World

Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on a residential apartment building in the Bchamoun area on the southern outskirts of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, early Tuesday without warning. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, the attack killed at least two people and wounded five others. Footage circulating online showed at least one apartment in the building engulfed in flames, highlighting the intensity of the strike.

Hong Kong police are now empowered to require anyone suspected of violating the semi-autonomous city’s national security law to hand over passwords to their mobile phones or computers. Officials will brief lawmakers on the new provisions on Tuesday, a government statement said. The measure, which took effect on Monday, is part of the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 following large, sometimes violent, pro-democracy protests in this Chinese territory.

The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US military, announced new stringent restrictions for journalists on Monday. Under the new rules, accredited journalists will now have to work from an annex facility outside the main Pentagon building, though still on its grounds. Access inside the building will require pre-authorization and an escort by authorized personnel. The changes were attributed to "security risks" by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

Border troops of the State Security Service and the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan intercepted an attempt to smuggle 72.3 kilograms of hashish, disguised as potatoes, from Afghanistan during an inspection of a truck in the Termez district of Surkhandarya region. This incident highlights ongoing efforts to enhance border security but also underscores persistent challenges in combating illicit drug trafficking in the region, with potential negative implications for regional stability.

Attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran have escalated, with several cities, including the capital Tehran, as well as Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj, reportedly hit by bombardments. According to Iran's Fars news agency, a gas administration building and pressure regulation station in Isfahan, along with a gas pipeline to the Khorramshahr power plant, were targeted, sustaining partial damage. These strikes occurred despite claims of diplomatic engagement.

At an international border checkpoint in southern Uzbekistan, authorities have intercepted more than 72 kilograms of hashish concealed as potatoes. The drugs were hidden among agricultural products in a truck arriving from Afghanistan.

A military transport aircraft C-130H Hercules crashed in the Putumayo department in southern Colombia, resulting in 66 fatalities and dozens of injuries, according to Reuters citing sources. The crash occurred on March 23 in the Puerto Leguizamo area during takeoff, with Caracol radio reporting over 100 military personnel on board.

Eritrea's national football team is set to end an 18-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, facing Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in the Moroccan city of Meknes for the first leg of the preliminary round for the 2027 tournament. The match has been relocated from East Africa to North Africa due to Eritrea's lack of an international-standard stadium, highlighting infrastructural challenges in the region.

France striker Kylian Mbappe has announced he has fully recovered from a knee injury and aims to play in all of Real Madrid's remaining matches this season as he builds towards the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 27-year-old missed four league games this year due to a lingering knee issue from last season but came off the bench in the 64th minute of Madrid's 3-2 victory over Atletico on Sunday.

The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran entered its 25th day on Tuesday, as conflicting claims emerged over possible peace talks. US President Donald Trump said Washington was holding discussions with Tehran and suggested a broader agreement could be reached, but Iranian officials rejected the claims, accusing the US regime of trying to buy time as it deploys more forces to the region.

European Union Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, in an interview with the Financial Times, alleged that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the primary factor behind increased migration to Europe over the past decade. He purportedly stated, "In major migration flows, Putin is always involved. It's always Vladimir Putin."

French football legend Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over as head coach of the national team following this summer's FIFA World Cup. ESPN reported on Monday that the 53-year-old Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation.