Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election due to alleged Russian interference, causing political turmoil. The decision halted the second-round runoff between center-right Elena Lasconi and far-right Călin Georgescu, who unexpectedly led the first round. Current President Klaus Iohannis’s term is extended, and candidates must restart campaigns. The court’s move aims to protect democracy, but it leaves millions questioning the electoral process. No new election date is set, and the situation remains uncertain. Ava Sinclair 08/12/2024 5:30 am
Rebels have made significant advances in Syria, capturing major cities like Homs and parts of Damascus with little resistance. This rapid progress has left President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on the brink of collapse, controlling only three of 14 provincial capitals. Western officials suggest Assad could be ousted within days. The rebels’ capture of Assad’s palace in Aleppo and release of an embarrassing photo have further humiliated the dictator. As troops abandon positions, Assad’s rule appears increasingly fragile, with predictions of his downfall within a week. Ava Sinclair 08/12/2024 5:30 am
The IDF is aiding UN forces against an attack in Hader, Syria. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi assessed the situation, focusing on Iranian involvement and local elements. Reinforcements were sent to the Golan Heights after Syrian rebels gained ground. Halevi emphasized readiness for offensive and defensive actions while monitoring developments, but stressed Israel will not intervene in Syrian events. Penelope Kingsley 08/12/2024 2:00 am
During a Vatican ceremony on Dec. 7, Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals, two of whom chose to wear simple white habits instead of traditional scarlet vestments. The pope emphasized humility and warned against the allure of prestige and power. Notably, Pope Francis appeared with bruises from a fall on Dec. 6. He urged the new cardinals to be “witnesses of fraternity” and “builders of unity,” reflecting the Church’s diversity. Noah Prescott 08/12/2024 2:00 am
Syria’s opposition has rapidly advanced, an unintended result of conflicts in Beirut and Donetsk. This shift leaves key US allies facing a new Islamist-led force. Syria, long a regional linchpin, has seen US policy struggles since Iraq’s invasion. Assad’s regime, marked by brutal history, fell swiftly without Russian and Hezbollah support. Israel’s war on Hezbollah indirectly influenced Assad’s downfall, highlighting the intertwined nature of crisis and opportunity in the region. The situation remains fluid, with significant uncertainties and potential costs. Noah Prescott 08/12/2024 2:00 am
An explosion and fire in The Hague, Netherlands, killed three people and injured others, destroying several apartments. The cause is unclear, and authorities are investigating, including searching for a car seen leaving the scene. Mayor Jan van Zanen confirmed three bodies were recovered, and four people were hospitalized. Rescuers are now searching for bodies, given the slim survival chances. Residents reported hearing a loud bang and screams. A specialized search and rescue team was deployed, and local hospitals are on standby for more victims. Ava Sinclair 08/12/2024 2:00 am
Prince William will meet US President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden in Paris during the ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The prince, attending at the UK government’s request, will discuss the US-UK “special relationship” with Trump. He joins French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders to mark the restoration of the cathedral, which was severely damaged by fire in 2019. The reconstruction involved 2,000 workers and cost €700m. Tickets for the reopening Masses sold out quickly, with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich leading the service. Penelope Kingsley 08/12/2024 2:00 am
Residents are experiencing mixed emotions of anxiety, fear, and joy amid the rebel advances in Syria. As rebels approached cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, uncertainty grew. In Damascus, life continued with subtle changes: rising prices, currency devaluation, and increased military checkpoints. Conversations focused on the potential rebel advance towards Damascus and its implications, including possible negotiations with President Bashar al-Assad and the fate of those in government prisons. The situation’s outcome depended on the potential chaos and the nature of any new leadership. Ava Sinclair 07/12/2024 10:30 pm
Pope Francis installed 21 new cardinals, key to his reform agenda, in his 10th consistory, marking the largest addition of voting-age cardinals in his pontificate. With these appointments, Francis has created 110 of the 140 cardinals under 80, eligible to vote for his successor. Despite a bruise from a recent accident, Francis presided over the ceremony. The consistory exceeds the 120-cardinal limit, but 13 will turn 80 next year. Notably, Indonesian Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur declined the cardinalship to focus on his priestly life. Ava Sinclair 07/12/2024 10:30 pm
A massive explosion and fire in The Hague, Netherlands, killed at least three people and destroyed five houses. Firefighters and rescue teams, including those with dogs, searched the debris, but Mayor Jan van Zanen expressed little hope of finding more survivors. Authorities advised residents to keep windows closed due to heavy smoke. About 40 nearby residents were evacuated. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and King Willem-Alexander expressed shock and sympathy for the victims and emergency responders. The cause of the explosion remains unknown. Ava Sinclair 07/12/2024 10:30 pm
