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Notre-Dame Cathedral Reborn: A Testament to Resilience and Restoration

  After five years of meticulous reconstruction, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to reopen its doors to the public on December 8, 2024. The reopening ceremony will take place on December 7, marking a significant milestone in the cathedral's history. The fire on April 15, 2019, caused extensive damage to the historic cathedral, collapsing its iconic spire and causing significant harm to its roof, stained-glass windows, and interior artworks. Despite initial doubts and estimates that the restoration could take up to 40 years, French President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious goal to complete the reconstruction within five years has been achieved. The restoration project, costing around $737 million, was funded by donations from 340,000 individuals across 150 countries. The project involved the efforts of 2,000 artisans and 250 companies, who worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral to its former glory. The new roof and spire have been built using 1,500 trees, including the ta...

UN Resolution 1701: The Blueprint for Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire


In 2006, following a month-long conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1701. This resolution aimed to end hostilities and pave the way for lasting security along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Key Provisions of Resolution 1701:

Israeli Withdrawal: Israel was required to withdraw all its forces from southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah's Position: Hezbollah was to move north of the Litani River, with the area exclusively under the Lebanese military and U.N. peacekeepers.

UN Peacekeeping Forces: The resolution called for up to 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers to help maintain calm and secure the area.

Disarmament: It reaffirmed previous resolutions calling for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, including Hezbollah.

Despite relative calm for nearly two decades, the resolution's terms were never fully enforced. Recent U.S.-brokered ceasefire efforts have renewed commitment to Resolution 1701, aiming to implement it more strictly and ensure long-term stability.




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