The United States House of Representatives has voted forward a bill that would end the restrictive Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during the rule of former leader Bashar al-Assad.
The bid to repeal the sanctions was passed on Wednesday as part of a larger defence spending package, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.
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“With this NDAA, as many know, we are repealing sanctions on Syria that were placed there because of Bashar al-Assad and the torture of his people,” Representative Brian Mast of Florida said. “We’re giving Syria a chance to chart a post-Assad future.”
Mast had previously been opposed to dropping the sanctions. In his statement on the House floor on Wednesday, he warned that, under the bill, the White House could “reimpose sanctions if the president views it necessary”.
The bill now heads to the Senate and is expected to be voted on before the end of the year.
If passed, the NDAA would repeal the 2019 Caesar Act, which sanctioned the Syrian government for war crimes during the country’s 13-year-long civil war.
It would also require the White House to issue frequent reports confirming that Syria’s new government is combating Islamist fighters and upholding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities.
Human rights advocates have welcomed the easing of heavy sanctions that the US and other Western countries imposed on Syria during the war.
They argue that lifting those economic restrictions will aid Syria’s path towards economic recovery after years of devastation.
The Caesar Act was signed into law during President Donald Trump’s first term.
But in December 2024, shortly before Trump returned to office for a second term, rebel forces toppled al-Assad’s government, sending the former leader fleeing to Russia.
Trump has since removed many sanctions on Syria and met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the push that ousted al-Assad.
But some sanctions can only be removed by Congress, a step that Trump has encouraged lawmakers to take.
This month, Syrians celebrated the one-year anniversary of al-Assad’s overthrow with fireworks, prayer and public displays of pride. But the country continues to face challenges as it recovers from the destruction and damage wrought by the war.
Syrian officials have urged the repeal of remaining sanctions, saying that it is necessary to give the country a fighting chance at economic stability and improvement.
Syrian central bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh called US sanctions relief a “miracle” in an interview with the news service Reuters last week.
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Shamoon Hafez, Football reporter at the Bernabeu and Guillem Balague, BBC Sport Columnist
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The deafening jeers that greeted former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola before kick-off turned into away-fan cheers after Manchester City picked up a magnificent Champions League victory at Real Madrid that leaves Xabi Alonso clinging on to his job.
Guardiola’s connections with Real’s rivals was not forgotten by the home faithful and it is ironic that a Barca man might have been the person to hammer the final nail in Alonso’s coffin.
Despite reports beforehand stating Alonso could lose his job with a loss, BBC Sport understands his position is not under immediate threat and is likely to see out the next few days, but a third consecutive defeat at Alaves on Sunday could finally spell the end.
When the referee’s whistle was blown on the 2-1 loss to City on Wednesday, the music inside the venue was pumped up to maximum level, possibly to drown out any boos that may have been directed against Alonso.
By that point, many had already left and once the volume was turned down, “We’ve got Guardiola” was the chant echoing around the stunning Bernabeu stadium from the 2,500 travelling supporters, a moment which will sting all Madridistas.
Asked in the post-match news conference if he had spoken to chairman Florentino Perez, Alonso replied by saying: “I came straight here.”
Players ‘100%’ behind Alonso
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The start that Real made seemed like they had turned the corner, taking the game to City and going in front courtesy of Rodrygo’s low drilled effort.
But they conceded twice in the final 10 minutes of the first half through Nico O’Reilly poking in from close range and Erling Haaland’s penalty.
The Real ultras dressed all in white behind the goal had been chanting and clapping until that point, but when the Norwegian’s spot-kick rippled the net in front of them they were silenced.
There was, though, a period of unrest between minutes 65 and 71 when supporters whistled at the players in disappointment three times – the message was to say ‘give us more’.
They pushed and created chances thereafter but will it be enough to save Alonso? The impression has been given that they have another gear and it gives him a bit of credit.
There is a general feeling from fans that the manager is not to blame, it is the players that are not following his instructions – they are the ones that need to listen more and start applying what has been asked.
Ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso took over before the Club World Cup in the summer and started this season by winning 13 of his first 14 games, but it started to go wrong after the loss at Liverpool on 4 November.
Real have won just twice in eight games since and there has been an apparent clash of cultures at the club with players seemingly not buying into his strict methods and wanting to adopt a pressing style of play.
Asked if his players had played for him, Alonso said: “The performance has been intense. A professional Champions League level game. They have given their best, so from my side no complaints for anything.
“It is hard to take another defeat but we tried until the end.”
England international Jude Bellingham told TNT Sport that the squad were “100%” behind their manager.
“I personally have a great relationship with him, a lot of the lads do as well,” he added. “After the first run of games we had some really great conversations internally and we felt we were on the back side of that form.
‘I don’t think Perez wants this kind of manager’
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Alonso, however, now seems to be limping on game by game.
His side are second in La Liga, four points adrift of Barca, and the 15-time winners are only in the Champions League top-eight on goal difference.
Since lifting the famous trophy two years ago, Real have lost five of their group-phase games.
Speaking about Alonso’s future, Juan Castro, football journalist for Marca, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I am very pessimistic.
“It is true that it was not a ridiculous defeat because they competed, but another defeat at home, another defeat in a row. It is quite difficult for a coach to hold this.
“We will see what happens, but now the ambience in the Bernabeu is focusing on Xabi Alonso. That is the truth. We will see what is going on, but now I am 100% pessimistic.
“I don’t think Perez wants this kind of manager. What Perez doesn’t accept in any case is the defeat. You don’t have so many options to replace Xabi.
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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter in Bruges
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Noni Madueke might reflect on the Champions League win at Club Brugge as a landmark night in his Arsenal career.
The 23-year-old scored two goals in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory, including a stunning effort from 20 yards, with his all-action performance again showing he can be more than a rotation option for manager Mikel Arteta.
“An unbelievable goal,” Arteta said. “When you talk about individual quality and magic moments, that’s it.”
Madueke has a tough task dislodging Arsenal’s key player Bukayo Saka on the right wing, but against Club Brugge he offered a reminder of his talents as one of five players brought into the side after Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa.
In the summer, his £48.5m signing from Chelsea was questioned by some supporters but the England international won them round with some impressive performances before picking up a knee injury in September that kept him out for about a month.
He returned at the end of November and scored his first goal for Arsenal in the win over Bayern Munich in the Gunners’ last Champions League match.
When given the opportunity, he has demonstrated that his versatility and ability to beat a defender can be a key part of Arsenal’s season.
“I think the bare minimum I need to give to my team is threat,” Madueke told TNT Sports after the win in Bruges. “Obviously trying to score and be as decisive as possible, that’s the next level I need to get to in terms of being consistently decisive for club and country. I think I can reach that level.
“The first goal was really nice, second a tap-in but the first one was sweet. Delighted with the result.
Madueke a smart signing – Sutton
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Madueke is the first Arsenal player to score their first three goals for the club all in European competition, and it was his all-round performance that impressed onlookers.
“It wasn’t just with his goals that Madueke made an impact – he did really well throughout the game and showed he is ready to do a job when he is called upon,” said BBC Match of the Day pundit and former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.
“More and more, Madueke looks like a really smart signing.
“I already thought he was a loss to Chelsea, but you are seeing now he is back from injury that Arsenal can have Saka off that right side, or use [Madueke]. It bodes really well for them with such a busy period coming up.
“In the end though, it was just about getting three points for Arsenal and avoiding any more injuries – and they achieved both of those aims.
Arteta challenges Madueke to maintain level
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Arteta has had to deal with a number of injuries to key players throughout the season but the Gunners are now getting some options back in forward areas.
Gabriel Jesus returned as a substitute for the first time in 342 days from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, while alongside Madueke, captain Martin Odegaard has recently been available again.
Now the Arsenal manager has challenged Madueke to maintain the level he showed against Club Brugge.
“I think at this level you want to win games – you need individual players to step up and to do something different,” Arteta said. “The same as Martinelli as well.
“I’m very happy because now we have some players back in the frontline and you can tell how much better we are with them.
“It’s about consistency. So any player that plays is willing to have those standards and play consistently.
Noni Madueke scored two goals, and Gabriel Martinelli netted another as Arsenal kept up their 100 percent run in the Champions League to stay top of the standings with a comfortable 3-0 triumph at Belgium’s Club Brugge.
Arsenal’s sixth win in as many games all but confirms a top-eight finish, meaning they will skip the knockout phase playoffs in February and move straight into the round of 16 in March. Brugge remain on four points and in stark danger of missing out on the knockouts.
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It was a satisfying night on Wednesday at the Jan Breydelstadion for the under-strength Gunners, who lost at Aston Villa at the weekend and made five changes to freshen up an injury-stricken squad, including a first run-out in almost a year for Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who got half an hour of action as a second-half substitute.
Madueke got matters going with a thunderous strike in the 25th minute, collecting possession on the halfway line and swiftly weaving his way upfield before unleashing a powerful effort that flew into the top corner.
The home side went close to an equaliser in the 39th minute, when some swift passing saw Aleksandar Stankovic curl a shot narrowly wide, and continued to probe up to half-time with David Raya making two key saves, from Christos Tzolis and Stankovic.
But that momentum looked to have been left in the changing room at half-time as they were caught two minutes into the second half when Madueke headed home his second goal.
A cross from the left from Martin Zubimendi found Madueke unmarked at the back post, with the home defence caught ball watching and hopelessly out of position.
“I feel like we can win this competition and win the league,” said an elated Madueke.
Arsenal’s Noni Madueke scores their first goal with a thunderbolt into the top corner [Yves Herman/Reuters]
Martinelli keeps up Champions League scoring streak
Nine minutes later, Martinelli added the third, cutting in off the left wing and hammering a right-footed shot into the net for a fifth goal in as many Champions League appearances this season, having missed one of Arsenal’s matches.
Jesus struck the crossbar in the 79th minute, inches away from a dream return after his lengthy layoff due to a knee injury, and Arsenal still had time to give 16-year-old Marli Salmon a debut at right back in the last seven minutes. He is the fourth youngest player to feature for the Gunners.
Brugge went into the match in some turmoil after Monday’s surprise sacking of coach Nicky Hayen, with his replacement, Ivan Leko, in charge on his return for a second spell at the club.
PSG held in Bilbao, while Napoli shocked in Benfica
Paris St Germain played out their first goalless draw of the season at Athletic Bilbao but stayed in the driving seat for direct qualification for the Champions League last-16 after a string of fine saves by home goalkeeper Unai Simon denied the defending champions.
Luis Enrique’s side had the clearest chances after being under pressure in the first half, but Simon produced several superb saves, and Ousmane Dembele’s absence was once again felt up front by the visitors.
The result left PSG in third place in the 36-team league with 13 points from six games, while Bilbao are 28th on five points, two points from the playoff places.
PSG next travel to Sporting, and Bilbao visit Atalanta.
“We have to do more. We were not at our maximum to leave here with a win. Sometimes we’re not at our level – we have to keep working,” PSG fullback Nuno Mendes said.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz applaud fans after the match [Albert Gea/Reuters]
Bilbao threatened first when Alex Berenguer curled a right-footed free kick towards the far post in the 31st minute, forcing PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to fingertip the ball behind for a corner.
The Basque side enjoyed their best spell around the half-hour mark, pressing high and testing PSG’s defensive organisation without finding a breakthrough.
PSG, who had to deal with the absence of Dembele after the France forward fell ill, had their best opening earlier on a swift counterattack in the 19th minute when Fabian Ruiz, after controlling well on his chest, fired his effort over the crossbar.
The Ligue 1 side emerged with renewed intensity after the break and went close in the 49th minute when Simon denied them twice in quick succession.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia burst down the right on a rapid counter and delivered a low cross that evaded Joao Neves before Senny Mayulu pounced, only for Simon to react brilliantly and push the close-range effort away.
The pressure continued from a corner on 53 minutes as Warren Zaire-Emery collected a clearance on the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful half-volley towards the far corner, forcing another sharp save from the Bilbao keeper.
The clearest chance came in the 65th minute when Bradley Barcola raced into the area for a one-on-one with Simon and saw his powerful attempt rattle the crossbar.
Newcastle United’s Lewis Miley scores their second goal at Leverkusen [Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters]
Leverkusen fight back to deny Newcastle
Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo bagged an 88th-minute goal to rescue a 2-2 draw for the hosts against Newcastle United in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Newcastle, who also hit the woodwork twice, thought they had done enough to get back into the top eight after coming from a goal down to lead 2-1 with a strong second-half performance and goals from Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley, before Spain international Grimaldo charged into the box to level with two minutes left.
The result left Newcastle in 12th on 10 points, while Leverkusen dropped to 20th on nine. The top eight teams qualify directly for the knockout stage. Teams who finish ninth to 24th will enter a playoff round to reach the last 16.
Alex Grimaldo of Bayer 04 Leverkusen scores his team’s second goal past Aaron Ramsdale of Newcastle United [Lars Baron/Getty Images]
The hosts went in front when Robert Andrich headed on at the far post, and the ball bounced off Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes for an own goal in the 13th minute, with the visitors struggling with the German defence for much of the first half.
Newcastle equalised with a Gordon penalty in the 51st after Leverkusen keeper Mark Flekken dallied on the ball, allowing Nick Woltemade to snatch it before being brought down.
They kept up the pressure, and Gordon, who had rattled the post with a fierce low shot in the 63rd, turned provider in the 74th, floating a cross in the box for substitute Miley to head in his maiden Champions League goal.
With Leverkusen now firmly on the back foot, Eddie Howe’s team created several more scoring chances, with Flekken coming to the rescue with a superb save to stop Malick Thiaw’s point-blank header.
Flekken was beaten by substitute Jacob Murphy’s shot a little later, but the ball bounced off the post once more. Instead, it was Leverkusen who scored again, with Grimaldo popping up in the box to bury the equaliser, scoring for the second consecutive Champions League game.
Napoli shocked in Benfica, while Dortmund jeered
Italian champion Napoli lost 2-0 at Benfica, while Weston McKennie was on target for Juventus in a 2-0 win at Pafos.
Jeers rang out at full time at Borussia Dortmund after Norway’s Bodo/Glimt sealed a 2-2 draw, equalising twice after Julian Brandt’s goals for Dortmund.
The result helps neither team, with Dortmund’s chances of direct qualification for the round of 16 taking a dent. Bodo/Glimt has three draws but no wins in its debut Champions League season.
Ajax scored three goals late in the game to deny Qarabag a surprise win in one of the early kickoffs.
Four-time European champion Ajax twice trailed against its Azerbaijani opponent, but fought back to win 4-2 in Baku.
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Leigh Sports Village
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Manchester United were given a demonstration of what it takes to be Europe’s best on Wednesday night – but manager Marc Skinner hopes his side will learn from it.
Lyon, the record eight-time Women’s Champions League winners, were far superior in their 3-0 win at Leigh Sports Village.
No shots on target, and a single touch in the opposition box in a difficult first half, it was a humbling night for United, who are competing in their first European main draw.
But Skinner, whose side had already secured a play-off spot for the knockout stage, said: “I am proud of the players. There was a lot of learning. Every one of our biggest defeats, we will always come back better.
“These players are maxing. You don’t want to lose a game but you have to learn from it. It feels horrible but you have to live within the performance parameters.
‘The plan was to be physical’
On the night, there were several reasons why Lyon – who are joint top in the standings on 13 points with Barcelona and scored late twice through Melchie Dumornay – stood out.
“In the first-half we gave them too much respect. They’ve got a cheat code, [Dumornay] just presses a button and wraps it into the top corner,” added Skinner.
Lyon’s greater squad depth was obvious, Haiti international Dumornay was unstoppable and Skinner’s selections didn’t pay off.
He opted for physicality, leaving star players Ella Toone and Jess Park on the bench, as well as integral midfielder Julia Zigiotti.
Lyon’s dominance was so evident at half-time that Skinner had to adapt sooner than he had hoped, bringing that trio on at 1-0.
They made a difference as United carried more threat and were able to control more possession – but Lyon’s victory was confirmed when Dumornay netted her late goals with moments of individual brilliance.
Asked why he left out some of United’s best players from the starting XI, Skinner said: “You can lose a game against Lyon on set-pieces and physicality so we had to have balance. We have four games in 10 days, so we had to be able to rotate.
“There has to be a plan ahead of all the games. The plan was to be physical and then always adapt it and change it in the second half.
“We probably didn’t get enough pressure on them in moments in the first half. I adapted it at half-time and we got some more ball retention.
‘Where we finish is a bonus’ – United’s potential route
Skinner’s reminder of Lyon’s ability cannot be ignored as they boasted a side including 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg and USA World Cup winner Lindsey Heaps.
Legendary France centre-back Wendie Renard was an unused substitute and elite players such as Lily Yohannes, Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto all came on in the second half.
That quality and the “speed and physicality” were the differences on the night, according to Skinner, but he also recognised the gap between United and Europe’s elite.
“Theirs is the upper echelon of that,” added Skinner. “They pay for it. They have grown in experience and have built that team over a long period of time.
“The reality is you have to be at your game in every moment because if not, they can take their opportunities. They were the better team – but I would expect them to be.
“It’s a juxtaposition because I don’t want to lose games. But we also have to take a moment and go, we’ve already qualified, let’s see where we go.
“All the things you see, I see. I also know what the fix is, but you can’t do it in one moment, you have to build it. We are progressing.”
Lyon boss Jonatan Giraldez described United’s season as “super positive” and said the answer to progress is about building a mentality to be better than the day before.
United’s challenge will only get greater as they look to continue their journey in the Champions League.
They currently sit ninth in the 18-team league table and occupying an unseeded position for the play-offs.
If they can climb at least one place, they will be seeded and avoid stronger opposition.
Skinner said that gives them more incentive to perform in their final league phase match against sixth-placed Juventus on 17 December – but just getting to this stage has been an achievement.
“When you go into the knockout stages, it is what it is. You have to play the best teams,” he added.
Sao Paulo, Brazil – The lower house of Brazil’s Congress has passed a bill that could reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup.
The contentious vote came in the early hours of Wednesday, after a protest by a left-wing congressman triggered a fight involving lawmakers, police and journalists.
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The bill, which the Senate must now approve, aims to reduce the sentences of more than 1,000 people involved in the attacks on January 8, 2023, which saw Bolsonaro’s supporters storm government headquarters in Brasilia.
Its beneficiaries would include Bolsonaro and several ministers and military officials who were convicted alongside the ex-president for plotting to hold onto power after losing the 2022 elections.
The bill was brought to a vote late on Tuesday night, prompting outrage from its opponents. The scene inside the Chamber of Deputies quickly devolved into chaos, with pushing and shoving between lawmakers.
Glauber Braga, a left-wing congressman opposed to the bill, attempted to block the vote by sitting in the chamber president’s chair, before being forcibly removed by police.
Congress members in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies consider a bill to alter sentencing guidelines for certain crimes, including those involving coups d’etat, on December 9 [Eraldo Peres/AP Photo]
Tulio Amancio, a Brazilian reporter from the network TV Band, witnessed the scuffle. He told Al Jazeera that journalists were forcibly expelled from the chamber, and the live television signal was cut.
When Braga was removed, Amancio said journalists rushed towards the congressman to film the scene. Police started shouting — “Open up! Open up!” — as they pushed their way through the crowd of reporters.
Amancio added that “colleagues were assaulted” by police in the hubbub.
“There’s always pushing and shoving. There’s always some kind of confusion. It’s part of political coverage involving authorities, but physical aggression in the way it happened this Tuesday, unfortunately, will be remembered as a sad chapter in this story here in Congress,” Amancio said.
Maria do Rosario, a congresswoman from the left-wing Workers’ Party, voted against the bill. She criticised the chamber president, Hugo Motta, for his handling of the protest, including his decision to call congressional police to remove Braga.
“He was treated with profound violence,” she told Al Jazeera. “He was dragged out, and at the same time, this agenda that President Hugo Motta has put forward is a disgrace that undermines democracy.”
In a statement shared over social media, Motta argued that Braga’s actions disrespected the legislative branch.
He also appeared critical of the police reaction, saying he has ordered an “investigation into possible excesses regarding press coverage”.
“We must protect democracy from shouting, from authoritarian gestures, from intimidation disguised as a political act,” Motta wrote.
Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2023, was found guilty in September on five charges, including one count of seeking the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
He and his supporters have refused to acknowledge his defeat in the 2022 presidential race, which saw the election of current president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Since November, the popular far-right president has been held in the federal police headquarters in Brasilia.
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the jailed president’s eldest son, announced on December 5 he will run for president in 2026.
Days later, he suggested he would renounce his candidacy if his father were freed from prison and called on Motta to hold a vote on Wednesday’s sentence-reduction bill. The senator later retracted his offer to drop out of the race.
“The price was his father’s freedom,” said Rosario, echoing widespread speculation about Flavio Bolsonaro’s comments.
