Syria forms justice body, holds Assad officials accountable

The Lebanese Cabinet, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, has authorized the army to develop a plan to consolidate weapons under state control by year-end, primarily targeting non-state groups like Hezbollah, as announced by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The Cabinet also agreed to continue discussions on a US arms control proposal at a government meeting set for August 7. Want More Context? 🔎

More than 90 people died when a migrant boat sank off Yemen's coast, primarily carrying Ethiopian migrants, with the confirmed death toll reaching 96 after bodies were recovered. Despite ongoing civil war, Yemen remains a significant transit point for irregular migration, with many migrants attempting to reach Gulf states for better opportunities. Want More Context? 🔎

Lebanon's cabinet has tasked the army with creating a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, following significant US pressure and a ceasefire aimed at ending recent hostilities. The decision has faced opposition from Hezbollah officials and comes amid ongoing Israeli attacks, with the group asserting it will not disarm without guarantees for its security and the reconstruction of war-affected areas. Want More Context? 🔎

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders for peace talks at the White House on Friday, potentially announcing a framework for a peace agreement. The two nations have been in conflict since the late 1980s over Nagorno-Karabakh, with recent tensions escalating after Azerbaijan retook control of the region in 2023, leading to a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians. Want More Context? 🔎

During his visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian aimed to enhance political and economic relations as part of a strategy to mitigate the impact of sanctions and the recent conflict with Israel. This engagement underscores Iran's efforts to strengthen regional alliances amidst challenging circumstances. Want More Context? 🔎

Russia has formally protested to Israel over an alleged attack on a Russian diplomatic vehicle near the settlement of Givat Assaf, with the Russian foreign ministry claiming that the vehicle was targeted by settlers while Israeli military personnel were present and did not intervene. The Russian embassy in Tel Aviv has submitted an official complaint to Israeli authorities regarding the incident. Want More Context? 🔎