Lebanon says 2 hurt as Israeli troops fire after truce with Hezbollah

In upcoming government spending cuts, The Times reports that a million people may lose disability benefits, with only the most severely disabled qualifying. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer warns that Vladimir Putin must not "play games" in the diplomatic push for a ceasefire in Ukraine, with a virtual meeting planned for countries interested in a future peacekeeping role. The Daily Express highlights Dame Esther Rantzen's support for the Royal College of GPs ending opposition to...

Shares of Kering dropped significantly after the announcement that Demna Gvasalia, previously of Balenciaga, will become the new artistic director of Gucci. Known for his streetwear influence, Gvasalia's controversial past includes an ad campaign featuring children and bondage-style products. Kering hopes this appointment will revitalize Gucci's declining sales, with Gvasalia set to start in July 2025. Full Article

Chinese food and beverage brands, such as Mixue Group, are rapidly expanding across Southeast Asia, surpassing big American chains like Starbucks and McDonald's. Mixue's affordable offerings of ice cream, coffee, and bubble tea drinks have gained popularity, with over 45,000 stores worldwide. This trend reflects China's growing commercial and cultural influence in neighboring economies, as Chinese F&B brands open over 6,100 outlets in Southeast Asia, signaling a shift towards valuing Chinese products for their quality...

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the death of Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija," the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, killed in a joint operation by Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the news on social media, praising the operation that terminated al-Rifai's "miserable life." The operation, conducted in Al Anbar Province, also resulted in the death of another...

In Syria, during the Assad regime's crackdown on an uprising, numerous children were separated from their families and placed in orphanages by government intelligence agents. The children were detained when their mothers were arrested, and the orphanages were ordered to keep this information hidden. Now, with the regime fallen, families are searching for their missing children in Damascus. Full Article

An outbreak of wildfires fueled by dry conditions and hurricane-force winds spread across the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma, prompting evacuations, causing road havoc, and leaving thousands without power. The fires destroyed homes in Oklahoma, resulting in at least three deaths in Texas. Emergency crews struggled to contain the rapidly developing blazes, with the greatest concentration in east-central Oklahoma. Evacuation orders were issued in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as fires spread into populated areas, while dangerous...