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Syrian territory under US, Turkey attacks, over 400 killed

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Syrian territory under US, Turkey attacks, over 400 killed

The Damascus regime headed by President Bahsar al-Assad is being sandwiched by US and Turkey, the allies turned hostile in the complex situation. More than 400 deaths are reported from two different sectors: Afrin in north-west and Al-Shafah in the east, close to Iraqi border.

US coalition forces have claimed of killing approximately 150 Daesh (IS) fighters in Al-Shafah, in eastern Syria close to Iraq border while Turkish forces have claimed of killing 260 Kurdish YPG fighters and IS militants in Afrin region, north-west Syria, close to its border.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has recently announced Washington’s intention of maintaining forces in Syria. US forces were neither invited by legitimate Damascus government nor  enjoy UN consent for any operations in that country.

US administration has been claiming of fighting against Daesh (IS) and supporting anti-Assad groups including Jubhat-al-Nusra (an Al-Qaeda ally) and separatist Kurdish group YPG.

Syria’s separatist Kurdish YPG is also considered to be a threat for Turkey. Ankara considers they were supporting separatist Kurds known as PKK in Turkey.

According to CNN, US-led coalition killed approximately 150 IS fighters in a Saturday airstrike, Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the coalition told on Tuesday. Target was “IS headquarters and command and control center” and the strike involved “over a week’s worth” of intelligence work and information from US backed Syrian Democratic Forces fighting IS on the ground.

The strike took place in the Syrian town As-Shafah, near Iraqi border, an area where remnants of the IS continue to operate. It was carried out by US Navy F/A-18 and unmanned drone aircraft. The report say that aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is currently operating in the Gulf supporting strikes against IS in Syria.

Dillon further said, “It looked like they were massing for a movement. When they do congregate.. like that we want to take advantage of it.”

Meanwhile Maj. Gen. James Jarred, the commander of the US-led  coalition’s Special Operations Joint Task Force in Syria said in a statement, “The strikes underscore our assertion that the fight to liberate Syria is far from over.”

Jarred further said that the coalition forces and members of the Syrian Democratic Forces “are still finding, targeting and killing IS terrorists intent on keeping their extremist hold on the region. We cannot take our focus off our mission, and we must not lose our momentum in taking these terrorists off the battlefield and preventing them from resurfacing somewhere else.”

In late November 2017 Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov had announced that his country was set to reduce its troops in Syria by the end of the year after finishing up the remaining “few” missions there.

Russian jets were conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist groups inside Syria at the Damascus government’s request since September 2015. Russian military personnel were operating from the Russian naval facility in the Tartus port and their airbase in Hmeimim.

According to Russian official news agency TASS, President Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday, spoke with his Turkish counterpart to discuss the situation in Syria, including near Afrin. Both leaders stressed the importance of further joint efforts towards crisis settlement based on the “principles of respect to Syria’s national integrity and sovereignty.”

On December 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a short visit to Hmeimim airbase and declared mission accomplished for Russian forces in Syria. After meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Putin told Russian air force, “Friends, the motherland is waiting for you. You are coming back home with victory.”

Meanwhile, Reuters has reported that Turkish military has killed at least 260 Syrian Kurdish fighters and IS militants in its four day old offensive into the Kurdish-dominated Afrin region, considered to be dominated by YPG.

The agency further said that US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were expected to discuss the latest developments through a phone call on Wednesday.  Trump administration official has said that Ankara had sent “conflicting signals” about the scope of the offensive. He was further quoted saying, “We would urge them to limit incursion as much possible”. Turkish foreign minister has also confirmed that the two leaders will speak on Wednesday.

Meanwhile official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reports that thousands of civilians have fled their houses and villages in Afrin city and the surrounding areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo as the Tukrish troops continue their attacks and “random bombardment of the city”.

Quoting civil sources, the agency said, that Turkish Aggression resulted in the death of dozens and injury of many others and caused huge material damage, not to mention forcing families to leave the area.

UN report said that an estimated 5000 people have been displaced from Afrin city as of Monday.

Meanwhile, Russia Today (RT) reports that Moscow has sent invitations to a number of countries, including US, China, Britain and France,  to attend Syrian National Dialogue Conference to be held in Sochi on January 29-30.

Russian President’s Special Representative for Syria Alexander Lavrientyev, told on Tuesday,  “The invitations were sent by the name of the guarantor states Russia, Iran and Turkey to Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon and Kazakhstan.”

On January 22, Syrian President’s advisor Buthaina Shaban, while meeting with a Chinese delegation in Damascus, said that Turkish offensive is part of US plan of establishing an illegal army to vitiate and continue the Syrian crisis.

Earlier, Syrian foreign ministry had condemned Turkish attack in Afrin calling it a violation of its sovereignty.

Interestingly, Ruben Safrastyan,  Director of National Academy’s Institute of Oriental Studies, based in Yerevan, Tuekey, believes that the developments in and around Syria on a phase of diplomatic process were drastically changed with Turkish military aggression. He also blamed US and Russia for a “silent consent” over the recent actions in Afrin.

Latest world news

YouTuber Zara Dar clarifies misconceptions, denies being Pakistani, and explains decision to quit PhD for OnlyFans

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Zara Dar clarifies her background and career change in a social media post

YouTuber Zara Dar, who sparked significant attention after revealing she was leaving her PhD studies to pursue a full-time career on OnlyFans, has addressed a series of misconceptions circulating about her. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Dar clarified the misinformation and took the opportunity to set the record straight on several points, particularly regarding her background and career shift.

The controversy began when Zara posted a video explaining her decision to quit her PhD in engineering and focus on adult content creation. The video quickly went viral, with some viewers misinterpreting or distorting the details of her story. One of the most prevalent rumors was that Zara Dar was of Pakistani origin.

In her clarification, Zara stated, “With all due respect, I am not Pakistani. I am American, born and raised, with a mixed background: American, Persian, Southern European, Middle Eastern, and Indian.” She explained that her name, “Darcy,” which she shortens to “Dar,” led to confusion, as it resembled that of a different Pakistani influencer, Zara Dar.

Zara also addressed the emergence of fake content under her name, including deepfake videos, and vehemently denied any associations with such material. She emphasized that, despite the false claims, she had not given any exclusive interviews and had only used social media to share her story.

Regarding her decision to leave academia, Zara shared that her shift to OnlyFans, while financially rewarding, also provided her with the freedom she felt was missing in her academic career. “It has given me the freedom to learn and share new content,” she stated, adding that while she had stepped away from her PhD, she would still continue to create educational content on her YouTube channel.

The announcement sent shockwaves across her fanbase, as many were surprised by her drastic career change. However, Zara explained that the decision was motivated not only by financial viability but also by her desire for personal autonomy outside the rigid structures of academia.

As Zara Dar continues to navigate the shift from academia to content creation, she remains committed to building her brand while tackling the misinformation surrounding her. Through her candid social media posts, she aims to keep her followers informed and provide clarity on her personal and professional choices.

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Festivals

Where is Santa this Christmas Eve? Track his journey with NORAD and Google Santa Tracker

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Santa tracking on Christmas Eve with NORAD and Google Santa Tracker

As Christmas Eve arrives, excitement fills the air for families worldwide, eager to track Santa’s magical journey across the globe. Thanks to modern technology, families can now follow Santa’s global trek in real time, a cherished tradition that has been made even more special by NORAD and Google Santa Tracker. These two platforms bring the joy of the season to life with live updates, interactive features, and educational content.

NORAD tracks Santa: A legacy of tracking Santa Claus

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been tracking Santa Claus since 1955, starting from a simple mix-up. A Sears department store advertisement listed the wrong phone number for Santa, leading a child to call the military command. When Air Force Commander Harry Shoup answered, he reassured the child, and thus, a global tradition was born. NORAD has since embraced cutting-edge radar and satellite technology to track Santa’s journey, with Rudolph’s glowing red nose marking his path through the night sky.

This year, NORAD’s Santa Tracker goes live on Christmas Eve at 6 a.m. ET, offering real-time updates on Santa’s location until 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day. Families can access the official NORAD Tracks Santa website, download the Santa Tracker app (available on both iOS and Android), or follow NORAD on social media. For a more personal touch, NORAD’s hotline (1-877-HI-NORAD) is available from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day, offering families a chance to speak with volunteers about Santa’s journey.

Google Santa Tracker: Interactive fun for the whole family

Google’s Santa Tracker also offers a way to follow Santa’s travels in real time, but with a twist. In addition to tracking Santa, the platform features a variety of interactive experiences, including holiday games, videos, and educational content about Christmas traditions around the world. Google’s Santa Tracker provides a countdown to Christmas Eve and a chance to explore Santa’s Village, where families can engage in festive activities before tracking his journey.

How to track Santa this Christmas Eve

  • NORAD Tracks Santa: Visit noradsanta.org for live updates, videos, and interactive features. The website includes a countdown to Santa’s departure and real-time tracking of his global journey.
  • Google Santa Tracker: Head to santatracker.google.com to play games, watch videos, and track Santa in real time.

The tradition of tracking Santa

Tracking Santa has become a beloved holiday tradition, bringing joy and excitement to children and families around the world. Whether through NORAD’s precise tracking or Google’s interactive features, these services offer a unique way to experience the magic of Christmas. For over 65 years, NORAD’s Santa Tracker has allowed kids to track Santa as he makes his way across the globe, adding an extra layer of excitement to Christmas Eve. According to NORAD, its fighter jets have “intercepted Santa many, many times,” with pilots even tipping their wings to say, “Hello Santa. NORAD is tracking you again this year.”

How does Santa travel so Fast?

One of the most intriguing aspects of tracking Santa is how he manages to deliver presents to every corner of the globe in just one night. According to NORAD, Santa operates in a time-space continuum of his own. While it appears that Santa completes his journey in 24 hours, NORAD suggests that he experiences time differently. “Santa does not experience time the way we do,” says the agency. In Santa’s world, his trip could span days, weeks, or even months, making his speed and efficiency even more magical.

A global tradition of Christmas magic

This Christmas Eve, families can once again join in the holiday fun by tracking Santa’s extraordinary journey. Whether using NORAD’s detailed tracking system or exploring Google’s interactive features, the Christmas spirit comes alive in real-time. So, as you prepare for Christmas Day, don’t forget to check in and see where Santa is — it’s a joyful part of the holiday season!

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India News

Bangladesh requests India’s assistance for Sheikh Hasina’s return amid turmoil

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Bangladesh requests India to facilitate Sheikh Hasina's return amid political crisis

Bangladesh has formally requested India to facilitate the return of Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of the country, who has been residing in India since August 5, 2024. The interim government in Dhaka has sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, urging the extradition of the 77-year-old leader, who fled Bangladesh following mass protests that led to the downfall of her 16-year-long regime.

Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, has been living in exile in India since she was forced to leave amid growing political unrest in Bangladesh. In the wake of her departure, the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina, her ministers, advisors, and former military and civil officials, accusing them of “crimes against humanity and genocide.”

Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, confirmed the diplomatic communication, saying, “We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government requesting her return for the judicial process in Bangladesh.”

In addition to the note, Jahangir Alam, the Home Advisor, revealed that the government has also sent a formal letter to India’s External Affairs Ministry, emphasizing the need for Hasina’s extradition. He mentioned that there is an existing extradition treaty between the two countries, which could be invoked to facilitate her return.

The diplomatic request comes in the wake of a visit by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, to Bangladesh. During his visit, Misri engaged in candid and constructive discussions with Nobel laureate and Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus. Misri also raised concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, and discussed the increasing tensions between the two countries. According to reports, the issue of Hasina’s stay in India was one of the topics of discussion during Misri’s visit. Yunus reportedly expressed concern over the political statements made by Hasina from her location in India, which have reportedly been exacerbating tensions.

Sheikh Hasina, speaking in a virtual address to Awami League supporters in London, criticized the interim government of Bangladesh and accused Yunus of running a “fascist regime.” She alleged that the new regime under Yunus’s leadership had led to increased attacks on religious minorities and accused the interim government of undermining Bangladesh’s democratic progress. Hasina also lamented the reversal of her administration’s achievements in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of democracy.

The political climate in Bangladesh remains fraught with tension as the interim government faces mounting pressure, both domestically and internationally, over its treatment of opposition leaders and political dissent. The unfolding situation continues to capture attention both within Bangladesh and abroad, particularly with regard to the potential return of Sheikh Hasina.

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