---
title: "While you were sleeping: 21 December 2016"
description: "ISIL claims Berlin attack, fireworks blast rocks Mexican town, and Sao Tome returns to the Chinese fold."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "South Africa"
author: "John Stupart"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-12-21-while-you-were-sleeping-21-december-2016/"
published: "2016-12-21T05:24:53"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 310
---

# While you were sleeping: 21 December 2016

> ISIL claims Berlin attack, fireworks blast rocks Mexican town, and Sao Tome returns to the Chinese fold.

By John Stupart · Published 21 December 2016, 07:24 SAST

## Content

**Wednesday, 21st December**

*“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”*
**Laura Ingalls Wilder**

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

[ISIL claims Berlin truck attack](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-duzby-l-k/)

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.

[Massive fireworks explosion in Mexico](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-duzby-l-u/)

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.

[Quake hits northern Australia](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-duzby-l-o/)

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.

[China welcomes Sao Tome Taiwanese split](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-duzby-l-b/)

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.

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