Cold moon over Gaza, snow in Seoul and the Olympic flame: photos of the day – Friday

Sang Hea Kil, a tenured professor at San José State University in California, has been dismissed due to her pro-Palestinian activism, marking her as the first tenured faculty member from a public university to be fired in relation to protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. This dismissal follows a trend of increasing scrutiny and disciplinary actions against university staff involved in similar activism across the United States.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced a strategy aimed at lifting 550,000 children out of poverty, describing it as a 'moral mission' that will include initiatives for childcare support and assistance for families in temporary housing. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the economic challenges facing the UK.

A surge in the use of injectable peptides in Australia is being fueled by social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where influencers promote these substances despite their experimental status and associated health risks. A notable case involves a 21-year-old fitness influencer who endorses a peptide that is not yet approved for human use, highlighting the growing trend among young Australians seeking performance and aesthetic enhancements.

Financial markets are now anticipating a 100% probability that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will increase interest rates in 2026, a shift prompted by recent inflation data. This change in outlook marks a significant reversal from earlier expectations that suggested a potential rate cut by May 2026.

Michael Caine, the 92-year-old actor, announced his retirement for the fourth time while accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Red Sea international film festival in Saudi Arabia. He reflected on his career, stating that he has had all the luck he could hope for and decided not to pursue further acting roles after reaching the age of 90.

Rinaldo Nazzaro, the American leader of the neo-Nazi terrorist group Base, has responded defiantly to the recent arrests of three suspected members in Spain, stating that these detentions justify a call for resistance by any means necessary. Nazzaro, who resides in Russia, characterized the arrests as political persecution by global governments.

Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Israeli-backed Popular Forces militia in Gaza, was killed during a violent clash while attempting to mediate a family dispute. His death has been denied by his group as being caused by Hamas, amidst ongoing tensions in the region.

Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have announced their withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following the decision by organizers to allow Israel to participate, despite ongoing tensions related to its actions in Gaza.