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A deadly projectile attack from Lebanon has struck northern Israel, resulting in at least one fatality. The incident has heightened concerns about the security situation along the Israel-Lebanon border.The projectile, which originated from Lebanon, hit a location in northern Israel, causing significant alarm and prompting a swift response from Israeli authorities. Details about the type of projectile and the exact location of the incident are still emerging.This latest development underscores the ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Israel, a region that has experienced periods of heightened conflict and instability. The incident is being closely monitored by international observers, who are concerned about the potential for further escalation.

The UK government has introduced new guidelines on screen time for children under five, developed by a panel led by the children's commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, and children's health expert Prof Russell Viner. Children under two years old should avoid screen time except for shared activities that encourage interaction, while children between two and five years old should limit screen time to no more than one hour a day. The guidance also advises against fast-paced, social-media style videos and AI tools, which may affect how young children learn to concentrate. Instead, it suggests 'safe screen swaps' such as replacing screens at mealtimes with background music, conversation, table games, or coloring. Parents are encouraged to prioritize activities that promote language, problem-solving skills, self-control, and social understanding, such as reading together, playing simple games, and back-and-forth conversations. The guidance acknowledges that some children with special educational needs or disabilities may need to use screens to help them communicate and participate in everyday activities. Experts warn that excessive screen time can harm children's development, with 90% of brain growth happening before the age of five. The advisory panel emphasizes the importance of parental example, as children's brains are like 'sponges' and will mimic their screen use habits. Examples of shared screen activities include video calls with relatives or looking at family photos together, which represent constructive joint screen use. The guidance also recommends avoiding screens for an hour before bedtime and reading stories together instead. By adopting these guidelines, parents can help promote healthy screen use habits and support their child's overall development.

Sarah Strong, the 6ft 2in UConn forward, is chasing her second championship in as many years with an undefeated squad that hasn’t lost in 52 games dating back to last year. As a freshman, Strong thrived defensively in the 2025 NCAA tournament, while scoring the most points by a freshman in tournament history with 114.In her second season, Strong has been even more dominant. Her impact on both sides of the ball is so deep that she was named the Big East Player of the Year and the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. She’s the favorite to win the National Player of the Year award next month.This season Strong averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 steals all while shooting 60.0% from the field. UConn coach Geno Auriemma praised her unique ability to play like a guard and play like a big guy.Unlike other collegiate women’s players with similar talent, such as Caitlin Clark, there is nothing flashy about Strong. She plays with certainty and lets her game do the talking. Her media commitments are increasing, but she remains uncomfortable with the spotlight.Strong’s poise, calm, and off-the-charts IQ have produced results impossible to ignore. Her parents, including former WNBA player Allison Feaster, instilled in her a respect for the game and family values.UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott quietly scouted Strong in ninth grade before the hype arrived and she became the country’s top recruit. Auriemma agreed with Elliott’s assessment, noting that Strong already had the skills that great players learn over time.With her star growing rapidly, Strong has inked NIL deals with Jordan Brand, Unrivaled, and Madison Reed. She had 18 points in each game as UConn rolled to first- and second-round wins last week, setting up Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

Former US President Donald Trump has made a striking statement about Iran, characterizing its fighters as 'lousy' while acknowledging them as 'great negotiators'. This mixed assessment came in a recent public statement, reflecting Trump's distinctive approach to international relations and diplomacy.The comment underscores the complex dynamics between the United States and Iran, particularly during Trump's presidency. Trump's remarks often sparked controversy and debate, and this latest statement is no exception. By highlighting Iran's negotiation skills, Trump may be suggesting a potential avenue for future diplomatic engagement, despite his critical view of their military capabilities.The relationship between the US and Iran has been marked by periods of heightened tension, particularly over issues such as nuclear agreements and regional influence. Trump's comments add to the ongoing discourse about how to approach diplomatic relations with Iran, reflecting broader themes in international relations about the balance between military strength and negotiation.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – For over a decade, Sanjeet, a business consultant from India, considered Malaysia his home. Having grown comfortable with the country's climate, people, and lifestyle, he had begun planning long-term investments, including property purchases.However, recent government initiatives to reduce Malaysia's reliance on foreign workers have abruptly disrupted these plans for Sanjeet and thousands of other expatriates. Starting June, minimum salary requirements for foreign workers will increase by up to 100%, while their maximum permitted stay will be limited to five or ten years."What was surprising was that this came out of the blue," Sanjeet, who requested to use a pseudonym, told Al Jazeera. "It does leave room for doubt in terms of long-term plans, which include things like buying a house or car here."Malaysia has long been an attractive destination for foreign labor, with approximately 2.1 million documented foreign workers currently in the country. While many take on manual labor at the minimum wage of 1,700 ringgit ($430) monthly, a smaller but significant pool of around 140 highly-paid expatriates contributes substantially to the economy.In 2024, Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution revealed that these high-salaried expatriates injected about 75 billion ringgit ($19 billion) into the domestic economy annually while contributing approximately 100 million ringgit ($25 million) in taxes.The government's latest five-year national strategy, released in 2025, warns that Malaysia's "continuous reliance" on low-skilled foreign workers has hampered technological adoption and created "ripple effects" in the labor market, including wage distortions and slow productivity growth.To address these concerns, authorities aim to reduce the foreign workforce proportion from 14.1% in 2024 to just 5% by 2035. This ambitious target is supported by new minimum salary requirements that will see thresholds increase from 10,000 to 20,000 ringgit ($2,500 to $5,000), 5,000 to 10,000 ringgit ($1,260 to $2,520), and 3,000 to 5,000 ringgit ($760 to $1,260) for different work permit categories.UK native Thomas Mead, a 28-year-old wealth manager who recently purchased property in Kuala Lumpur, expressed shock at the sudden policy changes. "However, the jump from RM10,000 to RM20,000 was quite a shock," he said, noting that some expatriates are already considering relocation options despite their reluctance to leave.The policy changes are also raising concerns among businesses. Douglas Gan, a Singaporean founder of a venture capital fund with Malaysian portfolio companies, warned that the new rules would drive up costs and make it challenging to recruit specialized talent. "If salaries increase to 10,000 ringgit, companies definitely won't bring them here," he said, advocating for a more tailored approach rather than a "blanket solution."Leonardo, an Indonesian professional working in Malaysia's computer games sector, faces downgrading to a lower employment pass category under the new rules, potentially jeopardizing his plans to bring his mother to live in the country. "My mum is alone and living in Indonesia. There was a thought that if I could settle here, I could bring her over," he said.Economic analysts caution that the success of these policies depends on Malaysia's ability to develop its local workforce. "The long-run gain depends less on blocking expats and more on whether Malaysia can actually supply the skills," said Wan Suhaimie, head of economic research at Kenanga Investment Bank. He emphasized that foreign workers on mid-tier employment passes are not extravagant hires but "core managers, engineers and specialists."Anthony Dass, CEO of FSG Advisory, noted that while the measures align with strengthening the local talent pipeline, their effectiveness will depend on complementary reforms in capability building and industry upgrading.As these policies take shape, expatriates like Sanjeet are already considering alternatives. "If Malaysia pursues these policies without a comprehensive rationale, then people like me will look for alternatives such as Vietnam, Thailand and elsewhere, which have favourable policies for expats," he concluded.

Nantes Women's Football Team is creating a stir in French football, with a remarkable season that's putting them in contention for a top-four finish and a potential Champions League spot. Under the guidance of head coach Nicolas Chabot, the team has adopted a unique playing style focused on combinations and teamwork, which has yielded impressive results.The team's success can be attributed to a combination of experienced players and new recruits, including Imane Saoud from Morocco, Mélissa Bethi from Algeria, and Léa Khelifi, a France international. The team's 7.5 million euro budget is dwarfed by other top teams, but they've managed to punch above their weight.Nantes' recent 3-0 win against Strasbourg showcased their skills, with a notable goal that involved eight players and took only 18 seconds to score. The team's 17,491-strong crowd for a match against Marseille also broke their attendance record.With four matches remaining, Nantes are well-positioned to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the playoffs. A second- or third-place finish would guarantee them a spot in the Champions League. The team's success has not gone unnoticed, with fans and the club's men's team taking notice.

Coco Gauff has reached the Miami Open final for the first time in her career with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory over Karolina Muchova. Despite Muchova's recent form, which included winning her first WTA 1000 title in Doha last month, Gauff's dominant performance was too much for her opponent.Gauff, only 22 years old, showcased her immense defensive skills, tracking down every ball and mixing up the pace and trajectory of her shots. This strategy left Muchova, known for her volleying skills, struggling to find her rhythm. Muchova's 0-5 record against Gauff continued, with Gauff taking full advantage of being on the winning side of this lopsided matchup.Earlier in the week, Gauff had expressed uncertainty about competing in Miami due to an arm injury. However, she opted to play and has since drawn on her mental strength to navigate through four three-set matches. Her recent wins against Belinda Bencic and Muchova have been particularly impressive, considering her remodelled serve and poor form this year.Gauff's next challenge will be to lift the trophy in the final on Saturday against the winner of the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, two of the best players in the world.

Alireza Tangsiri, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander killed in an Israeli airstrike, was a veteran hardliner with a reputation for fiery rhetoric. He had a deep understanding of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.Tangsiri was a prominent figure in the IRGC, having won his credentials during the Iran-Iraq war and rising through the ranks to become the commander of the IRGC’s maritime force in 2018. He was known for pioneering unconventional weapons that allowed Iran to project power in the Persian Gulf and beyond.The US Treasury sanctioned Tangsiri in 2019 and 2023, citing his role in overseeing the IRGC Navy’s testing of cruise missiles and his involvement with a company that developed armed drones. These weapons could potentially be used to maintain the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.Tangsiri was also a strong supporter of fast boats, which can threaten civilian shipping and evade modern warship defense systems. His recent statements had dared the US to launch a ground assault on Kharg Island, Iran’s principal hub for oil exports, and warned of the impact on oil prices.The Israeli airstrike that killed Tangsiri has been seen as a significant blow to the IRGC. The commander of US Central Command, Adm Brad Cooper, said the killing “makes the region safer.” Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the strike as a “message” to the IRGC, vowing to “hunt you down and eliminate you one by one.”

The UK government's recent announcement to make significant cuts to direct aid to Africa and the Middle East has been met with deep disappointment. This move is seen as a moral dereliction of duty, betraying the world's most marginalised, and a false economy that will bring greater instability to the world and make people less safe. The cut in aid to 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) from 2027 breaks Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge to restore development spending at the level of 0.7% of GNI “as soon as fiscal circumstances allow”. The UK is making the steepest proportion of aid cuts among G7 nations. As James Mattis, Donald Trump's defence secretary, once said: “If you don’t fund the state department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately.” This highlights the shortsightedness of cutting aid, which could lead to more conflict, famine, and persecution. The UK itself benefits materially from these investments. The recent inquiry by the all-party parliamentary group on global health and security on international health worker recruitment highlights the extent to which the NHS and wider economy rely on the skills, expertise, and partnerships rooted in the global south. The UK has saved £14bn in training costs through international recruitment and continues to depend on globally trained health professionals. Investment in global vaccination, disease surveillance, and research helps stop outbreaks before they spread internationally and place pressure on health systems. Preventing disease at source is one of the smartest investments we can make to protect patients in Britain. The situation in Somalia, on the edge of famine, underscores the importance of sustained investment in global development. Two consecutive failed rainy seasons have left 6.5 million people in crisis, more than double the number a year ago. The UK's humanitarian relief in Somalia is welcome, but the scrapping of nature funding and cuts to climate aid risk compromising its own strategy of preventing crisis before it takes hold.