- USAID-backed report about famine in Gaza taken down after criticism from U.S. ambassador to Israel Jewish Insider
- Famine Warning for Northern Gaza Draws U.S. Rebuke and Raises Questions The New York Times
- Looting cripples food supply in Gaza as Israel neglects pledge to tackle gangs, sources say Reuters
- Gangs loot UN aid trucks, wreaking further havoc in Gaza during war - report The Jerusalem Post
- Global monitor says famine is weeks away in north Gaza. A US diplomat calls warning 'irresponsible' The Associated Press
Syrian armed groups to unite under one army
Syrian factions agree to disband and come together to form a national army, under the new Ministry of Defence.
At Christmas, Pope calls for ‘silence of arms’, says Gaza situation ‘grave’
In his Christmas address, Pope Francis also appealed for peace in Ukraine and Sudan.
Sombre Christmas in the occupied city of Bethlehem
There are no Christmas decorations or lit trees for Palestinian Christians in the city of Bethlehem.
Disabled boy in Gaza dreams of playing with friends
Mohammed Saeed Shabaan is an 8-year-old Palestinian boy from Gaza who lost his limbs in a fire several years ago.
Iran says Syria’s future unclear after foreign minister hits back
The foreign minister of the new government in Damascus says Iran must not 'spread chaos' in Syria.
Russia launches major Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s energy system
Zelenskyy describes cruise and ballistic missile strikes, which caused blackouts in several regions, as ‘inhuman’
Christmas morning in Ukraine was overshadowed by a massive Russian aerial attack using cruise missiles to target energy infrastructure across the country, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned as “inhuman”.
“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhuman? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones,” the Ukrainian president said on Telegram.
Continue reading...C of E must ‘kneel in penitence’ after difficult year, says archbishop of York
Stephen Cottrell delivers Christmas sermon in place of Justin Welby, who will step down as de facto head of church
The archbishop of York has highlighted the need for actions more than words in his Christmas sermon, as the Church of England faces criticism over failures in its handling of recent abuse scandals.
Stephen Cottrell, who will become the temporary leader of the Church in England in early January in place of the outgoing archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the church must “kneel in penitence and adoration” this Christmas and “be changed”.
Continue reading...Syrian Christians attend first Christmas Eve service since al-Assad’s fall – Al Jazeera English
- Syrian Christians attend first Christmas Eve service since al-Assad’s fall Al Jazeera English
- For Syria’s Christians, Christmas is a time to grapple with hope and fear The Washington Post
- Syrians in Christian Neighborhoods Protest After Christmas Tree Is Burned The New York Times
- Syrian Christians attend Christmas mass for first time since fall of Assad Reuters
- Video: Protests follow the burning of a Christmas tree in Syrian town Al Jazeera English
Syrian Christians attend first Christmas Eve service since al-Assad’s fall
Sednaya's historic monastery lights up with a towering tree, bringing joy to a city scarred by a decade of war.
Latin America’s rise in tuberculosis linked to imprisonment rates
Study warns region’s exponential rise in incarceration is fuelling the disease, with cases increasing by 19% between 2015 and 2022
High incarceration rates in Latin America – the region with the world’s fastest-growing prison population – are exacerbating tuberculosis in a region that is bucking the global trend for falling incidents of the disease, experts have warned.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health journal has estimated that, contrary to previous assumptions, HIV/Aids is not the primary risk factor for tuberculosis in the region – as it remains in Africa, for example – but rather imprisonments.
Continue reading...Syria’s New Leaders Try to Unite Rebel Factions Under Defense Ministry – The New York Times
- Syria’s New Leaders Try to Unite Rebel Factions Under Defense Ministry The New York Times
- Syrian armed groups to unite under one army Al Jazeera English
- Syrian Islamist Rulers Shun The Taliban Governance Model Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- Syria’s new leader tries to reassure the U.S. he is no jihadi NBC News
- Syria’s Rebel Leaders Have Control of the Country. Now What? The Wall Street Journal
Owner and architect of Turkey quake collapse hotel jailed
They received hefty sentences after 72 people were killed when the building fell in the 2023 quake.
Video: Passenger plane crashes in Kazakhstan during emergency landing
An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed after requesting an emergency landing in Kazakhstan.
Could the Houthis be next? Yemenis reflect on the fall of Syria’s al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad's fall was a blow to Iran and its regional supporters, but anti-Houthi Yemenis see a rare opportunity.
Nigeria’s celebratory ‘detty December’ turns sombre amid economic woes
Amid high inflation and soaring costs, the monthlong annual entertainment extravaganza is taking a toll on many.
Israel probe says army actions had ‘influence’ on killing of six hostages by Hamas
It also said that soldiers did not know the hostages were there when they began their operation.
Watch: ISS crew sends Christmas greetings from space
Astronauts on the International Space Station send a festive message from orbit, some 250 miles (400km) above Earth.
Palestinian fighters blow up Israeli military vehicle in West Bank clashes
Hamas' armed wing, Al Qassam Brigades released video of an Israeli military vehicle being attacked as clashes continue.
Russian attacks kill one in Ukraine, damage energy infrastructure
One killed in southern Ukraine city of Kherson as Russian missiles cause significant damage to energy infrastructure.