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The Lead: US Intervention Amid Escalating Conflict Washington has put forward a proposal to de-escalate hostilities in Lebanon, a United States official has told Al Jazeera, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held separate talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement comes as Israel's military has taken over the medieval Beaufort Castle just north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, conducting its deepest push into the country in decades. The US De-escalation Proposal: Conditions for Ceasefire The US official told Al Jazeera on Sunday that under the proposed "roadmap", Hezbollah would halt all attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel refraining from further escalation in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The US proposal aims to create a conducive environment for a gradual de-escalation and a complete, comprehensive cessation of all hostilities, the official added. Human Cost of Escalation: Casualties and Displacement More than one million people have been forcibly displaced across Lebanon since the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on March 2. According to the latest figures from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, more than 3,412 people have been killed and 10,269 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2. Israeli forces killed at least 12 people and wounded 35 in more than 36 attacks across southern Lebanon on Sunday alone, according to an Al Jazeera tally. International Response: Global Condemnation Countries across the world have slammed Israel's escalation of its offensive on Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron said "nothing justifies" it. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on Israel to halt its military activity in Lebanon, saying its escalation had "eroded space for diplomacy". Qatar condemned Israel's continuing attacks on Lebanon and the expansion of its ground offensive in the south, describing the campaign as a serious escalation and violation of international law. Path Forward: Mixed Signals and Continued Tensions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who promised to push deeper into Lebanon and called Sunday's operation a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hezbollah, ordered the military on Monday to attack targets in Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, a stronghold of the Lebanese group. The US official placed responsibility for the current round of fighting squarely on Hezbollah and accused it of following Iran's directives without regard for Lebanese interests. "The quickest way to protect civilians and reduce escalation is for Hezbollah to cease fire immediately," the official said, adding that Washington does not expect Israel to tolerate continued attacks on its civilians.

The Champions League Team of the Season This year, the Champions League team of the season has been carefully selected with a unique format: only one player per team. This approach provides an overall view of the Champions League season, highlighting exceptional players from various clubs. Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal) David Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper, had a remarkable season, making heroic saves and maintaining high standards throughout. He closed the Champions League campaign with nine clean sheets, conceding just five goals in 14 matches. Right-back: Pedro Porro (Tottenham) Pedro Porro, a Spurs player, made the cut with his impressive skills as an overlapping full-back. His performance was key in Tottenham finishing fourth in the group stage. Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) Alessandro Bastoni, Inter's centre-back, was instrumental in their defensive success, conceding just seven goals in the group stage. He served as the team's organiser and deep-lying playmaker. Centre-back: Odin Bjørtuft (Bodø/Glimt) Odin Bjørtuft, the Norwegian centre-back, was a standout player for Bodø/Glimt, helping the team beat top clubs like Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. He ranked third in ball recoveries with 81. Left-back: Matteo Ruggeri (Atlético Madrid) Matteo Ruggeri, the Italian left-back, was a key player for Atlético Madrid, helping the team reach the semis for the first time since 2016-17. He successfully defended against Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in a crucial quarter-final match. Defensive midfielder: Morten Hjulmand (Sporting) Morten Hjulmand, Sporting's Danish captain, was at the fulcrum of their Champions League success. He will be heavily featured in summer transfer talk due to his impressive performances. Central midfielder: Aleix García (Bayer Leverkusen) Aleix García, Bayer Leverkusen's central midfielder, was a key player in their run to the last 16. He completed 91.25% of his passes and scored a spectacular goal against PSG. Central midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool's Hungarian midfielder, was among the exceptions in an otherwise disappointing season. He scored five goals in 12 Champions League matches and was star man in a 4-0 win against Galatasaray. Left-wing: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG's left-winger, was one of the best players in the competition this season. His blend of orthodox wing play and explosive power made him a standout performer. Right-wing: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's young talent, showed moments of brilliance despite injuries and growing pains. His skills and creativity on the field made him an inevitable choice for the team of the season. Striker: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) Harry Kane, Bayern Munich's striker, had an impressive season with 14 goals. He showed another side of his game, understanding and creativity with Bayern's wingers, making him a worthy successor to Robert Lewandowski.

Executive Summary: Masturbation Recognized as Natural Avian BehaviorA collaborative survey of 120 bird species shows that self‑pleasuring is widespread, more frequent in the wild than in captivity, and poses no health risk. The findings challenge long‑standing advice to discourage or punish the behavior and call for a shift in veterinary guidance.Comprehensive Survey Highlights Widespread Onanism Across Diverse SpeciesThe research, led by Dr Chloe Heys (University of Lancashire) and co‑author Dr Matilda Brindle (Oxford University), combined expert interviews, online keeper communities, and published literature. Species documented include parrots, ducks, turkeys, chickens and numerous others, with both males and females engaging in the activity.Quantitative Findings Underscore Higher Incidence in Wild Populations120 bird species examined, spanning captive and wild individuals.Incidence reported as higher in wild birds than in captivity.Male birds were slightly more frequently mentioned, but female participation was notable.Repercussions for Veterinary Practice and Bird WelfareVeterinarians are urged to reassure owners that the behavior is normal and not a sign of distress. Interventions such as perch removal, hormonal treatments, or even surgical de‑sexing are deemed unnecessary except in rare pathological cases. Dr Ana Basto (University of Lancashire) emphasizes that the study will help vets provide evidence‑based advice.Projected Shift Toward Non‑Interventionist Care in Avian HusbandryAs the scientific community accepts masturbation as a natural component of avian sexual repertoires, bird‑keeping guidelines are expected to evolve. Future husbandry practices will likely focus on monitoring for genuine health issues rather than attempting to suppress a harmless behavior, fostering better welfare outcomes for both captive and wild birds.

The Historical Clean SweepNew South Wales has secured the first whitewash in Women's State of Origin since the series shifted to three matches in 2024, after grinding out a 12-4 victory over Queensland on the Gold Coast in game three. The scoreline flattered the home side, who were clearly second best against the shield holders, and have now lost back-to-back series. But they hung with the Blues until Jayme Fressard's try with 17 minutes to go which proved to be the match-winner.The Decisive MomentThe Blues' fifth-tackle spread looked to be going nowhere, but when the imperious Isabelle Kelly off-loaded to her winger, Fressard capitalised on the Maroons' tired defense. She surged down the inside, slicing up the Queenslanders and sliding across to trigger the Blues' celebrations. The winger told Channel Nine she wanted to make up for an earlier missed opportunity. "I'd seen a few Queenslanders and a big space, and I thought, you know, just back yourself, you've got the speed, so I wasn't bombing that one," Fressard said.Series Statistics and PerformanceThe series result represented an unfortunate opening to the Origin coaching career of Queensland's Nathan Cross, who was brought in this year to replace Tahnee Norris. Despite the 3-0 result, the Maroons were in each contest, and the combined margin across the three matches was just 17 points. Instead, the sweep was another endorsement for John Strange, who has now won five of six matches in the series.Impact on Women's Rugby LeagueEven after Fressard's try pushed the lead to eight, the Blues still had work to do. With seven minutes to go, the Maroons had three successive sets on the Blues line, and both Blues wingers – Fressard and Jaime Chapman – prevented the Maroons from turning grubbers into tries. Though her fellow Blues forward Yasmin Meakes won the player of the series award, lock Olivia Kernick had a night to remember, topping counts for tackles (33) and run metres (199).Future Outlook for Both TeamsDespite the result, the Maroons can have cause for optimism. Five-eighth Chantay Kiria-Ratu only became more confident in her first Origin series, and on Thursday her ball-playing and running began to match her already elite kicking and defense. NSW dominated the first half but took 26 minutes to find the opening try, with Kelly – named player of the match on Thursday – crossing after Southwell ran deep into the Maroons' retreating goalline defense.

The Dance Challenge: A Weekend Immersion As I wait for my first Cuban salsa class to begin, I have the distinct feeling that I am poorly prepared. I'm wearing heavy jeans, a bulky woollen sweater and boots. I have never done a dance class in my life – or any kind of exercise class. I don't know anything about salsa, Cuban or otherwise. Standing alone, I notice that everyone has come with at least one friend, and begin to suspect that it takes two to Cuban salsa. This year, Rising festival – Melbourne's winter arts offering – has consolidated its longstanding dance focus into a mini-festival: the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, showcasing Australian and international work. There's also a series of dance classes, romantically titled The Land of 1000 Dances, held in the romantically decrepit Flinders Street Ballroom. Running daily until 7 June, with classes costing $29 a pop, the diverse schedule includes Afro-fusion, ballroom, voguing, waltz and K-pop for teens and tweens. From Salsa to Shuffle: A Dancer's Journey As an audience member, I am an avid appreciator of dance; as a participant, I can most kindly be described as "curious" but uncoordinated. What if I went to a bunch of dance classes and then wrote about it? Precisely 24 hours before my first class, the misgivings begin – doing my first dance class while dressed for the show I'm seeing directly afterwards sounds like a bad idea. At the ballroom, I am briefly reassured: the crowd is a diverse mix of ages, genders and bodies, and hardly anyone is wearing dance-appropriate clothing. But the class itself is a blur – sometimes literally – as I try to learn and enact the cucaracha, the guapo and other basic Cuban salsa moves; attempt to locate the beat, my hips, any sense of coordination at all. Every time I feel as though I'm starting to get the hang of something, the instructor adds a new step. Then he corrals us into pairs – and a series of new moves, yelling "change partners!" every three minutes. Going solo, it turns out, is fine: everyone is friendly; many seem as unsure as I am. Some are nailing it but there's a sense of camaraderie: we're all in this together. That said, we're all a bit too sweaty to be holding each other. The Social Dynamics of Dance Classes I move from absolute befuddlement, through occasional moments of triumph, to a sense of quiet despair. A move that involves a 360-degree rotation to an eight-count almost breaks my spirit and I consider quitting. To my surprise, this awakens a latent fighting spirit: screw the rules, I'm doing it my way. I experience brief elation. Then we change partners and I find myself in a cursed duet involving four left feet. The elation shrivels. The class ends and I run to the theatre feeling like a dank, demoralised biohazard. I spend the next hour watching a show by the Irish choreographer Oona Doherty featuring a mix of professional, student and untrained dancers – and I mentally salute them all, with a newfound appreciation for the dark art of dance. Finding Joy in Movement I approach my next class, Melbourne shuffle, with a sense of dread. Not only do I now know how bad I am but I have agreed to be photographed. And I made the choice without knowing anything about the Melbourne shuffle, mistakenly assuming it was somewhere in the ballpark of the city's other great cultural tradition. This feeling I am experiencing, I discover, is known as "endorphins". The physical exertion, the mental focus required, the social connection – it all combines to create a chemical cocktail that makes the experience worthwhile despite the occasional humiliation. By the end of my dance weekend, I haven't become a dancer, but I've gained a profound respect for those who are. The Australian Dance Biennale and The Land of 1000 Dances offer not just entertainment, but an invitation to participate, to challenge oneself, and to discover new dimensions of movement and expression.

The Global Wildfire Paradox of 2025 Despite a global decline in the total area burned by wildfires in 2025, wealthier nations experienced some of the most destructive fire seasons on record, according to a comprehensive study examining the complex relationship between climate change, land use, and fire impacts. Uneven Distribution of Fire Devastation Catastrophic blazes claimed lives, homes, and jobs last year in California, Canada, Europe, and South Korea. The Scottish "megafire" torched more than 100,000 hectares, contributing to the UK breaking its record for burned area. Meanwhile, the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles ranked among the most destructive in US history, while record-breaking blazes in Spain and Portugal burned more than half a million hectares. South Korea experienced its biggest and deadliest wildfire season on record. The Declining Global Burn Area Despite these regional disasters, the 335 million hectares burned globally in 2025 represented the second-lowest total since 2002. This reduction is largely attributed to the expansion of African farms that have fragmented landscapes and hampered the spread of large savannah fires. The overall decrease in burned area led to a drop in carbon dioxide emissions to their third-lowest level on record. Economic and Human Cost Concentration While the total burn area decreased, the economic and human impacts became increasingly concentrated. Fires accounted for more than 38% of insured losses from weather disasters in 2025. In southern California and South Korea, high winds and dry vegetation pushed fires through densely populated areas, causing "exceptional mortality, mass evacuations, and major infrastructure losses." The toxic particles spewed by Canadian wildfires in 2023 killed 82,000 people worldwide, according to studies. Climate Amplification of Fire Risk Global heating is creating conditions that allow fires to spread more intensely, particularly at the wildland-urban interface where people are most at risk. Adverse weather, inflamed by carbon pollution, turned some of 2025's fires into explosive infernos. An attribution study found that the extreme weather fueling flames in Portugal and Spain was made 39 times more likely by climate breakdown. "If we continue to warm the planet, large-scale fires will continue to increase," warned David Garcia, an applied mathematician at the University of Alicante. Regional Disparities in Fire Impact The study reveals a growing disconnect between total area burned and real-world impacts. While global burn areas decreased, Canada experienced extreme wildfire emissions for the third year in a row. Since 2023, boreal forests in North America have emitted close to 4 billion tonnes of CO2, exceeding the total emissions of the preceding 15-year period. In the Mediterranean, drought and extreme heat drove severe blazes from Portugal to Turkey. Future Projections and Preparedness Experts warn that as the planet continues to warm, large-scale fires will become more frequent and intense. Adrián Regos, a landscape ecologist at the Biological Mission of Galicia, Spain, noted that last year's events illustrated how a relatively small number of extreme fires could dominate the ecological, social, and economic consequences of an entire fire season. This trend suggests that despite potential reductions in total burn area, the threat to human communities and infrastructure may continue to increase, necessitating improved preparedness and mitigation strategies.

The Latest Escalation in US-Iran Conflict The United States military says it has struck Iranian military sites, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has targeted a US base in response, the latest in a series of exchanges as negotiations to end the three-month US-Israel war on Iran are conducted. US Actions and Iranian Response US strikes Iranian sites: The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted “self-defense strikes” on Iranian radar and drone sites in the city of Goruk and on Qeshm Island at the weekend. Iran targets US base: The IRGC said it struck an airbase that was used for an attack on a telecommunications tower on Sirik Island, located in the southern province of Hormozgan, Iran’s Fars news agency reported. Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Impact Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is continuing to exchange messages with the US on a deal to end the war. Trump’s stance: US President Donald Trump described Iran as eager to reach an agreement, posting on his Truth Social platform that “Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the USA and those that are with us.” Kuwait intercepts missiles and drones: The General Staff of the Kuwaiti army said its air defences were “confronting hostile missile and drone attacks”. Israel pushes farther into Lebanon: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israel’s military to push farther into Lebanon after Israeli forces made their deepest incursion into the country in more than 25 years. Hezbollah’s Actions and US Proposal Hezbollah downs Israeli drone: The Lebanese armed group said it shot down an Israeli Hermes 450 drone over the western sector of southern Lebanon using a surface-to-air missile on Sunday evening. Hezbollah strikes Israeli forces: Hezbollah also said its fighters fired a large number of rockets and artillery shells at Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif in southern Lebanon early on Monday. US proposes new plan: The US has put forward a proposal to de-escalate hostilities in Lebanon, a US official told Al Jazeera, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu.

Australian Cycling History Made at Giro d'ItaliaJai Hindley has roared again in the "pinnacle of cycling", making history as just the second Australian to enjoy three overall podium finishes in Grand Tours as he rode home for a valiant third place in the Giro d'Italia. As new champion Jonas Vingegaard confirmed his place among the sport's all-time elite in Rome by completing his set of the three Grand Tour triumphs and dominating the 109th Giro with five magnificent stage wins, Hindley underlined why he is one of Australia's greatest.Hindley's Remarkable Comeback JourneyThe 30-year-old had been ill during the race, needing to take antibiotics in the second of the three weeks, yet recovered spectacularly to complete his own set of Giro podium finishes, having won in 2022, been runner-up in 2021 and now third. Only the great former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans has had more Grand Tour podium finishes among Australians, with five.The often unsung Perth rider Hindley said on the eve of the race from Bulgaria that he and his Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe team "aren't here to lick stamps". That was his 2026 version of his famous but bewildering affirmation "we're not here to put socks on centipedes" in the year he won. The translation was that he and his team weren't once again there to mess around, and after he proved stronger over the race than his talented young co-team leader Giulio Pellizzari to assume the role of main man, Hindley lived up to his promise."The second week was very hard for me, I was really quite sick. I even had to take antibiotics, but I seem to be back in time," Hindley had smiled after a remarkable third-week resurgence saw him move into third place overall on the 19th of the 21 stages.Australian Cyclists Dominate Final StandingsOn Sunday, the largely processional ride into the capital ended with Italian Jonathan Milan winning the final-stage sprint and Vingegaard clinching his fourth Grand Tour, having twice won the Tour de France and last year's Vuelta, where Hindley had signalled he was recovering his best form with a fourth-place finish. Hindley did suffer a mechanical mid-race on Sunday but swiftly got back to the peloton. He ended 6 minutes 25 seconds behind Vingegaard, and 1:03 behind runner-up, Austrian Felix Gall."I haven't had a good result in a Grand Tour for a long time, and to be fighting for the podium again was really nice," said Hindley. "For me, the Grand Tours are the pinnacle of cycling, and being competitive in them is what I train for."It was only the second Giro in a decade in which there wasn't a stage won by an Australian, following the early abandonments of the luckless Kaden Groves and Jay Vine with crashes, but, impressively, there were four Australian finishers in the top 17. Michael Storer (Tudor Pro) finished a career-best seventh at 10:13 down, Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla) was 16th at 24:12 and Chris Harper (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro) 17th at 30:43.Elevating Australian Cycling on World StageHindley's achievement places him among the elite of Australian cycling history, with only Cadel Evans boasting more Grand Tour podium finishes. His consistent performances across multiple Grand Tours demonstrate the growing strength of Australian cycling on the international stage. The presence of four Australians in the top 17 of the Giro d'Italia further highlights the depth of talent coming from Australia.Future Prospects for Australian CyclingWith Hindley establishing himself as a consistent contender in Grand Tours and younger Australian riders like Pellizzari showing promise, the future looks bright for Australian cycling. The country's ability to produce multiple top-tier cyclists suggests that Hindley's historic achievement may be just the beginning of a new era for Australian cycling excellence on the world stage.

In a striking reversal of a century‑old judgment, researchers have confirmed that the red bands on the walls of Bacon Hole in South Gower are not mineral stains but the United Kingdom’s oldest known Palaeolithic cave paintings. 1912: The Guardian reports the discovery of red pigment bands in Bacon Hole. 1928: The same outlet declares the markings a natural phenomenon. 2026: Uranium‑thorium analysis dates the pigments to 17,100 years ago, redefining British prehistory. The Rediscovery of Bacon Hole’s Red Streaks as Palaeolithic Art Original investigators William Sollas and Henri Breuil argued in 1912 that the horizontal red lines represented intentional art. Their interpretation was dismissed in 1928 after the newspaper cited mineral seepage as the cause. The new study, led by Dr George Nash of the University of Liverpool and Coimbra University, re‑examined the panels with modern archaeometric techniques. Uranium‑Thorium Dating Confirms 17,100‑Year‑Old Paintings Using uranium‑thorium dating on the pigment’s calcite matrix, the team obtained a calibrated age of 17,100 years before present. Chemical analysis identified a mixture of calcite and clay, applied with finger strokes, confirming deliberate human agency. Implications for Understanding Upper Palaeolithic Wales The findings place Wales at the forefront of Upper Palaeolithic activity in north‑western Europe, suggesting that hunter‑fisher‑gatherer groups exploited the periglacial landscape of the emerging Bristol Channel shoreline. The research also aligns with earlier discoveries such as the Cathole Cave paintings dated between 14,500 and 12,500 years ago. Future Research and Conservation Prospects The cave, managed by the National Trust of Wales, is slated for official announcement and potential scheduling as a protected monument. Ongoing collaboration among the universities of Southampton, Swansea, and international partners aims to map additional sites along the Gower coast and refine the chronology of early human occupation.