Israel and Hezbollah Play a Risky Tit-for-Tat, Leaving Region on Edge

Habiba, a 31-year-old Afghan woman, was deported from Iran just before completing her master's in engineering, part of a wave of nearly 700,000 Afghans forced to return amid heightened expulsions linked to accusations of espionage. The situation has left many returnees, including Rahela and Rahim, grappling with the Taliban's restrictive policies and a dire economic landscape in Afghanistan, complicating their reintegration and futures. Want More Context? 🔎

In July 2023, Earth's average surface temperature reached 16.68°C, marking it the third warmest July on record, with Turkey recording a national high of 50.5°C. Despite a pause in breaking global temperature records, climate change continues to manifest through extreme weather events, with the 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025 exceeding the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. Want More Context? 🔎

The UN reported that access for medical professionals to the Gaza Strip remains highly restricted, with over 100 health workers denied entry since March, impacting emergency medical teams. The humanitarian situation is described as "beyond catastrophic," with rising casualties and malnutrition-related deaths, while Israel continues to block essential supplies and shelter materials. Want More Context? 🔎

Sudan's air force bombed an Emirati aircraft carrying Colombian mercenaries at Nyala airport in Darfur, killing at least 40 people amid an ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is investigating the incident, while Sudan accuses the UAE of recruiting mercenaries for the RSF, which controls much of Darfur, amid claims of foreign military support. Want More Context? 🔎

Hezbollah has rejected a Lebanese government decision to disarm the group, claiming it undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and serves Israeli interests. Amid US pressure and ongoing Israeli strikes, the government plans to restrict weapons to its forces by the end of the year, prompting internal dissent and a call for dialogue on national security only after halting Israeli aggression. Want More Context? 🔎

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. has filed federal hate crime charges against the suspect linked to the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers outside a museum in Washington in May, according to court documents. The case highlights the ongoing concerns about violence motivated by hate in the U.S. Want More Context? 🔎