Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group, saw its command structure across Lebanon come under what Israeli officials described as one of the most devastating blows of the war April 8.

Nearly simultaneously, explosions tore through Beirut, Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon as roughly 50 Israeli aircraft struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets.

The targets were not rocket launchers or weapons depots, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), but the nerve centers of the organization — command rooms, intelligence headquarters and offices where Hezbollah commanders planned the next stage of the fight.

BROTHER OF MICHIGAN SYNAGOGUE ATTACKER WAS HEZBOLLAH TERRORIST, ISRAEL ALLEGES

The strike marked a new phase in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which erupted March 2 after Hezbollah entered the conflict in support of Iran, one day after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

Since then, Hezbollah has fired rockets, drones and anti-tank missiles into northern Israel, while Israel has responded with widening airstrikes and a ground offensive inside southern Lebanon.

"Within only a minute, the IDF eliminated 250 Hezbollah terrorists in three areas simultaneously," the Israeli military said in a statement, adding the assessment is still ongoing. 

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesman, told Fox News Digital the strike was the result of weeks of intelligence work.

Israeli intelligence agencies tracked Hezbollah operatives as they moved between apartments, offices and safe houses across Lebanon.

"The timing had to do with the preparations," Shoshani said. "There was weeks of amazing intelligence."

Asked whether the operation showed Israel still has deep penetration inside Hezbollah despite months of war, Shoshani pointed to the scale of the attack.

"The fact that we were able to find 250 terrorists hiding in different locations in Lebanon, many of them in locations for recent weeks, eliminating them in real time, I think the capabilities speak for themselves," he said.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Wednesday's strikes.

"The scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today is nothing short of horrific," said United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. "Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief."

"This response will continue until the Israeli-American aggression against our country and our people ceases," Hezbollah said in a statement.

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The strike drew a comparison to the "beeper" operation in September 2024, when thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria in an operation widely attributed to Israel.

The blasts killed more than 40 people and wounded roughly 4,000, according to Lebanese authorities, while Hezbollah later acknowledged that about 1,500 fighters were taken out of action. The operation shattered Hezbollah's communications network and became the benchmark in Israel for a strike that fundamentally changed the battlefield.

"The beeper had more … effective injuries. That was the purpose of it," Shoshani said. "But both targeted hundreds of terrorists and within 60 seconds."

Like the beeper operation, he said, the April 8 strike was intended not just to kill operatives but to throw Hezbollah into disarray.

"It was important to the aspect of creating disarray, of breaking their chain of command, breaking their command and patrol capabilities and kind of tilting the organization out of balance," he said.

A former Israeli intelligence official, speaking on background, said the strike may not have reached the level of the beeper operation, but it appeared to hit an unusually broad layer of Hezbollah's middle ranks. 

Hezbollah remains in shock from the blow, according to the former official, even if that has not yet been reflected in a drop in its rocket fire.

But he cautioned against judging the operation only by the number of people killed.

The real measure, he said, is whether the strike changes the course of the war and leaves Hezbollah less able to operate.

The IDF said many of those killed belonged to Hezbollah's Radwan Force, Hezbollah's most capable and best-trained combat unit, intelligence apparatus, missile units and aerial Unit 127. 

The Israeli military said most of the targets were embedded inside civilian areas.

"Most of the infrastructure that was struck was located within the heart of the civilian population," the IDF said.

HEZBOLLAH, IRAN UNLEASH COORDINATED CLUSTER BOMB STRIKES ON ISRAEL IN MAJOR ESCALATION

Shoshani said Israel warned civilians to evacuate before the strikes, but Hezbollah moved its operatives into new civilian locations.

"When we gave the warnings for areas, civilians moved out, then Hezbollah saw that they moved out and started hiding behind civilians in new locations," he said.

Despite the blow, Israeli officials say Hezbollah remains a major threat. Shoshani said the group, which before the war possessed between 150,000 and 200,000 rockets and missiles, still has the ability to fire into Israel.

"They still are a real threat for our civilians," he said.

The strike comes as Israel and Lebanon opened their first direct talks in more than three decades at the U.S. State Department in Washington. 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has signaled willingness to discuss normalization and the eventual disarmament of Hezbollah, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted there will be no ceasefire until Hezbollah is dismantled and pushed back from the border.

Within hours of the diplomatic opening, Israeli warplanes again struck Lebanon and Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Weight management is often treated as a "middle-age" problem, but new research suggests that the pounds you pack on in your 20s may be the most dangerous of your life.

A massive study of more than 620,000 individuals found that the damage from early weight gain is disproportionately high and surprisingly permanent. According to the findings, the younger someone is when obesity sets in, the higher the risk of early mortality.

The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, analyzed data from the Obesity and Disease Development Sweden project.

MEN FACE HIDDEN HEART RISK YEARS EARLIER THAN WOMEN, STUDY SUGGESTS

"The most consistent finding is that weight gain at a younger age is linked to a higher risk of premature death later in life, compared with people who gain less weight," Tanja Stocks, a professor at Lund University and one of the researchers behind the study, said in a press release.

Developing obesity between the ages of 17 and 29 was linked to a 70% higher risk of early death compared to weight gain later in life.

Weight gain later in adulthood, between ages 30 and 60, was also linked to higher death rates, but the connections were generally weaker.

HERE'S THE AGE WHEN STRENGTH AND FITNESS BEGIN FADING, LONG-TERM DATA SHOWS

"One possible explanation for why people with early obesity onset are at greater risk is their longer period exposed to the biological effects of excess weight," Huyen Le, a doctoral student at Lund University and first author of the study, said in the release.

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When weight gain happens in the 20s, the blood vessels, liver and metabolic systems endure obesity-related strain for decades longer than someone who gains the same weight in their 50s, experts say.

The study identified type 2 diabetes as the leading cause of death associated with early-onset obesity. Other significant risks included high-blood pressure, liver cancer in men and uterine cancer in women.

To reach these conclusions, researchers tracked participants’ weight paths across adulthood over more than 50 years, focusing on three specific windows: ages 17 to 29, 30 to 44, and 45 to 60.

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Using a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher to define obesity, the team compared weight data against Sweden’s national death registry.

After adjusting for a variety of factors, including smoking habits and marital status, the trend showed that becoming obese later in life still carried risks, but the danger compounded the longer people stayed obese.

While these findings highlight the "importance of early and sustained obesity prevention strategies," the researchers noted that other factors come into play, and that increases in risk within a population can be difficult to interpret.

"We shouldn’t get too hung up on exact risk figures," Stocks said.

"They are rarely entirely accurate, as they are influenced, for example, by the factors taken into account in the study and the accuracy with which both risk factors and outcomes have been measured."

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Because the study was conducted in Sweden, more research is needed to understand the effect of early-onset obesity in other populations, the team noted.

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., on Saturday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to temporarily resume construction of his planned White House ballroom, granting a near-term win to the administration as it pushes forward with the nearly $400 million project. 

The case stems from a lawsuit filed late last year by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sought to block the construction. The group argued that the project violates multiple federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, and charged that the plans amounted to executive overreach without required approval from Congress and federal planning bodies.

A lower court judge last month put the project on hold, triggering the administration’s appeal.

TRUMP ADMIN FIGHTS IN COURT TO KEEP WHITE HOUSE EAST WING DEMOLITION, $300M BALLROOM BUILD ON TRACK

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, in March issued a preliminary injunction blocking construction of the ballroom, finding the Trump administration likely lacked the legal authority to proceed without congressional approval. He said the government had not shown it had clear authorization to replace parts of the East Wing with a privately funded structure.

Leon’s order paused most construction work on the ballroom, though he allowed activity tied to White House security concerns, and briefly delayed enforcement of his ruling until mid-April, to give the administration time to appeal the case to a higher court.

The Trump administration quickly asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to intervene, arguing that the project is critical to the safety and security of the "president, his family, and White House staff."

The 2-1 ruling from the circuit court did not immediately side with the Trump administration, but gave it temporary relief.

A majority of judges on the panel said the court needed more explanation from Leon before deciding whether construction should remain blocked. 

Specifically, the judges asked Leon to clarify whether stopping the project would harm national security, as the Trump administration claims.

US APPEALS COURT HALTS TRUMP CONTEMPT PROBE ORDERED BY BOASBERG, FOR NOW

The appeals court also paused Leon’s order through April 17, giving the Trump administration time to ask the Supreme Court for emergency intervention if it chooses.

For now, the case will return to the district court for further explanation.

Trump first announced plans for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom in July, initially estimating the cost at around $200 million. He has said the project would be funded "100% by me and some friends of mine."

Lawyers for the administration have pushed back on the lawsuit, arguing the president has authority over White House construction decisions and that Congress does not need to approve the project.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASKS SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW EL SALVADOR DEPORTATION FLIGHT CASE

"No taxpayer dollars are being used for the funding of this beautiful, desperately needed, and completely secure… ballroom," Justice Department lawyers said in court filings.

They added that past White House expansions, including the East and West Wings, did not require congressional involvement in their design or construction.

The National Trust, meanwhile, maintains the project cannot move forward without complying with federal law and proper review processes.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the ongoing litigation or whether it plans to seek Supreme Court intervention.

Elizabeth Hurley wowed in a tiny striped bikini.

The 60-year-old actress showcased her figure in a swimsuit from her brand, Elizabeth Hurley Beach.

She wore the tiny string bikini while lounging by the beach, opting for a makeup-free look.

Hurley shared images to her her Instagram page on Friday, writing: "Yay! My favourite Panama Bikini is BACK IN STOCK & selling fast! Get yours now," adding kissing emojis.

HEATHER GRAHAM, 56, REVEALS ‘TORTURE’ PROCEDURES SHE USES TO MAINTAIN YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE

Last week, Hurley went topless in another Instagram post.

The actress posed in a field of flowers while clutching her bare chest.

The English star only wore tiny yellow bikini bottoms in the image shared on her Instagram.

The star captioned the racy image: "Spring has sprung! Today, I sought some Vitamin D in beautiful Herefordshire, wearing nothing but @elizabethhurleybeach and @clinique SPF. As long as you protect your skin, a bit of sunshine is really good for you, both mentally and beauty wise, so… cream up and GET OUTSIDE."

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Hurley wore minimal makeup in the post, with her brunette locks loose around her.

Fans complimented the star in the comments section, writing: "Wow you are so beautiful," and "You are unbearably beautiful beyond belief."

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Just days prior, Hurley posted on Instagram featuring her lounging in bed in a pair of red bikini bottoms and a white sweater.

"I don’t personally guzzle weird green juices or take a load of supplements - but I’ve drunk two mugs of warm water first thing every morning for as long as I remember, and I swear by it (and it’s free)," she wrote as the caption for the post.

 In one of the photos, the actress is on her side with one arm over her head as she flashes a smile toward the camera while lounging in bed.

Another photo shows her standing in front of a wall with the same outfit on, smiling at the camera.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat Sunday in the country’s parliamentary election, calling the result "clear" and "painful" as partial vote counts showed a decisive win for opposition leader Péter Magyar.

Magyar said Orbán phoned him to concede, according to a post on social media.

HUNGARIANS VOTE IN RECORD NUMBERS AS TRUMP-ALLY VIKTOR ORBÁN FACES BIGGEST ELECTORAL THREAT SINCE 2010

With roughly 53% of votes counted, projections showed Magyar’s Tisza party on track for a landslide victory that could give it a two-thirds parliamentary supermajority.

The result could mark a dramatic political shift in Hungary, where Orbán has led the country for more than a decade.

A man was detained Saturday at Shannon Airport in Ireland after allegedly climbing onto the wing of a U.S. military aircraft and attacking it with a hatchet, according to local reports.

Irish police, or Gardaí, said a man in his 40s entered an unauthorized area of the airport in County Clare and was arrested shortly before 11 a.m. on suspicion of criminal damage. Investigations are ongoing, Gardaí said.

The aircraft involved was a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane that had been parked on a remote taxiway, Irish news outlet The Journal reported.

Video circulating online appeared to show a man in dark clothing walking along the wing of the aircraft during the incident. He can be seen moving across the wing near the engines and fuselage.

JORDANIAN NATIONAL ARRESTED AFTER BOARDING FLIGHT IN ARIZONA WITH INVALID TICKET, PROMPTING EVACUATION

The breach raises renewed concerns about security at Shannon Airport, which has experienced multiple recent incidents involving unauthorized access to restricted areas.

A spokesperson for Shannon Airport said the airport temporarily shut down operations following the breach.

"The airport suspended operations at approximately 9:50 a.m. and operations resumed at 10:15 a.m.," the spokesperson said.

JORDANIAN NATIONAL ARRESTED AFTER BOARDING FLIGHT IN ARIZONA WITH INVALID TICKET, PROMPTING EVACUATION

The brief closure caused minor disruption, with two departing flights delayed and one incoming aircraft placed in a holding pattern before landing shortly after 10:20 a.m., The Journal reported.

Authorities including airport police, Gardaí and Irish Defence Forces personnel responded to the scene, The Journal reported. Armed officers and specialist units were also deployed.

Officials carried out a search of the airport perimeter to determine how the suspect gained access to the restricted area.

BULLET DISCOVERED ON COMMERCIAL JET AT MAJOR AIRPORT SPARKS SECURITY SCARE

According to The Journal, the incident is the latest in a string of recent security breaches at Shannon Airport.

In November, three people were arrested after a van breached airport security and entered a restricted area. In May last year, another vehicle crashed through a perimeter fence, forcing a temporary shutdown. Weeks later, three women were arrested after allegedly accessing the airfield and damaging an aircraft.

Authorities have not said whether Saturday’s incident is linked to those prior breaches.

Shannon Airport has been the site of frequent anti-war protests for years over its use by the U.S. military, dating back to the Iraq War era.

Fox News Digital reached out to U.S. Air Forces in Europe for comment.

Coco Gauff deleted social media for a month but felt the need to return and post a message on TikTok earlier this week.

The tennis star's message came in an eight-minute-long video after she said she had become aware of negative comments about her appearance, including her natural hair, in a new advertisement for Miu Miu.

Gauff explained the behind-the-scenes of the photoshoot and photo selection process, as well as how she didn't want her hair slicked back for photos because it's "not good for my hair."

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"There are thousands of people talking about the way that I look, and not in a positive way..." Gauff began.

"I’m not gonna apologize for the way that my hair looked, because there are other girls who had the exact same hair as me, and I just wanted them to feel represented that your hair is literally fine the way it is. My hair was good enough for a high-fashionable brand like Miu Miu to promote one of their newest launches. So if my 4C hair is good enough for that, yours is good enough to do whatever it is you need it to do. I'm not going to apologize for that."

Gauff also explained that she did minimal makeup for the photos, rather than a "full face," to connect with fans through that "minimum" Miu Miu "aesthetic."

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"To all the young Black girls out there who have kinky hair like me, do what you want to do with your hair. . . .Do what you want to do, because at the end of the day, people who hate on your appearance and hate on the way you look have something deeply insecure about themselves. The only reason people comment on people's looks, especially people who present themselves in their most natural sense, have something deeply wrong with them. And they're insecure about themselves, so they feel the need to put someone else down to make themselves feel better."

By the same token, Gauff also expressed that those who want to wear weaves, wigs, makeup and "the whole shebang" should if they want to.

"Do what you want to do. Minimal is beautiful. Camp is beautiful. Both spectrums, anything in between, is beautiful."

Gauff admitted she was feeling "rough" after seeing the criticism.

"Y'all did knock a diva down, I'm not gonna lie," she said. "I'm someone who has struggled with my looks throughout my life just being a young Black girl in this world. . . . But diva got up, and I feel better than ever," she said.

"And I just want any person who's watching this who does feel insecure about themselves, you are perfectly fine, honestly."

The 2023 U.S. Open champion will defend her French Open title beginning May 19.

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