Category: Flash News

On the evening of December 21st, the Japanese Ministry of Defense released a statement from the US military regarding the investigation into the leakage of harmful pollutants perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the Yokota base of the US military stationed in Japan. The US military stated that the flow of pollutants through underground drainage ditches to the southwest of the base may lead to pollutant leakage, but the possibility of pollutants flowing directly outside the base without drainage ditches is extremely low.

On December 21st, it was reported that the Palermo District Court in Italy acquitted Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini of charges of illegal detention and abuse of power for refusing to dock a non-governmental organization ship carrying refugees during his tenure as Minister of Interior. Italian Prime Minister Meloni stated that the verdict shows that the charges against Salvini are unfounded and that defending the country’s borders is not a crime. (CCTV News)

On December 21st, according to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as of the week ending December 17th, speculators’ net long positions in COMEX gold decreased by 16252 contracts, hitting a four week low at 203937 contracts. The net long position of COMEX silver held will reach 22078 contracts, hitting a new low in over nine months. The net long position of COMEX copper held will reach 6321 contracts, hitting a new low in over nine months. Switching to holding a net short position of 106 contracts in NYMEX platinum, setting a new 14 week high. The net short position in NYMEX palladium increased to 8924 contracts, reaching a 14 week high.

On December 21st, according to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as of the week ending December 17th, speculators’ net long positions in WTI crude oil increased by 57215 contracts to 161201 contracts, setting a new 12 week high. The net long position in WTI crude oil increased by 57215 contracts to 161201 contracts, setting a new 12 week high. The net long position in Brent and WTI crude oil increased to 296832 contracts, reaching a 21 week high. Our net long position in NYMEX gasoline is approaching 67104 contracts. Our net short position in NYMEX heating oil is approaching 32134 contracts. The net long position in seven US Henry Hub contracts for NYMEX natural gas increased to 113381 contracts, setting a new three week high.

On December 21st, a car collision incident occurred at a festival market in Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony Anhalt, Germany, on the evening of the 20th local time. It is reported that a car drove towards the direction of the city hall and deliberately collided with pedestrians, causing panic and panic among the public. According to the police, the accident has resulted in one death and 70 injuries, including 15 serious injuries. (CCTV News)

On December 21st, Spanish Foreign Minister Alvarez announced on December 20th local time that Spain has officially approved an application to grant political asylum to Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who will receive notification in the coming days. (CCTV News)

On December 21st, Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, issued a statement stating that the impact of the conflict in Syria is evident everywhere. More than 16 million Syrians urgently need humanitarian assistance, over 6 million have left the country, and 7.2 million are still internally displaced. The International Organization for Migration predicts that the number of people returning will be higher than expected. The statement states that over 90% of Syria’s population lives below the poverty line. In recent weeks, an additional 800000 people have been displaced. In addition, the country is still under sanctions and there is a severe shortage of normal goods. Syria needs various forms of support from the international community. (CCTV News)

On December 21st at 06:00, the Central Meteorological Observatory continued to issue a blue warning for strong winds. It is estimated that from 08:00 on December 21 to 08:00 on December 22, there will be gales of 5 to 6 levels and gusts of 7 to 8 levels in parts of the mountainous region of Xinjiang, northern and eastern Xizang, southern Qinghai, western Sichuan Plateau, western Gansu, eastern Inner Mongolia, northern Hebei, Liaodong Peninsula, Shandong Peninsula, etc; Most of the Yellow Sea, most of the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the waters east of Taiwan, the Bashi Strait, and most of the South China Sea will experience strong winds of 7-8 levels and gusts of 9-10 levels, with the Taiwan Strait experiencing winds of up to 9 levels and gusts of 10-11 levels.

On December 21st, according to US media reports, a delegation of high-level diplomats from the United States met with Ahmed Shara, the leader of the Syrian Sham Liberation Army, in the Syrian capital Damascus on the 20th, and subsequently announced the cancellation of the bounty previously offered for the capture of Shara. (CCTV News)

On December 21, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on the 20th that at least 782 civilians had been killed and more than 1143 injured in El Fasher, the capital of Northern Darfur, Sudan, during the ongoing siege and hostilities. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report on the same day, saying that in June this year, the conflict significantly escalated. The parties to the conflict engaged in fierce exchanges of fire in residential areas. They not only used civilian homes as military strongholds, but also attacked and looted markets, causing many civilians to die in their homes, markets, near hospitals and on the streets. In addition, there are still thousands of civilians trapped inside the city, unable to evacuate safely and facing a serious threat of indiscriminate attacks.