Weather tracker: heatwave roasts Israel as 90 die in Vietnam downpours

The UK embassy in Tel Aviv is facing scrutiny for employing Gila Ben-Yakov Phillips, who owns a home in an illegal settlement in occupied Palestine. Legal experts suggest that this employment may violate UK sanctions law and government security policies, raising concerns about the embassy's adherence to international regulations.

Severe flooding and landslides in south-central Vietnam have resulted in at least 90 fatalities over the past week, with additional individuals reported missing. The relentless rains since late October have caused significant destruction, particularly in popular tourist areas like Nha Trang and Da Lat, leading to major economic losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Israel's military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, announced the dismissal of three generals and disciplinary actions against several senior officers due to their failure to prevent the October 2023 attacks by Hamas. This decision reflects a significant shift in military accountability following the unprecedented assault that caught Israel off guard.

Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on his first international trip to Turkey and Lebanon, aiming to foster peace and unity in a region marked by escalating tensions, particularly following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed civilians and targeted a Hezbollah leader.

Iran is attempting to enhance its soft power and improve regional relations following US military actions and tensions in the Gulf. The country is making cautious foreign policy adjustments as its military alliances have weakened, and it perceives an opportunity to build less confrontational ties with Arab neighbors amidst the backdrop of international law violations by the US.

An Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs has resulted in the death of Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah's chief of staff, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah nearly a year after a ceasefire ended prolonged clashes. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, which is the first of its kind in months targeting Hezbollah leadership.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 individuals, with dozens more injured, as tensions escalate amid a fragile ceasefire. The Israeli government claims the strikes were a response to militant gunfire, which Hamas has dismissed as a fabricated excuse to justify renewed violence.

Israel has conducted an airstrike in Beirut, resulting in the death of a senior Hezbollah official, marking the first such attack in months. This escalation raises concerns about a potential resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have maintained a fragile ceasefire despite ongoing tensions in the region.