
January 2025

Salwan Momika, Who Burned a Quran in Sweden, Is Killed
The action by Salwan Momika, an Iraqi immigrant, set off protests across the Muslim world in 2023. He had received death threats, his lawyer said.

Who Is Syria’s New Interim President?
The rebel chief who led the overthrow of the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad has been declared the head of government for a transitional period.

Pause on U.S. Funding Spreads Fear of H.I.V. Spike Across Africa
Patients and health care advocates said the abrupt decision to halt U.S. funding for a lifesaving H.I.V. program led to widespread confusion. The backtracking didn’t help.

After Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede, Concerns of Cover-Up
The late release of casualty figures at the gathering of millions of people was seen as shielding the political fortunes of a local leader with national aspirations.

Rebel Leader Who Overthrew al-Assad is Declared Syria’s President
The new leadership of the country said the rebel coalition leader, Ahmed al-Shara, would serve as president during a transitional period.

Citizenship by Birthright? By Bloodline? Migration Is Complicating Both.
In a world where people are more mobile than ever, nations are struggling to recalibrate who can be a citizen.

Stampede at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu Festival: Many Feared Dead
People were trampled as pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s biggest gatherings, came together at the confluence of two sacred rivers, officials said.

Russia Seizes Another Town in Ukraine in Push to Take All of Donetsk
Moscow’s troops used the same pincer tactic on Velyka Novosilka that has enabled their recent capture of town after town in eastern Ukraine.

How Elon Musk is Using Start-Up Tactics to Disrupt European Politics
The richest man in the world is backing far-right parties against a political establishment that has failed to deliver.

He Survived 15 Months of War in Gaza, Then Died as Cease-Fire Neared
Fighting claimed lives until the final moments before the truce between Israel and Hamas took effect. For some, an unexpected delay of a few hours proved deadly.