In a heartwarming tale of resilience, a lion cub named Sara has found sanctuary in South Africa after a perilous journey from the conflict-torn region of Lebanon. She was rescued by Animals Lebanon amidst escalating violence, and after traveling by yacht and airplane, Sara now joins other rescued lions in her new home.

Shifting to the Middle East, a Palestinian militant group aligned with Hamas has released a video showing an Israeli hostage, Sasha Trupanov, urging for negotiations. Trupanov, a dual Russian-Israeli citizen, was taken hostage during the October 2023 attack, appealing to Aryeh Deri of Israel's Shas party to secure his release.

Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated further, with an Israeli airstrike on a civil defense center in Baalbek, Lebanon, leaving 13 dead. The Lebanese Civil Defense has reported missing members amidst the rubble, while this incident fuels ongoing conflict narratives within the region.

In Europe, Croatia's political landscape faces turbulence as Health Minister Vili Beros was arrested amid corruption investigations involving EU funds. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced the dismissal and arrest, as investigations reveal potential bribery and abuse of authority regarding medical contracts.

Over to the Caucasus, unrest continues as protesters stormed the parliament in Abkhazia over an unpopular Russian investment deal, demanding the president's resignation. The tensions in this Russian-backed Georgian region highlight local concerns about increased Russian influence and its impact on the property market.

Lastly, Iran has voiced support for Lebanon’s call for a ceasefire with Israel, amid the ongoing conflict and extensive Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah areas. The diplomatic efforts continue for a UN-backed resolution, as all parties grapple with the rising toll and search for peace amid the turmoil.