After a catastrophic earthquake destroyed northwest Syria, assistance is slowly trickling in. It took a full week for the UN to strike a deal with the Syrian regime to open two additional crossings into the region. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield talks with host Marco Werman about the situation.
Millions of people could be cut off from assistance if the Bab al-Hawa crossing, along the border between Turkey and Syria, closes. Basma Alloush, policy and advocacy adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council, spoke with The World's Marco Werman about what's at stake.
Top of The World: Sec. Blinken announced plans to reopen a diplomatic office in Jerusalem that oversees outreach to the Palestinians. And, Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko is defending his decision to divert a passenger jet. Also, Syrians living in government-held areas are heading to the polls on Wednesday, for the second presidential election since the uprising-turned-war started in the country 10 years ago.
Top of The World: Myanmar marked its deadliest day since protests erupted following a military coup. As many as 50 people were killed on Sunday. And, the British government and police are facing public condemnation after what’s being viewed as heavy-handed treatment by police authorities breaking up a vigil for Sarah Everard. Also, it's been 10 years since demonstrators took to the streets to protest against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
For the past few weeks, the world has been getting a rare glimpse into a heated feud between Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, and his maternal cousin, Rami Makhlouf.
The pandemic has led to delays for many cases across the country, but the court deemed the first criminal trial worldwide on Syrian state torture too urgent to postpone.
Germany begins the trial of two Syrian officials accused of crimes against humanity in the Syrian civil war. The US and Europe discuss huge economic rescue packages. Also, billionaries are asking for relief. And, drug cartels are among the many industries hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Plus, desperate parents on the US-Mexico border are sending their children to seek asylum alone, hoping it will give their kids the best chance for their future.
The first trial of suspected members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's security services for crimes against humanity, including torture and sexual assault, starts in Germany on Thursday.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has authorized investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan, including alleged crimes by US forces. And, in Mexico, violence against women and girls has sparked outrage and calls for strikes to protest. And governments and businesses are taking increased measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. But the internet is providing some light-hearted reminders on how to keep germs at bay.
Government air strikes have hit hospitals and displaced persons camps in northwest Syria and killed about 300 civilians as President Bashar al-Assad's forces press an assault against the last rebel stronghold, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
Throughout Syria's war, President Bashar al-Assad has managed to stay in power through "ruthless desire to rule and perpetuate the reign of this family," says Sam Dagher, foreign correspondent and author of a new book on the Assad family.