Syria

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to travel to Damascus as the EU works toward normalising relations with Syria. The visit would mark a significant step in re-engagement with the Syrian government, with discussions expected to focus on diplomatic ties and cooperation, as the bloc reassesses its approach following major political changes in the country.

Deutsche Welle examines Syria's path since the fall of the Assad regime, focusing on the country's struggle for justice and freedom after decades of authoritarian rule. The coverage reflects ongoing debate about accountability for past abuses and the challenges of building a new political order in the country.

The Israel Defense Forces has announced a rotation of troops deployed in Syria and the West Bank, timed with the Jewish High Holy Days and amid continuing terror attacks. The reshuffle is intended to keep readiness high during a period when large gatherings and heightened tensions raise security concerns. The move underscores ongoing Israeli military deployments beyond its borders and in Palestinian territory during a sensitive holiday season.

Human Rights Watch says reconstruction agreements for Syria are being drawn up without adequate human rights safeguards. The organisation warns that rebuilding efforts risk overlooking protections for residents, including those displaced or dispossessed during the conflict. It is calling on governments and donors involved in Syria's reconstruction to embed rights protections into the deals.

A local official in Palmyra says war damage in the ancient Syrian city is so extensive that archaeological excavation missions could wait years before permits to resume work are granted. The announcement comes as residents and tourists slowly begin returning to the city following the ouster that ended years of conflict there. The fate of the UNESCO World Heritage site, heavily damaged during the war, remains a concern for heritage experts.

A London schoolgirl who recruited Shamima Begum to join Isis is reported to have been found alive after an arrest connected to a terror plot. The woman, previously believed dead, was said to have played a key role in radicalising Begum before her departure to Syria in 2015 as one of the Bethnal Green schoolgirls. Details of the arrest and the alleged plot have not been fully confirmed.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed a first deputy governor of the Central Bank of Syria, according to the state news agency SANA. The move fills a senior post at the institution that oversees Syria's banking system and currency, as the country works to stabilise its financial sector amid ongoing economic reconstruction efforts.

Reports say a British woman who joined ISIS and is described as having recruited Shamima Begum has been found alive in Syria. Begum, who left London as a teenager to join the group, is a well-known and controversial figure in the UK, so news touching on her story draws attention. The headline has been picked up by UK outlets, though the snippets provided contain only the headline itself, so details of who the woman is or how she was found are not clear from the evidence.

Iran's strategy of projecting power abroad through allied militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen is facing serious setbacks, according to coverage arguing that external expansion became a pillar of the regime's survival at home. With key partners weakened and regional influence shrinking, analysts say Tehran's ability to use proxy networks as bargaining chips and deterrence is eroding, raising questions about how the leadership adapts.

Syria's state news agency reports the country expects more than $1 billion in foreign capital to flow into newly established banks. The announcement signals an effort to rebuild the war-damaged financial sector and attract international investment. With banking flagged as a growing topic, observers are watching whether foreign lenders will commit funds and how new institutions will operate under Syria's current economic conditions.

A Syrian refugee family living in suburban Chicago says their son, who has a genetic disorder, could soon lose his Medicaid coverage. His parents say the potential cutoff threatens the medical care he depends on and have raised alarms about what losing coverage would mean for his health and for the family's ability to keep him treated.

Interior Minister Anas Khattab delivered a speech at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Abu Dhabi. The address is being shared and discussed online, drawing attention to Syria's participation in the major UN gathering on crime prevention and criminal justice policy.