分类: world

  • Guyana onderschept kwik vermoedelijk gesmokkeld uit Suriname

    Guyana onderschept kwik vermoedelijk gesmokkeld uit Suriname

    In a significant environmental enforcement operation, Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has intercepted a substantial mercury shipment valued at approximately GY$18 million (US$86,000) near Crabwood Creek along the Corantijn River in Berbice. Authorities strongly suspect the hazardous material originated from Suriname before being illegally trafficked across the border into Guyana.

    The discovery occurred during a routine vehicle inspection conducted by CANU operatives, according to reports from Demerara Waves. Subsequent forensic examination revealed multiple packages containing the highly toxic and strictly regulated substance. The driver was immediately taken into custody and transported to CANU headquarters for intensive interrogation as part of the ongoing investigation.

    Environmental experts emphasize mercury’s severe dangers to both human health and ecological systems. The heavy metal can infiltrate ecosystems through atmospheric dispersion, water contamination, soil pollution, and bioaccumulation in fish species, ultimately entering the human food chain. Guyana has implemented sustained efforts to eliminate mercury usage in gold mining operations due to these documented public health and environmental risks.

    Following preliminary valuation procedures, the confiscated mercury has been transferred to Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources for specialized handling, processing, and secure destruction protocols. The suspect remains in police custody while cooperating with investigators. CANU officials indicate that additional arrests may follow as the international smuggling investigation progresses.

  • UN reports on complex situation in Gaza

    UN reports on complex situation in Gaza

    The World Health Organization has issued a grave warning through its official channels, expressing profound concern over the systemic collapse of healthcare infrastructure in the Palestinian territories amid continued Israeli military operations. The multilateral body urgently called for enhanced protection of its ground teams and unimpeded access to deliver critical medical assistance.

    Current WHO data reveals that approximately 10,600 critically ill patients have been medically evacuated since the escalation of hostilities, with children comprising more than half of these cases at 5,600. However, the organization emphasizes that numerous patients still require immediate transfer to facilities capable of providing comprehensive medical treatment.

    According to documentation from the Gaza Ministry of Health, a minimum of 1,092 patients perished while awaiting medical evacuation between July 2024 and late November 2025. Health authorities caution that this official figure likely represents a significant undercount of the actual mortality rate due to reporting challenges in conflict-affected areas.

    United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric recently reported that despite declared ceasefires, persistent accounts of airstrikes, artillery shelling, and small arms fire continue to cause civilian casualties and severely disrupt humanitarian operations. Dujarric further highlighted that extreme shelter shortages have forced numerous families to seek refuge in structurally compromised buildings, many of which have subsequently collapsed under precarious conditions.

    The UN has renewed its diplomatic appeal to Israeli authorities, urging the complete removal of restrictions on humanitarian aid entry, including critically needed construction materials for emergency shelter and infrastructure repair.

  • United Nations recognizes Italy’s support for refugees

    United Nations recognizes Italy’s support for refugees

    In a significant humanitarian operation, Italy has successfully evacuated 122 refugees who arrived in Rome on December 11th, according to a statement released by the UNHCR office in Italy. The evacuees, primarily originating from conflict-ridden nations including Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea, represent the latest beneficiaries of Italy’s ongoing refugee resettlement initiatives.

    The statement emphasized Italy’s leadership in executing emergency evacuations from transit countries such as Libya and Niger, providing critical relief to refugees enduring extremely precarious living conditions. This operation forms part of a broader humanitarian framework established through the Humanitarian Corridors project—an initiative conceived and financed by a coalition of Italian religious organizations since 2016.

    This pioneering program specifically targets the most vulnerable refugee populations across multiple regions, facilitating their safe passage from countries including Ethiopia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Türkiye, Libya, Niger, and Iran. Unlike dangerous irregular migration routes, these government-approved corridors provide legal and protected pathways for resettlement.

    UNHCR officials highlighted the growing significance of such programs amid escalating global displacement crises. With increasing numbers of asylum seekers and migrants undertaking perilous journeys worldwide, these coordinated resettlement efforts demonstrate how alternative legal channels can offer vulnerable refugees opportunities for safety and a fresh start in host nations.

  • Israel killed 411 Palestinians and wounded 1,112 in Gaza during truce

    Israel killed 411 Palestinians and wounded 1,112 in Gaza during truce

    The Government Press Office in Gaza has issued a comprehensive report detailing what it describes as systematic violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Israeli Armed Forces. According to the official statement, military operations conducted during the truce period resulted in 875 distinct breaches of the agreed-upon peace terms.

    The documented incidents include 265 separate shooting events, 49 incursions by military vehicles into civilian residential zones, and 421 bombing operations targeting populated areas. Additionally, the report cites 150 attacks on civilian institutions and public buildings, alongside 45 cases of what it characterizes as illegal detentions.

    Officials condemned these actions as clear infringements of international legal standards and deliberate attempts to undermine both the spirit and specific provisions of the humanitarian protocol attached to the ceasefire agreement. The statement further accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the agreement by systematically restricting humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza.

    According to the data presented, only 17,819 aid trucks have reached Gaza over the past 73 days—representing just 41% of the 43,800 trucks that were supposed to enter under the agreement. This translates to a daily average of 244 trucks instead of the planned 600, creating critical shortages across all sectors.

    The fuel situation appears particularly dire, with only 394 fuel trucks arriving compared to the promised 3,650—a mere 11% of the committed supply. This severe shortage has paralyzed essential services including hospital operations, bakery functions, and water treatment facilities.

    The housing sector faces what officials describe as an unprecedented crisis due to the complete prohibition on entry of tents, mobile homes, caravans, and construction materials needed to address the massive destruction of buildings throughout the enclave. The statement concluded by holding Israel fully responsible for the continuing deterioration of humanitarian conditions and resulting loss of life.

  • Gaza authorities denounce Israeli blockade and warn of crisis

    Gaza authorities denounce Israeli blockade and warn of crisis

    The healthcare system in the Gaza Strip is facing catastrophic failure as critical shortages of medical supplies and medications threaten to suspend approximately 10,000 scheduled surgical procedures, according to a senior health official. Alaa Halas, Director of the Care and Pharmacy Department within the Ministry of Health, issued an urgent warning that this developing crisis represents a severe crime endangering tens of thousands of vulnerable patients.

    Speaking to the Safa news agency, Halas revealed that multiple medical facilities that survived recent military operations have already suspended both scheduled and emergency surgeries. Among affected institutions is the Kuwait Specialized Hospital, a critical healthcare provider serving thousands of wounded civilians and patients requiring specialized care.

    The official emphasized that even emergency surgical interventions will face severe limitations if supply shortages persist. Current crisis levels have reached unprecedented severity according to health authorities monitoring the situation.

    Halas attributed the medical supply crisis to insufficient aid delivery despite ceasefire agreements. Since the October 10 truce took effect, Israel has permitted only 30% of agreed-upon supplies to enter the coastal territory, creating dire shortages across healthcare infrastructure.

    Comprehensive data from the Government Press Office reveals significant aid delivery discrepancies: only 17,819 trucks have entered Gaza out of 43,800 planned deliveries, averaging merely 244 daily shipments instead of the required 600. The fuel shortage proves particularly devastating, with only 394 fuel trucks arriving versus 3,650 promised, paralyzing hospital operations, bakeries, and water treatment facilities.

    The cumulative effect threatens approximately 200,000 patients requiring ongoing medical care, including 700 monthly intensive care patients and roughly 10,000 individuals awaiting surgical intervention.

  • Festive lights, security tight for Christmas in Damascus

    Festive lights, security tight for Christmas in Damascus

    DAMASCUS, Syria — The historic lanes of Damascus’s Old City are adorned with festive Christmas illuminations, yet the seasonal cheer is markedly tempered by a heavy security presence. Government patrols move through the shadows, a stark reminder of the pervasive anxiety haunting Syria’s Christian minority as they attempt to observe their holidays.

    The memory of a devastating June assault on the Saint Elias church, which resulted in 25 fatalities and numerous injuries following a shooting and suicide bombing, remains acutely fresh for the community. This incident has instilled a climate of caution, with residents opting for earlier curfews and subdued festivities.

    Tala Shamoun, a 26-year-old university student, expressed the collective apprehension to AFP while visiting a Christmas market. She noted a rise in criminal activities like robberies and kidnappings in Damascus but identified the church attack as the most profound tragedy.

    While Syrian authorities attributed the June violence to the Islamic State jihadist network, a lesser-known Sunni Muslim extremist faction also claimed responsibility. This occurs against a complex backdrop where Islamist factions that displaced ruler Bashar al-Assad have publicly recommitted to a doctrine of interfaith coexistence and inclusive governance. Nonetheless, the year has also witnessed severe sectarian violence, including massacres in the Alawite region and significant clashes in Druze-dominated southern areas.

    In response, a multi-layered security strategy has been enacted. Interior Ministry forces are conducting stops and searches on pedestrians and motorcyclists throughout the Old City. An anonymous security officer, stationed at a key entrance with a communication device and deployment map, outlined the state’s protective mandate, emphasizing the duty to safeguard all citizens—Christian and Muslim alike—and to secure places of worship during celebrations.

    The narrative of protection is central to Assad’s longstanding political posture, which has positioned him as a guardian for religious minorities who have frequently been targeted throughout the nation’s prolonged conflict. The demographic impact has been severe; Syria’s Christian population is estimated to have plummeted from approximately one million at the war’s onset in 2011 to roughly 300,000 today, due to widespread emigration.

    Despite the underlying tensions, efforts to foster normalcy are visible. Shopfronts and trees in the Old City are decorated with red baubles and festive trimmings, and street vendors offer warm chestnuts. Complementing official security measures, unarmed civilian committees comprising local Christians, coordinated with state forces, have been mobilized to guard churches. Fuad Farhat, a 55-year-old coordinator from Bab Touma district, reported that these additional measures are helping to alleviate public fear, making residents feel secure enough to participate in the holiday atmosphere.

    This glimmer of hope was echoed by Loris Aasaf, a 20-year-old student, who voiced a desire for joy and a renewed future for Syria, aspiring for a return to the era when all sects celebrated together, paving the way for national reconstruction.

  • Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

    Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

    BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories — After enduring more than two years of subdued observances overshadowed by conflict, Bethlehem witnessed a vibrant resurgence of Christmas festivities on Wednesday. Under crystalline skies, scout parades marched through the ancient city as celebrations returned to the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ with renewed vigor.

    The atmosphere stood in stark contrast to previous Christmases during the Gaza war that commenced with Hamas’s October 2023 offensive against Israel. While a fragile truce holds in Gaza where hundreds of thousands face winter in temporary shelters, Bethlehem’s Manger Square buzzed with energy as drums and bagpipes filled the air with Christmas carols.

    Crowds gathered around a magnificent Christmas tree adorned with red and gold ornaments that sparkled beside the fourth-century Church of the Nativity, built above the grotto traditionally identified as Jesus’ birthplace. Hundreds participated in parades along Star Street, with both young and old Christians joining the festivities that had been absent during conflict years.

    ‘Today is full of joy because we haven’t been able to celebrate because of the war,’ expressed 17-year-old Milagros Anstas, wearing the distinctive yellow and blue uniform of Bethlehem’s Salesian scout group.

    The celebrations carried symbolic significance for the local Christian community. ‘It gives us hope that there’s still Christians here celebrating and we are still keeping the traditions,’ remarked 18-year-old scout member Katiab Amaya, highlighting the importance of maintaining cultural and religious presence in the region.

    Concurrently, Pope Leo XIV prepared to deliver his first Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica following his election in May after Pope Francis’s passing. The new pontiff, known for his discreet and conciliatory approach compared to his charismatic predecessor, has maintained continuity on key issues including immigration and social justice. He had previously called for ’24 hours of peace in the whole world’ ahead of the holiday celebrations.

    Globally, families commenced Christmas Eve gatherings while millions of children anticipated gift deliveries, creating a shared moment of celebration across international communities despite regional conflicts.

  • Holness thanks China for support after Hurricane Melissa

    Holness thanks China for support after Hurricane Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has publicly acknowledged the substantial assistance provided by the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path across the island nation. The recognition came during an official ceremony held at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) headquarters on Tuesday, where China donated ten tipper trucks valued at approximately $200 million Jamaican dollars.

    Holness explicitly praised China’s multifaceted support system, stating, “The Chinese Government has been very good to us.” Beyond material donations for hurricane recovery, China deployed its naval hospital ship, the Silk Road Ark, which delivered crucial medical services to Jamaican citizens during an 11-day mission. The floating medical facility operated from three strategic locations: Montego Bay Cruise Pier, Port Royal Pier, and Falmouth Pier, ultimately performing 7,563 medical consultations and 715 surgical procedures.

    The Prime Minister, while admitting he couldn’t personally visit the medical mission, confirmed receiving impressive reports from government ministers about the operation’s effectiveness. The Chinese medical contingent further contributed by donating essential medicines to Jamaica’s public health system and conducting educational health lectures during their stay.

    Looking toward future disaster preparedness, Holness revealed that China has committed to providing heavy equipment for Jamaica’s National Clean-Up Programme, specifically targeting debris management through excavators, front-end loaders, and other machinery. This equipment will be technically owned by the National Works Agency but maintained within the Jamaica Defence Force’s engineering corps for rapid deployment during weather emergencies, particularly for addressing major landslides beyond private contractors’ capabilities.

    The strategic placement of resources demonstrates the Jamaican government’s commitment to enhancing national resilience against extreme weather events, with China’s support playing a pivotal role in strengthening the island’s disaster response infrastructure.

  • Prime Minister Skerrit: International airport on track, pray for its completion

    Prime Minister Skerrit: International airport on track, pray for its completion

    Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has issued a compelling call for national solidarity regarding Dominica’s transformative international airport initiative, emphasizing that collective will remains crucial for the project’s successful realization. During his year-end press conference earlier this month, Skerrit revealed substantial progress in the massive infrastructure undertaking that multiple governments have promised since before the nation’s independence.

    The Prime Minister provided detailed construction metrics as of December 12, 2025, indicating significant advancement across all critical work areas. The project has achieved 88.6% completion in total backfilling, 83.4% in excavation, and 91.8% of runway construction to formation level, spanning 2,616 linear meters. Building foundations stand at 85% complete while superstructure work has commenced with 30% progress.

    Skerrit framed the airport as central to Dominica’s economic transformation, stating it would ‘unlock opportunities for trade, investment, education, and direct global access.’ He emphasized the project’s role in empowering Dominican youth and positioning the nation confidently among developing countries with first-class infrastructure.

    Remarkably, the billion-dollar project (XCD 1 billion+) is being constructed without creating debt repayment burdens, primarily funded through the Citizenship by Investment program. The development already provides substantial local economic benefits, employing 405 Dominican workers on site.

    The Prime Minister concluded with both practical updates and philosophical reflection, urging citizens to ‘wrap the project with the national flag’ and view it as a national achievement rather than a political victory. The airport remains on schedule for completion by the end of 2027, potentially ending decades of anticipation for enhanced global connectivity.

  • At least 46 Palestinians arrested in Israeli raids in the West Bank

    At least 46 Palestinians arrested in Israeli raids in the West Bank

    Israeli military forces engaged in a series of operations across the West Bank, resulting in both violent confrontations and widespread arrests. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, soldiers opened fire on a civilian vehicle near the Awarta checkpoint adjacent to Nablus in the northern West Bank. The incident left one occupant with bullet wounds while two others sustained injuries from the subsequent overturning of their car.

    Concurrently, the Israel Defense Forces conducted extensive raids throughout multiple West Bank regions. Official Palestinian news agency Wafa documented these operations across three separate governorates. In Tulkarm Governorate, seven Palestinian individuals were apprehended across the villages of Deir al-Ghusun, Baqa al-Sharqiya, and Qaffin.

    The military operations extended to Qalqilya Governorate where five additional detentions occurred, while Hebron territory saw the most significant arrest numbers with twenty-two Palestinians taken into custody from the villages of Dura and Al-Tabaqa, alongside the Al-Fawwar refugee camp.

    These developments occur within the context of substantially increased Israeli security operations since October 2023. Official statistics indicate that Israeli forces have detained more than 12,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since the escalation of hostilities that began on October 7, 2023, marking one of the most intensive arrest campaigns in recent years.