As Syria rebuilds after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, survivors and families of the disappeared confront the horrors of his regime’s torture network. Former detainees recount harrowing stories of abuse, while mass graves and classified documents are unearthed, pointing to systematic repression. The pursuit of accountability has begun, but the scars left by years of brutality run deep.
Related news
President Trump dismissed at least twelve federal agencies' inspectors general, tasked with identifying and preventing government fraud and abuse, shortly after beginning his second term. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the move, saying it dismantles checks on Trump's power and encourages corruption.
A 17-year-old girl was killed by a shark while swimming off Queensland’s Bribie Island, marking Australia's third fatal shark attack in five weeks. Previous attacks include a surfer in South Australia and a pastor in Queensland. The number of shark sightings in the area is common, according to local residents.
Elon Musk faced backlash after a gesture during a Capitol One Arena speech was misinterpreted as a Nazi salute, sparking debate on social media. Critics accused him of promoting far-right ideologies, while supporters and conservative voices dismissed the allegations. Musk and others compared the gesture to those made by prominent Democratic leaders, criticizing the legacy media.
A norovirus outbreak impacted over 230 passengers and crew on the Queen Mary 2 luxury cruise from England to the Caribbean. The ship swiftly implemented isolation and sanitation measures, resulting in a reduction of reported cases. Norovirus, common in enclosed spaces, causes gastrointestinal issues but typically resolves within days.
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, jailed since his abduction from Kenya in November, is reportedly unwell and in need of urgent medical care, according to his lawyer. Besigye faces military charges, including treachery, despite a supreme court ruling against civilian court-martials. His detention has sparked outrage among supporters and rights groups. The case is closely watched amid political uncertainty ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections, with President Museveni's future unclear.
A 23-year-old Syrian man attacked five people with a knife in Villach, Austria, killing a 14-year-old and injuring four others. A 42-year-old delivery worker intervened and helped contain the situation. The police apprehended the assailant at the scene and are investigating whether he acted alone or had accomplices.
Following a drone attack on Kazan, Russia, President Putin threatened Ukraine with further destruction, vowing retaliation. He asserted that those responsible would "regret" their actions. While Ukraine remained silent on the attack, Putin also expressed Russia's willingness to mend ties with the US and other Western nations, provided Russian interests are not compromised.
Elon Musk, leveraging his social media platform X, launched a campaign against a bipartisan spending deal, influencing some Republicans to oppose it. This unprecedented political move drew criticism and raised concerns about the billionaire's influence on government decisions, even prompting some to suggest him as a potential Speaker of the House.
A Russian vessel, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean after an explosion, leaving two crew members missing. The ship was operated by Oboronlogistika, a Russian Defence Ministry-affiliated organisation. Ukrainian intelligence suggests it was transporting weapons, although the company claims it carried port cranes and icebreaker parts.
Joshua Riibe, previously a person of interest in the missing case of University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, has returned to the U.S. after being detained in the Dominican Republic. Despite suspicions, authorities found no evidence to formally charge him, and after resolving legal hurdles, he and his father flew back home.