Israeli Strikes Hit Damascus as Clashes Escalate in Suweida

Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Syria’s defence ministry headquarters in Damascus and targeted government forces in southern Syria on Wednesday, amid ongoing sectarian violence in the Druze-majority province of Suweida. The strikes come as clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, which began on Sunday, have left over 300 people dead, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military operations aimed to protect Syria’s Druze community and counter “regime gangs.” Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes as “treacherous aggression,” accusing Israel of violating international law and destabilising the region. The Israeli military also reported targeting a military site near the presidential palace in Damascus, as well as armoured vehicles and weapons depots en route to Suweida.

The violence in Suweida, sparked by the abduction of a Druze merchant last Friday, has escalated into widespread fighting, with Druze fighters clashing with Bedouin tribes and Syrian government forces. The SOHR reported that 69 Druze fighters, 40 civilians, 165 government troops, 18 Bedouin fighters, and 10 government soldiers killed in Israeli strikes have died since Sunday. The group also noted attacks on Suweida’s national hospital by tanks, causing panic among patients and worsening shortages of water and medical supplies. A ceasefire agreement was announced by Syria’s interior ministry on Wednesday, aiming to restore stability in Suweida. The deal includes halting military operations, establishing police checkpoints, and integrating the province fully into the Syrian state. Druze leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou confirmed the agreement, but another leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, urged fighters to continue until the province is “liberated” from government forces.

The humanitarian situation in Suweida has deteriorated rapidly, with reports of civilian deaths from artillery and sniper fire. Local resident Hosam described witnessing a neighbour being shot by a sniper, with no ambulance able to reach him. The BBC has not independently verified the casualty figures reported by the SOHR.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over the violence but said a resolution was expected soon, citing US and Arab efforts to mediate. Syria’s foreign ministry welcomed these efforts. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to continue operations in Suweida until Syrian forces withdraw.

The conflict follows months of tension in Syria, particularly since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December. The Druze, a minority religious group, remain wary of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, despite assurances of protection. Israel, which has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria since Assad’s ousting, has also deployed troops into a UN-monitored buffer zone near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, citing security concerns over al-Sharaa’s Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

As the situation unfolds, international attention remains focused on efforts to de-escalate the violence and address the broader instability in Syria.

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Canada's Nation-Building Law Faces Indigenous Opposition

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing mounting criticism over his One Canadian Economy Act, a flagship law aimed at fast-tracking "nation-building" projects to bolster the economy amid a trade war with the United States. The legislation, seen as an early win for Carney, has sparked significant concern among Indigenous First Nations, who argue it threatens their land rights and self-determination.

The law highlights regions like Ontario’s Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich area with an estimated C$90bn in deposits of chromite, nickel, copper, gold, and zinc. However, Indigenous communities, including the Attawapiskat First Nation, are protesting developments like Ontario’s designation of the area as a "special economic zone" for mining. Jeronimo Kataquapit, a 20-year-old from Attawapiskat, is among those camped out in protest, demanding consent, not just consultation, for projects on their land.

Indigenous leaders, such as Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, argue the law bypasses environmental assessments rooted in Indigenous knowledge, which consider air, land, water, medicines, and animals. “Time and time again, we see project development that has not taken Indigenous knowledge into consideration, and the project has essentially failed,” Benedict told the BBC.

Canada’s constitution mandates prior and informed consent for actions affecting Indigenous lands, but debates persist over what this entails. Justice Minister Sean Fraser has stated that consultation does not grant First Nations a complete veto, while Indigenous governance expert Pamela Palmater insists the law requires consent in many cases. Past resistance, such as the 2020 Wet’suwet’en-led railway blockade in British Columbia, cost hundreds of millions daily, underscoring the stakes when talks collapse.

Carney has emphasized Indigenous leadership in economic development, citing initiatives like the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. He is set to meet First Nations leaders on Thursday, followed by discussions with Inuit and Métis groups later this month. Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak of the Assembly of First Nations, which held a virtual forum to unify chiefs, plans to propose amendments to the law during these talks.

However, some Indigenous leaders remain skeptical. Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski First Nation declared the law inapplicable in their territories and called for the resignation of Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Greg Rickford. Nine Ontario First Nations have launched a constitutional challenge, with legal counsel Kate Kempton criticizing the legislation for granting “unfettered authority” to push through projects despite objections.

Even pro-development Indigenous leaders, like Alberta Treaty Six Nations Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais, expressed disappointment with Ottawa’s approach, stressing the need for consultation, ownership, and revenue sharing. Conversely, John Desjarlais of the Indigenous Resource Network remains optimistic, believing economic development can align with Indigenous stewardship.

Environmental groups also warn that the law shortcuts critical environmental processes, potentially exacerbating tensions. As Carney navigates these challenges, the balance between economic ambition and Indigenous rights remains a contentious issue.

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Cricket Returns to Olympics After 128 Years: Schedule Announced

The wait is finally over as cricket makes its grand return to the Olympic Games, the world’s largest sporting event. Cricket has been included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, featuring T20 format matches for both men’s and women’s categories from July 12–29. The medal matches are scheduled for July 19 (women’s)Effects

System: and July 29 (men’s).

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released the schedule for the upcoming Olympic Games, marking cricket’s inclusion after a 128-year hiatus. The sport was previously featured in the 1900 Paris Olympics, where Great Britain defeated France to win the gold medal. Only these two teams participated in that inaugural event.

Both the men’s and women’s categories will feature six teams each, with squads consisting of 15 players. All matches will take place at the Ponomar Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium, located approximately 50 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. The schedule includes two matches on most days, set for 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time.

Cricket’s return to the Olympics comes after more than a century, following a decision made in October 2023 during an IOC meeting in Mumbai, where five new sports were added to the Olympic program. Alongside cricket, the other sports are baseball/softball, flag football, squash, and lacrosse.

The participating cricket teams for the Los Angeles Olympics are yet to be finalized. Discussions regarding team selection are expected to take place during the ICC’s annual meeting in Singapore on July 17.

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Israeli Airstrikes Hit Syrian Military HQ and Presidential Palace Area in Damascus

Israel has launched airstrikes on Syria, targeting the Syrian military headquarters and an area near the presidential palace in Damascus, killing at least three people and injuring 34, according to Syria’s health ministry. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating they hit "military targets" in the capital and southern Syria, including armoured vehicles and weapons storage facilities in the Suweida region.

The attacks follow days of deadly sectarian clashes in Suweida between Druze militias and Bedouin groups backed by Syria’s new Islamist-led government. Israel claims its actions aim to protect the Druze community, but the BBC’s Middle East correspondent, Lina Sinjab, reports the strikes also carry political motives, signaling Israel’s intent to limit the new Syrian government’s control near its borders.

Syria’s Information Minister, Hamza al-Mustafa, condemned the strikes, calling them an attempt by Israel to “escape internal pressures” rather than a victory. Syrian state media reported a ceasefire in Suweida, the fourth since Sunday, though previous agreements have collapsed. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) says over 300 people, including 69 Druze fighters and 40 civilians, have been killed in the region since clashes began.

The strikes have heightened tensions, with the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, warning that Syria’s fragile situation risks further instability. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern, saying the US is engaging both sides to de-escalate and hopes for progress “in the next few hours.” However, the IDF vowed to increase the “pressure and pace” of its operations

The Druze community’s push for autonomy in Suweida has fueled tensions with Damascus, which seeks to reassert control. Israel’s intervention, including strikes on 400 military sites after Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December, aims to prevent militarisation near its border but risks inflaming Syrian public anger and dividing the Druze, many of whom reject Israeli involvement.

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US Deports Five Convicted Migrants to Eswatini, Sparking Controversy

The United States has deported five individuals, described as "criminal illegal aliens," to Eswatini, a small kingdom in southern Africa. The group, originating from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen, were convicted of serious crimes including child rape and murder, according to Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security.

In a post on X, McLaughlin called the deportees "depraved monsters" who had been "terrorizing American communities." She confirmed that the deportation flight to Eswatini had landed, stating, "They are off of American soil." The move follows a US Supreme Court ruling last month allowing the Trump administration to deport migrants to countries other than their own.

Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, has expressed concern over the deportations. Government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said the five individuals are being held in isolated units within correctional facilities, assuring citizens they pose no threat. Eswatini is working with the United Nations’ immigration agency to facilitate their transit to their countries of origin.

The decision has sparked backlash in Eswatini. The Swazi Solidarity Network, a pro-democracy group, condemned the arrangement, with spokesperson Lucky Lukhele telling the BBC that the country must not become a "dumping ground for criminals." Public concerns have also arisen about the capacity of local prisons to securely house such inmates.

Analysts suggest Eswatini’s acceptance of the deportees may be linked to its trade relationship with the US, its fourth-largest market for sugar exports. No details were provided on whether payments were involved in the deal.

This deportation follows a similar move earlier this month, when the US sent eight migrants to South Sudan, a country with which most had no ties. The Trump administration has intensified its immigration crackdown, resuming workplace raids and targeting individuals on student visas, refugees, and those with temporary work permits.

Nigeria recently rejected pressure to accept deportees from the US, while countries like Rwanda, Benin, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Moldova have been named as potential recipients. The policy, a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s campaign, continues to draw both support and criticism.

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Trump's NATO Weapons Deal for Ukraine Sparks Outrage Among MAGA Supporters

US President Donald Trump's plan to sell weapons to NATO for Ukraine has provoked strong criticism from some of his most loyal "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) supporters, who argue it contradicts his pledge to end US involvement in foreign conflicts.

On Monday, Trump announced the weapons deal, stating that NATO allies would purchase US-manufactured arms to support Ukraine. He also issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia, threatening additional tariffs if no peace agreement is reached in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Key Trump allies, including Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and former strategist Steve Bannon, have publicly opposed the move. Greene, a staunch isolationist from Georgia, told *The New York Times* that the decision undermines the anti-foreign war stance she campaigned on. "This is what everybody voted for," she said, expressing scepticism that US taxpayers would avoid footing the bill through indirect costs like NATO contributions or training missions. In a social media post, she criticised "backdoor deals through NATO." Bannon, speaking on his *War Room* podcast, described the Ukraine conflict as a "European war" that should be handled by Europe. "We're about to arm people we have literally no control over," he warned, calling the situation a "dangerous" escalation. The White House has defended the decision, with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stating that Trump's base "trust in Trump" and support his "peace through strength" approach. A recent poll cited by a White House official suggests nearly two-thirds of Trump voters back continued arms support for Ukraine. Trump has emphasised that NATO will cover the costs of the weapons, not the US, and praised the alliance's recent commitment to increase defence spending to 5% of economic output. In an exclusive BBC interview on Monday, following a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte, Trump reaffirmed his support for NATO’s collective defence principle and expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he noted he was "not done" pursuing a deal to end the war. The controversy highlights tensions within Trump’s base, with some supporters viewing the weapons deal as a step towards deeper US involvement in a conflict they believe should be Europe’s responsibility.

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Spain’s Ministry Investigates Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Over Dwarfism Controversy

Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights has called for a prosecutorial investigation into Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal following allegations that he hired entertainers with dwarfism for his 18th birthday celebration. The event, held on Sunday at a rented property in Olivella, 50km northwest of Barcelona, included YouTubers, influencers, and several Barcelona teammates.

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) condemned the hiring as “unacceptable in the 21st century,” arguing it perpetuates stereotypes and undermines the rights of people with disabilities. ADEE filed a legal complaint, prompting the Directorate General for People with Disabilities to request an inquiry into whether the event violated laws protecting the dignity of individuals with disabilities. Spanish law explicitly bans activities that use people with disabilities to provoke mockery or ridicule.

In response, an anonymous entertainer interviewed by Spanish radio station RAC1 defended Yamal, stating, “No one disrespected us, we worked in peace.” The performer, who participated in the hour-long show, emphasized that they were treated respectfully, engaged in activities like dancing and magic, and joined the party afterward. “We’re normal people, doing what we want legally,” they added, questioning why their physical condition should limit their work. Barcelona declined to comment directly, citing the private nature of the event, but noted they would reassess their position once more details emerge. The controversy has sparked debate about ethical entertainment practices and the balance between personal freedom and societal responsibility.

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