On Thursday, many Syrians gathered to bury Mazen al-Hamada, an activist whose body was found along with 35 others in a hospital morgue near Damascus. This discovery came after the longtime president, Bashar al-Assad, was ousted. Mazen had been imprisoned twice under Assad’s rules. The first time was in 2011 during protests in Syria. He escaped to the Netherlands in 2014 and sought safety there.
Mazen returned to Syria unexpectedly in 2020 but was arrested at the airport and never seen again. Recently, over 30 bodies were found in the morgue of a hospital in Harasta, with many showing signs of torture. Mazen’s family recognized him from photos, and on Thursday, hundreds of people showed up outside Al-Mujtahid hospital in Damascus to pay their respects.
As they mourned, they held up the three-star flag that many supporters of the opposition in Syria have used throughout the civil war. Mazen’s mother was especially heartbroken, and his sister, Amal, shared that a doctor had told her he was likely executed about 10 days ago.
While in the Netherlands, Mazen talked about the awful treatment he faced in Syrian prisons. He said, “They destroyed my good memories. They took away my childhood and youth.” Diab Serriya, who works with families of detained people, mentioned that Harasta was a place where bodies from prisons were collected before being buried in mass graves.
Since the start of the civil war in 2011, around 60,000 people have died in prison from torture or terrible conditions, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Recently, rebels captured key cities, including the capital, during a fast offensive.
Category: News
-
Activist Mazen al-Hamada Buried: A Tragic Tale of Assad’s Oppression
-
Baba Vanga’s Shocking Predictions for 2025: Europe, Syria, and Aliens!
Baba Vanga was a famous mystic healer and astrologer from Bulgaria who died in 1996. Even though she is no longer here, many believe that her predictions still come true. She is known for predicting significant events, like the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. People even call her the “Nostradamus of the Balkans” because of her insights.
Looking ahead to 2025, Baba Vanga made some bold predictions. She warns of the possible “destruction of Europe” and suggests that a serious conflict might occur after a potential collapse in Syria. Recent events in Syria, where insurgent groups are taking control of important areas, seem to support her predictions.
Another intriguing prediction is that humans might finally meet aliens. This means we could discover life beyond Earth for the first time. However, it’s essential to interpret her predictions carefully and consider them as possibilities, not certainties.
-
Europe Explores Troop Deployment to Ukraine as Trump Takes Office
On Thursday, leaders from France and Poland will meet to discuss Ukraine. They are considering sending European troops to Ukraine as a safety measure if there’s a peace deal with Russia. This move comes as European leaders want to show future President Donald Trump that they are ready to help with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly three years.
Trump has said he wants an immediate ceasefire and peace talks. He has also criticized European countries for not spending enough on defense. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a strong supporter of Ukraine, will talk with French President Emmanuel Macron in Warsaw. They will focus on how Ukraine can defend itself and prepare for negotiations.
One idea on the table is the deployment of European troops if there is a ceasefire. This would act as a safety agreement since Ukraine might not join NATO soon. France and Britain have already talked about sending European soldiers to Ukraine, and other countries are also considering similar plans.
However, not all European countries agree on this idea. There is a plan to form a group of 5 to 8 countries that would work together with Ukraine without waiting for NATO. There are no clear proposals yet, and Poland may not send troops. Although Macron suggested troop deployment in February, some countries, especially Germany, did not support it.
There have been plans to send non-combat troops for training and other support, but these have not happened. An official said that Europe must get involved in ensuring security in Ukraine, especially after the war ends, as they will still face threats from Russia.
Finance and foreign ministers from France, Germany, and Poland will also meet on Thursday to discuss how to provide better financial and military support for Ukraine and explore ways for Europe to fund defense efforts together. A Polish source mentioned that since Trump’s election, other countries have started to agree that they need to work together on defense financing.
-
William and Kate Embrace Royal Duties Amid Health Concerns
Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting ready to be the King and Queen, as royal expert Sally Bedell Smith explains. Their preparation has become more important because King Charles is facing health problems.
On December 6, Kate hosted her fourth annual Together at Christmas event at Westminster Abbey. This was a big moment for her as it was her first public appearance after finishing chemotherapy in September. Prince William and their three kids—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—joined her for this special occasion.
During Kate’s treatment, Prince William cut back on official events to support his family. King Charles also reduced his activities because he had cancer. This situation led William to take on more duties, like representing the royal family at the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening in Paris. Fortunately, King Charles has announced that he is now cancer-free.
Both William and Kate are slowly returning to their royal roles. According to Smith, they are focusing on preparing for William to become King. Although King Charles continues to work hard, he has had to accept that he can’t do everything while recovering from his illness. As a result, William has been stepping up more than before, and he and Kate are preparing for their future sooner than they expected.
After King Charles’ coronation in May 2023, royal staff began making plans for future leadership. These plans were quickly sped up this year because of worry about the King’s health. A palace source mentioned this is to ensure the royal family is ready for changes in the future. They also stressed the importance of family time during this period. Smith highlighted that there’s a feeling of calm before the big changes, saying, “They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives. Kate’s health is important, but it has given everyone a chance to think about what matters most right now.”
-
Taliban Minister Khalil Haqqani Killed in Suicide Bombing in Kabul
Kabul, Afghanistan – Tight security surrounded the funeral of Khalil Haqqani, a Taliban minister killed in a suicide bombing on Wednesday. The blast, linked to an Islamic State (IS) group attack, was a significant event since the Taliban took control of the country three years ago.
Haqqani lost his life at the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, and many others were affected as well. Officials haven’t provided the latest number of dead or injured.
Khalil Haqqani is the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting interior minister, both of whom have bounties on their heads placed by the U.S.
According to a statement from the IS group, the bomber waited for Haqqani to exit his office before detonating the explosive. His funeral was held at 2 PM on Thursday in Garda Serai, a district in Paktia province known to be the Haqqani family’s home.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a government spokesman, said that many top officials would attend and that strict security measures were in place. A video from the funeral site showed a large but mostly empty area secured by guards and armed vehicles, with a fire truck on standby.
The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan condemned the bombing, stating, “There can be no place for terrorism in the quest for stability.” The IS group, a major rival to the ruling Taliban, has a history of targeting Afghanistan with bombings, though suicide attacks have been less frequent since the Taliban regained control in August 2021.
-
Indian IT Stocks Surge: Nifty IT Hits New High of 46,000!
On Thursday, Indian IT stocks did really well, outperforming the broader market. The Nifty IT index hit an exciting new high of 46,000! Coforge and Tech Mahindra led the way, both rising by up to 4%.
Other IT companies, like Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Mphasis, also reached their best levels in a year. Here are some highlights:
– Coforge: Up 3.8%, now at Rs 9,349
– Tech Mahindra: Up 2.7%, now at Rs 1,807
– LTIMindtree: Up 2%, now at Rs 6,733
– Infosys: Up 1.5%, now at Rs 1,998Additionally, shares of Persistent Systems, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Mphasis increased between 1% and 2.6%. The Nifty IT was the only sector that was doing well at around 11:40 am, gaining 0.96%.
Part of this great news comes after the U.S. shared its inflation data, which made investors more confident. People are now hoping the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates soon. Dr. V K Vijayakumar, an expert from Geojit Financial Services, said, “The good news from the U.S. markets helps everyone else too. Even though the U.S. inflation was 2.7% in November, which is a little higher than in October, it was what everyone expected. So, the chance of a 25bp rate cut by the Fed is still strong.”
In India, new inflation numbers for November are set to come out today and are expected to get a lot of attention.
(Disclaimer: The opinions given by the experts are their own and don’t represent the views of NiftyStat.)
-
RCB Fans in Brisbane: Strong Loyalty and Hope for IPL Glory
The Indian Premier League (IPL) teams have many fans around the world, but nothing compares to the passion of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) supporters. Even after 17 years without a trophy, RCB fans keep cheering loudly, chanting “Ee Saala Cup Naamde” at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Recently, during a match of the India Women’s team against the Southern Stars, RCB fans in Brisbane created a vibrant atmosphere at Allan Border Field. Ramprasad, who has lived in Brisbane for 26 years, expressed his pride in the RCB’s women’s team for winning the Women’s Premier League (WPL) last year. He hopes the men’s team can achieve a similar victory in 2025.
Ramprasad has attended nearly every match of the Indian men’s team at Gabba, where a crucial Test will occur on December 14. He and his fellow RCB fans carry the Indian flag and the RCB flag wherever they go, supporting their team passionately. “I’m a lifetime member of KSCA and have seen one IPL match in Bengaluru. Like every fan, I want to see Virat score a century at the Gabba. We did well in Perth but disappointed in Adelaide. Hopefully, we will do better in Brisbane this time,” he said.
Ajay Mohan Patan, an IT consultant who moved to Australia in 2007, believes that one day RCB will finally lift the IPL trophy. “No matter where we go, we always wear our red and blue colors. We play boldly and capture hearts. We haven’t won the cup yet, but I’m hopeful we will this time,” he said.
Ajay also emphasized that even without a trophy, RCB has been consistent over the years. “We need to trust the process and keep believing. It’s only a matter of time before we win,” he added. “Our loyalty as fans is strong. Virat has played for us for many years, and he is a unique and talented player. I truly believe the Cup will come soon,” he concluded.
-
Trump Names Kari Lake as Voice of America Director
On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he is choosing Kari Lake to lead Voice of America (VOA). Lake is a strong supporter of Trump who previously ran for governor and the Senate in Arizona but lost both elections.
Before entering politics, Lake was a news anchor in Phoenix for almost 30 years. She became well-known on social media for sharing controversial opinions, including misinformation about COVID-19. People liked her because she often fought back against journalists and claimed that she and Trump were unfairly treated in the elections.
Trump has criticized VOA in the past, saying it produces “disgusting” content about the United States. During his presidency, he was upset with how the station reported on the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing it of aligning with authoritarian governments.
VOA was started during World War II and has a job to provide real news to people around the world. When Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he removed several Trump supporters from VOA.
On the same day, Trump also announced other appointments. He chose Leandro Rizzuto as the U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States and Florida attorney Dan Newlin as ambassador to Colombia. Trump picked Dr. Peter Lamelas, who owns a big urgent care company in Florida, to be the ambassador to Argentina. Lamelas has also given a lot of money to Trump’s past campaigns.
-
Indian Market Update: Expert Stock Picks and Insights for Thursday
The Indian stock market is expected to stabilize on Thursday, influenced by mixed signals from global markets. On Wednesday, Nifty futures rose by 0.22%, reaching 24,738 points.
When we look at options trading, the highest number of bets (called Call Open Interest or OI) is at the 25,000 mark, with the next highest at 24,700. For Put options, the highest OI is at 24,600, and the second highest is at 24,000. This means traders are predicting the market will likely move within a range.
According to Chandan Taparia from MOFSL, the active trading zone will likely be between 24,200 to 25,000 points, with immediate focus on 24,400 to 24,800 levels. He mentioned that the index formed a Doji candle on Wednesday, which suggests that the downward trend from the past few days might change.
Taparia advises that if the index stays above 24,550 points, it might rise to 24,700 and then up to 24,850. If it drops, support levels are at 24,500 and 24,400.
Here are some stock recommendations for short-term trading:
– Max Healthcare Institute: Buy at Rs 1,180, Stop Loss at Rs 1,097
– LTIMindTree: Buy at Rs 6,960, Stop Loss at Rs 6,350
– Voltas: Buy at Rs 1,880, Stop Loss at Rs 1,740Kunal Bothra also suggests:
– Jio Financial: Buy at Rs 360, Stop Loss at Rs 330
– Trent: Buy at Rs 7,200, Stop Loss at Rs 6,850
– Voltas: Buy at Rs 1,840, Stop Loss at Rs 1,770Nooresh Merani adds:
– L&T: Buy at Rs 4,200, Stop Loss at Rs 3,780
– Infosys: Buy at Rs 2,150, Stop Loss at Rs 1,920
– Dalmia Bharat: Buy at Rs 2,200, Stop Loss at Rs 1,900(Note: These are suggestions based on expert opinions and do not reflect the views of NiftyStat
-
Chennai Schools Closed: Heavy Rain Alert for Tamil Nadu
Today, schools in Chennai and ten other districts of Tamil Nadu are closed because of heavy rain warnings. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a lot of rain due to a “well-marked low-pressure area” over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
The districts affected with school closures are Chennai, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Thiruvarur, Ranipet, and Tiruvallur.
Weather Forecast for Tamil Nadu
The IMD expects light to moderate rain across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. However, heavy rain is expected in Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai districts. There may also be isolated thunderstorms and lightning.
An “orange alert” has been issued for heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe. A “yellow alert” has been issued for rain in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and South Interior Karnataka for the next two days.
The IMD reported that the low-pressure area has developed over the Bay of Bengal and is likely to move toward the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coast within the next 24 hours.
Emergency Teams Ready
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and local emergency teams are on standby to help with any problems caused by the rain. Fishermen are advised not to go out to sea from December 11 to 13.
This isn’t the first time this year that Tamil Nadu has seen heavy rain. In November, schools and colleges in Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Mayladuthurai districts closed due to similar weather.
Residents are urged to stay inside and follow local safety instructions to stay safe.