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Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, Syria is navigating a complex transition. The new leadership, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), promises accountability for past crimes while facing challenges in governance and international relations. Protests for democracy and women's rights have emerged amid fears of sectarian violence.
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On December 19, 2024, the UN General Assembly passed a Norwegian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. The vote was 137-12, with 22 abstentions, and follows the ICJ's previous condemnation of Israel's occupation.
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Recent Israeli airstrikes targeted military infrastructure in Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport and several ports, following Houthi missile attacks on Israel. The strikes resulted in casualties and heightened tensions, with both sides threatening further escalation amid ongoing humanitarian crises in the region.
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Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen's main airport on December 26, 2024, during a UN delegation's presence, resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was present, describing the chaos as the airport control tower was destroyed. The strikes are part of escalating tensions involving Houthi attacks on Israel.
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The year 2024 has been confirmed as the hottest year on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the first time the annual average has exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, raising concerns about the accelerating climate crisis.