, tanks advances into Rafah

Watch the top headlines of the hour: - Netanyahu says, 'Israel will stand alone' - Israel hits Rafah despite US warnings - Hamas: Ball completely in Israel's court - Israel in Eurovision 2024 final - MSC Aries: Iran releases five Indian crew members - Stormy Daniels finishes her testimony - Senegal airport: Boeing 737 catches fire

MSC Aries: Iran releases five Indian crew members | Israel in Eurovision 2024 final

In the aftermath of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel finds itself grappling with the staggering financial aftermath. Data from the finance ministry shows the total cost of conflict at $16 billion. The nation's budget deficit has surged to surpass 7% of its gross domestic product. A significant portion of this expenditure, nearly 36%, has been allocated to defence. Despite efforts to mitigate the fiscal impact, tax revenues have declined by 2.2%, exacerbating the widening fiscal gap.

Israel- Hamas war: Central bank estimates total conflict to cost $68 billion

Watch the top headlines of the hour: - Netanyahu says, 'Israel will stand alone' - Israel hits Rafah despite US warnings - Hamas: Ball completely in Israel's court - Israel in Eurovision 2024 final - Stormy Daniels finishes her testimony - Senegal airport: Boeing 737 catches fire

Senegal airport: Boeing 737 catches fire | Stormy Daniels finishes her testimony | WION Headlines

Hezbollah vs Israeli forces

On one hand, Israeli forces have begun a deadly offensive in southern Gaza, and on the other hand, Palestinians are showcasing their strength. Take a look.

Gazans celebrate love

The rift between US President and Israeli Prime Minister is growing by the hour. In a first since October 7, Biden administration has blocked a deadly arms shipment to Israeli forces. IDF says it owns enough weapons for Rafah incursion.

Israel-Hamas War: 'Enough arms for Rafah mission'

After US President Biden threatened to cut off arms supply to Israel if it invades Rafah city of Gaza, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his 'country is prepared to stand alone'.

After Joe Biden's arms supply cut warning, Netanayhu says 'Israel is ready to stand alone'

Israel defiant despite US threat over Rafah; Netanyahu says, 'Israel is ready to stand alone'

Watch the top headlines of the hour: - Netanyahu says, 'Israel will stand alone' - Israel hits Rafah despite US warnings - Hamas: Ball completely in Israel's court - Israel in Eurovision 2024 final - Stormy Daniels finishes her testimony - US satisfies with India's steps in Pannun case

Israel hits Rafah despite US warnings | Netanyahu says, 'Israel will stand alone'

Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu says Israel ready to stand alone

The US has long been by far the largest arms supplier to its closest Middle East ally, followed by Germany. Two countries, Canada and the Netherlands, have halted arms shipments to Israel this year over concern they could be used in ways violating international humanitarian law. Watch in the report to know more details of Israel's weapons suppliers.

Israel-Hamas War: Who are Israel's main weapons suppliers?

Israel-Hamas War: Who supplies most weapons to Israel?

Billions of dollars worth of US weaponry remains in the pipeline for Israel, despite the delay of one shipment of bombs and a review of others by US President Joe Biden’s administration. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Israel to get US weapons despite shipment delay?

Hamas on Thursday called for an end to airdrops of aid after two Palestinians were killed in northern Gaza when a aid pallet crashed into a warehouse after its parachute failed to open. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Aid air drops are 'real danger' says Hamas after 2 killed in Gaza

Israel defiant despite US threat over Rafah

Around hundred people gathered at a pro-Israeli protest in Malmo. The event is taking place amid protests and boycotts over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Eurovision song contest 2024: Israel qualifies for finale

Iranians had the chance to cast ballots for parliament again on Friday in regions where candidates failed to secure enough votes in March, when conservatives and ultra-conservatives won a majority.

First-round voting saw a turnout of 41 percent, marking the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Candidates needed at least 20 percent of all valid votes in their constituency to be elected in the initial round.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maldives-foreign-minister-zameer-mindful-on-concerns-over-china-vessel-visit-seeks-debt-relief-from-india-719884">Maldives Foreign Minister Zameer mindful of concerns over China vessel visit; seeks debt relief from India</a>

Friday's vote was to fill the seats of 45 deputies, out of the 290 in parliament, in 15 of Iran's 31 provinces, including Tehran, officials said.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among the first to cast a ballot as voting began.

"If God wishes, dear people, everyone should participate in these elections and vote. Greater participation signifies a stronger parliament," he said.

In March, 25 million Iranians took part, out of 61 million eligible voters.

The main coalition of reform parties, the Reform Front, had said ahead of the first round that it would not take part in "meaningless, non-competitive and ineffective elections".

The vote was the first since nationwide protests broke out following the September 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22.

Amini, an Iranian Kurd, had been arrested for allegedly flouting the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alleged-lies-condom-mention-and-trumps-track-record-key-takeaways-from-day-2-of-stormy-daniels-testimony-719923">Alleged lies, condom mention, and Trump's 'track record': Key takeaways from Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony</a>

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Wednesday said participation in the second round was "as important" as the first.

"Those with influence among the people should encourage the nation to participate in it," he said, according to Mehr news agency.

In the 2016 parliamentary elections, first-round turnout was above 61 percent, before falling to 42.57 percent in 2020 when elections took place during the Covid pandemic.

Iranians had the chance to cast ballots for parliament again on Friday in regions where candidates failed to secure enough votes in March, when conservatives and ultra-conservatives won a majority.

Iranians had the chance to cast ballots for parliament again on Friday in regions where candidates failed to secure enough votes in March, when conservatives and ultra-conservatives won a majority. First-round voting saw a turnout of 41 percent, marking the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Candidates needed at least 20 percent of all valid votes in their constituency to be elected in the initial round. Also read: Maldives Foreign Minister Zameer mindful of concerns over China vessel visit; seeks debt relief from India Friday's vote was to fill the seats of 45 deputies, out of the 290 in parliament, in 15 of Iran's 31 provinces, including Tehran, officials said. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among the first to cast a ballot as voting began. "If God wishes, dear people, everyone should participate in these elections and vote. Greater participation signifies a stronger parliament," he said. In March, 25 million Iranians took part, out of 61 million eligible voters. The main coalition of reform parties, the Reform Front, had said ahead of the first round that it would not take part in "meaningless, non-competitive and ineffective elections". The vote was the first since nationwide protests broke out following the September 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22. Amini, an Iranian Kurd, had been arrested for allegedly flouting the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women. Also read: Alleged lies, condom mention, and Trump's 'track record': Key takeaways from Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Wednesday said participation in the second round was "as important" as the first. "Those with influence among the people should encourage the nation to participate in it," he said, according to Mehr news agency. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, first-round turnout was above 61 percent, before falling to 42.57 percent in 2020 when elections took place during the Covid pandemic.

Iranians vote to finalise makeup of conservative-dominated chamber

The US delayed a weapon supply to Israel last week after it failed to answer Washington's concerns about plans to assault Rafah in southern Gaza, a senior US official said Tuesday. Watch to know more.

Israel war: Biden threatens Israel of weapons & artillery shells supply cut

Russian missiles and drones targeted roughly a dozen Ukrainian energy infrastructure assets on Wednesday, causing major damage to three Soviet-era thermal power plants and widespread blackouts, according to officials. Watch to know more.

Israel-Hamas war: Three days of fuel left to sustain health services in Gaza: WHO

Thousands of pro-Palestine activists rallied in Malmo, Sweden, on Thursday against Israel's participation in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Watch to know more.

How is Gaza war shaping US politics?

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Thursday that the UK will not follow the US in warning Israel that it would block deliveries of armaments capable of being used in an assault on the Gaza city of Rafah.

UK's Cameron calls for Israel to produce 'clear plan' for Rafah

Israel-Hamas war: US President Biden warns, 'won't send weapons if Rafah is invaded'

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