Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has vowed to hold former officials accountable for crimes under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. “We will not hesitate to bring criminals and torturers to justice,” Jolani said after meeting outgoing PM Mohammed al-Jalali to coordinate a peaceful transition of power. Assad fled Syria as rebel forces entered Damascus, ending his five-decade rule. Thousands gathered at Saydnaya prison, infamous for atrocities, searching for missing relatives. The UN called for accountability, while the US and Europe urged Syria’s new leadership to protect human rights. “This is a rebirth for Syria,” said Damascus resident Rim Ramadan.

A Bengali literary festival at Visva-Bharati University’s Bangladesh Bhavan saw no participation from Bangladeshi poets and writers due to visa denials and rising political tensions. Organisers revealed that around 20 Bangladeshi participants refrained from applying for visas after initial refusals. The two-day festival, aimed at promoting Bengali culture, had participants from India and abroad. Political instability in Bangladesh, including reports of minority persecution, heightened concerns. Manabendra Mukherjee of Bangladesh Bhavan expressed regret, emphasizing the festival's reliance on cross-border participation for cultural dialogue.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls to halt the Gaza war, stating, “Ending it now allows Hamas to recover and attack again.” The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack killing 1,208 Israelis, has resulted in 44,758 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to UN-verified data from the Hamas-run health ministry. Renewed negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, show potential progress. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s goal: the “annihilation of Hamas.” Families of hostages held in Gaza continue protests, demanding a resolution. The international community urges Israel to prioritize negotiations.

US President-elect Donald Trump appointed Indian-American Harmeet K Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Born in Chandigarh, Dhillon specializes in election law, employment rights, and First Amendment cases. Trump praised her for fighting tech censorship and defending religious freedoms. Dhillon, who founded Dhillon Law Group in 2006, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, dedicating it to her late father and husband. She joins other Indian-Americans in Trump’s Cabinet, including Jay Bhattacharya, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Kash Patel. Dhillon emphasized her commitment to enforcing civil rights laws fairly.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, seeking asylum after rebels took control of Damascus. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali announced efforts to stabilise the nation and coordinate with rebel leaders. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, promised tolerance and fairness during this transitional phase. Celebrations erupted in Damascus as citizens marked the end of Assad’s rule. Government services have been disrupted, with most officials leaving their posts. The UN reported a halt in public services, including medical aid. Rebel leaders assured citizens of inclusive governance and vowed not to impose restrictions on women’s clothing or rights.

South Korean authorities have imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is under investigation for attempting to declare martial law last week. Despite surviving a failed impeachment motion, Yoon faces widespread protests and criticism from opposition parties. Key figures involved in the declaration have resigned or been arrested, including former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) announced that Yoon would refrain from involvement in state affairs until his early resignation, but the opposition decried the move as unconstitutional, vowing to continue impeachment efforts.

Russia confirmed granting political asylum to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country after rebels ousted him on Sunday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated President Vladimir Putin approved Assad’s asylum but did not disclose his location or plans for a meeting. Assad’s 13-year rule ended following a surprise offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, marking the collapse of his regime. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani hailed the victory at Damascus’ Umayyad Mosque, calling it a historic moment for the region. The development ends Syria's dormant civil war and signals a major regional power shift.

President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to pardon Capitol rioters and end birthright citizenship via executive orders after his January inauguration. In an NBC interview, Trump reiterated his commitment to immigration reforms, including deporting undocumented families and revisiting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He pledged to reconsider NATO membership and hinted at reducing U.S. aid to Ukraine. Trump also expressed interest in investigating the link between vaccines and autism, appointing vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. On political adversaries, Trump said retribution would come through success but called for jail time for January 6 investigators.

Israel confirmed striking suspected chemical weapon and missile sites in Syria to prevent them from falling into extremist hands, according to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The strikes come after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition forces and fled to Moscow, where Russia granted him asylum. Assad's government, weakened by years of civil war, rapidly lost territory following a surprise offensive from the northwest. Israeli officials emphasized the attacks were temporary, aimed solely at national security. Meanwhile, ongoing talks with Hamas for hostage releases remain unresolved. Syria’s civil war has claimed thousands of lives over 14 years.

Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, laid her first egg in four years at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii. Tagged in 1956, she holds the title of the oldest known wild bird globally. Despite losing her long-time mate, Akeakamai, Wisdom formed a new bond and is sharing incubation duties with her new partner. Over her lifetime, she has laid 50-60 eggs, raising around 30 chicks. Wildlife experts hope the egg will hatch successfully, exemplifying resilience against threats like plastic pollution and habitat loss. Wisdom’s longevity inspires hope for seabirds amid environmental challenges.