Gaza population falls 6% amid ongoing war, says PCBS
Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the PCBS figures, calling them “fabricated, inflated, and manipulated to vilify Israel.
Migrants crossing the Channel to the UK rise 25% in 2024
UK migrant crossings via the Channel rose by 25 percent in 2024, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer works to curb the illegal journeys and tackle people smuggling networks across Europe.
Syria’s de facto leader, al-Sharaa, engages in talks with SDF
The talks, which were confirmed by an anonymous official to AFP, occurred between senior SDF members and Sharaa, whose nom de guerre is Jolani
French PM Bayrou unveils emergency plan for storm-ravaged Mayotte
The storm, the worst to strike Mayotte in nearly a century, has left the Indian Ocean archipelago struggling to recover
Russia and Ukraine swap 300+ prisoners in UAE deal
A major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, brokered by the UAE, saw over 300 POWs freed, with Zelenskyy celebrating the return of 189 Ukrainians.
Taliban’s latest decree: No windows, no peeping, no women
In a statement that could easily be mistaken for a sitcom plot, the Taliban’s supreme leader announced that peeping through windows at women cooking or fetching water might lead to “obscene acts”
Former US president Jimmy Carter dies at 100
Longest-lived American president served from January 1977 to January 1981
Azerbaijan: Russian cover-up hides accidental plane downing
Following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of accidentally shooting down the aircraft and then attempting to cover up the incident.
New arms race looms as Russia ends missile moratorium
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Russia will end its moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles, citing US deployments as the reason.
Syria detains hundreds of Assad loyalists
Syria’s new authorities have arrested nearly 300 people, including informants and pro-regime fighters, in a crackdown targeting loyalists of the ousted Bashar al-Assad.
Anti-EU Georgian president is sworn-in amid protests
New Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili begins his term amid ongoing protests, opposition challenges, and a government decision to pause EU accession discussions.
South Korea mourns victims of plane crash disaster
A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 passengers crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in the deaths of 177 passengers and crew, with only two survivors.
Senegal ends foreign military presence, shifts from France
Senegal’s prime minister revealed that all foreign military bases in the country will be closed, marking a decisive move against French troops and part of the broader West African resistance to colonial influence.
Faya-Largeau base transferred to Chad as France departs
Chad has taken control of the Faya-Largeau base as French troops begin their withdrawal from the country.
Israel targets Houthi assets in Yemen, hits Sana’a Airport and key ports
The attacks hit key locations such as the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations, along with military sites in the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib
30 migrants died daily trying to reach Spain in 2024
A Spanish NGO, Caminando Fronteras, reports that nearly 10,500 migrants died attempting to reach Spain in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record.
17 dead as Syria’s Islamists target ex-Assad officer tied to Saydnaya
The ambush occurred as forces tried to search homes in the Alawite-dominated Tartus province
Gang attack at Haiti hospital reopening leaves two journalists dead
The attack occurred as reporters gathered to cover the reopening of the hospital, which had been shut down earlier due to escalating gang violence
Syrian Christians hold Christmas mass amid Islamist rule and tensions
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets to protest a series of anti-Christian attacks, including the recent burning of a Christmas tree in Hama’s northern countryside
UK voices concern over ‘deeply alarming’ famine in Sudan
David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, has warned of the “deeply alarming” situation in Sudan, where famine is rapidly increasing.
France unveils new government amid looming budget crisis
Key appointments include Eric Lombard, 66, head of Caisse des Dépôts, as finance minister, and Amélie de Montchalin as budget minister
Panama’s president slams Trump over canal remarks
The Panama Canal, a vital maritime route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, was constructed in the early 20th century under U.S. control
Palestinian groups claim Gaza ceasefire deal nears finalization
Hamas and other Palestinian groups report significant progress toward a Gaza ceasefire deal, contingent on Israel refraining from imposing new conditions.
Who is Taleb Abdulmohsen, the Saudi behind the Magdeburg attack?
Abdulmohsen, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist originally from Hofuf in eastern Saudi Arabia, moved to Germany in 2006 and was granted refugee status in 2016
