Cult COP29 focuses on culture’s role in global climate solutions In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan In this episode of Cult, we explore how COP29 in Baku is redefining climate action by emphasizing culture’s essential role in driving sustainability, fostering resilience, and inspiring global collaboration. 16/12/2024
No Comment Cyclone Chido ravages Mayotte island The people of Mayotte are trying to assess the damage caused by the passage of Cyclone Chido over the weekend. 16/12/2024
Syria Israeli airstrikes in Syria 'most violent' since 2012, monitor says The Israeli military says it is only hitting military targets in Syria after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's rule last weekend following a stunning rebel advance. 16/12/2024
South Korea South Korea court begins President Yoon's impeachment trial Members of parliament in Seoul voted to impeach the president on Saturday after he imposed a short-live martial law order that thrust the country into political chaos. 16/12/2024
Israel Israel plans to expand into Golan Heights in a 'new front' in Syria Israel's "demographic development" plan to increase settler numbers only applies to the area of the Golan Heights that Israel seized during the Six Day War in 1967 and later annexed in 1981 and not to territory taken since al-Assad's ouster. 16/12/2024
Syria Syria's Kurds fearful of the future after Islamist rebels seized power One week after President Bashir al-Assad's regime was toppled the Kurdish region in the north is neither as calm nor as relieved as the rest of Syria. 15/12/2024
Earth News After the ceasefire, experts count ecological cost of war in Lebanon In its war against Hezbollah, Israel has dropped thousands of tonnes of munitions, causing great ecological damage and jeopardising both food security and public health. 15/12/2024
Syria Damascus is surprisingly calm a week after Syria's rebels took over A week of transition has been surprisingly smooth: Reports of reprisals, revenge killings sectarian violence and looting have all been minimal. 15/12/2024
Lebanon Najib Mikati calls for Syrian refugees in Lebanon to return home With a population of 5.8 million, the two million Syrian refugees in the country means Lebanon is home to the largest number of refugees per capita. 15/12/2024
Culture news Iranian singer arrested after performing without hijab Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was arrested on Saturday after performing a YouTube concert without wearing a hijab, her lawyer told local media. 14/12/2024
Europe News Turkey reopens its embassy in Syria for the first time in 12 years The embassy reopening happened just days after rebels overthrew the government of Bashar al-Assad. 14/12/2024
Syria US, Arab League and Turkey top diplomats discuss Syria transition The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the ministers would "discuss ways to support a comprehensive political process led by Syrians to achieve a transitional process." 14/12/2024
South Korea Celebrations in Seoul as President Yoon is impeached Jubilant crowds celebrated in Seoul, South Korea after the National Assembly passed a motion 204-85 to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol. Protests against Yoon had been intensifying since a short-lived declaration of martial law on 3 December. 14/12/2024
South Korea South Korean president impeached over martial order declaration President Yoon Suk-yeol has been impeached at the second time of asking, as lawmakers voted in favour of the motion by 204 votes to 85. 14/12/2024
No Comment WATCH: Families search Saydnaya prison for missing loved ones Thousands of Syrians have flocked to Saydnaya prison, infamous for mass executions and torture under Assad’s regime, seeking news of missing relatives. Known as the "Human Slaughterhouse," Saydnaya was taken over by rebel forces on 8 December 2024, leading to the release of surviving inmates. 13/12/2024
No Comment Commemoration of the Nanjing Massacre in China In China, 13 December is a national day of remembrance for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. 13/12/2024
South Korea South Korean lawmakers set to hold second vote to impeach president If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office and if he is removed, an election to replace him must be held within 60 days. 13/12/2024
Economy China prepared to double down on support for economy as tariffs loom China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom. 13/12/2024
Europe News Russia seeks to retain influence and relations with new Syrian regime Russia left Bashir Al-Assad’s regime in the lurch last week, merely offering the dictator sanctuary, but the Kremlin remains keen to maintain its interest in the country and has established relations with new Syrian government, MEPs and experts tell Euronews. 13/12/2024
North Korea North Korean IT workers indicted for funnelling US money to Pyongyang The plan saw tens of millions of dollars skimmed from US firms to be directed back to North Korea to help fund weapons development, the FBI said. 13/12/2024
Gaza More than 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on Nuseirat camp The strike came just hours after US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and that would end more than a year of war in the Strip. 13/12/2024
Business Nissan looks to find a way to kick-start its money-losing business Nissan last month said it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen (€58m). 13/12/2024
No Comment Homs celebrates the end of Assad's regime After nearly 14 years of civil war, Syrians are beginning to return home. In the Baba Amr district of Homs, residents are celebrating the end of the Assad regime, welcoming former exiles and hoping for a new life. 12/12/2024
Syria How Israel plays its cards in the Syrian crisis Israel has moved to prevent the emergence of new threats from Syria. Lebanon, meanwhile, is worried about becoming the future battlefield of the region 12/12/2024
Europe in Motion What's next for Syrians and the HTS after al-Assad? Syria's new ruling faction has cut ties with al-Qaeda and pledged to respect religious minorities. But their track record leaves many open questions about the future of democracy in post-al-Assad Syria. 12/12/2024
Culture news Iranian singer questioned after performing without a hjiab Parastoo Ahmadi's concert was in contravention of Iran's strict morality laws for women. 12/12/2024