Conflict

A French court has sentenced Dominique Pelicot, 72, to 20 years in prison for drugging and assaulting his ex-wife Gisèle and facilitating abuse by dozens of other men over nearly a decade. In France's largest rape trial to date, all 50 co-defendants were found guilty of at least one charge. Their sentences ranged from three to 15 years, with Jean-Pierre Marechal, described as Dominique's "disciple," receiving 12 years for similar crimes against his own wife. Gisèle Pelicot, also 72, made the uncommon decision to waive her anonymity, allowing the trial to be public. She attended most proceedings, facing her husband of 50 years in court. Following the verdict, she described the trial as a "very difficult ordeal" but stood by her decision to make it public "so society could see what was happening." The crimes came to light in 2020 […]

A 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder following an incident in Belen, New Mexico, where four family members were found deceased on Saturday. According to New Mexico State Police, the teenager called 911 at 3:32 a.m. to report the deaths near the small city of Belen, located 33 miles south of Albuquerque. When deputies arrived, the suspect was reportedly "extremely intoxicated" and surrendered by raising his hands. Authorities discovered four victims at the residence, ranging in age from 14 to 42. A handgun was found on the kitchen table. While the precise familial relationships were not immediately disclosed, the suspect reportedly told a 911 dispatcher that he had killed his family members. After receiving medical treatment and detoxification at a hospital, the suspect was "medically cleared" and subsequently booked into the Juvenile Justice Center […]

Travis Timmerman, a 30-year-old US citizen, has described his release from a Syrian prison following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime, after being detained for seven months after entering the country on foot. Timmerman, who went missing in Budapest in May, was freed when two men wielding hammers broke down his prison door. He reported minimal resistance during his escape and was surprised by the lack of fighting. "I thought the guards were still there," Timmerman told reporters. "Once we got out, there was no resistance." He has since been attempting to make his way to Jordan, finding local residents receptive and helpful in providing food and assistance. His release came during a massive prison exodus, with thousands of prisoners emerging from overcrowded cells following the regime's collapse. The Assad regime was known for brutal imprisonment, with human rights groups […]

In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian rebel forces have seized control of Damascus, marking the end of Bashar al-Assad's long-standing regime. The rebel leader Abu Muhammad Al Jalani has already begun forming a transitional government, promising to pursue officials responsible for torture and war crimes during Assad's rule. Scenes of jubilation have erupted across Syria, with citizens celebrating their newfound freedom. In Damascus and international communities like London, people are expressing hope for a new chapter after decades of oppression. The liberation has revealed horrific evidence of the regime's brutality, including the discovery of over 40 tortured bodies at a hospital near the capital. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Al Jalani, has been credited with uniting rebel groups and capturing the country in less than two weeks. They have already begun releasing political prisoners and establishing […]