Israeli military carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the nearly 2-year conflict. The attack, which targeted a residential complex in the West Bay Lagoon district, resulted in the deaths of six people, including the son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and the director of his office, as well as a Qatari security officer.

The strike occurred while Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting in Doha to discuss a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. administration, which had been facilitated through Qatari mediation.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and has played a key role in indirect negotiations with Israel since October 2023. The Israeli military claimed the target was the senior leadership of Hamas, specifically naming Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin as individuals targeted.

The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place order for its personnel due to reports of missile strikes.

Israel described the operation as a "precise strike" targeting those responsible for the October 7 attacks and claimed it was a "wholly independent Israeli operation."

The strike has drawn widespread international condemnation, with Qatar calling it a "cowardly" and "blatant violation" of international law, and the UN Secretary General condemning it as a "flagrant violation" of sovereignty.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement asserting that the strike was "a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility." He claimed the attack was retaliation for the deadly shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop on Monday and the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that was also posted on Truth Social by the president, that President Donald Trump was informed of the attack by the U.S. military shortly before it occurred and immediately directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar of the impending strike.

Trump "feels very badly" about the location of the attack, but the White House emphasized that the strike "does not advance Israel or America's goals."

The White House also stated that Trump assured Qatar's leaders "that such a thing will not happen again on their soil." Trump added in the Truth Social post that he has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize U.S. defense cooperation agreement with Qatar.

The attack followed a pattern of Israeli strikes against Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, in response to attacks on Israel. The strike has caused significant diplomatic tension, with Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, France, and the UN all condemning the attack as a violation of sovereignty and a dangerous escalation.

Trump administration statement:

“This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

"Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.

"However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal. President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack. President Trump wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now.

"President Trump also spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu after the attack. The prime minister told President Trump that he wants to make peace and quickly. President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace. The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country.

He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil."

Lachlan Murdoch has secured control of his father Rupert Murdoch's media empire in a $3.3 billion deal finalized on Monday, resolving a years-long succession battle and ensuring the conservative direction of outlets like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post will continue under his leadership.

The agreement, which ends litigation and dissolves the original 1999 family trust, sees Lachlan's three older siblings—Prue, Liz, and James—each receive $1.1 billion for their shares, while a new trust, which includes Lachlan and his two younger sisters, Grace and Chloe, will hold the controlling stake in News Corp and Fox Corporation until 2050.

The deal marks the culmination of a decades-long struggle over the future of the Murdoch media empire, which Rupert Murdoch had sought to steer toward a conservative legacy through his chosen heir, Lachlan.

The original plan to unilaterally change the irrevocable family trust, dubbed "Project Family Harmony," was rejected by a Nevada probate court in December 2024, which labeled the effort a "carefully crafted charade" and accused Rupert’s representatives of breaching fiduciary duties.

The legal battle intensified after James Murdoch gave an interview to The Atlantic in February 2025, where he criticized his father and Fox News, prompting demands for judicial sanctions and further escalating tensions.

Despite the court defeat, the legal pressure and the prospect of prolonged litigation brought the family back to the negotiating table, leading to the final settlement that allows Lachlan to consolidate control.

The financial structure of the deal involves loans, holding companies, and stock sales, though the exact funding mechanism remains unclear.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has been ousted in a confidence vote in the National Assembly, with 364 deputies voting against him and 194 in favor, leading to the collapse of his minority government.

Bayrou, who was appointed in December 2024, will submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, marking the fifth prime minister change in less than two years and plunging France into a deep political crisis. The vote was a direct result of Bayrou’s gamble to secure parliamentary backing for his controversial 2026 budget plan, which aimed to cut $51 billion in spending to address France’s ballooning public debt, including scrapping two public holidays.

Bayrou’s government was defeated in a confidence vote, a rare move in French politics, as he called the vote himself to force support for austerity measures. This is the first time in modern French history that a prime minister has been removed via a confidence vote rather than a no-confidence vote.

The vote was triggered by Bayrou’s urgent warnings about France’s fiscal health, with public debt reaching $3.946 trillion (114% of GDP) by the end of Q1 2025 and a deficit of 5.8% of GDP in 2024, far exceeding the EU’s 3% limit. He argued that without drastic cuts, France risked becoming dependent on foreign creditors, describing the debt as an “unbearable hemorrhage” and a threat to national sovereignty.

Bayrou's downfall was facilitated by a rare alliance between left-wing and populist factions in the National Assembly, who united to oppose his government despite their ideological differences.

Populist leader Marine Le Pen seized the moment to demand new elections, calling for Macron’s resignation and claiming her party would win a majority in a new vote.

President Macron has stated he will appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days,” but no clear successor has emerged, leaving his domestic authority severely weakened.

The political instability has already impacted financial markets, with French government bond yields rising above those of Spain, Portugal, and Greece, once considered the epicenter of the eurozone debt crisis.

Meanwhile American conservative firebrand Candace Owens has launched season two of her controversial Becoming Brigitte docu-series. The first season drew lawsuit by Macron and his 'wife' Briggitte.

The series, which began in January 2025, is an investigative documentary focusing on Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, and her husband, President Macron. It explores the "murky, hidden background" of both Macron figures, including inconsistencies in Brigitte Macron's official biography, such as the lack of childhood photos and discrepancies in Emmanuel Macron's past.

Becoming Brigitte also delves into the claim that the Macrons' relationship is a carefully crafted public image, with Owens and her team alleging a pattern of coincidences and manipulated appearances. The series which has garnered millions of views, alleges that Brigitte Macron is transgender.