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Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus Kill 15, Including Women and Children, Syrian Media Reports

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In one of the deadliest incidents in recent months, Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital, Damascus, left at least 15 people dead and injured 16 others, Syrian state media reported on Thursday. The strikes targeted residential areas in the upscale Mezzah neighborhood and the nearby Qudsaya region, according to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA, citing a military source.

Among the casualties were women and children, according to SANA, with significant damage reported to buildings and surrounding properties. This escalation marks one of the heaviest strikes in recent months on the densely populated urban areas of Damascus.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating they targeted Islamic Jihad positions within Syria. “The Israeli military has struck Islamic Jihad targets in Syria, inflicting substantial damage on the organization’s command centers and operatives,” read a statement released by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

According to SANA, the strikes were launched from the occupied Golan Heights, with missiles reportedly hitting several civilian structures. “The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting multiple residential buildings in the Mezzah neighborhood of Damascus and the Qudsaya area in the Damascus countryside,” a Syrian military official told SANA. The airstrikes, which took place in the early hours, led to “the martyrdom of fifteen people and the injury of sixteen others, including women and children,” the official added.

The attack underscores ongoing regional tensions and the persistent Israeli targeting of what it identifies as Iranian-aligned groups operating in Syria, including Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. Israel has stated its aim is to prevent Iranian-backed militias from consolidating power and establishing military footholds close to Israel’s borders. Thursday’s airstrikes represent the latest episode in a long series of such strikes that have intensified since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

The Syrian government has condemned the strikes, viewing them as violations of its sovereignty and an act of aggression. Syrian officials have also voiced concerns over civilian casualties and the safety of densely populated areas around Damascus, urging international intervention to curb the escalating violence.

There has been no immediate response from international bodies, though previous escalations between Israel and Syria have often drawn calls for restraint from global powers. Human rights organizations have expressed concern about the impact of such military operations on civilians, particularly in conflict zones where infrastructure is already fragile.

As tensions continue, regional observers caution that the violence could further destabilize Syria, which remains in a prolonged state of conflict. The latest strikes raise questions about the safety of civilians in contested areas and the role of international mediation in de-escalating ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iranian-aligned forces operating in Syria.

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Myanmar Struck by Aftershocks as Earthquake Death Toll Rises

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Myanmar continues to be rocked by aftershocks following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday, killing at least 1,644 people. The latest tremor, a 5.1-magnitude quake, hit near Mandalay on Sunday morning as rescue operations remained underway in the hardest-hit areas.

According to Myanmar’s ruling military junta, the earthquake has also left 2,376 people injured and 3,408 missing. While there were no immediate reports of further damage from Sunday’s aftershock, fears of continued tremors have kept thousands of people sleeping outdoors in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.

Rescue Efforts Hindered by Damage and Conflict

Rescue operations remain challenging due to widespread destruction, damaged roads, and unreliable communication networks. The impact of the ongoing civil war has further complicated efforts, leaving civilians and local volunteers to handle much of the initial search and recovery work. Many affected areas remain inaccessible, and people have been digging through rubble by hand in scorching 41-degree Celsius heat.

“It’s mainly been local volunteers, local people who are just trying to find their loved ones,” said Cara Bragg, the Yangon-based manager of Catholic Relief Services in Myanmar. She added that while some countries are now sending search and rescue teams to Mandalay, hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured, and medical supplies are running low. Many survivors are also struggling to find food and clean water.

Mandalay, home to 1.5 million people, saw many buildings destroyed, including infrastructure such as bridges and the city’s airport. The disaster has left many residents homeless or too afraid to return to their homes due to the risk of further aftershocks.

Regional Impact and International Response

The earthquake’s effects were also felt in neighboring countries. In Thailand, at least 17 people were reported dead, with 83 still missing. The tremors even caused a tower to collapse in Bangkok. China also experienced the quake’s impact, though reports of casualties remain unclear.

Myanmar’s Shadow National Unity Government (NUG), which leads the resistance against the military junta, announced a partial ceasefire on Saturday to allow for rescue operations. The NUG’s armed wing, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), will suspend offensive military operations in the earthquake-affected areas starting Sunday.

While some international aid is beginning to reach Mandalay, the scale of the disaster has left many survivors in dire conditions. The coming days will be critical for search and rescue efforts, as well as for providing essential supplies to those left homeless by the quake.

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Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Effort to Dismantle Voice of America

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A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), calling the move a “classic case of arbitrary and capricious decision-making.” The decision prevents the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, from firing more than 1,200 employees or shutting down its affiliated services.

Judge Blocks Mass Firings and Funding Cuts

Judge James Paul Oetken issued a restraining order blocking the USAGM from taking further action to terminate, furlough, or place employees on leave. The order also prevents the agency from cutting grant funding to other international broadcasters, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Afghanistan.

The decision came after a coalition of VOA journalists, labor unions, and the nonprofit advocacy group Reporters Without Borders filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The plaintiffs argued that the administration’s efforts violated a legal precedent protecting VOA journalists from political interference.

Following the ruling, USAGM announced it was restoring funding to Radio Free Europe after another court in Washington, D.C., ordered it to do so.

White House Justifies Defunding VOA

The Trump administration has been critical of VOA, claiming it harbors a “leftist bias” and fails to project “pro-American” values. The White House labeled the broadcaster “The Voice of Radical America” and justified its defunding as an effort to prevent taxpayers from supporting what it called “radical propaganda.”

Citing coverage it deemed too favorable to former President Joe Biden, as well as reports on topics like white privilege, racial profiling, and transgender asylum seekers, the administration sought to slash funding for USAGM and six other federal agencies.

VOA, founded in 1942, is mandated by Congress to function as a non-partisan news organization, providing independent journalism to global audiences. Critics argue that the Trump administration’s actions threatened press freedom and democracy.

Judge Criticizes Administration’s “Sledgehammer” Approach

During a hearing in Manhattan, Judge Oetken condemned the administration for dismantling a long-established agency with “no consideration of the effects.” He also singled out USAGM special adviser Kari Lake for making sweeping changes “seemingly overnight” without a clear strategy.

“This is a decisive victory for press freedom and the First Amendment,” said Andrew G. Celli Jr., the plaintiffs’ attorney. He described the ruling as a strong rebuke to the Trump administration’s disregard for democratic principles.

The plaintiffs also warned that VOA’s absence from the airwaves could leave a vacuum that might be filled by propaganda from authoritarian regimes.

Congressional Funding and Future Implications

Congress has allocated nearly $860 million (€794 million) for USAGM in the current fiscal year, signaling bipartisan support for the agency’s mission. However, the future of VOA and its affiliated networks remains uncertain as legal battles continue.

With this court ruling, the Trump administration’s push to defund VOA faces a significant legal hurdle, but the broader debate over the role of government-funded international broadcasting is far from over.

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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative

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Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.

Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement

Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.

However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.

EU’s Role and Sanctions History

SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.

Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.

Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes

The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.

As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.

Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures

While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.

For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

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