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The Shift in Eid TraditionsTraditionally, Eid al-Fitr in Lebanon is a vibrant celebration featuring family gatherings, elaborate feasts, and visits to mosques. However, the current geopolitical climate has forced a drastic pivot. Instead of traditional prayers in open spaces, many worshippers are gathering in underground shelters or makeshift prayer rooms to avoid aerial threats. The customary visits to relatives have been replaced by a focus on immediate family units, often confined to a single room due to the destruction of homes.The Human Cost of CelebrationThe economic and physical toll of the war has stripped the holiday of its festive elements. The traditional "Eid breakfast" or "Eid lunch" has been reduced to rationed meals, with many unable to afford the usual abundance. Furthermore, the displacement of millions has meant that Eid is no longer a time of return to one's roots, but a moment of uncertainty regarding where one will sleep that night. The joy of the holiday is overshadowed by the collective trauma of the population.Resilience Amidst AdversityDespite the grim circumstances, the Lebanese people continue to observe the religious significance of Eid. The spirit of the holiday has shifted from hedonism to solidarity. Communities are finding ways to maintain a sense of normalcy, often through digital connections or small, private acts of charity. The war has not erased the holiday, but it has forced a maturation of the cultural experience, prioritizing spiritual connection over material celebration.

The Political Shift in Enfield's Housing PolicyEnfield council in north London has withdrawn from the government's new towns programme, in a significant blow to Labour's flagship housebuilding scheme. The move by the new minority Conservative-led administration could present one of the first tests of Rachel Reeves's planning reforms, designed to curb the use of judicial reviews against new infrastructure.The New Towns Project and Its SignificanceThe project to build 21,000 homes at Crews Hill and Chase Park on the northern fringes of London was selected in March for the new towns programme along with six other locations across England. The new towns scheme has been heralded by the housing and communities department as the most ambitious housebuilding project in England for half a century and is regarded as a significant step towards helping Labour achieve its goal of building 1.5m homes during this parliament.Local Opposition and Political ChangeThe withdrawal comes after significant local opposition to the Enfield plan to build homes, shops, schools and services such as doctors' surgeries on green belt land currently occupied by several garden centres and family-run businesses. Enfield council, which was previously run by Labour, had already devised a plan to build homes at Crews Hill and gave its backing to the new town proposal.However, Labour lost control of the council in the local elections earlier this month and on Wednesday evening Conservative councillor Alessandro Georgiou was elected leader of the authority's minority Tory administration. The Conservatives pledged during the election campaign to halt the new town development if they took control of the council.Economic and Environmental ConsiderationsOn Thursday, Georgiou sent a letter to the minister for housing and planning, Matthew Pennycook, informing him that the council no longer supported the proposals to develop land at Crews Hill and other parts of the borough's green belt. In his letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Georgiou said the council would work with the government to deliver new homes and jobs in the borough, but would focus on brownfield sites and town centre regeneration.Enfield council owns just under a third (30%) of the land in the borough, while other land earmarked for the development belongs to private landowners. The majority of private landowners did not want to sell, according to Nina Barnes, owner of the Culver garden centre site at Crews Hill, close to the centre of the proposed new town development.Future Implications for Housing PolicyThe withdrawal of Enfield from the new towns programme could have wider implications for the government's housing strategy. Other locations in the programme may face similar local opposition, particularly when development plans involve green belt land. The government may need to reconsider its approach to engaging with local authorities and communities on major housing projects.An MHCLG spokesperson said: "Our landmark national new towns programme will restore the dream of homeownership for people across the country. We recently consulted with local people on the proposals and will respond in due course." This suggests the government may continue to push the programme forward despite Enfield's withdrawal, potentially leading to further political conflicts between central and local government.

The Guardian editorial argues that the UK must treat the plight of NEETs as a national priority, linking rising youth unemployment to inadequate training, housing costs and a fragmented policy framework.Milburn Commission Highlights Over 1 Million UK NEETsThe commission’s report, due in the autumn, shines a bright light on the 1 million young people aged 16‑24 who are not in education, employment or training. It criticises political attacks on welfare and “kids‑these‑days” rhetoric, insisting that the problem is fundamentally a policy failure.The Scale of the Crisis: Over 1 Million Young People Out of Work or Study1 million NEETs – roughly one in eight of the 16‑24 cohort.60 % are economically inactive, meaning they are not actively seeking work.Health‑related universal credit claims have risen in regions with fewer entry‑level jobs.Apprenticeship starts have fallen 35 % over the past decade.Why the UK Is Falling Behind Europe on Youth EmploymentCompared with other wealthy European nations, the UK records one of the highest rates of young people not in work or study. Contributing factors include:Housing inflation limiting independent living for young adults.Restrictive GCSE combinations that disadvantage less academic pupils.Chaotic further‑education reforms and the poorly‑implemented apprenticeship levy.Automation and AI‑driven profit growth that do not translate into entry‑level opportunities.A National Participation System: Pathway to Re‑engaging Young WorkersThe report proposes a new “participation system” that would coordinate work and pensions, health, education and business departments to pull young people into the labour market. While ambitious, the editorial stresses that without a clear, cross‑departmental mission the UK will continue to lose a generation to inactivity.

The Lead The United Nations has added Israel to a blacklist of countries and entities accused of using sexual violence as a weapon of war, prompting Israel to cut ties with UN chief Antonio Guterres. Israel's Response to the UN's Decision Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, denounced the decision, saying, 'The decision to blacklist Israel and accuse us of using sexual violence as a weapon of war is an outrageous decision.' Danon added that Israel will have no contact with Guterres's office as long as he serves as head of the organisation. The Allegations Against Israel The UN's decision is based on allegations of sexual violence committed by Israeli security forces against Palestinian detainees in prisons and detention centers. The UN has cited 'credible information' regarding these allegations, which include torture and sexual violence. The Impact on Israel-Palestine Relations The move has further strained relations between Israel and the UN, which have been fraught since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack that preceded Israel's war on Gaza. Israeli authorities have criticized Guterres and other UN officials for their condemnation of its conduct in Gaza. The Future Outlook The addition of Israel to the blacklist is likely to have significant implications for Israel's international reputation and its relations with the UN. It may also lead to increased scrutiny of Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Rising Tensions Between the US and Cuba US President Donald Trump is taking a harder stance on Cuba, with an indictment against former Cuban President Raul Castro and military threats reminiscent of Washington's approach in Venezuela. The US Playbook Applied to Cuba Trump's strategy towards Cuba seems to mirror the US approach in Venezuela, suggesting a broader regional strategy. This has raised concerns about the potential for increased conflict and instability in Latin America. Cuba's Preparedness and Response Despite decades of pressure from the United States, Cuba appears to be preparing for a potential major confrontation. The country is experiencing blackouts and rising tensions, which could escalate into a larger crisis. The Implications of Trump's Actions The question remains whether Trump's actions are merely political theatre or the beginning of a significant escalation. The international community is watching closely as the situation develops. Expert Insights and Analysis Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera Senior Latin America Correspondent, provides expert analysis on the situation. Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

The LeadSmoke rises over Beirut following an Israeli strike, marking a significant escalation in the already tense region. The incident has drawn international attention as concerns grow over potential wider conflict in the Middle East.The Event DetailsThe Israeli strike targeted an unspecified location in Beirut, causing visible smoke to rise over the Lebanese capital. While details remain limited, the strike represents a notable development in the complex security dynamics between Israel and Lebanon.The Regional ImpactThe strike comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Lebanon already facing significant political and economic challenges. The incident could further destabilize the region and potentially draw in other actors in the complex web of Middle Eastern geopolitics.The International ResponseInternational bodies and neighboring nations are likely to closely monitor the situation, with concerns that the strike could escalate into a broader conflict. The United Nations and other diplomatic entities may be called upon to intervene and prevent further escalation.The Future OutlookThe coming days will be critical in determining whether this incident represents an isolated event or the beginning of a more sustained confrontation. The international community will be watching closely for any further developments and potential diplomatic responses.

The LeadThe United States has escalated its threats against Oman, warning that it would "aggressively" impose sanctions if the Gulf ally helps Iran establish a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz. This intensifies President Donald Trump's recent threats against Oman, including a warning to "blow them up" if they don't comply with US demands regarding the strategic waterway.US Treasury's Aggressive StanceUS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Thursday that Washington will "not tolerate" either country imposing fees on commercial ships in the strategic waterway. "Oman, in particular, should know that the US Treasury will aggressively target any actors involved — directly or indirectly — in facilitating tolls for the Strait and any willing partners will be penalized," Bessent said in a social media post."All nations should reject outright any efforts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce. Tehran's days of terrorizing the region and the world are over."Global Energy Security at RiskAbout 20 percent of the world's oil flowed through Hormuz before the conflict, making the Iranian blockade a major strain on global energy supplies. The closure has sent oil prices soaring and threatens economic stability worldwide. The strait's critical importance to global energy markets makes any disruption a matter of international concern.Regional Power Dynamics ShiftThe statement comes less than 24 hours after President Trump threatened to bomb Oman, a key US ally known for its neutrality and mediation efforts in regional crises. This unprecedented threat against a close security and economic partner signals a significant shift in US foreign policy in the Middle East.While Iran has suggested joint Iranian-Omani management of the Hormuz Strait, Oman has not explicitly stated it is seeking control over the waterway, parts of which flow through its territory.Future Outlook for Hormuz StraitThe US and Iran have been indirectly negotiating to reach an agreement for a comprehensive end to the war, with control over the Hormuz Strait emerging as a major point of disagreement. Trump has stressed that the strait must remain a free passageway for international commerce.Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, countered that Tehran will not allow Hormuz to be a source of insecurity for the country, stating that "the powers that have used this passage against Iran's security must be held accountable." The standoff continues as both nations dig in on their positions regarding control of this vital waterway.

Death of Yemen's Exiled Leader Marks End of an EraYemen's former president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who fled house arrest by Houthi rebels and spent his final years in exile in Saudi Arabia, has died at age 80. Yemen's presidency confirmed the death, with state-run Yemeni TV reporting that Hadi died at his residence in Riyadh on Thursday.Former President's Life in ExileHadi was the internationally recognized president of Yemen who led a fractured government mostly from exile for eight years as the country descended into civil war and famine before stepping down in 2022. He fled to Saudi Arabia in 2015 as war erupted between the Iran-backed Houthis, who had forced the government from the capital Sanaa, and a Saudi-led coalition.The government announced three days of mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-staff. Hadi is survived by his wife, Hala, and six children.Human Cost of Yemen's ConflictAlthough a UN-brokered ceasefire is largely holding, the war has killed hundreds of thousands of people through direct and indirect causes. Last year, 19.5 million people needed aid, the United Nations reported. Yemen remains divided between the Houthi-controlled north and the government-run south, which includes a patchwork of factions.Political Vacuum in Divided YemenRashad al-Alimi, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council – the leadership body of Yemen's internationally recognized government – said Hadi believed in the Yemeni people's "right to a just state, freedom and human dignity." "He led the battle to defend the republican system," al-Alimi said on social media.Hadi took office in 2012 after a long stint as vice president to Ali Abdullah Saleh, who reluctantly ended his 33 years in power during Arab Spring protests. He handed over his powers – reportedly under Saudi pressure – to the newly formed Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022.Uncertain Path for Peace in YemenHadi, a career military officer, was waved through as the sole candidate in an election in which he won 99.8 percent of the vote. His presidency was thwarted with spells of unrest, with his opponents accusing him of favoring the country's eastern oil-rich provinces at the expense of the mountainous heartlands dominated by Houthis. After the Houthis overran the capital in 2014, they placed Hadi under house arrest in early 2015 before he escaped in February of that year.

Seizure of $232 Million Targets Cosa Nostra’s Financial EmpireOn Thursday, 2026‑05‑28, Italy’s financial police, the Guardia di Finanza, announced the confiscation of assets worth over $232 million that were tied to the late Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro. The operation traced funds through a web of companies, luxury properties, and offshore accounts that had been built since the 1980s.Scale of the Asset Freeze Across Europe and Offshore HavensCountries involved: Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, LebanonOffshore jurisdictions: Cayman Islands, GibraltarKey asset types: luxury villas on Spain’s Costa del Sol, diversified financial portfolios, corporate holdings in various sectorsThe investigation also led to the arrest of three individuals who were suspected of managing the concealed wealth.Implications for Mafia Money Laundering and Regional SecurityChief anti‑Mafia prosecutor Giovanni Melillo described the seizure as a “major step in dismantling the group’s financial base.” By striking at the money‑laundering channels, authorities aim to cripple the Cosa Nostra’s ability to reinvest illicit proceeds into legitimate businesses, thereby reducing its influence over the Sicilian economy and beyond.Future of Anti‑Mafia Operations in Italy and EuropeThe use of advanced surveillance tools—drones, aircraft, and thermal scanners—demonstrates a shift toward high‑tech policing in organized‑crime cases. Analysts expect that the success of this operation will encourage further cross‑border cooperation, tighter monitoring of offshore flows, and more aggressive asset‑freezing measures throughout the EU.