Syria: How two massacres in Sweida unfolded
The Syrian government is allowing the UN to enter the area, where hundreds were killed and nearly 200 thousand displaced earlier this month.
But that's little comfort to those who lost entire families – and accuse government soldiers of carrying out massacres.
We have been speaking to them to try and piece together what happened.
And a warning there are distressing images from the start.
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BBC News
a few seconds ago
- BBC News
Ukraine: Zelensky demands sanctions after Russia strikes kill 33 in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for stronger international sanctions on Russia after a deadly attack on Kyiv killed at least 31 people. Zelensky said five children - the youngest aged two - were among the dead and 159 people had been wounded in the assault on Thursday."No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, sanctions do work - and they must be strengthened," he said. Kyiv observed a day of mourning after the attack on the capital collapsed an apartment block and damaged a hospital, school, nursery and university. Russia launched more than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles in the overnight assault, Ukraine's air force said. The attack was one of the deadliest Kyiv has experienced since Russia launched its large-scale invasion in February President Donald Trump condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and suggested new sanctions against Moscow were coming."Russia, I think it's disgusting what they're doing. I think it's disgusting," he told Monday, Trump issued a new "10 or 12" day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Putin must agree Ukraine ceasefire in 10 or 12 days, says Trump John Kelley, the acting US representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council on Thursday that Russia and Ukraine "must negotiate a ceasefire and durable peace"."It is time to make a deal," he said. Ukrainian officials on Friday said Kyiv had received "positive signals" from the US about potential new sanctions, particularly targeting Russian oil and secondary deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Trump has been "generous and patient", but that "now is the time to put maximum pressure on Moscow". Meanwhile, Germany pledged on Friday to deliver two additional US-made Patriot air defence systems in the coming said in July alone, Russia launched more than 5,100 glide bombs, 3,800 Shahed drones, and 260 missiles, including 128 ballistic. "Every day matters," he said. "This can only be stopped through joint efforts – by America, Europe, and other global actors."
Spectator
4 hours ago
- Spectator
Mark Carney was asking for Trump to impose tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that his Liberal government will recognise the state of Palestine at the United Nations in September, following the recent trend set by France and the UK. The decision to recognise Palestine at a time when the bloodthirsty terrorist organisation Hamas is firmly in control is abhorrent, especially when the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel is still so fresh in many people's minds. Democratic countries like Canada shouldn't be enhancing the status of a murderous outfit that's the equivalent of pure evil in our world. The Canadian government argues that they have put restrictions in place that must occur before recognition is approved. Carney said the Palestinian Authority must hold an election in 2026 and Hamas cannot be involved. He also insisted that Hamas releases the remaining Israeli hostages, and there must be a demilitarised Palestine. 'Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism,' the PM said at Wednesday's press conference, 'and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future.' Let's put aside the obvious fact that terrorist groups like Hamas can't be trusted when it comes to negotiating terms and conditions for just about anything. Does anyone truly believe Hamas's leadership gives a tinker's dam about Carney's demands? Canada is a middle power with virtually no influence or cachet on the international stage since the path of destruction that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau left in his wake. If Hamas barely pays attention to larger, more influential countries who have come around to their way of thinking, their perception of Canada won't change. There isn't a chance in hell that Hamas will drop its political and military influence in Palestine. They'll be pleased with the UN's recognition of Palestinian statehood, but their end game hasn't changed. That is: to destroy democracy, liberty and freedom in the West and beyond. Their enemies, including Israel, the US, France, the UK and yes, Canada, won't suddenly become bosom buddies and lifelong chums. In fairness, Carney's announcement could be for purely selfish reasons. He may believe it will solidify his political support among Canadian progressives. There's some validity to this argument. Since he has a minority government, much like Trudeau did on two previous occasions, it could be the best solution to achieving long-term Liberal electoral support. While Carney's decision will frustrate Canadian Jews, he knows there are many more voters in Canada's Arab and Muslim community – including young ones. Yet Canada's relations with the US is another piece of this puzzle. Carney's timing with this announcement couldn't have been much worse, unless it was planned in advance to infuriate US President Donald Trump. Canada and the US have been in the midst of a tariff battle. It started during the latter stages of Trudeau's leadership last year, complete with Trump's comments about Canada becoming the '51st US state'. A sizeable number of left-leaning Canadians foolishly believed Carney was the best leadership choice to take on Trump. That's why his Liberals won the April 28 federal election. The working relationship between these two leaders seemed more positive at first blush, which wasn't difficult to achieve with the bumbling Trudeau out of the picture. Some believed there was faint hope for a resolution before the 1 August deadline. Alas, Carney's con job with the Canadian electorate has been fully exposed. Early this morning, Trump announced that he was increasing the tariff rate on Canadian products from 25 to 35 per cent. Even before Canada's Palestinian recognition statement, it was clear the tariff negotiations weren't going particularly well. Canada had briefly threatened to double its counter-tariffs on US metals from 25 to 50 per cent and Carney's own tone changed dramatically this month. He went from telling the press that Canada was in 'intensive negotiations with the Americans' to resolve the tariff battle to making this eye-raising statement: 'we're working hard to get a deal, but we'll only accept the right deal with the United States. The right deal is possible, but nothing's assured.' It also didn't help matters that Carney began to focus more heavily on a trade and security partnership with the European Union at the same time, even suggesting Canada was the 'most European of non-European countries.' Carney's announcement about Palestine was a slap in the face to Trump, who strongly supports Israel and regards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a political ally. 'Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. 'That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh Canada!!!' A trade deal between the two countries to reduce the 35 per cent tariffs now seems highly unlikely. Carney has suggested that the talks may not end today, but he appears to be focusing on 'broader discussions' like defence spending and investments. In other words, the tariffs will remain in place and the faith placed in him by far too many Canadian voters will be for naught. Is Carney bothered by the mess he's caused? It sure doesn't seem like it.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
E dey legal for US to deport foreign criminals come Africa?
United States goment don turn Africa to dia new backyard wia dem dey deport migrants wey dem say be convicted criminals. Even as dem don fly some of di migrants go kontris for Central and South America, dem bin send 12 men from kontris including Mexico, Myanmar and Yemen go Eswatini and South Sudan last month. Dem bin also fly one South Sudan pesin go back home. Di US goment dey also try convince some oda African kontris to accept pipo wey dia kontris no gree collect back, according to US authorities. President Donald Trump mass deportation gada support during im campaign last year. But UN human rights experts and human rights groups dey worry about wetin bin happun as dem argue say to carry migrants go kontris wey no be dia place of origin – wey dem dey call third kontri - fit dey against international law. Third kontri deportation legal for international law? Third-kontri deportations fit dey legal - but only for some kain conditions. "Dis whole idea of third kontri removal dem dey see am as anoda kind of asylum," Prof Ray Brescia, from Albany Law School for US tok. "E get principle for international law - wey dem dey call non-refoulement - e mean say you no suppose return pesin back to im kontri if e no dey safe for dem, so a third kontri fit be safe option for am," im tok. Dis principle no only apply to di migrant home kontri but also to di kontri wey dem go wan send am go. If dat kontri no safe, deportation fit dey against international law - like wen UK Supreme Court block British goment plan to send asylum seekers go Rwanda for 2023. Due process also dey necessary. Migrants gatz get chance to challenge deportation if di destination dey dangerous, based on evidence from credible sources like UN reports or US State Department findings. Courts dey expected to assess dis risk carefully. "Di court gatz torchlight di kain legal status wey migrants go get, if dem go detain dem, which kain house dem wan give dem," Dr Alice Edwards, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and oda Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, tok. But many migrants dey struggle to get access to legal support on time. "E dey take serious effort and access to lawyer wey fit act sharpaly," Prof Brescia tok. "Dat kain legal waka no dey available to evrione." Eswatini and South Sudan deportations dey against international law? "For sure dem dey, in two ways," Prof David Super, from Georgetown University Law Centre, tok. "E no get evidence say US dey give pipo chance to challenge dia deportation, and dem no get permission to send pipo go kontris wia dem fit face oppression." "South Sudan and Eswatini get serious questions about dia human rights records," im tell BBC. Wen dem bin first bundle migrants go South Sudan for May, e get one legal challenge wey dem carry go one US district court afta di flight don already take off. Di judge bin rule say attempt to deport di men dey against order wey im bin give say dem gatz allow migrants to challenge di decision to carry dem go anoda kontri. Dem later divert dat plane go Djibouti, for East Africa, wia dem bin lock di men inside one shipping container for one US military base as court dey hear di case. Dem refer di case to Supreme Court wey allow di deportations to continue, but no tok weda dem see South Sudan as safe place for di migrants. "Wetin we don see for similar cases be say dem dey mostly deny pipo legal help wen dem need am, and di case dey start wen tins don already cast," Dr Edwards tok. "For dis case, dem don already dey road dey go US military base and dat na deep wahala." She add say court gatz remove hands from politics, especially wen e concern basic rights. Prof Brescia warn say di Supreme Court decision fit set dangerous precedent. "Di real concern be say e go encourage di goment to move even faster, bifor pipo go fit go courts at all," im tok. Eswatini and South Sudan safe? In addition to di process wey dey deny dem, dem dey potentially send di migrants go kontri wey no safe - breaking international law. Di US State Department dey currently advise pipo make dem no travel go South Sudan sake of threats including crime, armed conflict and kidnapping. Earlier dis year, tori be say di kontri wey be one of di poorest for world, almost return to civil war. "E get some real concern about law and order for South Sudan - about violence, instability, and ongoing conflict," Dr Edwards tok. Tori be say di pipo wey dem deport go South Sudan dem detain dem for one facility for di capital, Juba, wey dem sabi say e dey for poor conditions, according to political activist, Agel Rich Machar. Di goment neva still confam dia location or how long dem go spend for detention. For Eswatini, wey be one small landlocked kingdom for southern Africa, officials say di migrants dey for one prison and dem go repatriate dem wit support from International Organization of Migration (IOM). Di US State Department say Eswatini prisons dey face problems of overcrowding, poor ventilation, and beta food and health services no dey. "We no dey see am say dem go stay dia long enough to become part of di society," Eswatini goment tok-tok pesin Thabile Mdluli tell BBC, witout giving any any sign of how long dem go stay for di kontri, or weda dem go serve di rest of dia sentences first. Di US goment say di pipo wey dem deport go Eswatini commit "barbaric" crimes including child rape, murder and sexual assault. Eswatini pipo don dey begin para.. Di kontri biggest opposition party, di People United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) say di agreement between di two kontris na "human trafficking wey dem disguise as deportation deal". Pro-democracy activist Lucky Lukhele say make di kontri no become "dumping ground for criminals". Even if dem don break international law, Prof Super say di US fit no face di consequences as dem no recognise many international courts. "Dis be like say na about deterrence, unto say dem dey send message say if you come US dem go treat you collect veri, veri harshly," im tok. Even witout all di legal palava, third kontri deportation dey put pipo wey already dey vulnerable for unfamiliar environments wit small support or legal status, Dr Edwards tok. "Na veri yeye idea." She stress say human rights community no dey try to block each and evri deportation - na only wia pipo dey face human rights violations. Wetin dey inside for di host kontris? Di koko informate inside di deportation deals na big secret. Ms Mdluli tell BBC say Eswatini reasons for accepting di deportees "go remain classified information for now". However, both di Eswatini and South Sudan goments say na dia strong ties wit US be key motivation. Prof Brescia dey suggest say some kontris dey fear say US fit revenge if dem refuse, like stricter visa rules or higher tariffs. For April, US say e go revoke all visas wey dem give to South Sudan kontri pipo afta dem refuse to accept one deported citizen. E no clear if dat one don change now wey dem don gree accept deportees from US. Political activist Machar say South Sudan don also agree to dis deal as dem want make US lift sanctions on Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel. US goment issue sanctions against Bol Mel for 2021 sake of alleged corruption and dem renew am dis year. However, oda kontris, like Nigeria neva gree. "We get enough problems of our own," Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar tok for July, as dem reject request to accept detainees from Venezuela. Dr Edwards add say dat kain deals dey always come wit some beta, we go jinja di kontris. "For past arrangements of third-kontri deportations, large sums of money, military and security cooperation, na part of di package," she tok. For March, tori be say Trump goment say dem go pay El Salvador $6m (£4.5m) to accept Venezuelan deportees.
