Israel has occupied at least 10 locations in the Golan Heights buffer zone since Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s fall. The U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) calls this a ceasefire violation. The zone, meant to separate Israeli and Syrian forces, spans 75 kilometers and includes 11 Syrian towns. The U.S. recently changed its language regarding Israeli actions in the area. Noah Prescott 19/12/2024 7:30 am
Intense Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s rebel-held capital and port city, killing at least nine, after a Houthi missile targeted Israel. The strikes risk escalating conflict with the Iranian-backed Houthis, impacting global shipping. Targets included power stations and the Ras Isa oil terminal. Israel claims the sites were used for military purposes, including smuggling Iranian weapons. The strikes followed Israel intercepting a missile from Yemen. Rebel-held Hodeida is crucial for food shipments and suspected arms transfers from Iran. Noah Prescott 19/12/2024 7:30 am
The United Front Work Department (UFWD) is a Chinese Communist Party arm, described by leaders like Mao Zedong and Xi Jinping as a “magic weapon.” It has raised Western concerns akin to China’s military expansion. Recently, businessman Yang Tengbo faced scrutiny for UFWD links. The department, known for foreign interference allegations, aims to build broad coalitions, including targeting overseas Chinese. Despite its public presence, the UFWD’s full scope remains unclear. Beijing denies espionage claims, calling them baseless. Noah Prescott 19/12/2024 4:00 am
Following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, large-scale Captagon manufacturing facilities were discovered across Syria, fueling a $10 billion global trade. Key production sites included the Mazzeh air base in Damascus and a former snack chip factory in Douma. The civil war fragmented Syria, enabling militias, warlords, and the Assad regime to transform Captagon production into a billion-dollar industry. Assad’s ousting disrupted these networks, offering a chance to dismantle the Captagon trade and revealing the war economy that sustained his regime. Noah Prescott 19/12/2024 4:00 am
The U.S. expressed concern at the UN Security Council over Russia’s potential acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear program, as Moscow and Pyongyang strengthen ties. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov dismissed denuclearization, aligning with North Korea’s defense strategy. U.S. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield warned of Russia’s reluctance to criticize or sanction North Korea. South Korea and Britain criticized Lavrov’s stance, with Britain’s Deputy UN Ambassador calling it a reckless move away from disarmament principles. Russia’s UN Ambassador Nebenzia did not address North Korea’s nuclear issue. Noah Prescott 19/12/2024 4:00 am
Cyclone Chido has left tens of thousands in Mayotte without water, with 22 reported dead and fears the toll could rise. Clean water shortages and rationing are causing concern over disease spread. A curfew is in place to prevent looting, and authorities are working to restore water and power. Aid, including 120 tonnes of food, is arriving, and President Macron will visit. Half the territory remains without power, and efforts are focused on repairing water plants. Ava Sinclair 19/12/2024 12:30 am
UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized the importance of Syria’s new leadership, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in respecting the rights of all religious and ethnic groups. Despite HTS’s past as a jihadist group, its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa claims a shift towards religious nationalism and tolerance. Pedersen urged all parties to foster stability, acknowledging both hope and skepticism among Syrians regarding HTS’s promises. HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by several international entities. Noah Prescott 18/12/2024 9:00 pm
Archaeologists discovered a silver amulet in Frankfurt, Germany, inscribed with a Latin statement of faith in Jesus Christ, dating between 230 and 270 AD. This “Frankfurt Silver Inscription” is the earliest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, predating other finds by several decades. The amulet’s exclusive Christian content is unusual for the time, as similar artifacts typically mixed various faiths. The invocation “Holy, holy, holy!” was previously thought to date no earlier than the 4th century, suggesting a significant revision of early Christian history in the region. Penelope Kingsley 18/12/2024 9:00 pm
North Korea’s 11th Army Corps suffered around 200 casualties in assaults on Ukrainian positions in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian forces, using drones with festive decorations, inflicted some of these losses. Videos of these strikes by Ukraine’s 8th Special Purpose Regiment surfaced online. Despite a manpower disadvantage, Ukraine’s defensive position offers resilience against the 60,000-strong Russian-North Korean force. The attackers’ tactics, including exposed infantry movements, made them vulnerable to Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes, potentially eroding their slight advantage. Penelope Kingsley 18/12/2024 9:00 pm
European nations are discussing deploying troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire or peace deal occurs, as U.S. President-elect Trump has ruled out American involvement. Led by French President Macron, talks are in early stages and reveal divisions over the mission’s aims. European leaders aim to avoid signaling readiness for negotiations with Russia, focusing instead on military and economic aid for Ukraine. Some officials consider a European force for security guarantees, risking confrontation with Russia and straining European militaries. Trump emphasized Europeans must handle this role independently. Noah Prescott 18/12/2024 9:00 pm
