Tenured US professor fired over pro-Palestinian protests contests dismissal

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Lebanon does not desire another war with Israel during a meeting with a UN Security Council delegation, emphasizing the need for international support to disarm non-governmental groups. This statement comes amid ongoing Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon, which Israel claims are aimed at Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire established in November 2024.

A mass shooting occurred at a children's birthday party in Stockton, California, resulting in four fatalities, including three children, and injuring at least ten others. The incident took place shortly before 6 p.m. local time, when armed men entered a banquet hall where families were gathered to celebrate. Community members fear that the shooting will be dismissed as gang violence without addressing the underlying issues, such as online feuds and social tensions.

Yasser Abu Shabab, a prominent leader of the anti-Hamas militia group Popular Forces, was killed in Gaza during a violent clash while reportedly attempting to mediate a family dispute. His death has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding it, particularly regarding the involvement of Hamas and the implications for the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Guardian's picture editors have curated a selection of photographs capturing a cold moon over Gaza, snow in Seoul, and the Olympic flame, showcasing significant visual moments from around the world on Friday. These images reflect the diverse experiences and cultural expressions present in different regions.

A compilation of videos claiming to show new footage of Iranian military sites destroyed during the June 2025 conflict with Israel has emerged online, primarily shared by pro-Israel accounts. However, many of these clips have been identified as artificially generated content rather than authentic footage.

In 2023, interviews with Israelis and Palestinians revealed the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on their capacity for compassion and empathy, prompting a follow-up after a recent ceasefire. The interviews aimed to assess any changes in sentiments amidst ongoing tensions and humanitarian crises in the region.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is considering loosening restrictions on highly toxic anticoagulant rodenticides, despite evidence that these substances are harming wildlife, including endangered species. This move follows a state report highlighting the unintended consequences of these poisons on the ecosystem.

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.