More than 3,000 migrants died attempting to reach Spain in 2025, a significant decline from the previous year, while British boxer Anthony Joshua was injured in a car accident in Nigeria that resulted in two fatalities. In international military news, the US reportedly struck a facility in Venezuela, and SoftBank announced a $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge to enhance its AI-related investments.

Migrant Fatalities Decline Amid Dangerous Routes
According to a report by the NGO Caminando Fronteras, 3,090 individuals drowned while trying to reach Spain by sea from January to December 15, 2025. This figure marks a sharp decline from the 10,457 deaths recorded the previous year. Activists warn that stricter border controls have pushed migrants to take more perilous routes, with 303 shipwrecks reported during the same period. The Atlantic route from North Africa to the Canary Islands remains the deadliest, claiming 1,906 lives, while the new route from Algeria to the Balearic Islands resulted in 1,037 fatalities. The report highlights systemic abuses faced by migrants in Mauritania, a key departure point, despite the country's denial of such claims.

Anthony Joshua Injured in Fatal Car Crash
British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua sustained minor injuries in a car crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria on Monday morning. The accident, which occurred around 11 AM, involved Joshua's vehicle colliding with a stationary truck, resulting in the deaths of two passengers. Joshua was taken to a hospital for treatment, while local police and the federal road safety corps are investigating the circumstances leading to the crash, which is attributed to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking.

US Military Action in Venezuela
Former President Donald Trump claimed that US forces struck a "big facility" in Venezuela, allegedly linked to drug trafficking. The specifics of the strike remain unclear, with no independent verification of the incident. Trump stated that the action was part of a broader military buildup in the region aimed at disrupting Venezuelan oil exports and combating drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government has not commented on the reported strike, and the White House has remained silent on the details.

SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge
SoftBank Group announced its acquisition of DigitalBridge Group for $4 billion, aiming to enhance its investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence. This move is part of SoftBank's strategy to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-related computing capacity. DigitalBridge, which manages approximately $108 billion in assets, focuses on sectors such as datacenters and fiber networks. CEO Marc Ganzi will continue to lead DigitalBridge as a separate entity following the acquisition.

Wrap-up
The international landscape is marked by significant events, from the tragic loss of migrant lives attempting to reach Europe to high-profile incidents involving sports figures and military actions. The ongoing evolution of technology investments, as seen in SoftBank's acquisition, underscores the shifting priorities in global markets.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team