Syrian insurgents reach gates of Damascus, threatening decades-long Assad regime
Insurgents' stunning march
across Syria
accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country.The loss of Homs was a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus - the Syrian leader's base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base.The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria's third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for
Human Rights
, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies withdrew from the city, adding that rebels entered parts of it.The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture was a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer.
TRUMP URGES US TO STAY OUT OF SYRIAN CIVIL WAR, BLAMING OBAMA FOR FAILURE AS ISLAMISTS CLOSE IN ON CAPITAL
The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters.For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus.The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army.The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war.The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people."In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country.Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price."The situation is very strange. We are not used to that," the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions."People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not."It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution.Syria's state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he was performing his duties in Damascus.He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes.U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Separately, President Joe Biden's national security adviser said the Biden administration had no intention of intervening there.Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015 and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections.Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria.In a statement, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis "that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians." They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people.Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added.A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the "final stage" of their offensive by encircling Damascus.HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a "salvation government" to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance.The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth-largest city.Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017.To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra, including the main Baath City, activists said.Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces.The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by "terrorists." The army said it was setting up a "strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area," apparently to defend Damascus from the south.The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011.The foreign ministers
of Iran
, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels.Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. "Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people," he said.Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria's "territorial integrity." He said the war could "damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency" to start a political process. |
Trump urges US to stay out of Syrian civil war, blaming Obama for failure as Islamists close in on capital
JERUSALEM-President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday weighed in for the first time on the Syrian Islamist revolt against the country's dictator Bashar al-Assad who is holed up in his palace in Damascus.The radical Islamist movement reached the suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Saturday and are preparing to storm the main bastion of Assad's fledgling regime.Trump warned on the social media platform Truth Social: "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!"He took former President Obama to task for failing to enforce his "red line" in 2013 to launch military strikes against Assad after the Syrian strongman executed a shocking mass chemical weapons strike on civilians, in which more than 1,400 people were killed.
ISLAMIST REBELS IN SYRIA CATCH ASSAD, PUTIN, IRAN REGIMES OFF GUARD GIVING US NEW MIDEAST HEADACHE
Critics accused Obama's administration at the time of reneging on its promise to take military action against Assad for his crimes against humanity."This is where former President Obama refused to honor his commitment of protecting the RED LINE IN THE SAND, and all hell broke out, with Russia stepping in. But now they are, like possibly Assad himself, being forced out, and it may actually be the best thing that can happen to them. There was never much of a benefit in Syria for Russia, other than to make Obama look really stupid," wrote Trump.He added "Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad. Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years."Also on Saturday, the Israeli military, which is on high alert, announced, "A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a U.N. post in the Hader area in Syria. The IDF is currently assisting the U.N. forces in repelling the attack."
RUSSIA AND SYRIA BOMB SYRIAN ISLAMIST REBELS AFTER SURPRISE INCURSION
The IDF added that it has deployed "reinforced forces in the Golan Heights area and will continue to operate in order to protect the State of Israel and its citizens."U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Turkish counterpart on the situation in Syria. Turkey is the principal backer of the Islamist coalition seeking to topple the Assad regime. The U.S.-designated terrorist group
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
, the Islamist former Al-Qaeda affiliate that is part of the rebel forces, is the key force that has secured large swaths of Syrian territory over the last few days.U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that "Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including members of minority groups, across Syria."Miller added, "The Secretary discussed the need for a political solution to the conflict, consistent with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254. Secretary Blinken also extended his congratulations to Foreign Minister Fidan on the selection of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu as the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation] Secretary General and looks forward to continued cooperation in the region."The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2254 in 2015, which called for a cease-fire, UN-run elections and a new constitution. Assad rejected the resolution's implementation. The State Department has classified Assad's regime as a state-sponsor of terrorism. Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iranian regime proxy groups and Syria, who is with the Atlantic Council, told Fox News Digital regarding Trump's comment, "I do not see a huge deviation from his previous policy points. He is staying the course. Realism with what is going on."Trump's message to [the] Assad regime and the HTS coalition is "I wish them both luck. It is essentially that," said Smyth. He termed Trump's post a "statement of the reality" about the Syrian civil war.When asked whether he thought Assad would use chemical weapons on the Islamist rebels, Smyth said, "It would not surprise me if he did. There is risk of it." Smyth expects a bit more anarchy in the battle of Damascus. "You will have different factions wrestling for control."Given the lightening seizure of major Syrian cities such as Aleppo and Hama over the last week, Smyth said, "I think the writing is on the wall. His mobilization attempts have not been successful. There is this lackadaisical haze over the Assad regime. You can see internal corruption on full display in how they are mobilizing and acting. The rapid collapse says everything. There is a lot of paper tiger posture. There was no expectation that there would be an advance like this.". |
Ignominy, impeachment, death sentences, imprisonment: What's the problem with South Korean presidents?
South Korean President
Yoon Suk Yeol
was not impeached on Saturday after his People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly in a boycott of the vote. But Yoon is far from out of the woods. The leader of his own party, the PPP, said on Friday that Yoon should have his presidential powers suspended after it emerged that the president had ordered the arrests of a list of his foes after announcing martial law. Among those on the list was the aforementioned head of the PPP.Earlier on Saturday, Yoon apologized for his controversial move saying on national television, "My decision to declare martial law has stemmed from desperation as a leader of this country. But I caused the people anxiety and discomfort in the process, for which I am deeply sorry. I apologize to the South Korean people."Yoon could still face another impeachment vote for what lawmakers see as an unconstitutional power grab. But whether he survives the last two and a half years of his term or is booted from office, Yoon has already joined a list of predecessors with serious stains on their reputations.
SOUTH KOREAN LEADER FACING MOUNTING CALLS TO RESIGN OR BE IMPEACHED OVER MARTIAL LAW
If Yoon one day enters a prison cell, it will likely shock no one in Korea. After all, the odds are not in his favor. Not counting Yoon, four of the last six democratically elected presidents of Korea have done jail time. Expressed as a percentage, that's more than 66%.Korean democracy looks storybook perfect, but consider this: Since World War II, the nation has had 13 heads of state. The first five were not paragons of democracy. Of those: one was forced to resign and flee the country, two were deposed in military coups, and one was assassinated by his close friend, who was also the head of South Korea's equivalent of the CIA.Out of the eight democratically elected presidents (which includes Yoon), all have been implicated in scandals. Even Kim Dae-jung, the late dissident-turned-president who won a Nobel Peace Prize, is now viewed less favorably after it emerged that he essentially bribed North Korea into holding an unprecedented inter-Korean summit meeting.So far, four elected Korean heads of state have served time in prison, two were impeached with one convicted and removed from office, one ex-president jumped off a 150-foot-high mountain cliff, dying by suicide in 2009 after his aides, relatives and even wife and son were investigated for bribery and other corruption charges. Since the country's founding, another two presidents have been sentenced to death but later pardoned.One would be forgiven for assuming the above were a script for a Korean TV drama series. Korea is a democratic, highly educated, extremely technologically advanced, conservative and deeply religious society. So, why do almost none of its ex-presidents end up enjoying a happy post-presidency?
SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT IS PICKING UP GOLF IN HOPES TO IMPRESS TRUMP
"The president of Korea has a great deal of power, too much power in my opinion," Professor Lee told Fox News Digital. "Some have called it an 'imperial presidency.' What that leads to, of course, is hubris."Sung-Yoon Lee, whose
recent book The Sister
: North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the Most Dangerous Woman in the World, examines the life and role of the fascinatingly terrifying sister of North Korea's Supreme Leader, also told Fox News Digital that Korean culture is a large contributing factor to why so many at the top fall from grace. While Christianity took root in the late nineteenth century and rapidly grew following the Korean War, Korea retains its Confucian ethic, and loyalty and obedience are high on the list of chief virtues.In North Korea those values are expressed in slavish devotion to the absurd notion of a dynastic communist state where people explode into tears and clap feverishly at the sight of their overly well-nourished, baby-faced dictator, Kim Jong-un - or Kim the Third - as he's followed by an entourage of scribes who write down his every utterance, ensuring not a grunt of his near-divine wisdom is lost to posterity.In South Korea, loyalty and deference to authority (alongside a host of other values, of course, such as hard work, thrift, and commitment to education) have created an economic powerhouse with electronics mega giant Samsung and rapidly growing carmaker Hyundai just two examples of globally respected Korean brands. K-pop and K-drama dominate in Asia and around the world; all of their industries have been created through strict discipline and grueling work hours.
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The dark side, however, includes elements of the overzealousness that thrives in
North Korea
: South Korean bosses, teachers, elders and leaders of all kinds are accustomed to being obeyed. At the apex of the social hierarchy sits the president, who inhabits a bubble where questioning their judgment is a near taboo. As evidenced by the rap sheets, these leaders develop a strong tendency to see themselves as infallible, if not above the law. President Yoon, like so many before him, is discovering too late that there are, in fact, red lines - and the Rubicon now appears behind him. |
Reporter's Notebook: Following President Biden on his 'global finale' to Africa
LUANDA, Angola - It could have been the symbol of President Biden's seemingly jinxed trip to Angola. Postponed in 2023 due to the wars in the Middle East. Postponed again in 2024 due to the
catastrophic hurricanes in the south
.And on the only full day of the first-ever trip to Africa for Biden as president, the skies opened up, sending torrential rain down and flooding poorly drained streets.It almost halted the presidential and press convoy's one-hour ride out of the capital Luanda for Biden to make a speech at the National Slavery Museum of Angola.
BIDEN PLEDGES $1B IN AID TO AFRICA AS NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AFTER HELENE
Of course, all this came in a week when other news was pounding down as hard as that rain. First, Biden's self-inflicted pardoning of son Hunter. A Manhattan murder of a top executive. The collapse of two governments of our most important allies. And the ongoing dramas surrounding Trump's Cabinet picks.But as Biden does, he made it, not daring to walk up the slick marble steps to the museum itself, but standing at a podium dramatically located along the Atlantic coast with shafts of sunlight piercing through the dark clouds.He spoke of the role the colonial masters played in shipping out thousands to a life of servitude, including to the United States. Angola was a major player in the Atlantic slave trade."It's our duty to face our history," Biden noted, "the good, the bad and the ugly.But he also dealt with the real reason for the trip - helping the strategically-located
southwestern African country of Angola
steady itself to prepare for the future. By 2050, just 25 years from now. Africa will be the most populous continent in the world."In many ways, Africa's success will be the world's success. And I said at the U.S.-Africa Summit in 2022, the United States is all in on Africa's future," Biden said.
BIDEN TRAVELS TO AFRICA WHERE POLICIES WERE 'OVER-PROMISED AND UNDER-DELIVERED,' AMID MASSIVE CHINA EXPANSION
To deal with the present, Biden made a surprise announcement of $1 billion in U.S. humanitarian aid to help those displaced in Africa by droughts and extreme weather.Earlier in the day, in a one-on-one meeting with Angolan President João Lourenco, Biden dealt with the future. There was a big focus on the Lobito Corridor, a rail and infrastructure project backed with $4 billion from the U.S. It is aimed at bringing to an Angolan port critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia and agricultural products and other industrial goods from Angola."We work together to mobilize more capital," Biden declared, "to build more infrastructure, to help make these solutions real, to help Africa lead the way."Critics scoffed that this was just a "too little, too late" attempt to
catch up with China
, which for years has been busy with infrastructure and other projects all across Africa.In an interview with Fox News, White House National Security communications director John Kirby pushed back, saying. "It's about them (the Angolans) catching up and keeping up and be more involved ... in terms of bringing product to market."
BIDEN APPEARS TO REST HIS EYES AT AFRICAN SUMMIT IN ANGOLA
An anticipated mention of an expanded U.S. military role in Angola did not materialize. The U.S. already sends hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to the country. There's new talk of a U.S. base there to counter the Russian military's increasingly active presence on the continent.But the "elephant" that did lurk at every meeting and gathering was the fact that Biden is now a very lame-duck president and how incoming
President-elect Trump
, who never made a trip to Africa during his first term in office, who even made derisory comments about certain countries there, would handle it all.In a recent interview, the Angolan president said he would work with whoever is president. And, actually, in an interview with Fox News, former Trump Africa envoy J. Peter Pham told us he thought many of the projects could survive, especially if China feels a sting. He added, however, "I do think the new administration will ask some very tough questions about our investments on the continent, where they go and whether it's the best return on capital."On the last day of his trip, Biden inspected the Lobito rail hub, where the huge project converges. In a roundtable with other regional leaders, after he noted he was an Amtrak rail fan, he was seen closing his eyes and holding his head in his hands as if he were sleeping, much like he probably dozed on those commuter rides for decades as a senator between Washington and Delaware.Most in Angola seemed to think, however, the 82-year-old president played his role fairly well in what was called his "global finale."The test will come when it is seen if any of the benefits from these projects trickle down beyond the super-rich in oil-rich Angola, to the mostly young Angolans who are desperate for a life and living."Just the fact that an American is coming to Angola is a good thing," one Luanda resident told us.Despite bad timing and bad news elsewhere ... a lot of people here have hopes. |
South Korean president apologizes for declaring martial law ahead of impeachment vote
South Korean
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday apologized for his short-lived declaration of martial law earlier in the week, as he now prepares for a parliamentary vote on whether to impeach him.Yoon said in a televised address Saturday morning that he will evade legal or political responsibility for the declaration and vowed not to make another attempt to impose it, according to
The Associated Press
. The president, a conservative, said he would leave it to his party to offer a path forward amid the country's political turmoil, "including matters related to my term in office.""The declaration of his martial law was made out of my desperation," Yoon said. "But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot."In his martial law declaration on Tuesday, Yoon called parliament a "den of criminals" blocking state affairs and pledged to eliminate "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces."
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT TO FACE IMPEACHMENT VOTE THIS WEEKEND OVER MARTIAL LAW ORDER, LAWMAKERS SAY
A National Assembly vote on an opposition-led motion to impeach Yoon is slated for Saturday afternoon. The opposition parties that jointly brought the impeachment motion hold 192 of the legislature's 300 seats, meaning they need at least eight additional votes from Yoon's conservative People Power Party to secure the needed two-thirds to pass the motion.Yoon's party called for his removal on Friday, although the party remained formally opposed to impeachment.Opposition lawmakers say that Yoon's declaration of martial law was a self-coup, so they drafted the
impeachment motion
on rebellion charges.If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the second in command in the South Korean government, would take over his presidential responsibilities.Should the president be removed, an election to replace him must be held within 60 days.On Tuesday, special forces troops were observed encircling the parliament building and army helicopters were hovering over it. The military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn Yoon's declaration of martial law, forcing him to lift it just hours after it was issued.The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea.Thousands of demonstrators have since protested in the
streets of Seoul
, waving banners, shouting slogans and singing along to K-pop songs with lyrics changed to demand Yoon's removal.Han said he had received intelligence that, during the period of martial law, Yoon ordered the country's defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain key politicians based on accusations of "anti-state activities."
SOUTH KOREAN LEADER FACING MOUNTING CALLS TO RESIGN OR BE IMPEACHED OVER MARTIAL LAW
After Yoon's televised address, Han again called for the president to resign. Han said the president wasn't in a state where he could normally carry out official duties."President Yoon Suk Yeol's early resignation is inevitable," Han told reporters.Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing that Yoon called after imposing martial law and ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians including Han, the main liberal opposition Democratic Party's leader Lee Jae-myung and National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik, according to Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
|
Italian nun among 25 arrested in raid against 'Ndrangheta mafia
Italian police
arrested a nun known for her prison work and 24 other people on Thursday as part of an investigation into the 'Ndrangheta mafia in the northern city of Brescia, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.They said Sister Anna Donelli, a volunteer in Milan's San Vittore prison, is suspected of mafia collusion and of acting as a go-between between the criminal group and its
jailed gang members
.
MISSOURI DIOCESE PROVIDES UPDATE ON EXHUMED NUN WHOSE BODY DID NOT DECOMPOSE: 'HIGHLY ATYPICAL'
The nun, 57, is also well-known for her service in Milan's run-down districts. In February she was one of the recipients of the "Golden Panettone", an annual Milanese civic award.It was not immediately possible to reach the nun's lawyer for comment.A police press release said two local politicians were also arrested, and that 1.8 million euros ($1.89 million) had been seized in the operation. The statement did not name any of the people targeted by the raid.Suspects are accused of
various crimes
including mafia association, vote buying, illegal possession of weapons, money laundering, loan-sharking, drug dealing and false invoicing, the police statement added.The alleged gang was connected to the issuance of 12 million euros worth of invoices for non-existent transactions that enabled complicit entrepreneurs to lower their income and evade taxes in return for a commission paid to mobsters.Originally from the poor southern region of Calabria, the 'Ndrangheta has evolved into Italy's most powerful mafia organisation, and has spread across Europe and the rest of the world, penetrating into so-called white-collar crime. |
Alternative healer gets 10 years in UK prison for death of woman at slap therapy workshop
An
alternative healer
who advocated "slapping therapy" to treat a range of maladies was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for the death of a 71-year-old diabetic woman who stopped taking insulin during one of his workshops.Hongchi Xiao, 61, was convicted of manslaughter by
gross negligence
for failing to get medical help for Danielle Carr-Gomm as she howled in pain and frothed at the mouth during the fourth day of a workshop in October 2016.
CALIFORNIA-BASED ALTERNATIVE HEALER CHARGED OVER DEATH OF WOMAN AT UK 'SLAPPING THERAPY' WORKSHOP
Xiao, of Cloudbreak, California, promoted paida lajin therapy, getting patients to slap themselves repeatedly to release "poisonous waste" from the body. The technique has its roots in Chinese medicine, but critics say it has no scientific basis and patients often end up with bruises, bleeding - or worse.Carr-Gomm was one of two of Xiao's patients who died.He was extradited from Australia, where he had been convicted of manslaughter after a 6-year-old boy died when his parents withdrew his insulin medication after attending one of his workshops in Sydney."I consider you dangerous even though you do not share the characteristics of most other dangerous offenders," Justice Robert Bright said during sentencing at Winchester Crown Court."You knew from late in the afternoon of day one of the fact that Danielle Carr-Gomm had stopped taking her insulin," the judge said. "Furthermore, you made it clear to her you supported this."Bright said Xiao only made a "token effort" to get Carr-Gomm to take her insulin once it was too late and had shown no sign of remorse as he continued to promote paida lajin in prison.Carr-Gomm was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999 and was desperate to find a cure that didn't involve injecting herself with needles, her son, Matthew, said.She sought out alternative treatments and had attended a previous workshop by Xiao
in Bulgaria
a few months before her death in which she also became seriously ill after ceasing her medication.However, she recorded a video testimonial, calling Xiao a "messenger sent by God" who was "starting a revolution to put the power back in the hands of the people to cure themselves and to change the whole system of healthcare."Xiao had congratulated Carr-Gomm when she told other participants at the English retreat that she had stopped taking her insulin.By day three, Carr-Gomm was "vomiting, tired and weak, and by the evening she was howling in pain and unable to respond to questions," prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said.A chef who wanted to call an ambulance said she deferred to those with holistic healing experience."Those who had received and accepted the defendant's teachings misinterpreted Mrs. Carr-Gomm's condition as a healing crisis," Atkinson said. |
Turkey's Erdogan encourages Islamist rebels to continue advances as Assad regime scrambles to survive
JERUSALEM - After Turkey-backed radical Islamist forces seized the pivotal Syrian city of Hama on Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cheered the astonishing military advance of his allies."I would say we hope for this advance to continue without any issues," Erdogan said on Friday, according to a Reuters report.He added that the capital city of Damascus, where
Syrian dictator Bashar Assad
resides, is the objective. "The target is Damascus."Erdogan continued, "However, while this resistance there with terrorist organizations is continuing, we had made a call to Assad," referring to his approach to Assad earlier this year to meet and normalize ties after more than a decade of animosity.
ISLAMIST REBELS IN SYRIA CATCH ASSAD, PUTIN, IRAN REGIMES OFF GUARD GIVING US NEW MIDEAST HEADACHE
"These problematic advances continuing as a whole in the region are not in a manner we desire, our heart does not want these. Unfortunately, the region is in a bind," he said, without elaborating.Erdogan's comment about terrorist entities within the ranks of the insurgency are an apparent reference to the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former Islamist Al-Qaeda affiliate that is part of the rebel force. Turkey is a member of the American-led NATO alliance. Turkey's reported support of terrorist groups like Hamas and its
purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems
has triggered outrage among many U.S. lawmakers.According to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which tracks the civil war in the fractured Syrian Arab Republic, HTS is now within striking distance of the pivotal crossroads city of Homs.SOHR reported on Friday that HTS and its allies are a mere one kilometer
from the military academy in Homs
.
The military training facility in Homs is the largest in the war-torn country.During Friday's White House briefing, Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that "we're going to closely monitor the situation in Syria," while adding the "United States, together with its partners and allies, urge de-escalation, protection of civilians and minority groups."
The State Department
issued a security alert on Friday urging "U.S. citizens to depart Syria now while commercial options remain available in Damascus. U.S. citizens who choose not to depart Syria or are unable to depart should prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods. The Aleppo International Airport is closed," it said in part.
RUSSIA AND SYRIA BOMB SYRIAN ISLAMIST REBELS AFTER SURPRISE INCURSION
The stunning progress of HTS and its coalition partners in their rapid-fire seizure of Syria's second-largest city, Aleppo, last week and now Hama has upended an already volatile Middle East. A number of countries within the Fertile Crescent region-Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq-are immersed in wars and conflicts spanning various levels of intensity.Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that it is "reinforcing aerial and ground forces in the Golan Heights area" that borders Syria." IDF troops are deployed along the border, monitoring developments and are prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike. The statement added that, "The IDF will not tolerate threats near the Israeli border and will thwart any threat against the State of Israel."Another neighboring country, Jordan, reportedly closed its Jabber crossing with Syria as rebel troops closed in on those areas.Emad Bouzo, a Syrian American physician and a veteran political commentator on Syria, told Fox News Digital, "The images now leaking from Homs are entirely similar to those that came out of Hama hours before its liberation, especially in terms of the large convoys of cars leaving the city, the low morale of the regime's army, and the demographic composition of the villages and towns separating Homs and Hama, which have long history of opposing the regime. Therefore, it is difficult to predict what will happen in the coming hours and days, although the military balance currently tilts in favor of the Syrian opposition."He continued, "The most likely expectation seems to be that Russia will do what it can to prevent the city from falling to the opposition, and if it cannot do so militarily, it will do what it can to pressure Turkey for a cease-fire so that the regime can catch its breath."The expected battle of Homs is a high profile military campaign for the HTS. It will pit the U.S.-classified sponsors of terrorism, Iran's regime and its ally Hezbollah, against the HTS coalition. The U.S. also considers Syria's regime a state-sponsor of terrorism.Bouzo said Homs is the "the main transportation hub for Iranian militias." He noted that Hezbollah controls entire areas, like Talbisehm a town in the Homs province. "Homs is also a corridor for the Syrian regime to the Syrian coast, where Russian military bases are concentrated. It also forms the human reservoir for the Alawite sect, on which the Assad family's rule relies, alongside the Syrian capital, Damascus. Hence, it is expected that the regime, Hezbollah, and Russia will do everything they can to keep this city under their control."
'WAR FOLLOWED US': A SYRIAN FAMILY FLED BEIRUT AFTER ISRAELI BOMBARDMENT TO FACE REPRESSION, BOMBING AT HOME
The power politics of Syria largely pits two Islamist Mideast nations against each other: the Sunni Turkey government versus the Shiite Islamic Republic of Iran. Tehran has backed Assad's regime since he launched a massive violent crackdown on the growing pro-democracy Syrian movement in 2011.Former Israeli Ambassador to Jordan Jacob Rosen, who has expertise in Syria's complex demographics, told Fox News Digital that Iran and Turkey "are the big players who are ex-empires who want to go back to the glory" of their rule over large swathes of the Mideast.""If Turkey controls Syria, it can encircle the Kurds," said Rosen, a fluent Arabic speaker. Turkey has launched attacks over the years against
pro-U.S.-allied Syrian Kurdish forces
in northern Syria.Rosen views Erdogan's embrace of the HTS offensive on Friday as a warning from Turkey to Iran's regime. "Don't do stupid things," is the message Erdogan is sending Tehran, noted Rosen.The big question for the U.S., the European Union and Israel is, "Who is going to save Assad?", Rosen asked.Russia, the Lebanese terrorist movement, Hezbollah and Iran previously rescued Assad from defeat. However, Russia is consumed with a protracted war in Ukraine. Rosen said the re-kindled Syrian revolt against Assad has spread to the southern Syrian province of
Daraa-the birthplace of the 2011 revolt
. He termed the fast-moving events in Darra as "mini-rebellions" and said some Syrian regime forces defected.
NEARLY 30,000 CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN SYRIA, UN-BACKED COMMISSION SAYS
The stakes are high in Syria and for the heartland of the Mideast. Rosen referenced the late British journalist, Patrick Seale, who authored books on Syria. "The hegemony of the Middle East depends on who will rule Syria," said Rosen with respect to Seale's core idea about the importance of Syria for the region.Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the Islamist leader of HTS, who has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S., recently gave an
interview to CNN,
when he said,
"The seeds of the regime's defeat have always been within it... the Iranians attempted to revive the regime, buying it time, and later the Russians also tried to prop it up. But the truth remains: this regime is dead."Rosen summarized al-Golani's interview as "He wants to appeal to the West. The former ambassador added al-Golani "knows everyone in Syria is not Islamist. For the time being, he is playing it very moderate."Bouzo said the media's focus "on the idea that the opposition fighting the regime are Islamic does not change the fact that the other side is also Islamic militias, but Shiite ones supported by both Iran under [Ali] Khamenei and Russia under [Vladimir] Putin. The Syrian regime itself is accused of committing war crimes against its own people, including the use of chemical weapons." In another bad sign for Assad,
a New York Times report
on Friday quoted regional officials and three Iranian officials who claimed that Tehran had started to evacuate commanders and personnel from Syria. The United States has some 900 troops in Syria as part of a coalition effort to defeat the Islamic State terrorist movement. The U.S. government said it is not involved in the Syrian civil war.With a view toward the future of Syria, Bouzo said "The truth is that the recent events give the United States, under its new incoming administration, an opportunity to break the deadlock on the Syrian file by pressuring all parties to push toward implementing a political solution through Resolution 2254 and forming a transitional governing body to manage this country, which has suffered enough in the past years."
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Romania annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate
A top Romanian court on Friday annulled the first round of the country's presidential election, days after allegations that Russia ran a coordinated online campaign to promote the far-right outsider who won the first round.The Constitutional Court's unprecedented decision - which is final - came after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence on Wednesday that
alleged Russia ran a sprawling campaign
comprising thousands of social media accounts to promote Calin Georgescu across platforms like TikTok and Telegram.The intelligence files were from the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunication Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
ROMANIA AND LATVIA CONFIRM INCURSIONS BY RUSSIAN DRONES INTO NATO AIRSPACE
Despite being a huge outsider who declared zero campaign spending, Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner on Nov. 24. He was due to face reformist Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party in a runoff on Sunday.A new date will now be set to rerun the first round.Lasconi strongly condemned the court's decision, saying it was "illegal, immoral, and crushes the very essence of democracy.""We should have moved forward with the vote. We should have respected the will of the Romanian people. Whether we like it or not, from a legal and legitimate standpoint, 9 million Romanian citizens, both in the country and the diaspora, expressed their preference for a particular candidate through their votes. We cannot ignore their will!" she said."I know I would have won. And I will win because the Romanian people know I will fight for them, that I will unite them for a better Romania. I will defend our democracy. I will not give up."She said the issue of Russian interference should have been tackled after the election was completed.Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said in a statement the annulment was "the only correct solution" following the intelligence drop which revealed the "Romanian people's vote was flagrantly distorted as a result of
Russian interference
.""The presidential elections must be held again," he said in a post on Facebook. "At the same time, investigations by the authorities must uncover who is responsible for the massive attempt to influence the outcome of the presidential election."The same court last week ordered a recount of the first-round votes, which added to the myriad controversies that have engulfed a chaotic election cycle.Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said the court's decision amounts to a "crisis mode situation for the Romanian democracy.""In light of the information about the external interference, the massive interference in elections, I think this was not normal but predictable, because it's not normal times at all, Romania is an uncharted territory," he told The Associated Press. "The problem is here, do we have the institutions to manage such an interference in the future?"Thirteen candidates ran in the first round presidential vote in the European Union and
NATO member country
. The president serves a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments.Georgescu's surprising success left many political observers wondering how most local surveys were so far off, putting him behind at least five other candidates before the vote.
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Many observers attributed his success to his TikTok account, which now has 5.8 million likes and 531,000 followers. But some experts suspect Georgescu's online following was artificially inflated, while Romania's top security body alleged he was given preferential treatment by TikTok over other candidates.In the intelligence release, the secret services alleged that one TikTok user paid more $381,000 to other users to promote Georgescu content. Intelligence authorities said information they obtained "revealed an aggressive promotion campaign" to increase and accelerate his popularity.Asked by the AP in an interview Wednesday whether he believes the Chinese-owned TikTok poses a threat to democracy, Georgescu said: "The most important existing function for promoting free speech and freedom of expression is social media." |
Iran launches rocket with heaviest-ever payload into space amid heightened concern over nuclear program
Iran launched its heaviest-ever rocket into space on Friday, carrying a payload of roughly 660 pounds in what security experts fear is an indication that
Tehran has developed technology
that could also be used for its nuclear program.The launch of the Simorgh rocket coincided with an announcement by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, who said Iran has "drastically" increased its enriched uranium stockpiles which are nearing weapons grade purity, first reported Reuters. Concern over Iran's nuclear program has remained heightened as tensions with the West continue to escalate over Iran's direct involvement in two major international conflicts, including its
support for terrorist organizations at war with Israel
, as well as its aid to Russia amid its brutal invasion of Ukraine.
IRAN THREATENS 'NIGHTMARE' FOR ISRAEL AS UN WATCHDOG WARNS TEHRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAMS RUNS UNCHECKED
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and author of the
comprehensive report "Arsenal
" regarding Iran's ballistic missile program, explained to Fox News Digital that Iran's successful rocket launch is not just a win for the nation's space program. "The Simorgh is a liquid propellant carrier rocket and represents the Islamic Republic's continued attempts to try to use both its liquid propellant and solid propellant carrier rockets as a bridge to shorten the time needed to produce a longer-range system," he said in reference to Tehran's pursuit to develop both intermediate range ballistic missile and intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities.The rocket, launched from Iran's Imam Khomeini Spaceport in the rural Semnan province roughly 130 miles from Tehran, carried an "orbital propulsion system," as well as two research systems that will orbit 250 miles above the Earth, reported AP News. The sytem will enable Iran to push satellites into a higher orbiting attitude, according to reports - an ability Iran has apparently long sought. However, the rocket also reportedly carried a Fakhr-1 satellite for Iran's military, which is believed to be the first time an Iranian civilian program has carried a military payload."The government of the Islamic Republic has shown that it can walk and chew gum at the same time by advancing both its Iranian space agency led liquid propellant space program, as well as its IRGC aerospace force led solid propellant space program," Ben Taleblu explained. "Both of these space programs have direct military applications."
IRAN HIDING MISSILE, DRONE PROGRAMS UNDER GUISE OF COMMERCIAL FRONT TO EVADE SANCTIONS
has long violated U.N.-mandated bans on its ballistic missile program, which ultimately resulted in the U.S.' withdrawal from the international Iran Nuclear Agreement in 2018 despite IAEA evidence showing that Tehran at the time was
not progressing its nuclear program
. However, advancements to its space and missile development have long concerned Western nations that such technology increases the threat that Iran could launch a nuclear weapon should it develop one.The U.S. continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, as reported by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
in a November 2024 report
.The IAEA this year warned that Iran has increased its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium metals
of not only 20% purity levels
, but 60% - just shy of weapons grade uranium which is enriched to a 90% purity. The ODNI assessed last month that given Tehran's stockpiles of enriched uranium, it is capable of making "more than a dozen" nuclear weapons if its uranium is enriched further. The intelligence agency also noted that Iran uses the threat of possessing a nuclear weapon as negotiation leverage and as a tool to deter international pressure - a tactic it also uses its space program for. "The Islamic Republic Space Program provides the regime with the same thing that its nuclear program does, status and security," Ben Taleblu said. "We should be more worried about these launches amid a context of the regime rattling its nuclear saber." |
Metal detectorist uncovers fragment of Viking sword in the Netherlands
A metal detector led to a "first of its kind" ancient discovery in the Netherlands. The finding turned out to be a
10th-century Viking sword fragment,
the Fries Museum and the Fryske Akademy announced in a press release. On May 3, 2024, Sander Visser was exploring farmland near Witmarsum, Netherlands, with his metal detector.
12-YEAR-OLD GIRL FINDS ANCIENT EGYPTIAN AMULET IN ISRAEL
While scouring the land, something caused his metal detector to sound. After digging a little less than eight inches into the ground, Visser was met with
an ancient object
that was instantly recognizable to him as part of a pommel. One distinct feature of the pommel that made it recognizable was the decoration displayed upon it. Wild boar heads were on each end, which symbolized strength and courage in Viking culture, and were also connected with combat and protection, according to the press release.
IRISH FARMER FINDS NEAR 60-POUND SLAB OF ANCIENT BOG BUTTER ON HIS LAND BY 'PURE LUCK'
This ancient discovery serves as a strong piece of evidence to support the part modern-day Friesland had in connecting Viking networks, according to the press release. "This extraordinary find shows that there is still a lot to discover about the Viking Age in Frisia, an area larger than present-day Friesland, about which we have learned a lot through research in recent years," Dr. Nelleke IJssennagger-van der Pluijm, director of the Fryske Akademy and an expert on Frisia and the Viking world said, per the press release. "Because this beautiful pommel cap is the first of its kind to be found in the Netherlands, it enriches our understanding of the contacts between Frisia and the Viking world in Scandinavia and the British Isles, and adds a new dimension to our historical knowledge."The significant discovery is just the beginning of a long road of research to learn more about the history behind the Viking artifact. The Fries Museum and the Fryske Akademy are collaborating in their study of this artifact, with more insight planned for publishing at the end of 2025, according to the press release. "By combining our areas of expertise, we can study this find from various angles, namely from the Frisian context, the Viking world, and from sword traditions," said Dr. Diana Spiekhout, curator of Middle Ages and Mount Culture at the Fries Museum said, per the press release. Discoveries made with the help of a metal detector have popped up around the globe. At the end of 2023, a group called the Teignbridge History Finders discovered a
hoard of 21 ancient coins
that they named the Okey Hoard in Devon, England. Back in September 2019, an archaeologist named George Ridgway collected over 680
ancient gold and silver coins
with his metal detector in Suffolk. |
South Korean lawmakers support suspending president's powers after short-lived martial law declaration
South Korean lawmakers
are calling for suspending the constitutional powers of President Yoon Suk Yeol after his short-lived martial law declaration earlier this week, raising the prospects of impeachment. Opposition parties are pushing for a parliamentary vote on
Yoon's impeachment on Saturday
, calling his martial law declaration an "unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup." President Yoon shocked democratic allies by declaring martial law late Tuesday night, sending the East Asian country into chaos. South Korea's parliament voted to
cancel martial law
just six hours later, but the episode has effectively frozen the country's politics. Thousands of protesters have marched in the streets of Seoul since Wednesday, calling for Yoon to resign and be investigated. Still, passing an impeachment motion would
need support from some members of the president's People Power Party to get the required two-thirds majority.
The opposition parties who jointly brought the impeachment motion have 192 seats combined. PPP has 108 lawmakers.
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT'S MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION A 'BLUNDER,' COULD EMBOLDEN NORTH KOREA, EXPERT SAYS
During a party meeting, PPP leader Han Dong-hun said it was important to suspend Yoon's presidential duties and power quickly, saying he poses a "significant risk of extreme actions, like reattempting to impose martial law, which could potentially put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger."
CNN PANEL SEES 'PARALLELS' BETWEEN SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT DECLARING MARTIAL LAW AND TRUMP, JAN. 6 RIOTS
Han said he had received intelligence that the president had ordered the arrests of unspecified politicians based on accusations of "anti-state activities" during martial law. Han leads a minority faction within the ruling party, and 18 lawmakers in his faction voted with opposition lawmakers to overturn Yoon's martial law decree.
JAPAN SAYS IT WILL WATCH CHINA'S MILITARY ACTIVITY AFTER BEIJING ADMITS VIOLATING JAPANESE AIRSPACE
If Yoon is impeached, he would be suspended until the Constitutional Court rules on whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential power. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said in a televised speech Friday that it was crucial to suspend Yoon as "quickly as possible."Lee said Yoon's martial law enforcement amounted to "rebellion and also a self-coup." He said Yoon's move caused serious damage to the country's image and paralyzed foreign policy, pointing to criticism from the Biden administration and foreign leaders canceling their visits to South Korea. President Yoon has issued no response to Han's comments. Nor has he made any public appearances since he made a televised announcement that his martial law was lifted. |
Canada bans more assault firearms, suggests donating guns to Ukraine
Canada on Thursday
announced a ban on 324 assault-style firearms in a continued effort for more stringent gun control.Leaders in Canada also said that they are working with the government of Ukraine to see how the guns can be donated to support the fight against
Russia's invasion
of Ukraine."Every bit of assistance we can offer to the Ukrainians is one step toward their victory," Defense Minister Bill Blair said.The latest restriction, announced by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, also includes investments in border security in an effort to stop smuggling and trafficking, as well as strengthening firearms controls, and tougher penalties for gun traffickers.
FACEBOOK STILL SILENT AFTER SUDDENLY BANNING THEN REINSTATING THIS POPULAR GUN MANUFACTURER
The restrictions will be implemented immediately, the agency noted.
TED CRUZ, GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SCOTUS TO END 'MEXICO'S ASSAULT ON OUR SECOND AMENDMENT'
"This means these
firearms
can no longer be used," Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said.The shoring up of gun control laws in Canada came after the May 2020 ban of 1,500 makes and models of firearms. Last month, that number grew to more than 2,000 as new models were identified."Firearms designed for the battlefield plainly do not belong in our communities," Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, said. "Too often, these types of weapons have been used to commit some of the
worst atrocities Canada
has ever witnessed."Fox News Digital has reached out to Public Safety Canada for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Actress dies after consuming amphibian's venom at spiritual cleansing retreat
A Mexican actress
is dead after voluntarily participating in a spiritual cleansing ritual during which she reportedly consumed poisonous Amazonian frog venom.Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, 33, took some of the poison as part of a spiritual cleansing return that some South American natives have used for toxic cleansing, according to local reports. Rodríguez started throwing up and had severe diarrhea.She first refused help while feeling ill but eventually gave in when her friend visited and her condition worsened, witnesses said.
ALLIGATOR DOES DEATH ROLL WHILE NORTH CAROLINA COPS WRANGLE HIM IN: 'HE'S GROWLING'
Mexican production company Mapache Films
confirmed the death
, saying she was a "beloved colleague and friend.""With deep regret, we mourn the death of our beloved colleague and friend, Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez," the production company wrote in a
social media post
.
AUSTRALIAN GIRL SAVES PET GUINEA PIG FROM SNAKE
"Her passing left an immense emptiness in our hearts and in our professional community. Her dedication, joy and commitment left a profound mark on all of us who had the privilege of working beside her."Kambo is a
South American
healing ritual that incorporates the poisonous secretions of a frog, according to Healthline."The frog secretes the substance as a defense mechanism to kill or subdue animals that try to eat it. Some humans, on the other hand, apply the substance to their body for its alleged health benefits," the outlet said.Police are investigating a shaman's involvement in the incident. |
Assad regime under major pressure as Islamist rebels seize more territory; Israel, US watch
Anti-Assad rebel forces captured the strategic Syrian city of Hama Thursday, marking one of the most significant developments in Syria's 13-year civil war. The rapid rebel advances, including the fall of Aleppo, seemingly caught many off guard. During
Thursday's Pentagon briefing
, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder acknowledged the destabilizing effects of the developments in Syria but emphasized that the U.S. has no involvement in the ongoing fighting. "We call on all parties to de-escalate to ensure the protection of minorities in the region," Ryder said. Ryder added that
the U.S.
remains aware of the potential for further death and destruction but maintains no active role in the conflict. There are about 900 American soldiers in Syria as part of a mission to defeat the Islamic State.
ISLAMIST REBELS IN SYRIA CATCH ASSAD, PUTIN, IRAN REGIMES OFF GUARD GIVING US NEW MIDEAST HEADACHE
The surprise attack on Assad's forces, led by the Salafi-jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under the command of Abu Mohammed al-Golani, had reportedly been in planning for four years. HTS is Syria's most powerful rebel faction, which evolved from the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front but claimed to sever ties with the group in 2016. The group controls much of northwest Syria and has spearheaded the recent advances against Assad's forces. The U.S. and other nations have designated it a terrorist organization.Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani underscored the growing regional tensions, warning Iran-backed militias in Iraq to avoid involvement. "We urge him [Iraq's prime minister] again to keep Iraq away from entering into the flames of a new war tied to what is happening in Syria," Golani stated in a video.In addition to HTS, fears are growing that ISIS is seeking to exploit the situation. The U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced measures Thursday to counter the group's resurgence."The terrorist organization ISIS has recently declared control over significant portions of the Homs and Deir Ezzor desert, seizing numerous cities and strategic positions from the Damascus government forces," the SDF's media head stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter. In 2014, ISIS controlled vast swaths of land in Syria and Iraq.
RUSSIA AND SYRIA BOMB SYRIAN ISLAMIST REBELS AFTER SURPRISE INCURSION
Israeli officials are closely monitoring developments. The fall of key Syrian government sites to rebel forces, including air bases and weapons stockpiles, has prompted emergency security meetings. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi emphasized Israel's preparedness to address any emerging threats near its borders. "The IDF will not allow threats near the Israel-Syria border and will act to neutralize any danger to Israeli civilians," the IDF stated in a statement.Israel's Channel 12 news has reported that security officials are concerned rebels have also seized sites tied to
Syria's chemical weapons
program. While much of Syria's chemical arsenal was dismantled in 2013 under international agreements, experts warn that undeclared reserves could pose critical threats if acquired by extremist groups.Analysts say the Assad regime's dependence on Russian and Iranian support has faltered amid shifting geopolitical priorities. With Russia preoccupied with its war in Ukraine and Hezbollah suffering significant losses in its conflict with Israel, regime forces appear increasingly vulnerable. Analysts suggest the fall of Homs, a pivotal city south of Hama, could sever Damascus from coastal strongholds and signal a potential regime collapse.As the fighting continues, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen across northern and northwestern Syria. According to the United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
, escalating hostilities have displaced thousands, with many fleeing from Tel Rifaat to northeast Syria. As over 280,000 civilians face displacement from the latest violence, experts warn that ISIS and other extremist groups could exploit the chaos, posing a threat not only to Syria but to the broader region.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Masked man arrested outside Swedish royal family residence with knife, handcuffs, tape: reports
A masked man armed with a knife and in possession of handcuffs, tape and a prop gun was arrested outside the residence of
Sweden's royal family
on Wednesday, reports say.The incident happened at the official residence of Crown Princess Victoria, 47, her husband Prince Daniel, their two children, Princess Estelle, 12, and Prince Oscar, 8, according to
the Daily Mail.
The family is based in Haga Palace, located in Haga Park, Solna Municipality in Stockholm. The man was first noticed by castle guards around 5 p.m. before he was reported to police,
The Sun reported.
"It is a man who has been in the area and behaved strangely and who was then checked. A knife was found," Per Fahlström, a spokesperson for
Stockholm Police,
told the media outlet.
SWEDEN, FINLAND AND NORWAY RELEASE NEW ADVICE ON SURVIVING WAR AMID CONCERNS OVER RUSSIA, UKRAINE ESCALATION
"The police arrived and arrested the man, and thus it is a police matter," Margareta Thorgren, head of information for the Royal Court, told The Sun. Haga Castle is located in a public park. The royal family has lived there since 2010.
SWEDEN OFFERS TO PAY MIGRANTS FROM THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES $34,000 TO SELF-DEPORT
Back in August,
it was publicized
that Crown Princess Victoria had started special military training."The training is part of the Crown Princess's endeavor to continuously broaden her knowledge in preparation for her future mission as head of state," a statement read. "Together with the other cadets, I will, among other things, immerse myself in tactics,
military science
and military strategy," the princess said in the statement. Police have not released details about whom the suspect is or what he will be charged with. |
Qatar returns to Hamas-Israel negotiations as Trump envoy looks to make inroads
The push to secure an Israel-Hamas cease-fire has once again picked up steam as Qatar has returned to the negotiating table, and President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy has begun his diplomatic orientation by meeting with top players in the region in the pursuit of freeing the
100 hostages still in Gaza
. A source familiar with the ongoing talks confirmed to Fox News Digital that Steve Witkoff, tapped by Trump to be his diplomatic envoy in the turbulent region, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in late November.Though the talks between Witkoff and the Middle Eastern leaders appear to be an attempt to kickstart stalled negotiations between Israel
and the terrorist organization
, any progress following his meetings remains unclear.
LAWMAKERS HOLD MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR SLAIN OMER NEUTRA AS THOUSANDS MOURN IN HOMETOWN SYNAGOGUE
"Both agreed a Gaza cease-fire is needed before [the] Trump inauguration so that once the Trump administration takes office it can move onto other issues, like stabilizing the region after a year filled with war and instability," a source briefed on the talks said.Despite more than a yearlong
attempt to broker a cease-fire
and secure the release of 100 hostages - seven of whom are American and only three of whom are still believed to be alive after 425 days in captivity - a U.S. official said Witkoff's meetings were a move to get him up to speed rather than taking any concrete steps in advancing the negotiations, reported Reuters on Thursday. Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the Trump transition team or the White House for any details on the ongoing talks, though according to the Reuters report, while the White House has kept the Trump transition team updated, they have not worked together directly in the cease-fire negotiations. Witkoff, a real estate agent with no prior diplomatic experience and who has business ties to Qatar and other nations in the region, traveled to Israel on Nov. 23, when he met with Netanyahu. The following day, the director of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, traveled to Vienna to meet with the Qatari prime minister - both of whom have played critical roles in the negotiation talks - where the duo discussed "what was needed to get a deal."The meetings between U.S. and Israeli officials with Sheikh Mohammed suggest that Qatar has fully resumed its top position at the negotiating table to broker a deal between Jerusalem and Hamas after Doha ceased its involvement last month, citing frustration that neither party were engaging in "good faith" negotiations.
7 US HOSTAGES STILL HELD BY HAMAS TERRORISTS AS FAMILIES PLEAD FOR THEIR RELEASE: 'THIS IS URGENT'
Hamas was
also barred from Qatar
after its officials deemed the negotiations had devolved into a debate about optics rather than actual peace attempts.Though senior Hamas leaders involved in the negotiations had left Doha, according to reports in mid-November, the office remained open at the request of the U.S. and Israel, Qatar's prime minister said this week during an
interview with Sky News.
"Hamas' presence in Doha happened with full transparency and coordination, at the request of the U.S. and Israel," Sheikh Mohammed said in answer to a question about criticism the country has faced in allowing a Hamas office to operate out of its capital. The prime minister explained that keeping all lines of communication open through Doha not only secured hostage exchanges in 2023 followed by aid delivery to hostages in Gaza in January 2024 but remains a crucial "channel of negotiation" regarding the future release of the hostages, which he argued will not be achieved through "military power."Trump said on Monday there will be "hell to pay" if the hostages are not released before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, though he has not detailed what action he will take. Sheikh Mohammed told the British news outlet that it will take "maximum pressure"
on all parties to achieve a cease-fire
but said Qatar is working with all sides to try and resolve the crisis in Gaza before Trump takes office. |
12-year-old girl finds ancient Egyptian amulet in Israel
A 12-year-old girl's family trip led to the extraordinary
discovery of an ancient item
dating back approximately 3,500 years.A girl named Dafna Filshteiner was on a hiking trip with her family near the archaeological site of Tel Qana in Hod Hasharon, Israel, when she discovered her finding, the Israel Antitiquities Authority said in a press release. "I was looking down at the ground to find porcupine needles and smooth pebbles," Filshteiner said per the press release. "And suddenly I picked up an interesting stone. I showed it to my mother, and she said it was just an ordinary stone or a bead. But then I saw a decoration and stubbornly insisted it was more than that, so we searched on the Internet. There, we identified more photos of stones similar to what we had found. We realized that it was something special and immediately called the Antiquities Authority."
ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN DENMARK DISCOVER OVER 100 WEAPONS FROM THE IRON AGE DURING EXCAVATIONS
What the young girl found turned out to be an Egyptian amulet dating back to the New Kingdom period, about 3,500 years ago. The amulet took the shape of a dung beetle, which was sacred in
Ancient Egypt
as a symbol of new life, per the press release. "The scarab is indeed a distinct Egyptian characteristic, but their wide distribution also reached far beyond Egypt's borders. It may have been dropped by an important and authoritative figure passing through the area, or it may have been deliberately buried. Since the find was discovered on the surface, it is difficult to know its exact context," Dr. Yitzhak Paz, a Bronze Age expert with the
Israel Antiquities Authority
who further examined the find, said per the press release. Clearly displayed on the beetle-shaped amulet were two scorpions, which Paz said "represented the Egyptian goddess Serket, who was considered responsible, among other things, for protecting pregnant mothers. Another decoration on the amulet is the nefer symbol, which in Egyptian means 'good' or 'chosen'. There is also another symbol which looks like a royal staff." Filshteiner received a certificate of good citizenship for reporting the ancient find.
2,000-YEAR-OLD FIG UNEARTHED IN IRELAND MARKS 'OLDEST EXAMPLE OF AN EXOTIC FRUIT' DISCOVERED IN THE AREA
"Dafna received a certificate of appreciation from the Israel Antiquities Authority, and now the scarab she found is on display in Jerusalem at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, so the entire public can enjoy it," Eli Escusido, Israel Antiquities Authority director, said according the press release. "Everyone is welcome to come and visit!"Filshteiner's story is one of many that shows that remarkable finds do not always come out of
archaeological excavations.
Sometimes, it is young finders who make impressive discoveries. Another similar example came out of England, where a 9-year-old boy found a shiny rock while at the beach. The rock he found turned out to be a
hand axe from the late Middle Paleolithic period,
dating back between 40,000 and 60,000 years, the Worthing Musuem announced in November 2024. "We regularly have visitors bring in their finds from the local area. Mostly these are other flint tools or Roman artifacts, but this is by far the oldest item shown to myself in 10-plus years," James Sainsbury, curator of archaeology at Worthing Museum, previously told Fox News Digital in an email. "Neanderthal hand axes are rare in Sussex," Sainsbury also said. "This is the first to be found in years. The nature of the find, being made by a young local boy on the beach, makes it doubly special."Also in England, a 12-year-old boy and his mom were walking their dog in West Sussex in 2022 when they
found a gold bracelet.
They took the item to a local finds liaison officer, and were told that they had found a piece of ancient Roman jewelry. |
Kosovo accuses Serbia of 'terrorist attack' resembling Russian actions in Ukraine
The Kosovo government has accused Serbia of blowing up a crucial pipeline that supplies water and electricity to the ethnically Serb population in the north of Kosovo. Even more troubling, some in Kosovo claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have even had a hand in it."Serbia acts as a key player in the Kremlin's bid for chaos in the Balkans, so Putin can have leverage over Western powers who do not want the violence to escalate further," Ivana Stradner, research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.Russia has deep historical, cultural and religious
connections to the Balkans
, and narratives sympathetic to Russia often emanate from the Serbian Orthodox Church. Stradner says Putin exploits these religious and ethnic divisions in the Balkans, pushing the region to the brink of war. She also noted that the Serbian president also benefits from chaos in the Balkans, using it to strengthen his grip on power.
TENSIONS RISE AMID CLAIMS OF RUSSIA, SERBIA INTERFERENCE IN KOSOVO FOLLOWING RECENT BLOODSHED
"Vucic has employed a strategy of escalating and de-escalating crises in Kosovo to portray himself as a source of stability, leveraging his position as a bargaining chip with the West," Stradner added.Agim Nesho, former Albanian ambassador to the U.S. and the United Nations, told Fox News Digital that, "Russia has openly stated that it wants the Western Balkans to be a neutral region and finds it difficult to accept that most Balkan countries are NATO members."He continued, "Events in Montenegro, the assassination attempt on President Djukanović, and the rise of pro-Russian parties show that Russia is present. Russia has no support in Kosovo and Albania, which are openly pro-American due to the role of the USA in supporting the Albanian nation since the beginning of the last century."Some experts are cautious as accusations and information is often fluid following crises in the Balkans."This latest escalation, much like the previous ones, involves serious allegations - ranging from Kosovo's claim that the Serbian government orchestrated these events to suspicions of Russian involvement," Helena Ivanov, associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital.Ivanov warned that previous rounds of escalation and allegations lacked concrete evidence and that many of the claims remain conjecture until a full investigation is completed.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti
said at a news conference that the attack on critical infrastructure was similar to Russia's actions targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine. So far, there is no evidence to suggest Russia had any involvement.Kurti placed the blame squarely on Serbia and President Vucic for plotting what Kosovo is calling a terrorist attack on the water supply canal in the northern town of Zubin Potok.
ZELENSKYY WARNS RUSSIA WANTS TO CAUSE 'EXPLOSION' IN THE BALKANS
"All evidence reveals a continuation of Serbia's strategy of aggression, with the Vučić regime exploiting a plethora of resources, including ties with organized crime, in their effort to inflict harm and cause instability within Kosovo," Ilir Dugolli, Kosovo's ambassador to the U.S., told Fox News Digital."This is only the latest in the long list of acts of aggression by Serbia," the ambassador added.Approximately 20 kilos of explosives were used in the massive blast in what Ambassador Dugolli called a highly sophisticated manner, further indicating the professional preparation and execution of the operation.
President Vucic
adamantly denied the accusations, calling them "baseless."Vucic claimed in a post on Instagram that the accusations against Serbia are intended to tarnish Serbia's international reputation and undermine stability in the Balkans region. The president is also calling for a "thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation" into what he called an act of sabotage.Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric told Fox News Digital that the sabotage that took place in the north of Kosovo is a serious threat to peace and stability, and he reiterated Vucic's demand for a thorough investigation under international supervision.
LONGTIME FOES SERBIA AND KOSOVO NEARING NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS
Djuric also repeated Vucic's claims that the aims of the operation were to discredit Serbia."We have grounds to believe that this was a hybrid attack aimed at discrediting Serbia, and that is why we continue to emphasize that it is in our immediate interest to identify the perpetrators and masterminds behind this attack," Djuric told Fox News Digital.Djuric suggested that Kurti could be behind the attack, but did not back up the claim with evidence, but he also made sure to point out that Serbia was ready to offer any assistance to the investigation.Kosovo's Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said that eight suspects linked to the attack were arrested and that the damage to the canal had been fixed. Svecla also said that Kosovo police raided 10 locations and confiscated uniforms, heavy weaponry and other military equipment.Kurti and Vucic met with the European Union's new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in Brussels. Kallas said in a post on X that the only way to EU membership for both parties is through normalization of their relations.Both Serbia and Kosovo are
EU aspirants
, and ending their feud is a core requirement for gaining membership. Failure to honor their obligations or ratcheting up tensions will have negative consequences for their EU accession processes and block any potential EU financial aid. The ongoing dispute and the recent turmoil remain major obstacles to EU membership for both.Conflict between Serbia and Kosovo following the 1999 war is unresolved and is a roadblock to their normalization process. Kosovo was a former province of Serbia and was once integrated within the nation of Yugoslavia. NATO led a bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, which comprised Serbia and Montenegro, to defend Kosovo's ethnic Albanians against violence from Belgrade. Nearly a decade later, in 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, along with its historic patron, Russia, refuses to recognize its independence.Tensions are especially fought in the north of Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs make up a majority of the territory and refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbs in northern Kosovo still look to Belgrade as their capital. |
Amnesty International slammed over report charging Israel with genocide: 'Double standards'
Critics have slammed a new Amnesty International report that claims Israel "has committed, and is continuing to commit genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza as poorly researched and highly politicized.Taking issue with the report, Orde Kittrie, a law professor at Arizona State University, said Israeli "policies and actions do not fit the
legal definition of genocide."
Kittrie, who is also a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that "accusers must prove Israel is killing Gaza civilians intentionally and simply because they are Palestinian rather than as an unfortunate consequence of Israeli self-defense against Hamas and its fighters."
UN ACCUSED OF DOWNPLAYING HAMAS TERRORISTS' USE OF GAZA HOSPITALS AS NEW REPORT IGNORES IMPORTANT DETAILS
He noted that "Israel's warnings and other steps to mitigate harm to Gazan civilians make clear Israel's intent is not genocide but, far from it, to minimize civilian casualties while lawfully exercising Israel's rights to free hostages, apprehend October 7 atrocity perpetrators, and protect Israel's population from further attacks."Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, criticized the report in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The only group to have ever shown bloodthirsty genocidal intent in this war is Hamas. With the support of Tehran, Hamas terrorists filmed themselves on October 7th executing, raping, pillaging and kidnapping their way through southern Israel."Israel never started this war, but Israel will never allow terrorists to get away with harming Israelis and Israel - and will do whatever it takes to bring back the 100 hostages still held in brutal captivity by Hamas," he said.
7 US HOSTAGES STILL HELD BY HAMAS TERRORISTS AS FAMILIES PLEAD FOR THEIR RELEASE: 'THIS IS URGENT'
The Amnesty report
titled "'You Feel Like You Are Subhuman': Israel's Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza," claimed it found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the organization said in a report published Thursday.
The use of the term "genocide" is "an extension of [Amnesty International's] bias," David Adesnik, vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told Fox News Digital. He charged that Amnesty International has never characterized the ongoing atrocities in Sudan and Ukraine or ethnic predation in Xinjiang as genocide, despite these being "cases where they're sometimes far bloodier and where the racial or ethnic motive was often crystal clear." Adesnik says using that "term against Israel suggests a real double standard." Adesnik, who has reviewed much of Amnesty International's writing on the post-Oct. 7 conflict, noted that there "are only fleeting references to Hamas abusing civilian structures," such as "schools, mosques, [and] UNRWA buildings. What's interesting is that they even dedicated a report to telling Ukrainian forces defending their own country to be careful not to endanger civilians by using civilian residences for a military purpose. And they don't even bother doing that with Hamas."Amnesty International's report alleges "denial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services, humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies into and within Gaza" by Israel. But as Adesnik stated, Amnesty International fails to "acknowledge the 58,000 aid trucks, and over 1,149,000 tons of aid that have come in." Amnesty International also neglects to address how the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)
has consistently measured declining numbers
of Gazans facing catastrophic food insecurity. In regards to its treatment of aid, "it's not even close to being a balanced assessment," Adesnik concluded.Within its report, Amnesty International claims that they have identified "22 statements made by senior officials... that appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts." Salo Aizenberg, director of media watchdog group HonestReporting, told Fox News Digital that "claims against Israel misrepresent and cherry-pick statements by Israeli leaders - because the intent to genocide is simply nonexistent." As an example, Aizenberg noted that the International Court of Justice's case against Israel "grossly misrepresented" the words of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL WON'T CONDEMN OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF ANTISEMITISM; US SAID TO GRANT VISA FOR VISIT
Herzog himself criticized the ICJ's case, explaining that he was "disgusted by the way they twisted my words, using very, very partial and fragmented quotes," the Times of Israel reported.Fox News Digital asked Amnesty International whether it had concerns about Hamas leaders' comments calling for indiscriminate terror attacks, like those from Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas official who
said the attack
of Oct. 7 was "just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth."Fox News Digital also inquired about whether Amnesty International would condemn Hamas' use of medical facilities and civilian structures, and whether the organization considered conflict in Sudan and Ukraine or ethnic predation in Xinjiang and Afghanistan to constitute genocide. Amnesty International did not respond.Further evidence of Amnesty International's anti-Israel bias emerged recently when Amnesty Northern Ireland invited Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to speak about Israeli genocide at its annual lecture.Albanese has come under repeated fire for spreading antisemitic hate under the banner of the U.N. The location of her Dec. 3 speech is a reminder of the impact that rabid anti-Israel sentiments have had for Jews around the world in the aftermath of Oct. 7. Though the Jewish population in Ireland is small, after 14 months of rapidly rising hate,
Irish Jews are now removing identifying symbols
that would make them visible targets. |
South Korean president to face impeachment vote this weekend over martial law order, lawmakers say
South Korean opposition lawmakers
said Thursday they will vote this weekend to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is under police investigation after his short-lived martial law declaration. Yoon accused his opposition of "anti-state" activities when he declared martial law on Tuesday in an attempt to ban political activity and assume state control of the media. The martial law, however, was only in effect for about six hours since the National Assembly voted to overrule the president's decision.The shocking move led to protests and worried South Korea's international allies, including the United States. Yoon's defense minister, who recommended the drastic measure, has resigned, Reuters reported.A spokesman for South Korea's opposition Democratic Party told reporters parliament will vote to impeach Yoon at around 7 p.m. Saturday local time. The Democratic Party holds a majority in the country's legislature.
SOUTH KOREAN LEADER FACING MOUNTING CALLS TO RESIGN OR BE IMPEACHED OVER MARTIAL LAW
"The Yoon Suk Yeol regime's declaration of emergency martial law caused great confusion and fear among our people," Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won told the National Assembly earlier, according to Reuters.Impeaching the president would require the approval of two-thirds of the parliament's 300 members, or 200 votes.
The Democratic Party
and other small opposition parties together make up 192 seats. However, 18 lawmakers from Yoon's ruling People Power Party cast ballots opposing the president's decision when the parliament rejected Yoon's martial law declaration in a 190-0 vote.The leader of the People Power Party, Han Dong-hun, criticized Yoon's martial law declaration as "unconstitutional." However, the party has said it will oppose impeachment. If Yoon is impeached, he will not have his constitutional powers until the Constitutional Court can rule on his fate. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the second in command in the South Korean government, would take over his presidential responsibilities.
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT LIFTS MARTIAL LAW AFTER LAWMAKERS REJECT MOVE
With his political future uncertain, Yoon accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Thursday. Kim had suggested the president declare martial law since his domestic agenda had been thwarted in the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Kim is now under investigation by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on potential charges of treason, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. The former defense official is banned from traveling.Police are also investigating Yoon on charges of treason after activists and a minority opposition party filed a complaint against the president, according to Yonhap.
WHY DID YOON'S PARTY LOSE IN SOUTH KOREA'S ELECTIONS AND WHAT TROUBLES DOES HE FACE NOW?
The complaints accused not only Yoon and Kim, but also Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min of treason and other related charges for their roles in the martial law declaration on Tuesday.Yoon is under pressure to resign ahead of Saturday's impeachment vote.On Wednesday,
Secretary of State Antony Blinken
told Reuters the United States had not been made aware in advance of Yoon's declaration, while his deputy, Kurt Campbell, said Yoon had badly misjudged it. The United States has 28,500 servicemembers stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War.Yoon's martial law declaration was the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Scenes of military intervention have not been seen since
South Korea
achieved genuine democracy in the late 1980s. |
The world's tallest snowman, measuring 122 feet, built by residents in Bethel, Maine
The snowwoman may be melted but the record still stands. The
residents of Bethel, Maine
, have been proud holders of the same world record for about 25 years. Currently, according to Guinness World Records, the tallest snowperson ever built was completed on Feb. 26, 2008 in Bethel.
JOEY CHESTNUT BREAKS WORLD RECORD IN HOT DOG EATING VS. TAKERU KOBAYASHI 15 YEARS AFTER LAST MEETING
nowwoman, Olympia, took about a month to complete. The residents of Bethel were no strangers to the tall order of creating a gigantic snowperson like the one they made in 2008, as they broke their own record. The first record-breaking snowperson created in Bethel was made in 1999. The first snowman, Angus King of the Mountain, was named after the
governor of Maine
at the time, Angus King. In 2008, the residents of Bethel got together to break their existing record. When Olympia was complete, the snow structure measured 122 feet and 1 inch tall, according to Guinness World Records.
GRANDMOTHER OF 12 BREAKS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST PLANK HELD AT OVER 4.5 HOURS: 'LIKE A DREAM'
nowwoman, named after a Maine U.S. senator at the time, Olympia Snowe, was made using a whopping 13 million pounds of snow. In a video on the Guinness World Record's page regarding the record,
large construction trucks
can be seen carrying piles of snow, with cranes lifting the snow to the top of the chilly creation. Accessories of the snowwoman included eyelashes made of skis, a nose made from chicken wire and painted cheesecloth and lips created with red car tires. The buttons of the snowwoman were made using three truck tires, and the arms were made of 30-foot-tall spruce trees.
THE WORLD'S OLDEST DOUGLAS FIR TREES HAVE LIVED OVER 1,000 YEARS
Even though the snowwoman has since melted, the title still stands in Bethel, according to Guinness World Records. Though Guinness World Records still regards the Olympia snowwoman that stood in Bethel as the world's tallest snowperson, others have attempted to take the title. In February 2020, the record was seemingly broken by a snowman created called Riesi in Donnersbachwald, Austria. At the time, several outlets shared the news that the record had been broken, as the snowman built in Austria was a couple feet taller than Olympia. Today, the official Guinness World Record website states Olympia as the record holder. According to the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce's website, the snowman built in Austria had been disqualified for an unknown reason. The Bethel Chamber of Commerce was simply told, "if it's in the book, you still have the record," the Chamber of Commerce's website states. |
South Korean president's martial law declaration a 'blunder,' could embolden North Korea, expert says
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprising short-lived move to declare
martial law
, which drew condemnation from opposition lawmakers, to root out "anti-state" forces was a "blunder" and possibly an attempt to "reassert himself," an expert says. Opposition parties moved Wednesday to impeach the president, which would require the support of two-thirds of the 300-seat parliament and at least six justices of the nine-member constitutional court. A motion to impeach was submitted by the liberal opposition Democratic Party and five smaller opposition parties and could be put to a vote as early as Friday. "I think he was trying, even desperately, to reassert himself to tell his domestic foes that he's the man in charge and there will be consequences for the efforts by the opposition parties to stifle Yoon's many reform programs," Sung-Yoon Lee, a global fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington D.C., and author of "The Sister: North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the Most Dangerous Woman in the World," told Fox News Digital.
WHY DID YOON'S PARTY LOSE IN SOUTH KOREA'S ELECTIONS AND WHAT TROUBLES DOES HE FACE NOW?
"But I think it was a blunder, possibly a legal breach, and certainly, something akin to an own goal politically," he added, referring to the notion of something that one does thinking it will help him or her but actually causes one harm.The martial declaration lasted only six hours but sent shockwaves through the country, as it hearkened back to South Korea's past
military-backed
governments when authorities occasionally proclaimed martial law and other decrees that allowed them to station soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles on streets or at public places such as schools to prevent anti-government demonstrations.The country achieved democracy in the late 1980s. No major violence was reported, and martial law was lifted after lawmakers rejected the move in a 190-0 vote. In a speech announcing the declaration, Yoon vowed to eliminate anti-state forces while accusing the opposition of sympathizing with
North Korea
. The North, a totalitarian-run state, will use what happened in the South to its benefit, Lee said.
SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT IS PICKING UP GOLF IN HOPES TO IMPRESS TRUMP
"I'm sure the North Korean leadership is sharpening its knives right now," he said. "It would be very atypical, unusual for North Korea just to sit around and allow this kind of sensational, breathtaking crisis in South Korea to go to waste."Lee expects the North to issue provacative statements, resort to hostile acts and blame Yoon for its own "belligerence" and argue that the backlash against him is a reaction to his hostility toward his northern neighbor. If Yoon is impeached, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who holds the No. 2 position in the South Korean government, would take over presidential responsibilities. Presently, the constitutional court has only
six justices
following three retirements, meaning all six would have to vote in favor of impeachment to oust Yoon from office. Four of the six justices are Yoon appointees. "It remains to be seen whether the constitutional court, if we come to that point, will actually endorse, authorize impeachment and the ouster of President Yoon, but it's a possibility," Lee said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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