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The EU has approved a new round of sanctions against Russia, described as one of its toughest yet, according to foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

The package includes a lower price cap on Russian oil exports—cut from $60 to $47.60 per barrel—and measures to permanently block the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines. It also targets a Russian-owned refinery in India and blacklists over 100 vessels linked to sanction evasion, according to Xinhua.

Slovakia, which had delayed the deal over energy concerns, backed the move after receiving assurances from the European Commission.

Israel has urged the UN Human Rights Council to dismantle a commission probing alleged rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, calling it biased and discriminatory.

In a letter, Israeli envoy Daniel Meron accused the commission of one-sided reporting, particularly over its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attacks. He said the body reflects institutional prejudice against Israel, according to Reuters.

The commission, created in 2021, has authority to gather evidence for international legal proceedings. A Council spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter but noted that only its 47 member states can dissolve the commission.

Israel left the Council in February, Reuters reported.

At least 594 people have been killed in violent clashes between Druze and Bedouin communities in Syria’s Suweida province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The fighting, which turned sectarian, included alleged executions and heavy civilian casualties, according to BBC.

Among the dead are 300 Druze, including civilians and fighters, and over 250 government personnel. Israeli airstrikes, reportedly aimed at protecting the Druze, also killed several government troops and struck key sites in Damascus.

The Syrian government declared a ceasefire and withdrew forces, but Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri rejected it, vowing continued resistance. Israel has pledged to prevent further Syrian military presence in the south.

Syria’s interim president condemned the Israeli strikes, warning of attempts to destabilize the country, and pledged to safeguard the rights of all communities, BBC reported.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a rare appearance at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, calling it “an act of friendship.” He accused the judge of bias and compared Netanyahu’s legal troubles to those of President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu is on trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as Israel continues to fight in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Trump had earlier called for the trial to be cancelled, calling it a “witch hunt” and demanding a pardon for the Israeli leader. Huckabee echoed Trump’s stance, defending the move as support, not interference, according to Firstpost.