World Briefing: December 16, 2024
Authorities in the French territory of Mayotte said on Sunday that the death toll from Cyclone Chido could rise to "several hundred" and perhaps "several thousand" after the storm swept across the Indian Ocean island on its way to east Africa. France is rushing rescue workers and supplies. Their efforts will likely be hindered by the damage to airports and electricity distribution in the French Indian Ocean territory. Even before the cyclone's passage, clean drinking water was already subject to chronic shortages. "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand" deaths, prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere - France 24
After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” - Axios
The major U.S. network, ABC, will “donate” an astonishing $15 million to a future foundation for President-elect Trump's presidential library, plus $1 million in legal fees, to settle a defamation suit over an inaccuracy by anchor George Stephanopoulos. The settlement is one of the biggest any media company has struck with the former (and pending) president, who has sued several media organizations over the years. Trump sued ABC, ABC News and Stephanopoulos after he said during a "This Week" interview in March that Trump was found civilly liable for raping author E. Jean Carroll. Trump was found liable in a civil suit for sexually abusing Carroll, but not raping her as defined by New York law. On Friday, Trump and Stephanopoulos were ordered by a federal judge to sit for separate four-hour depositions this week. On the same day, the settlement was signed by Trump and Docusigned by Stephanopoulos. It was filed in court yesterday. As part of the agreement, ABC added this statement as an "Editor's Note" to the online article about the segment: "ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC's This Week on March 10, 2024." - Axios
The UK government has confirmed it has been in contact with the rebel group that ousted the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Turkey's defence minister says Ankara is ready to offer military training to Syria if the country's new administration asks for it - Sky News
Two Russian oil tankers have been heavily damaged in the Black Sea, causing an oil spill, authorities in Russia have said. Footage released by Russia showed one of the tankers broken in half and sinking amid a heavy storm, with streaks of oil visible in the water. At least one crew member was reportedly killed. The second ship was said to have drifted after sustaining damage and conflicting reports suggested it may have later run aground. The incident took place in the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia from Crimea - the Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014 - BBC
Some top U.S. universities are urging international students who travel home for winter break to return before President-elect Trump takes office. School leaders fear one of his first actions could be an executive order limiting entrance to the U.S. At least 10 universities have told international students to be back stateside before the Jan. 20 inauguration — including Brown, Penn, USC and MIT. "While there's no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the Spring semester" begins, USC said in an email to students on special visas. Around 1.1 million students from other countries are studying in the U.S., according to NAFSA, a global nonprofit that advocates for international study. They sometimes pay triple the tuition of U.S. residents - Axios
A thousand copies of a geography textbook which was said to have incorrectly depicted China’s borders have been seized by China Customs before they were exported to Hong Kong. The Chinese authority said on its official WeChat account the maps shown in the textbook did not accurately draw the borders near the Aksai Chin area, those near the South Tibet area, and did not include the Diaoyu Islands, including Chiwei Yu, islands in the South China Sea, and a U-shaped boundary line which consist of 10 dashes showing waters claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea.Both Aksai Chin and South Tibet lie on China’s border with India, and are also claimed by New Delhi, while the disputed Diaoyu Islands are claimed by Taiwan and controlled by Japan, where they are known at the Senkaku Islands. Additionally, Beijing’s claims to much of the economically important South China Sea are also subject to competing claims from neighbouring countries and have been rued to have no legal basis by an international court. China Customs said the books “are suspected of endangering China’s national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.” - HKFP
