Bashar al-Assad, maintaining strict secrecy, misled aides and officials about his plans to flee Syria as his regime crumbled. He falsely assured military leaders of Russian support while orchestrating a covert departure for Moscow with his family. Left behind were his brother and cousins, who faced uncertain fates. Assad's pleas for military aid from both Russia and Iran were ultimately rejected.
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​Blaming his university, Khalil said Columbia targeted him for his activism. "Columbia surrendered to federal pressure by disclosing student records to Congress and yielding to the Trump administration's latest threats," he said. Khalil was arrested on March 8 on allegations of supporting Hamas. His wife Noor Abdalla, a dentist, is eight months pregnant.
Austrian People's Party appoints Christian Stocker as interim leader after Chancellor Karl Nehammer announces resignation following collapsed coalition talks with Social Democrats. Nehammer aims for stability as he steps down after two years in office. President Alexander Van der Bellen will announce next steps. Nehammer previously gained attention by meeting Putin post-Ukraine invasion.
Kamala Harris recently hinted that she would announce her future political endeavor by the end of summer but Democrat leaders vying to contest in the gubernatorial race don't want to be kept in the dark any more. Former state (California) controller Betty Yee told Politico that voters deserve real conversation, not these last-minute musical chairs.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the 150-year-old Resolute Desk to be removed from the Oval Office for refurbishment, following an incident where Elon Musk's son, X Æ A-Xii, reportedly wiped a booger on it during a White House visit. The desk will be temporarily replaced by the C&O Desk, used previously by George H W Bush.
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A rapidly spreading wildfire near Malibu, California, has scorched nearly 4,000 acres, destroying structures and forcing evacuations. Driven by strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, the Franklin Fire has prompted widespread power outages as a safety measure. Over 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, with no reported casualties yet.
Joshua Riibe, a college senior, has returned home after being questioned in the Dominican Republic about the disappearance of University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, who is believed to have drowned. Authorities cleared Riibe of any wrongdoing, and Konanki's parents have accepted her tragic fate.