World News in Brief: Civilian killings in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan air crash, more Syrian refugees return home
December 26, 2024
Afghanistan: Civilian killings rise amid ongoing conflict
Civilian casualties have surged in Afghanistan as fighting between government forces and the Taliban continues. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), over 1,000 civilians were killed or injured in the first nine months of 2024, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.
The UNAMA report attributed the increase in civilian casualties to a rise in ground operations and airstrikes by government forces, as well as increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban.
Kazakhstan: Air crash kills dozens
A passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan on Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more. The aircraft, operated by Bek Air, was carrying 98 passengers and five crew members when it went down.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but witnesses reported seeing the plane lose altitude and crash into a nearby building.
Syria: More refugees return home as conflict winds down
The number of Syrian refugees returning home from neighboring countries has increased significantly in recent months, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Over 100,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland since the beginning of 2024, bringing the total number of returnees to over 1 million.
The UNHCR attributed the increase in returns to improved security conditions in Syria, as well as the implementation of amnesty programs for refugees who are willing to return.
Other news in brief:
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state of the nation address, outlining his priorities for the coming year.
- United States: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25%, the eighth rate hike since March 2023.
- Japan: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to increase defense spending by 2% of GDP, the country’s largest military buildup since World War II.
- China: China reported its first case of the H5N6 bird flu strain in humans.
- World Cup: Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to win the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
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Top Stories a new article on 2024-12-26 12:00 titled “World News in Brief: Civilian killings in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan air crash, more Syrian refugees return home”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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