BBC News Briefing

12 December, 2024

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. As a new era begins in Syria, the desire for retribution after the end of Assad's rule is palpable. International editor Jeremy Bowen reports from the midst of a crowd excited at the prospect of the execution of a regime henchman. After recent blackouts and storms caused trouble for Cuba, Will Grant hears how a second Trump presidency adds to the island's worries. And finally, feast your eyes on a festive image from space.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Rumoured execution excites Syrian crowd

Jeremy Bowen wears a baseball cap as he walks through a crowd of men gesturing excitedly.

Decades of rule by the Assad family came to an end over the weekend. Credit: BBC

Syrian rebel forces have said they plan to close the notoriously harsh prisons run by ousted President Bashar al-Assad and hunt those involved in the killing or torture of detainees. The regime's henchmen are also a target, with some calling for public executions. The arrest of Abu Muntaja, believed to be involved in the deaths of at least 41 men in a single massacre, caused excitement among locals. Jeremy Bowen joins surging crowd as rumours of an execution swirled, and warns: "If Syria's new rulers do not want change to be measured in blood, they will need to control the desire for revenge."

Watch the report

Refugees' dilemma: Syrians in Turkey are now considering whether they should go back home.

Political issue: The fall of the Assad regime has sparked a debate over the future of Syrian refugees in Germany.

Missing relatives: A Syrian woman whose family were detained by the military nearly 12 years ago tells the BBC of the agony of not knowing what happened to her loved ones.

WORLD HEADLINES

FBI director to resign before Trump takes office

Christopher Wray, whom Trump nominated in 2017 to a 10-year term, has faced criticism from Republicans.

What to know >

A poster shows pictures of the three brothers, Alon Alexander, Oren Alexander and Tal Alexander

Property brothers charged with sex trafficking

The case in the US involves the alleged drugging, assaulting and raping of dozens of women over more than a decade.

Find out more >

Canada's red and white flag flies in front of the nation's parliament in Ottawa.

Canada's euthanasia rate increases

Around 15,300 people underwent assisted dying last year, accounting for nearly one in 20 deaths in the country.

Explore the data >

Papua New Guinea's rugby player huddle during a match, wearing yellow and red jerseys

Rugby diplomacy in the Pacific

Papua New Guinea will compete in Australia's rugby league after agreeing to shun security ties with China.

Here's the deal >

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Cuba’s tourism industry braces for Trump

A group of women are standing in turquoise blue water near a white sandy beach performing an aquafitness routine

Canadian tourists, such as these taking part in an exercise class, are vital to the Cuban tourism sector. Credit: Getty Images

Blackouts and severe weather have already proven costly for Cuba's tourism sector. Now, Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House and his choice for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stand to make life even more complicated for Cubans than it already is.

What to expect

Steam rises from the waters of the Amazon's Boiling River

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

In hot waters

Peru's Boiling River reaches 45C (113F), offering a possible glimpse of the future.

Here's why

And finally...

Nasa’s James Webb Space Telescope has for the first time captured an image of what our galaxy likely looked like just as it was forming - and it has a festive twist. The image shows ten balls of stars of different colours, appearing like Christmas tree baubles hanging in the cosmos. Take a look.

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– Sofia

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