Syria's new prime minister, Mohammad al-Bashir, pledged to protect minority rights and urged refugees to return after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist-led alliance swiftly defeated Assad's forces, prompting celebrations and mixed reactions. The international community called for stability and a smooth transition as Syria enters a new era.
Related news
Snowy conditions led to numerous crashes in Virginia and North Carolina, including a fatal incident involving over 50 vehicles on I-40. Emergency services responded to nearly 1,200 collisions in North Carolina and 500 in Virginia. The severe weather caused power outages and flight cancellations, with forecasts predicting further snowfall.
Frenchman Dominique Pelicot, convicted in December for organizing the rape of his wife, Gisèle, is now being questioned over an attempted rape and a rape-murder case from the 1990s. Pelicot, 72, is under investigation for the 1991 murder of Sophie Narme and a 1999 attempted rape, with DNA evidence linking him to the latter. Pelicot denies involvement in the 1991 case but admitted the 1999 crime. Concerns have risen about other potential undetected crimes.
Musk posted on X, questioning Starmer’s accountability for the CPS’s inaction, and criticized Labour MP Jess Phillips for her reluctance to push for further investigation. "Who was the head of the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008–2013," Musk wrote. He implied that exposing these failings would reflect poorly on Starmer, now leader of the Labour Party as well the premier.
Polish anti-discrimination coach Lukasz Jakubowski reports a rise in racist attacks against Ukrainian refugees, including schoolchildren. Tensions have increased as the Polish government considers limiting child benefits for Ukrainian parents. This issue has also become a topic in the upcoming presidential election.
Recent years have seen notable US plane crashes, including a recent collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter over the Potomac River. Previous incidents include the 2009 Colgan Air crash in Buffalo, the 2001 American Airlines flight crash in New York, and other fatal crashes involving regional and small aircraft.
Taiwan has bolstered its defense with the arrival of 38 American M1A2T Abrams tanks, the first such delivery in over two decades. This shipment is part of a larger order, enhancing Taiwan's military capabilities amid escalating tensions with China.
Popular Twitch streamer Amouranth was violently attacked by armed intruders in Houston, who demanded cryptocurrency. During the home invasion, she tweeted for help instead of calling emergency services. The Houston Police are investigating, and security experts warn that crypto investors are increasingly targeted due to digital asset value surges.
Tencent has begun trialing its own AI reasoning model, "Hunyuan Thinker," alongside DeepSeek’s R1 chatbot in its Yuanbao chatbot, aiming for more human-like responses. The move intensifies China’s AI race, with companies like Baidu and BYD also integrating DeepSeek. While gaining traction, DeepSeek faces global scrutiny over data privacy, with South Korea joining several countries in restricting its use pending security reviews.
Canadian New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh has called for US President Donald Trump to be barred from Canada, citing his criminal conviction and threats to global stability. Singh criticized Trump's actions during his second presidency and urged Canada to use the G7 platform to counter Trump’s policies.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, inspired by Isis, drove a truck into a New Orleans crowd on New Year's Eve, killing 15 and injuring 35. Despite planning to harm his family, he targeted Bourbon Street after posting radical videos. He was killed on the scene, and the FBI found no accomplices.