News UK
Frontline report: Syrian security forces accused of overseeing gunmen killing civilians | BBC News
Armed gunmen in Syria who carried out a wave of recent sectarian killings of the country’s Alawite minority were advised and overseen by government forces, according to evidence gathered by the BBC.
One man, Abu Khalid, said he had travelled as a civilian fighter to the Mediterranean coastal village of Sanobar on 7 March, to help battle former regime insurgents.
He filmed himself shooting dead a 64-year-old village resident, Mahmoud Yusef Mohammed, at the entrance to his house. Abu Khalid, who has now been arrested, insisted his victim was an armed insurgent. However video he filmed of the incident does not support his account. He now says he had been told by the government security officials not to harm civilians but only to shoot at insurgents.
Human rights groups estimate that almost 900 civilians, mainly Alawites, were killed by pro-government forces across Syria’s coastal region in early March. The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam and its followers make up around 10% of Syria’s population, which is majority Sunni. Syria’s former President Bashar al-Assad who fled the country last December is an Alawite.
Syria’s coastal area – a stronghold of the former regime – has been largely sealed off, but a BBC team gained access, speaking to witnesses and security officials about what happened in Sanobar. The violence came a day after fighters loyal to the country’s former President led deadly raids on government security forces.
Syria’s new Sunni Islamist-led government had called for support from various military units and militia groups to respond to those raids – but that escalated into a wave of sectarian anger against Alawite civilians.
Witnesses told the BBC that several different armed groups had targeted Alawites for summary executions. Some also said that government security forces had battled violent and extremist factions in order to protect Alawite villagers from attack.
Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Lucy Williamson in Sanobar.
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President Donald Trump has said the US Navy will “blockade any and all ships” trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz – a vital shipping route.
In a separate post on Truth Social, he added that direct talks with Iran in Islamabad failed because “Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions”.
Earlier, Iran’s delegation leader said the US failed to gain Tehran’s trust during lengthy negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.
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News UK
Deadly Ebola virus outbreak “a health emergency of international concern” says WHO | BBC News
The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern.
The outbreak in DR Congo’s eastern Ituri province has seen around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths reported, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.
But it warned it could potentially be “a much larger outbreak” than what is currently being detected and reported, with significant risk of local and regional spread.
The current strain of Ebola is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, the health agency said, for which there are no approved drugs or vaccines.
Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache and sore throat, and are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash and bleeding.
The WHO said there are now eight laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus, with other suspected cases and deaths across three health zones including Bunia the capital of Ituri province, and the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara.
One case of the virus has been confirmed in the capital Kinshasa, believed to be in a patient returning from Ituri. The WHO said that the virus has spread beyond DR Congo, with two confirmed cases reported in neighbouring Uganda. Ugandan officials said a 59-year-old man who died on Thursday had tested positive.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood and James Gallagher.
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US tax authorities will be barred from pursuing claims against Donald Trump, some members of his family and the Trump organisation.
This pledge is part of an extraordinary new settlement, announced yesterday, between the US president and the US Department of Justice.
In this episode, Sarah and Anthony look at the implications of the deal, which includes the creation of a fund worth almost £1.8 billion for victims of alleged “lawfare”, aswell as supporters of the president who claim to have been unfairly prosecuted.
Also this week, Donald Trump has continued his purge of those he sees as disloyal within the Republican Party through primary elections throughout the US.
In Kentucky, Congressman Thomas Massie lost his bid for re-election after Trump endorsed his challenger and his donors threw unprecedented amounts of money at the campaign. In Louisiana, veteran Senator Bill Cassidy lost out to a Trump backed challenger (Cassidy angeredTrump by his 2021 decision to impeach him in 2021).
What do these victories tell us about Donald Trump’s popularity within the Republican party? And what does that mean for Republicans who disagree with him?
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The Makerfield by-election has been confirmed for June 18th 2026, and this is the first episode in a new mini-series following the contest as it gets underway.
Adam is joined by Luke Tryl, director of More in Common UK, and Kevin Fitzpatrick, political reporter for BBC Radio Manchester, to delve deeper into Makerfield, and to look at how the race is shaping up with the candidates who have been announced so far.
A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available on the BBC News website.
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News UK
Nato chief welcomes US sending 5,000 troops to Poland ahead of foreign ministers meeting | BBC News
Nato foreign ministers are meeting amid increasing tensions within the defence alliance over the war in the Iran and the global fallout.
The meeting will discuss the preparation for the Ankara summit this summer, spending strategy and support for Ukraine.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the BBC that reports about the reduction of US troops in Europe would also be discussed, he added that President Trump was ‘disappointed’ with Nato allies over their lack of support.
But earlier the US President announced that he would send 5,000 troops to Poland.
Ahead of the meeting, the Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed President Trump’s announcement of those troops being sent to Poland and Marco Rubio said there had been “slight progress” on Iran.
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