Paschal Donohoe, Ireland’s Finance Minister, has announced his resignation from government to assume a prestigious position at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. According to reports from Irish broadcaster RTÉ, Donohoe will take on the roles of Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer at the World Bank, the globe’s foremost development institution. His departure from the Irish government is expected to occur later on Tuesday, followed by his resignation as a TD (member of parliament) for Dublin Central later this week. Donohoe, a seasoned politician with a distinguished career, previously served as Ireland’s Finance Minister from 2017 to 2022 and was reappointed to the role in January 2025. The 51-year-old will also relinquish his position as Chairman of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, triggering a by-election in his constituency. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Donohoe began his political journey on Dublin City Council before ascending to Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate) and later Dáil Éireann (the lower house of parliament) in 2011. Over the years, he has held numerous ministerial portfolios, including Minister of State for European Affairs and Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Sport. His tenure as Finance Minister was marked by significant budgetary measures, including increased funding for social welfare and healthcare. Donohoe’s move to the World Bank underscores his expertise in economic and financial governance on the global stage.
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Engine accelerated after landing, a probe into deadly Hong Kong plane crash finds
A preliminary investigation into the fatal plane crash at Hong Kong International Airport last month has uncovered critical details about the incident. The report, released on Tuesday, indicates that the Number 4 engine of the Boeing 747 aircraft accelerated unexpectedly after the plane touched down on October 20. The aircraft, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines and leased by Emirates, skidded upon landing, colliding with a security patrol car and plunging both vehicles into the sea. Tragically, the two workers in the car lost their lives, while the four crew members on the plane escaped unharmed. The Transport and Logistics Bureau confirmed that flight conditions, including weather, runway status, and air traffic control, were normal prior to the accident. The Air Accident Investigation Authority classified the event as an accident, noting that the thrust lever of the Number 4 engine was in the full forward thrust position, contrary to the other engines, which were set to maximum reverse thrust. Investigators are now focusing on determining why the Number 4 engine’s thrust lever was in this position, examining potential issues with aircraft systems, engine conditions, maintenance records, and human factors. The investigation, supported by experts from Turkey’s Transport Safety Investigation Center, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and Boeing, aims to produce a comprehensive report within a year.
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Brazil creates new Indigenous territories after COP30 protests
In a landmark decision during the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, the government has officially designated 10 new Indigenous territories. This move, formalized through a presidential decree, aims to protect the culture and environment of these areas under Brazilian law, though enforcement remains inconsistent. The announcement follows President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s previous recognition of 11 Indigenous territories last year, marking a significant shift from the policies of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who promoted mining on Indigenous lands. The newly protected regions span hundreds of thousands of hectares and are home to thousands of Indigenous people from various communities, including the Mura, Tupinambá de Olivença, and Guarani-Kaiowá. One of the areas overlaps with 78% of the Amazon National Park, a critical component of the global climate system. The decision aligns with Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30 and responds to protests demanding immediate demarcation of Indigenous lands. Demonstrators, some from Indigenous groups, carried signs reading ‘our forests are not for sale’ and clashed with security earlier in the week. Studies suggest that expanding Indigenous territories could prevent up to 20% of deforestation and reduce carbon emissions by 26% by 2030. Currently, Indigenous lands cover 117.4 million hectares, roughly the size of Colombia. The Amazon rainforest, already under threat from deforestation, plays a vital role in carbon sequestration. The COP30 summit aims to address global climate challenges, with countries striving to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid severe consequences like extreme heat and food insecurity.
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US-China People’s Dialogue highlights essential role of people-to-people exchanges
The 2025 US-China People’s Dialogue commenced in Los Angeles on Sunday, highlighting the indispensable role of people-to-people exchanges in stabilizing bilateral relations. Organized jointly by Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) and the National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR), the three-day event brought together over 30 experts from academia, business, technology, and cultural sectors to discuss pressing issues under the theme ‘Bridging the Cultural and Informational Divide.’ Topics ranged from higher education and artificial intelligence to pop culture and the Chinese American community. This year’s dialogue introduced an innovative ‘group dialogue+’ format, featuring plenary discussions, breakout sessions, field visits, and interactions with international students, aiming to foster deeper understanding and trust. Yang Bin, vice chair of Tsinghua University Council, emphasized the event’s goal of exploring new mechanisms for cultural exchanges and promoting a constructive public opinion environment in the US. Stephen Orlins, president of the NCUSCR, stressed the need to identify and overcome barriers to people-to-people exchanges, calling for actionable recommendations to enhance bilateral relations. The dialogue, now in its third consecutive year, continues to serve as a vital platform for strengthening societal ties between the two nations.
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Pakistan’s Babar fined 10% of match fee for breaking own stumps
In a dramatic turn of events during Pakistan’s dominant one-day international (ODI) series against Sri Lanka, star batter Babar Azam faced disciplinary action for damaging his own stumps out of frustration. The incident occurred in the third ODI on Sunday when Azam, after being clean bowled by Sri Lanka’s leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay for 34 runs, struck the stumps in a moment of exasperation. Despite the outburst, Pakistan secured a six-wicket victory, completing a 3-0 series whitewash. Azam admitted to the offense and was subsequently fined 10% of his match fee. The series also marked a significant milestone for Azam, who scored 165 runs overall and equaled Saeed Anwar’s Pakistan record of 20 centuries in ODIs. This achievement marked his first international century since an Asia Cup match against Nepal in August 2023.
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Total faces war crimes allegations over Mozambique massacre
French energy giant TotalEnergies is embroiled in a legal and ethical controversy following allegations of complicity in war crimes during a 2021 massacre near its multi-billion-dollar gas project in northern Mozambique. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) has filed a complaint with French prosecutors, accusing the company of enabling the torture and execution of dozens of civilians by local security forces at its facility. The incident occurred in the resource-rich Cabo Delgado province, where government troops were combating Islamist militants linked to the Islamic State group. TotalEnergies has consistently denied responsibility for the actions of the security forces involved in guarding its Afungi peninsula gas refinery development, which was Africa’s largest foreign investment project at the time. The massacre followed a brutal Islamist attack on the town of Palma, where 1,563 civilians were killed or kidnapped near TotalEnergies’ gas plant. Investigative journalist Alex Perry, who first documented the tragedy, described it as the ‘bloodiest disaster in oil and gas history.’ The complaint highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by corporations operating in conflict zones and calls for accountability. Environmental campaigners are urging the UK and Dutch governments to withdraw financial support for TotalEnergies’ liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, citing the severity of the allegations. Critics draw parallels between TotalEnergies’ actions and those of Lafarge, another French company currently on trial for allegedly funding jihadist groups in Syria. Despite the controversy, supporters argue that the project could bring significant economic benefits to a neglected region of Africa.
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Chinese premier pledges closer cooperation with Russia in investment, energy, agriculture
In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met in Moscow on Monday, pledging to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. The meeting, held at the invitation of Mishustin, took place on the sidelines of the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Premier Li emphasized China’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with Russia in key areas such as investment, energy, and agriculture. He also expressed China’s openness to importing more high-quality agricultural and food products from Russia. The two leaders reviewed the progress of China-Russia cooperation and outlined plans for future collaboration, guided by the strategic vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Li urged both nations to strengthen communication, expand people-to-people exchanges, and foster cultural and educational ties to add warmth to their relationship. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of the SCO’s role in promoting regional and global stability, calling for enhanced institutional building and pragmatic cooperation among member states. Mishustin echoed these sentiments, reaffirming Russia’s commitment to deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and creating a favorable environment for Chinese investments in Russia. He also praised China’s leadership in the SCO, particularly for the successful Tianjin Summit in September. Both leaders expressed their dedication to advancing a multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, underscoring the growing synergy between the two nations.
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UAE public holidays 2026: 6-day break, long weekends, transferable dates explained
In a significant move to enhance work-life balance, the UAE has implemented a new law effective from 2025, allowing public holidays to be shifted to the start or end of the week when they fall mid-week. This innovative policy enables residents to enjoy longer, uninterrupted breaks. The system was first tested during the 2025 Eid Al Etihad holiday, which was moved to create a four-day weekend for UAE National Day celebrations. Looking ahead to 2026, this flexible approach is set to benefit residents further, with seven religious, national, and general occasions offering extended weekends, including a six-day break. Key holidays include Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, the Hijri New Year, the Prophet’s Birthday, and UAE National Day. Notably, Islamic holidays are subject to moon sighting, with astronomical calculations providing likely dates for planning purposes. The year begins with a public holiday on January 1, 2026, which could be transferred to create a three-day weekend. Eid Al Adha, expected to fall between May 26 and May 29, could result in a six-day break when combined with the weekend. The UAE National Day, celebrated on December 2 and 3, may also be adjusted to form a four-day weekend. This progressive approach underscores the UAE’s commitment to improving residents’ quality of life while respecting cultural and religious traditions.
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Palestinian groups urge UN mandate for Gaza mission
Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have strongly emphasized that any international mission in Gaza must operate under a United Nations mandate. This demand comes as the UN Security Council prepares to vote on a US-drafted resolution aimed at establishing a ‘Board of Peace’ and an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip. The factions argue that a mission outside UN authority could lead to external domination over Palestinian decision-making and turn humanitarian aid into a tool of pressure, thereby undermining Palestinian institutions and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. They insist that any mission must coordinate exclusively with official Palestinian institutions to avoid compromising Palestinian sovereignty. Additionally, the groups are calling for international mechanisms to hold Israel accountable for its violations of the ceasefire agreement, including the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s control of Gaza’s crossings. The US-drafted resolution, which follows a recent ceasefire brokered by the US, includes provisions for a potential future Palestinian state and the disarmament of Hamas. However, experts like Arhama Siddiqa of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad argue that the resolution fails to address the core issue of Israel’s occupation and the denial of Palestinian self-determination, making it unlikely to gain credibility on the ground.
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Experts call on India, China to bridge communication gap
In a bid to mend strained relations, experts and media leaders from India and China have emphasized the need to bridge the communication gap between the two nations. The call was made during a special plenary session at the 31st annual conference of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, held in Mumbai in October. The session focused on promoting dialogue to improve bilateral ties, with participants stressing the importance of rebuilding trust to reduce negative perceptions. Padma Rani, a senior professor at the Manipal Institute of Communication, highlighted the role of multilateral organizations like BRICS, G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in aligning views on global issues. She advocated for consistent dialogue and non-official exchanges between experts, think tanks, and civil society members to address the trust deficit. Wang Xiangwei, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, reflected on the cultural differences in communication styles between the two nations, noting that these differences could serve as bridges rather than barriers. He lamented the lack of accredited journalists in each other’s countries, which has led to negative portrayals in the media. Biplab Loho Choudhury, chairman of the Indian Communication Congress, recalled Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a ‘common Asian viewpoint’ and urged the two nations to embrace an Asian way of thinking. Ji Li, a professor at Wuhan University, highlighted a project encouraging young journalists to report on sustainable development goals, aiming to shift media narratives from confrontation to cooperation. K.G. Suresh, vice-president of the Indian Communication Congress, called for more academic exchanges to shape perceptions, while Wang suggested partnerships between media organizations to reduce dependency on Western sources and foster empathy through shared bylines.