Syrian state media say there have been clashes between the security forces and followers of former President Assad in the country's coastal region, after interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa claimed the area was under control. More than a thousand people are reported to have keen killed in several days of violence.

Also on the programme: the runners and riders in the race to become Canada's next prime minister; and the Belfast rap group celebrating the Irish language through music.

(Photo: Syrian Security Forces set up checkpoints following multiple violations in Latakia, Syria. Credit: MOHAMAD DABOUL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Over 500 people have been killed in violent clashes between gunmen loyal to ousted President Bashar al Assad and the authorities.

Also in the programme: the network outsmarting AI Chatbots to spread Russian propaganda; and we go to Greenland to judge the mood ahead of the upcoming elections at a time when US President Donald Trump has said he wants to take over the territory.

(Photo: Syrian army personnel travel in a military vehicle as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria. Credit: Hossano/Reuters)

The attacks came hours after the United States confirmed that it had limited Ukraine's access to commercial satellite imagery, on top of pausing military and intelligence aid.

Also on the programme: we'll have more on reports that the minority Alawite community has been targeted by government troops in Latakia, Syria; and did illegal drugs, taken by some at the Nova festival in Israel attacked by Hamas on October 7th, help them recover from the trauma?

(Picture: emergency services in Dobropillya, in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Credit: Donetsk Emergency Service)

A war monitoring group says the number of people summarily executed by Syrian security forces in former president Bashar al-Assad's Latakia stronghold has risen to 134. We speak to a Syrian Alawite in the area.

Also on the programme: President Trump seems to give his backing to an overnight Russian bombardment of Ukraine; a call to arms in Poland to counter the threat from Russia - military training for all adult men. We hear of the power of the micro-influencers and Lady Gaga on what she says is her angriest song ever.

Syrian security forces are reported to have carried out a mass execution of fifty-two people of the Alawite minority in the coastal province of Latakia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says activists have released footage showing dozens of bodies in civilian clothing piled in the yard of a house. The incident follows clashes in the province between government forces and supporters of the former president Bashar al-Assad, which left more than seventy people dead. We speak to a local resident in Latakia.

Also in the programme: Russia targets Ukraine's energy infrastructure in a missile and drone attack overnight; and Lady Gaga on her new album and the long, hard road to get there.

(Picture: Syrians demonstrate in support of the Syrian government, after attacks carried out by groups loyal to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad in the Latakia region on March 7, 2025. Credit: Mahmoud Hassano/REUTERS)

European leaders met today in Brussels as part of an emergency defence summit, as Ukraine continues its war against Russia. The Polish President had previously announced plans to spend more than 4.7% of its GDP on defence. Spain, however, recently defended its target of spending only 2% of its GDP on defence. We speak to a former Spanish foreign minister about why it spends so little on protection compared to other European states.

Also in the programme: US President Donald Trump pauses most of his administration’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada; and Denmark’s postal service says it will stop delivering letters by the end of the year.

(Photo: EU Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive for an European Special Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 6th March 2025. Credit: Christophe Petit-Tesson/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

European leaders are meeting in Brussels at what's being described as a turning point in history. They're discussing a large increase in defence spending following Washington's decision to suspend assistance to Ukraine. But can they agree?

Also in the programme: Turning the garbage can of our immune system into a powerful source of antibiotics; and the man with all the vibes - jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers - has died.

(Photo: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speak to the media as they attend a European Union leaders special summit to discuss Ukraine and European defence, in Brussels, Belgium March 6, 2025. Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq)

Mr Trump questioned President Zelensky's commitment to peace following the spat at the White House on Friday.

Also on the programme: scientists in Britain say they have discovered how the drug aspirin may help stop some cancers from spreading; and Lebron James becomes the first ever basketball player to score more the 50,000 points in his career.

(Picture: President Trump addresses the US Congress Credit: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress six weeks after beginning his second term in office. In addition to listing his achievements while in office, he made a teenager a US Secret Service agent and reaffirmed his desire for Greenland to become part of the US.

Also on the programme, Arab leaders have agreed on a post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza that would allow around two million Palestinians to remain in the territory during a rebuild; and a chance to look at religious paintings from early 14 Century Siena.

(Photo: US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson during a joint session of Congress, in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, 4 March, 2025. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

President Zelensky of Ukraine says he wants to work for peace under what he calls President Trump's 'strong leadership', after the US paused military aid to Ukraine. A Democratic congressman insists there's still support for Ukraine in Washington.

Also in the programme: Canada’s prime minister hits back at the US imposition of tariffs; and Arab leaders adopt a new plan for rebuilding Gaza.