作者: admin

  • University licenses smart fish feeding system for 20 million

    University licenses smart fish feeding system for 20 million

    Huazhong Agricultural University, located in Wuhan, Hubei province, has unveiled a groundbreaking smart fish feeding system developed by its College of Fisheries. This innovative technology is designed to enhance efficiency and minimize waste in the aquaculture industry, addressing critical challenges faced by fish farmers. The university recently signed a 20-year technology licensing agreement with Sheng Ya Environment, granting the company exclusive rights to the system in exchange for 20 million yuan ($2.8 million). The smart feeding system leverages advanced algorithms and sensors to optimize feeding schedules and quantities, ensuring that fish receive the right amount of nutrition while reducing environmental impact. This development marks a significant step forward in the integration of technology into traditional industries, potentially transforming aquaculture practices globally. The licensing deal underscores the growing demand for sustainable solutions in food production and highlights the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration between academia and industry.

  • South Korean ferry with 260 passengers hits rocky island

    South Korean ferry with 260 passengers hits rocky island

    A South Korean passenger ferry transporting approximately 260 individuals collided with a rocky island near Jindo on Wednesday, leaving the vessel stranded, according to reports from YTN. The incident prompted an immediate response from the coast guard, which is currently conducting a rescue operation to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. Officials have confirmed the ongoing efforts but have yet to provide further details regarding the condition of those on board or the extent of the damage to the ferry. The accident has raised concerns about maritime safety in the region, particularly as the area is known for its challenging navigation conditions. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the collision and assess whether any preventive measures could have been taken to avoid the incident. The stranded ferry has drawn significant attention, with local media closely monitoring the rescue operation and updates from officials.

  • Hakimi and Chebbak named African players of the year

    Hakimi and Chebbak named African players of the year

    In a historic night for Moroccan football, Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak were crowned the 2025 African Footballer of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively, at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Rabat. Hakimi, the 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain right-back, edged out Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen to claim the prestigious men’s award. This marks the first time a Moroccan has won the title since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. Hakimi’s stellar performances for both PSG and the Moroccan national team, including scoring the opening goal in PSG’s 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, solidified his place as a deserving winner. Despite his recent ankle injury, Hakimi remains hopeful of leading Morocco to glory in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil. Meanwhile, Chebbak, the 35-year-old Moroccan captain, made history as the first Moroccan woman to win the women’s award since its inception in 2001. Her leadership and top-scoring performance in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations were instrumental in Morocco’s journey to the final, although they fell short against Nigeria. The awards ceremony also celebrated other African football luminaries, including Cape Verde’s Bubista, named Men’s Coach of the Year for guiding his team to a historic World Cup qualification, and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who secured the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive year. The event underscored Morocco’s growing influence in African football and set the stage for the nation’s ambitions in the 2025 AFCON and beyond.

  • ‘Don’t embarrass our guest’: Trump defends Saudi prince during White House press grilling

    ‘Don’t embarrass our guest’: Trump defends Saudi prince during White House press grilling

    During a high-profile visit to the White House, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faced intense scrutiny over the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The visit, marked by ceremonial pomp including cannon fire and a U.S. Air Force fly-past, was overshadowed by the unresolved controversy surrounding Khashoggi’s brutal murder. U.S. President Donald Trump, however, came to the defense of the crown prince during a joint press conference, dismissing the issue with a casual remark: “Things happen.”

    Khashoggi, a former Middle East Eye journalist, was lured into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and killed by Saudi agents in an operation that U.S. intelligence believes was approved by the crown prince. When questioned about the incident, Trump downplayed its significance, stating, “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about,” and asserting that the crown prince had no knowledge of the event. The crown prince himself described Khashoggi’s death as “painful” and claimed that Saudi Arabia had taken steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

    The Biden administration, in a 2021 report, concluded that the crown prince had approved the order to “capture or kill” Khashoggi, a claim vehemently denied by Saudi officials. Middle East Eye had previously reported that seven of the 15 suspects involved in the operation were part of the crown prince’s personal security detail. The assassination, which took just seven minutes, involved horrific details, including Khashoggi being dragged, injected with a substance, and dismembered.

    In 2019, a Saudi court sentenced five individuals to death and three others to prison for their roles in the killing, though the trial was widely criticized as a sham. Reports in 2021 revealed that some of the convicted individuals were living in luxury at a government-run security compound in Riyadh, rather than serving time in prison. The killing strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though ties were eventually repaired in 2022. Ankara later transferred its own Khashoggi trial to Saudi Arabia, involving 26 suspects.

    The Khashoggi case has also shed light on the existence of the “Tiger Squad,” a covert unit allegedly established by the crown prince to target Saudi dissidents both domestically and abroad. Despite the international outcry, the Saudi government has maintained its stance, and the crown prince continues to enjoy diplomatic support from key allies, including the United States.

  • After UAE, Archer to launch flying taxi service in Saudi Arabia

    After UAE, Archer to launch flying taxi service in Saudi Arabia

    Archer Aviation, the pioneering company set to introduce flying taxi services in the UAE next year, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed at the Dubai Airshow 2025, involves collaboration with The Helicopter Company (THC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind regenerative tourism projects like The Red Sea and Amaala. The partnership aims to develop, test, and potentially integrate Archer’s Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft into RSG’s operations. The initial phase will focus on creating a structured sandbox environment to conduct real-world test flights, assessing aircraft performance, operational feasibility, regulatory compliance, passenger acceptance, and ecosystem readiness. Additionally, the collaboration will explore advanced aerial technologies, long-term strategic partnerships for large-scale deployment, and regional innovation in next-generation aviation systems. Upon completing the sandbox program, the parties will evaluate the results and consider further steps to scale eVTOL services. Archer’s CEO, Adam Goldstein, expressed enthusiasm about transforming travel within Saudi Arabia and setting a regional benchmark for aviation. THC’s CEO, Captain Arnaud Martinez, highlighted eVTOL’s potential as the future of urban transportation, while RSG’s CEO, John Pagano, emphasized the alignment of eVTOL integration with their vision for regenerative tourism.

  • Culture high on agenda at Sanya tourism summit

    Culture high on agenda at Sanya tourism summit

    The 2025 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event commenced on Tuesday evening in Sanya, Hainan province, uniting international tourism leaders to explore innovative strategies for sustainable coastal development. Themed ‘Meet Sanya, Cocreate the Future,’ the three-day summit attracted tourism officials, heads of international organizations, and delegates from 37 destinations spanning 27 countries and regions. Attendees will participate in immersive tours, thematic discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions centered on fostering sustainable growth for tropical coastal cities. The event highlights Sanya’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global tourism while emphasizing cultural exchange and environmental stewardship.

  • Italian court approves extradition to Germany of Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream pipeline blast

    Italian court approves extradition to Germany of Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream pipeline blast

    Italy’s highest court has greenlit the extradition of a Ukrainian national to Germany, where he faces allegations of orchestrating the 2022 explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream pipelines. The Cassation Court dismissed a final appeal by 49-year-old Serhii Kuznietsov, paving the way for his transfer to German authorities within days. Kuznietsov, detained in August 2023 while vacationing near Rimini, is accused of detonating multiple underwater bombs in the Baltic Sea, targeting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. His defense lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, maintains his client’s innocence, expressing confidence in an acquittal. The incident, which occurred in September 2022, disrupted the Nord Stream 1 pipeline—a critical conduit for Russian natural gas to Germany—and damaged the inactive Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Germany had suspended certification of Nord Stream 2 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. Kuznietsov denies involvement, claiming he was serving in the Ukrainian military at the time. Meanwhile, Poland has blocked the extradition of another suspect linked to the case.

  • Exclusive: Britain mulls ban on Israeli settlement goods

    Exclusive: Britain mulls ban on Israeli settlement goods

    The British government is reportedly contemplating a ban on the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to sources close to the administration. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has indicated to Labour MPs that such a ban is desirable, though the final decision rests with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is currently hesitant to implement the measure. However, a ban is deemed likely if there is further expansion of settlements or an escalation in settler violence. This marks a significant shift from Labour’s previous stance, which opposed sanctions or boycotts against Israel. Ministers now acknowledge that a ban aligns with the UK’s position on the occupied territories. Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC), has long advocated for such a ban, arguing that permitting the sale of settlement goods undermines sanctions against settlers. A recent FASC report also recommended a ban on imports from illegal settlements. Labour MP Andy McDonald has pressed the government to enforce stricter measures, noting that existing checks and labeling requirements are insufficient. In May, the UK sanctioned several Israeli settlers and organizations supporting violence in the West Bank, followed by sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers in June. While the UK is unlikely to act alone, it may coordinate with allies like France or the Netherlands. Pressure is mounting within Labour, with MPs like Abtisam Mohamed and Bell Ribiero-Addy urging immediate action to comply with international law and support a two-state solution. A parliamentary bill proposing comprehensive sanctions on Israel is also gaining traction, citing the International Court of Justice’s 2024 ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation. Despite these developments, the UK’s trade with Israel has grown, with exports rising by 10.5% to £3.6 billion in the past year. The Labour government has suspended some arms export licenses but continues to supply components for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel.

  • Olympic snowboarder-turned-drug kingpin charged with murder of witness

    Olympic snowboarder-turned-drug kingpin charged with murder of witness

    The US Department of Justice has accused Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, of leading a sprawling international drug cartel and orchestrating the murder of a federal witness. Wedding, 44, allegedly released the witness’s image to a fake news website, The Dirty Newz, in October 2024, leading to the individual’s fatal shooting in Medellin, Colombia, in January. The FBI has since removed the website and increased the reward for Wedding’s capture from $10 million to $15 million, likening him to the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. FBI Director Kash Patel described Wedding’s operations as a ‘narco trafficking and narco terrorism programme’ unprecedented in recent history. Authorities believe Wedding is currently under the protection of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. In addition to the witness’s murder, Wedding faces charges of witness tampering, intimidation, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Recent developments in the case include a new indictment and the arrest of 10 individuals allegedly linked to his cartel, which is accused of being the largest supplier of cocaine to Canada, generating over $1 billion annually. Among those arrested is Deepak Balwant Paradkar, a Canadian lawyer accused of providing illegal services to Wedding’s organization, including advising on the witness’s murder to avoid extradition. The alleged co-founder of The Dirty Newz, Gursewak Singh Bal, was also detained, alongside Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, a Colombian national accused of running a high-end prostitution ring in Mexico, and Atna Ohna, who allegedly hired a hitman for the cartel. Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, reportedly launched his criminal enterprise after being released from a US federal prison in 2011, where he was serving a sentence for cocaine distribution. The FBI alleges he has ordered dozens of murders globally, including in the US, Canada, and Latin America.

  • Bulgarian authorities responsible for deaths of three Egyptian minors, report says

    Bulgarian authorities responsible for deaths of three Egyptian minors, report says

    A recent report by Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, has concluded that Bulgarian authorities were responsible for the deaths of three Egyptian teenagers who succumbed to hypothermia near the Bulgaria-Turkey border in December 2023. The teenagers, aged 15, 16, and 17, were found unconscious in the snow near Burgas after NGOs repeatedly alerted Bulgarian emergency services about their life-threatening situation. Despite receiving multiple alerts, the authorities failed to act promptly, leading to the tragic outcome. The report highlights that the authorities had sufficient information to infer the severity of the situation and the capacity to intervene but neglected to implement adequate measures. Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Office (FRO) expressed deep concern over the repeated allegations of improper responses to distress calls by Bulgarian border police, which often involve violent pushbacks and inhumane treatment of migrants. The FRO recommended that Frontex increase its presence and involvement in border surveillance and search and rescue operations. However, NGOs criticized the agency for using the incident to expand its influence in Bulgaria, accusing it of complicity in the same practices as the Bulgarian Border Police. The report also noted that the authorities’ inaction violated the right to life enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and failed to fulfill child protection obligations. This incident underscores the broader issue of migrant deaths and violence along the Balkan route, exacerbated by EU-funded border fortifications and increased impunity of border police. Since Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen zone in January 2024, the government has pledged to strengthen border controls, raising concerns about further violations of migrant rights.