Israel has launched several air strikes in the heart of the Syrian capital, Damascus, as clashes continued in the southwestern city of Suwayda after a truce between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, hours after he had demanded Syrian government forces withdraw from Suwayda.
Another strike hit near the presidential palace, on the outskirts of the city.
At least one person was killed and 18 others were wounded in the attacks, Syrian state media reported, citing the Ministry of Health.
The attacks on Syria’s capital come amid continuing unrest in the city of Suwayda, where local Sunni Bedouin tribes have been engaged in fierce clashes in recent days with fighters from Syria’s Druze minority, whom Israel views as a potential ally in Syria and claims to be intervening to protect.
Damascus deployed its forces to the city on Tuesday and declared a ceasefire, but the fighting quickly resumed.
Here is how the world is reacting to Israel’s attacks on Damascus:
United States
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was “very concerned” about the escalation in violence.
“We’re going to be working on that issue … I just got off the phone with the relevant parties. We’re very concerned about it, and hopefully, we’ll have some updates later today. But we’re very concerned about it,” Rubio said
Turkiye
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks and said they were an attempt to sabotage Syria’s efforts to achieve peace, stability and security.
“The Syrian people have a historic opportunity to live in peace and integrate with the world,” the ministry said.
“All stakeholders who support this opportunity should contribute to the Syrian government’s efforts to restore peace.”
Omer Celik, spokesperson for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s governing AK Party, also condemned the attacks.
“Israel’s attacks pose a security threat to the entire region and the world,” Celik wrote on X.
GCC
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – condemned the attacks in the “strongest terms”.
In a statement, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the Israeli attacks were a “flagrant violation” of Syria’s sovereignty, “a breach of international laws and norms, and a serious threat to regional security and stability”.
Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity, adding that the continuation of Israeli attacks constituted an “irresponsible escalation” and disregarded international efforts to achieve stability in Syria and the region.
Norway
The Norwegian foreign minister said that Israel’s recent strikes could undermine efforts towards a peaceful transition of power in Syria.
“Deeply concerned about recent Israeli airstrikes and rising domestic tensions. The escalation risks undermining efforts towards a peaceful, Syrian-owned transition,” Espen Barth Eide wrote on X.
The Nigeria Police Force has commenced disciplinary proceedings against 151 senior officers over various allegations of misconduct and ethical breaches, in a move to reinforce accountability and professional discipline within its ranks.
Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the review commenced on Monday, July 14, and will be concluded on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the IGP Smart Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, the officers, selected from commands and units nationwide, are appearing before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) over alleged violations ranging from professional misconduct to breaches of internal regulations.
The Force spokesman stated that the disciplinary committee is the police’s internal body responsible for investigating cases involving senior officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) upwards.
He noted that the committee plays a vital role in reviewing accusations, assessing evidence, and recommending appropriate sanctions under existing police laws and disciplinary frameworks.
“The Force Disciplinary Committee is an essential internal structure responsible for reviewing and adjudicating cases of alleged breaches of professional conduct, misconduct, and ethical violations involving senior officers of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above,” the statement read.
Adejobi also reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to discipline and ethical conduct within the Force and emphasised that the Force would not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct under his watch.
See the full statement below:
151 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS FACE FORCE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OVER DISCIPLINARY MATTERS
In a decisive step towards reinforcing internal accountability and professional standards, one hundred and fifty-one (151) senior police officers are currently facing the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) over various pending disciplinary matters. The exercise commenced on Monday, 14th July, and will run until Friday, 25th July 2025, at the IGP Smart Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The Force Disciplinary Committee is an essential internal structure responsible for reviewing and adjudicating cases of alleged breaches of professional conduct, misconduct, and ethical violations involving senior officers of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above. The affected officers, drawn from various commands and formations across the country, are expected to undergo a thorough and transparent review process in accordance with existing police regulations and disciplinary procedures, leading to a final recommendation to the Police Service Commission.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to discipline and ethical conduct within the Force. He emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force will not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct.
The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to promoting integrity, professionalism, and public trust. The disciplinary process reflects the Force’s keenness to maintain an accountable and service-driven institution, where standards are upheld and the rule of law is respected from within.
Oleksandr Usyk has had a whirlwind year at the top of boxing’s heavyweight division and will face another formidable challenge when he takes on Daniel Dubois in a much-anticipated rematch.
In May 2024, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Tyson Fury in a fight for the ages, but had to vacate one of his belts a month later.
The man who took that belt was his other great rival in Dubois, a fighter he defeated in a controversial bout two years ago, and who is now challenging the undefeated Ukrainian for the rest of his world titles in a spectacular unification showdown.
Here’s what you need to know about Usyk vs Dubois 2:
What is the date and start time for the Usyk vs Dubois fight?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, July 19.
Usyk and Dubois are expected to undertake their ring walks at 9:45pm local time (20:45 GMT), which is 4:45pm ET and 1:45pm PT. The fight will begin shortly thereafter.
Where is Dubois vs Usyk being held?
The famous Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom will host the blockbuster fight.
For boxing matches, Wembley Stadium can hold up to 96,000 spectators.
Usyk poses in front of Wembley Stadium on July 15, 2025, in London, England, UK [Richard Pelham/Getty Images]
Where can I follow and watch the Usyk vs Dubois title fight?
Al Jazeera’s live text commentary and photo coverage will begin at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, July 19. We will bring you all the pre-fight talking points, analysis and build-up before bringing you Usyk-Dubois 2 updates live.
This whole fight card will be available live worldwide exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view.
Which titles are Usyk and Dubois fighting for?
The clash will be an undisputed championship fight, and the titles on the line will be Usyk’s WBC, WBA and WBO belts, as well the IBF title held by Dubois.
It’s just the second undisputed heavyweight championship bout of the past two decades.
What is the fight purse?
The record-breaking prize money for the rematch is reported to be $203m.
Why did Usyk lose his IBF title?
In May 2024, Usyk won the world’s first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years, an unprecedented feat in boxing’s four-belt era, when he beat Fury by split decision.
However, having decided not to defend the IBF crown against then-interim champion and mandatory challenger Dubois, Usyk vacated the belt in June and was left with the WBC, WBA and WBO belts.
Who is the favourite?
Usyk is widely expected to defeat Dubois a second time, according to most leading bookmakers who are quoting the Ukrainian at 1/3 on, or in metric terms, paying out $1.33 for the win.
Odds on a Dubois victory currently range from 5/2 ($2.50) to 13/5 ($2.60).
Who is Daniel Dubois?
Dubois was born in Greenwich, London, where his father began training him as a boxer at an early age. A home-schooled child, Dubois loved boxing and later joined boxing clubs in southern London.
Also known as Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois, the boxer turned pro at the age of 19.
The 6ft-4inch (1.93-metre) boxer has gained the reputation of being a giant-killer, having defeated fellow Briton Anthony Joshua and Olympic bronze medallist Filip Hrgovic of Croatia.
Dubois will be the underdog in Saturday’s fight against Usyk [Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters]
Who is Oleksandr Usyk?
Usyk is a 2012 Olympic gold medallist from Ukraine who had previously won the AIBA World Boxing Championship in 2011.
The 6ft-3inch (1.9-metre) tall fighter has spent time on patrol at home during Russia’s war on Ukraine.
He turned professional in 2013, aged 26 and made a steady rise in the cruiserweight division, before switching to heavyweight in 2019.
Saturday’s fight gives Usyk the opportunity to become the undisputed champion of the world for the third time, having also held the title in the cruiserweight division in 2018. The southpaw is the third man ever to have held the title in two weight divisions.
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk looks on during an unveiling of the recreated Kestrel Mosaic, in Trafalgar Square on July 14, 2025 [Carlos Jasso/AFP]
What’s Usyk’s fight record?
The Ukrainian remains unbeaten in his professional career.
Fights: 23
Wins: 23
Wins by KO: 14
What’s Dubois’ fight record?
The 27-year-old challenger, despite being 11 years younger than Usyk, has more career professional fights than his opponent.
Fights: 24
Wins: 22
Wins by KO: 21
Losses: 2
What happened in Dubois-Usyk 1?
The pair fought for the first time in Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023, when Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round, but only after controversially getting time to recover from what was adjudged a low blow by Dubois in the fifth round.
It sent Usyk to the canvas, where he sat against the ropes. Replays showed the punch hitting around Usyk’s belt, and Dubois still maintains he was robbed.
“I want to get my rematch,” Dubois said of Usyk, “and put the wrong right.”
Usyk sits on the canvas in the fifth round after he received a low blow from Dubois in their first fight for the WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles at Tarczynski Arena, Wroclaw, Poland on August 26, 2023 [Kacper Pempel/Reuters]Usyk regained the upper hand in the deciding ninth round against Dubois, knocking out the Briton to win the contest [Kacper Pempel/Reuters]
What has Usyk said about the rematch?
The 38-year-old said that he is ready to “become undisputed again,” referring to the reunification of all heavyweight titles he held after beating Fury on May 18, 2024.
“[I am still boxing] because Jesus gives me the opportunity, and I take this,” Usyk said in an interview on host broadcaster streaming platform DAZN. “Now my goal is to become a three-time undisputed. Listen, I love boxing, training hard. I guess it’s my last two fights, with Dubois and next, I don’t know who.”
“I love my British opponents,” Usyk added. “I think Daniel is a good athlete, a good boxer, and has good skills. He has had great wins in his last three fights, is a great fighter. I think Daniel deserves [the rematch].”
What has Dubois said about the rematch?
Dubois has pledged to exact revenge on the Ukrainian fighter.
“I can’t wait to put him [Usyk] to sleep,” said Dubois.
“I’m on fire now. I’m just pent up. I’m ready to go. It’s going to be a bloodbath … in the ring on the night, he’ll be doing a funny dance when I hit him.
“We don’t care about no body shots. We’re going to knock him out on July 19.”
The Brit has repeatedly stated that he’s a “10 times better” fighter than he was in his first fight against Usyk and is ready to “unleash hell”.
Why did Dubois’ trainer accuse Usyk of ‘conning the boxing world’ in their first fight in Poland?
The British fighter’s trainer accused Usyk of “conning the boxing world” at the pre-fight news conference in April.
Referring to Usyk’s 2023 fight against Dubois, Don Charles accused the Ukrainian of being hurt by a legal body shot and said his fighter should have won the encounter.
“The actions you did that night, you’ve heard of the Oscars? You should’ve won an Oscar,” Charles said.
“You conned the referee, you conned us, and you conned the boxing world.
“You pride yourself as a God-fearing man – ‘Thou shalt not lie’ – so I question what kind of God do you worship? The God has summoned you for our son Daniel Dubois to get revenge on you.”
How did Usyk respond to the accusation?
Usyk shrugged off accusations of cheating and fakery and said he was ready to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for a second time.
“I’m ready right now,” Usyk told a news conference at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk, smiling, said the Oscar would be coming. “You must teach your fighter to punch clean,” he added.
“It’s just talking. For me, it doesn’t matter.”
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, said after that photographs of the blow were produced, with the Ukrainian’s camp accusing Dubois of up to 20 low blows, Usyk could not be accused of cheating.
“Don’t call my man a cheat,” he said. “He didn’t cheat. He had an opportunity to rest and he rested … tell it to the referee, not my man.”
Usyk, left, and Dubois go head-to-head to unify the world heavyweight championships on Saturday [Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters]
Who is on the undercard?
In the penultimate fight of the night, the UK’s Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBC silver heavyweight title against former world champ Kevin Lerena of South Africa.
In the light heavyweight classification, Poland’s Daniel Lapin will put his IBF intercontinental and WBA continental belts up for grabs against another local fighter, Lewis Edmondson.
The first bout is scheduled for 5:40pm local (16:40 GMT).
Lawrence Okolie vs. Kevin Lerena: (WBC silver heavyweight title)
Daniel Lapin vs. Lewis Edmondson: (IBF Intercontinental and WBA Continental light heavyweight titles)
Vladyslav Sirenko vs. Solomon Dacres: (Heavyweight division)
Aadam Hamed vs. Ezequiel Gregores: (Super lightweight division)
Lasha Guruli vs. James Francis: (Super lightweight division)
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and military service chiefs on Tuesday paid their last respects to the former president Muhammadu Buhari as his body was received at the Umaru Musa Yaradua International Airport, Kastina State.
Buhari died at a London clinic on Sunday at the age of 82.
The military service chiefs include the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and others.
A statement by the Nigerian Air Force said their presence at the solemn occasion reflected the Armed Forces’ deep reverence for leadership and unwavering commitment to national values and unity.
“For the Chief of the Air Staff, the occasion aligned with his command philosophy rooted in patriotism, values of duty, respect for national institutions, and honouring legacies of service. “This underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s firm belief in preserving democratic ideals and paying tribute to those who shaped the nation’s security architecture.
“It reflects on the life and legacy of the former President as ‘one of Nigeria’s most resilient patriots,’ whose unwavering dedication to discipline, national unity, and the Armed Forces left an indelible mark on the country’s history,” the statement read in part.
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As the Armed Forces bade farewell to the past leader, they also reaffirmed their unflinching loyalty to the administration of the current President, Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu.
“Under his leadership, the military remains fully committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s unity, democracy, and development,” NAF added.
Looking to get youthful, radiant skin without the need for filler or Botox? Shoppers may have found the perfect, budget-friendly retinol cream that delivers
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Shoppers ‘always get asked if they’ve had Botox’ thanks to this £5 retinol cream(Image: Getty)
Undoing signs of ageing, such as fine lines and stubborn wrinkles, may seem like an uphill battle, maybe even impossible, without spending a fortune on expensive skincare creams or treatments like Botox. But if you’re looking to achieve younger, brighter and healthier skin without breaking the bank, these beauty buffs may have found the perfect, budget-friendly cream to add to your skincare routine to get that Botox-like effect for less than £10.
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This 2-pack of A~313 Vitamin A Retinol Cream is available for £4.99 on Amazon(Image: Amazon)
This pore-cleansing skin cream contains a 0.02-mg concentration of vitamin A (retinol), which is set to reduce the appearance of pores while working to tighten the skin, treat acne, and diminish dark spots. This cream, which has gone viral on TikTok for its anti-ageing abilities, is designed to be used as a night cream, taking your beauty sleep to a whole new level.
The anti-acne cream is touted for accelerating skin cell transformation while eliminating clogged pores and reducing acne formation. Encouraging fast cell turnover also helps stimulate collagen production under the skin, improving skin texture and erasing fine lines, reducing skin discolouration, and increasing natural radiance in the complexion.
This 2% retinol pomade also works to reduce melanin production, which can help in the battle to reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation. While the enhanced collagen production diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and lines, this retinol cream leaves behind a smoother, brighter and rejuvenated complexion that looks like the hands of time have been reversed.
One huge fan of this retinol cream took to TikTok to rave about its results. When asked “how many units of Botox” she had, the 36-year-old declared she “loves when people ask her this! and that she “has never gotten anything done! Zero units of Botox.”
Mariel then went on to say, “I don’t think you understand the power of a good retinol. This product has changed my face so much.” She also shared that followers have told her she looks like she’s “ageing backwards.”
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The “Botox in a tube” product she raved about is currently available on Amazon in this set. It includes two tubes of beauty buffs’ favourite retinol cream for the very wallet-friendly price of £4.99. You can also pick up a three-pack for £7.99 or just the one for £2.99.
Myleene Klass has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Myleene Klass has endured four miscarriages(Image: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Myleene Klass says being honoured for her miscarriage campaign sends a clear sign that women’s healthcare ‘needs to move forward’. The musician and presenter was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle for her dedication to raising awareness and advocating for legal changes after experiencing several pregnancy losses.
Speaking with PA news agency, the 47-year-old star said: “The King himself has now acknowledged that miscarriage care and healthcare needs to move forward. We’re actually in a position where we can change the law, and women can benefit from it.”
Myleene, who has endured four miscarriages herself, has been at the forefront of demanding better support and policy amendments, becoming one of the nation’s leading voices for change. She described the honour as recognition for ‘the achievements of so many people that come together’ to improve what she called a neglected area of women’s health.
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“When I was going through my own miscarriages, you feel so invisible – you just feel you need somebody to guide you out of it,” she said. “There’s so much negativity about miscarriage healthcare – women feel so lost, so dragged down by it all.”
Myleene rose to fame with the pop group Hear’Say before establishing a successful career as a classical musician, presenter and entrepreneur. She said she never imagined her work would lead her in this direction.
“I trained as a musician – I always thought that was the route the world would take me in. It’s certainly diversified along the years,” she added. “So many people want you to stay in your line, to box you in. But the beauty of how the world works is you can do many jobs – they all inform one another.”
Myleene Klass was made an MBE by the King for her services to women’s health and miscarriage awareness(Image: Jonathan Brady/PA)
Leona Lewis, 40, former X-Factor sensation, was also honoured with an MBE for her illustrious music career and her dedicated charity work, which focused on animal welfare and environmental issues.
“I’ve always been an ambassador for animals and a voice for the voiceless,” Leona said. “To be recognised for music is amazing – but to be recognised for charitable work is so meaningful.
“Music is my life’s work, but when you are given a platform, it’s important that you use it to bring awareness, to use our voice for something bigger than ourselves.” The singer was joined by her husband, Dennis Jauch, and her father, Aural Josiah Lewis, at the ceremony.
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Patricia Hewitt, 76, former health secretary, was also celebrated with a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to public health and NHS reform.
She said she was ‘over the moon’ to receive the honour and described it as a tribute to the thousands of people she had worked alongside throughout her career. “I never expected to receive any honour at all, let alone one as significant as this,” she told PA.
“It means an enormous amount to me. When I heard the news, I felt it was a tribute, not just to me, but to the thousands of amazing people I’ve worked with over the years – not only in the NHS but also in social care.”
Myleene said King Charles ‘acknowledged that miscarriage care and healthcare needs to move forward’(Image: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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Dame Patricia held the position of health secretary during Sir Tony Blair’s tenure, from 2005 to 2007, spearheading changes including the prohibition of smoking in public spaces, which took effect in 2007. She described the anti-smoking laws as her most important political achievement.
“The smoke-free legislation that I helped steer through Parliament is absolutely the biggest thing I ever did for the health of the nation,” she said. “It saved more lives than any of us expected.
“I remember the Chief Medical Officer coming to see me just nine months after it came into effect and saying we were already seeing fewer people dying from heart attacks because they were no longer breathing in second-hand smoke.”
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She added: “It’s one of those rare examples of a piece of legislation that changed both attitudes and behaviour – and did it very quickly.”
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Also recognised at the investiture were Sir Warren East, the former chief executive of Rolls-Royce, who was knighted for services to the economy and Net Zero aviation, and Sir Nick Gibb, the long-serving former Schools Minister, honoured for services to education.
