Africa
Cyclone kills dozens in Mozambique
A devastating cyclone has killed 94 people in Mozambique. Another 768 people were injured while more than 622,000 people have been affected by the natural disaster in some type of way. The cyclone had previously traveled through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte before arriving to Mozambique.
“Witchdoctors” arrested in Zambia
Police in Zambia have arrested two men who are accused of being “witchdoctors.” The men were allegedly working to try to bewitch the country’s President Hakainde Hichilema. Witchcraft is a common belief among many people in Zambia. The men were found with “assorted charms” like a live chameleon, according to police.
Asia
Malaysia to continue search for missing flight
Officials in Malaysia agreed to resume the search for a jet that vanished 10 years ago. The aircraft disappeared while it was on its way to China from Malaysia and had 239 people on board. The search will cover a patch in the southern Indian Ocean.
Toxic air in Delhi
Experts in India warned that Delhi’s pollution could have a bigger impact on public health than the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s pollution is at hazardous levels again, causing people to have difficulties breathing. Officials are warning residents to stay indoors as much as possible and to wear a mask.
Europe
Five killed in Russia from Ukraine strike
Officials in Russia said that five people were killed by a Ukrainian strike in the Kursk area. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that Russia launched a new missile attack, damaging a building hosting embassies in Kyiv. This attack occurred a day after Russia President Vladimir Putin’s end of year press conference where he threatened to launch more missiles at Kyiv.
German Christmas market attack leaves five dead
At least five people were killed at a German Christmas market after a vehicle drove into a crowd. Among those killed include a nine-year-old child. At least 200 other people were also injured. The suspect, who has been named by local media as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, was remanded in custody. He had lived in Germany since 2006 and worked as a doctor.
Latin America
Dozens of new species discovered in Peru
Scientists from the nonprofit Conservation International and members of local indigenous groups have discovered 27 new species in Peru. Among those species include a mouse that can swim with webbed feet and a blob-headed fish. The species were discovered in an expedition to Alto Mayo, which includes the Amazon rainforest.
Five jailed for murder of Venezuelan rapper
A court in Venezuela has jailed a forensic expert, three police officers, and a music impresario for covering up the murder of Venezuelan rapper Canserbero. They were found guilty of helping to stage a crime scene, so Canserbero’s murder looked like a suicide. Cansrbero, who was named as the best Spanish-language rapper by Rolling Stone, was drugged and stabbed to death in 2015 by his manager.
North America
Man sentenced in Indiana for murdering two girls
Richard Allen, who killed two teenage girls in 2017, has been sentenced to 130 years in an Indiana prison. The victims were Liberty German and Abigail Williams. Their bodies were found with cuts to their throat near an abandoned railway bridge. Allen was a pharmacist and was arrested in 2022 by police for the crime.
Trump sues Iowa newspaper
President-elect Donald Trump has sued the Des Moines Register newspaper for a poll publishing days before the 2024 election. The poll suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris would win Iowa. Trump recently settled a defamation lawsuit he filed against ABC News after an anchor falsely stated he was found liable for rape, when in fact he was found liable for sexual abuse.
