US special forces helped prepare Syrian rebels before the coup that toppled Assad's regime, according to a commander of the Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA). The rebels were warned of an imminent attack and advised to be ready. American officers brought the brigade and other units under RCA command and coordinated communication between the RCA and fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Syria's interim leader Mohammed al-Jolani.

US, European, and Chinese firms display their products at an arms fair in Hanoi as Vietnam aims to reduce its reliance on Russian arms.

China's oil consumption is set to peak by 2027, as diesel and gasoline demand weaken, according to state refining giant Sinopec.

Iconic Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig has died at the age of 79. Leunig's death was announced on Instagram, accompanied by one of his works. Tributes flooded in following the announcement.

Saudi Arabia is considering a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, and Juan Antonio Samaranch, the favorite to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee, supports the idea of taking the Games to the Middle East.

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges EU-US unity to 'save' Ukraine and stop Putin. EU leaders discuss strengthening Kyiv's position and the EU's own position for Trump's second term. Talks also address the collapse of Assad's rule in Syria and the EU's stance on embracing the new authorities.

Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen's rebel-held capital and a port city, killing at least nine people, after a Houthi missile targeted central Israel.

Israeli air strikes hit Yemen's rebel-held capital and port city, killing at least nine people and risking further escalation of conflict with the Houthis.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are seeking revenge on former allies they believe have wronged them, including former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

A group of Druze sisters in the Golan Heights have been reunited with their sister in Syria after 22 years, following the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

Vietnam aims to expand defense cooperation while the US offers collaboration opportunities at an international arms fair.

Minnie Driver jokes about plastic surgery in an Instagram video and reflects on Hollywood's changing opportunities for women in middle age. She also discusses her upcoming projects.

Airstrikes hit Yemen's rebel-held capital and port city after Houthi missile targets central Israel. Israel is suspected to be behind the strikes, which targeted power stations and an oil terminal. The conflict in Yemen has caused a humanitarian crisis and a stalemate between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition.

Jane Green shares her experience of spending Christmas alone in Marrakech after leaving her marriage and reflects on the joy and loneliness of the holiday season.

Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, was sent on a secret mission to the US to charm Donald Trump, according to a No10 insider.

Syria's new de-facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, calls for the lifting of sanctions and the de-listing of his rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a terrorist organization. He emphasizes education for women and aims to bring different religious groups together.

Celebrities like Blake Lively, Victoria Beckham, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Bob Dylan, Vanilla Ice, Biggie Smalls, Rick Ross, and Kid Rock have been accused of whitewashing their backgrounds to appear more working class or gritty.

Two teenage girls 'motivated by hate' have been given youth rehabilitation orders after carrying out anti-Semitic attacks in Stamford Hill.

China's CATL plans to invest in expanding electric vehicle battery swapping stations in the country next year, as battery swapping gains traction in the high EV adoption market.

A Montreal synagogue and a nearby Jewish office building were targeted in arson attacks, the second time the synagogue has been hit in little over a year.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes that negotiations with Iran to prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon are possible after recent regional developments. The Biden administration is engaging in talks to restore the nuclear deal.

Efforts to strike a Gaza truce and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas have raised hope of an agreement. Recent negotiations in Qatar, mediated by Egypt and the United States, have been influenced by US President-elect Donald Trump's declaration that a deal should be struck before his return to office.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to US president-elect Donald Trump and emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The conversation also covered the need for collaboration in resolving conflicts in the Middle East.

The oldest known tablet bearing the 10 Commandments sold for almost £4m at an auction, exceeding the presale estimate and becoming a rare testament to history.

The brother of an Israeli hostage criticizes the UN Security Council for inaction and urges action against terror. Israel's UN envoy hopes for news on a deal to halt the war in Gaza.

Trump Heights, a settlement in the Israeli-annexed Golan, is set to double its population within the next year and expects 99 families to move into new homes within three years.

The British government plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite the new leader of Mauritius backing away from the deal.

A 1,500-year-old stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments is set to be auctioned in New York City and could fetch up to $2 million.

Families of hostages in Gaza endure uncertainty and fight for their loved ones' freedom as negotiations progress toward a deal to release them.

The Associated Press showcases a gallery of photographs capturing moments of faith and spirituality from around the world, highlighting the diversity of religious practices and beliefs.

China approves Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's treatment; Merck signs $2 billion deal with Hansoh for obesity drug; HIV prevention drug could reach poorest countries by 2025; Congo identifies unknown disease as severe malaria; Merck discontinues development of 2 cancer drugs; EU to review Novo Nordisk's Ozempic for eye disease connection; FDA warns online vendors selling unapproved weight-loss drugs; Teva and Sanofi's bowel disease drug meets primary targets; Nestle launches protein shots for weight-loss drug users; Pfizer does not expect major vaccine policy changes under Trump in 2025.

Israeli military orders evacuation in Gaza ahead of offensive as ceasefire talks resume.

The UAE has the world's most powerful passport for the fourth year in a row, according to the Global Passport Power Index 2024. Spain has overtaken Germany to become the second most powerful passport, while the UK and the US have both dropped in the rankings.

US, Egypt, and Qatar are pushing for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas as Israeli airstrikes kill at least 20 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Netflix has a secret menu with hidden titles that can be accessed using genre codes. Categories include 'High Brow Horror' and 'Irreverent TV Comedies.' The streaming service introduced these categories to help users find the right content in the moment.

The Iranian rial has hit a record low, falling over 10% since Trump's election victory. The currency's decline is worsened by an energy crisis and underinvestment in the energy sector.

Japan's draft proposal for a carbon emission reduction target has faced criticism for not going far enough in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate activists argue that the proposed 60% cut by 2035 falls short of the target set by the United Nations' main scientific body to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Israeli demolitions in the Palestinian area of Jerusalem have caused widespread destruction and displacement, with over 100 residential properties marked for demolition by the Jerusalem municipality. Palestinians face a housing crisis and are unable to obtain construction permits. Israeli rights group Ir Amim accuses Israeli authorities of abusing the designation of areas in east Jerusalem as national parks or open spaces to suppress Palestinian development and seize their lands for Israeli interests. The demolitions have surged to unprecedented levels during the Gaza war, leaving many Palestinians homeless and without access to community centers and services.

The town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights is home to the Druze, a religious minority spread across Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the Golan Heights. With the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad and the presence of Syrian militant groups and Israeli troops across the border, the residents of Majdal Shams face uncertainty and insecurity.

Armenian Christians in Jerusalem's Old City are facing threats to their community and land, as well as increasing hostility from radical Jewish settlers.

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that Israeli troops will remain in Syrian territory indefinitely, blurring the border with its northern neighbor.

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday as they worked to bring him to a New York court from a Pennsylvania jail.

Asia's fuel oil premiums and refining margins will be capped by ample supply in early 2025, but cleaner shipping fuel mandates in Europe and potential changes in Russian and Iranian oil flows under the incoming Trump administration could jolt markets.

Vietnam seeks to boost its domestic defense industry and possibly export military equipment by showcasing locally made weapons at an international arms fair in Hanoi.

Vietnam is hosting an international arms fair to showcase locally made weapons and boost its domestic defence industry as it seeks to become an exporter of military equipment.

President Joe Biden's presidency is facing low approval ratings and a declining stock market, reminiscent of the Jimmy Carter administration.

New protest laws in Victoria will ban face masks, protests outside places of worship, and display of flags from banned terrorist groups.

Leeds United are weighing up a move for Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Dor Turgeman as they seek to strengthen their forward line for their promotion push in the Championship.

Palestinian families sue the U.S. State Department over its support for Israel's military amid the war in Gaza, alleging that human rights laws have been circumvented.

Syria's Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham plans to dissolve its armed wing and integrate into the armed forces. The group rejects federalism and calls for a solution to Israeli strikes and incursions. They also urge Western governments to lift the terrorist designation from the group and its leader.

Pop star Pharrell Williams has been appointed as UNESCO's goodwill ambassador for artistic education and entrepreneurship. The role involves promoting initiatives such as protecting Indigenous cultures and advancing education and healthcare for women.

A lawsuit accuses the State Department of creating loopholes for Israel to avoid U.S. law restricting aid to foreign militaries over human rights abuses.

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering Democratic Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Moskowitz has been praised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida hurricane response.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the buffer zone inside Syria, marking the first time a sitting Israeli leader has entered Syrian territory.

German officials meet with HTS leaders in Syria to discuss political transition and human rights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security briefing atop Mount Hermon in the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights that Israel seized this month.

Luxury real estate moguls charged with serial rape partied with the Trump family during the president-elect's first term in office.

Donald Trump refuses to answer question about preemptive strike on Iran and warns Hamas about U.S. hostages. He criticizes Biden administration for allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia.

Palestinian security forces have launched a rare crackdown on local militant groups in the northern West Bank, resulting in fierce gunbattles and at least two deaths. The raid marks an unusual step for the Palestinian Authority, which has largely lost control of militant strongholds in the area.

The Irish government has been accused by Israel's foreign minister for 'antisemitic rhetoric' and 'double standards'. Gideon Saar confirmed he ordered the closure of Israel's Embassy in Dublin.

Former All Blacks fly-half Andrew Mehrtens is part of a consortium looking to acquire multiple rugby clubs across the world, potentially creating a shared ownership model similar to the City Football Group.

A collection of photos by AP photojournalists captures moments of joy and wonder amidst the heartache and cataclysm of 2024, reminding us that happiness is still possible even in dark times.

Gold prices firm ahead of Federal Reserve meeting, while gold discounts widen in India and China's stimulus measures disappoint.

The potential elimination of the de minimis rule in the US threatens Chinese e-commerce exporters, particularly in the lingerie industry. Factory owners are considering alternative strategies to offset potential losses.

Children were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza, as the death toll rises to 45,000.

Prince Andrew is rumored to be considering fleeing to the Gulf in an attempt to find sanctuary and regain legitimacy following the recent scandal surrounding his association with an alleged Chinese spy.

The California DMV has apologized for allowing a license plate mocking the October 7 attacks on Israel. The plate, which read 'LOLOCT7,' was seen on a Tesla Cybertruck in Los Angeles and has been recalled.

A council in Epping has objected to the placement of a menorah in the town centre for Hanukkah, citing concerns about disruption and insensitivity to other religious groups.

The debate over cousin marriages resurfaces in the UK as politicians call for a ban due to concerns about birth defects and the control of women. However, others argue that outlawing such unions would not be effective or enforceable and that they help build family bonds and financial security. The author opposes cousin marriages and highlights the health risks and negative impact on women. They suggest making cousin marriages a criminal offense to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce congenital defects.

The British Medical Association is investigating its own president over complaints she reposted anti-Semitic messages from social media accounts.

The US held talks with Syrian rebels and emphasized that the new government must destroy chemical weapons. Israeli air strikes continue, and the head of Hezbollah warned against normalizing relations with Israel.

Lindsay Lohan shares rare loved-up snaps with husband Bader Shammas during a lunch date. The couple has been together since February 2020 and got married in 2022. They have a son named Luai.

Wes Streeting's energetic networking and high public profile have led some to believe that he is positioning himself for a future leadership role within the Labour Party as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's popularity declines.

Lance Forman, owner of H Forman and Son, a family salmon smoking business in London, has expressed concerns that Labour's proposed changes to business relief could sink family firms like his.

Visitors are flocking to the former rebel stronghold in northwest Syria to enjoy a shopping spree in the newly opened shopping malls and stores.

Russia has started dismantling its military outposts in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, raising uncertainty about its future in the region.

A man has been charged for allegedly waving the flag of terrorist group Hezbollah at a protest in Melbourne. The alleged offence carries a maximum sentence of 12 months behind bars.

UN talks in Saudi Arabia fail to reach agreement on dealing with global droughts exacerbated by climate change.

A rabbi in Melbourne narrowly avoids injury after a flaming projectile is thrown at him and his baby from a moving car. Two men have been arrested.

Vintage furniture, gold and silver jewellery, and celebrity memorabilia are among the 'passion assets' that could grow in value in 2025 and offer attractive returns for future sellers.

Detroit-area Syrian Americans are celebrating the overthrow of the Syrian government and expressing hope for a safe return to their home country.

Hezbollah, already weakened by war with Israel, is further diminished by the toppling of Assad in Syria, cutting off a vital weapons-smuggling route and leaving the group vulnerable.

An independent rescue group is working to extract journalist Austin Tice and other Americans still in Syria following the downfall of the Assad regime.

Israeli air strike kills 25 Palestinians in Gaza, injuring many more. US national security adviser expresses hope for ceasefire deal. Hospitals report receiving bodies and treating injured individuals.

Donald Trump's aides intervened to prevent him from backing a 16-week federal abortion ban earlier this year, citing potential political liabilities.

Rebel fighters in Syria have discovered a drug factory linked to Maher al-Assad, exposing the extent of the captagon trade in the country. The illegal drug has been a major source of revenue for the Assad government throughout the civil war.

The US is working to bring home an American citizen found in Syria, identified as Travis Timmerman, after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Efforts to locate another American citizen, Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria over a decade ago, are also ongoing.

Lebanon reports one death in Israeli strike on border town of Khiam, following Israel's withdrawal and deployment of Lebanon's army under a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.

A close friend reveals the final location of American traveler Travis Timmerman before he was found in Syria. Timmerman had been on a Christian pilgrimage when he was seized by Bashar al-Assad's forces. He was released when rebels overthrew Assad's regime.

A selection of political memoirs and biographies are recommended for readers interested in understanding the drama of the past five years in British politics.

Paraguay reopens its embassy in Jerusalem, recognizing the city as Israel's capital, in a diplomatic victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli air strikes kill 28 in Gaza, including seven children, despite UN resolution for ceasefire. Strike in Lebanon violates ceasefire agreement.

Scientists have discovered ancient stone tools in Spain that predate the split between modern humans and Neanderthals, indicating a major technological breakthrough 900,000 years ago.

Residents of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights express their desire for peace with Israel and a return to Syrian control following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Archaeologists have found a 500-year-old porcelain shard with a Chinese inscription on the Biblical Mount Zion, revealing a previously unknown connection between the Ottoman Empire, the Holy Land of Israel, and Imperial China.

The mysterious swarms of drones in New Jersey have sparked calls for a 'state of emergency' until answers are given about the thousands of bizarre sightings.