Surviving the 2004 Sri Lankan tsunami profoundly changed my life. Amid the chaos, I realized I didn’t want to die. Though spared while 230,000 perished, survivor’s guilt drove me to find purpose. Once a successful but dissatisfied journalist, the experience transformed me, leading to a life of meaning and helping others. My holiday intended for reflection became unexpectedly transformative. Noah Prescott 23/12/2024 2:30 am
Cyclone Chido has killed 94 people in Mozambique, injuring 768 and affecting over 622,000. The cyclone, with winds of 260 km/h, first hit Mayotte, then Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. In Mozambique, it severely damaged education and health infrastructure, affecting over 109,793 students and 52 health units. The government is mobilizing support for affected areas. In Mayotte, Chido was the worst storm in 90 years, killing 35, with fears the toll could rise significantly. Noah Prescott 22/12/2024 11:00 pm
Syria’s interim government appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a key insurgency leader, as defense minister. Abu Qasra, also known as Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the campaign to oust Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed military restructuring with armed factions. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir plans to integrate former rebels and defected officers into the defense ministry. Asaad Hassan al-Shibani was named foreign minister to foster international relations. Sharaa’s group, once part of al Qaeda, expanded from Idlib to Damascus. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 11:00 pm
At least 28 people, including children, have died in Israeli strikes across Gaza, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. A school sheltering displaced families was hit, killing eight, including four children. The UN and WHO have urged Israel to stop attacks near a hospital in northern Gaza. Israel claims a Hamas command center was at the school. Pope Francis condemned the attacks, and the hospital’s director reported damage to generators. The IDF stated it would act forcefully against terrorist organizations, accusing Hamas of violating international law. Ava Sinclair 22/12/2024 11:00 pm
German security forces faced scrutiny after a Saudi man drove into a Christmas market crowd in Magdeburg, killing five and injuring 200. Reporters questioned the police’s failure to heed warnings and monitor the suspect’s social media. In response, authorities planned to increase police presence and reassess safety at markets nationwide. Despite existing security measures like barriers and police patrols, complete protection is challenging due to necessary emergency access. Officials defended the security plans, but experts called for stricter physical barriers to prevent unauthorized vehicle entry. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 11:00 pm
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare EU leader visit to the Kremlin since Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion. Discussions focused on international issues and Russian natural gas deliveries, crucial for Slovakia as the current agreement expires soon. Slovakia is exploring alternatives, including deals with Azerbaijan and the U.S., to prepare for potential supply disruptions. Fico’s stance on Russia contrasts with most EU leaders, similar to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, who has also maintained warmer relations with Putin, often opposing EU measures against Russia. Noah Prescott 22/12/2024 11:00 pm
Tens of thousands gathered in Belgrade’s Slavija Square to protest against President Aleksandar Vucic, demanding accountability for a railway station collapse that killed 15. The rally, led by students and farmers, highlighted issues of corruption and poor construction linked to Chinese companies. Protesters, including actors, called for justice, while Vucic dismissed demands for a transitional government, accusing opponents of exploiting students. Thirteen arrests have been made, but public skepticism remains high. Noah Prescott 22/12/2024 11:00 pm
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation after Ukrainian drones hit Kazan, Tatarstan, damaging buildings but causing no casualties. The attack, seen as a response to Russian strikes on Kyiv, prompted Putin to threaten severe consequences. Meanwhile, Russia reported battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine, claiming to have “liberated” villages in Kharkiv and near Donetsk. Moscow aims to secure territory before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, as Russia’s military advances amid Ukraine’s resource struggles. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 7:30 pm
Tributes have been paid to nine-year-old André Gleißner, killed in a car attack at a German Christmas market in Magdeburg. His mother called him “my little teddy bear.” Four women also died, and over 200 were injured. André was a member of the children’s fire brigade in Warle. Authorities have detained a suspect on charges of murder and attempted murder. The Lower Saxony youth fire brigade expressed condolences, supporting André’s family and friends during this difficult time. Ava Sinclair 22/12/2024 7:30 pm
Weeks of protests in Serbia, led by university students, challenge President Vucic’s grip on power, sparked by a deadly railway station collapse blamed on corruption. Major rallies in Belgrade, Nis, and Kragujevac demand accountability, with protesters accusing Vucic and others of negligence. Prominent actors joined the protests, calling it a “festival of freedom.” Despite inaugurating a new highway, Vucic refuses opposition demands for a transitional government, accusing them of exploiting students. Thirteen arrests have been made, but public skepticism remains high. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 7:30 pm
