Sharm el-Sheikh flights cancelled
British Airways and EasyJet cancel all flights between Sharm el-Sheikh and the UK until next month following the bombing of a Russian passenger jet. Easyjet says the move was made to provide some certainty to passengers travelling over the Christmas period. BA says the decision was made following discussions with the UK government.
U.S. issues worldwide travel alert
The U.S. issues a worldwide travel alert for its citizens in response to “increased terrorist threats”. The alert advises US citizens to “exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation”and to “be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places”. The alert will remain in place until 24 February 2016. State Department:
[There is] currently… no reason to believe that US citizens would be specifically targeted.
Imprisoned
Rezaian is sentenced to prison on charges of espionage, the country’s judiciary spokesman said Sunday, without specifying the length of his jail term.
The verdict has been issued but has not been officially handed down to the accused or his lawyer. Given the fact that the verdict has not been officially handed down, I cannot reveal the details, but what I can say is that the accused has been sentenced to prison.
The Washington Post‘s foreign editor:
We’re aware of the reports in the Iranian media but have no further information at this time. Every day that Jason is in prison is an injustice. He has done nothing wrong. Even after keeping Jason in prison 488 days so far, Iran has produced no evidence of wrongdoing. His trial and sentence are a sham, and he should be released immediately.
Two men charged
A Thai military court indicts two foreign men, Bilal Mohammed and Yousaf Mir, for the Erawan shrine bombing. The charges include attempted and premeditated murder, possession of illegal weapons and illegal entry. Authorities say that the accused have been in custody for nearly three months, and have both confessed to their roles in the blast which killed 20 people and injured scores more.
Sentenced to 40 years
Naseer is sentenced to 40 years in jail by a federal judge Dearie, in New York, for providing material support to al-Qaeda and conspiracy to use a destructive device. Naseer appeals to the judge that he was not – nor had he ever been – a “career criminal”. Dearie:
I know you’re not, You’re a terrorist.
Genetically-modified mosquito bred
A University of California team of scientists say they have bred a genetically modified (GM) mosquito that can resist malaria infection. The scientists put a new “resistance” gene into the mosquito’s own DNA, using a gene editing method called Crispr. When the GM mosquitoes mate – their offspring inherited the same resistance. In theory, if these mosquitoes bite people, they should not be able to pass on the parasite that causes malaria.
Human error caused crash
The theme park says the Smiler Roller coaster crash that seriously injured five people, and resulted in two women having their legs amputated was caused by human error. Staff misunderstood a shutdown message and wrongly restarted the ride. The ride, which has been closed since the crash, will reopen next year with improved safety measures.
Russian miltary jet downed by Turkey
A Russian Su-24 jet crashes near the Turkey-Syrian border, after being hit by a Turkish missile. Turkey says its jets shot at the plane after giving 10 warnings that it was violating Turkish airspace. Moscow says the jet never strayed from Syrian airspace. One of the two pilots is killed in the air by fire from the ground. The second pilot’s situation is not known. Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters perform a search-and-rescue operation, but one of them is damaged by small arms fire and makes an emergency landing. A Russian marine is killed during an operation. Turkish President Erdogan:
[The Russian plane was dealt with because it] did not answer our warning.
Russian President Putin says there will be “serious consequences” for Moscow’s relations with Turkey.
[This] represents a stab in the back by the terrorists’ accomplices. I can’t describe what has happened today in any other way. Our plane was downed over Syrian territory by an air-to-air missile from a Turkish F-16 jet. The plane fell on Syrian territory 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away from the Turkish border. It was flying 1 kilometer away from the Turkish border when it was attacked. In any case, neither our pilots nor our jet posed any threat to Turkey. That is obvious. They were carrying out an operation fighting against ISIL in Northern Latakia.
£1 billion UK malaria funding
The UK government is to create a new £1 billion fund, called The Ross Fund, in partnership with US philanthropists, Bill and Melinda Gates. The fun, named after Sir Ronald Ross, who first found the link between mosquitoes and malaria in 1902, aims to eradicate malaria and other infectious disease. The fund will come from the UK’s overseas aid budget over the next five years, with £115m earmarked for research into new drugs, diagnostics and insecticides for malaria, TB and other infectious diseases, and £188m to be spent on improving biodefences and rapid response systems to fast-spreading epidemics such as Ebola. UK Chancellor Osborne:
[The government’s commitment to overseas aid helps to] promote our national security and interests around the world. [Working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help us in] our joint ambition to see an end to this global disease in our lifetimes.
Gates:
With the combined skill and expertise of British scientists; leveraging the weight of both public and private financing; and the continued leadership of George Osborne and the UK, [the] announcement of the Ross Fund will play a key role in reaching that goal [ eradicating malaria and other poverty-related infectious diseases].
San Diego Rhino dies
Nola, one of the the world’s last four remaining northern white rhinos, dies after surgery in San Diego Zoo Safari Park. She was 41-years old, and had been a popular attraction at the since 1989.
Brussels police detain 21
Hundreds of Belgian police launch more raids in a bid to find Abdeslamin, in the Brussels districts of Molenbeek, home to many of the Paris attackers, and other boroughs. Three raids were carried out in Charleroi. 21 people are detained. Police fire two shots at a car that approached them as they searched a snack bar in Molenbeek. The vehicle escapes but is stopped later in Brussels, and a wounded person inside is arrested. It is not known if the person is linked to the investigation into the Paris attacks.