A 50-year-old Saudi man, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, has been remanded in custody for allegedly driving a car into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing four women and a nine-year-old boy, and injuring over 200 people. The incident occurred on Friday, and the suspect faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and dangerous bodily harm. Authorities are seeking witness footage, and a memorial service was held for the victims. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack as a “dreadful tragedy” and pledged full resources for the investigation. Ava Sinclair 22/12/2024 5:30 am
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea in a “friendly fire” incident involving the USS Gettysburg mistakenly firing on their F/A-18. Both pilots were recovered, one with minor injuries. The incident occurred during U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Central Command did not clarify the mission details or how the mistake happened, despite radar and radio links within the battle group. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 5:30 am
Since May, over 700 people have been killed in el-Fasher, North Darfur, amid a siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the UN. The UN human rights chief urged the RSF to end the siege, citing relentless fighting and shelling of residential areas, which may constitute war crimes. The conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF has displaced over 12 million people, creating a humanitarian crisis. Recent RSF attacks on el-Fasher’s hospital resulted in multiple civilian casualties, raising fears of ethnic retribution. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 2:00 am
Iran is experiencing a severe energy crisis despite its vast natural gas and oil reserves. Government offices are closed or have reduced hours, schools have shifted online, and industrial activity is nearly halted. The crisis stems from sanctions, mismanagement, aging infrastructure, wasteful consumption, and attacks by Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the critical situation, apologizing to citizens and promising efforts to prevent recurrence next year. The shutdown has led to significant economic losses, with no immediate solutions offered. Noah Prescott 22/12/2024 2:00 am
The U.S. military conducted precision airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, targeting Iran-backed Houthi facilities to disrupt operations against U.S. Navy ships. The strikes hit a missile storage site, command-and-control facility, drones, and an anti-ship missile. This follows a similar U.S. attack last week. Meanwhile, Israel launched strikes on Houthi-held ports and infrastructure, threatening further action due to Houthi missile attacks on Israel. Penelope Kingsley 22/12/2024 2:00 am
Gisèle Pelicot feels “relieved and appeased” after a four-year legal battle ended with the conviction of all men accused of raping or sexually assaulting her while she was drugged. Her former husband, Dominique, received a 20-year sentence for orchestrating the assaults. The court found 50 co-accused guilty, with sentences ranging from three to 15 years. Despite the exhaustion from the trial, Pelicot respects the court’s decision but finds no solace in the sentences. Her lawyer emphasized that no sentence can compensate for her loss, but she is at peace with the verdicts acknowledging her victimization. Ava Sinclair 21/12/2024 10:30 pm
Following Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi-held areas, including Sanaa and Hodeida, which killed at least nine people, a missile from Yemen hit central Israel. The Houthis also claimed a drone strike in Israel. Israel’s military reports over 200 Houthi missile and drone launches during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The UN warns of significant port damage in Hodeida, affecting food shipments. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautions against further regional escalation. In Gaza, Israeli strikes killed 19 people, including 12 children, prompting funerals. Penelope Kingsley 21/12/2024 10:30 pm
As rebels neared Damascus on Dec. 7, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s staff prepared for a speech proposing power-sharing with the opposition to end the civil war. Despite bolstered defenses, including the 4th Armored Division led by his brother Maher, Assad showed no alarm. However, he secretly fled to a Russian base and then to Moscow. Maher also escaped separately to Iraq, leaving their current locations unknown. Penelope Kingsley 21/12/2024 10:30 pm
Syria faces challenges in transitioning to democracy after President Bashar Assad’s ousting. Lessons from Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Sudan highlight common issues like power struggles, military control, and foreign interference. Key questions include handling the old regime, election timing, and economic reform. Despite a smooth start, dangers persist, including extremist insurgents, potential armed conflicts, and Kurdish autonomy issues. The Alawite community fears marginalization or revenge. Syria’s future hinges on addressing these complex dynamics. Ava Sinclair 21/12/2024 7:00 pm
ICE reported a significant increase in deportations, removing 271,484 immigrants, the highest since 2015, with nearly 89,000 having criminal histories. The agency prioritized noncitizens with criminal convictions or charges, with over 70% of arrests involving alleged or convicted criminals, up from 40% the previous year. Among those deported, 237 were known or suspected terrorists. Sheriff Kieran Donahue criticized the Biden-Harris Administration for taking credit for addressing immigration issues. Immigration was a key election issue, with Trump pledging mass deportations and criticizing Biden’s border policies. Penelope Kingsley 21/12/2024 7:00 pm
