Security forces and allies have killed over 300 Alawite civilians amidst clashes with pro-Assad militants, reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The recent violence has led to a total casualty count of 524, including government security personnel and fighters.
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The dismantling of the Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC, has commenced. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, under pressure from Congressional Republicans, announced the reconstruction effort. The plaza, a significant symbol of racial justice activism, is set to evolve into something new after serving as a focal point for protests and memorials for over four years.
The civil aviation authority of Nepal (CAAN) challenged a notice by Sagarmatha National Park restricting commercial helicopters. CAAN asserted its sole authority over flight operations, directing helicopter companies to continue as usual. Tourism stakeholders emphasized the negative impact of flight cancellations on pre-booked tours and Nepal's tourism credibility.
Hamas has agreed to release an American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four others only if Israel adheres to the existing ceasefire agreement in Gaza. They demand immediate talks on the ceasefire's second phase, an end to humanitarian aid blockades, withdrawal from Gaza’s border with Egypt, and the release of more Palestinian prisoners.
A terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, involving a truck driven by Shamsud Din Jabber killed 15 people during New Year’s celebrations. Among the victims were high school graduates, a Princeton football star, a young mother, and a father of two. The suspect was killed in a gunfight, leaving two officers wounded.
As Elon Musk said H-1B is the reason why he and many other people, crucial for Tesla, X -- the two companies he owns -- and many other US companies, could be in the country. But social media users fact-checked and said Elon Musk never came to the US on an H-1B visa as this is for foreign employees and Elon Musk came to the US as a student on a student visa.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed he writes his own social media posts, taking responsibility for both good and mean posts. On Thursday, JD wrote a long post on X defending President Donald Trump's stand on the Russia-Ukraine war and how a quote from a book about George HW Bush from a different historical period does not apply to the present scenarios.
Donald Trump and Barack Obama were seen chatting at Jimmy Carter's funeral, sparking much speculation. Trump shared a made-up lip-reading interpretation as it must have entertained him the most. In this version, Obama called Kamala Harris horrendous and said that he knew Trump would win. Obama also said that Kamala Harris did not even look at him at Jimmy Carter's funeral.
Mussayev is not the first former KGB officer to make such a claim. Years ago, Yuri Shvets, a former KGB major now living in Washington, D.C., was a key source for Craig Unger’s book American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery. Shortly after Mussayev’s recent statement, another ex-KGB officer, Sergei Zhyrnov, who now resides in France, endorsed the claim in an interview with a Ukrainian journalist.
In a significant departure, members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews have openly criticized the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. Thirty-six members expressed their concern over the loss of life and accused the government of encouraging violence against Palestinians. They mourned the Palestinian lives lost since the collapse of the truce on March 18.
MSNBC has canceled Joy Reid's 7 pm show, The ReidOut, as part of a programming overhaul led by new president Rebecca Kutler. Reid, known for her strong criticism of Trump, faced declining ratings and past controversies. Her slot will be filled by a new panel show. Further changes under Kutler include Alex Wagner's 9 pm show being axed.