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Lebanon Returns 70 Syrian Officers and Soldiers to Syria

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Lebanon deported around 70 Syrian officers and soldiers on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they crossed into Lebanon illegally through informal routes, according to a Lebanese security official and a war monitoring group.

The Syrian personnel, including individuals of various ranks, were apprehended in Lebanon’s northern coastal city of Jbeil after being found in a truck during an inspection by local authorities. The group was subsequently sent back via the Arida crossing on Lebanon’s northern border.

The return follows the recent influx of senior Syrian officials and relatives of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, who fled Syria after the regime’s fall on December 8. Syrian military officials and close associates of the Assad family sought refuge in Lebanon amid the regime’s internal power struggles.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based monitoring group, reported that the returnees were detained by Syria’s new ruling authorities after crossing the border. The new administration has recently launched a major security crackdown targeting what they label as “remnants” of the Assad regime, particularly in areas close to the porous Lebanon-Syria border, including Homs and Tartous provinces.

Lebanese and Syrian officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident. Earlier reports indicated that Rifaat al-Assad, a former Syrian vice president, had recently flown from Beirut to Dubai. Rifaat, who faces war crimes charges in Switzerland related to the 1982 massacre, is among several members of the Assad family who have left Lebanon in recent weeks. Additionally, Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi confirmed that top Assad adviser Bouthaina Shaaban had also left Beirut earlier this month after entering Lebanon legally.

Afghan Taliban Retaliates Against Pakistan Following Cross-Border Airstrikes

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The Afghan Taliban targeted “several points” across the disputed border with Pakistan, Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry announced on Saturday, in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes carried out inside Afghan territory earlier this week. 

While the ministry did not explicitly name Pakistan, it referred to the strikes as taking place “beyond the ‘hypothetical line’,” a term Afghan authorities use to describe the contested Durand Line separating the two nations. 

“Several points beyond the hypothetical line, serving as centers and hideouts for malicious elements and their supporters who organized and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan, were targeted in retaliation from the southeastern direction of the country,” the ministry’s statement read. 

The Durand Line, drawn by British colonial authorities in the 19th century, has long been a source of dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghan officials do not recognize the line as an official border, complicating relations between the two countries. 

When asked about the statement’s reference to Pakistan, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi clarified, “We do not consider it to be the territory of Pakistan, therefore, we cannot confirm the territory, but it was on the other side of the hypothetical line.” 

No details regarding casualties or the exact locations targeted in the strikes were provided. The Pakistani military’s public relations wing and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yet to issue a response. 

The retaliatory action follows warnings from Afghan officials earlier this week, who accused Pakistan of targeting civilians during its airstrikes along the border. Islamabad stated that its strikes aimed to neutralize militant hideouts linked to cross-border attacks in Pakistan. 

The neighbors share a tense relationship, with Pakistan frequently accusing the Afghan Taliban of harboring militants responsible for attacks within its territory. The Afghan Taliban denies these claims and counters that Pakistan’s operations often harm innocent civilians. 

Putin Apologizes for Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash in Russian Airspace 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday for a “tragic incident” involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane that crashed in Russian airspace amid defense responses to Ukrainian drone attacks. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday when Flight J2-8243 crashed in a fireball near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after diverting from its route in southern Russia. The crash claimed the lives of at least 38 people. 

Preliminary findings from Azerbaijan’s investigation suggest that the plane was mistakenly shot down by Russian air defenses, according to four sources familiar with the case. The defense systems were reportedly responding to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian cities, including Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz, the Kremlin stated. 

In a statement, the Kremlin said, “(President) Vladimir Putin apologized for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.” 

Azerbaijan’s presidential office stated that the Embraer EMBR3.SA passenger jet encountered “external physical and technical interference” in Russian airspace, leading to a complete loss of control and its redirection to Aktau. The flight had originally departed from Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, en route to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region. 

The apology call between Putin and Aliyev reportedly took place at Putin’s request, as the Kremlin emphasized the ongoing challenges posed by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles targeting Russian cities. 

Pro-Russian Hackers Target Italy’s Foreign Ministry and Airports 

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A cyberattack targeting approximately ten official websites in Italy, including the Foreign Ministry and Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports, temporarily disrupted operations on Saturday, according to Italy’s cybersecurity agency. 

The pro-Russian hacker group Noname057(16) took responsibility for the attack via Telegram, stating that Italy’s “Russophobes get a well-deserved cyber response.” 

A spokesperson for Italy’s cybersecurity agency confirmed that the attack appeared to be a “Distributed Denial of Service” (DDoS) assault, where hackers flood a network with excessive data traffic to incapacitate it. 

The cybersecurity agency provided immediate assistance to the affected institutions and companies, mitigating the impact of the attack within two hours, the spokesperson said. 

Despite the attack, operations at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports remained unaffected, according to a spokesperson for SEA, the company managing the airports. While the websites were temporarily inaccessible, the airports’ mobile apps continued functioning without interruption. 

This incident is part of a series of cyberattacks linked to pro-Russian groups, as geopolitical tensions spill into the digital realm. Italy, a NATO member, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, making it a potential target for such activities. 

Russia Thwarts Alleged Ukrainian Plot to Assassinate Officer and Blogger 

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Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Saturday that it had thwarted an alleged plot by Ukraine to assassinate a high-ranking Russian military officer and a pro-Russian blogger. The FSB said the plan involved a bomb hidden in a portable music speaker. 

The FSB, which succeeded the Soviet-era KGB, stated that a Russian citizen had communicated with an officer from Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency via the Telegram messaging app. Acting on the Ukrainian officer’s instructions, the individual allegedly retrieved an explosive device from a hiding spot in Moscow. 

According to the FSB, the bomb was equivalent to 1.5 kilograms of TNT and packed with ball bearings to maximize impact. It was concealed in a portable music speaker. The names of the intended targets—one a Russian officer and the other a pro-Russian war blogger—were not disclosed. 

Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency has not yet commented on the allegations. 

FILE – Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, on Friday, June 14, 2024. Putin says that Moscow isn’t seeking quick gains in Ukraine and will stick to the current strategy of slow advances as it presses a grinding summer offensive. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Ukraine has previously indicated that targeted killings aimed at individuals it considers guilty of war crimes or critical to Russian operations are a legitimate part of its resistance against the invasion. Russia, however, denounces such actions as acts of terrorism, pointing to incidents like the 2022 assassination of Darya Dugina, daughter of nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin. 

The FSB’s statement comes shortly after the December 17 killing of Lieutenant General Kirillov, chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops. He was killed outside his Moscow residence when a bomb attached to an electric scooter detonated. Ukraine accused him of promoting the use of banned chemical weapons, a claim Russia denies. 

In response to the Kirillov killing, Russia has vowed retaliation. Meanwhile, critics like former U.S. Ukraine envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg described such operations as “going too far” in an interview with Fox News on December 18. 

REUTERS

Bus and Truck Collision in Veracruz, Mexico Leaves 8 Dead, 27 Injured 

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A fatal collision between a bus and a truck early Friday on Mexico’s Gulf coast claimed the lives of eight people and left 27 others injured, according to Veracruz state prosecutors. The crash occurred before dawn on a highway near the state capital, Xalapa, a region known for its mountainous terrain and winding roads. 

Authorities reported that most of the victims were passengers aboard the ADO-line bus. Among the deceased were three men, four women, and one young girl. The injured, totaling 27, were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Details about their conditions have not yet been released. 

The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The highway in question is notorious for its sharp curves and challenging driving conditions, particularly in the mountainous areas near Xalapa. 

This tragic incident highlights ongoing road safety challenges in Mexico’s mountainous regions. 

Israeli Troops Evacuate Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza | Humanitarian Crisis 

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Israeli troops reportedly stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last operational medical facilities in northern Gaza, on Friday, forcing patients and medical staff to evacuate into cold winter conditions, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The incident is part of escalating hostilities in the region.

The Israeli military denies entering or setting fire to the facility, claiming Hamas militants use it as a base of operations. The hospital has been hit repeatedly over the last three months during military offensives, with a recent strike killing five medical staff, according to officials. 

The Gaza Health Ministry stated that Israeli forces ordered patients and staff to assemble in the hospital yard, strip to their undergarments for security checks, and relocate to unknown destinations. Some patients were transferred to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was also rendered inoperable by Israeli airstrikes earlier this week. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied entering the facility but reiterated claims that Hamas militants operate within the hospital. No evidence was provided to substantiate this allegation, and hospital administrators denied Hamas’s presence in the complex. 

The Health Ministry reported fires allegedly ignited by Israeli troops across critical hospital areas, including the surgical and laboratory departments. Hospital staff claimed the situation put patients in immediate danger, including those reliant on oxygen support. The Health Ministry estimates that 25 patients and 60 medical personnel remain trapped in the facility. 

The United Nations condemned the incident, emphasizing the protection of medical facilities as mandated by international law. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay highlighted reports of “significant damage” to Kamal Adwan Hospital and called for urgent measures to protect patients and healthcare workers. 

The northern Gaza region, encompassing towns like Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya, remains largely sealed off due to intensified Israeli military operations. Food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid have been severely limited, with the United Nations reporting only four deliveries to the area in December. Thousands of Palestinians are believed to remain in these isolated areas, despite calls for safe evacuations. 

Since the conflict escalated following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, more than 45,400 Palestinians have been killed, including many women and children, according to Gaza Health Ministry data. Over 108,000 individuals have been injured, while Israel’s airstrikes and offensives have devastated Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. 

Displaced families in Gaza, most sheltering in overcrowded tent camps, are battling freezing temperatures. At least three infants have died from exposure to the cold, while an adult nurse also succumbed this week, according to health officials. The lack of adequate shelter, clothing, and heating has further worsened the humanitarian crisis. 

Chinese Workers in ‘Slavery-Like Conditions’ in Brazil Relocated to Hotels Amid Investigation

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FILE - A model poses near the BYD Song L EV car during Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Brazilian authorities have relocated dozens of Chinese workers from poor conditions at a construction site for electric vehicle manufacturer BYD in the northeastern city of Camaçari to local hotels as an investigation unfolds. 

FILE – A model poses near the BYD Song L EV car during Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Local prosecutors allege that the workers, employed under contractor Jinjiang Group, were victims of human trafficking and subjected to “slavery-like conditions.” However, no evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims, and the workers’ immigration status remains unclear. 

On Monday, prosecutors revealed the discovery of 163 workers and their living conditions, prompting an urgent request for their relocation to hotels. A video released by authorities showed dormitories with beds lacking mattresses and minimal cooking facilities. 

BYD, one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers, announced plans to terminate its contract with Jinjiang Group and stated it is “studying other appropriate measures.” In a statement on Thursday, the company denied allegations of labor violations, calling them a smear campaign against Chinese brands. BYD did not respond to requests for further comment. 

The factory in Camaçari, located approximately 1,600 kilometers (997 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro, is expected to commence production next year. The current whereabouts of the relocated workers remain unclear, with local residents noting many have left the area. 

The Bahia State Labor Prosecutor’s Office has not confirmed whether charges have been filed against those responsible, as investigations continue. 

AP

Winning Ticket for $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot Sold in California

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Rob, right, buys a Mega Millions ticket at Rossi's Deli in San Francisco, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

A winning Mega Millions ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold in California for the Friday night drawing, according to the Mega Millions website. The ticket matched all six numbers, marking the end of a three-month streak without a jackpot winner. 

Rob, right, buys a Mega Millions ticket at Rossi’s Deli in San Francisco, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The winning numbers were white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, and 55, along with the gold Mega Ball 6. The identity of the ticket holder or holders has not been disclosed. 

The full $1.22 billion jackpot will only be awarded to a winner who opts for an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Most winners choose the cash option, which for this drawing is approximately $549.7 million. 

Despite the astronomical odds of 1 in 302.6 million, ticket sales surged as the jackpot grew. The last time a Mega Millions jackpot was won was on Sept. 10, 2023. 

The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot of $1.6 billion was won in Florida in August 2023. Powerball, a similar lottery game, has recorded even larger prizes in its history. 

Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball is also sold in Puerto Rico. 

Starting in April, the price of a Mega Millions ticket will increase from $2 to $5. Officials say this adjustment is expected to improve jackpot odds and result in more frequent, record-breaking payouts. 

Pakistan Military Court Sentences 60 Civilians to Up to 10 Years in Prison

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A Pakistani military court has sentenced 60 civilians to prison terms ranging from 2 to 10 years for their involvement in attacks on military installations during protests that erupted after former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest in May 2023, according to a statement released by the military’s media wing on Thursday. 

Among those sentenced are a relative of Khan and two retired military officers. These latest sentences follow the earlier convictions of 25 individuals on similar charges. 

The arrests stem from widespread unrest in May 2023, when Khan’s detention sparked protests across the country. Supporters of the ousted prime minister targeted and vandalized military facilities in a show of defiance unprecedented in Pakistan’s history, where the military holds significant influence over political affairs. 

In its statement, the military emphasized its commitment to maintaining state authority and ensuring justice. “The Nation, Government, and the Armed Forces remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained,” the statement read. 

The sentences have drawn sharp criticism domestically and internationally. Supporters of Khan, who remains a prominent opposition figure, argue that the charges are politically motivated and that the trials undermine civilian rights. 

The international community has also voiced concerns over the use of military courts for civilians. The United States expressed being “deeply concerned” about the sentences, while the United Kingdom’s foreign office noted that trying civilians in military courts “lacks transparency, independent scrutiny, and undermines the right to a fair trial.” 

The European Union also criticized the sentences, calling them “inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” 

Pakistan’s information minister defended the trials during a press conference on Wednesday, asserting that they adhered to legal standards. According to the minister, the convicted individuals were provided access to legal counsel, allowed family visits, and retain the right to appeal twice—within the military court system and subsequently in the relevant civilian high court. 

“The military court sentences do not infringe upon the right to a fair trial,” the minister stated. 

The military and government have denied any undue targeting of Khan or his supporters, asserting that the judicial process is impartial. 

The sentences are the latest chapter in the political turmoil surrounding Imran Khan, who has been a vocal critic of Pakistan’s military establishment since his removal from office in 2022. Khan faces multiple charges, including inciting violence against the military, which he denies, claiming the cases are part of a broader campaign to silence him and his party. 

Khan’s supporters maintain their innocence, arguing that the charges are baseless and intended to crush dissent. 

The military’s growing role in handling cases tied to political unrest has sparked broader fears of diminishing civilian oversight and transparency in Pakistan’s judicial process. 

The trials and sentences underscore the ongoing struggle between Pakistan’s political opposition and its powerful military, which has historically played a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape. 

As appeals move forward, the sentences are expected to remain a flashpoint in Pakistan’s volatile political climate, further complicating prospects for reconciliation between the government, opposition, and military. 

Reuters

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