While you were sleeping: 21 December 2016

Daesh-linked news agency Amaq announced that the terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the deadly Berlin truck attack. German authorities released a 23 year old Pakistani national for lack of evidence, sparking a renewed manhunt for the individual responsible for the attack. ISIL, however, has come out and claimed responsibility without mentioning who carried out the attack.

At least 29 people have been killed and 70 injured in a giant explosion in Mexico. The fireworks market in Tultepec erupted in multicoloured flame on Tuesday, leaving dozens killed. The market had been packed as customers purchased fireworks for year-end festivities.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake shook northern Australia and parts of Indonesia today. No reports of damage have been forthcoming, with residents in Darwin apparently most-affected by the tremors. No tsunami warning was issued. Regardless, without bigger news, Darwin's residents will no doubt be recalling the ''16 quake' for decades to come.

Beijing announced its welcoming of Sao Tome's severing of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Hailing Sao Tome's return to the one-China policy, diplomatic digs at president-elect Donald Trump could not have been plainer. Taiwan meanwhile appeared too busy digging trenches and loading magazines to notice.