Israel launched its most intense wave of attacks on Lebanon in the current conflict just a day after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced, raising fresh concerns about whether the fragile agreement can hold.
The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, describing the operation as one of its most powerful offensives so far. Verified videos and images showed massive plumes of smoke rising above Beirut as residents rushed to evacuate areas under bombardment.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least 203 people were killed in the attacks, with the toll expected to rise as rescue teams continue searching through damaged buildings.
The strikes came despite optimism following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran. Israeli leaders had already signaled that their campaign against Hezbollah would continue regardless of the agreement.
The timing of the attacks has complicated U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and could strain relations between Washington and Israel during a sensitive phase of negotiations with Iran.
Iran responded angrily to the strikes, with state-linked media reporting that Tehran could suspend shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supply passes.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Israel of violating the negotiating framework associated with the ceasefire agreement supported by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The escalating tensions highlight how separate but interconnected conflicts across the Middle East continue to complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the broader war.
Trump’s “No Tax on Tips” Promise Delivers Mixed Results for Workers
While President Trump has promoted his “no taxes on tips” policy as a major economic win for American workers, some households say the financial benefits have fallen short of expectations.
Sherrie Cummings, a cocktail waitress working on the Las Vegas Strip, had hoped the policy would significantly increase her tax refund. Instead, she and her husband received less than they anticipated due to limits on how much tip income can be deducted.
Under the tax policy, deductions for tips are capped at $25,000, even for couples whose primary income comes from tipped work.
Although IRS data shows the average tax refund this season has increased to $3,521 — about $350 higher than last year — some middle-income workers say the structure of the tax cuts leaves them with smaller gains.
Several groups of workers are also excluded from other elements of the tax changes. Many railroad workers and truck drivers, for example, do not qualify for the overtime tax deduction, while the Social Security deduction excludes both the lowest and highest earners.
Tax analysts say the biggest financial gains are going to higher-income households, some of which could save millions of dollars under the new law.
Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Pleads Guilty to Multiple Murders
In a major development in one of the most notorious criminal cases in recent U.S. history, Rex Heuermann — the man accused of carrying out the Gilgo Beach killings — pleaded guilty in a New York courtroom.
Heuermann, a 62-year-old former Manhattan architect, admitted to murdering seven women and acknowledged responsibility for the death of an eighth victim, Karen Vergata.
Standing before a judge in Suffolk County, Heuermann calmly answered “yes” repeatedly as he confirmed the details of the crimes, which involved strangling and dismembering victims over a 17-year period.
The courtroom proceedings lasted roughly 30 minutes, marking a dramatic turning point in a case that had haunted families and investigators for nearly two decades.
Other Headlines Making News
Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of his American wife in the Bahamas after he claimed she fell overboard during a boat ride.
A woman known as the “Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegally supplying drugs linked to the death of actor Matthew Perry.
A Hawaii doctor accused of attempting to kill his wife during a birthday hike was convicted of attempted manslaughter.
Immigration enforcement actions have increased sharply, with arrests of immigrants without criminal convictions rising significantly during President Trump’s second term, according to new analysis.
Buffalo Bills Fans Buying Pieces of Their Historic Stadium
As the Buffalo Bills prepare to move into a new stadium, fans are being offered a chance to take home physical pieces of their team’s history.
Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York — which has been the team’s home for more than 50 years — is being dismantled, and memorabilia from the venue is being sold to the public.
Fans are purchasing everything from stadium seats and sections of turf to pieces of infrastructure from the iconic venue.
Collectibles expert Brandon Steiner, who is overseeing the sales, said demand has been overwhelming. Thousands of season ticket holders have already purchased their old seats, while other unusual items — including restroom troughs — have also attracted buyers.
The enthusiasm reflects the deep loyalty of Buffalo’s fan base, widely considered one of the most passionate in the NFL, eager to hold onto a piece of the stadium where decades of football history were made.