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Mayotte Cyclone Devastates Communities as Death Toll Expected to Rise
Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation in France’s Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, with fears that the death toll could reach several hundred, according to local officials. The cyclone, which made landfall on Saturday with wind speeds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), has flattened entire communities and displaced tens of thousands of residents.
Although the official death toll initially stood at 11, Mayotte’s prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, warned that the figure will “definitely be several hundred” as recovery efforts progress, adding that it is possible “a few thousand people had died.” Local hospitals reported 246 injuries, while some sources cited a higher fatality count of at least 14.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged full support for the territory, announcing the deployment of 250 rescue workers to aid in relief operations. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the destruction as catastrophic, noting that all makeshift homes on the island had been obliterated. He expressed grave concerns about the “heavy” death toll and confirmed that emergency teams were working tirelessly to respond.
Mayotte, an archipelago located northwest of Madagascar, is home to approximately 300,000 people. Many residents live in vulnerable housing with sheet metal roofs, leaving them particularly exposed to the cyclone’s fury. Reports indicate that tens of thousands have been left homeless, and significant damage has been sustained at Pamandzi airport, including its control tower. Acting Transport Minister François Durovray announced that military planes and ships are en route to restore air traffic and ensure the delivery of vital supplies.
The cyclone prompted a purple alert, Mayotte’s highest emergency level, which required a strict lockdown for all residents, including emergency personnel. As conditions improved slightly, the alert level was downgraded to red, allowing emergency services to mobilize.
Retailleau revealed that this is the most severe weather event the island has experienced since 1934. Prime Minister François Bayrou, who assumed office just a day before the cyclone struck, has been holding emergency meetings in Paris and receiving hourly updates on the unfolding crisis.
The French government has mobilized significant resources, dispatching 110 civil security personnel and firefighters to the region, with an additional 140 scheduled to arrive soon.
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Luigi Mangione Charged with First-Degree Murder in Targeted Killing of Healthcare CEO
Luigi Mangione faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, following the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the New York District Attorney’s office announced on Tuesday. The charges also include two counts of second-degree murder, with one count describing the crime as an act of “terrorism.”
DA Alvin Bragg emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, calling it a “frightening, well-planned, and targeted murder” intended to “sow terror.” Mangione is expected to appear in court on December 19 for a hearing regarding his extradition to New York. Bragg indicated Mangione might waive the hearing, expediting the process. This date coincides with Mangione’s preliminary hearing for separate gun-related charges in Pennsylvania.
Mangione, 26, was arrested five days after the December 4 shooting at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Police reported he was found with a “ghost gun,” a fake ID, a passport, and a handwritten note allegedly outlining his “motivation and mindset.” The untraceable firearm, built from parts, is central to the investigation. However, Mangione’s lawyer, Thomas Dickey, has stated he has yet to see definitive evidence linking the weapon to the crime.
New York prosecutors began presenting evidence to a grand jury last week, including fingerprints recovered at the crime scene, which reportedly match Mangione’s. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the public’s reaction to the case, saying, “In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompson’s killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder. We do not lionize the killing of anyone.”
Mangione is currently held under maximum security at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania, where he has been denied bail. If extradited, he will likely be transferred to Rikers Island or another high-security New York facility to await trial.
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Tech Entrepreneur Convicted in Cash App Founder Bob Lee’s Stabbing Death
A San Francisco jury has found tech entrepreneur Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Bob Lee, the founder of mobile payment service Cash App. Momeni, 40, now faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
The verdict comes after seven days of deliberation and a six-week trial that revealed details of a drug-fueled evening on 4 April 2023, when Lee, 43, was fatally stabbed in San Francisco’s Rincon Hill neighborhood. Authorities found Lee unconscious with two stab wounds to his chest, and he later died in hospital.
Prosecutors argued that Momeni attacked Lee using a kitchen paring knife, angered by Lee’s introduction of Momeni’s sister, Khazar Momeni, to a man who reportedly gave her GHB—a drug commonly associated with sexual assault.
The defence countered with claims of self-defence, stating that a dispute escalated after Lee allegedly lunged at Momeni with a knife following a “bad joke” about Lee’s family. However, prosecutors questioned why Momeni never reported an attack to police and argued that the defendant’s account lacked credibility.
Autopsy results showed Lee had alcohol, ketamine, and cocaine in his system, which defence attorneys cited as evidence of behavior they described as erratic and aggressive.
Following the conviction, Lee’s brother, Oliver Lee, expressed relief:
“We’re happy that Nima Momeni won’t be on the streets and no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world.”
Meanwhile, Momeni’s mother, Mahnaz Tayarani, criticized the verdict and pledged an appeal:
“I know my son… This is not a fair trial. We are victims of drug abuse.”
The high-profile killing of Bob Lee sparked widespread concern over safety in San Francisco, with prominent tech figures, including Elon Musk, highlighting fears of rising crime in the Bay Area.
Though Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder—which does not require premeditation—he avoided a conviction on the more serious charge of first-degree murder.
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Teacher and Student Among Three Dead in Madison School Shooting
A devastating school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, claimed the lives of a teacher, a student, and the suspected teenage shooter on Monday. Police have confirmed three fatalities following the attack at Abundant Life Christian School, revising an earlier report of five deaths.
The juvenile suspect, believed to have been a student at the school, was found dead at the scene. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes stated that officers did not fire any shots after arriving at the school around 11:00 a.m. local time (17:00 GMT).
Six others sustained injuries in the attack, with two individuals in critical condition suffering life-threatening injuries. Four other students were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Chief Barnes expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a “sad day for Madison and our country.” He emphasized that the investigation remains active, with authorities processing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining search warrants to gather more information.
Authorities have not disclosed the name or gender of the suspect, and residents have been urged to avoid the area as roads near the school remain blocked.
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