As Israel's assault on Gaza captures the attention of many, there are still significant global developments worth noting, which may be of interest to various readers. Al Jazeera Net is dedicated to providing updates on these events.
Here are the most pertinent global news on this Saturday, January 6:
Moscow Announces Thwarting Attacks in Crimea and the Black Sea
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses shot down missiles and drones during a series of overnight attacks above the Crimea peninsula and the western part of the Black Sea.
Recently, Ukraine intensified its attacks on Russian targets in and around Crimea.
In another incident, Kyiv released images on Friday evening of what they claimed to be a Russian hypersonic missile, the "Kinzhal", stating that their forces had shot down 10 models during intense strikes last Tuesday with the American Patriot air defense system.
Updated Toll from Japan Earthquake
Official reports on Saturday state that the death toll from the earthquake that struck Japan on New Year's Day has risen to 100, with more than 200 others still missing.
For the sixth consecutive day, the search for survivors under collapsed buildings continues, while over 30,000 evacuated individuals await assistance.
The recent quake on Japan's western coast is the deadliest the country has seen in nearly 8 years.
Libyan Public Prosecutor: Negligence Caused Derna's Dams Collapse
The Libyan Public Prosecutor's Office published the results of the investigation into the flood disaster that hit the city of Derna (east) in September, resulting in thousands of deaths.
A statement issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office on Facebook titled "Investigation Results of Derna Valley Flood Incident" indicated that negligence in maintaining the "Al-Bilad" and "Sidi Bou Mansour" dams in Derna, following Hurricane Daniel, led to their collapse, noting that the total number of fatalities in the city reached 4,540, including 576 foreigners.
Biden and Trump Exchange Attacks at Rallies
President Joe Biden attacked his potential Republican rival in the upcoming presidential elections, Donald Trump, at a rally in Pennsylvania, accusing him of threatening democracy and embracing "Nazi" rhetoric.
Trump retorted in a speech in Iowa by accusing Biden of failing to manage the country, as well as corruption and the abuse of power for politically targeting him.
South Korean Minister Dismisses US Troops Reduction Even If Trump Returns
South Korea's Minister of Unification "Kim Yeon-chul" said it is unlikely that the United States would reduce its forces stationed in the country, even if former U.S. President Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential elections in November.
Kim attributed this to the American Congress already deciding the matter in the recent National Defense Authorization Act, emphasizing that strengthening relations between Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo will help overcome any political changes in the United States.
Fatalities Due to "Deliberate" Fire in Bangladesh Ahead of Elections
Bangladeshi police reported on Saturday that at least 4 individuals, including a child, perished in a suspected deliberate fire aboard a passenger train on the eve of general elections, which the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is boycotting.
The fire injured 8 people when flames spread to 4 compartments on the Sonar Bangla Express en route to Dhaka on Friday evening.
U.S. Officer Sentenced to 14 Years for Killing a Black Youth
White American police officer Randy Roedema has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for his involvement in the killing of Elijah McClain, a young black man choked and injected with the sedative ketamine during his arrest in 2019 in Aurora, Colorado.
Roedema was convicted in October of manslaughter and sentenced to 4 years, suspended, while two other officers who were charged in the same case were acquitted.
The victim, Elijah McClain, suffered a cardiac arrest three days after his arrest, and during the arrest, police officers held his neck down and then forcefully injected him with a potent sedative. The two paramedics involved were tried separately and convicted of manslaughter in December, awaiting sentencing.
Taiwan: Chinese Balloons Threaten Aviation Safety
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense accused China on Saturday of threatening aviation safety and conducting psychological warfare against the island's residents. This follows the recent observation of several balloons near or above Taiwan ahead of significant Taiwanese elections.
With presidential and parliamentary elections coming up on January 13, Taiwan is on high alert for potential military and political activities by China, which considers the island to be part of its territory – a claim the Western-backed Taiwanese government rejects.
North Korea Fires Artillery Shells Near South Korean Island
North Korea fired 60 artillery shells on Saturday near South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island, according to the South Korean military, following an initial volley fired by Pyongyang, prompting a live-fire response from Seoul in the region.
North Korea fired over 200 artillery shells near the islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong, located south of a de facto maritime border between the two Koreas, on Friday. There are relatively few inhabitants on either island.
Residents of the islands were told to seek shelter, and ferry operations were suspended amidst one of the most serious military escalations on the Korean Peninsula since Pyongyang bombarded one of the islands in 2010.
Bangladesh Prepares for Legislative Elections Boycotted by Opposition Parties
Elections in Bangladesh set to occur on Sunday are expected to return Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to power for a fifth term. Meanwhile, the opposition parties, which have faced a wide wave of arrests, are boycotting the election.
Bangladesh has experienced strong economic growth under the leadership of Hasina's Awami League party, but the government has faced accusations of human rights violations and violent suppression of the opposition.
With virtually no challengers in the constituencies in which it is competing, the Awami League has refrained from naming candidates in some areas to avoid the parliament being deemed a single-party tool.
Some voters say they have been threatened with confiscation of their government aid cards, crucial for receiving social assistance, if they refuse to vote for the Awami League.
Russia Confirms Downing of Ukrainian Missiles; Kyiv Announces Strike on a Russian Base
Russia announced on Saturday that it downed four Ukrainian missiles over the Crimea peninsula, which Moscow annexed.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated, "The air defenses intercepted four Ukrainian missiles and destroyed them over Crimea."
Conversely, Kyiv stated that it struck Saki Air Base in western Crimea.
The Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk claimed via social media, "All targets at the Saki airfield were hit."
Denmark to Deliver F-16 Fighters to Ukraine in the Second Quarter of 2024
Copenhagen announced on Saturday that American-made F-16 fighters, which have been gifted to Ukraine, are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2024 following the completion of pilot training.
The Danish Ministry of Defense stated, "According to the current schedule, the gift will be delivered in the second quarter of 2024 as the training of Ukrainian crews, especially those who will operate the aircraft after delivery, is in progress."
