Syrian authorities thwarted an ISIS attempt to bomb the revered Sayyida Zaynab Shia shrine in a Damascus suburb, according to a source within Syria’s intelligence agency. The foiled bombing was confirmed by the state news agency SANA on Saturday.
Intelligence and security forces successfully prevented the attack, with the source stating, “The Special Forces succeeded in thwarting an attempt by ISIS to carry out a bombing inside the Sayyida Zaynab shrine.”
The Syrian Interior Ministry released photographs of four men arrested outside the capital, whom they identified as members of an ISIS cell. The images also revealed equipment seized from the suspects, including smartphones, two rifles, three explosive devices, and several hand grenades.
The photos further showed identification documents belonging to two Lebanese nationals and a Palestinian refugee residing in Lebanon.
The Sayyida Zaynab shrine, a major Shia pilgrimage site in Syria, has been historically protected by Iran-backed forces, particularly after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. These fighters had previously guarded the gates of the shrine until their retreat ahead of opposition forces entering Damascus last month.
Shia shrines are frequent targets of Sunni extremist groups like ISIS, who have carried out attacks in both Syria and neighboring Iraq. The Damascus shrine was previously targeted by ISIS, which claimed responsibility for a bombing in July 2023 that killed at least six people near the mausoleum.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigned from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday after concluding his work on two criminal investigations related to President-elect Donald Trump. The resignation was confirmed in a court filing submitted by DOJ officials to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Saturday.
The filing, first reported by Politico’s Josh Gerstein, included a third footnote stating, “The Special Counsel completed his work and submitted his final confidential report on January 7, 2025, and separated from the Department on January 10.”
Smith’s resignation marks the end of his role overseeing the high-profile investigations into Trump’s actions.
Caroline Darian, the daughter of convicted rapist Dominique Pelicot, says her father “should die in prison” after his conviction for drugging and facilitating the rape of his wife by dozens of men. Pelicot, 72, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in December after a historic three-and-a-half-month trial in France.
The case, which shocked the nation, began in November 2020 when Darian’s mother, Gisèle Pelicot, discovered her husband had been drugging her for a decade to enable men he recruited online to assault her while she was unconscious.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Darian recounted the moment her mother called to share the horrifying revelation. “It was like an earthquake. A tsunami,” she said.
More than 50 men involved in the assaults were also sentenced to prison. Pelicot was apprehended after a separate incident of upskirting in a supermarket led investigators to uncover thousands of incriminating videos and images on his electronic devices.
The trial highlighted the under-reported crime of chemical submission, where victims are drugged and assaulted. Experts say many victims have no memory of the attacks, making evidence difficult to collect.
Darian, 46, has since dedicated her life to raising awareness about this form of assault, which she calls “invisible” due to its insidious nature. “The drugs used often come from a family’s medicine cabinet,” she explained.
In her book, *I’ll Never Call Him Dad Again*, Darian details the trauma endured by her family and the hidden dangers of drug-facilitated crimes.
The investigation revealed more devastating truths for Darian. Police showed her images suggesting she had also been drugged and assaulted by her father, although Pelicot denied the allegations and no conclusive evidence was found.
“I know he drugged me, probably for sexual abuse, but I don’t have proof,” Darian said. She lamented that many victims face similar struggles, often disbelieved or unsupported due to the lack of tangible evidence.
Darian described the burden of being both the daughter of a victim and the daughter of a predator. “When I look back, I don’t remember the father I thought he was. I see the criminal, the sexual predator,” she said.
Gisèle Pelicot has sought to recover from the trauma of the assaults and trial. “She is exhausted but recovering,” Darian said. Meanwhile, Darian finds strength in her family, including her husband, her brothers, and her 10-year-old son.
With years left before her father is eligible for parole, Darian is focused on moving forward and advocating for victims of chemical submission and sexual abuse. “The events made me who I am today,” she said.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 38-year-old man, Destiny Ekhorutomuen, for allegedly using social media platforms to disseminate false and inciting information aimed at damaging the police’s reputation and provoking public discontent.
Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed the arrest in a statement on Friday, stating that operatives from the National Cyber Crime Centre apprehended the suspect in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State on December 8, 2024.
“The suspect allegedly created and operated multiple social media accounts to spread false and inciting content designed to provoke the public against the Nigeria Police,” Adejobi said.
The police expressed concern over the dangers posed by the deliberate spread of falsehoods, describing it as a threat to national security, public trust, and societal harmony.
“This deliberate spread of falsehoods erodes public trust, undermines societal cohesion, and poses significant risks to national security,” the statement noted.
Adejobi reiterated the police’s zero-tolerance stance toward the misuse of social media to propagate fake news or incite disorder, emphasizing that such actions are criminal offences under Nigerian law.
“The Nigeria Police reiterates its zero tolerance for acts aimed at threatening the nation’s stability or tarnishing the reputation of the police and other government institutions,” he stated.
The police also called on Nigerians to act responsibly in their use of social media, urging citizens to prioritize national unity and peace.
“Citizens are urged to exercise caution and responsibility in their use of information, as the collective peace and unity of the nation depend on it,” Adejobi added.
Manchester City shattered Salford City’s FA Cup hopes with a commanding 8-0 victory on Saturday, while Liverpool secured a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley to advance to the fourth round.
Chelsea delivered another standout performance, crushing Morecambe 5-0, while Brentford suffered an unexpected defeat as Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle stunned them 1-0 with a late strike by Morgan Whittaker.
League Two side Salford City, backed by former Manchester United stars David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Nicky Butt, has risen through the ranks since their 2014 investment. However, the dream of a cup upset ended at the Etihad Stadium, where Scholes, Butt, and director of football Giggs watched their team succumb to a ruthless Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola rotated his squad, resting Erling Haaland, but Manchester City’s dominance remained. Jeremy Doku opened the scoring just eight minutes in, with youngsters Divin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly extending the lead to 3-0 by halftime.
Jack Grealish converted a penalty for his first goal in over a year, while Doku added another from the spot. James McAtee stole the spotlight, completing a stunning 20-minute second-half hat trick to seal City’s emphatic victory.
At Anfield, Liverpool maintained control against Accrington Stanley despite manager Arne Slot making eight changes to his starting lineup. Trent Alexander-Arnold captained the Reds in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and silenced recent criticism with an inspiring performance.
Diogo Jota broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, tapping in a low cross from Darwin Nunez. Moments later, Alexander-Arnold doubled Liverpool’s lead with a sensational long-range strike into the top corner.
Jayden Danns added a third before Federico Chiesa scored his first goal for Liverpool following an injury-hit start to his career in England.
Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first time North Korean troops have been taken alive since their reported deployment last autumn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday.
North Korean troops reportedly joined Russia’s war efforts in October, according to Kyiv and Western officials, who initially estimated their numbers at 10,000 or more.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyy said the captured soldiers were transported to Kyiv, where they are cooperating with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the nation’s domestic intelligence agency.
“As with all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical assistance,” Zelenskyy said. He added that journalists would soon be granted access to interview them.
Kyiv alleges that North Korean forces are active in the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an incursion in August. Ukrainian forces maintain control over several hundred square kilometers of territory in the area, officials said.
Additionally, North Korea has reportedly been supplying Russia with large quantities of artillery shells, a claim corroborated by Kyiv’s Western allies.
Russia has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean troops in Kursk, and neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has responded to Ukraine’s latest claims.
Ukraine previously reported capturing North Korean soldiers in combat, but those individuals were severely wounded and later died.
Zelenskyy revealed in a subsequent video address that the capture was carried out by Ukraine’s special forces, working in coordination with paratroopers.
Drone footage released by Ukraine’s special forces shows a forested area where five men in camouflage appeared to be involved in the operation. The footage, however, lacked further discernible details.
Additional video from the SBU shows the two North Korean soldiers. One soldier’s jaw was bandaged from an apparent wound, while the other was shown drinking through a straw.
A doctor featured in the video said one soldier suffered a facial injury requiring dental treatment, and the other had an open wound and a fractured lower leg.
The SBU reported that the North Korean soldiers, born in 1999 and 2005, have been serving in the North Korean armed forces since 2016 and 2021, respectively. They have been transferred to Kyiv for further questioning, which is being conducted in Korean with assistance from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Documents found on one soldier linked him to a Russian identity, while the other carried no identification, the SBU said.
Ukrainian officials stated the two prisoners are being held in accordance with international law. Authorities are conducting a criminal investigation to determine whether the soldiers violated Ukraine’s laws on waging war.
The largest wildfire sweeping across Los Angeles County shifted direction Saturday, prompting new evacuation orders and creating additional challenges for firefighters already battling exhaustion.
Six wildfires have scorched neighborhoods since Tuesday, leaving 11 people dead and destroying or damaging more than 10,000 structures, officials said. Firefighters have been unable to conduct house-to-house searches to assess the full toll of destruction.
The Santa Ana winds fueling the blazes eased Friday night, but the Palisades Fire, burning on the city’s western edge, moved northeast toward the Brentwood neighborhood and San Fernando Valley foothills, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“The Palisades Fire has developed a significant flare-up on its eastern edge and is heading northeast,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott.
The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, burning in the foothills east of Los Angeles, have combined to scorch more than 35,000 acres — roughly 54 square miles. Officials said Friday night that the Palisades Fire was 8% contained and the Eaton Fire was 3% contained.
Authorities said more than 153,000 residents remained under evacuation orders, with another 166,800 warned to be ready to leave if the fires worsen.
Firefighters have made progress battling the Eaton Fire in the foothills, aided by aerial water drops and ground crews working to establish fire lines. Additional aid has come from neighboring states, federal resources, and even Canada.
The National Weather Service said wind speeds are expected to decrease over the weekend, but officials warned that dry vegetation and low humidity continue to pose critical fire risks. Strong winds could return as early as Tuesday.
California officials declared a public health emergency due to toxic smoke blanketing the area.
The Palisades neighborhood was among the hardest hit, with many homes reduced to ash. Residents returning to survey the damage found only chimneys standing among the rubble.
Kelly Foster, 44, described sifting through the remains of her home as “devastating.”
Rick McGeagh, 61, said his ranch house in Palisades was reduced to rubble, with only a statue of the Virgin Mary left standing.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the fires would cost between $135 billion and $150 billion in damage and economic loss. The fires have displaced thousands of residents, left tens of thousands without power, and exposed millions to hazardous air quality.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urged insurers to extend grace periods for payments and suspend cancellations in affected areas.
President Joe Biden declared the wildfires a major disaster, ensuring federal reimbursement for 100% of recovery costs for six months.
The Biden administration has announced its most extensive package of sanctions to date targeting Russia’s oil and gas revenues, aiming to weaken Moscow’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine. The move, unveiled on Friday, comes as part of a broader U.S. strategy to support Kyiv while bolstering leverage for peace negotiations under incoming President Donald Trump.
The sanctions target Russia’s energy sector, the largest source of revenue for President Vladimir Putin’s government. Since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the war has resulted in over 12,300 civilian deaths and the destruction of numerous Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the sanctions as a significant blow to Moscow. “The less revenue Russia earns from oil… the sooner peace will be restored,” Zelensky said on social media platform X.
Daleep Singh, a top White House adviser, stated that the measures represent the “most significant sanctions yet on Russia’s energy sector.”
The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegas, and 183 vessels involved in shipping Russian oil. Many of these vessels belong to the “shadow fleet,” a network of aging tankers operated by non-Western companies to bypass sanctions. The measures also target companies and networks facilitating the trade of Russian petroleum.
Since the Group of Seven imposed a price cap on Russian oil in 2022, exports have shifted from Europe to markets in India and China. Several sanctioned vessels have reportedly carried both Russian and Iranian oil.
The Treasury also revoked an exemption allowing the intermediation of energy payments through Russian banks. This change could cost Russia billions of dollars monthly if the sanctions are effectively enforced, officials said.
“There is not a step in the production and distribution chain that’s untouched,” one official added, signaling increased costs for Russia’s evasion tactics.
Gazprom Neft condemned the sanctions as unjustified and pledged to continue its operations. Meanwhile, global oil prices rose more than 3%, with Brent crude approaching $80 per barrel. Traders cited anticipated disruptions in Russian exports to India and China as a primary factor.
The Biden administration has emphasized that new oil supplies expected from the U.S., Guyana, Canada, Brazil, and potentially the Middle East will mitigate the impact of lost Russian oil on global markets. “We’re no longer constrained by tight supply in global markets,” said Geoffrey Pyatt, U.S. assistant secretary for energy resources.
The sanctions complement the $64 billion in military aid provided by the U.S. since the invasion began, including $500 million this week for air defense systems and fighter jet support.
U.S. officials believe the economic pressure will exacerbate existing challenges for Russia’s economy, which is already grappling with inflation nearing 10% and a bleak outlook for 2025 and beyond.
The incoming Trump administration, which takes office on January 20, will determine whether the sanctions remain in place. However, reversing the measures would require congressional approval.
“Trump’s people can’t just come in and quietly lift everything that Biden just did. Congress would have to be involved,” said Jeremy Paner, a partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed.
While Trump’s return has raised hopes for a diplomatic resolution, concerns linger in Kyiv over the potential cost of peace negotiations. Some of Trump’s advisers have proposed concessions that would cede significant Ukrainian territories to Russia.
“The sanctions and military aid provide the next administration with substantial leverage in brokering a just and durable peace,” a U.S. official noted.
A former fighter for Vladimir Putin’s notorious Wagner Group has been arrested after illegally crossing the U.S. border from Mexico, officials said.
Timur Praliev, a 30-year-old dual passport holder, was detained near Roma, Texas, on January 4 after wading across the Rio Grande River. He was reportedly in possession of $4,000 in U.S. currency, 60,000 Mexican pesos (approximately $2,895), and a drone, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan.
Praliev admitted during questioning to being a member of the Wagner Group, a private military company widely regarded as operating under the control of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Wagner Group has been accused of committing war crimes, including murder, rape, torture, and robbery of civilians, as well as executing deserters in multiple countries where it operates.
The U.S. has designated the Wagner Group as a paramilitary organization linked to atrocities across Africa and Ukraine, where its fighters have played a significant role in the ongoing invasion.
“The defendant was also in possession of a drone in his backpack when he crossed into the United States,” McColgan said, adding that Praliev’s association with the group raises concerns about community safety.
Praliev, identified as a citizen of Kazakhstan, was charged with illegal entry into the United States, a federal misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 days in federal custody.
The criminal complaint revealed that Praliev carried both Russian and Kazakh passports at the time of his arrest. Kazakhstan prohibits dual citizenship, requiring individuals who acquire a foreign passport to renounce their Kazakh nationality within 30 days.
Reports from Ukrainian outlet Idel.Realii suggest that Praliev served as a veteran fighter for the Wagner Group in Bashkortostan, Russia. His motives for crossing the U.S. border with a drone remain unclear.
McColgan emphasized the government’s concern about Praliev’s release, citing his affiliation with an organization associated with political violence.
A nearly $9 million Malibu mansion miraculously survived the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, leaving its owner astonished when the smoke cleared, and the structure remained standing amid the charred remains of neighboring homes.
“It’s a miracle — miracles never cease,” said David Steiner, 64, a retired waste-management executive from Texas.
The three-story California home, vacant during the fire, was feared lost after a contractor sent Steiner a video of flames and smoke engulfing the property and neighboring houses.
“[The contractor] was watching the news reports and saw my neighbor’s house going down. He told me, ‘It looks like your house is going, too,’” Steiner said.
Upon receiving the video, Steiner said it seemed impossible that the home could survive. “It looked like nothing could have possibly survived that, and I thought we had lost the house.”
Photos of the white three-story mansion standing intact among the wreckage spread quickly, with people contacting Steiner to say, “Your house is all over the news.”
“I started getting pictures and realized we had made it through,” Steiner said. “My wife sent me something this morning that said, ‘Last house standing.’ It brought a big smile to my face at a pretty bad time.”
Steiner, a former attorney and executive, credits the home’s ultra-sturdy construction, designed for earthquake resistance, for its survival during the Palisades Fire.
“It’s stucco and stone with a fireproof roof,” Steiner said, noting the house also features pilings that extend 50 feet into bedrock to withstand powerful waves from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
“To be totally honest, I never in a million years thought a wildfire would jump to the Pacific Coast Highway and start a fire,” Steiner said. “I thought, ‘If we ever have an earthquake, this would be the last thing to go.’ I didn’t think fire would be the threat, but it was.”
The 4,200-square-foot, four-bedroom home was purchased from a producer and features design elements inspired by cruise ships, Steiner said.
“The fireplace chimney looks like the smoke stack of a boat, and the back balcony feels like a cruise ship because you’re right there on the water,” he added.
Malibu house owner
While grateful for the home’s survival, Steiner acknowledged the devastation faced by others in the area. “My heart goes out to those who lost their homes,” he said.
Steiner also noted the house likely sustained smoke damage but confirmed he has insurance, though wildfire coverage is limited.
