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French President Emmanuel Macron visited Syria, becoming the first major Western leader to go there since Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in 2024. Macron’s visit aims to discuss regional security and business opportunities amid ongoing rebuilding after years of war.
Key Facts
Macron’s trip marks the first visit by a Western European or North American leader to Syria since Assad’s ouster in 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Syria in April 2025 but Macron is the first from Western Europe or North America.
Macron is accompanied by a business group to talk about security and investments in Syria.
He was welcomed by Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani upon arrival.
Macron previously hosted Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Paris in May 2025 and pushed for lifting sanctions on Syria.
Many sanctions on Syria have since been removed, partly due to France’s support despite concerns about Syria’s new Islamist-led government.
Syria’s war destroyed much of the country, caused widespread poverty, and will require hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild.
Syria has agreements with other countries and companies for investment projects, but these have not yet started.
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Cuba experienced a blackout across the entire island due to low fuel supplies and problems with its aging electric grid. The government is working to restore power and investigating the cause of the outage.
Key Facts
The blackout affected all of Cuba, which has about 10 million people.
Cuba’s electric grid is old and breaking down.
Fuel shortages are worsening because Cuba only produces 40% of its fuel needs.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba, making fuel harder to get.
A Russian tanker delivered 730,000 barrels of oil in late March, but that supply ran out by the end of April.
The government has been limiting electricity use with planned outages lasting over 24 hours.
Earlier blackouts hit eastern Cuba in May and the whole island in March.
Public transportation stopped and many surgeries were canceled due to the fuel crisis.
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A court in Vienna, Austria found two former Syrian officials guilty of torture and sexual abuse against people who opposed President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The former head of intelligence in Raqqa and a former police chief were each sentenced to eight years in prison.
Key Facts
The trial took place in Vienna, where the court claimed jurisdiction over crimes committed in Syria.
Khaled al-H., the former head of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate in Raqqa from 2011 to 2013, was found guilty of torture and sexual abuse.
Moussab Abou R., the former police chief in Raqqa, was also found guilty of similar abuses.
Both men were accused of ordering or allowing torture to suppress protests against Assad’s regime.
Victims testified they were beaten, shocked with electricity, and suffered lasting mental harm.
The accused men applied for asylum in Austria in 2015.
Reports say Khaled al-H. was brought to Austria with assistance from Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
Both men have the right to appeal their eight-year prison sentences.
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Millions attended the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, including many foreign leaders. His son and current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public since an Israeli air strike on February 28 wounded him and killed his father and family members, raising concerns about his condition and security.
Key Facts
Ali Khamenei, Iran’s former Supreme Leader, died due to an Israeli air strike on February 28.
The attack also wounded Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali’s son and current Supreme Leader, and killed Mojtaba’s wife and other family members.
Mojtaba has not been seen in public during the funeral events or since the attack.
Iranian officials say Mojtaba's absence is because of ongoing assassination threats.
Many family members, including Ali Khamenei’s other sons, attended the funeral.
Israel’s defense minister threatened that any Iranian leader planning to harm Israel would be targeted.
Israeli strikes since February 28 have targeted many senior Iranian officials, including military and intelligence leaders.
Public and political leaders’ attendance at the funeral contrasts with Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence, causing speculation about his health and the country’s security situation.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer used diplomatic channels to oppose FIFA’s plan to move England’s World Cup match against Mexico to an earlier time. The original kick-off was at 1am UK time, but FIFA wanted to bring it forward, which the UK argued would reduce England’s adaptation time to Mexico City’s high altitude.
Key Facts
FIFA planned to move England’s World Cup game against Mexico to an earlier time.
The original kick-off was 1am UK time (6pm local time in Mexico City).
England’s Football Association told the government that an earlier start would reduce players’ time to adjust to high altitude.
Starmer instructed officials to oppose the earlier kick-off through diplomatic efforts.
The match was delayed by one hour due to a thunderstorm and lightning risk.
England won the game 3-2 and advanced to the quarter-finals against Norway.
Starmer also helped pass emergency laws to allow pubs to stay open later during the World Cup knockout matches.
Hospitality sales, including drinks and food, increased significantly during the late-night England game.
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Tomi Adeyemi, author of the book *Children of Blood and Bone*, has publicly distanced herself from the upcoming film version of her novel. She shared that she has not seen the film and will not watch it, and she has asked the film's star, Amandla Stenberg, not to mention her name anymore.
Key Facts
The film adaptation of *Children of Blood and Bone* is scheduled to premiere on January 15, 2027.
The movie is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and features a star-studded cast including Amandla Stenberg and Idris Elba.
Adeyemi and Prince-Bythewood co-wrote the film script.
Adeyemi shared private messages where she told Stenberg not to use her name in interviews or contact her again.
There was controversy over colorism when Stenberg, who is biracial, was cast as Princess Amari, a character described with “dark copper skin.”
Stenberg responded publicly to criticisms on social media but later deleted her posts.
Adeyemi’s book was a bestseller and aimed to represent black teenage girls, whom she felt were missing from books she read as a child.
Adeyemi said she is separating her name from the film to avoid being hurt and attacked behind the scenes.
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The National Weather Service in Fairbanks, Alaska, has issued heat warnings for parts of northern Alaska, where temperatures could reach up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is unusual for the area, which is normally very cold, and it poses risks to people who are not used to such warmth.
Key Facts
Heat advisories are in effect from Monday to Wednesday for Alaska’s Arctic Plains and Yukon Flats regions.
Temperatures could reach about 80 degrees in the Arctic Plains and 85 degrees in the Yukon Flats.
These areas usually have very cold temperatures, often below zero in winter and highs around 60 degrees in summer.
Many homes in these regions do not have air conditioning and are built to keep heat inside.
The heat advisory system in Alaska started in 2025, replacing older alert methods.
Officials advise people to drink water, check on vulnerable neighbors, avoid heavy activity during hottest times, and watch for heat illness.
Alaska is warming faster than most of the world, with some areas seeing temperature increases of 6 degrees Fahrenheit since 1971.
Warming is causing changes like melting glaciers, thawing permafrost (permanently frozen ground), and impacts on local ecosystems.
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The British prime minister and foreign secretary helped argue against changing the kick-off time for England’s World Cup match against Mexico. FIFA wanted to move the game earlier because of bad weather, but after objections from England and Mexico, the original time stayed, though the start was delayed by an hour due to weather.
Key Facts
FIFA planned to move the England vs. Mexico match six hours earlier because of thunderstorms.
The British prime minister and foreign secretary got involved to keep the original start time.
The Football Association and Mexico's football association also opposed the change.
Yvette Cooper asked British diplomats in Mexico to help stop the time change.
The game was delayed by one hour due to weather but did not start six hours earlier.
FIFA kept the original kick-off time after more than five hours of discussion.
England won the match 3-2 and will play Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City can hold over 87,000 people and was the match venue.
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The venue was specially changed for their wedding, and details about the guests and their vows have been shared.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce held their wedding at Madison Square Garden.
The location was transformed to suit the wedding event.
The wedding took place in New York City.
Information has been released about who attended the wedding.
Details about the wedding ceremony and vows were shared.
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A UN human rights group says Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safia is in danger while being held by Israel without charge. The group demands Israel release him immediately, saying his detention breaks international human rights laws.
Key Facts
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia has been detained by Israel since December 2024 without any formal charges.
A UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention says his detention violates important human rights agreements.
The UN group calls for his immediate release and compensation under international law.
Abu Safia’s lawyer says the doctor’s health is very poor due to daily abuse and signs of torture.
Abu Safia was the head of Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza and a vocal critic of Gaza’s healthcare situation.
Israel has denied mistreating Abu Safia or other detained doctors.
The Israeli Supreme Court has not responded to appeals asking for Abu Safia’s release.
Abu Safia was detained along with other medical staff and patients during the arrest.
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Russia launched many missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, killing at least 22 people in the Kyiv region. Ukraine’s air defenses struggled to stop the attacks due to a shortage of interceptor missiles, a problem Ukraine plans to discuss at a NATO summit.
Key Facts
Russia fired 351 drones and 68 missiles at Ukraine overnight, mainly targeting Kyiv.
All 29 Russian ballistic missiles struck their targets, showing gaps in Ukraine’s air defense.
At least 22 people died and over 80 were injured in the Kyiv region from these attacks.
Ukraine relies heavily on U.S.-made Patriot missiles to intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
There is a global shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, worsened by other conflicts.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will ask NATO allies for more air defense support at an upcoming summit.
Russia says its attacks target Ukrainian weapons factories, air defense repair sites, and energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has made advances in drone technology but still faces challenges stopping ballistic missile strikes.
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European leaders responded to President Donald Trump’s phone call with FIFA’s leader about lifting a one-game ban for U.S. player Folarin Balogun. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said this action goes against the basic rules of sports and called the reversed suspension unfair.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump called the head of FIFA regarding a ban on U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun.
Balogun had received a one-game suspension due to a red card.
FIFA later reversed the suspension after the president’s call.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot criticized the decision and called it unfair.
Prévot is a former soccer referee and said the call undermines basic sports rules.
European officials are concerned about political influence in sports decisions.
The issue involves international sports governance and political intervention.
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Prince Harry will visit London this week without his wife Meghan and their two children. Although Buckingham Palace offered him a place to stay, the offer was withdrawn late, and details about where he will stay or who will join him remain unclear.
Key Facts
Prince Harry is visiting London for charity events, including the Invictus Games.
He originally planned to come with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, but he will now travel alone.
Buckingham Palace offered Harry accommodation, but the offer was later withdrawn with no clear explanation.
The withdrawal was reportedly linked to a legal case hearing happening the same day as Harry’s first engagement.
Security concerns influenced the decision for Meghan and the children not to join the trip.
The Sussex family currently lives in California and uses privately funded security after losing government-provided security in 2025.
It is not known if Harry will meet King Charles III or other family members during this visit.
Archie and Lilibet have not seen their grandfather, King Charles, in person since 2022.
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Abigail Thorn, creator of the YouTube channel Philosophy Tube, has expanded her career into acting. She recently appeared as Admiral Sharako Lohar in the third season of HBO’s "House of the Dragon" and is working on an action movie project.
Key Facts
Abigail Thorn runs Philosophy Tube, a YouTube channel about philosophy with over 1.6 million followers.
She wrote and starred in a play called "The Prince" in London’s Southwark Playhouse.
Thorn acted in the TV show "House of the Dragon" as Admiral Sharako Lohar in Season 3.
Her character took part in a major naval battle and died in the show.
Thorn’s role required physical training, as she drank protein shakes to get fit.
She is developing a movie where she stars as an action hero.
Thorn also has roles in "Star Wars: The Acolyte" and the film "Again Again."
"House of the Dragon" episodes air on HBO and streaming service HBO Max.
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An Austrian court found Khaled al-Halabi, a former Syrian intelligence officer, guilty of torture and other abuses against opponents of Syria’s previous President Bashar al-Assad. He was sentenced to eight years in prison along with another former Syrian official, Musab Abu Rukbah, for crimes committed during Syria’s civil war.
Key Facts
Khaled al-Halabi was a brigadier general in Syria’s intelligence service in Raqqa from 2011 to 2013.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison by a court in Vienna, Austria.
Al-Halabi was found guilty of torture, serious bodily harm, aggravated coercion, and sexual assault.
Musab Abu Rukbah, a former police lieutenant colonel, was also sentenced to eight years for similar crimes excluding torture.
Over a dozen victims testified about beatings, electric shocks, and being hosed with hot and cold water.
The court ruled al-Halabi knew about and was responsible for the torture while in charge of detainees.
This trial is one of the few instances where a European country prosecuted Syrian state agents for war crimes.
Al-Halabi claimed he helped the Free Syrian Army take Raqqa and denied knowledge of torture devices used in his facility.
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President Donald Trump said on Monday that he thinks the war between Russia and Ukraine is getting close to ending. He said both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want the war to stop soon.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war on Monday.
He believes the conflict is closer to ending than many people think.
Trump said President Putin wants the war to end.
He also said President Zelenskyy of Ukraine wants to end the war now.
Trump made these comments while talking to the press at the White House.
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Thousands of people gathered in Tehran for the funeral procession of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members who died in a recent airstrike. The crowd called for revenge against U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid ongoing tensions and paused negotiations between Iran and the U.S.
Key Facts
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died at age 86 and was buried in Mashhad, his birthplace.
The funeral procession in Tehran drew a massive crowd, larger than previous events for notable leaders.
Khamenei’s coffin and those of his family members killed in an airstrike were paraded through the city.
Mourners carried signs and chanted for the death of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The airstrike that killed Khamenei’s family members started a war involving Israel and the United States.
Iranian officials organized the event and managed crowds for safety during the long procession.
Iran and the U.S. are currently negotiating to end the conflict and address issues like Iran’s nuclear program and Strait of Hormuz access.
The funeral and public mourning are being used to show Iran’s strength and resolve during sensitive talks with the U.S.
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Canada has chosen a German company, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), to build 12 new advanced submarines. This is one of Canada’s largest defense deals and aims to strengthen its navy and ties with NATO ahead of an important summit.
Key Facts
Canada will buy 12 new diesel-electric submarines from German company TKMS.
These submarines will replace older, secondhand vessels currently used by the Royal Canadian Navy.
The submarines use stealth technology and will support missions in the Arctic, including the Northwest Passage.
The contract is worth over $12 billion USD, with total costs including maintenance possibly exceeding $70 billion USD.
The deal involves a long negotiation process before it is finalized.
TKMS is NATO’s largest supplier of non-nuclear submarines, while South Korean company Hanwha Ocean was the other bidder.
Canada is increasing defense spending and aims to spend 5% of its GDP on defense by 2035.
Canada is also looking to diversify its military suppliers beyond the US, buying aircraft from the US but submarines from Germany.
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Cédric Jubillar, a French man sentenced to 30 years for killing his wife Delphine, has admitted from prison that he killed her and is willing to show where her body is buried. Delphine disappeared in December 2020 in southern France, and her body was never found until now.
Key Facts
Cédric Jubillar was convicted in October 2025 for the murder of his wife, Delphine Jubillar.
Delphine went missing in December 2020 during the Covid pandemic in rural southern France.
Jubillar denied killing her during the trial but recently confessed from prison.
He wrote a letter admitting involvement and said he would cooperate to find the body.
The exact cause and details of Delphine’s death remain unknown.
Jubillar’s confession may delay his scheduled appeal trial.
Witnesses at the original trial said Jubillar had threatened his wife and spoken about hiding her body.
Lawyers hope the confession helps the children grieve and allows Delphine to be properly buried.
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