News in Brief --2024-12-15

One dead, 40 people missing in
Greece migrant boat sinking
ATHENS, Dec 14: One man died early Saturday when a migrant boat sank off Crete, Greece's coastguard said, leaving 40 people reportedly missing while 39 survivors were rescued. The boat sank 12 nautical miles southwest of the island, according to ERTNEWS, which reported the 40 missing. A huge rescue operation is under way in the sea south of the island of Gavdos after the boat capsized shortly after midnight, the coastguard said. An Italian frigate and helicopters were operating at the site, with more ships heading to the area. — AFP
Ukrainian drone hits Russian oil terminal
KYIV, Dec 14: Ukraine said on Saturday it had attacked an oil terminal in the western Russian region of Oryol overnight, sparking a fire. The governor of Oryol said on Telegram that fuel had caught fire at "a facility" in the region after a "massive drone attack". The Ukrainian chef of staff said Kyiv's forces had attacked a major oil depot in Stalnoy Kon, about 165 kilometres (100 miles) into Russian territory. "It's one of the largest oil terminals in the suburbs of Oryol city" and is part of a "military industrial complex" that supplies the Russian army, the chief of staff said. —AFP
Putin meets former Kazakh President
NOVO-OGARYOVO, Dec 14: Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with former President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo in the Moscow Region, the Kremlin's press office said in a statement on Saturday. "Vladimir Putin met with first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Novo-Ogaryovo," the statement reads. The previous time, a meeting between Putin and Nazarbayev was reported to take place in late 2023. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at that time that the meeting was "absolutely private." — TASS
Macron names Bayrou as PM
PARIS, Dec 14: President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist Francois Bayrou as prime minister, handing him the daunting task of hauling France out of months of political crisis. The 73-year-old head of the MoDem group, which is allied to Macron's party, was appointed nine days after parliament ousted Michel Barnier's government in a historic no-confidence vote following a standoff over an austerity budget. The announcement capped hours of drama that saw Bayrou summoned to a morning meeting at the Elysee palace-where he was reportedly told Macron would choose another figure-only for the presidency to finally announce he had the post. — AFP
Xi to attend Macau handover anniversary
HONG KONG, Dec 14: Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Macau next week for a gathering marking 25 years since the former Portuguese colony's handover to China, state news agency Xinhua said Saturday. Xi will also attend the inauguration of Macau's incoming administration and conduct an inspection tour during the December 18-20 visit, according to Xinhua. Macau grew into a trading post with a mixed Portuguese-Chinese population and cultural heritage during 442 years of colonial rule before it was handed over to China on December 20, 1999. The city has since become the world's top casino hub by gaming revenue and a popular destination for Chinese tourists. It is the only place in China where casino gambling is allowed. — AFP
Lula 'strong' after surgery, posts video
SAO PAULO, Dec 14: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared he was "strong and steady" Friday, in a video of him walking around unassisted after emergency surgery earlier this week. "Please rest assured. I am strong and steady! I am walking the halls... talking a lot, eating well and, soon, ready to return home and continue working and taking care of every Brazilian family," he wrote on X and other social media. —AFP