Author: BBC World Service

After sectarian clashes in southern Syria, Israel launches airstrikes on Syrian government targets, saying it needs to protect the Druze ethnic minority. We attempt to explain a complicated situation with defence expert Dr Robert Geist Pinfold, and hear from an eyewitness in the city of Sweida and an advisor to the Syrian foreign minister.

Also in the programme: continuing controversy in the United States over the legacy of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein; the plight of hundreds of thousands of Afghans who have been abruptly deported from Iran; and a plan to breathe new life into the Victorian glasshouses at London's Kew Gardens.

(Photo: Damaged vehicles outside the Syrian Ministry of Defence building following an Israeli airstrike in Damascus; Credit: MOHAMMED AL RIFAI/EPA/Shutterstock)

Gen Z’s have largely led opposition street protests in Kenya. However, it's taking a toll on their mental health. We talk to an activist and a psychiatrist on how to cope.

Why was a French sports journalist recently sentenced to 7 years in jail in Algeria? Was it for talking to a banned separatist movement- or due to diplomatic rows between Algeria and France?

Plus, a report says more than a quarter of Africa's freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction.

Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Israel carried out a series of drone strike against Damascus, after the breakdown of a ceasefire between the Syrian government and fighters from the Druze community in the south of the country. The IDF says it is acting the protect the Druze community, and stop a military build-up by the government on its northern border. We bring the latest analysis from the region.

Also in the programme: a MAGA backlash after Trump's Attorney General says she won't publish the so called 'Epstein files'; and Labubu, the Chinese 'ugly-cute' elves that have overrun Tiktok.

(Picture:Smoke rises after Israeli strikes on Syria's defense ministry in Damascus, according to Al Jazeera TV, in Damascus, Syria July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi)

Israel launches strikes on Syria, including the capital Damascus. Also: at least 20 people killed by crowd surge at US backed food distribution point in Gaza, and pressure grows on Donald Trump to release Epstein files.

UK government apologises to thousands of Afghans potentially at risk from Taliban after personal details leaked. Also: Trump says Ukraine shouldn’t target Moscow, and 114-year-old marathon runner dies after car accident.

The British Government has revealed it has secretly moved thousands of Afghans to the UK, after a data leak by a defence official. We'll hear from the journalist who fought to reveal the story and an Afghan who says his family's safety has been threatened.

Also on the programme: our Washington correspondent who was having an early evening nap at home when Donald Trump gave him a call; and the world's biggest human imaging project that has scanned the bodies of 100,000 people.

(Photo: A captain of the Afghanistan army boards a British military plane at Kabul airport to be evacuated to the UK. Issue date: Tuesday August 24, 2021. Credit: Ministry of Defence)

president Trump says he is disappointed with Putin. Donald Trump talks to the BBC about Russia, the UK and the attempt on his life. Also in the programme: Israel strikes Syrian government forces, after tribal clashes in Syria’s Sweida; and the oldest marathon runner dies.

(Photo: President Trump speaking in the White House. Credit: Shutterstock)

In an exclusive BBC interview, President Trump says he's disappointed with President Putin but he's "not done with him”. Also: the world's biggest human imaging project, and what a tomato plant sounds like.

Residents of South Sudan's capital Juba have voiced concern for their safety after the arrival of eight deportees from the United States. The Trump administration have described them as ‘violent criminals’. Who are these men, what did they do and how did they end up in South Sudan?

Also, another peace deal in the Central African Republic, but will it hold?

And as we enter the half way point for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations we look at the challenges women once faced - and still face - in the game!

Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Sunita Nahar in London Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalists: Karnie Sharp and Patricia Whitehorne Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The US says it will sanction Moscow's trade partners if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not reached. Also: review finds BBC Gaza documentary breached guidelines, and WHO endorses twice-yearly HIV prevention injection.