Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Douglas, Arizona, near the US-Mexico border, to address criticisms over her handling of immigration issues. The trip comes as former President Donald Trump and Republicans criticize the Biden administration's border policies ahead of the November election. Harris plans to highlight her efforts in crime prosecution at the border and advocate for more resources to manage the ongoing humanitarian crisis, amidst contrasting views from Trump on border security.

Shigeru Ishiba has been elected President of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and will become the next Prime Minister after winning a runoff against Sanae Takaichi. Ishiba, a 67-year-old former defense minister known for his progressive stances, succeeded Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who stepped down amid a finance scandal. Ishiba’s victory marks a significant achievement in his political career, having secured 215 votes against Takaichi’s 194.

Meanwhile, alarming news from Haiti as gang violence surges, resulting in 3,451 deaths since January, according to a United Nations report. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called for tighter arms trafficking controls and additional resources to support Haitian police efforts. This violence, despite an international arms embargo, underscores the dire need for immediate intervention.

In the Middle East, the Houthis from Yemen claimed to have targeted Tel Aviv and Ashkelon in Israel with a ballistic missile and a drone, escalating the conflict involving Gaza and Lebanon. The Israeli military reported intercepting the missile, which caused early morning alarms and explosions. The Houthi spokesperson indicated that such operations would persist until Israel halts its offensives in Gaza and Lebanon.

This comes as nearly 700 people have been killed in Lebanon this week amid intensified Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah, with over 200,000 people displaced, including 30,000 fleeing to Syria. Calls for a 21-day ceasefire have been made by the US, France, and other allies, reflecting the heightened regional tensions. Israeli military actions have further strained the situation, with additional strikes in Syria and the mobilization of reservists at Lebanon’s border.

Amidst this turmoil, a Beirut soup kitchen, Nation Station, founded by Josephine Abu Abdo, continues to provide 700 meals daily to displaced individuals affected by the conflict. Volunteers, despite facing overwhelming demand, have started receiving donations, allowing them to sustain operations temporarily. This humanitarian effort highlights the widespread displacement and need for aid as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.