Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding some 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of explosions, which came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon.The sons of Hezbollah lawmakers Ali Ammar and Hassan Fadlallah were among the dead.The blasts "killed nine people, including a girl", Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said in a casualty update._____________________________Read also:Chaotic scenes outside Lebanon hospitals, on streets after pager blastsUS says 'not involved' and 'not aware' in advance of Lebanon pager blasts_____________________________He added that some "2,800 people were injured, about 200 of them critically" with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach.The 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley when his pager exploded, the family and a source close to the group said.Tehran's ambassador to Beirut was also wounded in a pager explosion but his injuries were not serious, Iranian state media reported.In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were wounded "after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded", said a Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts and warned it would be punished.The United States, Israel's top arms provider and close ally, was "not involved" and "not aware of this incident in advance", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.The afternoon blasts hit Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and dealt a heavy blow to the militant group, which already had concerns about the security of its communications after losing several key commanders to targeted air strikes in recent months.Hezbollah had instructed its members to avoid mobile phones after the Gaza war began and to rely instead on the group's own telecommunications system to prevent Israeli breaches."Hundreds of Hezbollah members were injured by the simultaneous explosion of their pagers" in the group's strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs, in south Lebanon and in the eastern Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah source said.Since October, the unabating exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes.Not formally declared as a war by Israel, the exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hezbollah have killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens on the Israeli side.On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that failing a political solution, "military action" would be "the only way left to ensure the return of Israel's northern communities".Before the wave of pager explosions, Israel said it killed three Hezbollah members in a strike on Lebanon.'Israel sabotaged the pagers before delivery'Israel apparently infiltrated a supply chain to cause the simultaneous explosion of hundreds of Hezbollah pagers, analysts say. Israel had corrupted the devices before delivery, allowing them to explode at a specific time, they said. "The pagers that exploded concern a shipment recently imported by Hezbollah of 1,000 devices, which appear to have been sabotaged at source. One of the factories Israel owns manufactured and shipped these explosive devices that exploded today, " analysts said.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived yesterday in Ottawa, on an official visit to Canada.His Highness the Amir was welcomed upon arrival at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport by Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen; Qatar's ambassador to Canada Dr Khalid bin Rashid al-Hamoudi al-Mansouri; Canadian ambassador to Qatar Isabelle Marie Catherine Martin, along with the Qatari embassy staff.His Highness the Amir is accompanied by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and an official delegation. (QNA)

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, the National Cyber Security Agency launched the National Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2030 Tuesday, in the presence of several ministers, heads of authorities, and senior officials.The National Cyber Security Strategy aims to contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 and position Qatar as a global leader in the secure adoption of emerging technologies.In his opening remarks, HE President of the National Cyber Security Agency, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid al-Malki, expressed his pride in Qatar's recognition by the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as a model and pioneering nation in the field of cybersecurity, achieving the highest ranking in the Global Cybersecurity Index.He emphasised the importance of unified efforts across both government and private sectors. "This collaborative spirit is captured in the slogan and vision of the Second National Cyber Security Strategy, which envisions a shared commitment to building trust in cyberspace, ensuring Qatar's continued progress and prosperity." He added, "We have been keen to adopt this approach during the preparation phase of this strategy. We worked closely with a broad range of organizations and coordinated intensively with working groups responsible for the preparation of the Third National Development Strategy to ensure to unified efforts in line with Qatar National Vision 2030".He highlighted that the guiding principles of the National Cyber Security Strategy are based on values of Shared Responsibility, Risk Based Approach, Results Oriented, Individual Human Rights, Economic Prosperity and Coordination and Collaboration. These principles form the backbone for achieving national cybersecurity and provide necessary direction for guidance and implementation.He further added that the Second National Cyber Security Strategy serves as a roadmap to address evolving cyber challenges and focuses on building strong foundations for co-operation and collaboration locally, regionally, and internationally.Al-Malki reaffirmed the National Cyber Security Agency's commitment to providing a secure cyberspace that benefits all individuals and organisations across Qatar, supports sustainable national development, and maintains Qatar's position as a leader in cybersecurity, both regionally and internationally.During the ceremony, Director of National Cyber Governance and Assurance Affairs at the National Cyber Security Agency, Engineer Dana Yousef al-Abdulla, provided an in-depth overview of the strategy's objectives and its comprehensive development process. She outlined the risks, opportunities, and vision that underpin the National Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2030, and emphasised its crucial role in achieving the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.The National Cyber Security Strategy outlines five key pillars, the first of which is Cyber Security and Resilience in the Qatar Ecosystem that focuses on enhancing the security and resilience of Qatar's cyber environment, with particular emphasis on critical national infrastructure and based on evolving cyber risks while aligning with national priorities.The second pillar is Legislation, Regulations, and Law Enforcement that aims to develop national legal and regulatory frameworks, governance models and operational approaches.The third one is Thriving, Innovative, and Data-Driven Economy that supports the development of national cybersecurity capabilities through research, development, and innovation across both public and private sectors. It also promotes investments for fostering a dynamic electronic industry.The fourth pillar is Cyber Culture and Workforce Talent Development that seeks to cultivate a qualified cybersecurity workforce and embed cybersecurity awareness throughout society.The fifth pillar on International Co-operation and Trusted Partners, aims to play an active role in international collaboration and cyber diplomacy, enhancing cooperation at both regional and global levels for a secure and resilient cyberspace.The National Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2030 represents a comprehensive, resilient, and forward-looking framework. As cybersecurity emerges as one of the most significant challenges of our time, this strategy addresses its critical role in safeguarding national security and shaping the everyday lives of individuals.