The Syrian military said Israel fired missiles toward the Damascus International Airport, killing two soldiers and putting it out of service for a few hours. Tel Aviv has not yet commented on the incident.

Syrian human rights activist Joumana Seif has dedicated her life to gender equality and the recognition of sexual violence as a crime against humanity. For this, she will receive the Anne Klein Women's Award 2023.

Aid groups are warning of a dire situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban's banning of female NGO workers. Many major international aid groups have suspended their operations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). We spoke to the NRC's Afghanistan director, Neil Turner, who said that organisations like his need female employees in order to access the women they serve.

NATO chief: Turkey should allow in Sweden, Finland

The mechanism will remain in place until July 10 after a unanimous vote at the Security Council. While some nations felt this period too short, Russia had previously abstained on or vetoed such aid deliveries.

Sebnem Korur Fincanci was handed a nearly three-year jail sentence, but was released as she challenges the verdict. Human rights organizations say the trial is an attempt by the government to quell dissent.

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred during a Kurdish demo in Stockholm. Sweden said the act was an attempt to sabotage its bid to join NATO.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed Sweden and Finland to seek to join NATO. All but two of the military alliance's 30 members have ratified the accession. European officials seem confident Hungary will eventually agree, leaving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the chief obstacle.

Ankara wants Washington to expedite the sale of F-16 jets despite opposition from US lawmakers who are unhappy with Turkey's NATO hurdles and regional aggression.

The Turkish president has indicated that a pivotal election could take place in May rather than June. Polls show a tight race in what could be a major test of Erdogan's rule.

Turkey said the move was in response to Sweden's decision to allow a far-right protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Sweden needs Turkey's approval to join the NATO military alliance.

Captagon is a synthetic drug that has turned Syria into a narco-state. The illicit industry behind this amphetamine is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, with over 400 million tablets seized in the Middle East in 2021.