A volatile international picture sharpened today, with diplomacy and political backlash moving in parallel. Israel and Lebanon say they will implement a conditional ceasefire after US-led talks, tying any halt in fighting to a complete end to Hezbollah fire and setting up pilot zones in southern Lebanon under exclusive Lebanese army control. In Washington, Donald Trump attacked a House vote urging the withdrawal of US forces from hostilities with Iran, arguing it undercuts delicate negotiations even as critics say he bypassed Congress. Tensions with Beijing also flared after China barred four New Zealand lawmakers from entering mainland China, and reportedly Hong Kong and Macau, over a Taiwan visit that Wellington says should not trigger punishment. In Australia, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she believes women alleging sexual assault during detention after a Gaza aid flotilla, adding another human-rights dimension to an already inflamed regional debate.