A Saudi national drove a car into a crowd at Magdeburg’s Christmas market, killing two, including a child, and injuring over 60. The suspect, a permanent resident in Germany since 2006, was arrested. Chancellor Scholz and Interior Minister Faeser plan to visit Magdeburg. The US expressed shock and offered support. A memorial service is scheduled at Magdeburg Cathedral. Noah Prescott 21/12/2024 8:30 am
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini was acquitted of kidnap and dereliction of duty charges related to blocking a migrant rescue boat in 2019. Judges in Palermo cleared him after prosecutors sought a six-year sentence. Salvini, leader of the Lega party, argued he aimed to “protect Italy” by reducing immigration. The trial, starting in 2021, focused on his order to prevent the NGO ship Open Arms from docking with 147 migrants. The case highlighted tensions between state sovereignty and human rights, with prosecutors facing threats. Salvini celebrated the verdict as a victory. Noah Prescott 21/12/2024 5:00 am
A car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, left at least two dead and up to 68 injured. The driver, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, was arrested. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed condolences and plans to visit the scene. Saxony-Anhalt’s interior minister confirmed the suspect was previously unknown to security services. One victim was a child. An investigation is ongoing, and officials are cautious about predicting further fatalities. Chancellor Scholz praised rescue workers and offered support to victims and their families. Noah Prescott 21/12/2024 1:30 am
Malaysia has agreed to a new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which vanished in 2014 with 239 people aboard. The search will be conducted by Ocean Infinity, a maritime exploration firm, in a 5,800 square mile area of the southern Indian Ocean. The operation is based on new data analysis and is expected to begin once the contract is finalized, ideally between January and April. The government approved the proposal in principle, aiming to finalize terms by early 2025. Penelope Kingsley 21/12/2024 1:30 am
A Russian missile attack on Kyiv killed one person and injured 12 others, damaging several embassies. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted five missiles and 40 UAVs, but falling debris caused damage. The attack followed Russian President Putin’s challenge to Ukraine for a “high-tech duel,” which Ukrainian President Zelensky dismissed with a derogatory remark. Damage included fires and destruction to infrastructure, with Ukraine’s foreign ministry condemning the attack as “barbaric.” Penelope Kingsley 20/12/2024 10:00 pm
A car drove into a Christmas market crowd in Magdeburg, Germany, killing two, including a child, and injuring up to 80. The driver, a Saudi citizen, was arrested. Authorities suspect a terror attack but found no Islamist links. A package in the car raised explosive concerns. The area was sealed off, and emergency services treated victims. The incident prompted evacuations and drew reactions from officials, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who expressed deep concern. Ava Sinclair 20/12/2024 10:00 pm
A Russian missile strike on Kyiv killed at least one person and injured 12, damaging a historical cathedral, six embassies, and other buildings. Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted all five Iskander missiles. Explosions and fires were reported, with significant damage to central Kyiv. The embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Portugal were affected, but no diplomatic staff were harmed. The EU condemned the attack, while Russia claimed it targeted a Ukrainian command center. Reuters could not verify the claims from either side. Penelope Kingsley 20/12/2024 6:30 pm
During his visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte, French President Emmanuel Macron faced backlash from locals over France’s disaster response. Amid chants of “resign,” Macron urged unity, stating that Mayotte benefits from being part of France. Residents expressed anger over ongoing shortages of food, water, and electricity. Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage, with at least 31 confirmed deaths. Macron extended his visit as a mark of respect, but his comments sparked criticism in mainland France. Ava Sinclair 20/12/2024 6:30 pm
In the last fiscal year, the US deported over 271,000 undocumented immigrants, the highest in nearly a decade, surpassing Trump’s first-term record. Despite President Biden’s 2021 pledge to pause deportations, his administration expanded them due to increased border crossings. ICE attributed the rise to streamlined processes and improved diplomatic efforts. Most deportations involved migrants apprehended at the border. President-elect Trump plans a large-scale deportation operation, facing logistical challenges. Migrant encounters at the US-Mexico border have recently decreased significantly. Ava Sinclair 20/12/2024 6:30 pm
The rapid downfall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad has intensified geopolitical maneuvering between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ankara, which supported the victorious rebels, seems to be gaining an advantage, while Moscow’s influence has diminished. This shift highlights the competitive relationship between Turkey and Russia, despite shared economic and security interests. The Assad regime’s collapse impacts not only Syria but also Ukraine and both leaders’ ties with Washington. Historically, Russia and Turkey backed opposing sides in Syria’s civil war, leading to tensions, including a 2015 incident where Turkey downed a Russian warplane, prompting economic sanctions. Ava Sinclair 20/12/2024 6:30 pm
