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French and German Ministers Call for Inclusive Transition in First EU Visit to Post-Assad Syria

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The French and German foreign ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock, have made a landmark visit to Syria, marking the first European Union ministerial delegation since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. The visit aimed to engage with Syria’s new leadership and emphasize the need for an inclusive political transition.

Barrot and Baerbock met Ahmad al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria, in Damascus. Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al Jolani, leads Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that spearheaded the rebellion against Assad. In recent years, HTS has distanced itself from its previous affiliation with al-Qaeda, seeking legitimacy on the international stage.

Baerbock approached the talks with cautious optimism, stating she came to Syria with an “outstretched hand” while remaining mindful of HTS’s controversial past.

Calls for Representation and Justice

The European ministers emphasized the importance of creating a political system that represents all of Syria’s diverse communities.

“Syria must embark on a political transition that ensures inclusivity for all its citizens, regardless of religion or gender,” Barrot said on Friday. He announced that France and the EU are offering judicial and technical support to help draft a new Syrian constitution.

Baerbock echoed these sentiments, stressing on social media that “a new beginning can only happen if every Syrian, irrespective of ethnic or religious identity, is given a voice in the political process.”

Focus on Human Rights and Accountability

During their visit, the ministers toured the notorious Sednaya prison, which under Assad’s regime was synonymous with arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Both were visibly affected by the experience, likening the prison to a “hellish concentration camp.”

Barrot stressed the importance of justice for Syria’s recovery. “Syria cannot move forward without addressing past atrocities,” he said, pledging France’s technical support to aid transitional justice and combat impunity. Baerbock called on the international community to help bring justice to the victims of Sednaya’s horrors.

Chemical Weapons and International Oversight

Barrot also recommended that Syria’s transitional government engage with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). He proposed that a team be dispatched to Syria to assess and work toward the elimination of any remaining chemical weapons.

The visit reflects the EU’s cautious but determined approach to fostering stability and rebuilding diplomatic relations in Syria, with an emphasis on justice, inclusivity, and accountability.

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Austrian President to Meet FPÖ Leader After Coalition Talks Fail Again

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Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has announced he will meet with Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), on Monday, following another failed attempt by Chancellor Karl Nehammer to form a new government. The move comes after months of complex coalition negotiations that have left Austria in political uncertainty.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, President Van der Bellen noted that discussions about forming a government without the FPÖ had stalled, with voices within the ruling conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) softening their opposition to cooperation with Kickl’s party. This shift in tone, the president suggested, could open a new path for government formation.

Austria has been grappling with coalition talks for several months. Following national elections in September, the Freedom Party emerged as the second-largest political force with 29.2% of the vote, behind the ÖVP. However, efforts to form a three-party coalition involving the ÖVP, the liberal Neos, and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) have faltered.

On Saturday, Chancellor Nehammer announced he would resign after coalition talks once again broke down. This announcement came a day after the liberal Neos party unexpectedly withdrew from negotiations, leaving the ÖVP and SPÖ to continue their discussions in an attempt to form a viable coalition.

In light of the failure, President Van der Bellen confirmed that Nehammer would remain in office until a new interim leader is appointed. The president stated that this transition would take place over the next week.

Christian Stocker, the General Secretary of the ÖVP, has been nominated as a potential successor to Nehammer. Stocker, a lawyer and member of Austria’s Parliament, expressed his readiness to enter into talks with the FPÖ, stating, “I welcome the fact that the President is inviting Herbert Kickl, the leader of the strongest party, and is expected to entrust him with the formation of a government. We are ready for talks with the FPÖ.”

Stocker, who has served as general secretary since 2022, is known for his calm and composed approach in crisis situations. His media presence defending controversial decisions has made him a prominent figure within the People’s Party.

As Austria’s political deadlock continues, all eyes will be on the upcoming discussions between Van der Bellen and Kickl, which could reshape the country’s political landscape.

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Oil Spill Prompts Regional Emergency in Sevastopol as Cleanup Efforts Continue

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Russia-appointed officials in occupied Crimea have declared a regional emergency in Sevastopol after oil contamination was detected on the shores of the peninsula’s largest city.

The oil, believed to have originated from two tankers damaged in the Kerch Strait nearly three weeks ago, has affected four beaches in the region, according to Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev. The spill has prompted a large-scale cleanup operation involving local authorities and volunteers.

“Today a regional emergency regime has been declared in Sevastopol,” Razvozhaev announced on Telegram. He assured residents that the contamination was swiftly addressed, adding, “Let me emphasise: there is no mass pollution of the coastline in Sevastopol.”

The spill stems from an incident in the Kerch Strait, approximately 250 kilometers from Sevastopol. One tanker ran aground, and another was left adrift and damaged, leading to the discharge of fuel oil into the waters.

Authorities in Russia’s Krasnodar region had already declared a region-wide emergency last week as oil continued washing ashore along the coastline. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported on Saturday that nearly 7,000 people were engaged in cleanup efforts.

More than 96,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil have been removed since the spill, and estimates suggest up to 200,000 tons of material may have been affected, according to a December 23 report from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the spill as an “ecological disaster,” underscoring the severity of the situation.

The Kerch Strait, which links the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea, is a vital shipping route and has been a flashpoint of conflict between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Ukraine has criticized the environmental impact of the spill, with Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, describing it as a “large-scale environmental disaster.” Podolyak has called for increased sanctions on Russian tankers in response.

The ongoing cleanup highlights the environmental risks associated with maritime transport in the politically sensitive region. While authorities have declared progress in addressing the spill, its broader ecological consequences remain a concern for both local communities and international observers.

As efforts continue, the incident has reignited tensions over the disputed waters, emphasizing the geopolitical and environmental challenges of the region.

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Chile’s President Makes Historic Visit to South Pole

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President Gabriel Boric of Chile has become the first Latin American leader to visit the South Pole, marking a significant milestone for the region. The two-day expedition, named Operation Pole Star III, underscores Chile’s commitment to scientific research and environmental monitoring in Antarctica, according to the Chilean government.

The journey began in Santiago, with Boric accompanied by scientists, military commanders, and government officials. After stopping in Punta Arenas, a southern Chilean city, the delegation proceeded to the U.S.-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Chilean broadcaster Televisión Nacional de Chile (TVN) reported.

Expanding Antarctic Research

Chile, one of seven countries with territorial claims in Antarctica, is a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, which mandates the use of the continent for peaceful and scientific purposes only. While the country has traditionally focused its research in Antarctica’s northern regions, the Boric administration aims to extend activities to the continent’s western areas.

“This is a milestone for us. It is the first time a Chilean and Latin American president has visited the South Pole,” Boric said during the trip, as reported by TVN.

A Commitment to Science and Sovereignty

President Boric emphasized that the visit symbolizes Chile’s dedication to preserving Antarctica as a “continent of science and peace.” He also highlighted its importance in reinforcing Chile’s sovereignty claims in the region.

“From here, everything is north. There are only 12 flags flying, one of which is Chile’s. That is a source of pride,” Boric said, referring to the nations that signed the original Antarctic Treaty, including Argentina, Australia, and the United States.

Boric shared a video on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, from the South Pole, wearing a red jacket, black hat, and sunglasses. “Good morning from Chilean Antarctica, where everything begins,” he wrote.

Environmental Focus

The visit was part of Chile’s broader effort to enhance environmental monitoring of pollutants in Antarctica, a key component of Operation Pole Star III. Scientists accompanying the president aim to gather data to support ongoing research into the impacts of climate change and human activity on the fragile ecosystem.

Chile’s government hopes the trip will further bolster the country’s role in Antarctic research while fostering international collaboration under the principles of the Antarctic Treaty.

President Boric’s historic visit not only cements Chile’s place in Antarctic exploration but also reaffirms the continent’s unique status as a global hub for scientific inquiry and peaceful cooperation.

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