edward blum winner of encounters 2024. jeane kirkpatrick prize for academic freedom and kevin roberts winner of this year's encounter. prize for advancing american ideals. we shall be hearing more and from them both after we refresh tissues with the delicious dinner provided by the geniuses at ridge wells catering. now joining me here are my friends larry and penny. larry is the president of hillsdale college. i often observe that hillsdale college is the liberal arts college in the. this is true. this is true. but while true it is also a woeful understatement, because hillsdale is much more than a college. it is the incarnate of a salubrious and fruchter fine idea about the vocation of our humanity. i am proud to say hillsdale has been an important in many of our recent endeavors, not in bill mcclain's dazzling history of the united states. land of hope. an invitation to the great american story. and i'm delighted that bill could be with us tonight. and this brings me this brings to the third reason for our celebration. t

commissioner blum. >> thank you. really great questions from chair post and congratulations for this h.i was not here at the outset of this commission's work to very very hard work that goes into restructuring government department and tremendous work for tha. hats off to you. >> thank you, commissioner blum. commissioner zoubi. >> thank you, chair post. i'm going to jump on that, by the way. when was it done. >> in 2012. >> so we're talking about 12 years ago. i always say that our number one success story was you. was director short, i remember when was it, november 9th that you actually said? i remember that. even though you've had all of these ideas but taking a year to think about it and get everyone involved, again i tip my hat and congratulate to get to go this point. this is pretty complex. and it looks like, and it is going through with our vision and the strategy and mission of public works. i have to say, good luck, change is difficult. you know, you just need, we just all need to be proactive on telling e

that t he commissioner blum.ment■á partment ve wo issioner zoubi. > you, chairt.g to jump on that th■[:r■■l■1 slk■m■h i always at our number was director short, i remember when was it, november 9th that you actually said? even though you've had all of these ideas but taking a year to think about it and get everyone involved, again i tip my hat and congratulate to get to go this point. this is pretty complex. and it looks like, and it is going through with our vision and the strategy and mission of public works. i have to say, good luck, change is difficult. you know, you just need, we just all need to be proactive on telling everyone to embrace change 'cause, just like, been, ben franklin said, when you finish changing you're finished. thank you. >> thank you, please open this item to public comment, if there are no other commissioner comments. >> anyone wish to go make any comments may line up to the audience left against the wall f.commenting from outside the chamber, press the raise your hand on thed webinar o

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> five from london, this is bbc news. israel carries out strikes on yemen, and the capital is among the targets. russia is accused of shooting down a plane over kazakhstan, killing 38 people. the kremlin said it is wrong to speculate. two sailors are killed in separate incidents in a yacht race. more than 450 people crossed the english channel and small boats on christmas day. the former indian prime minister dies at age 92. he governed the country for two terms. ♪ i am sarah campbell. our top story is israel has been carrying out airstrikes across yemen including on the international airport. the head of the world health organization, tedros adhanom ghebreyesus, was at the airport, about to board a flight, when it came under israeli attack. he was not injured. the israeli military said it has been targeting the who these --houthis. fighters have targeted israel and ships in the red sea. our correspondent brought us up-to-date to date with the latest. >> we hav

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" sumi: i am sumi somaskanda in washington and this is bbc "world news america." they work out the next steps. an american who disappeared after a trip to budapest is found in syria. joe commutes sentences for 1500 people. the largest single day act of clemency in modern history. thank you for joining us on "world news america." an american man has been found in syria after being held in prison for seven months. travis had been reportedly missing since maylast seen in budapest. he said he was on his way to jordan on a spiritual journey when he was detained. he was broken out of his cell by rebels. his family told that they did not know he was being held in prison. they denied reports they spoke to him three weeks ago and they said they did not know if he was dead or alive. are middle east correspondent sent us this report. >> prisoner of the old syria. poster child for the new one. travis, an american from missouri, released by rebel forces as they swept president

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" s "bbc news." s the king in his christmas speech calls for peace in world conflict, unity after the summer riots, and reflects. pope francis has used his traditional christmas message to call for peace in ukraine and gaza calling the humanitarian situation there extremely grave. officials in kazakhstan say 38 passengers were killed in the crash landing of an azerbaijan airlines flight. protests have erupted in several cities across syria. full video shows an attack on a shrine belonging to a formerly powerful minority. hello. king charles has given his annual christmas day speech where he thanked doctors and nurses for the care they provided him and the princess of wales during cancer treatment's this year. he called for unity after summer riots in the u.k. and made a plea for peace in the middle east, central europe, and africa. the address was delivered in london, the first time a venue outside the royal residence had been used in over a decade. >> the king an

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> live from london this is bbc news many azerbaijan airs says external experience brought down one of its planes that crashed in kazakhstan. new analysis shows fossil fuels super charging heat wavers. the climate crisis with six more weeks of extreme heat in 2024. one of the last functions hops in northern gaza is forbesably evacuated by the israel military and a spacecraft made history with the closest approach to the sun. welcome. azerbaijan airlines says the preliminary results of the investigation into the plane crash in kazakhstan found there was external physical and technical interference. but the report stops short of accusing any group or countries of being responsible. it originally tried to land at tkproz any airport ahead of russia's authority said it was unable to do so because of the ukrainian drone attack. pro government media in ari azerbaijan said they believed a russia air defense missile caused the crash. this is the moment the plane went dow

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" Íy in washington and this is bbc Íy "world news america." serious new interim prime minister calls on syrians to return home as damascus airport prepares to reopen. fifa announces a controversial picked to host a future world cup -- saudi arabia. the bbc follows police in spain rescuing women from human trafficking. ♪ hello and welcome to "world news america." shops are reopening and people are returning to work in syria's capital of damascus three days after the fall of the assad regime. the new prime minister said he wants to provide stability. many people want to see revenge on the atrocities that happened under bashar al-assad's rule. people have set fire to the father of the ousted president -- people have set fire to the tomb of the father of the ousted president. this is footage from the town of qardaha in northwest syria. authorities have warned those who tortured or killed detainees under the previous regime will be hunted down. large crowds gathered in

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" s america. s the french government collapses after prime minister michelle bowen yang -- the prime minister receives a vote of no confidence. the chief executive of a major u.s. health care company is shot dead on the streets of new york city. a manhunt is underway. welcome to world news america. hours ago, prime minister michel barnier was ousted. parliament united to vote in support of the motion toppling the government and making michel barnier the shortest serving prime minister in history. 331 mps voted to remove him. earlier in the day the prime minister defended himself at the end of a heated debate at the national assembly. he used special powers to push through a social security budget bill without. the approval of the assembly. now that mr. barnier has lost the vote, france faces uncertainty. anonymous sources tell reuters that president macron is looking to appoint a new prime minister and the president is expected to address the nation thursday eveni

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" ♪ >> live from london, this is bbc news. israel carries out airstrikes on yemen. the international airport in the capital, sanaa, is among the targets fo russia is accused of shooting down a plane ever kazakhstan. former indian prime minister manmohan singh dies at age 9092. he governed for two terms and liberalize the economy. "kevin and stacy -- "gaivn and stacey' wins u.k. ratings battle. hello. i'm sarah campbell. we start this hour in the middle east. israel has been carrying out airstrikes across yemen, including on the international airport in the capital, sanaa. the head of the world health organization, tedros adhanom ghebreyesus, was about to board a flight when it came under attack that he has not been injured. the israeli military says it has been targeting the who these -- houthis, the rebel group backed by iran. houthi fighters have targeted in solidarity with palestinians in gaza. in central gaza, health officials say five journals have been kille

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and nowbc news" chri. i'm christian fraser, and thisi. is the context. >> allegations, calling them baseless and saying china has always acted with honor in business dealings a barrage. christian: the case has now added a challenge to a political debate here. the government wants to reach out and engage with china, but that comes with risk. >> that it -- there is a chiasm of hostile activity by china, trying to influence not just in the u.k. but around the world. ♪ christian: the alleged chinese spy was linked to prince andrew is named. why did they takes a long to ban him from the u.k. he alleges he did nothing wrong. assad said he never intended to flee to russia. tonight, security brief. a very good evening. the alleged chinese spy links to the duke of york has been named after an order was lifted this afternoon. here's what we know about chinese national yang tengbo. he ran a consulting firm here. he first arrived in britain in 2002. he studied for a masters in public health un

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> hello, you're watching "the context." we cannot allow ourselves to be divided. that's what i would advise the prime minister in the coming days. >> he said i will stay the full course of my mandate, a full five-year mandate to 2027, despite those calling for me to resign. >> he was frustrated that he didn't seem to have been able to expand to the french people why he call the snap elections over the summer that fractured the french political system and delivered this impasse that france is facing. ♪ >> french president said he will announce a country's next prime minister in the coming days. the president accused opponents of choosing chaos and said they were not thinking of voters. we will have the latest for you, live from paris. also ahead in the program, the british prime minister sets out his plan for change with targets that cover the economy, housebuilding and the health service. police in new york release new, clear images of the person they are searc

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> live from london, this is bbc news. protest breakout in syria are calling for the protection of minorities after the burning of a christmas tree. one of the worst starvation crises in modern times. on the report says famine in sudan has expanded to five areas and is likely to spread further next year. president-elect trump vows to pursue death penalties for violent criminals after president biden commutes 37 federal death sentences. american airlines has resumed u.s. flights after grounding all of its aircraft briefly due to a vendor technology issue. and pope francis hold a special christmas eve ceremony, lifting the door of the vatican to mark the start of the jubilee year. ♪ >> thanks for staying with us. protest have erupted in syria over the burning of a christmas tree in a christian majority town. demonstrators took to the streets of the capital damascus calling for the new ruling faction hts to punish those responsible. the hts movement has promised to

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" t on bbc news. t >> syrians are daring to hope this is truly a new chapter and promises will be kept that this will be a government for all syrians, this very diverse society. >> it is an amazing moment. at first we were so nervous. we could not believe it like maybe it is a dream should it has been a nightmare for us for all these years. >> foreign countries intervening militarily is not the answer. the idea syrian territory can be occupied as we see from israelis with the violation of a treaty signed between israel and syria in 74 is not the answer. ♪ >> tonight days after the fall of the assad regime, syrians adopt to a new life inside the country. but what could the future look like in syria? we will be speaking to one woman hoping to reconnect with her family in damascus. saudi arabia confirmed as hosts for the 2034 fifa world cup and not without criticism. the european union's push to be the ai continents will be taking a look at the 750 million euro promi

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for erica's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" 'n washington in this is bbc worldn news america. new video of the men who killed a top u.s. executive is released after officials say the men hunt is a multiate operation. syrian rebels reach of the third largest city. we speak to the family of american journalist austin tice who say he is still alive after being held hoffert -- old hostage for more than 12 years. ♪ hello and welcome to world news america. police in several u.s. states are searching for a person of interest in the killing of a u.s. health care company ceo in new york city. officials told the bbc's partners u.s. news the searches ongoing across new york state, etiquette and new jersey. local media reports the man sought by police have left the city on a bus to atlanta. video appears to show the suspt moments before he shot united health care chief executive brian thompson on wednesday. here is what we know so far. police say the suspect was first seen on manhattan's upper west side two hours bef

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" n washington and this is "world n news america." house say they have reached a new deal to fund the government but it is unclear if they have enough votes to padgett. the husband of gisele pelicot is jailed in a rape trial that sent shockwaves across france. the bbc gains for access to stories of women inside a prison. ♪ welcome to "world news america." republicans in the u.s. house of representatives say they have reached a deal to avert a government shutdown and plan to vote on it tonight but if you republicans say they oppose the bill and it is unclear how democrats will vote. the president elect said speaker mike johnson and the house have come to a very good deal for the american people. the newly agreed to american relief act of 2024 will keep the government open, fund farmers and others and provide relief for those affected by the devastating hurricanes. he encouraged democrats and republicans to vote for it. it is passed the bill would fund the governmen

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" . this is the context. . >> black, white, green flags a couple weeks ago could have got you arrested, jailed time or even able what. -- even a bullet. >> hopefully a democracy. it does so in a way that protects all the minorities in syria, produces an exclusive nonsectarian government. >> syrians are waiting to see how good they will -- how quickly they will make good on their promises to put in place a government for all syrians. y♪ >> the assad regime possessed massive quantities of nerve agents and deadly chemicals. how much of that has been destroyed? the international inspectors say they need immediate access to sites where those chemicals were produced fearful it could be sold to the highest bidder. we will speak to the highest assistant for arms control. and the humble crumble cookie that went from a simple idea to a billion-dollar franchise. th agency that oversees the monitoring and destruction of chemical weapons worldwide says it is concerned as to th

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" . >> i'm katrina perry in . washington and this is "bbc world news america." israel says it has destroyed syria's naval fleet and carried out nearly 500 air strikes since the toppling of bashar al-assad. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu takes the stand in his corruption trial slamming the charges against him as ridiculous. >> the american people! anchor: a suspect accused of killing a unitedhealthcare c.e.o. is denied bail. hello, you're welcome to world news america. israel says it has destroyed syria's naval fleet. it's been carrying out hundreds of strikes on military targets across the country since the fall of bashar al-assad's regime over the weekend. disunss -- dozens of military installation and air bases are reportedly hit. israel says it's trying to stop weapons falling into the hands of extremists and has ordered its military to create weapons-free zones in southern syria. the israeli military says troops are on the ground in syria and are op

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" bbc news. edinburgh's were non-new year's eve celebrations are canceled due to extreme weather forecasts in the scottish capital. relatives of those lost in sunday's plane crash in south korea demand answers from the government as the anxious wait continues for the recovery of their loved ones. also the white house confirms the state funeral for jimmy carter will take place on the ninth of january as tributes continue for the former president after his death at the age of 100. and five people are charged in argentina over the death of the former one direction star liam payne in october. hello and welcome to bbc news. high winds and extreme weather has forced the cancellation of edinburgh's world famous celebrations on new year's eve. tens of thousands of tickets had already been sold but organizers a high wind and extreme weather me and they have been unable to continue with preparations for the outdoor events both today and tomorrow. amongst the events called o

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" katrina: i am caitriona perry in washington and this is bbc world news america. syrians take to the streets to celebrate the downfall of the assad regime. these -- the israeli military is investigating after a surgeon was shot and killed in gaza as the airstrikes continue. the president of france picks a new prime minister, the fourth this year alone. hello and you are welcome to world news america. the u.s. military flew an american man and imprisoned in syria for several months out of the country. the u.s. official said that travis timmerman was brought to u.s. troops at a syrian base and then was flown to jordan. he was attempting to pass through syria after -- through a spiritual journey before he was detained. the 29-year-old was among thousands released by rebel forces after the fall of assad's regime. thousands of syrians have taken to the streets to celebrate the downfall of the regime, on what is being called victory day. images from damascus and other

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" christian: hello, i'm christian fraser. you are watching "the context." >> as we have been walking along the streets, more and more people are joining in, thousands now, everywhere we go, more people joining the march. >> the situation is a wound that will continue to bleed for the syrians until we can resolve it, answer the questions that remain unanswered. >> i want to avoid sparking any kind of additional conflicts inside syria at a time when we want to see this transition to an interim government enter a better way forward for syria. >> laser focus on the role that we can play with our allies to see a stable, peaceful transition so that t syrians get the government they need for the future. ♪ christian: 65 british nationals linked to islamic state are still detained in prisons and camps in northeast syria but the kurds who guard them are under regular assault from turkish back rebel groups in the north. what future is there for the kurds in syria? will their

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" d this is "the context." d >> the prime minister must present the resignation of the government to the president. >> of the first time that a friend prime minister has been brought down by a parliamentary vote in this country since 1962. his government mouth falls and he will have to tender his resignation to president emmanuel macron. >> be assured, i am not afraid. i have rarely been afraid in my life. what is important is that we will take steps towards each other. ♪ christian: no budget, no government and seemingly no way out, friends in crisis tonight with europe looking nervously on for a good friend prime minister michel barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote and after just three months of the job. we will be the reaction from both sides. in manhunt on in new york city as the ceo of united health care is targeted and shot dead outside the hilton hotel in manhattan. and what does the resurgence of the civil war in syria mean for russia and iran? we hav

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" 's bbc world news america. 's police in new york release new pictures of a suspect they want to question following the killing of a u.s. health insurance boss and french president says he will nominate a new prime minister in the days ahead. welcome to world news america. we start in the middle east where fighters in syria have made another breakthrough in the surprise offensive against the government. they seized the central city, the second major city in the country days after captioning the city of aleppo. this comes 13 years into a civil war that has devastated syria. this footage shows rebels entering apparently unopposed. you can see the fighters being welcomed by residents. the rebels then turn the cameras around and record themselves celebrating. the syrian army says it has withdrawn forces from the area, effectively ceding control. earlier thursday in a televised speech, the leader of the lebanese armed group hezbollah, accused israel and the u.s. of sp

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" c news. c an ethics report into matt gaetz says there is substantial evidence he paid for sex with a minor and used illicit drugs. in a rare move, israel acknowledges is what was behind the summer assassination of a hamas leader in iran. a break from tradition. the king christmas message will be delivered from a former hospital chapel rather than buckingham palace. for you can economy flat lines. revised figures show no growth at all the last quarter. and wallace and grommet make a return to our screens for a christmas special, the first in a decade. ♪ hello. a long-awaited report into the conduct of the former republican congressman matt gaetz has found substantial evidence that he paid women for sex or drugs on numerous occasions, including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex. according to a final draft of the report, the politician who was donald trump's initial pick for attorney general, is said to be involved in prostitution, statutory rape and illicit drug u

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> i'm sumi somaskanda in washington, and this is bbc world news america. political chaos in south korea. the president declares he is lifting martial law after implementing it just hours earlier. uncertainty remains. and fears of the cease-fire between hezbollah and israel could collapse as both sides accused each other of reaching the truths -- breaching the truce. ♪ a very warm welcome to world news america. a dramatic turn of events in south korea. president yoon said he will lift in order to impose martial law that he declared just a few hours ago, throwing the country into political turmoil. he confirmed army forces have been withdrawn. protesters who gathered to demonstrate against the sudden introduction of military rule are now celebrating the sudden reversal. earlier, thousands of protesters clashed with police at they tried to get into the national assembly building. some broke through barricades and climbed defenses to get inside the building. there

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> welcome to the program. i'm lewis vaughan jones. we start with breaking news from germany. these are the latest pictures we have. these are the scenes of a christmas market there in magdeburg. reports, a car has been driven into crowds of shoppers there at that christmas market. news agencies reporting potentially dozens of people injured. at least one person killed. we are getting details from broadcasters in germany as well as newsagencies. you can see the scale of the emergency response in these pictures, ambulance after ambulance taking people away to local hospital for treatment. with me is my colleague samantha simmonds. talk us through what we know so far, what has happened here. samantha: about an hour or so ago this news had broken that a car had broken through this christmas market in magdeburg, according to a german broadcaster, other local media. they said in the past few moments that the afp news agency has said this car incident is assumed to be

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" ts america. ts bashar al-assad reportedly says he never believed to freed to russia. we have a special report on syria's streets with members of the rebel group now in charge. and a devastating cyclone rips through the french island territory leaving what residents call apocalyptic seas. ♪ sumi: welcome to world news america. syria's former president bashar al-assad said he never planned to step down as president and insist he left syria at russia's request, according to a statement on the telegram channel belonging to the syrian presidency offering his view of the rebel offensive that toppled him. it is unclear who currently controls that channel or whether mr. assad wrote the post but he claims he was besieged on a russian base where he was overseeing combat operations only to find that syrian troops abandoned their positions. he went on to defend his record serving as president and said his bond with the syrian people remains unshaken. it comes as russia's mi

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> hello, i'm lewis vaughan jones. you are watching "the context" on bbc news. >> very much still in the dark grip of the past era and the current horrors have to be dealt with if they want toove forward. >> there is a curfew from 5:00 in the evening until 5:00 in the morning but in the center of the city it was still a second day of celebrations. >> vladimir putin invested heavily in a side, determined to keep him in power. in the end, it wasn't enough. but what to do about hts when they are prescribed terrorist organization? ♪ lewis: in syria, a side is gone, decades of dictatorship are er. we look at what serious opposition rebels will do now with analysis from damascus, washington, dc, and westminster. also on the program, chcellor rachel reeves meet u.k. finance ministers and promises to reset the relationship between britain and the eu. google shows off its quantum computer chip which takes five minutes to solve a problem today fastest computer would take

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> live from london this is bbc news. the king and his christmas message calls for peace in world conflicts. unity after the summer riots. and reflects on his cancer treatment. >> i offer special heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family. >> pope francis uses his traditional christmas message to call for peace in ukraine and gaza, and describes the humanitarian situations there as extremely grave. officials in kazakhstan say 38 passengers died in the crash landing of in azerbaijan airlines flight. and president zelenskyy condemns russia's last missile and drone attack against ukraine on christmas day as inhumane. ♪ hello. i'm sarah campbell. merry christmas. we start with king charles who has given his annual christmas day speech where he paid tribute to the doctors and nurses for the care they provided to him and the princess of wales during their cancer treatment this year. he called fo

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" c news. c azerbaijan airlines says external interference brought down one of its planes that crashed in kazakhstan. mexico's government tests a panic button app allowing migrants to send an alert if the u.s. government tries to deport them. new analysis shows fossil fuels are supercharging heat waves. the climate crisis added six more weeks of extreme heat in 2024. the prime minister of nepal says there are too many tigers in his country and he wants to give some away. ♪ hello and welcome. the white house says it has seen early indications that suggest a plane that crashed in kazakhstan this week was possibly brought down by russian air defense systems. the kremlin has so far refused to comment on reports the plane was hit by russian weaponry. azerbaijan airlines says the parliamentary result of the investigation into the incident found that there was external physical and technical interference. but the report stopped short of accusing any group or country of b

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" e gonda in washington. e this is bbc world news america. the de facto leader of syria says his country isn't a risk to the world. the cia director travels to the middle east to try to make a deal between hamas and israel with the cease-fire said to be within reach. the bbc goes on patrol with kenyan police in haiti dealing with escalating gang violence and we speak with one of the country's most notorious gang leaders. >> welcome to world news america. syria's de facto leader says syria is exhausted by war and isn't a threat to its neighbors or the west. in an interview with the bbc from damascus he called for sanctions on syria to be lifted. a sunni islamist group claims to have disavowed its isla past since splitting from al qaeda. saying they too are victims of the assad regime as the international organization for migration says the country is not yet stable enough for the large-scale return of refugees. about 100,000 people have already returned to syria. i

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursui solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" . you are watching the context on. bbc news. >> we are closely monitoring the situations in syria and have been in contact with countries in the region. >> the rebels have faced little opposition in the offensive so far. the syrian military is demoralized and exhausted after more than 13 years of conflict. this could change. iran ss it will send missiles, drones and advisors. >> everyone in syria at the moment are bad actors especially the islamists trying to gain control over syria. if they do, think whatould happen if isis had control over iraq. ♪ >> so the lightning advance by islamist rebels in syria gathers pace as they close in on the city of homs. we will consider implications for president assad and the wider region. the search for the killer of the u.s. insurance ceo has wide into the states of new york and connecticut. e front runner in romania's presidential election, the ultranationalist labels as a coup a court's decision to rerun what it means for

and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs.er: and now, "bbc news" >> this is bbc world news america. republicans and some democrats criticize joe biden's decision to issue a presidential pardon for his son hunter. georgia's president speaks to the bbc as mass anti-government protests enter a fifth night. >> wee see on the streets that the georgian population wants nothing else and nothing more than its independence and its european path. >> syria's president blames the u.s. and everies tissue others for a rebel takeover of aleppo that has reignited the country's civil war. a very warm welcome to world news america. president joe biden is facing sharp criticism from beth sides of the aisle after issuing an official pardon don for his son hunter who was facing almost center prison time in. june, hunter biden was convicted of firearms offenses becoming the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime. in september he pleaded guilty to tax violations. president biden previously said he wouldn't pardon his son, but