Laura Gascoigne

From Botticelli to Marvel: why artists love St Francis

In the century after his death, 20,000 paintings were made of this celebrity saint, whose contradictions only made him more accessible

El Greco’s ‘Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata’, 1590-95. Credit: Roy Hewson/National Gallery if Ireland
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Limor Simhony Philpott

Why Israel is expanding its operation against Hezbollah

As Israelis marked a sombre day commemorating the 7 October massacre, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) expanded their operation in Lebanon. Their aim is to weaken the Iranian-backed terror organisation Hezbollah, which has been attacking Israel from Lebanon for the past year. While the Israeli air force bombs specific targets deep inside Lebanon, including the

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