Maputo (AFP) – More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a Maputo prison Wednesday, taking advantage of the third day of unrest triggered by the controversial confirmation of the long-ruling Frelimo party as the winner of recent elections.
Mass jailbreak in Mozambique amid post
Bridges outduels Wembanyama, Celtics lose again
New York (AFP) – Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks edged Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a Christmas Day thriller at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: what to know 20 years on
Banda Aceh (Indonesia) (AFP) – Survivors and victims’ relatives will this week mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 220,000 people across more than a dozen countries.
Tsunami memorials begin as Asia mourns disaster 20 years on
Banda Aceh (Indonesia) (AFP) – Emotional ceremonies began across Asia on Thursday to remember the 220,000 people who died two decades ago when a tsunami devastated coastal areas around the Indian Ocean, in one of the worst natural disasters in human history.
Hamas, Israel trade blame over Gaza truce delay
Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Hamas and Israel traded accusations on Wednesday over delays in finalising a ceasefire and hostage release deal, after both had reported progress in the latest round of Gaza truce talks.
Russian state owner says cargo ship blast was 'terrorist attack'
Moscow (AFP) – A “terrorist act” sank the cargo ship that went down in international waters in the Mediterranean this week, the Russian state-owned company that owns the vessel said Wednesday.
Crisis
Madrid (AFP) – La Liga’s relegation-threatened Valencia have appointed Carlos Corberan as their new manager after prising him from English second-tier side West Bromwich Albion, the clubs announced on Wednesday.
Suriname ex
Paramaribo (Suriname) (AFP) – Desi Bouterse, the former dictator of Suriname who was a fugitive from justice for the murder of political opponents four decades ago, has died at 79, the government said Wednesday.
Syria rescuers, activist say site outside Damascus believed to be mass grave
Damascus (AFP) – A key Syrian rescue group and an activist told AFP on Wednesday a burial site outside Damascus was likely a mass grave for detainees held under former president Bashar al-Assad and fighters killed in the civil war.
Syrians protest after video of attack on Alawite shrine
Damascus (AFP) – Angry protests broke out Wednesday in Syria over a video showing an attack on an Alawite shrine, with a war monitor saying one demonstrator was killed in Homs city.
