The swift fall of Syria's Assad brings moments inconceivable under his iron rule

South African lawmakers plan to increase value added tax by 0.5% to boost health and defense budgets, with an additional 28.9 billion rand allocated for health spending to offset U.S. aid cuts. The move aims to support the health system's response to HIV, which has 5.5 million people on antiretroviral drugs, while also allocating 5 billion rand to strengthen military forces. The government also plans to raise VAT by another 0.5% annually to fund various...

On February 16, Marya Washburn was fired from the US Forest Service, part of Trump's federal workforce cuts that affected 3,400 probationary employees, weakening US wildfire preparedness. Washburn, a certified firefighter, and others who provided vital services were let go under the downsizing, raising concerns about the impact on firefighting efforts and the overall workforce. Despite claims of poor performance, Washburn plans to challenge her dismissal, highlighting the challenges faced by federal firefighters in an...

Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is a polarizing figure in this year's NFL Draft, with some scouts questioning his abilities and character. Despite being coached by his father at Jackson State and Colorado, Sanders' confidence and skin color may be obstacles in his draft stock. ESPN's Ryan Clark noted concerns about Sanders' bravado and race impacting his perception in the NFL, but Sanders remains confident in his ability to change a...

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody at the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to extrajudicial killings committed during his administration's war on drugs. His successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., announced Duterte's arrest, stating that an ICC warrant and Interpol red notice led to his apprehension upon landing in Manila. Duterte's daughter referred to the arrest as "state kidnapping," while advocacy groups praised the...

Eagle-eyed home cooks noticed that PYREX and pyrex are separate companies with different glass materials. The podcast Confused Breakfast revealed that Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers used footage from a Japanese series called Super Sentai, with only unmasked scenes being original. Haim Saban adapted the show for US audiences, incorporating both American and Japanese footage to create a culturally diverse viewing experience. Fans were surprised by the revelation, with some noting discrepancies in the show's production...

Lawyers representing four Indonesian fishermen filed a lawsuit against Bumble Bee Seafoods, accusing the company of profiting from forced labor on vessels that supplied tuna. The men were allegedly beaten and trapped at sea, with one fisherman being hit by a metal hook and forced to work despite severe injuries. The lawsuit seeks compensation for unpaid wages and abuse, as well as systemic changes in the global fishing industry to prevent future labor abuses. Full...