Gaza Genocide

Recent Developments:

• December 23, 2025: Israel continues strikes despite October ceasefire. 406 Palestinians killed and 1,118 injured since ceasefire took effect. Five killed in past 24 hours, 653 bodies recovered from rubble.
• December 13, 2025: Israeli attack on Gaza City kills 5 Palestinians in latest ceasefire violation.
• October 8, 2025: Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas announced, but violence continues with hundreds killed in subsequent Israeli strikes.
• May 23, 2025: At least 85 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza. UN chief Guterres calls this the "cruelest phase" of the war, with aid deliveries described as a "teaspoon" compared to the need.
• May 20, 2025: Death toll surpasses 53,500. Israeli airstrikes target residential buildings in northern Gaza, with dozens killed or missing under rubble. Health system near collapse.
• May 18, 2025: Israel launches extensive ground operation, killing at least 135 in a single day. Operation "Gideon's Chariots" aims to seize more land in Gaza Strip.
• March 18, 2025: Ceasefire collapses as Israel resumes airstrikes, killing over 400 in a single day. Mass displacement and renewed ground operations follow.

Key Facts:

• The majority of deaths are civilians, with women and children making up a significant proportion.
• Over 1,200 Palestinian families have been completely wiped out since October 2023.
• Gaza has the highest number of amputated children per capita in the world.
• Famine and catastrophic hunger conditions persist, with over 1.8 million people facing extreme food insecurity.
• Pope Francis has called for an immediate ceasefire and described the situation in Gaza as "a humanitarian catastrophe that shames humanity."

ICC Upholds Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu

• December 15, 2025: The International Criminal Court rejected Israel's appeal to halt its investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza. The Appeals Chamber voted 3-2 to uphold arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, ruling that the ICC's jurisdiction extends to events after October 7, 2023.
• June 6, 2025: The Trump administration announced sanctions on four ICC judges—Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou (Benin), Beti Hohler (Slovenia), Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), and Luz Del Carmen Ibanez Carranza (Peru)—freezing their U.S. assets and barring Americans from doing business with them. The move was in response to ICC investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as U.S. actions in Afghanistan. The ICC, UN, and EU condemned the sanctions as an attack on judicial independence and the rule of law.
• February 2025: President Trump issued an executive order declaring any ICC effort to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute U.S. or allied nationals a threat to U.S. national security, imposing economic sanctions and travel bans on ICC officials and their families.
• November 2024: ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three senior Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes. The move drew protests from the U.S. and Israel. Khan stepped aside in May 2025 amid a UN-led sexual misconduct probe.

Background

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and operates under the Rome Statute with 125 member states.
• Neither the U.S. nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction.
• The ICC investigates and prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

Implications

• The warrants remain legally valid and could significantly restrict Netanyahu's and others' international travel to ICC member states, as these nations are obligated to enforce the arrest.
• The situation has heightened tensions between the U.S., Israel, and the international community regarding the ICC's authority and independence.

Sean "Diddy" Combs: Verdict and Appeal

Latest Development:

• December 2025: Combs filed an appeal requesting "immediate release" from federal prison and calling for the court to "either grant a judgment of acquittal or vacate and remand for resentencing." His attorney argues the 50-month sentence relied on "acquitted conduct." Appeal is pending before the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Trial Outcome:

• July 2, 2025: Jury found Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, but guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
• October 2025: Sentenced to 50 months in prison, fined $500,000, and ordered five years of supervised release. Transferred to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. Projected release date: May 8, 2028.

Israel's Ongoing Violations of Lebanon Ceasefire

• December 25, 2025: Israeli drone strike on vehicle in Hermel district kills two people, including an IRGC operative according to Israel. Lebanon's National News Agency confirms the attack.
• December 23, 2025: Israeli forces bombed a car near Sidon, killing at least three people. Israel claimed they were Hezbollah operatives; Lebanon denied this, saying a Lebanese soldier was among the dead.
• December 18, 2025: Israel strikes hit southern and eastern Lebanon in latest truce violation.
• December 12, 2025: Israel bombards areas across southern Lebanon.
• December 20, 2025: Lebanon claims first phase of Hezbollah's disarmament in south of Litani River is close to complete before year-end deadline. Hezbollah categorically refuses to disarm while Israeli forces continue bombardment.
• November 26, 2024: Israel and Lebanon signed a ceasefire agreement mediated by France and the United States. Israel has staged attacks nearly every day since.

Syria: One Year After Assad's Fall

• December 8, 2025: One-year anniversary of Assad regime's fall. President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses gathering at Conference Palace in Damascus, vowing transitional justice and stating his government is taking concrete steps to build "a new Syria."
• November 10, 2025: Al-Sharaa holds historic meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC, marking the first visit of a Syrian head of state to the White House since independence from France in 1946.
• May 16, 2025: Amnesty International calls on Syria's new government to prioritize justice, truth, and reparations, and to include victims and civil society in shaping transitional justice mechanisms. The government is urged to investigate the March coastal massacres of Alawite civilians as war crimes.
• May 14, 2025: President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets US President Donald Trump in Riyadh after the US announces the lifting of sanctions on Syria, boosting hopes for economic recovery and international reintegration.
• May 3, 2025: Israeli airstrikes target areas near the presidential palace in Damascus and Druze-majority regions after sectarian clashes; dozens reported killed. Israel states it will not allow threats to minorities in Syria.
• April 1, 2025: President al-Sharaa appoints a 23-member transitional cabinet, including representatives from Christian, Alawite, Druze, and Kurdish communities. Hind Kabawat, a Catholic, is named Minister of Labour and Social Affairs—the only woman in the cabinet.
• March 29, 2025: The Syrian Transitional Government is officially established, replacing the caretaker government.
• January 29, 2025: Ahmed al-Sharaa named Syria's transitional president for a five-year period (2025-2030) under the 2025 Interim Constitution ratified March 13.
• December 15, 2024: The Syrian government fell, ending the Assad family's 54-year rule. A coalition of opposition forces, led by the Syrian National Army and supported by Turkish-backed militias, captured Damascus.

Yemen-Israel Conflict

Recent Developments:

• December 26, 2025: Israel struck sites in Sanaa, including Sanaa International Airport, and the ports of Ras Isa and Hodeidah, killing six people and injuring dozens. A UN staffer accompanying WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was injured. The strikes hit approximately 300 meters from the UN delegation. A civilian plane was landing during the attack.
• December 19, 2025: Israel struck several targets at the ports of as-Salif, Ras Isa, and Hodeidah, as well as two power plants in Sanaa, killing nine people.
• October 8, 2025: Following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire announcement, the Houthis have not conducted any further attacks against Israel or vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis stated they will resume attacks if the ceasefire framework does not hold.
• May 6, 2025: Israel launched airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport and several power stations in Yemen after a Houthi hypersonic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The airport was rendered inoperable, and power infrastructure was damaged.
• April 17, 2025: The United States struck Ras Isa fuel port, killing at least 74 people.

International Reactions:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would "continue until the job is done" in cutting off "this branch of terrorism from the Iranian axis of evil."
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation and called the Sanaa airport strikes "especially alarming."
• Iran's foreign ministry condemned Israel's strikes as a "clear violation of international peace and security."

Mark Carney Serving as Canada's Prime Minister

• December 27, 2025: Prime Minister Carney announced an additional $2.5 billion of economic aid for Ukraine.
• December 25, 2025: Carney gave year-end interview with CBC News, reflecting on jump into politics at an "important time."
• December 19, 2025: Prime Minister Mark Carney announced changes in the senior ranks of the public service.
• December 18, 2025: Prime Minister Carney met virtually with provincial and territorial premiers to advance coordinated work to build a more resilient Canadian economy.
• April 2025: Mark Carney elected as Canada's 24th Prime Minister and Liberal Party Leader. Justin Trudeau's resignation paved the way for Carney's leadership.
• Background: Carney previously served as Governor of the Bank of Canada (2008-2013) and Governor of the Bank of England (2013-2020).

US House of Representatives - December 2025

Major Legislation Passed:

• December 17-18, 2025: House passed Republican health care package (216-211) that does not extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Includes measures allowing small businesses to join together to buy insurance and new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers.
• December 10, 2025: House approved $900 billion National Defense Authorization Act (312-112) authorizing $291B for operations, $234B for military personnel, $162B for procurement, and $146B for research. Bill includes provision withholding part of Defense Secretary's travel budget and repeals sanctions on Syria.
• January 3, 2025: The United States House of Representatives elected Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House.