Sunday, January 5th, 2025 

The U.S. State Department proposes to Congress a planned $8 billion weapons package sale consisting of air-to-air and Hellfire missiles, artillery shells and other ammunitions to Israel. (BBC News) 

The Syrian government arrests Aws Salloum, known as the “Angel of Death” of Sednaya Prison, accused of committing numerous acts of murder and torture against prisoners, including Mazen al-Hamada, who had previously spoken about this same jailer. (Monte Carlo Doualiya) 

Resurfaced videos show Syrian Justice Minister Shadi al-Waisi overseeing the execution of two women in 2015 on prostitution charges according to Islamic Sharia law. (The New Arab) 

Egypt bans the entry of Syrians from all countries worldwide, except for those holding temporary residency permits for non-tourism purposes. The ban also includes Syrians married to Egyptians unless they obtain a security clearance. (The New Arab) 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that the country will not hold presidential elections as long as the country is under martial law, even if Russia puts it as a pre-condition for negotations. (Kyiv Independent) 

The Ukrainian Army launches a new offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. (BBC News) 

The National Weather Service issues winter storm alerts for areas covering nearly 70 million people from the Great Plains to the East Coast of the United States, of which nearly 4 million are placed under blizzard warnings. (CNN) 

The ruling Austrian People’s Party chooses Christian Stocker as its acting chairman to succeed Karl Nehammer, who resigned as party leader and Chancellor of Austria on the eve. Stocker says he is open to negotiate with the Freedom Party of Austria to form the new post-election coalition government. (DNYUZ) 

In tennis, the United States wins its second United Cup title after defeating Poland 2–0 in the final. (Reuters) 

Saturday, January 4th, 2025 

A war correspondent for the Russian newspaper Izvestia is killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. (Reuters) 

Four teenagers are arrested in Yekaterinburg, Russia, for allegedly planning a terrorist attack in the city. Two of the suspects are also accused of being involved in an arson attack on a Ministry of Internal Affairs vehicle in December. (DW) 

The Russian government claims to have shot down eight American ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine and vows retaliation. (CNN) 

Syrian authorities announce that international flights will resume at Damascus International Airport on January 7 for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime. (The Guardian) 

At least 70 Palestinians are killed and 14 others are missing in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. (Middle East Monitor)  

75 Guatemalan Army troops arrive in Haiti, joining 75 that arrived yesterday, to fight escalating gang violence. (BBC News) 

M23 rebels capture the strategic town of Katale in Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Chimp Reports) 

Gunmen from Nigeria kill at least five Cameroonian soldiers and injure several others in Bakinjaw, Southwest Region, Cameroon. (Reuters) 

At least eight people are killed and 15 others are injured in a fire at a market in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China. (Al Jazeera) 

The Taiwanese Coast Guard intercepts the Cameroon-registered container ship Shunxin39 after it was suspected of damaging an undersea cable north of Taiwan yesterday. (Taiwan News) 

Myanmar state media reports that the ruling military junta will release 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreigners, under an amnesty marking the country’s national independence day. (Reuters) 

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service and police announce an investigation into sightings of unknown drones reportedly flying over Køge, Region Zealand. (DW) 

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs announces the expulsion of 91 foreign citizens, including 25 who participated in anti-Georgian Dream and pro-EU protests. (TVP World) 

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announces his resignation after talks on forming the new post-election coalition government between his Austrian People’s Party, the Social Democratic Party and NEOS collapsed. (Euronews) 

Friday,  January 3rd, 2025 

Qatar Airways announces the resumption of flights to Damascus International Airport in Syria beginning on January 7, becoming the first major international airline to resume scheduled service to Syria since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. (Aviation Week) 

Deputy U.S. Defense Press Secretary Sabrina Singh says that, despite local reports, the U.S. Army has “no plans” to build a military base in Kobani, Aleppo Governorate, which is currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. (Rudaw) 

Clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army escalate near the Tishrin Dam in Aleppo Governorate, Syria. The Turkish Air Force also conducts airstrikes on SDF positions. (SOHR)  

Israeli warplanes carry out airstrikes on defense factories and a research center in Al-Safira, Aleppo Governorate, Syria. (Xinhua) 

The clashes, prolonged since the fall of the Assad regime, between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) escalate in the south-east of Manbij District and the frontline of Tishrin Dam, increasing the death toll of both combatants and civilians. (SOHR) 

A contingent of peacekeeping troops from Guatemala and El Salvador arrive in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to enforce a United Nations-backed multinational security mission to restore order to Port-au-Prince amid an increase in gang violence. (Reuters) 

The Israeli Defense Forces report the interception of a ballistic missile and a drone launched from Yemen. (France 24) 

U.S. President Joe Biden blocks a buyout bid by Japanese Nippon Steel for U.S. Steel. (BBC News) 

The National Weather Service issues winter storm warnings across the central Great Plains and an ice storm warning in Missouri, in anticipation of severe freezing rain and icing events. The winter storm begins impacting the northwestern continental United States with heavy snowfall. (The Weather Channel) 

Corruption investigators and prosecutors raid the central Seoul residence of recently impeached President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to arrest him for refusing to show to three court summons. The raid is unsuccessful due to the Presidential Security Service blocking further entrance, leading to a multi-hour standoff. (The Guardian) 

Evacuations are ordered in central Ethiopia due to increasing volcanic tremor and other unrest at the Mount Fentale stratovolcano, which last erupted in the 19th century. (Reuters) 

At least twelve people are killed and 30 others are injured after a bus carrying tourists falls into a ravine near the Pan-American Highway between Pasto and Rumichaca in Nariño Department, Colombia. (EFE) 

Air quality technology company IQAir reports that Hanoi, Vietnam, has the worst air pollution of any city on Earth, with levels of hazardous small particles, known as PM2.5, measured at 266 micrograms per cubic metre. (Reuters) 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot become the first European Union foreign ministers to travel to Damascus, Syria, after the fall of the Assad regime to discuss new diplomatic relations with the Syrian Transitional Government and Syrian civil society. (France 24) 

A district court in Helsinki, Finland, denies a request to release the impounded oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 submarine power cable and carrying sanctioned Russian oil. (Al Jazeera) 

A suspect is arrested in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for shooting and killing three men between December 21 and January 2. The victims were selected at random. (The Sun) 

The United States House of Representatives, composed of 219 Republicans and 215 Democrats, re-elects Mike Johnson as House Speaker over incumbent House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. (CBS News) 

Luke Littler defeats Michael van Gerwen 7–3 in the final at Alexandra Palace in London, England, to claim his first World Darts Championship title, becoming the youngest player to win a world title at the age of 17 years. (BBC News) 

The Israeli Defense Forces report the interception of a missile and a drone launched from Yemen. (France 24) 

SpaceX successfully launches the United Arab Emirates Space Agency‘s communications satellite Thuraya 4-NGS via a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, United States. (Space News) 

The End