BBC News Briefing

16 July, 2025

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Syria, including on the capital Damascus. Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab explains how Israel's intervention affects the Syrian government. From Mexico, my colleague Will Grant reports on the deepening dispute over a water-sharing deal with the US. And finally, watch an Icelandic volcano's latest eruption.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Syria condemns Israel's ‘flagrant assault’

A four-storey building has all its windows blown off The central part of the building has collapsed. The trees in front of the building are damaged. Rubbles lies in front of the building, wear a solider is walking by a white card that also had its windows blown off.

The Syrian health ministry said three people have been killed and 34 others injured in the Damascus strikes. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

Israeli strikes in Damascus have targeted the Syrian military headquarters and an area near the presidential palace. Israel said it is acting in support of the minority Druze community following deadly sectarian violence in southern Syria that began at the weekend. The Syrian foreign ministry has condemned the strikes as a "flagrant assault". Israel's intervention is as political as is military, writes Lina Sinjab, aimed at shaping the emerging post-Assad order before it hardens. But, she notes, it's also making people on the streets very angry.

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AT THE SCENE

Chihuahua, Mexico

Mexico-US water dispute deepens

Vounteer water monitor Rafael Betance has short grey hair and a moustache. He is wearing a blue polo shirt. Behind him there is an arid landscape with a few green bushes. A reservoir can be seen in the distance.

Rafael Betance says that water levels in the reservoir have fallen for the past eight years.

A 1944 agreement dictates the terms under which Mexico and the US share part of their water resources. Mexico is in arrears and has failed to keep up with its water deliveries for much of the 21st Century, fuelling a growing dispute over what is and should be owed.

Will Grant has light brown hair and is wearing an olive shirt.

Will Grant, Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent

On the shores of Lake Toronto, the reservoir behind Chihuahua's most important dam, a priest leads local farmers on horseback and their families in prayer, the stony ground beneath their feet once part of the lakebed before the waters receded to today's critically low levels.

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Little wonder the local community is beseeching the heavens for rain. Still, few expect any let up from the crippling drought and sweltering 42C (107.6F) heat. Adding to those concerns, a long-running dispute with Texas over the scarce resource is threatening to turn ugly.

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Mexican produce: The US has imposed a 17% tariff on most tomatoes imported from its southern neighbour.

A painting shows Queen Elizabeth I. She wears robes with large puffy gold sleeves, a lace ruff, lots of pearl necklaces and has her golden hair tied up. Behind her are two windows. Ships in the sea can be seen out of one

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