18 People have been killed in a suicide bombing at a police academy in Mogadishu

• At least 18 Police officers have been killed in suicide bombing in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The attack took place during a parade at the General Kaahiye Police Academy, and officials say that at least 15 others have been wounded. The perpetrator of the attack disguised himself as a police officer and carried out the bombing while officers crowded in an open square for their early morning parade. The responsibility for the attack has been claimed by group Al-Shahab.

At least 3 killed in suicide bombing attack at police academy in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia: media report (file pic) pic.twitter.com/hfnz1RoCrI

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) December 14, 2017

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Grenfell – Six months on

• Yesterday the 14th of December marked the six month anniversary of the Grenfell tower fire. The anniversary was marked by a memorial service at St. Pauls Cathedral, which was attended by the bereaved families, survivors, rescue workers and members of the royal family as well as other high profile guests. Later that evening, hundreds of people gathered to march silently in remembrance of those who were claimed by the fire that day. They held flowers, green candles and placards that read ‘Justice for Grenfell’ and ‘We demand the truth’. Firefighters stood in a line as people marched by, some breaking down.

At the Grenfell Tower silent march, firefighters break down in tears as survivors hug and thank them for trying to save as many people as possible on the night of the fire pic.twitter.com/8vvQ7rLW2u

— Fiona Rutherford (@Fi_Rutherford) December 14, 2017

The Grenfell Public inquiry has been launched

• A public inquiry has been started, following calls for those responsible to be held accountable for the actions that led to the tragedy.  The hearings took place on Monday and Tuesday to examine issues such as the best way for witnesses to give statements, the disclosure of evidence to core participants, and timetables. The evidence itself will only start to be heard in court from next year.All of the families and survivors of the tragedy have been given the status of core participants, however, there is a call for more representatives from the community to also be involved.

CAR – the country without Teachers

• In the Central African Republic (CAR), parents are having to step in to lead classes at their children’s school. Rival groups, Selekha and  Anti-Balaka have been fighting for control of the country since 2013, and in the warfare that has followed, teachers have disappeared leaving abandoning their positions. Most teachers are unable to access their salaries because there are no banks outside of the capital, and so have given up leaving a lot of schools empty. Parents are now having to do crash courses in order to ensure the schools are not left without teachers.

Role of #volunteer parent-teachers in the Central African republic https://t.co/JvYRX79RlZ getting education to those who otherwise wouldn't have it but is this sustainable?

— Dr Alice Chadwick El-Ali (@AliceMakepeace) December 11, 2017

Putin orders the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria

• The Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the withdrawal of  Russian troops from Syria. Putin met with Syrian President Bashar Assad today, in an unannounced visit to Syria and made the announcement from the Hemeimeem airbase located in Latakia, the coastal province of Syria. He announced that they had achieved their mission of defeating ISIS, but that the two countries would respond with power strikes if they should come back.