World News – Page 153 – Prologue Journal

Live Updates: Blinken Arrives in Jordan for Talks on Syria

New York Times Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken was in Aqaba, Jordan, and planned to continue on to Turkey, as the Biden administration tries to manage the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s fall to Islamist rebels. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/12/world/syria-news-assad-rebels

Australia to tackle Chinese influence with Papua New Guinean rugby team

Washington Post A team from the Pacific nation will join Australia’s National Rugby League in a $400 million deal that deepens ties while denting China’s regional security push. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/12/papa-new-guinea-nrl-australia-team/

He thought he had escaped Beijing’s clutches only to vanish back into China

Washington Post The secret repatriation of a Uyghur man shows China’s long reach, especially against Uyghur Muslims, whom the U.S. says there is an ongoing genocide against. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2024/china-uyghur-muslim-genocide-cambodia-deportation/

Live Briefing: Blinken to press U.S. vision for Syrian transition on Jordan and Turkey visits

Washington Post The top U.S. diplomat will meet with regional leaders to emphasize U.S. support for a Syrian-led transition to “an accountable and representative government.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/12/israel-syria-war-news-hamas-gaza-lebanon/

After Assad flees to Moscow, a look at how other dictators lived in exile

Washington Post Uganda’s Idi Amin shocked the world with atrocities, then fled with his wives to a quiet middle-class life. The Philippines’ Ferdinand Marcos lived in luxury in Hawaii. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/12/exiled-dictators-list-destinations/

Data shows global conflict surged in 2024

Washington Post Conflicts have doubled over five years, according to a report published by Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/12/conflict-war-2024-israel-gaza-ukraine/

11-year-old girl survives 3 days at sea by clinging to tire inner tubes

Washington Post The girl from Sierra Leone was the sole survivor of a shipwreck off Italy’s Lampedusa island, rescuers said. Dozens of migrants likely died when their boat sank in a storm. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/12/11-year-girl-rescued-sea-italy-shipwreck/

How to Pack a ‘Go Bag’ for Extreme Weather

New York Times If the trend continues, extreme weather will occur more frequently. Here’s how experts suggest you prepare. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/business/go-bag-extreme-weather.html

South Korea President Yoon Defends Martial Law Decree in Defiant Speech

New York Times President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to “fight to the end,” despite the opposition’s push to impeach him and his own party’s demand that he resign from office. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/asia/yoon-south-korea-martial-law.html

South Korean president defends martial law decree, defies pressure to quit

Washington Post The opposition is pressing ahead with a second attempt to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, and there are signs some members of the president’s party will support his ouster. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/11/south-korean-president-defends-martial-law/