Peter Capaldi joins Only Murders in the Building S…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces had destroyed what they described as a major Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon. According to a joint statement released on Friday, the underground tunnels in the Beaufort area were considered an important part of Hezbollah’s alleged plan to enter communities in northern Israel’s Galilee region. The Israeli government said the military used around 700 tons of explosives to demolish the tunnel system. Officials described the operation as part of Israel’s continuing efforts to eliminate Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. They claimed the action was necessary after accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement that had been reached between the two sides. Before the Israeli announcement, Lebanese media reported a series of powerful explosions across several locations in southern Lebanon. Blasts were heard in the town of Hadatha, around Deir Mimas near Beaufort Castle and in the area between Arnoun and Yahmar. Residents said the explosions echoed across nearby districts and caused widespread concern during the night. The military operation comes only weeks after Lebanon and Israel signed a United States backed framework agreement on June 26 aimed at reducing tensions along the border. The deal outlined a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory while the Lebanese army would expand its presence in the south and armed groups would be disarmed. Although Hezbollah was not named directly, the agreement was widely understood to include the group. As part of the first phase of the agreement, the Lebanese army began deploying forces in the town of Zawtar al Gharbiyeh on July 21 after Israeli troops pulled back from the area. The town was selected as one of the first locations for implementing the security arrangements outlined in the agreement. Despite the deal, tensions remain high. Israel continues to maintain a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon. Some of these areas have been occupied for decades while others have been under Israeli control since the conflict that took place during 2023 and 2024. Reports also indicate that Israeli forces recently advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory during their latest operations. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks carried out since March 2 have killed 4,333 people and injured more than 12,200 others. The figures reflect the heavy human cost of the ongoing conflict, which has continued despite diplomatic efforts to restore stability along the border. Lebanon’s National News Agency also reported that large explosions shook the southern regions of Yohmor al Chqif, Arnoun and Kfar Tebnit overnight. The blasts were so powerful that shockwaves were felt in towns far from the affected areas. In the Marjayoun district, explosions near Beaufort Castle reportedly shattered windows and damaged nearby homes in Qlayaa. Residents described strong vibrations and the smell of gunpowder spreading through the area after the blasts. The agency further reported that Israeli forces carried out heavy machine gun fire near al Mansouri and Biyout al Sayyad in the Tyre district while artillery shells struck al Mansouri. Tank movements were also reported near Baraachit hill heading towards Aainata in the Bint Jbeil district as military activity continued across southern Lebanon.

South Korea has launched a review after its military nearly opened fire on a United States military drone that was initially identified as an unknown aircraft near the border with North Korea. The incident briefly raised security concerns in one of the most heavily guarded areas of the Korean Peninsula before officials confirmed the aircraft was taking part in a joint military exercise. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the drone was detected on Thursday in northern Gyeonggi Province close to the border. Military personnel followed standard operational procedures after they were unable to immediately identify the aircraft. As a precaution, troops prepared to respond while continuing to track its movements. The aircraft was later confirmed to be a United States Marine Corps drone participating in combined training with South Korean forces. The incident prompted a temporary security alert in the border region. Local authorities issued evacuation warnings to residents and farmers living inside the Civilian Control Zone around Cheorwon and nearby communities. Emergency text messages sent shortly after 2 pm advised people in frontline areas to move to shelters or other safe locations until the situation became clear. After military officials confirmed the aircraft’s identity, a second message informed residents that the alert had been lifted and there was no longer any immediate danger. No shots were fired and no injuries or damage were reported. United States Forces Korea confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the US Marine Corps and was involved in a scheduled joint exercise with South Korean troops. The command said it is reviewing the circumstances that led to the misunderstanding and is working with South Korean authorities to examine the incident. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that military inspectors from its readiness office would visit the Army’s 1st Corps on Friday to review how the situation was handled. The inspection will assess whether existing identification and communication procedures were properly followed and whether improvements are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The episode highlights the high level of military alert maintained along the border with North Korea, where tensions remain elevated. South Korean forces routinely monitor unidentified aircraft because of the possibility of North Korean military activity. Officials said troops acted according to established procedures because they could not immediately determine whether the aircraft posed a potential threat. The incident also comes shortly after another security concern involving the United States military. Earlier this week, residents living near a US military base in Pyeongtaek were briefly advised to evacuate following an incident involving white phosphorus. That event prompted some civic groups to call for an investigation and for the US military to provide a public explanation. Although the drone incident ended without violence, it has renewed attention on the challenges of coordinating military operations in a region where misunderstandings can quickly escalate. South Korean authorities are expected to use the findings of their review to strengthen communication and operational procedures during future joint exercises with United States forces.

Valentín Lavín Romero, the mayor of Temoac in the central Mexican state of Morelos, was shot dead on Wednesday inside the municipal government headquarters. The politician, affiliated with the Green Party, an ally of the ruling Morena party, was targeted in broad daylight when armed hitmen entered the town hall before escaping on a motorcycle. The fatal attack came six months after Lavín Romero survived a previous attempt on his life in late January, when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle at a highway petrol station. His assassination marks the 14th murder of a mayor in Mexico since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of municipal officials in regions contested by organised crime networks. Prior to his death, Lavín Romero faced intense local scrutiny and threats. In May, a criminal group left a warning banner in the town center accusing him of protecting rival syndicates. He was also under pressure from community activists who demanded investigations into his alleged links to the homicides of two local campaigners. The state prosecutor’s office confirmed that initial forensic investigations are underway at the crime scene, though no suspects or official motives have yet been formally identified. The killing coincides with broader federal anti-corruption drives under Operation Swarm, which targets collusion between municipal administration members and regional cartels across multiple states.