Reuters
The rebels broke through the defenses and entered the suburbs of Homs, advancing 30 km from Damascus. In a week, they captured several major cities, including Aleppo, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.
The rebels have captured the last village near Homs and are approaching the city. Taking the city could cut off the Assad regime from the coast with Russian bases and Alawite support.
Yun Seok-yol appointed Choi Bong-hyuk as the new defense minister after Kim Yong-hyun resigned. The change of leadership followed a failed attempt to impose martial law and a political crisis in the country.
The delegation led by Yermak met with future Trump advisers Volz and Kellogg. The purpose of the visit was to establish cooperation to gain support in the war against Russia.
Trump's advisers are developing plans to end the war in Ukraine, which include concessions to Russia and the rejection of NATO. The plan includes freezing the front lines and a carrot-and-stick system for both sides.
Up to 750,000 tons of contraband fuel oil pass through Iraq every month, bringing Iran and its allies about. 1 billion a year. The scheme intensified after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani came to power in 2022.
As a result of severe flooding on the border of Thailand and Malaysia, 31 people were killed, hundreds of thousands were evacuated. Meteorologists warn of further rain and monsoon winds by the end of the week.
A highly pathogenic h7n6 avian influenza virus has been detected on a poultry farm on the South Island of New Zealand. The country temporarily stops exporting poultry until the end of the 21-day incubation period.
Fedorov reported on the presence in Ukraine of attack UAVs with a range of up to 1800 km. Ukraine has signed a contract for 1.6 million drones and is developing interceptors for Iranian UAVs.
In Romania's parliamentary elections, the ruling Social Democratic Party gets 26% of the vote, while the far-right forces get about 30%. The final results will depend on the votes of the Romanian diaspora.
Russian and Syrian planes attacked the city of Idlib, killing 4 people. The rebels captured several cities near Aleppo, including the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone.
The rebels have reached the center of Aleppo, all roads and the airport are closed. Russia has promised to provide additional military assistance to Assad within 72 hours, and government forces have been ordered to retreat cautiously.
The UK Parliament supported the bill on euthanasia for terminally ill patients: 330 votes in favor against 275. the document provides for the possibility of assisted dying for adult patients with a life span of up to 6 months.
Ireland is holding early parliamentary elections with a record turnout of 3. 7 million voters. According to exit polls, the opposition Sinn Fein is in the lead with 21.1%, ahead of the ruling parties by a fraction of a percent.
Three Bulgarians are accused of spying for Russia over surveillance of a US base where the Ukrainian military trained. The group also planned to spy on investigative journalists and organize provocations.
In eastern Uganda, there was a large-scale landslide caused by heavy rains. 15 people were killed, more than 100 were missing, and 40 households were completely buried underground.
US intelligence considers a nuclear attack by russia unlikely, despite putin's threats. Biden changed his position on granting permission for strikes on the territory of the russian federation due to North Korea's entry into the war.
A US court rejected rapper Diddy's request for заставу 50 million bail. He will remain in a Brooklyn prison until trial on May 5, 2025, due to the risk of pressure on witnesses and evidence of violence.
President Zelensky reported on the most active military operations in the Donetsk directions, especially in the Kurakhovo area.
Donald Trump has appointed retired General Keith Kellogg as his special representative for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg presented a plan to end the war, which includes freezing the front lines and negotiations.
International partners have criticized Trump's plans to impose high tariffs on imported goods. Countries warn of threats to economic stability and the possibility of a trade war.
The Australian Senate has approved a bill banning social networks for children under 16. Age verification will be carried out using biometric data or state identification, without providing Passport data to platforms.
The terrorist country launched a ballistic missile with fictitious warheads on the Dnieper river, causing minor damage. putin called it a warning to the West after allowing strikes on russian territory.
Russian troops captured almost 235 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory over the past week, which was a record in 2024. In November, the invaders occupied about 600-667 square kilometers of territory.
Gold prices dropped by 3. 4% to $2619.66 per ounce due to the appointment of Scott Bessent as US Treasury Secretary. The drop was also affected by reports of a possible truce between Israel and Hezbollah.
Satellite images revealed the expansion of the “February 11th factory” in the DPRK, where KN-23 missiles are produced. These missiles are used by Russian troops in Ukraine, although both countries deny the transfer of weapons.
Oil prices have stabilized after a 6% rise last week due to tensions between the West, Russia and Iran. Brent is trading at $74.91, WTI at $70.89 per barrel.
Yamandu Orsi won the presidential election in Uruguay with almost 50% of the vote. This means the country's return to center-left leadership after five years of right-wing conservative rule.
Ukraine lost control of 576 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region of Russia after the August invasion. Russia plans to increase the number of troops in Ukraine to 690,000.
Donald Trump has nominated investor Scott Bessent for the post of US Treasury Secretary. Bessent is the head of the Key Square Group hedge fund and a recognized expert in geopolitics and economics.