The United Nations human rights chief has called for the lifting of Western sanctions imposed on Syria over its yearslong civil war, now that former leader Bashar Assad has been ousted and sent into exile.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for sanctions on Syria to be 'reconsidered' on Wednesday (January 15) during his first ever visit to the country. Could AI-assisted program help badminton players with training?

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called on Wednesday for a Syrian national reconciliation process to ensure justice for crimes committed over the past five decades of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family.

Oil prices were edging up as traders await more clarity on the effect of U.S. sanctions on Russia. Brent crude was up 0.4% at $80.22 a barrel, while WTI was up 0.5% to $76.74 a barrel. Further gains are also being capped by reports of a potentially imminent cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Oil prices crept higher on Wednesday as the market focused on potential supply disruptions from sanctions on Russian tankers, though gains were tempered by a lack of clarity on their impact. Brent crude futures rose 16 cents,