Yusuf Ansari, a motor rickshaw driver, recalls the 2004 tsunami that struck after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake, drastically altering his life. The disaster killed about 230,000 people across multiple countries. To commemorate the anniversary, fishermen’s organizations plan to hold a minute’s silence, pour milk into the sea, and offer flowers and prayers at affected sites. Jaya, another survivor, remembers the chaos as her husband was fishing, leaving her with their children as the waves approached. Noah Prescott 24/12/2024 3:00 am
The UN report highlights severe violence in Haiti from December 6-11, where 207 people, mostly elderly accused of voodoo, were killed by gangs. Victims were captured, interrogated, and executed, with bodies burned or dismembered. The UN urges a thorough investigation and the establishment of a specialized judicial unit. The Wharf Jérémie gang, fighting for control of key roads, has killed over 5,350 people this year. The gang imposes taxes on port operations and acts as an intermediary for accessing local populations. The violence involves gangs, self-defense groups, and possibly the Haitian National Police. Noah Prescott 24/12/2024 3:00 am
Mourners laid flowers at the scene of a deadly Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, where a suspect drove into a crowd, killing five and injuring up to 235. The suspect, a Saudi doctor critical of Islam and supportive of the far-right, doesn’t fit typical extremist profiles. Authorities are investigating the motive, with concerns about societal divisions and misinformation ahead of national elections. Justice Minister Volker Wissing suggested potential security reforms, while Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck urged against spreading hatred and misinformation. A separate threat in Bremerhaven was also reported. Ava Sinclair 23/12/2024 11:30 pm
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea in a “friendly fire” incident amid U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Both pilots survived, with one sustaining minor injuries. The incident highlights the dangers in the Red Sea corridor, where Iranian-backed Houthis continue attacks despite U.S. and European patrols. The U.S. Central Command did not provide details on the pilots’ mission. Ava Sinclair 23/12/2024 11:30 pm
Protests have erupted in Mozambique after the constitutional court confirmed ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo’s victory in the disputed presidential election. Venâncio Mondlane, the runner-up, claims the vote was rigged and has urged supporters to protest. Demonstrators have clashed with police, who responded with tear gas. Mondlane, in exile after his aides were killed, warned of a “new popular uprising” if results aren’t overturned. The court adjusted Chapo’s victory margin from 71% to 65%, amid allegations of electoral irregularities by international observers. Penelope Kingsley 23/12/2024 11:30 pm
Poland has introduced mandatory firearms training for children aged 14-16 in response to security concerns from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The curriculum, called Education for Safety, includes lessons on weapon handling, shooting skills, and tactical rescue, using laser guns for safety. This training is part of a broader program covering state security and first aid, and is now compulsory in Polish schools, with implementation starting in 2022. The initiative aims to prepare students for potential warfare threats and enhance their safety skills. Ava Sinclair 23/12/2024 11:30 pm
French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced a new government, aiming to unite a divided parliament and implement change. Criticized for appeasing the far right, Bayrou’s cabinet includes centrists and conservatives, with key roles for Jean-Noël Barrot, Sébastien Lecornu, and Eric Lombard. Despite efforts, Bayrou failed to secure a broader base, leading a minority government. Challenges include passing a budget and navigating a fractured legislature. Bayrou needs support from the National Rally or Socialists to avoid a no-confidence motion, risking a repeat of his predecessor’s downfall. Penelope Kingsley 23/12/2024 8:00 pm
On December 26, 2004, an earthquake struck near Aceh, Indonesia. Abdul Rahem, a fisher, was on the beach when he heard cries about an incoming tsunami. He tried to save his elderly father, refusing to leave him behind. Despite his efforts, both his parents and three siblings perished in the tsunami. Rahem was swept away but survived by reaching the surface. Ava Sinclair 23/12/2024 8:00 pm
Mourners laid flowers at the scene of a deadly Christmas market attack, where a suspect drove into the market, killing five and injuring 235. The suspect, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi psychiatrist, had a history of anti-Islamic rhetoric and sympathized with the far-right AfD party. He left video messages blaming Germany’s liberalism and accusing police of misconduct. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel called the attack an act of Islamist hatred. German authorities had been warned about him by Saudi Arabia in 2023 but found the information vague. Ava Sinclair 23/12/2024 8:00 pm
South Korea’s military reports North Korea is preparing to send more troops and weapons, including suicide drones, to Russia for the Ukraine war. Pyongyang has already supplied rocket launchers and howitzers and plans to produce more drones. Around 12,000 North Korean troops are in Russia, with significant casualties reported. North Korea’s military ties with Moscow could threaten Seoul as it modernizes its forces. Additionally, North Korea may test-fire a hypersonic missile and continue sending trash balloons to the South, potentially staging strategic provocations with Russia’s backing. Ava Sinclair 23/12/2024 8:00 pm
