In a tragic incident marking Christmas Eve, a deadly explosion tore through a mosque in Nigeria, while in India, the Uttarakhand government initiated a high-level probe into a controversial land lease. These were among the major breaking news developments on Wednesday, December 25.
Suspect Bombing in Nigeria Claims Seven Lives
An explosion ripped through a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state, on Wednesday, resulting in the death of seven worshippers. The news was confirmed by the AFP news agency.
Babakura Kolo, a prominent leader of a local anti-jihadist militia, described the blast as a suspected bombing. As of now, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the region is historically the epicenter of a prolonged insurgency led by extremist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Uttarakhand Forms Committee to Investigate Major Land Lease
In a significant domestic development, the Uttarakhand government has constituted a five-member inquiry committee. This panel will investigate the leasing of a vast 2,866 acres of forest land to the Pashulok Seva Samiti in Rishikesh.
The state's Chief Secretary, Anand Vardhan, announced the committee, which will be chaired by the Chief Conservator of Forests (Garhwal). This action follows a direct mandate from the Supreme Court of India. The apex court has ordered a comprehensive report to be submitted by January 5 and has imposed an immediate and strict ban on all construction activities on the disputed land until further notice.
Other Key Updates from India and the World
Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain: A fragile US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza was threatened after an explosive device detonated, injuring an Israeli soldier. Israel accused Hamas of violating the truce, which has been in place since October 10. Concurrently, Hamas leaders were in Ankara for talks with Turkish officials regarding the next stage of the agreement. While most hostages from the October 7, 2023 attack have been released, the remains of one are still in Gaza.
Statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Unveiled: Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a majestic 41-foot-tall bronze statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Panchkula. The inauguration at Atal Park, held on the eve of Vajpayee’s 101st birth anniversary, was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Shah paid rich tributes, calling Vajpayee a "born patriot" and a steadfast leader who prioritized national security.
Bolivian Miners Protest Fuel Subsidy Removal: Hundreds of miners marched in La Paz, Bolivia, protesting President Rodrigo Paz's decision to eliminate fuel subsidies that had been in place for 20 years. The centre-right government argues the move is necessary to tackle a severe economic crisis and foreign currency shortage. Protest leaders claim the policy has already doubled bus fares and caused food prices to surge.
