World News: Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. On Monday, Israel announced that it had targeted Syrian government troops near Sweida, as they moved into the largely Druze city to suppress severe sectarian conflicts that broke out on Sunday. Sweida has seen intense fighting for two days, when armed confrontations between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes took place, reportedly killing approximately 100 people as of Monday evening. Syrian security forces entered the city on Tuesday to enforce a ceasefire; however, their presence triggered armed resistance from local Druze fighters. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered strikes on forces and weapons in the Sweida area to defend the Druze, citing deep cultural ties and a Syrian violation of the demilitarization of the area. In the United Kingdom, it was revealed on Tuesday that nearly 19-thousand Afghans who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban seized power had their details leaked. According to reports, the UK Ministry of Defense data breach in February 2022 exposed details of some 18-thousand-700 Afghan individuals, some of whom aided British forces. Around 16-thousand Afghans had been relocated by May 2025, with an additional 4-thousand-500 in transit. The accidental leak was first reported in August 2023, resulting in a super-injunction that prohibited public disclosure. The breach included the names, contact information, and certain family details of individuals who might be in danger from the Taliban. The government also revealed a classified Afghanistan Response Route scheme, launched in April 2024, which was specifically designed to evacuate high-risk individuals. Defense Minister John Healey publicly apologized, acknowledging the breach as "one of the worst security risks" in recent UK history during a statement to Parliament. In the United States, severe storms led to record-breaking rain in the New York City metropolitan area on Monday, killing two people in New Jersey and prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. New Jersey saw more than 15 centimeters of rain in a matter of hours, and New York City saw its second-ever highest hourly rainfall in over 80 years. New York's aging sewer system was quickly overwhelmed, flooding subway stations across Manhattan and halting multiple train lines, while air travel experienced widespread delays. As of Tuesday morning, several major roads in New Jersey were closed due to flooding, and both New York City and New Jersey experienced subway delays. Finally, Italy unveiled the official medals for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday, during a ceremony in Venice. For the first time in Olympic history, both host cities, Milan and Cortina, are engraved on the medals, each made from two interlocking discs to symbolize unity and duality between Olympic and Paralympic values. A total of 245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be awarded during the Winter Games. A total of 137 sets will be awarded in the Paralympics for each of the three rankings. The medals are produced from recycled metals using renewable energy. The Games are scheduled to begin in February 2026. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.