In a groundbreaking move signaling a shift in international accountability, U.S. prosecutors have indicted two top Syrian officials for orchestrating torture in a notorious prison, shortly following the unexpected downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad due to a rebel offensive.

As a result of Assad's overthrow by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, the United States is reevaluating its diplomatic stance, keeping its designation of HTS as a "foreign terrorist organization" under review, while remaining open to dialogue with the group.

Despite the upheaval in Syria, with Assad fleeing to Moscow, the Syrian mission at the UN remains committed to diplomacy, as their permanent representative emphasizes the need to sustain state institutions and work towards a democratic future.

Reflecting on Syria's shifting dynamics, the UN Security Council convened to address the uncertainty following Assad's ousting by Islamist-led rebels, stressing the protection of Syria's territorial integrity and addressing urgent humanitarian needs.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services has faced strong opposition from 77 Nobel laureates, who criticized his qualifications and anti-vaccine stance as dangerous for public health.

In Syria, the aftermath of Assad's fall sees families gathering at Saydnaya Prison, a harrowing symbol of the former regime's brutality, as they seek closure and confront the nation's troubled past on the path to reconciliation.