Indian workers slowly replacing Palestinians in Israeli construction industry

TEL AVIV, Dec 31: Wearing a safety belt, helmet and work boots, Raju Nishad navigates the scaffolding, hammering blocks that will form part of a building in a new neighborhood in central Israel’s town of Beer Yaakov.

While he and other Indians working alongside him do not look out of place on the expansive construction site, they are relative newcomers to Israel’s building industry.

They are part of an Israeli government effort to fill a void left by tens of thousands of Palestinian construction workers barred from entering Israel since Hamas’s unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack.

If that attack had not happened, this site, with its slowly emerging high-rise towers, homes, roads and pavements, would have teemed with laborer’s speaking Arabic — unlike the Hindi, Hebrew and even Mandarin of today.

The Hamas attack, which saw terrorists kill some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in southern Israel and take 251 hostages, triggered the deadliest war yet between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.

It later spread to include other Iran-backed groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen, and even direct confrontation with the Islamic Republic itself.

Buildings Hit by 9/11-Style Drone Attack In Russia

MOSCOW, Dec 21: Ukrainian drones hit high-rise buildings in Russia today, presenting a chilling resemblance to the 9/11 attack in the US when planes rammed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001.

In unverified videos shared on X, aerial objects were seen flying into two skyscrapers in Kazan, a city some 500 miles (800 km) east of Moscow. The strikes on the high-rises - believed to be residential complexes - set off massive balls of fire that left a plume of black smoke.

As per reports, all the residents of the building were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported.

An alert was sounded and the city's airport temporarily halted flight arrivals and departures after the attack, according to Russian media. Kazan, the capital of the Tatarstan republic, has a population of more than 1.3 million.

"Today Kazan suffered a massive drone attack. While before industrial enterprises were attacked, now the enemy attacks civilians in the morning," Rustam Minnikhanov, the Tartarstan republic leader, said in a post on Telegram.

Ukraine has yet to comment on the strikes.

The city had been attacked by three waves of drones between 7.40 am and 9.20 am (0440 and 0620 GMT), Russia's Defence Ministry said. It said six drones had been neutralised or destroyed but did not say how many had been involved.

Authorities said that all major public events in Tartarstan had been cancelled as a precaution.

Russia's aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said said it was also introducing temporary restrictions at two other airports, in Izhevsk, a smaller city northeast of Kazan, and in Saratov, which lies some 400 miles (650 km) south of Kazan. The restrictions at Saratov were later lifted.

A similar incident was reported from Russia's Saratov in August this year when a drone was seen striking a residential building. Four people were injured in the attack.

The deadly 9/11 attacks saw nearly 3,000 people killed after hijacked planes rammed into the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, with another crashing in a Pennsylvania field.

Saturday's strikes by Ukraine comes weeks after Russia said there were no grounds yet for negotiations on how to bring the war to an end.

Israel launches deadly air raids against Yemen after missile attack

TEL AVIV, Dec 19: Israeli jets have launched widespread air raids against Houthi targets in Yemen, killing at least nine people in the port city of Hodeidah.

According to Israeli media, dozens of combat jets along with fuelling and intelligence aircraft took part in the raids, which came after reports that Israel was planning to hit Yemen with force following a recent increase in Houthi attacks against Israel, including two in the past week.

The raids were launched after an overnight missile launch from Yemen towards Israel. The Israeli military said it was investigating whether an incomplete interception by its aerial defences had led to parts of the missile hitting a school in the area of Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv.

The airstrikes, the third time during the current war in the region that Israel has hit the country, came amid warnings that Israel intended to act after more than a year of intermittent drone and missile attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Houthi forces began regularly firing long-range missiles at Israel a year ago in what they said was solidarity for Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi media channel, said a series of “aggressive raids” were launched in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a and Hodeidah.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the rebels had targeted “two specific and sensitive military targets” in the occupied Jaffa region near Tel Aviv, with “hypersonic ballistic missiles”, although the claim regarding the type of missile was unverified.

Israel’s military said it “conducted precise strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructure in Sana’a, which the Houthis have been using in ways that effectively contributed to their military actions”.

In comments released from the Israeli air force’s command centre, Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said: “I warn the leaders of the Houthi terrorist organisation: Israel’s long arm will reach you too.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also issued a statement accusing the Houthis of “conducting attacks against Israel in contravention of international law” adding that “the Houthi regime constitutes a threat to the region’s peace and security”.

After the Israel strikes, a Houthi official stated that the group would “respond to escalation with escalation”.

France Mass Rape Survivor's Ex Husband Gets 20 Years In Jail

PARIS, Dec 19: Dominique Pelicot, the former husband of France's mass rape case victim Gisele Pelicot, was found guilty by a court on Thursday of repeatedly drugging and raping her for almost a decade. The court also found him guilty of inviting dozens of strangers to rape Ms Gisele's unconscious body in their home.

A panel of judges sentenced Dominique Pelicot to 20 years in jail. The mass rape case has appalled the world and turned Gisele Pelicot into a symbol of courage and resilience.

Delivering the sentence, the presiding judge of the criminal court in Avignon, Roger Arata, said Dominique Pelicot will not be eligible for parole until he has served two-thirds of his sentence.

The court also convicted all other 50 defendants - aged 27 to 74 - in the French mass rape trial, with no acquittals. They were sentenced to between 3 and 20 years, according to a report.

Prosecutors had sought jail terms between four and 18 years for the other defendants, almost all of whom are accused of raping the comatose Gisele Pelicot.

Seventy-two-year-old Dominique Pelicot had pleaded guilty to the charges during the three-month trial and apologised to his family.

But most of the 50 defendants, whom Dominique had met online, denied rape, saying they thought they were taking part in a consensual sex game orchestrated by the couple and arguing that it wasn't rape if the husband approved.

Gisele Pelicot's mass rape trial has shocked France and its implications were felt far beyond the Avignon courthouse where judges heard and saw more than three months of evidence.

Ms Gisele, 72, waived her right to anonymity during the trial and demanded that horrifying videos of the serial abuse, which were recorded by her former husband, should be seen in court, saying she hoped this would help other women speak up.

"I've decided not to be ashamed, I've done nothing wrong," she testified in October. "They are the ones who must be ashamed," she said, scoffing at any claim that she might have been a willing participant.

The trial has triggered protest rallies around France in support of Ms Gisele and spurred soul searching, including a debate on whether to update France's rape law, which at present makes no mention that sex should involve consent.

Justin Trudeau's Crisis Deepens As More Liberal MPs Call For His Resignation

TORONTO, Dec 19: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s struggles continue to grow amid a growing number of calls for his resignation, including from members of his own Liberal Party. Around 15 Liberal MPs have now publicly called on Trudeau to step down and make way for someone else to lead the party.

Two more Liberal MPs – Brendan Hanley and Jenica Atwin – have joined the bandwagon after Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland’s shock resignation this week. Hanley said the way Freeland was treated has forced some MPs to more vocally support Trudeau’s ouster.

Hanley said Trudeau was a “transformation leader" who did a lot of good for Canada but he “needs to now step aside", reported CBC News. “I don’t see a viable path forward with the prime minister staying as our leader," he said. Other sitting Liberal MPs like René Arseneault, Anthony Housefather, Patrick Weiler, Helena Jaczek and Chad Collins have also publicly called for Trudeau to step down.

Trudeau suffered a major setback this week as his deputy PM Chrystia Freeland resigned in a surprise move over alleged differences over the government’s fiscal spending measures and US President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats, which has seemingly sparked a revolt from within his own party and threatened his grasp on power.

The resignation of Freeland, 56, who also stepped down as finance minister, marked the first open dissent against the beleaguered Trudeau from within his cabinet. Trudeau is battling widespread unpopularity and polls show if he would badly to his Conservative rival Pierre Poilievre, who has thrice tried to topple the government.

His losses were exacerbated by another bruising by-election defeat in British Columbia. The Conservative candidate won the seat by some 50 percentage points over the Liberal rival, which is considered an embarrassing result given the Liberals won there in the last election.

Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), which was previously an ally of Trudeau’s party, said Trudeau must step down as Canada needs a Prime Minister who will fight for the people.

India, China Arrive At 6 Consensus Points As Ajit Doval, Wang Yi Meet

BEIJING, Dec 18: India and China agreed on six points to resolve the border issue as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.

Both sides agreed on the need to maintain peace and a commitment to continue seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable package solution to the boundary issue.

The consensus points also include cross-border tourism including in areas like Tibet and cross-border river cooperation and Nathu La border trade and resumption of Mansarovar Yatra.

This was the first Special-Representative level meet since the flare-up of incidents at the border.

The meeting follows the bilateral between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit held in Kazan last month. It was the first significant breakthough amid the chill that had set in following the clashes in Ladakh's Galwan -- the worst in decades.

Today's meet was meant to oversee the management of peace at the border and explore a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question".

At the meet, the two sides agreed to continue to take measures to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

During discussions both SRs also underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship.

They reaffirmed their "commitment to continue seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable package solution to the boundary issue in accordance with the political guidelines agreed upon by the special representatives of the two countries".

Among other things the two sides also agreed to further refine the management and control rules in the border area, strengthen the building of confidence-building measures, and achieve sustainable peace and tranquility.

The cross-border exchanges and cooperation will be strengthened and Indian pilgrims' pilgrimage to Tibet, China, cross-border river cooperation and Nathu La border trade will be resumed, the two sides agreed.

India and China have also agreed to hold a new round of special representatives' meetings in India next year.

The disengagement, finalised in October, saw both India and China pull back troops from the two remaining friction points in Demchok and Depsang, after nearly four years of military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Following the disengagement, both India and China are keen to build on this momentum and re-establish trust. The special representatives' talks, which are part of a long-established mechanism to address the border dispute, have been convened after a hiatus, with the last meeting held in 2019.

Russia’s chief of nuclear protection forces killed in bomb explosion in Moscow

MOSCOW, Dec 17: A senior general in the Russian armed forces, who was in charge of nuclear protection forces, was killed in an explosion after a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off on Tuesday, Russia’s investigative committee said.

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who is chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was leaving an apartment building on Tuesday when the bomb hidden in the scooter detonated, killing him and reportedly his assistant as well.

“Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and his assistant were killed,” Russian authorities investigating the case said.

Russia’s special troops ‘RKhBZ’, the radioactive, chemical and biological defence forces, operate under conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination.

Iran Holds Back Hijab Law After Widespread Condemnation

TEHRAN, Dec 17: The "hijab and chastity law" in Iran proposes stricter penalties for girls and women who do not fully cover their hair, forearms, or lower legs, including fines, prison sentences of up to 15 years.

However, Iran's National Security Council has put the brakes on this antiquated and contentious law after it was supposed to come into effect last Friday.

This comes in after the law received worldwide and domestic backlash. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the legislation was "ambiguous and in need of reform", whereas Amnesty International, a human rights organisation said the Iranian authorities were "seeking to entrench the already suffocating system of repression."

Pezeshkian voiced his disapproval of the country's mistreatment of women regarding hijabs earlier this year during his presidential campaign.

"Just as they could not forcibly remove hijabs from women's heads in the past, they cannot now force it onto them. We have no right to impose our will on our women and daughters", he said.

His promise of personal freedom resonated with young girls and women who were already frustrated with restrictions imposed by the government.

The law was also criticised by Masoumeh Ebtekar, a former vice-president for women and family affairs, who called it, "an indictment of half the Iranian population".

The hijab discourse has always been in the picture but it was reinforced more so when a woman, Parastoo Ahmadi, was arrested after she posted a video of herself singing on YouTube without a hijab, in a sleeveless dress, with her hair down accompanied by four male musicians.

"I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love. This is a right I could not ignore; singing for the land I love passionately", read the caption.

After the video went viral, she was arrested along with her band members but was released a day later after the arrest received widespread backlash.

The hijab controversy has been ongoing since 2022, triggered by the death of Mahsa "Zhina" Amini, who died in police custody after violating the dress code. In the wake of her death, women have challenged the government and defied hijab rules. Younger people in Iran appear fearless and defying such laws despite the restrictions and pressure from factions close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nevertheless, the decision to pause the implementation of the law shows that the government is apprehensive of the protests that might set off, similar to the ones seen two years ago.

Israel ‘closest ever’ to making a deal for release of hostages in Gaza

TEL AVIV, Dec 17: Israel's defence minister Israel Katz has said that Israeli negotiators have “never been closer” to a deal for the release of hostages in Gaza since the November 2023 truce in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, it has reported.

"We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal," Katz told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee, according to his spokesman.

The remarks came at a time when an Israeli team arrived in Qatar's Doha "to discuss the ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza", according to a source.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that meetings were "between Israeli and Qatari working-level teams".

An unidentified official of Hamas also confirmed that negotiations with Israel were underway, including of a ceasefire.

"A deal for exchanging prisoners and ceasefire between the resistance and the occupation has actually become closer than ever before, if (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu does not intentionally disrupt the agreement as he has done every time before," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The official also added that Hamas had informed the Egyptian and Qatari mediators of its readiness to stop the war.

"But Hamas stressed at the same time that it will not accept anything less than an agreement that leads to a complete and permanent cessation of the war, a full withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes, the return of the displaced, and a serious prisoner exchange deal."

Sri Lanka won't allow its territory to be used against India

NEW DELHI, Dec 16: In a significant commitment on defence cooperation, Sri Lanka today assured India that it will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka reiterated Colombo's stand in the joint statement today, making its promise to New Delhi official.

Colombo's assurance to New Delhi comes at a time when China is aggressively pursuing its 'Mission Indian Ocean' - which targets India.

China, which has taken over Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port after Colombo failed to pay off Chinese debt, has been docking its naval surveillance and spy ships. Over the last two years, Beijing has, on multiple occasions, stationed its 25,000-tonne satellite and ballistic missile tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota - which is detrimental to New Delhi's interests due to Sri Lanka's proximity to India.

In August 2022, after New Delhi had raised its concern with Colombo, Sri Lanka had initially asked Beijing to defer its initial arrival and desist from such activity, but later allowed the Chinese ship to dock for 'replenishment'. Since then, the Chinese surveillance and spy ships have regularly been patrolling the Indian Ocean region and docking at Hambantota.

With a robust tracking, sensing and communication relay system the Yuan Wang 5 is capable of detecting foreign satellites, aerial assets and missile systems.

China had taken possession of the Hambantota port for a lease of 99 years after Colombo was unable to repay $100 million annually for the $1.7 billion loan that it had taken for the construction of the port, the first phase of which was completed in 2010.

Today's agreement with India ensures Sri Lankan territory, including its waters shall "not be used in any manner inimical to the security of India". Nor for any operations that may adversely impact the regional stability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka today held a comprehensive dialogue in New Delhi where the entire gamut of bilateral ties was discussed in detail. The two leaders reaffirmed that the India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership is underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and the people-to-people relations.

President Disanayaka conveyed his deep appreciation for the unwavering support extended by India to the people of Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022. Both leaders acknowledged that bilateral ties had deepened over the years and contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.

Both sides adopted a futuristic vision to expand the India-Sri Lanka partnership and aimed to soon conclude a comprehensive defence cooperation pact.

Sheikh Hasina Accuses 'Fascist Yunus' Of Helping 'Communal Forces' On Bijoy Dibosh

DHAKA, Dec 16: On the eve of Bangladesh's Bijoy Dibosh, deposed premier Sheikh Hasina on Sunday launched a fierce attack on the interim administration, dubbing it Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus a "fascist".

She claimed Nobel laureate Yunus was leading an "undemocratic group" that was "secretly supporting anti-liberation extremist-communal forces" and the main aim of his dispensation was to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces.

Ms Hasina's remarks were part of her statement to commemorate the defeat of Pakistani forces in Bangladesh's Liberation War of 1971. Bangladesh celebrates December 16 as 'Bijoy Dibosh' or Victory Day.

On December 16, 1971, then Chief of Pakistani forces General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and 'Mukti Bahini' after the 13-day war following which East Pakistan became Bangladesh.

In a statement posted on her party's official X account, Ms Hasina highlighted the role of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Awami League in the struggle that culminated in the emergence of Bangladesh. She also noted the developmental work done by the Awami League government and its vision for Bangladesh under her leadership.

Talking about the events leading to her ouster, Ms Hasina said, "Anti-national groups illegally and unconstitutionally seized state power through domestic and foreign conspiracies."

"This undemocratic group, led by fascist Yunus, has no responsibility towards the people. They are obstructing all public welfare-oriented work by seizing power. About 50 million people in the country were under the social security system. They were given various allowances. It has been alleged that most of the allowances have been stopped. The family cards of 4.3 million families under the TCB have been cancelled. The people of the country are suffering from the hardships of rising commodity prices. Hungry people are picking food from dustbins," she said.

Ms Hasina, who fled to India after resigning as the prime minister in August in the face of massive anti-government protests, claimed that since Yunus-led interim government was not democratically elected, it has no responsibility towards the people.

"Their main goal is to create resentment against the spirit of the Liberation War and the forces supporting the Liberation War and to silence them. On the contrary, they are secretly supporting the anti-liberation extremist-communal forces. The lack of sensitivity of the officials of this government, including the fascist Yunus, towards the Liberation War and its history is proven by their every step," she stated.

Ms Hasina alleged that the Yunus-led dispensation was following the "rituals of the responsible group" Pakistan in an attempt to erase "progressive ideals," the history and spirit of the Liberation War.

"If they could, they would have presented a different narrative and erased the traces of the great Liberation War from every aspect of national life. They would have turned this great glorious event of the collective achievements of the Bengalis into a disgrace," she added.

Ms Hasina has repeatedly accused the Yunus government of perpetrating "genocide" and failing to protect Hindus and other minorities.

'Syria In Hands Of Terrorism': Assad's First Statement From Russia

MOSCOW, Dec 16: Bashar al-Assad, in his first statement since his regime fell in Syria last week, has denied a "planned" departure from his country. The 59-year-old described his evacuation from Syria as a necessary measure prompted by an onslaught of opposition fighters and drone strikes.

In a statement from Russia, where he was relocated by Moscow's intervention, Assad claimed Syria is now "in the hands of terrorism."

Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron grip for nearly three decades. In a statement shared on the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel, Assad denied speculation that his departure was planned or involved any intention to relinquish power.

"As terrorism spread across Syria and ultimately reached Damascus on the evening of Saturday 7 December 2024, questions arose about the president's fate and whereabouts. This occurred amidst a flood of misinformation and narratives far removed from the truth, aimed at recasting international terrorism as a liberation revolution for Syria," the statement reads.

Once thought unassailable, Assad's rule collapsed on December 8 under the pressure of a rapid offensive led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front affiliated with terror group Al-Qaeda, and allied factions.

Assad revealed that he left Damascus on December 8 as opposition forces advanced into the capital. His evacuation to Russia followed drone attacks on the Russian-controlled Khmeimim airbase in Latakia. Assad said he oversaw combat operations from Latakia after fleeing Damascus but acknowledged that all military positions had collapsed.

"With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8 December This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions," Assad said in a statement.

"At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught," he added.

Now in exile in Moscow, Assad added that his "profound sense of belonging to Syria" remains unshaken.

12 Indians Die From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Mountain Resort In Georgia

TBILISI, Dec 16: Twelve Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri, according to the Indian mission here.

Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement that no signs of injuries or signs of violence were detected in an initial inspection. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police.

The Indian mission in Tbilisi said that all 12 victims were Indian nationals. However, Georgia's internal affairs ministry statement said 11 were foreigners while one victim was its citizen.

It added that the bodies of all victims, employees in the same Indian restaurant, were found in bedrooms on the second floor of the facility.

"Mission has just learned about the death of 12 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Mission is in touch with the local authorities to get details of the Indian nationals who lost their lives. All possible assistance will be given," the Indian mission here said in a statement.

The police started an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which implies negligent manslaughter.

According to the preliminary investigation, a power generator was placed in an indoor area, a closed space near the bedrooms, which was turned on, probably after the power supply was turned off on Friday night.

A forensic medical examination has also been appointed to determine the "exact cause of death".

Investigative actions are "actively" being carried out, with forensic-criminalistics working on the spot, and interviews of persons related to the case are being conducted.

Israel approves plan to surge settler population in occupied Golan Heights

TEL AVIV, Dec 16: Israel’s government has approved a plan to increase the number of settlers in the illegally occupied Golan Heights, days after seizing more Syrian territory following the toppling of Syria’s longtime leader Bashar al-Assad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the government had “unanimously approved” the “demographic development” of the occupied territory, which would seek to double the Israeli population there.

The new plan is only for the portion of the Golan Heights that Israel has occupied since 1967. In 1981, Israel’s Knesset moved to impose Israeli law over the territory, in an effective annexation.

The plan does not relate to the portion of Syrian land seized by Israel in the wake of al-Assad’s toppling a week ago. The seized area, which had been demilitarised as part of an agreement reached after the 1973 war, also includes Mount Hermon overlooking the Syrian capital Damascus.

In a statement, Netanyahu praised the plan, which provides more than 40 million shekels ($11m) to increase the settler population.

There are about 31,000 Israeli settlers spread across dozens of illegal settlements in the Golan Heights already. They live alongside minority groups, including the Druze, who predominantly identify as Syrian.

Israel launches dozens of airstrikes on Syria despite rebel leader's peace pledge

TEL AVIV, Dec 15: Israel struck dozens of sites in Syria overnight with airstrikes, despite the Syrian rebel leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, saying his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group was not interested in conflict with Israel.

Jolani’s comments came as Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Sunday that he had approved a plan to expand settlement building in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

The latest airstrikes follow a statement by Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, that Israeli troops, who seized the Golan Heights buffer zone with Syria last week, would remain for the winter on Mount Hermon – known to Syrians as Jabel Sheikh – in positions they occupied last week.

Katz’s office said in a statement that “due to what is happening in Syria, there is enormous security importance to our holding on to the peak”.

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a nom de guerre used by Ahmed al-Sharaa, told Syrian state media: “There are no excuses for any foreign intervention in Syria now after the Iranians have left. We are not in the process of engaging in a conflict with Israel.”

Jolani said Israel was using false pretexts to justify its attacks on Syria, but that he was not interested in engaging in new conflicts as the country focused on rebuilding after the end of Bashar al-Assad’s reign.

He added that “diplomatic solutions” were the only way to ensure stability rather than “ill-considered military adventures”.

“Israeli arguments have become weak and no longer justify their recent violations. The Israelis have clearly crossed the lines of engagement in Syria, which poses a threat of unwarranted escalation in the region,” Jolani said.

“Syria’s war-weary condition, after years of conflict and war, does not allow for new confrontations. The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not being drawn into disputes that could lead to further destruction.”

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel fired 61 missiles at Syrian military sites in less than five hours on Saturday evening.

Israeli air raids hit bases, heavy weapons, sites associated with the former Assad regime’s missile and chemical weapons programme, and destroyed Syria’s small naval force in port of Latakia.

The continuing strikes have prompted mounting concern among diplomats and international officials concerned over what they fear may be an open-ended new occupation of Syrian territory and Israel’s agenda in the Syrian buffer zone.

Netanyahu justified his announcement of plans to expand Israeli settlements in the part of the Golan Heights the country initially occupied in 1973 “in light of the war and the new front facing Syria” and a desire to double the Israeli population in the area.

“Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the state of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold on to it, cause it to blossom and settle in it,” he said in the statement.

The UN has called on Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone, which sits between Syria and the Israeli-occupied area.

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said he was “deeply concerned by the recent and extensive violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

France, Germany and Spain have also called on Israel to withdraw from the demilitarised zone.

The UN has said Israel is in violation of a 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria that established the buffer zone. Israel has said the 1974 disengagement agreement “collapsed” with the fall of the Assad regime government.

Responding to Jolani, the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, said: “We aren’t intervening in what is happening in Syria. We have no intention of administering Syria.”

“There was an enemy country here. Its army collapsed. There is a threat that terror elements will come here, and we advanced so … extreme terror elements won’t settle close to the border with us.

“We are unequivocally intervening only in what determines Israeli citizens’ security. The deployment along the entire border, from Mt Hermon to the meeting of the Israeli-Syrian-Jordanian border, is proper.”

According to reports, among the sites hit over the weekend were military headquarters, Syrian army positions, radars, and arms caches and assets of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, which was responsible for developing advanced weapons.

Israel also estimates it has destroyed much of the Syrian air force’s infrastructure and aircraft.

The scale of the Israeli bombing campaign has surprised many western capitals, who had believed that any Israeli strikes would be limited to chemical weapons and missiles sites rather than an effort aimed at the wholesale destruction of the Syria’s military, which has had 70% of its capabilities destroyed in hundreds of attacks.

The latest Israeli air raids came as the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, wound up talks with Jordan, Turkey and Iraq with the aim of trying to shape the future of a post-Assad Syria by forging consensus among regional partners and allies whose interests often diverge.

“We know that what happens inside of Syria can have powerful consequences well beyond its borders, from mass displacement to terrorism,” he told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan. “And we know that we can’t underestimate the challenges of this moment.”

Blinken also confirmed contacts between the Biden administration and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Blinken would not discuss details of the direct contacts with HTS but said it was important for the US to convey messages to the group about its conduct and how it intended to govern in a transition period.

Two Russian tankers sink in Black Sea spilling 4,300 tonnes of oil

MOSCOW, Dec 15: Two Russian tankers carrying more than 4,000 tonnes of oil products have sunk in the Black Sea in stormy conditions, threatening an ecological disaster. The Volgoneft-212 snapped in half on Sunday after being hit by a large wave.

At least one person was killed.

The 136-metre Volgoneft 212 tanker, with 15 people on board, was split in half with its bow sinking, footage published by state media showed, with waves washing over its deck.

The Russian-flagged vessel, built in 1969, was damaged and had run aground, officials said.

"There was a spill of petroleum products," said Russia's water transport agency, Rosmorrechflot.

A second Russian-flagged ship, the 132-metre Volgoneft 239, was drifting after sustaining damage, the emergency ministry said. It has a crew of 14 people and was built in 1973.

Both tankers have a loading capacity of about 4,200 tonnes oil products.

Official statements did not provide details on the extent of the spill or why one of the tankers sustained such serious damage.

The vessels were in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, when they issued distress signals.

Russia said more than 50 people and equipment, including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats, had been deployed to the area.

Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported that the Volgoneft 212 tanker was carrying about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeached Over Failed Martial Law Bid

SEOUL, Dec 14: South Korean lawmakers impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law bid, suspending him from office after the declaration of martial law caused mass outrage and resulted in constitutional crisis.

Lawmakers voted on a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, as a parliament livestream showed.

204 lawmakers in the 300-member house voted in favour of the motion, while 85 voted against.

Under the constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will be the interim leader.

It will now be decided by the Constitutional Court on whether to reinstate or remove him. This could take up to six months.

On December 3rd, when the martial law was declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol, soldiers were sent to the National Assembly and the officer who led the soldiers said that they were ordered to forcibly remove lawmakers so they wouldn't be able to reach the 150 votes they needed to overturn the law.

Yoon had declared martial law accusing the opposition of paralysing the government. However, the declaration was voted down and the law rescinded within hours of its imposition.

Last Saturday, Yoon survived an impeachment motion after People Power Party lawmakers boycotted a floor vote but on Saturday some members of his own party helped pass the motion to impeach.

There has not been any immediate reaction from the Yoon, though he was watching the vote from his residence in Seoul as per KBS, the national broadcaster.

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party, said, "This is a victory for the South Korean people and for democracy."

Yoon also faces criminal investigations because of his decision to impose the martial law.

Jubilant Syrians crowd squares for victory rallies

DAMASCUS, Dec 13: Thousands of Syrians have thronged the streets of the capital, Damascus, and other cities to celebrate the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

In Damascus people gathered at the iconic Umayyad Mosque for prayers before the jubilant rallies called by the Islamist rebels who led the armed uprising against Assad.

Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who has now started using his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, had urged Syrians "to go to the streets to express their joy" on Friday to mark "the victory of the blessed revolution".

Assad fled to Russia on Sunday as the regime set up by his father 50 years ago collapsed in just a few tumultuous days.

Damascus's Umayyad Square had a party-like atmosphere. Speakers were set up, and music played "Raise your head high, you are Syrian."

People waved the flag of the Syrian opposition and chanted revolutionary songs and slogans.

Among them were men in black combat gear - wearing body armour and carrying guns.

They were members of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Some paused for pictures with civilians. One of them pulled out a piece of paper and started reading poetry he had written praising the country.

Syria’s new govt says to suspend constitution, parliament for three months

DAMASCUS, Dec 12: Syria’s new government spokesman said on Thursday the country’s constitution and parliament would be suspended for the duration of the three-month transition period following president Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

“A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments,” said Obaida Arnaout.

The opposition seized the capital Damascus on Sunday, sending al-Assad fleeing into exile.

On Tuesday, they named Mohammed al-Bashir, who headed the opposition’s self-proclaimed “Salvation Government” in their northwestern bastion of Idlib, as the country’s transitional prime minister until March 1.

Arnaout said a meeting would be held on Tuesday “between Salvation Government ministers and the former ministers” of al-Assad’s administration to carry out the transfer of power.

“This transitional period will last three months,” he added in an interview. “Our priority is to preserve and protect institutions.”

Speaking at the state television headquarters, now seized by the new opposition authorities, Arnaout pledged that they would institute “the rule of law.”

“All those who committed crimes against the Syrian people will be judged in accordance with the law,” he added.

Asked about religious and personal freedoms, he said “we respect religious and cultural diversity in Syria,” adding that they would remain unchanged.

The Sunni majority country was ruled with an iron fist by al-Assad, a follower of the Alawite offshoot of Shia Islam who sought to project himself as a protector of minority communities.

Israel Carries Over 350 Strikes In Last 48 Hours In Syria; Destroys Naval Fleet, Missiles After Assad Regime Falls

TEL AVIV, Dec 11: Israel has intensified its military operations in Syria, carrying out over 350 airstrikes in the past 48 hours and advancing into a buffer zone, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Israeli officials confirmed Tuesday.

The strikes targeted strategic weapon stockpiles, air defense systems, military airfields, and missile depots across Damascus and other cities. This aggressive push follows the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's regime by rebel forces.

The Israeli military confirmed that its naval forces struck two Syrian naval facilities, destroying several vessels. "We have neutralized most of the strategic weapons stockpiles in Syria to prevent them from falling into extremist hands," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. A private security firm, Ambrey, reported evidence of at least six Soviet-era missile ships destroyed.

Speaking from a navy base in Haifa, Katz announced plans to establish a “demilitarized zone free of weapons and terrorist threats in southern Syria” to ensure regional stability. “Whoever follows Assad’s path will end up like Assad. We will not allow an extremist Islamic entity to act against Israel,” Katz warned.

Israel acknowledged moving into a 400-square-kilometer buffer zone inside Syria, a territory established after the 1973 Mideast War. Israeli officials emphasized that the incursion aims to prevent potential attacks on its citizens and is not a move to occupy new territory. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, denied reports that Israeli forces were advancing toward Damascus, stating troops remain stationed within the buffer zone for defense purposes.

The buffer zone’s proximity to Damascus—just 40 kilometers (25 miles)—has heightened tensions. The region has historically been a flashpoint, and Israel’s previous annexation of the Golan Heights remains internationally disputed, except by the United States.

There was no immediate response from the insurgent groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which have taken control of much of the country. Their lightning advance ended the Assad family's half-century rule after nearly 14 years of civil war, raising many questions about what comes next.

The incursions have drawn sharp criticism from neighboring countries and international organizations. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia accused Israel of exploiting Syria’s chaos and violating international law. Turkey, a key supporter of Syrian opposition forces, labeled Israel’s actions as “occupational” and counterproductive to emerging prospects of peace in Syria.

The United Nations also weighed in, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric urging Israel and Syria to adhere to the 1974 disengagement agreement. “The incursion constitutes a violation of the agreement and risks destabilizing the region further,” he said.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad has left Syria in disarray. Rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) now controls much of the country, but questions loom over Syria’s political future. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the strikes targeted the former government’s military capabilities and expressed willingness to establish relations with the new Syrian administration.

Afghan refugee minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani killed in blast

KABUL, Dec 11: Afghanistan’s acting minister for refugees has been killed in an explosion in the capital, Kabul, the Taliban has said.

Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani was killed on Wednesday in the blast that also claimed the lives of five others, local media reported.

A Taliban spokesman confirmed the killing. Interior Ministry officials said the explosion was caused by a suicide bombing. A government source, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the explosion happened at the Ministry of Refugees in Kabul.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Haqqani became a minister in the Taliban’s interim government after foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

He was a senior leader of the powerful Haqqani Network, responsible for a number of violent attacks during the Taliban’s two-decade armed campaign, according to the US State Department.

75 Indians evacuated from Syria

DAMASCUS, Dec 11: Amid a power crisis in Syria, India on Tuesday evacuated 75 Indian nationals from the conflict-torn country. The evacuation was conducted two days after the rebel forces ousted President Bashar Assad's authoritarian government.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the operation was coordinated by the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut following an assessment of the security situation.

"The Government of India today evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria, following recent developments in that country," it said in a late-night statement.

The MEA further added that all the evacuees safely crossed over to Lebanon and would return by available commercial flights to India.

"The evacuees included 44 'zaireen' from Jammu and Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab. All Indian nationals have safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return by available commercial flights to India," the MEA statement said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the government prioritises the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad.

"Indian nationals remaining in Syria are advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus," the MEA advised.

"The government will continue to closely monitor the situation," it added.

Mohamed al-Bashir appointed caretaker Syrian PM until March 1

DAMASCUS, Dec 10: Mohamed al-Bashir has been appointed caretaker Prime Minister of the transitional Syrian government until March 1, 2025. He ran the rebel-led Salvation Government before the 12-day offensive swept into Damascus.

The lightning overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad left Syrians, countries in the region and world powers nervous on Tuesday about what comes next as the rebel alliance took its first steps in a government transition.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali on Monday said he has agreed to hand power to the rebel-led Salvation Government. The imminent transfer of power.

Syria's Islamist rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with outgoing Prime Minister Al-Jalali on Monday "to coordinate a transfer of power that guarantees the provision of services" to Syria's people, said a statement posted on the rebels' Telegram channels.

On Tuesday, Sharaa said the incoming authorities would prosecute senior officials in Al-Asaad's government, who were responsible for torture and other abuses of Syrians. We "will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people," he said.

Bashar al-Assad iron-fisted's regime was known for the brutal complex of prisons and detention centres which were used to eliminate dissent by those suspected of stepping out of the ruling Baath party's line. But the autocrat was ousted as the Islamist-led rebels, spearheaded by Sharaa's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), swept into the capital Damascus on Sunday, bringing a spectacular end to five decades of brutal rule by his clan.

Jolani has vowed to rebuild Syria, and his HTS has spent years trying to soften its image to reassure foreign nations and minority groups within Syria. However, the group is still designated as a terrorist organization by many states and the UN, with its governing credentials uncertain.

"Syrians are looking forward to establishing a state of freedom, equality, rule of law, democracy, and we will join efforts to rebuild our country, to rebuild what was destroyed, and to rebuild the future, better future of Syria," Koussay Aldahhak, Syria's Ambassador to United Nations (UN) told reporters.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met behind closed doors late on Monday, and diplomats said they were still in shock at how quickly al-Assad's ouster unfolded over 12 days of rebellion, after several years of stalemate. "Everyone was taken by surprise, everyone, including the members of the council. So we have to wait and see and watch ... and evaluate how the situation will develop," said Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

Over the years, Russia played a major role in supporting al-Assad's government and helping it fight the rebels. The Syrian leader fled Damascus for Moscow on Sunday, ending his family's over 50 years of brutal rule.

Meanwhile, The US is looking at ways to engage with Syrian rebel groups and is reaching out to partners in the region such as Turkey to start informal diplomacy.

"Now we're really focused right now on trying to see where the situation goes. Can there be a governing authority in Syria that respects the rights and dignities of the Syrian population," noted Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood.

In another major challenge facing Syria, Israel has seized a buffer zone in the country's south, a move condemned by Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia said the move would "ruin Syria's chances of restoring security."

Tel Aviv is concerned over the formation of an Islamist government in Syria that opposes Israel. Israel said its airstrikes would carry on for days but told the UN Security Council that it was not intervening in Syria's conflict. It said it had taken "limited and temporary measures" solely to protect its security.

Tehran said it had brought home 4,000 Iranian citizens from Syria following the ouster of its ally Bashar al-Assad.

The Israeli military over the weekend began seizing control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. It said the move was temporary and meant to secure its border.

Several countries condemned Israel’s incursion into buffer zone in Syria.

Bashar Al-Assad Flees Syria As Rebels Move In

DAMASCUS, Dec 8: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left Damascus for an unknown destination as rebels announced that they were entering the capital. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has said the government is ready for any handover of power as the rebels announce the "end of the era".

According to a war monitor, the Army and security forces had abandoned Damascus International Airport. A source close to Hezbollah said that fighters of a key Assad ally had left their positions around the Syrian capital.

The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group said its forces were moving into Damascus. Soon after, they announced an "end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya" as the rebels broke into the jail that has become a symbol for the darkest abuses of the Syrian regime.

Earlier, the rebel group had said they had captured the strategic city of Homs, on the way to the capital. But the Syrian defence ministry had denied this and said the situation in Homs was "safe and stable".

The Hezbollah, which backed the Assad regime for years, has asked its forces to withdraw. Hezbollah "has instructed its fighters in recent hours to withdraw from the Homs area, with some heading to Latakia (in Syria) and others to the Hermel area in Lebanon", a source said.

Residents of Damascus said that there was panic as traffic jams clogged the streets, people sought supplies and queued to withdraw money from ATMs. "The situation was not like this when I left my house this morning... suddenly everyone was scared," said one woman, Rania. In a Damascus suburb, witnesses said protesters had toppled a statue of Assad's father, the late leader Hafez al-Assad.

An Iraqi security source said that Baghdad has allowed in hundreds of Syrian soldiers, who "fled the front lines". A second source put the figure at 2,000 troops, including officers.

The overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime caps the 13-year rebellion that started as a peaceful uprising against President Assad and snowballed into a full-scale civil war that devastated Syria.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was formed in 2012 under the name of al-Nusra. It pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda the next year. In 2016, however, it broke ties with al-Qaeda and took the name Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Global powers, including the US and the UK, continue to see it as an al-Qaeda affiliate. The organisation has, in recent times, tried to soften its image and assured minority groups in the areas it controls have no cause to worry.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham consolidated its power in Idlib and Aleppo and formed the Syrian Salvation Government to administer the territory. In 2020, Turkey and Russia brokered a ceasefire to halt the Bashar Al-Assad regime's push to retake Idlib.

Over the last two months, the rebels renewed their offensive, aware that the Syrian government's allies were caught up in other conflicts. Hezbollah and Iran have taken a blow after Israel's offensive and Russia is fighting Ukraine. This left Bashar Al-Assad exposed.

US President-elect Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social that the US should "not get involved" in the Syria situation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was "inadmissible" to allow a "terrorist group to take control" of Syrian territory. Moscow and Tehran have supported Assad's government and army during the war.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government backs some armed groups in northern Syria, said Saturday that Syria "is tired of war, blood and tears".

Jaishankar says no proposal for BRICS currency after Trump's tariff warning

DOHA, Dec 8: No decision has been taken to start a new currency to compete with the US dollar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said in Qatar, where he has gone to attend the Doha Forum.

Jaishankar's comments came a week after US President-elect Donald Trump demanded that BRICS member countries, which include major emerging economies such as India, Russia and China, commit to not creating a new currency or supporting another currency that would replace the dollar.

Trump had threatened to apply 100 per cent tariffs if BRICS members start a de-dollarization policy, or move away from the US dollar.

"We had a good relationship, a very solid relationship with the first Trump administration, yes there were some issues mostly trade related issues, but there were a whole lot of issues on which Trump was very international, and I remind people that it was actually under Trump that the QUAD was restarted," Jaishankar said.

He also noted the personal connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President-elect Trump, which has contributed to the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.

"There is a personal relation between Modi and Trump... Where the BRICS remarks were concerned, we have said that India has never been for de-dollarisation, right now there is no proposal to have a BRICS currency. The BRICS do discuss financial transactions... The US is our largest trade partner, we have no interest in weakening the dollar at all," he added.

While warning BRICS members to not commit to creating a new currency or supporting another currency that would replace the US dollar, Trump had said they can go find another 'sucker'.

"We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new BRICS currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or, they will face 100 per cent tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US economy," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

"They can go find another 'sucker'. There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the US dollar in international trade, and any country that tries should wave goodbye to America," the US President-elect had said.

Zelensky says had 'good and productive meeting' with Trump, Macron

PARIS, Dec 8: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a "good and productive" meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron Saturday and that they wanted the war with Russia to end fast and "in a just way."

The trio met at the Elysee Palace in Paris, almost three years into Moscow's invasion and ahead of Trump taking office in the US in January.

"I had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President Donald Trump and President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace," Zelensky said on social media.

"We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way," he said.

He thanked Macron for organising the meeting and said: "President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him."

Zelensky said the trio had "agreed to continue working together and keep in contact."

His office released images of Zelensky shaking hands with Macron and Trump inside the Elysee office.

Syria Rebels Say Encircling Damascus As Government Denies Falling Back

DAMASCUS, Dec 7: Rebels on a lightning advance through Syria said on Saturday they have begun to encircle Damascus as government forces denied they had withdrawn from areas near the capital.

"Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus," said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive.

The defence ministry flatly denied the army had fled positions near the city.

"There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn," it said.

Earlier, a war monitor and Abdel Ghani said rebels were within 20 kilometres of Damascus as government forces fall back in the face of the offensive gathering even more momentum.

The Syria Observatory for Human Rights said government forces had ceded more key ground, losing control of all of southern Daraa province and evacuating posts in Quneitra, near the Israel-annexed Golan Heights.

The monitor said government forces were also pulling out of towns as little as 10 kilometres (six miles) from Damascus.

Abdel Ghani said earlier that "our forces were able to control the Saasaa (security) branch in the Damascus countryside. The advance towards the capital continues."

Air strikes and shelling by government forces and their ally Russia killed at least seven civilians near the city of Homs, as the army sought to slow the rebel advance there.

The astounding rebel gains have brought the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies to the doorstep of President Bashar al-Assad's seat of power, just over a week into a renewed offensive in a conflict that had long seemed frozen.

As the rebels seize more territory, they have also sought to reassure those living in areas now under their control.

Abdel Ghani in a statement on Telegram Saturday recognised that the rebels had taken areas where "different religious sects and minorities" live.

"We ask that all sects be reassured... for the era of sectarianism and tyranny has gone away forever," he said.

Minorities have often been persecuted during Syria's long conflict, and HTS's precursor Al-Nusra Front, which was linked to Al-Qaeda, launched deadly attacks on Assad's Alawite minority in Homs early in the war.

The army said it was redeploying in the south where the Observatory said the government had lost control of Daraa province and the key city of the same name, cradle of the 2011 uprising.

'Leave At The Earliest': India's Midnight Advisory Over Grave Situation In Syria

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: Concerned about the deteriorating situation in Syria, the Government of India put out a late-night advisory to all Indian nationals to completely "avoid all travel to Syria until further notice".

In the statement, which shared an emergency helpline number and an email ID, the Ministry of External Affairs appealed to all Indians currently in Syria to "remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus".

New Delhi's urgent notification also stated that "Those who can, are advised to leave (Syria) by the earliest available commercial flights." For those who cannot, the advisory asked them to "observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum."

The emergency helpline number shared is for the Indian Embassy in Damascus. It is +963 993385973. This number can also be used on WhatsApp the statement read, adding an emergency email ID as well - which is hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in. Updates shall be shared once the staff is contacted, the advisory stated.

Explosion Hits Block Of Flats At The Hague

THE HAGUE, Dec 7: A three-storey apartment block in The Hague partially collapsed Saturday after a fire and explosion, firefighters said, with first responders searching for people under the rubble.

Four people have already been pulled out of the debris and taken to hospital, as elite teams with sniffer dogs deployed to rescue others trapped by the disaster.

It was not known how many people were still missing nor what caused the explosion in the block of flats not far from the centre of the city.

Syrian insurgents close in on Homs as advance towards Damascus continues

DAMASCUS, Dec 6: Syrian insurgents have entered towns north of the country’s third largest city, Homs, sweeping along a highway that eventually leads to the capital, Damascus, in a lightning-fast advance that has shaken the Middle East.

Militants spearheaded by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the city of Hama on Thursday before moving south, swiftly capturing two key towns on the road south of the city before arriving in Al-Dar al-Kabera, a town five miles from the centre of Homs.

The Russian embassy in Damascus instructed Russian nationals to leave Syria, in a rare show of alarm. Moscow has remained a key ally of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, including providing military support.

Video from the opposition-aligned Aleppo Today channel showed airstrikes targeting Talbiseh on the road between Hama and Homs shortly after it was claimed by insurgents. The defence ministry in Damascus said Russian and Syrian military aircraft were responsible for airstrikes on the Hama countryside, while a strike attributed to forces from Moscow destroyed a bridge along the highway leading into Homs.

Speaking to reporters outside a mosque in Istanbul, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, offered a message of support to the insurgency. He had previously offered to “discuss shaping the future of Syria,” together with Assad, he said, “but we received no response”.

“Idlib, Hama, Homs and after that most probably Damascus … we hope this march in Syria will continue without any issues,” he said. The foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Russia are expected to meet tomorrow on the sidelines of a forum in Doha for an urgent meeting on Syria.

The city of Homs sits at a key juncture close to the Lebanese border, connecting the road to Damascus with a highway to the coastal communities, Assad’s heartland and a site of Russian naval bases.

Homs witnessed some of the fiercest fighting during earlier phases of Syria’s civil war over a decade ago, with rebel forces engaged in years-long street battles the army and allied Syrian militia forces, as well as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

South Korean President Withdraws Martial Law Order Hours After Declaring It

SEOUL, Dec 3: Within six hours of announcing a martial law in the country, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will withdraw it.

In a 4:30 am (local time) special address to the nation, President Yoon said, "Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations. We will accept the National Assembly's request and lift the martial law through the Cabinet meeting."

South Korean MPs had voted unanimously against the imposition of martial law at a midnight session of the National Assembly to denounce the President's decision.

The President then agreed to honour the vote, as did the army chief. Shortly after the President withdrew the order and addressed the nation, the South Korean cabinet convened for a 5 am (local time) meeting to approve a motion to officially lift what turned out to be one of the shortest-ever martial laws in history.

As events unfolded in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday in Korea, President Yoon's decision for a national emergency and martial law was vehemently opposed by parliamentarians who rejected the decision to ban political activity and censor the media.

Explaining his move, President Yoon had said that the decision was taken to crush "anti-state forces". This was the first time in nearly five decades that South Korea had imposed a martial law - the last one being in 1980.

Politicians and protesters had assembled outside the National Assembly (Parliament) shouting slogans in defiance of the martial law that was in place at the time. Security forces had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The country's currency also went on a downward spiral. However, the situation improved after President Yoon agreed to the vote in Parliament and said he will announce the withdrawal shortly.

South Korea is one of the major economies of Asia and is a key ally of the United States. It has also been a democracy for more than four decades. The move to enforce a martial law had therefore caused international alarm.

Though South Korea is under a constant threat from its northern nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea, President Yoon did not suggest any specific threat from Kim Jong-Un that could have led to this sudden decision.

President Yoon has been under pressure in domestic politics after his party - People Power Party - suffered a massive defeat in the general election held in April this year. The result left the opposition with more than two-thirds majority in Parlaiment. President Yoon has also been rather unpopular in recent times, with his national rating falling to just around 20 per cent.

Taiwan president's Hawaii trip draws Chinese anger

HAWAII, Dec 2: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has arrived in the US state of Hawaii for a two-day visit, drawing a furious reaction from China.

The trip is being billed as a stopover as part of a Pacific tour, but comes amid long-running tensions between the US and China and growing concerns about the possibility of conflict over Taiwan.

After arriving in Hawaii, Lai said war would have "no winners" and that "we have to fight together to prevent war".

China's foreign ministry said it "strongly condemns" the visit and that it had "lodged serious protests with the US".

China considers Taiwan - which broke away in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War - to be part of its own territory, and opposes any diplomatic engagement with it by other countries.

The US has long maintained a deliberately ambiguous policy towards the island, declining to recognise its independence but maintaining informal relations with its government.

Speaking before his departure for Hawaii, Lai said the trip marked "the beginning of a new era of value-based diplomacy".

"Democracy, prosperity and peace are the expectations of the people of Taiwan, and they are also the values that I, as president, must actively promote," he said.

He said he wanted to show the world that Taiwan is "not only a model of democracy, but also a key force in promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity".

Speaking at a dinner on Saturday attended by state officials, members of Congress, and Taiwanese residents of Hawaii, he added that a visit that day to Pearl Harbour - whose bombing by Japan in 1941 brought the US into the Second World War - had served as a reminder of "the importance of ensuring peace".

"Peace is priceless, and war has no winners. We have to fight, fight together to prevent war," he said.

The rest of the trip will see Lai visit Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, the only Pacific island nations among the 12 countries that recognise Taiwan's independence. He will also stop for one night in the US territory of Guam.

In a statement ahead of the trip, a spokesperson for the Chinese defence ministry said China would "firmly oppose official interaction with China's Taiwan region in any form" and "resolutely crush" attempts secure Taiwanese independence.

Gaza Ceasefire And Hostage Deal 'Not There Yet': White House

WASHINGTON, Dec 1: The White House is working on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza but is "not there yet," the US National Security Advisor told NBC on Sunday, with fighting in the conflict raging on as regional leaders meet to discuss the crisis.

"We are working actively to try to make it happen. We are engaged deeply with the key players in the region, and there is activity even today," said Jake Sullivan, according to a transcript released by the broadcaster.

"There will be further conversations and consultations, and our hope is that we can generate a ceasefire and hostage deal, but we're not there yet," he added.

Sullivan's comments came a day after Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, days into a fragile ceasefire in its conflict with the Iran-backed group.

Addressing that conflict, Sullivan lauded the ceasefire deal and said the US was working with Lebanon's military to ensure it was implemented "effectively."

"We need to protect it and ensure that it is fully implemented," he told NBC.

In an apparent reference to the Israeli strikes, Sullivan said both parties "have the right, consistent with international law, to take action in self-defense if they're facing imminent threats."

Speaking in Jerusalem on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said there were "indications" progress could be made on a deal securing the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza.

"There are signs we may see a greater degree of flexibility from Hamas as a result of circumstances that have developed, including the agreement with Lebanon," he said.

"There is a desire to move forward on this. I hope it can progress. We are committed to the return of the hostages -- it's a responsibility we must uphold."

Saar asserted, however, that Hamas "cannot be allowed" to continue to rule Gaza.

Speaking to US broadcaster CBS, Sullivan said US President Joe Biden was in close coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

"He also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu that day (of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire), and Prime Minister Netanyahu told him he agreed, the time is right. The moment is now," said Sullivan, referring to the need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.