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.

The leader of Syria's largest rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, hailed the fall of President Bashar al-Assad as “a victory for the Islamic nation.” Speaking at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday, Jolani declared, "Assad turned Syria into a farm for Iran’s greed. Today marks the end of tyranny and a new chapter for the Syrian people." Crowds in Damascus cheered and chanted "Allahu Akbar" as the HTS leader addressed them. Jolani, using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, praised the people for their resilience and promised a "free Syria for all."

US President-elect Donald Trump has promised to pardon those convicted for the 2021 Capitol riot on his first day in office. Speaking to NBC, he described their conditions as "disgusting" and said he would review their cases quickly. Trump also vowed to end birthright citizenship through executive action, challenging the 14th Amendment. He plans to deport undocumented immigrants while working with Democrats to support "Dreamers." Trump hinted at possible retribution against political adversaries but stated his focus is on making the country successful. He takes office on 20 January and plans to issue orders on immigration, energy, and the economy.

Police released new photos of the suspect who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 in Manhattan. The images, from a taxi dashcam, show the masked gunman. A backpack found in Central Park contained Monopoly money and a Tommy Hilfiger jacket. Investigators believe the shooter fled New York by bus shortly after the attack. Thompson, 50, was shot outside a hotel before an investor meeting. Bullet casings with cryptic words were found at the scene. The FBI has joined the hunt, offering a $50,000 reward. Police say the gunman arrived in New York on November 24 using fake ID.

Syrian rebels have taken control of Damascus, ending Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule. The president fled to Moscow, where Russia has granted him asylum. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani declared victory at the Umayyad Mosque, calling it a historic moment. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali promised a peaceful power transfer. Global leaders welcomed the change, with calls for stability and aid for civilians. Over 900 people, including 138 civilians, died in the recent fighting. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. Syrians celebrated worldwide, hoping for a better future without Assad’s regime.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali was escorted to a hotel after rebels overthrew the Bashar al-Assad government in a swift offensive that took Damascus. Assad's whereabouts remain unknown, with reports suggesting he may have fled the country. The US has vowed to maintain its presence in eastern Syria to prevent an ISIS resurgence amid the chaos. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Shapiro stated that efforts would continue to degrade ISIS capabilities and prevent the group from gaining momentum. Meanwhile, Iran's embassy in Syria was reportedly attacked by unknown assailants.

Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, labeling it "madness." In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to act, suggesting China could help broker peace. This followed his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, marking their first face-to-face talks since Trump's recent election victory. While Zelenskyy emphasized the need for reliable peace guarantees, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted that talks must consider battlefield realities. Ukraine insists that any ceasefire must be backed by solid peace guarantees to avoid further escalation.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris held its first mass on December 8, 2024, marking its grand reopening after a five-year restoration. The cathedral, nearly destroyed in a 2019 fire, has been fully renovated, including a new roof and spire. The inaugural mass was led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, with French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance. During the ceremony, a new altar was consecrated, replacing the one destroyed in the blaze. The cathedral will open to the public on December 16. The $750 million restoration was funded by donations and aimed at preserving the iconic monument for future generations.

Police have released two new images of a suspect in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, in New York. Thompson was shot in the back as he headed to a conference on December 5. The gunman, who remains at large, was captured in a taxi and outside the vehicle wearing a hooded sweatshirt and face mask. Authorities are investigating a possible link to the health insurance industry, as bullet casings found near Thompson's body contained words like "deny," "defend," and "depose." The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

On Sunday, Israel launched airstrikes targeting air defense bases and ammunition depots near Syria’s capital, Damascus. This came after the Israeli military deployed forces to a demilitarized buffer zone in southwest Syria, near the Golan Heights, following the rebel capture of Damascus. Syrian opposition forces declared a curfew in the capital from 4 pm to 5 am. Meanwhile, rebel factions announced the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, confirming his resignation and departure from Syria after a peaceful power transfer. Israel's military stated that it would continue its operations to defend the buffer zone.