5 items our beauty editor is loving this month

Israeli forces have retrieved the bodies of two American-Israeli hostages from Gaza, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The announcement comes months after Hamas took them captive during the October 7 attacks. While this brings a grim form of closure for their families, it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing toll of the conflict.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another headline—it’s a heartbreaking update in a long, painful saga. For the families, it means the end of uncertainty but also the crushing finality of loss. For the broader conflict, it underscores how deeply entangled civilian lives are in the violence, with no clear resolution in sight. It’s a story that hits close to home for many, especially in the U.S., where dual citizens have been caught in the crossfire.

The French Open women's semifinals are set to deliver a blockbuster clash between defending champion Iga Świątek and current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. This isn’t just another tennis match—it’s a high-stakes duel between two of the sport’s most dominant players, with a spot in the final on the line. Świątek’s clay-court mastery will be tested against Sabalenka’s raw power, making this a must-watch tactical battle.

Editor’s Note: This match is a big deal because it pits the reigning Roland Garros queen (Świątek) against the top-ranked player in the world (Sabalenka). It’s a rare showdown where skill, momentum, and ranking collide—and the outcome could shape the future of women’s tennis. For fans, it’s pure entertainment; for the sport, it’s a spotlight moment.

Half a million more kids in England will now qualify for free school lunches under a new expansion of the program. The change covers children whose families are on Universal Credit—a move praised by anti-poverty groups as a big step toward tackling childhood hunger.

Editor’s Note: For struggling families, school meals aren’t just about convenience—they’re a lifeline. This expansion means fewer kids will go hungry during the day, and parents won’t have to choose between bills and lunch money. It’s also a signal that policymakers are starting to take child poverty seriously, though critics might argue it doesn’t go far enough. Either way, it’s a win for low-income households.

A Ryanair flight traveling through southern Germany got caught in severe storms, leading to violent turbulence that injured nine passengers. The plane had to make an emergency landing late Wednesday, with German police confirming the chaotic scene.

Editor’s Note: Turbulence is common, but extreme cases like this highlight how dangerous sudden weather shifts can be—even for experienced crews. With climate change potentially intensifying storms, airlines and passengers may need to brace for bumpier skies ahead. This incident also puts a spotlight on how well airlines handle in-flight emergencies and passenger safety protocols.

The Israeli military has recovered the bodies of two elderly hostages—Judi Weinstein Haggai, 70, and her husband Gadi, 72—from southern Gaza. The couple, who held dual Israeli-American citizenship, were killed during Hamas’s October 7 attacks. Their remains were found as part of ongoing military operations in the region.

Editor’s Note: This is another grim reminder of the human toll of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. For families of hostages, each recovery brings both closure and renewed grief. It also underscores the complexities of the conflict, where even small developments carry heavy emotional and geopolitical weight. The story matters not just as a military update, but as a reflection of the deep personal losses on both sides.