At least 95 people have lost their lives, and 130 others are injured following a powerful earthquake that struck the Shigatse region of Tibet on Tuesday morning. The tremor, recorded at a magnitude of 7.1 by the US Geological Survey, occurred at 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) with a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

The earthquake, one of the deadliest in recent years, caused extensive destruction in the region. Neighboring Nepal and parts of India also felt the tremors. Videos aired on China’s state broadcaster CCTV revealed scenes of devastation, with houses and buildings reduced to rubble as rescue workers combed through debris, providing relief to survivors.
Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, holds great spiritual significance. It is traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest authority in Tibetan Buddhism. The earthquake’s destruction has added to the challenges faced by the city, which has long been at the heart of Tibetan cultural and political tensions.

Temperatures in Tingri county, close to the epicenter, have plummeted to -8°C (17.6°F) and are expected to drop further to -18°C (0°F) by nightfall. The region, known for its proximity to Mount Everest, has seen disruptions in power and water supplies, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Chinese state media reported that over 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, with several strong aftershocks following the initial quake. Rescue teams are working in sub-zero conditions to provide aid, including distributing warm blankets and medical care.

The Tibet region lies along a significant geological fault line, making it prone to earthquakes. While such events are not uncommon, the scale and impact of this earthquake highlight the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new opportunity for candidates to resit their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) papers.

Starting January 2025, candidates who wish to improve their scores or retake failed subjects will have the chance to sit for the newly introduced WASSCE Private Candidate (PC1) exams.

Registration and Schedule
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show in Ghana, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, shared details about the development:

• Candidates can register online via WAEC’s website or at WAEC-accredited internet cafés.
• Registration closes on 8th January 2025.
• The resit exams are scheduled to take place between 24th January and 15th February 2025.

Kapi emphasized that this initiative aims to provide students a timely opportunity to improve their results without waiting an entire year.
Candidates whose results were canceled due to administrative reasons can participate in the resit, provided they have not been banned for examination malpractice.

South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, remains entrenched in his fortified residence as the deadline for his arrest warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power approaches. Yoon, who was impeached following his controversial attempt to impose martial law, has refused to surrender, escalating a constitutional crisis in the country.

Over the weekend, Yoon’s security team erected barbed wire and barricaded the compound with buses, thwarting investigators who sought to arrest him on Friday. After a six-hour standoff, investigators withdrew, unable to bypass the presidential security service.

The arrest warrant, tied to Yoon’s brief martial law order citing threats from North Korea and “anti-state forces,” is set to expire Monday. Investigators have sought an extension and requested police assistance to execute the warrant. However, police have declined, citing legal ambiguities, and stated that responsibility should remain with anti-corruption investigators.

Public opinion is deeply divided, with thousands of protesters rallying in heavy snow over the weekend, both supporting and opposing Yoon. The political turmoil coincides with a high-stakes visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, aiming to stabilize regional relations ahead of the incoming Donald Trump presidency.

Yoon’s legal team has challenged the legitimacy of the arrest warrant, claiming anti-corruption investigators lack jurisdiction over insurrection cases. The presidential security service has echoed this argument, emphasizing Yoon’s status as a sitting president until the constitutional court rules on his impeachment.

Yoon’s lawyers have filed complaints against investigators for their actions, arguing that he has been “practically detained in his residence.” An injunction against the warrant was rejected by the court, and an appeal is being considered.