Israel orders attacks in Beirut suburbs

Israel's decision to launch strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict, despite a fragile ceasefire and active diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attacks as necessary to eliminate threats to Israeli civilians, while Lebanese officials and UN observers warn of a 'scorched-earth' policy and growing humanitarian crisis. Over 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon since March, and more than a million displaced—many fleeing to the mountains in panic. Meanwhile, the US and Iran have exchanged military strikes in the Gulf, raising fears of broader regional war, even as President Trump pushes for tougher terms in a proposed peace deal, including Iran’s disposal of enriched uranium. In a powerful human story, the parents of Natasha Ednan-Lapa Rouse, who died from a mislabeled food allergy, have launched a $13.5 million research prize focused on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—a critical window for immune development and allergy prevention. On the global stage, France seized a Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic, accusing it of sanctions evasion through a 'shadow fleet,' sparking condemnation from Moscow. Ukraine, meanwhile, alleges Russia is abducting and indoctrinating Ukrainian children for use in combat—allegations that could constitute war crimes and are being pursued through a new international tribunal.