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Israel's latest invasion of Lebanon has resulted in a massive displacement of over 1.2 million people, including 350,000 children, making it one of the world's fastest-growing and most severe displacement crises. Since March 2, Israeli forces have launched over 1,840 attacks on Lebanon, killing more than 1,497 people and injuring over 4,639, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. The Israeli army claims it is targeting strongholds of the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that Israel plans to destroy Lebanese border towns and continue its occupation of southern Lebanon. The conflict has led to 20% of Lebanon's 5.9 million population being displaced, with one in five people affected. This crisis ranks among the top 10 displacement crises in recent years, according to UNHCR's 2025 data. Attacks have been concentrated in areas such as Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, Tyre, Marjayoun, and Sidon, with over 2,000 attacks reported between March 2 and March 27. Israel carried out 1,840 of these attacks, mostly air or drone strikes and shelling. The destruction of bridges and crossings in southern Lebanon aims to isolate communities, with the Dalafa bridge and roads between villages like Sohmor and Yohmor being targeted. This has severe implications for access to hospitals and public services. Israel's evacuation orders now cover over 1,470sq km (568sq miles), or about 14% of Lebanon's territory, approaching the scale of Russian occupation in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that the United States would eradicate Iran’s “civilisation” unless the regime reopens the Strait of Hormuz and complies with his demands. The statement, posted on his Truth Social account less than twelve hours before the self‑imposed deadline, declared that a whole civilisation could die “tonight, never to be brought back again.” Trump set the cutoff for compliance at 8 p.m. Washington time (00:00 GMT) on Tuesday, framing the moment as a decisive point in what he called a long‑standing struggle against Iranian extortion and corruption. For more than two weeks, the president has threatened to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure—bridges, power stations, roads and other non‑military assets—if his terms are not met. Legal analysts have warned that such actions would constitute a war crime under international law. “It’s horrific. It’s pure evil. It’s disqualifying,” said Yasmine Taeb, legislative and political director of MPower Change Action Fund, condemning the president’s rhetoric as that of “a deranged, unstable madman.” She called for a stronger response from both U.S. lawmakers and the global community. Democratic leaders reacted forcefully. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled Trump “an extremely sick person,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Republican colleagues to “put patriotic duty over party and stop the madness,” warning that the conflict could spiral into a world war. Representative Rashida Tlaib suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump, citing the recent bombing of a school in Minab that killed over 170 children. Congressional attempts to curb the president’s war powers have stalled; a recent resolution to limit his authority failed to pass, leaving the legal basis for the campaign in question. Critics argue that launching a military operation without congressional approval violates the U.S. Constitution, which reserves the declaration of war to Congress. Republican reactions were muted. Representative Mike Lawler downplayed the threat, stating that any strikes would target only Iran’s energy and civilian infrastructure to cripple the regime’s economy, and affirmed that Trump is acting within his constitutional authority as commander‑in‑chief. The conflict, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel allegedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, has already claimed more than 2,000 lives, including civilians in schools, residential blocks and medical facilities. Iran’s retaliatory rocket and drone attacks have hit Israeli and U.S. assets across the Middle East, while Iranian forces have blocked the Strait of Hormuz, driving global energy prices higher. Despite the heavy toll, Iran’s governing structure appears intact, bolstered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. No major defections or anti‑government protests have emerged, and Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has assumed a leading role. Trump, while maintaining a hardline stance, left a narrow window for diplomacy, suggesting that “maybe something revolutionary wonderful can happen.” He framed the deadline as “one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world,” promising that “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will finally end.” Vice President J.D. Vance echoed the president’s message, warning Iran that the United States possesses additional, undisclosed tools and will employ them if Tehran does not alter its conduct, emphasizing the U.S. desire for free flow of oil and gas.

Lin Yu-ting, the 30‑year‑old Taiwanese Olympic champion, secured a bronze medal at the Asian Boxing Elite Championships in Mongolia, marking her return to competition after a gender‑eligibility controversy that clouded her 2024 Paris Olympic triumph.Competing in the 60kg division for the first time, Lin was defeated in the semifinals by North Korea’s Won Un Gyong, resulting in a third‑place finish.Her coach, Tseng Tzu‑chiang, told Taiwan’s Central News Agency that the shift to a higher weight class presented “new opponents’ skills, strategies and styles,” and that the tournament served as a valuable learning opportunity.Lin had opted out of last year’s World Championships after World Boxing announced mandatory sex testing for female athletes, a policy introduced following the high‑profile gender disputes involving Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after their gold medals in Paris.Following an appeal by Taiwan’s boxing federation, World Boxing cleared Lin to compete in the female category last month, enabling her participation in the Asian championships.Looking ahead, Tseng indicated that Lin aims to compete at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan later this year, noting that while her physical condition was not yet optimal, the experience provides “room for improvement and a clear path forward.”In parallel, the International Olympic Committee has introduced a new eligibility policy that excludes transgender female athletes from women’s events, aligning with a U.S. executive order. The IOC stated that eligibility will be determined by a mandatory gene test, limiting participation to “biological females.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has suspended medical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt after a contract worker was killed by Israeli fire. The incident occurred on Monday, and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his devastation over the confirmation of the worker's death.The WHO did not elaborate on the incident but stated that it was under investigation by the relevant authorities. Two staff members who were present during the incident were not injured. The medical evacuation of patients from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt, which had been planned for Monday, was suspended, and further evacuations will remain suspended until further notice.The Rafah crossing, which is the only crossing in Gaza that does not link to Israel, was reopened in February after a long closure by the Israeli military. This crossing is crucial for the entry of humanitarian supplies and for those in need of medical aid to leave and seek treatment abroad. The WHO has been overseeing coordination between Egypt and Israel since the opening of the Rafah crossing to facilitate those evacuations.However, crossing numbers have been far below expectations due to intense checks during the process by the Israeli authorities. Israel has also continued to limit the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory and shut the crossing in the early days of the United States-Israeli war on Iran. Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire that came into force on October 10 after two years of devastating war.Referring to the incident on Monday in which a driver of a WHO car was killed, Israel's mission in Geneva said troops identified an unmarked vehicle approaching them and posing an immediate threat and they fired warning shots in response. The vehicle continued to accelerate towards the troops, who then responded with additional fire, and a hit was identified. The incident is under review.

Afghanistan has deemed the peace talks with Pakistan, facilitated by China, as 'useful' in addressing the ongoing conflict between the two nations.The talks, which began on April 1 in the western Chinese city of Urumqi, aim to stop the violence that started in February, resulting in hundreds of deaths and significant concern for Beijing due to its proximity to western Chinese regions.The conflict escalated after Pakistan conducted air strikes inside Afghanistan, including in the capital Kabul, leading to accusations from Afghanistan of civilian casualties, including children.The situation has drawn international alarm, particularly given the presence of other armed groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS in the region.94,000 people have been displaced overall, with 100,000 individuals in two Afghan districts near the border completely cut off due to the fighting since February.Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry has expressed gratitude to China for hosting the talks and acknowledged the mediation efforts of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.Despite the talks, Afghanistan has continued to accuse Pakistan of shelling across its border, killing and wounding civilians, while Pakistan denies these allegations and instead accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven to armed groups like the Pakistan Taliban (TTP).

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed his commitment to protecting teenage sensation Lamine Yamal from criticism, following the 18-year-old's recent displays of frustration on the pitch. Yamal, a rising star in Spanish football, has been making waves with his impressive skills, but his emotional reactions have sometimes drawn negative attention. Flick emphasized that Yamal's youth and inexperience are factors to consider, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential to become one of the best players in the future. The coach acknowledged that while Yamal's outbursts can create unwanted headlines, he will continue to support and defend him against criticism. Yamal's recent behavior was on display during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday. The teenager was visibly irritated after being admonished by a member of the Barcelona coaching staff for shooting instead of passing. This incident, along with his reactions to being substituted, has sparked concerns about his temperament. Flick also discussed the upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid, describing it as a tough and intense matchup. He praised Atletico's defensive capabilities and emphasized the need for Barcelona to perform at their best to secure a positive result. In other news, Marcus Rashford is expected to start on the left flank in place of the injured Raphinha. Flick noted that while Rashford has improved defensively, he still needs to work on his defensive work rate to fully integrate into the team.

Ben Roberts‑Smith, a former Australian special‑forces operative, was taken into custody at Sydney Airport on Tuesday after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced he faces five separate war‑crime counts linked to the killing of five individuals in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012. The charges, each punishable by life imprisonment, allege that the victims were unarmed civilians who were not engaged in hostilities at the time of their deaths. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters that the prosecution will argue the victims were shot either directly by Roberts‑Smith or by subordinates acting on his orders while he was present. Barrett emphasized that the accusations stem from a "complex" investigation conducted jointly by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator, a probe that began in 2021. The New South Wales Local Court has scheduled a bail hearing for Roberts‑Smith on Wednesday, where he will appear before a magistrate. This arrest follows a high‑profile legal defeat for Roberts‑Smith: an Australian judge in 2023 ruled that journalists who reported he was "complicit in and responsible for the murder" of unarmed Afghan men had not defamed him, a decision upheld by the Full Court of the Federal Court in May of the previous year. Rawan Arraf, executive director of the Australian Centre for International Justice, described the development as a "significant and long‑awaited step for victims and affected communities" in Afghanistan. She added that prosecuting alleged war crimes by Australian special‑forces personnel is essential for delivering justice and for Australia to meet its international law obligations. Since the 2001 NATO‑led intervention, roughly 39,000 Australian soldiers have served in Afghanistan, supporting operations against the Taliban and other armed groups. Roberts‑Smith, who previously received the Victoria Cross for his fifth tour, was regarded as the most‑decorated living Australian war veteran before the charges. The case also revives attention on former army lawyer David McBride, who remains incarcerated for disclosing information about alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. In response to Roberts‑Smith’s arrest, Senator David Shoebridge posted a brief message on X urging the release of McBride.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have intensified, causing widespread devastation and deepening fissures within Lebanese society. The violence has resulted in over 1,500 deaths, including 130 children, and displaced more than 1.2 million people. The attacks have predominantly targeted the Shia Muslim community, including civilians not affiliated with Hezbollah.The latest incident occurred in Ain Saadeh, a predominantly Christian area east of Beirut, where two US-made GBU-39 bombs killed three people, including Pierre Moawad, a member of the anti-Hezbollah Christian party Lebanese Forces, his wife Flavia, and a visiting friend named Roula Mattar. This attack has further strained sectarian relations, with some Lebanese blaming Hezbollah for drawing Israeli wrath.Experts warn that Israel's strategy aims to create a rift between Lebanese communities and isolate the Shia community. The attacks have sparked panic and fear, with displaced people facing discrimination and locals demanding increased security measures.Human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing 'apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks' on civilians in Lebanon. While Israel claims to target Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure, the mounting civilian casualties have raised concerns about the proportionality of its actions.As the conflict escalates, Lebanese citizens express growing despair. One resident, Huda, said: 'We are dying, little by little.' The situation remains dire, with no immediate end to the violence in sight.

Joe Eszterhas, the swaggering pitchman of 80s and 90s Hollywood, has lived a life of excess and creativity. He wrote hits like Jagged Edge and co-scripted Flashdance, earning a then-record $3m for his Basic Instinct screenplay.Eszterhas's life story is a harrowing, rollicking immigrant's tale that whisks its hero from his birth in war-torn Hungary through the refugee camps of Allied-occupied Austria to the US rust belt. He covered the Kent State massacre as a cub reporter and interviewed Charles Manson in prison.Now 81, Eszterhas is plotting a Hollywood comeback with a rebooted Basic Instinct. He received a reported $2m from Amazon MGM studios for his script and stands to make a further $2m if and when it is filmed. The new story juggles copycat serial killers with elements of the supernatural.Eszterhas has always relished a good public scrap, and his reboot is described as anti-woke. This has sparked concerns that he may be co-opted and become a political football. However, Eszterhas insists that he is not afraid of controversy and sexuality.Despite his past struggles with drinking and drugs, Eszterhas has been clean and sober for decades. He has written a 750-page memoir, Hollywood Animal, and told his Tinseltown war stories on a recent multi-part media podcast, Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish.