A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Chiayi, Taiwan, causing minor damage and power cuts. TSMC evacuated staff, all safe. Buildings shook in Taipei, and some people were trapped in Tainan, with rescues underway. No major casualties reported. Taiwan, prone to quakes, experienced significant past earthquakes, including a deadly 7.2 magnitude quake in April and a 2016 quake that killed over 100. Ava Sinclair 21/01/2025 12:00 am
User reports describe the perceived ground shaking intensity using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. In Kaohsiung, strong shaking (MMI VI) caused fear, especially on higher floors, with 6 users finding it interesting. Moderate shaking (MMI V) was reported in Kaohsiung and Yungkang, Tainan, with complex and horizontal motions, respectively. Light shaking (MMI IV) was noted in Taichung. Users can comment, flag, mark reports as helpful, and submit their own reports. Ava Sinclair 20/01/2025 8:30 pm
As the Gaza ceasefire begins, aid workers warn of significant challenges ahead. Despite 630 aid trucks entering Gaza, with 300 heading north, obstacles like hard-to-reach areas, looting, and an Israeli ban on the main UN aid agency persist. The UN has 4,000 trucks ready, but delivery issues remain. Food for 1 million people is available, yet some areas, especially in North Gaza, remain cut off. Winter conditions worsen the situation, and recent Israeli military actions have further restricted aid access. Ava Sinclair 20/01/2025 8:30 pm
Hamas’ Qassam Brigades released a video showing three Israeli hostages being freed, each receiving a “gift bag” with the group’s logo. The bags contained a certificate, necklace, and photos, later confiscated by Israel’s Shin Bet. A Red Cross representative signed a document acknowledging receipt of the hostages. This act aimed to portray Hamas as a legitimate governing body, emphasizing their control and legal protocols, despite the hostages’ forced captivity. The event was staged to send a message of authority to Israelis, Gazans, and international observers. Noah Prescott 20/01/2025 5:01 pm
Axel Rudakubana, 18, born in Wales to a Rwandan family, pleaded guilty to murdering three children and attempting to murder 10 others. He also admitted to producing ricin and possessing terrorist literature. Previously referred to Prevent for radicalization concerns, Rudakubana sought information on school massacres and terrorist attacks. His guilty plea shocked the courtroom, and he faces a life sentence. Far-right activists exploited the case, spreading misinformation online. Noah Prescott 20/01/2025 5:01 pm
At least 80 people have died and over 11,000 displaced in Colombia due to clashes between rival armed groups near the Venezuela border. The violence in Catatumbo challenges President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” initiative. Petro visited the region, offering support and deploying troops and aid. Displaced families are sheltering in Cúcuta, while some flee to Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro has pledged assistance. This unrest contrasts with the hope following Colombia’s peace deal with FARC, highlighting ongoing internal conflicts over control and narcotrafficking. Ava Sinclair 20/01/2025 5:00 pm
A court in India sentenced Sanjay Roy to life in prison for the rape and murder of a junior doctor, sparking nationwide outrage. The judge rejected the death penalty, prompting protests from the victim’s family and doctors. Roy, maintaining his innocence, plans to appeal. The crime, occurring at a Kolkata hospital, highlighted safety concerns for healthcare workers, especially women. The victim’s family vowed to continue seeking justice, while Indian law protects the identities of sexual violence victims and their families. Penelope Kingsley 20/01/2025 5:00 pm
Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced they will limit attacks in the Red Sea to Israeli-affiliated ships following a Gaza ceasefire, but warned they could resume broader hostilities if provoked. This announcement, made via email, is unlikely to restore confidence among global firms using the crucial Asia-Europe shipping route, which has seen traffic halved. The Houthis emphasized readiness to escalate if Israel resumes aggression. They also left open the possibility of targeting U.S. and U.K. ships, which have conducted airstrikes against them. Ava Sinclair 20/01/2025 5:00 pm
Oxfam’s annual inequality report predicts that five individuals, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, will become trillionaires within a decade if current trends persist. Musk is expected to reach this milestone in under five years. The report, released alongside the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlights the rapid wealth accumulation among billionaires, with their net worth increasing by $2.1 trillion last year. Oxfam emphasizes that this extreme inequality is concerning, not celebratory. Ava Sinclair 20/01/2025 5:00 pm
A fragile cease-fire in the Gaza Strip ended 470 days of war, allowing hostages to return to Israel and Palestinian prisoners to be released. Celebrations erupted as aid deliveries increased, but the cease-fire is temporary, lasting 42 days, with unresolved disputes between Israel and Hamas. The deal raised hopes for peace, but significant diplomatic challenges remain. Penelope Kingsley 20/01/2025 5:00 pm
