Joseph Aoun emerges as front-runner for Lebanon president on eve of vote

Turkey's military has continued deadly attacks on P.K.K. fighters in Syria and Iraq despite the group's founder, Abdullah Ocalan, calling for disarmament. The P.K.K. demanded Ocalan's release for peace talks, but Turkey has not entertained the idea, aiming for a unilateral surrender by the P.K.K. Both sides have not reached a cease-fire agreement, with Turkey vowing to eliminate all terrorists and the P.K.K. seeking greater rights for Kurds. Full Article

A senior official at U.S. Agency for International Development instructed employees to clear classified safes and personnel files through shredding or burning, as the agency faces dismantlement by the Trump administration. The destruction of documents, possibly relevant to ongoing court cases, has raised concerns about compliance with federal records preservation laws. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has overseen the firing of thousands of employees, cancellation of contracts, and relocation of the agency to the State...

Israel announced it killed a senior Hezbollah militant responsible for drones and missiles in Lebanon, while also releasing Lebanese prisoners as a "goodwill" gesture. Despite a ceasefire, Israel continued airstrikes to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. Lebanon reported casualties from Israeli strikes, as Israel agreed to release detainees and establish joint working groups to address border disputes in southern Lebanon. Full Article

The EU's foreign affairs chief condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law during a UN Security Council meeting, urging respect for human rights globally. In response, Russia's UN ambassador criticized the EU as "Russophobic" and questioned the need for dialogue with them. Amid calls for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, the EU also called on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, highlighting the importance of non-politicized aid delivery. Full Article

Ramadan markets are quiet as Palestinians in the West Bank face displacement and uncertainty due to an Israeli military operation. Families are separated, traditions disrupted, and the joy of the holy month dimmed. Displaced families struggle to find a sense of belonging and yearn for the usual sights, sounds, and tastes of Ramadan. The presence of the Israeli military not only instills fear but also disrupts the daily rhythm of life for residents, leaving many...

Ukraine will propose a partial ceasefire with Russia to the United States in a high-level meeting in Jeddah, following a "massive" drone attack conducted by Ukraine. Trump's pressure on Ukraine to end the conflict has led to the suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing. Despite escalating attacks, Ukraine is willing to make concessions for peace, while Russia has retaken territory and discussed conditions for a permanent peace deal with Saudi Arabia. Rubio will bring...