Sectarian Clashes in Syria Leave at Least 30 Dead Amid Fragile Post-Assad Transition

BBC News,

At least 30 people have died in violent clashes in Sweida, southern Syria, as sectarian tensions erupted between Bedouin Sunni tribes and Druze fighters. The Syrian interior ministry confirmed 30 deaths, while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the toll at 37. These latest skirmishes come amid broader instability following the collapse of the Assad regime last December, which ended 54 years of rule by the Assad family. The new Islamic-led government is struggling to maintain order and credibility. Authorities have pledged to intervene directly, and spiritual leaders have urged restraint. In recent months, fighting between new regime forces and Druze communities has led to dozens of casualties. The Druze, a religious minority with roots in Shia Islam, are increasingly fearful about their future under the new government. The international community is cautiously re-engaging with Syria, with the U.S. delisting HTS from its terrorist list and the UK sending its first ministerial delegation in over a decade.

Netanyahu Adviser Faces Possible Prosecution in ‘Qatargate’ Scandal Over Leaked Secrets

AP News,

Israel’s attorney general announced that Jonatan Urich, a close adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, may face prosecution for leaking classified military information in a case linked to the so-called “Qatargate” scandal. Urich and former Netanyahu spokesman Eli Feldstein were earlier arrested for allegedly accepting funds from Qatar to promote a positive image of the Gulf nation within Israel. Feldstein has already been indicted in a separate case involving leaks to a German tabloid. Authorities allege that the classified information, released after the killing of six Israeli hostages in Gaza, was used to manipulate public perception and influence discourse around Netanyahu’s leadership. While Netanyahu himself is not a suspect, he remains entangled in multiple corruption probes and faces rising public pressure over the prolonged war in Gaza. Qatar denies any backing of Hamas and continues to serve as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations. The legal process against Urich is pending a formal hearing.

Trump Announces New Round of Tariffs Targeting Seven Countries

Reuters,

President Donald Trump has issued tariff letters to seven countries, intensifying his administration’s protectionist economic policies. The letters call for the imposition of 30% tariffs on Algeria, Iraq, Libya, and Sri Lanka; 25% on Brunei and Moldova; and 20% on the Philippines. These actions follow recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that strengthened executive authority on immigration and national security. The White House did not provide detailed economic justifications for the tariffs, but analysts suggest the move is aimed at curbing trade imbalances and reinforcing Trump’s “America First” agenda. The tariffs are expected to affect sectors ranging from oil imports to apparel and electronics. While some of the targeted nations are already under U.S. sanctions, others — like Sri Lanka and the Philippines — have longstanding economic ties with the U.S. The announcement has raised concerns among global trade partners and could trigger retaliatory measures. The timing of the announcement coincides with Trump’s broader campaign messaging for the upcoming election.

Israel Launches ‘Smartphone in Space’ to Bolster National Communications

Channel News Asia,

Israel successfully launched the Dror 1 national communications satellite from Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch, carried out at 1:04am Florida time, marks a major step in Israel’s space ambitions. Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Dror 1 is dubbed a “smartphone in space” and is expected to provide advanced communications capabilities for both strategic and civilian purposes over the next 15 years. The US$200 million satellite was hailed by Israeli authorities as the most advanced of its kind developed domestically. It follows the failed 2016 launch of Amos-6, which was destroyed in a Falcon 9 explosion during testing. Officials from IAI and the foreign ministry praised the successful launch as a milestone for Israeli space technology, enhancing the nation’s autonomy in secure communications. This move comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, where secure communications infrastructure is seen as critical for both defense and diplomacy.