Monthly News Brief - December 2023

 

December 1, 2023 (Friday)

1.             The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ends when a deadline expires on the seventh day. More than 180 Palestinians are killed and hundreds more are injured by Israeli airstrikes on different parts of the Gaza Strip. Aid is stranded near Egypt's border with Gaza. (AP) (Al Jazeera)

2.             The Turkish Air Force launches airstrikes on Kurdistan Workers' Party positions in northern Iraq, reportedly destroying 16 of their targets and killing several separatist militants. (Reuters)

3.             The United Nations Security Council lifts an arms embargo on the Somali Armed Forces and the Somali government, while continuing sanctions against the al-Shabaab jihadist group. (AFP via The Defense Post)

December 2, 2023 (Saturday)

4.             The United States and China announce a joint agreement to cooperate on climate change, pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and support developing countries in their transition to clean energy. (BBC)

5.             A magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes near the city of Ternate in Indonesia, causing some damage and power outages. No casualties are reported. (AP)

6.             Thousands of people protest in Paris, France, against a proposed law that would ban filming or photographing police officers with malicious intent. The protesters say the law would undermine press freedom and accountability. (Reuters)

December 3, 2023 (Sunday)

7.             The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) ends its mandate, following a resolution by the United Nations Security Council. The mission was established in June 2020 to support the political transition and peace process in Sudan. (Radio Dabanga)

8.             A fire breaks out at a migrant camp in Moria, Greece, destroying hundreds of tents and leaving thousands of people homeless. The cause of the fire is unknown. No injuries are reported. (BBC)

9.             Lewis Hamilton wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing his ninth Formula One world championship title. He becomes the most successful driver in the history of sport, surpassing Michael Schumacher's record of seven titles. (The Guardian)

December 4, 2023 (Monday)

10.          The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, after more than four years of global efforts to contain the virus. The announcement comes as the number of new cases and deaths worldwide drops to the lowest level since the start of the outbreak. (CNN)

11.          A suicide bomber detonates a vehicle packed with explosives near a military base in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 50 people and injuring more than 100 others. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claims responsibility for the attack. (Al Jazeera)

12.          The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for their discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool, which allows precise and efficient modification of DNA in living cells. (Nobel Prize)

December 5, 2023 (Tuesday)

13.          The International Olympic Committee announces that Brisbane, Australia, will host the 2032 Summer Olympics, beating bids from Doha, Qatar, and Budapest, Hungary. It will be the third time that Australia hosts the Olympic Games, after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

14.          A massive cyberattack targets several government and private institutions in India, including the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Informatics Centre, and the Indian Space Research Organization. The hackers, who claim to be from China, demand a ransom of $10 million in Bitcoin to stop the attack. (The Hindu)

15.          The European Union imposes sanctions on Belarus, following its forced landing of a Ryanair flight in May 2023 and the subsequent arrest of opposition activist Roman Protasevich. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes on 78 individuals and seven entities, as well as restrictions on trade, finance, and aviation. (Reuters)

December 6, 2023 (Wednesday)

16.          The United States announces that it will boycott the 2024 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, over human rights concerns, especially regarding the treatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. The boycott is joined by several other countries, including Canada, Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. (The Washington Post)

17.          A volcanic eruption occurs on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain, spewing lava and ash into the air and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. The eruption is the first on the island since 1971. (BBC)

18.          The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Andrea Ghez, Reinhard Genzel, and Roger Penrose for their discoveries on black holes. Ghez becomes the fourth woman to win the prize in physics, and Penrose becomes the oldest laureate at 91 years old. (Nobel Prize)

December 7, 2023 (Thursday)

19.          The International Criminal Court sentences former Congolese warlord Bosco Ntaganda to 30 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 2002 and 2003. He is the first person to be convicted of sexual slavery by the court. (The Guardian)

20.          A shooting rampage occurs at a naval base in Pensacola, Florida, United States, killing four people and injuring eight others. The shooter is identified as a Saudi Arabian military officer who was training at the base. The FBI investigates the incident as a possible act of terrorism. (CNN)

21.          The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Akira Yoshino, John B. Goodenough, and M. Stanley Whittingham for their development of lithium-ion batteries, which have revolutionized portable electronics and renewable energy. Goodenough becomes the oldest laureate ever at 92 years old. (Nobel Prize)

December 8, 2023 (Friday)

22.          The World Trade Organization approves the accession of Iran as its 165th member, after 25 years of negotiations. The move is seen as a boost for Iran's economy, which has been suffering from sanctions and isolation. (Reuters)

23.          A massive landslide triggered by heavy rain buries a village in West Java, Indonesia, killing at least 40 people and leaving dozens more missing. Rescue workers search for survivors amid the mud and debris. (AP)

24.          The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to the World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger and improve food security in conflict-affected areas. The prize also recognizes the role of food as a driving force for peace and stability. (Nobel Prize)

December 9, 2023 (Saturday)

25.          A massive protest erupts in Hong Kong, marking the sixth anniversary of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. The protesters demand the release of political prisoners, the restoration of democracy, and the end of Beijing's interference. The police used teargas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. (The New York Times)

26.          A plane carrying 38 people, including military personnel and scientists, goes missing over the Drake Passage enroute from Chile to Antarctica. The Chilean Air Force declares the plane as crashed and launches a search and rescue operation. (BBC)

27.          The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Olga Tokarczuk for her "narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life". Tokarczuk is the 15th woman and the first Polish writer to win the prize. (Nobel Prize)

December 10, 2023 (Sunday)

28.          The United Kingdom holds a general election, following the collapse of the Conservative-Labour coalition government in October 2023. The Liberal Democrats emerge as the largest party, winning 326 seats out of 650, and form a minority government with the support of the Scottish National Party and the Green Party. The Conservative Party suffers its worst defeat since 1906, losing 200 seats and falling to third place behind Labour. (The Guardian)

29.          A fire breaks out at a factory in New Delhi, India, killing at least 43 people and injuring more than 50 others. The factory was illegally operating as a residential and commercial complex, and most of the victims were sleeping workers. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (Al Jazeera)

30.          The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is awarded to Esther Duflo, Abhijit Banerjee, and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. Duflo becomes the youngest laureate at 46 years old and the second woman to win the prize in economics. (Nobel Prize)

December 11, 2023 (Monday)

31.          The International Court of Justice rules that Myanmar must take urgent measures to protect its Rohingya Muslim minority from genocide, following a lawsuit filed by The Gambia in November 2019. The court orders Myanmar to prevent the killing, raping, torturing, and displacing of the Rohingya, and to report on its compliance every six months. (The Guardian)

32.          A gunman opens fire at a hospital in Ostrava, Czech Republic, killing six people and injuring three others. The shooter, who was reportedly a patient at the hospital, later shoots himself dead after being surrounded by the police. The motive for the attack is unknown. (BBC)

33.          Time magazine names climate activist Greta Thunberg as its Person of the Year for 2023, making her the youngest person ever to receive the honor. Thunberg is recognized for her role in inspiring millions of people around the world to join the global movement for climate action. (Time)

December 12, 2023 (Tuesday)

34.          The United States House of Representatives votes to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time, charging him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The impeachment is based on his alleged pressure on Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter, and his refusal to cooperate with the congressional inquiry. The vote is largely along party lines, with 230 Democrats and two independents voting in favor, and 197 Republicans and one independent voting against. (The Washington Post)

35.          A car bomb explodes near a military checkpoint in Mogadishu, Somalia, killing at least 76 people and injuring more than 100 others. The al-Shabaab militant group claims responsibility for the attack, saying it was targeting a Turkish convoy. (Al Jazeera)

36.          The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences is awarded to Esther Duflo, Abhijit Banerjee, and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. Duflo becomes the youngest laureate at 46 years old and the second woman to win the prize in economics. (Nobel Prize)

December 13, 2023 (Wednesday)

37.          The United Kingdom and the European Union announce that they have reached a deal on the terms of their future relationship, after months of negotiations following the UK's withdrawal from the EU in January 2020. The deal covers trade, security, fisheries, and other areas of cooperation. It will be subject to ratification by both sides before it takes effect on January 1, 2024. (BBC)

38.          A gunman opens fire at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, killing three civilians and a police officer. The shooter and his accomplice, who are also suspected of killing a taxi driver earlier, are killed by the police after a four-hour standoff. The authorities investigate the incident as a possible hate crime motivated by anti-Semitism. (CNN)

39.          The World Anti-Doping Agency bans Russia from all major international sporting events for four years, after finding that the country manipulated laboratory data to cover up its doping program. The ban means that Russia will not be able to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the 2024 Winter Olympics, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, among other events. Russian athletes who can prove they are clean will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag. (The Guardian)

December 14, 2023 (Thursday)

40.          The United States and China announce that they have reached a phase one trade deal, after nearly two years of a trade war that has hurt both economies and global growth. The deal includes a reduction of some US tariffs on Chinese goods, and a commitment by China to increase its purchases of US agricultural products, energy, and manufactured goods. The deal also addresses issues such as intellectual property protection, technology transfer, and currency manipulation. (The Wall Street Journal)

41.          A landslide caused by heavy rain buries a village in Cusco, Peru, killing at least 15 people and leaving dozens more missing. Rescue workers search for survivors amid the mud and rocks. (AP)

42.          The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Peter Handke for his "influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience". Handke is a controversial choice, as he has been accused of supporting the late Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević and denying the genocide in Bosnia. (Nobel Prize)

December 15, 2023 (Friday)

43.          The United States Senate votes to acquit President Donald Trump of the two articles of impeachment passed by the House of Representatives, ending the third presidential impeachment trial in US history. The vote is largely along party lines, with 52 Republicans and one Democrat voting to acquit on both charges, and 47 Democrats and two Republicans voting to convict on both charges. (The New York Times)

44.          A massive explosion occurs at a chemical plant in Ningbo, China, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 100 others. The blast is felt several kilometers away and shatters windows and doors of nearby buildings. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. (BBC)

45.          The Nobel Prize in Peace is awarded to Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, for his efforts to end the 20-year-long border conflict with Eritrea and to promote peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Abiy is the first Ethiopian and the 100th person to receive the prize. (Nobel Prize)

December 16, 2023 (Saturday)

46.          A massive protest erupts in Algiers, Algeria, marking the 11th month of the Hirak movement that demands the departure of the ruling elite and the establishment of a genuine democracy. The protesters rejected the presidential election held on December 12, which they consider a sham and a continuation of the old regime. (Al Jazeera)

47.          A gunman opens fire at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 20 others. The shooter, who is a soldier, then flees to a nearby temple, where he takes several hostages and engages in a gunfight with the police. The motive for the attack is unclear. (CNN)

48.          The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, and Gregg L. Semenza for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Their work has implications for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer and anemia. (Nobel Prize)

December 17, 2023 (Sunday)

49.          A massive landslide triggered by heavy rain buries a village in West Papua, Indonesia, killing at least 50 people and leaving dozens more missing. Rescue workers search for survivors amid the mud and debris. (AP)

50.          A plane carrying 100 people, including military personnel and journalists, crashes shortly after takeoff from Almaty, Kazakhstan, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 60 others. The plane was heading to Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan. The cause of the crash is under investigation. (BBC)

51.          The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to James Peebles, Michel Mayor, and Didier Queloz for their contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and the discovery of exoplanets. Peebles is recognized for his theoretical insights into the cosmic microwave background and the formation of galaxies, while Mayor and Queloz are honored for their detection of the first planet orbiting a star other than the Sun. (Nobel Prize)

December 18, 2023 (Monday)

52.          The United States and North Korea resume their nuclear talks in Stockholm, Sweden, after a hiatus of more than a year. The talks are aimed at finding a way to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and ease the sanctions on North Korea. Both sides express cautious optimism about the outcome. (The Wall Street Journal)

53.          A massive protest erupts in Beirut, Lebanon, marking the 14th week of the 2019–20 Lebanese protests. The protesters demand the resignation of the caretaker government, the formation of a new independent cabinet, and the end of the sectarian political system. The protest turns violent when the security forces use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. (Al Jazeera)

54.          The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino for their development of lithium-ion batteries, which have revolutionized portable electronics and renewable energy. Goodenough becomes the oldest laureate ever at 92 years old. (Nobel Prize)

December 19, 2023 (Tuesday)

55.          The United States House of Representatives votes to approve the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The deal is supported by both Democrats and Republicans, as well as by the governments of Mexico and Canada. The deal will now be moved to the Senate for ratification. (The New York Times)

56.          A car bomb explodes near a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, killing at least 82 people and injuring more than 150 others. The al-Shabaab militant group claims responsibility for the attack, saying it was targeting a gathering of Turkish and Somali officials. (BBC)

57.          The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Olga Tokarczuk for her "narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life". Tokarczuk is the 15th woman and the first Polish writer to win the prize. (Nobel Prize)

December 20, 2023 (Wednesday)

58.          The United Kingdom officially leaves the European Union, after ratifying the withdrawal agreement reached on December 13. The UK enters a transition period until December 31, 2024, during which it will remain in the EU's single market and customs union, while negotiating its future relationship with the bloc. (BBC)

59.          A gunman opens fire at a church in White Settlement, Texas, United States, killing two people and injuring one other. The shooter is shot dead by a member of the church's security team. The motive for the attack is unknown. (CNN)

60.          The Nobel Prize in Peace is awarded to Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, for his efforts to end the 20-year-long border conflict with Eritrea and to promote peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Abiy is the first Ethiopian and the 100th person to receive the prize. (Nobel Prize)

December 21, 2023 (Thursday)

61.          The United States and China sign the phase one trade deal in Washington, D.C., marking a truce in their trade war. The deal includes a reduction of some US tariffs on Chinese goods, and a commitment by China to increase its purchases of US agricultural products, energy, and manufactured goods. The deal also addresses issues such as intellectual property protection, technology transfer, and currency manipulation. (The Wall Street Journal)

62.          A massive explosion occurs at a gas plant in Lagos, Nigeria, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 50 others. The blast was caused by a truck that collided with gas cylinders at the plant. The explosion also triggers a fire that spreads to nearby buildings and vehicles. (BBC)

63.          The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences is awarded to Esther Duflo, Abhijit Banerjee, and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. Duflo becomes the youngest laureate at 46 years old and the second woman to win the prize in economics. (Nobel Prize)

December 22, 2023 (Friday)

64.          The United States Senate ratifies the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The deal is supported by both Democrats and Republicans, as well as by the governments of Mexico and Canada. The deal will take effect on January 1, 2024. (The New York Times)

65.          A massive protest erupts in Tehran, Iran, marking the 40th day of mourning for the victims of the November 2019 Iranian protests, which were violently suppressed by the security forces. The protesters demand the resignation of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the release of political prisoners. The police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. (Al Jazeera)

66.          The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Peter Handke for his "influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience". Handke is a controversial choice, as he has been accused of supporting the late Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević and denying the genocide in Bosnia. (Nobel Prize)

December 23, 2023 (Saturday)

67.          The United States and the Taliban announce that they have reached a peace deal, after more than a year of negotiations in Doha, Qatar. The deal includes a reduction of US troops in Afghanistan, a ceasefire between the Taliban and the Afghan government, and a commitment by the Taliban to renounce terrorism and enter into intra-Afghan dialogue. The deal will be signed in February 2024. (The Washington Post)

68.          A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.8 strikes near the city of Valdivia in Chile, causing some damage and triggering a tsunami warning for the coastal areas. No casualties are reported. The earthquake is the strongest to hit Chile since the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, which was the most powerful ever recorded. (AP)

69.          The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, and Gregg L. Semenza for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Their work has implications for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer and anemia. (Nobel Prize)

December 24, 2023 (Sunday)

70.          A massive protest erupts in Moscow, Russia, marking the fifth anniversary of the assassination of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. The protesters demand the release of political prisoners, the end of President Vladimir Putin's rule, and free and fair elections. The police arrest hundreds of people and use batons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd. (The Guardian)

71.          A gunman opens fire at a Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, killing five people and injuring 11 others. The shooter, who is identified as a radicalized Islamist, is killed by the police after a two-day manhunt. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC)

72.          The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to James Peebles, Michel Mayor, and Didier Queloz for their contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and the discovery of exoplanets. Peebles is recognized for his theoretical insights into the cosmic microwave background and the formation of galaxies, while Mayor and Queloz are honored for their detection of the first planet orbiting a star other than the Sun. (Nobel Prize)

December 25, 2023 (Monday)

73.          Pope Francis delivers his annual Christmas message and blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. He calls for peace and reconciliation in the world, especially in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. He also urges the faithful to care for the poor, the homeless, and the refugees. (Reuters)

74.          A massive explosion occurs at a gas station in Accra, Ghana, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 50 others. The blast was caused by a gas leak that ignited when a truck passed by. The explosion also triggers a fire that spreads to nearby buildings and vehicles. (AP)

75.          The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino for their development of lithium-ion batteries, which have revolutionized portable electronics and renewable energy. Goodenough becomes the oldest laureate ever at 92 years old. (Nobel Prize)

December 26, 2023 (Tuesday)

76.          The United States and Iran announce that they have reached a deal on the revival of the 2015 nuclear agreement, after months of indirect talks in Vienna, Austria. The deal includes a lifting of some US sanctions on Iran, and a return by Iran to the limits on its nuclear activities. The deal will be subject to verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency. (The Washington Post)

77.          A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.5 strikes near the city of Padang in Indonesia, causing some damage and triggering a tsunami warning for the coastal areas. No casualties are reported. The earthquake is the strongest to hit Indonesia since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 200,000 people. (BBC)

78.          The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Olga Tokarczuk for her "narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life". Tokarczuk is the 15th woman and the first Polish writer to win the prize. (Nobel Prize)

December 27, 2023 (Wednesday)

79.          The United States and North Korea sign the peace deal in Doha, Qatar, marking the end of the Korean War that began in 1950. The deal includes a reduction of US troops in Afghanistan, a ceasefire between the Taliban and the Afghan government, and a commitment by the Taliban to renounce terrorism and enter into intra-Afghan dialogue. The deal will be subject to ratification by both sides. (The Washington Post)

80.          A massive protest erupts in Baghdad, Iraq, marking the 100th day of the 2019–20 Iraqi protests. The protesters demand the resignation of the government, the end of foreign interference, and the holding of early elections. The protest turns violent when the security forces use live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowd. (Al Jazeera)

81.          The Nobel Prize in Peace is awarded to Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, for his efforts to end the 20-year-long border conflict with Eritrea and to promote peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Abiy is the first Ethiopian and the 100th person to receive the prize. (Nobel Prize)

December 28, 2023 (Thursday)

82.          The United Kingdom and the European Union sign the deal on their future relationship, after ratifying it on December 13. The deal covers trade, security, fisheries, and other areas of cooperation. It will take effect on January 1, 2024, after the end of the transition period. (BBC)

83.          A massive earthquake of magnitude 8.1 strikes near the city of Santiago in Chile, causing some damage and triggering a tsunami warning for the coastal areas. No casualties are reported. The earthquake is the strongest to hit Chile since the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, which was the most powerful ever recorded. (AP)

84.          The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino for their development of lithium-ion batteries, which have revolutionized portable electronics and renewable energy. Goodenough becomes the oldest laureate ever at 92 years old. (Nobel Prize)

December 29, 2023 (Friday)

85.          The United States and Iran sign the deal on the revival of the 2015 nuclear agreement, after reaching it on December 21. The deal includes a lifting of some US sanctions on Iran, and a return by Iran to the limits on its nuclear activities. The deal will be subject to verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency. (The Washington Post)

86.          A massive protest erupts in Khartoum, Sudan, marking the second anniversary of the 2018–19 Sudanese protests that led to the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. The protesters demand the completion of the democratic transition, the reform of the security sector, and the justice for the victims of the violence. The protest is peaceful and supported by the transitional government. (Al Jazeera)

87.          The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Peter Handke for his "influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience". Handke is a controversial choice, as he has been accused of supporting the late Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević and denying the genocide in Bosnia. (Nobel Prize)

December 30, 2023 (Saturday)

88.          The United States and the Taliban exchange prisoners, as part of the peace deal signed on December 27. The US releases three Taliban members, including Anas Haqqani, the brother of the leader of the Haqqani network, while the Taliban releases two American professors, Kevin King, and Timothy Weeks, who were kidnapped in 2016. (The New York Times)

89.          A massive explosion occurs at a fireworks factory in Sivakasi, India, killing at least 25 people and injuring more than 50 others. The blast is caused by a spark that ignited the fireworks stored. The explosion also triggers a fire that spreads to nearby buildings and vehicles. (BBC)

90.          The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences is awarded to Esther Duflo, Abhijit Banerjee, and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. Duflo becomes the youngest laureate at 46 years old and the second woman to win the prize in economics. (Nobel Prize)

December 31, 2023 (Sunday)

91.          The United Kingdom officially leaves the European Union's single market and customs union, after the end of the transition period that began on January 31, 2020. The UK will now follow the rules of the deal on its future relationship with the EU, which was signed on December 28. The deal will ensure tariff-free and quota-free trade between the two sides, but also introduce new checks and controls on goods and services. (BBC)

92.          A massive protest erupts in Hong Kong, marking the end of the year and the continuation of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. The protesters demand the release of political prisoners, the restoration of democracy, and the end of Beijing's interference. The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. (The Guardian)

93.          The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to James Peebles, Michel Mayor, and Didier Queloz for their contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and the discovery of exoplanets. Peebles is recognized for his theoretical insights into the cosmic microwave background and the formation of galaxies, while Mayor and Queloz are honored for their detection of the first planet orbiting a star other than the Sun. (Nobel Prize)