Syrians express hope and skepticism as national dialogue conference kicks off
A long-awaited national dialogue conference intended to help chart Syria’s political future after the fall of former President Bashar Assad kicked off Monday in Damascus. The conference had been one of the chief pledges by the country’s new rulers, former rebels who took power in a military offensive but have since promised an inclusive political transition. Its results will be closely watched by both Syrians and the international community, including countries still weighing whether to lift sanctions imposed during Assad’s authoritarian rule.
Apple shareholders to consider scrapping diversity programs amid backlash
Apple shareholders on Tuesday are expected to reject an attempt to pressure the technology trendsetter into scrapping its corporate programs designed to diversify its workforce. The proposal drafted by the National Center for Public Policy Research — a self-described conservative think tank — urges Apple to follow a litany of high-profile companies that have retreated from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives currently in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump.
3 American women found dead in a Belize hotel may have overdosed on drugs, police say
Three American women were found dead over the weekend in a beach resort in Belize, police said Monday, and officials were investigating the deaths as possible drug overdoses. Belize police identified the women as 23-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, 24-year-old Imane Mallah and 26-year-old Wafae El-Arar, who were staying at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. They didn’t release additional details.
British lawmaker jailed for beating constituent in street during drunken rage
A British lawmaker who punched out a constituent in the street while in a drunken rage was sentenced Monday to 10 weeks in prison. Mike Amesbury, 55, a member of Parliament who was suspended by the ruling center-left Labour Party after the altercation last year. He pleaded guilty in Chester Magistrates’ Court to assaulting a 45-year-old man.
Taliban confirm British couple in their 70s arrested in Afghanistan as family call for their release
The Taliban on Monday confirmed the arrest of a British couple in their 70s in Afghanistan after a plea from their children for their release. The four adult children of Peter and Barbie Reynolds said their parents have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, remaining after the Taliban toppled the Western-backed government in 2021.
A swarm of small drones may help artificial reefs attract sea life
A swarm of submersibles will be used to monitor and provide data on offshore artificial reefs that are intended to attract marine life in otherwise barren sections of sea, officials said Monday. The autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, will be equipped with sensors and high-definition cameras to give scientists at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute a clear picture on the effectiveness of their artificial reefs designed and built using 3D printing.
Over 20 people are missing after clashes at the Kenya-Ethiopia border
Kenya has deployed heavy security at its border with Ethiopia after an attack by armed men in what authorities describe as cross-border clashes. Twenty people are missing. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday said the government was collaborating with authorities in Ethiopia to find the missing people. Fishermen from Ethiopia clashed with Kenyan counterparts at the Omo river on Saturday, Turkana County governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said Sunday. Local authorities said 15 boats are missing.
South Korea’s president is fighting to stay in office and out of prison after martial law fiasco. Here’s what happens next
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a string of legal battles as the suspended leader fights to save his political career – and avoid prison – following his brief imposition of martial law last year. Yoon’s December 3 decree threw South Korea into turmoil when he banned political activity and sent troops to the heart of the nation’s democracy – only to reverse the move within six hours after lawmakers forced their way into parliament and voted unanimously to block it. The decree was swiftly met by widespread public anger, reviving painful memories of strongmen leaders who curtailed rights and freedoms in the country after the Korean War until its transition to democracy in the late 1980s.
China’s Xi stresses strength of Russia ties in Putin call as Washington warms to Moscow
China and Russia “cannot be moved away” from one another, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told his counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, in their first phone call since US President Donald Trump upended American foreign policy with a sweeping pivot toward Moscow as he pushes for peace in Ukraine. The call, which took place as Kyiv marked the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, stands as a clear message from Beijing that its relations with its key diplomatic partner will not be shaken by Washington’s warming relations with the Kremlin.
Russia says it’s open to economic cooperation with US on rare earth minerals and energy
Russia says it is open for economic cooperation with the United States, including on energy and mining rare earth minerals. Moscow’s comments came after US President Donald Trump said Monday he was in “serious discussions” with Russia about ending its war with Ukraine and was “trying to do some economic development deals” with Moscow, noting its “massive rare earth” deposits. The comments also follow discussions between the US and Ukraine, in which Trump has demanded access to nearly half of Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for military aid.