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A new report by Senate Democrats warns that President Donald Trump’s foreign policy has weakened US global influence and allowed China to gain ground, according to Al Jazeera.

The report criticizes Trump’s retreat from international institutions, staff cuts at key agencies, and strained ties with allies—moves it says have opened space for China to expand its reach and reshape the global order.

Backed by a Pew survey, the report notes rising global approval of China, with more countries now viewing it as the world’s top economy, while confidence in Trump has dropped sharply among key US allies, Al Jazeera reported.

Israel launched airstrikes on Syria’s defence ministry in Damascus and military targets in the south on Wednesday, as sectarian violence in Suweida province left over 300 dead. The fighting, now in its fourth day, broke out between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes.

Isareli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the strikes aimed to protect the Druze community, while Syria condemned them as “treacherous aggression.” The clashes reportedly began after the abduction of a Druze merchant, according to BBC.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was "very worried" about the violence in the south but believed it would end within hours. "We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight," he wrote on X on Wednesday evening.

Syria's foreign ministry said the country "welcomes the efforts made by the US and Arabian sides" to "resolve the current crisis" peacefully.

Syrian troops have started withdrawing from Suweida under a local agreement. US expressed concern and said a ceasefire was close. Conditions in Suweida have worsened, with severe shortages of water and medical supplies, BBC reported.

Russia launched around 400 drones overnight, striking several Ukrainian regions in its largest assault this week. Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Zelensky’s hometown, faced its worst attack since the war began, leaving 15 injured and damaging infrastructure. Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, and Odesa were also hit, with widespread power outages and fires reported.

Ukraine says 345 drones were intercepted. Nationwide, three people were killed and 38 wounded in the past 24 hours, CNN reported.

Zelensky called for stronger air defenses, warning Russia’s strategy remains unchanged.

In response, US President Donald Trump pledged to send Patriot missile systems via NATO and threatened tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, according to CNN.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday condemned the United States’ new 17.09 percent tariff on Mexican tomatoes, calling it “unjust” and harmful to both Mexican producers and US consumers, Xinhua reported.

Speaking at her daily press briefing, Sheinbaum said Mexico would continue negotiations with Washington and work on domestic measures to support local growers. “Mexican tomatoes will still be exported because there is no substitute,” she stated.

Sheinbaum added that her government would soon announce new initiatives under its “Plan Mexico” to assist tomato producers and defend their interests in the US market, according to Xinhua.

The US Department of Commerce confirmed the tariff would take effect on July 14.