Syrian leader signs constitution that puts the country under an Islamist group's rule for 5 years

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a temporary constitution for a five-year transitional period, emphasizing justice over oppression. The document includes provisions for freedom of expression, women’s rights, and transitional justice, while maintaining Islamic law as a main source of jurisprudence. Al-Sharaa also reached a pact with Kurdish-led authorities and faced criticism for not being inclusive in the national dialogue conference. Israel conducted an air strike in Damascus during the signing, targeting a Palestinian group's...

Former vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., admitted that he and former Vice President Kamala Harris are responsible for the country's current "mess" under President Donald Trump, blaming Trump's trade and tariff policies for economic turmoil. Walz criticized Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, calling them the "dumbest trade war in history" and slammed conservative leaders for telling Americans to endure the economic fallout. He challenged the Democratic Party to offer Americans a better alternative...

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal for Ukraine during talks with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, emphasizing Russia's preference for substantive peace negotiations. Ushakov reiterated Russia's demands, including recognition of Crimea's annexation, troop withdrawal from disputed lands, and a commitment to never join NATO. Moscow also seeks limits on Ukraine's military, protections for Russian speakers, and elections to replace Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while Russian forces have reclaimed territory lost...

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan traveled to Damascus to discuss the expulsion of foreign fighters from Syria following an agreement to disband armed groups. The visit comes after Syria's new authorities reached a deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the Kurdish administration into the national government, aiming to establish government control over the country after years of civil war. Turkey, which views the Kurdish YPG as a terrorist group, is closely monitoring the...

Christopher Luxon, before becoming Prime Minister, emphasized the importance of India as a growing economic and strategic power. As a business executive at Unilever, Luxon spent time in India, which is now the world's most populous country and fifth largest economy, on track to become the third. Luxon's experience in India has likely shaped his understanding and approach towards the country's significance in global affairs. Full Article

PM Keir Starmer announced the abolishment of NHS England, a non-departmental public body overseeing the operation of the NHS in England, in order to bring its responsibilities under ministerial control and improve efficiency. The move aims to free up funds, increase accountability, and streamline processes within the health service, with plans to absorb NHS England back into the Department for Health and Social Care. This decision follows a recent independent investigation highlighting the need for...