Armed conflicts and attacks

Heavy overnight Israeli airstrikes are reported in Tartus Governorate, Syria. (The Times of Israel)

• https://www.timesofisrael.com/heavy-israeli-airstrikes-reported-on-syrian-military-sites-in-coastal-tartus-region/

Armed conflicts and attacks

In his first public statement since being overthrown, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad says that he "didn't intend to leave Syria", claiming that he went to Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia Governorate to "oversee combat operations" only to find that the Syrian Army had abandoned their positions and surrendered to rebel forces. Amid "an intensified attack by drone strikes" at the air base, Assad says that Russia decided to airlift him to Moscow. (BBC News)

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yd0zz5edqo

Armed conflicts and attacks

The brother of the Imam of the Great Prophet Mosque of Masyaf is assassinated by unidentified gunmen, Hama Governorate, in a potential revenge operation, due to the Imam being associated with Hezbollah and other Iranian- and Shia-associated militias. (SOHR)

• https://www.syriahr.com/%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%a3%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%ac-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d9%80-%d9%80%d9%86%d9%80-%d9%80%d9%81-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b7%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%81%d9%8a-%d9%85%d9%84%d8%ab%d9%85%d9%88%d9%86-%d9%8a%d8%b5%d9%81%d9%88/741090/

Armed conflicts and attacks

The Gaza Health Ministry announces that the death toll in the ongoing war has surpassed 45,000. (Al Jazeera)

• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/16/death-toll-from-israels-war-on-

Health and environment

Walpeup, Victoria, Australia, reports a temperature of 47.1 °C (116.8 °F), the hottest temperature reported in the state since 2019. Extreme heat wave warnings and fire risk warnings are also issued for areas across Australia. (The Guardian) (ABC News Australia)

• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2024/dec/16/australia-news-live-extreme-fire-danger-nsw-victoria-lindt-cafe-siege-anniversary-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-16/australia-heatwave-temperatures-and-fire-danger/104729026

Law and crime

Two people are killed and six others are injured in a mass shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. The perpetrator is found dead at the scene. (CNN)

• https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/abundant-life-christian-school-shooting-madison-12-16-24/index.html

Politics and elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz loses a vote of confidence, thereby allowing for early elections to be held on February 23. (BBC News)

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg36pp6dpyo

Politics and elections

Chrystia Freeland resigns as Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance amid disagreements with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on increased government spending and how to handle possible U.S. tariffs imposed by the incoming Trump administration. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-finance-minister-resigns-2024-12-16/

Politics and elections

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov announces that he has dismissed Akylbek Japarov as Prime Minister. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kyrgyzstans-president-dismisses-prime-minister-ria-reports-2024-12-16/

Politics and elections

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle expels former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, his son Vice President Gibran Rakabuming and his son-in-law, North Sumatra Governor-elect Bobby Nasution, following a rift over Rakabuming's candidacy as Prabowo Subianto's running mate during the 2024 election. (Bloomberg)

• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-16/indonesia-s-largest-party-expels-jokowi-after-he-backed-prabowo