Vandals sentenced to more than 4 years for felling England’s Sycamore Gap tree

LONDON (AP) — Two men who cut down England’s iconic Sycamore Gap tree have been sentenced to over four years in prison. The tree stood for nearly 150 years near Hadrian’s Wall before it was felled in September 2023. Prosecutors called it a “moronic mission.” The 39-year-old Daniel Graham and 32-year-old Adam Carruthers were convicted of criminal damage for destroying the tree and harming the ancient wall. The tree was famous for its scenic location and a cameo in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” It was a beloved landmark. Justice Christina Lambert handed down the sentences at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday.

Syria announces ceasefire after latest outbreak of deadly sectarian violence

BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria (AP) — Syria’s defense minister has announced a ceasefire after days of deadly sectarian violence in southern Sweida province. Government forces entered a key city in the province on Tuesday following clashes between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions that escalated when security forces intervened. The latest conflict to emerge under Syria’s new leaders began with kidnappings and attacks. Neighboring Israel launched strikes that it said were in defense of the Druze religious minority. A Britain-based observatory says 135 people have been killed over 48 hours, including two women and two children.

Ukrainians welcome US aid but see Trump’s 50-day ultimatum to Putin as too long

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainians welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge of more U.S.-made weapons in their three-year fight against Russia’s invasion, though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly. The time frame for the further arms deliveries, which European countries have agreed to pay for, is crucial. Russia is making a summer push to break through along the 620-mile front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his “willingness to support Ukraine.” In Kyiv, resident Nina Tokar, 70, said Tuesday that with more U.S. weapons going to Ukraine “maybe this will all end faster.”

Thousands of Afghans have been brought to Britain in secrecy after a data leak

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of Afghans, including many who worked with British forces, have been secretly resettled in the U.K. after a leak of data on their identities raised fears that the Taliban could target them. The British government disclosed the existence of the resettlement program on Tuesday. The government now plans to close the program. A dataset containing the personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied to come to Britain after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan was released in error in 2022, and extracts were later published online. That prompted the then-Conservative government to set up the secret program.