The conflict in Gaza escalated as Israeli tanks entered Deir al-Balah for the first time, an area where the military believes hostages may be held. The push has displaced hundreds more Palestinians. In the last 24 hours, Gaza's Health Ministry reported at least 130 Palestinians killed. The incursion has drawn sharp international condemnation, with 25 Western nations, including France and the UK, issuing a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war and criticizing the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians. The UN has warned of potential "mass deaths" from hunger, and Belgium's King Philippe described the humanitarian abuses as a "disgrace to all of humanity."

In U.S. politics, President Donald Trump threatened to block a deal for a new Washington Commanders football stadium unless the team reverts to its former name, the "Redskins." His administration is also facing criticism for U.S. Forest Service staff cuts that have reportedly left firefighters performing administrative duties amid a severe wildfire season. Meanwhile, the White House has intensified its attacks on the Federal Reserve over interest rates and a headquarters renovation project. In response to the administration's new policy barring migrants from federally-funded programs, over 20 Democratic attorneys general have filed a lawsuit to block the move. Trying to shift focus from controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein files, Trump ordered the release of long-sealed FBI records on Martin Luther King Jr.

Globally, China announced it has begun construction on the world's largest hydropower dam, a $170 billion project on the Tibetan Plateau, causing concern in downstream nations India and Bangladesh. In Russia, state media showed teenagers assembling kamikaze drones at what was described as the world's largest strike drone factory. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed to stay in office despite his ruling coalition losing its upper house majority, partly due to the rise of the far-right, anti-immigration Sanseito party.

In other major world events, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a college campus in Dhaka, killing at least 19 and injuring 164. In Pakistan, a tribal chief was among 14 arrested for an "honour killing" that gained notoriety after a video went viral. Ecuadorean gang leader "Fito" was extradited to the U.S. to face drug and weapons charges, where his lawyer says he will plead not guilty.

On the business front, Tesla settled a major lawsuit challenging Louisiana's ban on direct vehicle sales. Meta Platforms also settled an $8 billion lawsuit with shareholders, ending a trial that would have required Mark Zuckerberg to testify about data privacy failures. The UK government signed a strategic partnership with OpenAI to deepen collaboration on AI security and infrastructure.

The entertainment world is mourning the death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role on "The Cosby Show," who died by drowning in Costa Rica at age 54.