Israel bombs Syrian forces attacking a Druze area, then Damascus
Deadly violence has erupted in Suweida between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, resulting in at least two hundred deaths, including children and civilians. The fighting, which began after the abduction of a Druze merchant, quickly escalated, prompting Syria's interim government to send troops into the previously autonomous Druze region. Israel launched airstrikes against these troops, claiming they were targeting the Druze, with whom Israel shares strong ties. The strikes drew international criticism and further inflamed tensions. Despite a ceasefire declared by Syria’s defence minister, reports emerged of government forces bombing Suweida, executing Druze civilians and looting homes. A Druze spiritual leader initially called for cooperation with authorities, but later urged resistance. Syria accused Israel of full responsibility for the violence, while the USA urged Israel to halt its strikes. The Israeli military has already carried out hundreds of strikes across Syria to destroy the country's military assets since the fall of the Assad regime. Breaking news: Israel has now bombed Damascus, targeting the presidential palace and the ministry of defence building. See
Cuba: minister resigns after saying there are no beggars in the country
Labour and social security minister Marta Feito Cabrera has resigned following widespread backlash over her comments denying the existence of poverty and homelessness in Cuba. Speaking in the National Assembly, Feito claimed that those seen begging were merely ‘disguised’ and that street workers and recyclers lived ‘easy’ lives funded by untaxed income. Her remarks provoked outrage from citizens and leaders alike, including the president, who criticized the lack of empathy and said that the revolution should not leave anyone behind. Amid Cuba’s worsening economic crisis, due partly to the longstanding and widely criticised US sanctions (recently tightened by Donald Trump) but also to fuel shortages and inflation, many are struggling to access basic needs. Feito’s resignation was accepted after she ‘acknowledged her errors’. The incident has sparked renewed debate on the government's handling of poverty, inequality, and transparency.
Nigeria: ‘We live in fear’: five Christians killed during Bible study
Five Christians were killed and three others injured during a Bible study on Friday in Kaduna State by armed Fulani extremists. The victims, members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), had gathered peacefully when the attackers struck. The killings are part of a continuing pattern of violent persecution targeting Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt region, where believers live in constant fear. The area has seen 110 kidnappings in the past six months, with many communities unable to sleep safely or work their land. Despite persistent attacks, the Nigerian government is widely criticised for its inaction. International voices have called for Nigeria to be redesignated as a Country of Particular Concern. While this designation was made under the Trump administration in 2020, it was removed by the Biden administration in 2021 without explanation, a move condemned by religious freedom advocates. Nigeria remains the deadliest country for Christians globally, with 90% of Christian martyrs in 2022 killed there.
Canada / USA: air quality alerts due to widespread wildfires
Air quality alerts have been issued across Canada and northern USA as smoke from widespread wildfires continues to degrade air conditions, prompting urgent health warnings. Environment Canada has warned residents, especially in Ontario and Toronto (where air quality recently ranked among the worst globally), to limit outdoor exposure. Similar alerts have been issued in US cities like Chicago, where unhealthy ozone levels and residual smoke from Canadian fires are posing additional concerns. Wildfires raging across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northern Ontario have forced tens of thousands to evacuate, with emergency responders working to assess the rapidly changing situation. Also, political tensions emerged after some Congress members said Canada’s wildfires were ‘making it difficult for Americans to enjoy their summer’. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires to climate change; Canada is believed to be warming at twice the global rate.
